Alexander M. Michael-Handal is a graduate student in the Master of International Public Policy program at the Balsillie School of International Affairs. He is a graduate of the University of Waterloo, where he completed a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in International Development with distinction, alongside a Diploma in Spanish Language, in June 2025.

Alexander has gained international and professional experience in the fields of migration, development, and policy. Most recently, he served as a Research Officer at the Refugees, Displaced Persons, and Forced Migration Studies Center in Irbid, Jordan. In this role, he collaborated with academics, policymakers, and humanitarian organizations to conduct in-depth research on forced migration, produce reports, and develop evidence-based recommendations to address the socio-economic challenges faced by displaced populations. He also helped write a policy brief on refugee dynamics in Jordan, analyzing the socio-economic and policy impacts of refugee programs and offering recommendations for improved design and implementation.

Previously, Alexander completed internships in Palestine and Dominican Republic, where he contributed to both fieldwork and organizational support. Collectively, these experiences reflect his adaptability across different professional settings and his ability to work with diverse communities.

Multilingual and having grown up in a multicultural household while living in Canada, the Caribbean, and the Middle East, Alexander brings a strong intercultural perspective to his studies and research. At the Balsillie School, he is eager to deepen his expertise in migration and economic policy and global governance.