Sarah Boulton

Professor Sarah Boulton is the Deputy Head of School and Associate Head of School for Marketing and Recruitment at the University of Plymouth’s School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences. She holds an academic rank of Associate Professor in Active and Neotectonics. Her research focuses on tectonic geomorphology, active faulting, and geological hazards, with significant contributions to understanding river systems’ responses to tectonic uplift and landslide dynamics. She co-founded the award-winning Girls into Geoscience programme to promote STEM diversity. Currently supervising PhD students in earthquake seismology, tsunami risk, and coastal hazards, she teaches GIS and geology modules, including fieldwork in Italy.

Her research spans tectonic geomorphology in Turkey, Greece, and Nepal, emphasizing seismic hazard modeling, fluvial incision mechanisms, and landslide susceptibility. Notable achievements include developing geomorphic methods to quantify fault-slip rates and pioneering tsunami boulder transport studies. She has led international field missions, such as post-earthquake analyses in Türkiye and Nepal.

Awards include the Geological Society RH Worth Award for her outreach work. Her work addresses UN Sustainable Development Goals related to disaster risk reduction and climate action.