Sarah Penny

Dr. Sarah Penny is an Honorary Senior Lecturer in the Department of Arts and Humanities within the College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences at Brunel University London. A South African-born novelist and expressive arts counsellor, she teaches Creative Writing at undergraduate and postgraduate levels while integrating psychology-oriented modules into her curriculum.

Her educational background spans multiple disciplines:

• Bachelor of Arts (English and Drama) - University of Cape Town
• Higher Diploma in Journalism - Rhodes University
• Higher Diploma in Education - University of Cape Town
• MLitt in Creative Writing - University of St Andrews
• PhD in Creative Writing (Thesis: Unscrambling Sangomas: The Treatment Of Traditional African Healers In Millenial Literature) - Brunel University London
• MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes - Metanoia Institute
• Foundation Diploma in Dramatherapy - Roehampton University

Penny's research centers on social justice through expressive arts therapies, with significant focus on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) prevention, xenophobia education in South Africa, and community transition initiatives. Her work bridges creative writing, drama therapy, and public health advocacy, often collaborating with migrant communities and healthcare systems.

Her publications reveal consistent engagement with African diaspora narratives, therapeutic arts applications, and gender-based violence prevention. The research trajectory shows increasing specialization in arts-based interventions for social issues, particularly using creative writing as a tool for community education and behavioral change regarding FGM and xenophobia.

As Academic Director of Placements and Ethics Officer for Arts and Humanities, Penny oversees practical training frameworks while maintaining active membership in Lapidus (international writing for wellbeing community) and Brunel's Arts in Health research cluster.