Sarah Shepherd

Sarah Shepherd is a Lecturer at the University of Cumbria, where she has worked since 2017. Her career spans primary education, school leadership, and teacher training. She transitioned to Higher Education (HE) after roles as a Deputy Head and Key Stage Leader in NYC’s Success Academy Charter Schools, and international work in The Gambia, Nigeria, and Ghana through Voluntary Services Overseas and Universal Learning Solutions. She is completing a PhD in Higher Education at Lancaster University, focusing on widening participation in HE and ITE.

• Education: BA from St. Martin’s College, MA in Education and International Development (UCL Institute of Education), PhD in progress (Lancaster University).

Her research emphasizes supporting underserved students and challenging educational disadvantage. She teaches modules on Inclusive Teaching and Learning, Primary English pedagogy, and coordinates intensive training for aspiring teachers. She co-leads the ITAP program, covering behavior management, adaptive teaching, and assessment strategies.

Outside academia, Shepherd is an avid runner, completing marathons in NYC and London, and participates in Lake District fell races.