Dr Alice Fraser-Mcdonald

Professional biography

Alice is a Lecturer in Sustainability and the Smart Environment at The Open University. She has completed a PhD in environment and waste management, with a particular focus on greenhouse gas emissions from tree stem and soil surfaces on closed landfill sites. She has a MSc in Earth Science (Open University) and a BSc in Conservation Biology and Geography (University of Exeter). Alice is also an Associate Lecturer on U116 (Environment: Journeys through a changing world). 

She has completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice and achieved Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). She is also leading two scholarship projects:

• An investigation into the progression of OU STEM students from taught courses to postgraduate research

• Investigating the value of online ‘quiet’ tutorials for Level 1 Interdisciplinary Environment students

Alice is also involved in organising Soapbox Science in Milton Keynes. 

Research interests

Alice's general research interests include waste management and sustainability, environmental impacts of waste management, and biogeochemical cycling. Her current research focuses on the role of trees in the exchange of greenhouse gases from closed landfill sites to the atmosphere. She is also interested in the sustainable remediation of landfill site with nature based solustions. She is involved with the 'Living Roof Live Lab' project investigating the ecological and urban benefits of green roofing technologies.

Current PhD students:

Meng-Chin Tsai - Urban Greening Strategies: Practices and Measures for Neighbourhood Heat Resilience

Johnson Ogunsua - Evaluation of Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in Upper Stems and Branches of Trees in Natural and Managed Environments

Teaching Interests

Alice is involved in leading and supporting the presentation and production of various environment and sustainability modules, including:

U116 - Environment: journeys through a changing world

T330 - Environmental management: pathways to sustainability