Staff: Alexandra M Alden, PhD

Photo of Alexandra Alden

Alexandra M. Alden, PhD

Associate Director of Research, Center for Workforce Development

Email
alexandra_alden@williamjames.edu
Phone
617-327-6777 x2331
Location
Office 523
Pronouns
she/her/hers
Degree Major/Emphasis Institution Year
PhD Sociology Northeastern University 2022
MA Sociology Northeatern University 2017
BA Sociology University of Massachusetts Amherst 2012

Biography

Dr. Alexandra Alden is the Associate Director of Research at the Center for Workforce Development. With a PhD in sociology from Northeastern University, she developed a passion for solving real-world problems through social science and even helped launch her former employer’s first public evaluation lab. Throughout her career, Alex ran evaluation projects for health care facilities, community organizations, and government health entities while also managing the research of others. At William James College, she utilizes her research and evaluation expertise as well as her mission-driven background in the fields of behavioral health services and racial equity.

Research and Practice Interests

  • Behavioral health systems and services
  • Racial justice and equity strategies
  • Health policy and governance
  • Organizational change and workforce growth

Awards

  • 2021-2022 Outstanding Contributions to Public Sociology Award, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Northeastern University
  • 2021 Dissertation Completion Fellowship, Ph.D. Network, Northeastern University
  • 2020 Dissertation Research Grant, Ph.D. Network, Northeastern University
  • 2019 Experiential Fellowship, College of Social Science and Humanities, Northeastern University
  • 2013 Presidential Volunteer Service Award and Congressional Medal of Honor
  • 2012 Outstanding Sociological Achievement Award, Department of Sociology, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Prior Experience

  • Researcher, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health
  • Researcher, Boston Public Health Commission
  • Researcher, DMA Health Strategies
  • Researcher, Northeastern University’s Public Evaluation Lab
  • Researcher, Northeastern University’s Departments of Sociology, Public Health, and Law
  • Instructor, Northeastern University’s Department of Sociology
  • English Teacher, St. Francis Xavier Mathanothai School
  • Corps Member, AmeriCorps NCCC
  • Researcher, UMass Amherst’s Department of Sociology
  • Researcher, Youth Action Coalition
  • Researcher, UMass Medical School’s Center for Mental Health Services Research