Sarah Cook
What is your current role and what does a typical week look like?
I am a lecturer in Environmental Biology with a strong emphasis on teaching, though I still remain actively engaged in research. One of the aspects I love most about my role is the variety - no two weeks are ever the same. I teach across several departments on campus, which often has me moving between Life Sciences and Main Campus. My main academic focus is climate change and the ecosystems that both support it and adapt in response to our shifting climate, with a particular passion for peatland ecosystems and their vital role in carbon storage and biodiversity.
Nationality: British/UK
Who would you say is your role model in your personal and/or professional life?
My PhD supervisor was an incredible role model for me. Her pioneering work on tropical peatlands has had a huge impact in the field, and it was wonderful to see her recently recognised with an MBE for her contributions. Beyond her academic achievements, she showed me what life in academia can look like- balancing the demands of research and family while staying true to her values. She also taught me the importance of setting boundaries and focusing on what really matters, lessons that continue to guide me in both my career and personal life.
Which skills help you most in being able to perform your role?
I think one of the most important skills in my role is curiosity. I am genuinely interested in a wide range of topics and enjoy making connections across different disciplines. This openness has allowed me to work across many subjects and collaborate with brilliant colleagues from diverse backgrounds. I also value communication and relationship-building, which help me to connect with people both within and outside my field. Finally, I would say a key strength is being open to learning from my students - their perspectives often challenge and inspire me, which makes teaching all the more rewarding.
How has your education or roles previous to joining Life Sciences, informed your interests, and why did you choose this career direction?
My background is in tropical peatland ecosystems, and a formative part of my journey was spending two years in Borneo, living on oil palm plantations with very few home comforts while conducting fieldwork. That experience not only shaped me as a researcher but also as a person - the simplicity of life and the challenges of working in such an environment grounded my interest in peatland ecosystems and their crucial role in the carbon cycle. Over time, this has evolved into a broader research focus on understanding the links between freshwater and marine carbon cycle dynamics, which continues to inspire my teaching and academic direction.
At the same time, my family is at the heart of everything I do. I am lucky to have a wonderful husband and a gorgeous young daughter who bring joy and balance to my life. My strong family life has also influenced my career direction, leading me to place greater emphasis on teaching, where I can share my passion for environmental biology while maintaining the balance that matters most to me.
What is your favourite place on campus and why?
My favourite place on campus has to be the surrounding woods and the wide open spaces we are lucky enough to enjoy. Being in nature is what first inspired my love of science, and I try to bring that connection into my teaching as much as possible. Having such a rich natural environment right on our doorstep is an incredible resource - not just for research and education, but also for reflection and wellbeing. I feel very fortunate that our campus is so deeply connected to the outdoors.
What are your main interests or passions, outside of work?
Outside of work, my biggest passion is spending time outdoors with my family. We recently relocated to a farm in the middle of nowhere, which has been a wonderful way to live more closely connected to nature. Alongside this, I have a huge love for interior design and have really enjoyed creating spaces in our new home. That said, I also value my downtime- when I get the chance, I love nothing more than binge-watching a reality TV show on Netflix. I also try to carve out an hour each week for a reformer Pilates class, which helps me recharge and maintain balance in a busy life.
August 2025