Alex

Alex Poppendorf

MA
Pronouns: she/her

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

Play Design Learn Group

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.


Peer Beyond Graduate Research Conference and Journal

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