Alex Bowyer

Alex Bowyer is a researcher and senior software engineer specializing in human-data relationships. He earned his PhD in Digital Citizenship from Newcastle University in 2023, focusing on power imbalances between individuals and data holders with the goal of fostering more transparent and controllable data relationships. With over 15 years of industry experience, Alex has worked as a software developer at IBM and OpenText, and as a researcher at the University of Oxford studying user behavior on the citizen science platform Zooniverse. His research interests include Semantic Web, personal data vaults, and user-centered design, aiming to create systems that empower individuals in managing their digital lives. Currently, he is a Senior UX Designer at BBC Newcastle, applying academic insights in practice.

• 2023–Present·BBC Newcastle·Senior UX Designer
  • Serving as a Senior UX Designer at BBC Newcastle, combining academic research with industry practice.
• Dates Unknown·University of Oxford·Researcher
  • Investigated user behavior and motivations on Zooniverse, the world's largest citizen science platform online.
• Dates Unknown·IBM, OpenText, etc.·Software Developer
  • Accumulated over 15 years of commercial software development experience across large enterprises, startups, and freelance projects.

• 2023·Newcastle University·PhD
  • Digital Citizenship / Human-Data Interaction
• Dates Unknown·University of Sheffield·Master's
  • Computer Science