Sarah is a senior lecturer at the University of Sunderland. She is a senior fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a vice-chancellor teaching fellow, chair of an independent special educational needs coordinator network and a convenor of an interdisciplinary research network for developing knowledge, understanding and approaches for supporting children who are experiencing adverse childhood experiences. At the University of Sunderland Sarah is the programme leader for the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination and leads externally commissioned research projects. Through her work with children and families over the last 20 years and her neurodiverse abilities, she has developed a particular interest in special educational needs and disabilities.