Alison is a PhD student in the Interdisciplinary program at Dalhousie University, exploring how newcomer children, acting as language brokers, facilitate the social inclusion of their families. She is also the Research Program Manager at the Early Childhood Collaborative Research Centre at Mount Saint Vincent whose projects include examining how newcomer families understand and experience early childhood programs and services in their communities. Her Masters of Library and Information Studies thesis revealed the well-being outcomes of a Mother-Child Read Aloud program for families experiencing maternal incarceration. She has worked as a child rights' advocate, educator, and community journalist around the world and across Canada. She likes best to wander and wonder with family and friends, connect kids to beautiful books that prompt empathy and joy, hike, research, bake, and arrive early.