Sarah joined MEA in 2011 as a Research Assistant working alongside Keele University on the project ‘Reducing Energy Consumption through Community Knowledge Networks'. She will be working on this project in Shrewsbury for two years, researching knowledge networks within local communities and looking at household energy consumption, with a mind to reducing carbon usage in the town.

Professional Interests: Doing research on environmental sustainability, consumption, ethics, corporate social responsibility, moral economies and everyday practices, using ethnographic research methods.

Qualifications: Ph.D. in Ethics and Consumption (Geography department, University of Liverpool), MA/MRes in Globalisation and Development, BA (Hons) Human Geography

Skills: researching, problem solving, writing, analysing, team work

Where I've come from: I'm from Barnsley in South Yorkshire and moved to Liverpool when I started University in 2003.

I like: seeing family and friends, organic food, sewing, cooking, swimming, reading, Gameboy/DS, history, anything Tudor-related, knitting, museums and galleries, green grocers, the countryside.

A moral I live my life by: "from out of adversity comes opportunity"

How I'm trying to live more sustainably: buying from local growers and getting organic foods where possible, implementing as many energy-saving tactics in my home and learning to ride a bike (I had joint problems as a child). I'd like to think I'm doing my best.

I believe the greatest threat to our current society and environment is: greed

My 'dirty secret' (nothing lewd or personal here please - from a sustainability point of view only!): Having been a vegetarian for most of my life I'd never had Haribo sweets... until recently, when a friend introduced me to vegetarian Haribo and now I'm addicted.

It may surprise you to know but . . .  I used to be part of The Royal Ballet (a long time ago though!)

If things had turned out differently I might have been . . .  A ballet dancer!