Alexandra Zimmermann

Alexandra Zimmermann is a senior research fellow at the University of Oxford and a leading expert in human-wildlife conflict and coexistence.12 Here are some key points about her background and work:

Academic and Professional Roles

• Senior Research Fellow at the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) at the University of Oxford15
• Chair of the IUCN SSC Human-Wildlife Conflict & Coexistence Specialist Group12
• Director of Negotiating Coexistence1
• Specialist Advisor for organizations like the Royal Commission for AlUla and the UN FAO1

Expertise and Research Focus

Dr. Zimmermann specializes in:

• Biodiversity conservation conflict resolution
• Human-wildlife conflict analysis and mediation
• Conservation policy and strategy
• Interdisciplinary approaches to wildlife conservation

Her work involves studying conflicts between humans and endangered species, such as jaguars preying on cattle or crocodiles attacking people. She examines the underlying social, cultural, and political drivers of these conflicts and develops strategies for mediation.3

Education and Training

• Ph.D. (D.Phil.) in Wildlife Conservation from the University of Oxford
• M.Sc. in Conservation Biology from the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, University of Kent
• B.Sc. in Zoology from the University of Leeds
• Additional training in non-profit management, conflict negotiation, and diplomatic negotiation from institutions like Harvard Business School and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research14

International Experience

Dr. Zimmermann has worked on human-wildlife conflicts globally, including projects involving:

• Elephants and tigers in India and Nepal
• Jaguars across Latin America
• Bears in Bolivia
• Fruit bats in Mauritius24

Her extensive international background and multilingual skills have contributed to her ability to work effectively in diverse cultural settings.4