Sarah Cotterill

Dr Sarah Cotterill is an Assistant Professor in the UCD School of Civil Engineering, part of the College of Engineering and Architecture at University College Dublin. Her research focuses on the resilience of water systems, particularly in response to unpredictable threats like the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Role: Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering
• Affiliation: University College Dublin (UCD), College of Engineering and Architecture

Dr Cotterill’s work examines how water infrastructure can transition from reliability-focused approaches to adaptive resilience frameworks. Key projects include analyzing the UK water industry’s response to lockdown demand shifts and developing circular risk management models.

Her recent publications explore sustainable drainage materials (e.g., BlueLay), constructed wetland optimization, and water reuse systems. These align with global challenges in climate adaptation and urban water security.

Dr Cotterill collaborates with the University of Exeter’s Centre for Water Systems and UK institutions, contributing to policy discussions with Ofwat and An Fórum Uisce in Ireland.