Alexandra Fisher
  |
Alexandra Fisher is a researcher and lecturer in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. Her research focuses on social inequalities related to relationship status and gender. In her research on singlehood, she seeks to challenge stigmatizing stereotypes and cultural narratives about single people, and to promote a more nuanced and compassionate understanding of single people's well-being and the individual, interpersonal and intergroup factors that influence it. Her work has been published in leading, high-quality journals such as Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, Social Psychological and Personality Science and Group Processes & Intergroup Relations.
Alexandra Fisher joins the Paris IAS in February 2026 for a group research stay as part of the CAT collaborative program, under the direction of Elyakim Kislev and in coollaboration with researchers Elke Claessens, Keren Eisen, Donna Ward and Zhe Zang.
Research topics
Singlehood; stigmatization; personal and social identity; social inequalities; well-being; intersectionality ; belonging; gender.
Singlehood: Trends, Needs, and Social Policy
Over recent decades, the world has witnessed a notable rise in singlehood, with an increasing number of individuals opting to live without a long-term romantic partner. This global shift reflects broader social changes, including urbanization, the rise of the welfare state, advancements in women's rights, increased longevity, and the impact of technological innovations, particularly in communication and reproductive health.
Despite the growing prevalence of singlehood, current policies are still largely designed around traditional family structures, often neglecting the unique needs of single individuals.
Social policies, tax systems, and legal frameworks frequently disadvantage singles, who may face higher taxes, limited access to social security benefits, and inadequate workplace policies that fail to account for their specific caregiving needs and life choices. This lack of policy consideration exacerbates social inequalities and highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to address the challenges faced by single individuals.
This project aims to promote a more inclusive approach to policy development by ensuring that the voices and experiences of single individuals are considered in the policymaking process. By providing tools to assess and compare how different countries or regions address the needs of single people, the results can help to identify best practices and encourage the adoption of policies that improve the quality of life for this often-overlooked demographic.
Key publications
Fisher, A. N., & Ryan, M. K. "Gender inequalities during COVID-19". Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 24(2), 237–245, 2021.
DOI : https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430220984248
Fisher, A. N., Stinson, D. A., Wood, J. V., Holmes, J. G., & Cameron, J. J. Singlehood and Attunement of Self-Esteem to Friendships. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 12(7), 1326–1334, 2021.
DOI : https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550620988460
Fisher, A. N., & Sakaluk, J. K. "Are single people a stigmatized ‘group’? Evidence from examinations of social identity, entitativity, and perceived responsibility". Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 86, 103844, 2020.
DOI : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2019.103844
|
|
|
|
|
|