Alexander Donovan-Lowe

Education

University of Portsmouth: MA International Relations and Politics	09/2022 - 09/2023
Aiming to get a First-Class award for this degree. Studying five different topic areas: Exploring International Relations (72%), Contemporary Security in International Relations: Providers and Challenges (88%), Defence and Deterrence (74%), Comparative Public Policy and Administration (77%), and Researching International Relations (65%). The degree is nurturing my ability to develop a pragmatic understanding of approaches to global and national issues.

University of Portsmouth: MA International Relations and Politics

09/2022 - 09/2023

Aiming to get a First-Class award for this degree.

Studying five different topic areas: Exploring International Relations (72%), Contemporary Security in International Relations: Providers and Challenges (88%), Defence and Deterrence (74%), Comparative Public Policy and Administration (77%), and Researching International Relations (65%).

The degree is nurturing my ability to develop a pragmatic understanding of approaches to global and national issues.

University of Portsmouth: BSc Computer Science with Honours	09/2018 - 07/2022
Received a Second-Class Upper Division (with Honours) for my degree. My final year project centred around developing a practical mechanism to combat the crisis of democracy in the United Kingdom and abroad, and to support protest. As none of this is discussed in my degree curriculum, this experience also massively developed my researching skills. Elected to Course Representative for the University of Portsmouth in 2018. Member of several societies; IT society, Stand Up to Racism society, and Activists society. A very practical and coursework intensive degree, meaning I am accustomed to working under tight and overlapping deadlines while managing several workloads simultaneously. Developed a high competency with technology and software during this degree. Had to work independently and co-operatively on several occasions to solve problems, while being sure to adapt and grasp new concepts quickly.

University of Portsmouth: BSc Computer Science with Honours

09/2018 - 07/2022

Received a Second-Class Upper Division (with Honours) for my degree.

My final year project centred around developing a practical mechanism to combat the crisis of democracy in the United Kingdom and abroad, and to support protest. As none of this is discussed in my degree curriculum, this experience also massively developed my researching skills.

Elected to Course Representative for the University of Portsmouth in 2018.

Member of several societies; IT society, Stand Up to Racism society, and Activists society.

A very practical and coursework intensive degree, meaning I am accustomed to working under tight and overlapping deadlines while managing several workloads simultaneously.

Developed a high competency with technology and software during this degree.

Had to work independently and co-operatively on several occasions to solve problems, while being sure to adapt and grasp new concepts quickly.

University of Göteborg, Sweden: MSc Computer Science	09/2019 - 03/2020
For my second year of education, I was able to study in Sweden with the European Union’s Erasmus scheme. It is worth noting that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I could not complete this placement, but I still received 20 credits in recognition of studying done. This experience really broadened my perspectives and made me much more interested in international news and events. Received Erasmus Scholarship.

University of Göteborg, Sweden: MSc Computer Science

09/2019 - 03/2020

For my second year of education, I was able to study in Sweden with the European Union’s Erasmus scheme.

It is worth noting that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I could not complete this placement, but I still received 20 credits in recognition of studying done.

This experience really broadened my perspectives and made me much more interested in international news and events.

Received Erasmus Scholarship.

Richard Taunton's Sixth Form College	09/2015 - 07/2017
Awarded Distincion, Distinction, Distinction in a Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Information Technology.

Additional Qualifications	Certificate Proof Available on Request
Confronting Bias: Thriving Across Our Differences *National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)* – Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Credit - 1.60 Driving Change and Anti-Racism *Project Management Institute* Inclusive Leadership *Project Management Institute*

Experience

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & ENGAGEMENT OFFICER	08/2022 - Current
University of Portsmouth \| Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK
Great experience to engage in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) matters within a Higher Education setting. Updated the University’s Gender Expression & Identity Policy to better guarantee it functions aptly for our transgender staff and students. As part of this, I had to liaise with several teams to ensure the process of name and gender changes in our system are both up-to-date and as confidential as possible. This also means we abide legislation like the Equality Act 2010 and the Gender Recognition Act 2004. Contributed to the University’s Athena Swan submission by helping to co-ordinate and engage the Athena Swan Champion’s across the university, also providing them with materials that they may find useful to better reach gender equity across the University. Assisted the EDI team in their work on the Race Equality Charter (REC), by highlighting potential pitfalls in communication channels and promoting the student voice within our REC. Critically reviewed all training courses provided at the University to ensure compliance to legislation, as well as, to improve how much the training sticks with staff and that it promotes EDI.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & ENGAGEMENT OFFICER

08/2022 - Current

University of Portsmouth | Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK

Great experience to engage in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) matters within a Higher Education setting.

Updated the University’s Gender Expression & Identity Policy to better guarantee it functions aptly for our transgender staff and students. As part of this, I had to liaise with several teams to ensure the process of name and gender changes in our system are both up-to-date and as confidential as possible. This also means we abide legislation like the Equality Act 2010 and the Gender Recognition Act 2004.

Contributed to the University’s Athena Swan submission by helping to co-ordinate and engage the Athena Swan Champion’s across the university, also providing them with materials that they may find useful to better reach gender equity across the University.

Assisted the EDI team in their work on the Race Equality Charter (REC), by highlighting potential pitfalls in communication channels and promoting the student voice within our REC.

Critically reviewed all training courses provided at the University to ensure compliance to legislation, as well as, to improve how much the training sticks with staff and that it promotes EDI.

LEAD PERSON/PEOPLE OF THE GLOBAL MAJORITY (PGM) AMBASSADOR	10/2020 - 07/2023
University of Portsmouth, Student’s Union \| Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK
Worked with several teams across the university and the union to write new policy and practice guidelines for a vast range of topics. Wrote communications for senior members of staff to detail projects that the team and I worked on. Co-ordinated a social media presence to inform the students and the public of our activities. Maintained a constant and up to date knowledge base of social justice and issues of equality across the globe, and in the United Kingdom, to ensure effectiveness in our mission. Worked with external organisers to further racial equity within the local community and society that the university exists in. Lobbying the university itself to implement a Zero-Tolerance to Racism policy, while also doing micro-implementation to get as much of that policy put into practice. Worked alongside staff within the university and the student's union to implement policy changes that will close the awarding gap of local minority students. Co-ordinated several teams to try and tackle the awarding gap and racial inequity at the university from a faculty level as a more bottom-up approach. Attended several "panels" where matters of equality and diversity were discussed, as an opportunity to propagate changes that the student and staff body wanted to see. Ensure that my team were engaged, motivated, and mentally healthy. This involved arranging psychological support for those who needed it, due to discussing their racial trauma and the impact of micro-aggressions. Liaised with senior management and student representatives to gather data and research to use as evidence for policy and regulation changes.

LEAD PERSON/PEOPLE OF THE GLOBAL MAJORITY (PGM) AMBASSADOR

10/2020 - 07/2023

University of Portsmouth, Student’s Union | Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK

Worked with several teams across the university and the union to write new policy and practice guidelines for a vast range of topics.

Wrote communications for senior members of staff to detail projects that the team and I worked on.

Co-ordinated a social media presence to inform the students and the public of our activities.

Maintained a constant and up to date knowledge base of social justice and issues of equality across the globe, and in the United Kingdom, to ensure effectiveness in our mission.

Worked with external organisers to further racial equity within the local community and society that the university exists in.

Lobbying the university itself to implement a Zero-Tolerance to Racism policy, while also doing micro-implementation to get as much of that policy put into practice.

Worked alongside staff within the university and the student's union to implement policy changes that will close the awarding gap of local minority students.

Co-ordinated several teams to try and tackle the awarding gap and racial inequity at the university from a faculty level as a more bottom-up approach.

Attended several "panels" where matters of equality and diversity were discussed, as an opportunity to propagate changes that the student and staff body wanted to see.

Ensure that my team were engaged, motivated, and mentally healthy. This involved arranging psychological support for those who needed it, due to discussing their racial trauma and the impact of micro-aggressions.

Liaised with senior management and student representatives to gather data and research to use as evidence for policy and regulation changes.

JUNIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE	05/2023 - 06/2023
Högskolan i Halmstad (Halmstad University) \| Halmstad, Halland, Sweden
Great experience to work alongside the most prominent Swedish academics of their fields. Delved into the extant literature surrounding the Oresund region and the sociological impacts that borders can have. Honed my research prowess by working on two annotated bibliographies. The first regarded everything written about the Oresund region, the second was to discover literature pertaining to the Danish and Swedish accession to the EU. Developed interpersonal and discovery skills to gain access to previously published Danish and Swedish newspapers – it’s harder than you’d think! Networked with other leading professors and researchers which has grown my confidence in academic circles.

JUNIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

05/2023 - 06/2023

Högskolan i Halmstad (Halmstad University) | Halmstad, Halland, Sweden

Great experience to work alongside the most prominent Swedish academics of their fields.

Delved into the extant literature surrounding the Oresund region and the sociological impacts that borders can have.

Honed my research prowess by working on two annotated bibliographies. The first regarded everything written about the Oresund region, the second was to discover literature pertaining to the Danish and Swedish accession to the EU.

Developed interpersonal and discovery skills to gain access to previously published Danish and Swedish newspapers – it’s harder than you’d think!

Networked with other leading professors and researchers which has grown my confidence in academic circles.

BLACK, ASIAN, AND MINORITY ETHNICITY (BAME) AMBASSADOR	10/2020 - 07/2021
University of Portsmouth, Student’s Union \| Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK
Co-ordinated campaigns to get a Zero-Tolerance to Racism policy put into practice at the union, while lobbying the university to do the same. Won the Vice-Chancellor's Award Commendation for running student-led campaigns to help tackle the BAME awarding gap at the university. Communicated with students from a BAME background to discover what changes would be the most beneficial for them. Helped university staff create course content that is more inclusive, and less exclusive or derogatory.

BLACK, ASIAN, AND MINORITY ETHNICITY (BAME) AMBASSADOR

10/2020 - 07/2021

University of Portsmouth, Student’s Union | Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK

Co-ordinated campaigns to get a Zero-Tolerance to Racism policy put into practice at the union, while lobbying the university to do the same.

Won the Vice-Chancellor's Award Commendation for running student-led campaigns to help tackle the BAME awarding gap at the university.

Communicated with students from a BAME background to discover what changes would be the most beneficial for them.

Helped university staff create course content that is more inclusive, and less exclusive or derogatory.

TEAM KNOWHOW MOBILE EXPERT	07/2017 - 08/2019
Carphone Warehouse \| Southampton, Hampshire, UK
Helped the management team with the training, and professional growth of other employees. Supported all colleagues in improving operations and resolving issues to deliver top-notch customer service. Delivered an exceptional level of service to each customer by listening to concerns and answering questions regarding contracts, faulty handsets, and our available services. Researched and updated all required materials needed for colleagues in store. Worked directly with mobile manufacturers to increase their sales.

TEAM KNOWHOW MOBILE EXPERT

07/2017 - 08/2019

Carphone Warehouse | Southampton, Hampshire, UK

Helped the management team with the training, and professional growth of other employees.

Supported all colleagues in improving operations and resolving issues to deliver top-notch customer service.

Delivered an exceptional level of service to each customer by listening to concerns and answering questions regarding contracts, faulty handsets, and our available services.

Researched and updated all required materials needed for colleagues in store.

Worked directly with mobile manufacturers to increase their sales.

TEAM MEMBER	06/2016 - 06/2017
McDonald's \| Southampton, Hampshire, UK
Provided a great standard of service to each customer by always greeting with a smile and being patient with them. Resolved issues quickly to maintain productivity goals. Contributed to team success by completing multiple jobs quickly and accurately. Went out of my way to become adept at all the various jobs that could be done around the workplace. Sought out ways to go above and beyond the basic job requirements.

TEAM MEMBER

06/2016 - 06/2017

McDonald's | Southampton, Hampshire, UK

Provided a great standard of service to each customer by always greeting with a smile and being patient with them.

Resolved issues quickly to maintain productivity goals.

Contributed to team success by completing multiple jobs quickly and accurately.

Went out of my way to become adept at all the various jobs that could be done around the workplace.

Sought out ways to go above and beyond the basic job requirements.

Hobbies

Reading (especially non-fiction)
Learning new Languages
Travelling the World
Painting Miniatures
Catching the News
Watching Movies
Making websites
Volunteering
Protesting
Gaming

Passions

Connecting with other People
Championing Human Rights
Experiencing New Cultures
Cooking Novel Dishes
Exploring the Earth
Helping Others

Contact Me

E-Mail: me@alexdonovanlowe.com

Mobile: +44 7443 880 638

ABOUT ME

Education

Experience

Hobbies

Passions

Contact Me