

Alex Poppendorf
Positions
Graduate Research Assistant
Werklund School of Education, Specialization, Leadership
Technology Support Assistant
Werklund School of Education, Academic Support Offices
Contact information
Background
Credentials
Managing Emotions in Times of Uncertainty & Stress, Yale University, 2025
Leading for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education, University of Michigan, 2025
Assessment in Higher Education: Professional Development for Teachers, Erasmus University, 2025
safeTALK: Suicide Alertness for Everyone, Living Works, 2023
Restorative Practices, International Institute for Restorative Practices, 2022
Learning to Teach Online, University of New South Wales Online , 2020
Structured Learning Assistance Leader, College Reading and Learning Association , 2016
Academic Writing Tutor, College Reading and Learning Association , 2014
Educational Background
Master of Arts, Military History, Austin Peay State University, 2016
Bachelor of Arts, History, Austin Peay State University, 2014
Biography
Alex is an American, Southerner, and Appalachian scholar living in Canada, where she is pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership. Her research explores Southern place through storytelling, an approach that weaves together culture, geography, and memory to reflect meaningfully on histories of oppression and the current vitriolic political divisions that have followed. She believes narrative is a powerful tool for making sense of the world and connecting people and their communities. Through sharing our stories, we can engage in dialogue that unpacks settler and white supremacist legacies and imagine futures where people are more deeply connected to their communities and places in ways that are empathetic, personal, and focused on healing. Alex's work is grounded in curiosity, care, and a commitment to meaningful connection.
A passionate teacher and neurodivergent scholar, Alex prioritizes inclusive classrooms by applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and using open educational resources. She has taught a range of subjects, from history to academic writing. In 2024–2025, she served as Vice President Academic of the Graduate Students’ Association, advocating for graduate student rights at institutional, provincial, and federal levels.
Outside of academia, she enjoys cozy mysteries, especially Murder She Wrote and The Thursday Murder Club.
Projects
Alex is a graduate student researcher with the Play Design & Learn Group, which investigates and promotes a game (re)design-based approach to creating engaging and purposeful play environments.
Alex is a founding member and editor with the journal Peer Beyond, which was created by the Graduate Students' Association in 2025 to showcase and celebrate graduate student research.
Awards
- Eyes High Doctoral Scholarship, University of Calgary . 2024
- Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship, University of Calgary . 2023
- Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship, University of Calgary. 2022
- Robert W. Blake Memorial Social Justice Scholarship, 2022
- Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship, University of Calgary. 2021
- Outstanding Graduate Student in Military History Award, Austin Peay State University, Department of History and Philosophy. 2016
- Outstanding Academic Writing Tutor Award, Austin Peay State University, Office of Academic Support . 2014
- Fred Seip Jr. Memorial Scholarship in History, 2013
Are you the profile owner?
Login to edit.