Dr Alexandra Krendel is a Lecturer in Applied Linguistics at the University of Southampton. She uses a variety of linguistic methods (such as corpus linguistics and critical discourse analysis) to analyse different types of online communication, including online discussions on the topic of ectogenesis. Prior to taking up her role at the University of Southampton, Alexandra was a Senior Research Associate in the ESRC Centre for Corpus Approaches to Social Sciences at Lancaster University. Alexandra’s PhD work explored the language of the so-called “manosphere” (a loose network of online anti-feminist sites including pick-up artists and involuntary celibates) and the extent to which such language can be considered hate speech. Her other research interests include analysing the language of pro-feminist men online, and women who align themselves with a “traditionally feminine” gender role online.