Ali's research focuses on decision-making and the ethics and ecologies of contemporary cultural production. particularly performing arts and freelancers/artists. Her doctoral research on the artist as stakeholder was shortlisted for the 2020 ENCATC Research Award. 

She has 25+ years of experience in the international arts and cultural sector and a substantial portfolio of experience working as a programmer and producer at community, national and international level in theatre, festivals, outdoor and youth arts. She has worked regularly in policy advisory work and consultancy on concerns of equality, sustainability, leadership, creative development and planning in the arts and cultural sector. She has also engaged in advisory work with voluntary, social enterprise and community sectors. 

Current projects:

Editorial Board member: Irish Journal of Arts Management & Cultural Policy

Co-Investigator: Freelancers in the Dark

Co-Investigator: Future Screens NI part of the UK Creative Industries Clusters Programme.

 Ali's research has been focused on the field of management and leadership in the cultural and creative industries in the UK, examining the influence of public policy and public management on cultural sector behaviour, particularly in relation to cultural labour and the role of artists.  She is currently developing three strands of research.

The first is the exploration of engaged and inter/transdisciplinary research and what it means in the study of arts and creative industries management. The second is looking at connections between non-profit management research and theory and arts and creative industries management, in particular considering the ethics of the cultural and creative industries. Her final interest is a continuation of her research since 2015 on artists as stakeholders in industry and policy decision-making. This examines the role, status, value and influence of artists and artistic practice within the arts and cultural industries. Attention is directed towards diverse artists and also the implicit presence/absence of artists in public policy.