Dr Alexandra Sandu
Research Assistant, WISERD
- SanduA@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 29208 75502
- sbarc|spark, Room 03.14, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
Alexandra is a quantitative researcher with a strong interest in applying quantitative research methodology to social sciences. Her current work at the WISERD Education Data Lab and Administrative Data Research WALES involves analyzing large datasets to conduct education research in Wales, focusing on topics such as educational attainment, online learning, school attendance, and absence, as well as children's subjective well-being.
Alexandra's research interests extend beyond quantitative research methodology and include expertise in Human Geography, Urban Geography, Environmental Geography, Urban Resilience, Spatial Analysis, Urban Inequalities and GIS. Her prior experience includes working as a research associate at the University of Lyon, where she contributed to a research project on the impact of globalization on cultural flows. She also worked as a Teaching Fellow at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, where she provided courses and seminars in Human Geography, Cartography and Geomatics, Environmental Geography, and GIS.
Alexandra's academic credentials also include a Ph.D. in Human Geography and Urban Planning, where she focused on identifying land-use patterns and dynamics in cities from Central and Eastern Europe before and after the fall of communism. Through this research, she developed a deep understanding of the complex social and economic forces that shape urban landscapes.
Publication
2023
- Sandu, A. 2023. The post-socialist cities from Central and Eastern Europe: Between spatial growth and demographic decline. Urban Studies (10.1177/00420980231189261)
- Sandu, A. 2023. Exploring the urban land-use patterns and dynamics in Central and Eastern Europe. Town Planning Review 94(3), pp. 293-317. (10.3828/tpr.2022.24)
2022
- Sandu, A. and Hampton, J. M. 2022. Engagement with the Hwb virtual learning environment during Covid-19 school closures. Project Report. [Online]. ADR Wales. Available at: https://www.adruk.org/fileadmin/uploads/adruk/Documents/Data_Insights/Data_Insight_Engagement_with_the_hwb_virtual_learning_platform_August_2022.pdf
2021
- Sandu, A., Bănică, A. and Muntele, I. 2021. Urban resilience: an instrument to decode the post-socialist socio-economic and spatial transformations of cities from Central and Eastern Europe. Eastern Journal of European Studies 12(SI), pp. 170-195. (10.47743/ejes-2021-SI08)
Erthyglau
- Sandu, A. 2023. The post-socialist cities from Central and Eastern Europe: Between spatial growth and demographic decline. Urban Studies (10.1177/00420980231189261)
- Sandu, A. 2023. Exploring the urban land-use patterns and dynamics in Central and Eastern Europe. Town Planning Review 94(3), pp. 293-317. (10.3828/tpr.2022.24)
- Sandu, A., Bănică, A. and Muntele, I. 2021. Urban resilience: an instrument to decode the post-socialist socio-economic and spatial transformations of cities from Central and Eastern Europe. Eastern Journal of European Studies 12(SI), pp. 170-195. (10.47743/ejes-2021-SI08)
Monograffau
- Sandu, A. and Hampton, J. M. 2022. Engagement with the Hwb virtual learning environment during Covid-19 school closures. Project Report. [Online]. ADR Wales. Available at: https://www.adruk.org/fileadmin/uploads/adruk/Documents/Data_Insights/Data_Insight_Engagement_with_the_hwb_virtual_learning_platform_August_2022.pdf
Research
I am a quantitative researcher at the WISERD Education Data Lab and ADR Wales, where my academic background in Geography informs my work on the applications of quantitative research methodology in the social sciences. With a focus on Urban Geography, Urban Resilience, and Geographic Information System (GIS), I have developed expertise in utilizing quantitative techniques to analyze complex social phenomena.
Within WISERD Education Data Lab and ADR Wales, my research centers on using quantitative analysis to examine educational disparities and identify strategies for improving educational outcomes. I am committed to generating evidence-based policies that advance educational equity and access for all.
Indeed, my research interests extend beyond quantitative research methodology and include expertise in human geography, urban geography, environmental geography, urban resilience, spatial analysis and GIS. My prior experience includes working as a research associate at the University of Lyon, where I contributed to a research project on the impact of globalization on cultural flows.
Teaching
Prior to joining Cardiff University, I held a Teaching Fellow position at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi (Romania), where I taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses, seminars, and tutorials. My teaching portfolio encompassed a range of topics, including Human Geography, Urban Geography, Cartography and Geomatics, Environmental Geography, and GIS.
In this role, I was responsible for delivering high-quality, engaging teaching and facilitating active learning in the classroom. My teaching approach prioritized equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to apply geographic principles to real-world challenges.
Biography
Alexandra's academic background includes an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi and a joint Ph.D. in Geography and Urban Planning from the Universities of Lyon and Alexandru Ioan Cuza. She also holds three master's degrees, including one in Territorial Planning and Environmental Studies from Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, one in Environmental Science from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, and one in Tourism and Regional Development from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi.
Supervisions
- Human Geography
- Urban Geography
- Urban Resilience
- The Geography of Education
Research themes
Specialisms
- Urban studies
- Urban geography
- Human geography
- GIS
- Educational inequalities