Dr Alexandra Boutopoulou (she/her)

I am a UKRI Research Fellow for Social Media Data Access for Researchers at the University of Sheffield, within the School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations. My fellowship is part of the Social Platforms Data Access Taskforce, a collaborative initiative led by Smart Data Research UK. This Taskforce is led by a team of outstanding experts: Professor Kate Dommett (University of Sheffield), Dr Amy Orben (University of Cambridge), Dr David Zendle (The University of York) and Mark Scott (The Atlantic Council).

I hold a PhD in Visual Social Media and Big Data from the University of Sheffield, Information School. Drawing on this expertise and over two decades of professional experience, I have been working as a strategic communications and social media professional with a strong background in academia, the public sector, and international media. My research and practice sit at the intersection of digital strategy, data ethics, and evidence-based storytelling. My applied experience includes advising global brands and broadcasters on their digital strategies and acting as a scientific advisor for a national documentary series that translated complex academic concepts into engaging narratives for a wide public audience.

My work is dedicated to enabling responsible and ethical access to social media and digital platform data. This area is increasingly central to public debate on misinformation, platform accountability, civic engagement, and youth participation. I bring an applied understanding of how communication and data can drive meaningful change, from leading postgraduate supervision that ensures ethical research practices, to contributing to national initiatives that are shaping the future of data access for researchers.
I am driven by a strong belief in the public value of digital research and communication, where ethics, insight, and innovation can combine to build more informed, transparent, and inclusive societies.