Biography

Alexandra Zimmermann is a specialist in human–wildlife conflict and coexistence (HWC), whose work over the past 25 years has played a central role in revising our understanding of HWCs and developing durable solutions through governance adjustments and negotiation rather than technical quick fixes. She is the Founding Chair of the IUCN SSC Human–Wildlife Conflict & Coexistence Specialist Group and regularly advises governments, UN agencies, donors, and NGOs worldwide, including the UN FAO and the Royal Commission for Al Ula. She contributed directly to the novel inclusion of HWC within the UN Convention on Biological Diversity Global Biodiversity Framework and directed the creation of global guidelines for the management of HWC and international multi-stakeholder conferences on the topic. Alexandra has extensive experience in training and capacity building, having designed and delivered tailored courses for the World Bank, IUCN and various zoos and NGOs. Her experience is grounded in extensive field work with communities in Brazil, India, Nepal, Mauritius, UK, Saudi Arabia and many other countries, where she has conducted stakeholder dialogues and negotiated solutions involving communities, governments, and conservation organisations. She is based at the University of Oxford as Associate Professor where she also leads research and supervises graduate students. Raised in Indonesia, Lebanon, Germany, France, and Canada, her initial training was in zoology and conservation biology before she gained her doctorate in conservation social research from Oxford University, trained as a facilitator and then in conflict negotiation at Harvard University and diplomatic negotiation at the United Nations.