Sarah Abbott

Sarah Abbott is an Associate Professor in Film Production at the University of Regina's Faculty of Media, Art, and Performance, where she bridges ethnographic film, environmental humanities, and Indigenous methodologies. Her work centers on human and nonhuman relations, particularly tree sentience and climate crisis communication, through award-winning films and community-engaged scholarship that has received international recognition.

Dr. Abbott is completing her Doctorate of Social Sciences at Royal Roads University, supported by a Vanier Canada Scholarship. Her dissertation employs Indigenous Research Methodologies to explore the intelligence and relationality of trees through ethnographic inquiry and film.

Her research investigates ethics of nonhuman knowing, decolonization, and multispecies communication. Through film and community projects, she examines how humans relate to vegetal beings and addresses climate crisis through eco-empathy. Her approach integrates Indigenous knowledge systems to foster relational ontologies and environmental justice, positioning film as a tool for public scholarship and cultural transformation.

Recent publications and creative works demonstrate a clear trajectory toward interdisciplinary environmental scholarship, with increasing focus on tree sentience, climate communication, and translating academic research for public impact through films, The Conversation articles, and community lecture series.

Dr. Abbott's significant contributions have been recognized through:

• 2012 Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor’s Arts Award for Arts and Learning
• 2009 Regina Mayor's Arts and Business Awards for Innovation
• Vanier Canada Scholarship

She mentors students through innovative production courses where they collaborate with industry professionals on socially relevant films, and secures substantial research funding including SSHRC grants for northern Indigenous collaborations. Her Academics for Climate Lecture Series and community-engaged projects demonstrate commitment to public scholarship and translating research into community action.

While not leading a formally named laboratory, Dr. Abbott directs impactful research initiatives like 'Sensory Acts' and her tree sentience project, involving interdisciplinary teams and Indigenous community partners. Her mispon film festival co-founding role and climate change course development highlight her dedication to creating platforms for Indigenous filmmaking and student-led environmental interventions.