Alexandra Howard
About me
I am a South African conservation biologist with over a decade of research and field experience across southern Africa and abroad. With expertise in bat ecology, biodiversity monitoring, wildlife management, and conservation data systems, with a strong record of scientific publications, stakeholder engagement, and capacity-building. Skilled at bridging science and practice to design evidence-based solutions that benefit both ecosystems and communities.
I am currently the Co-Chairperson of Bat Conservation Africa and secretary for the Africa Regional Committee of Global South Bats. I was very grateful to receive the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science South African Young Talent Award in 2023 and have been expanding my network to connect African biology graduate students ever since.
I am an environmental researcher and consultant with a focus on biodiversity monitoring, conservation strategy, and ecological fieldwork in some of the world’s most challenging landscapes. Much of my work centres on understanding species distributions, ecological dynamics, and the conservation challenges faced by wildlife in fragile environments, particularly arid and mountainous regions.
My background bridges academic research and applied conservation, and I have contributed to several international initiatives on biodiversity data collection, access, and sharing. Working with scientists, NGOs, and local stakeholders, I design and implement ecological surveys using a combination of passive acoustic monitoring, mist-netting, and roost-site assessments to build robust ecological baselines. Recent projects include extensive bat surveys in desert and montane reserves, which are helping to reveal patterns of species presence, adaptation, and conservation needs.
In addition to my field research, I am passionate about scientific communication and collaboration. I have presented at international conferences, including the 20th International Bat Research Conference, and I help lead initiatives that connect researchers working in African mountain ecosystems. I have also contributed to horizon-scanning projects aimed at identifying barriers and opportunities for biodiversity data use in Africa, building on workshops at the Southern African Mountain Conferences.
I am deeply committed to bridging the gap between research and policy. I regularly advise conservation organisations and funders on evidence-based approaches to biodiversity management, and I believe strongly in creating collaborative platforms that support knowledge sharing across borders, disciplines, and communities.
My work reflects both my love for rigorous ecological research and my drive to see conservation science make a tangible difference—whether through field-based discovery, horizon scanning, or strengthening the networks that shape the future of biodiversity knowledge.
Other Memberships/Affiliations
Degrees:
Taylor, Peter J., et al. "Southern Africa's Great Escarpment as an amphitheater of climate‐driven diversification and a buffer against future climate change in bats." Global Change Biology 30.6 (2024): e17344.
Howard, Alexandra, et al. "Injuries, mortality rates, and release rates of endangered vultures admitted to a rehabilitation center in South Africa." Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation 40.3 (2020).
Taylor, Peter J., et al. "Citizen Science and Expert Bioblitzes Reveal Congruent Elevational Patterns of Biodiversity in an Imperiled Alpine Hotspot in Southern Africa." Pre-print, accepted.