I'm Alex Now

Hi, I’m Alex - now 🏳️‍⚧️

I’m trying to understand what a technologist is so that I can call myself one. 🧑🏻‍💻 Meanwhile, I think about identity, belonging, and human-centered technology, and co-run a queer film festival. 🌈

Work

By day I’m a UX Researcher, working with projects in the public sector and healthcare, hopefully making the lives of thousands of users doing peculiar but sometimes necessary things, like bringing large quantities of bull semen into the country, a bit easier. On less remarkable livelihood activities, I used to design software for non-profits.

Projects

My main interest in life is doing things that contribute to making the world suck less, so from this September I’ll be working towards a fellowship at the Newspeak House with a course in Political Technology.

This year I will also be teaching a course in Human-Centered Design with a focus on Ethical Design and Design Justice at Shoshin College.

During the pandemic, my best friend and I set up an online version of the first LGBTQ+ Film Festival in Cyprus. Before we knew it, Queer Wave is fast approaching its 5th physical edition, becoming something of a staple in the Cyprus festival scene. 🏳️‍🌈 As a co-founder and Communications Director, I’m deeply involved in building the team, coordinating volunteers, planning events, and handling all-around legwork.

I’m a UX mentor at Develop for Good, where I help students make cool stuff for nonprofits, and I also offer trans peer support with Spectra, guiding folks through the ups and downs of their transition journeys

In my youth, I had a fleeting affair with academia, where I explored the intersection of identity and participating in online communities of practice. If I did it again, I would do it in a queer way. (Maybe I will 💁🏻‍♂️)

I’m continuously writing (overstatement) a play , and putting together a poetry collection. I did publish a singular poem once. It was called "Peppermint Tea" and you can read it here because the publishing house that published it has disappeared.

Sometimes I speak publicly about things - and sometimes I write about them.

My new attempt at blogging is called "Digital Belonging" and you can subscribe here.

Fun Facts

I got into uni by explaining how much I love stage lighting 💡 - I also sometimes light up stages in small community theatres (If you need a lighting designer/technician hmu) 🎭

Recently I got into

Let's chat - me@imalexnow.io

I'm Alex Now