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Alexandra King

Alexandra King

PhD (General)

Qualifications

  • Master of International and Community Development, Deakin University
  • Bachelor of Arts (Development Studies) Honours, The University of Melbourne and Australian National University

Background

My work has focused on the social, economic and public health issues faced by disadvantaged populations in developing countries as well as in outer suburban areas of Melbourne and Hobart. I have worked in a variety of roles for non-government organisations, University institutes, state and local governments, the World Bank and AusAID. My areas of interest have included food security, child labour, youth health, HIV/AIDS prevention, and prisoner health and wellbeing. Cutting across these areas, I have maintained a particular interest in effective program design and evidence-based policy making.

Current study

My PhD research project will examine the food security challenges faced by economically, geographically and socially marginalised older people in Tasmania. It will focus primarily on the access determinants of food security, such as the knowledge, skills, resources and social supports of individuals and communities. I intend to conduct a series of in-depth case studies of older Tasmanians in order to capture individual experiences of ageing and explore the commonality of factors which impact on people's food security and nutritional outcomes as they age. Comparisons will be made across gender, ethnic background, socioeconomic situation, degree of social connectedness and geographic location. The case studies will also explore patterns of obtaining food, social connectedness and the effectiveness of any food security interventions.