Alexandra Franco Guajardo joined UNU-IAS as a Communications Associate for the Biodiversity and Society (BDS) programme. She is a communications specialist with experience in independent journalism and social media management.

Alexandra holds an MA in International Relations and Security from the University of Westminster and a BA in International Social Sciences from the University of Tsukuba. Her dissertations focused on organisational violence in Mexico, her home country, and the security and societal consequences of policies derived from the war on drugs. Wanting to incorporate her love of writing into a career in advocacy, she completed two certifications: Public Policy Analysis from the London School of Economics and Political Sciences and News Journalism from the London School of Journalism. Before joining UNU-IAS, Alexandra worked as a Communications Officer for the Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network, a charity organisation that offers legal advice and other free services to empower refugees and immigrants in the UK. She also volunteered as a Spanish-English translator for BLG Mind, a charity that provides support for people with mental health, well-being, and dementia challenges.