current research

Sarah’s research focuses on the intersection of design, space, and human experience. She investigates how environmental and spatial design, whether in hospitals, public spaces, or creative environments —affects emotions, wellbeing, and engagement. This now extends to experiential spaces, brand activations and other communications contexts. Informed by design thinking, humanism and notions of symbolism, her work explores the integration of creativity, strategy, and human-centered design to inform both practice and policy. 

peer-reviewed publications/papers

2024 - What Matters, Not What is The Matter: A Novel Approach to Empathising and Understanding the Third Space of the Healthcare Waiting Room. PHD Thesis, University of Winchester.

2023 - Creating Unique Workshops and Events for Children: The Case of Birdhouse Studio. In: Events Management fopr the Infant and Youth Market. Emerald, Leeds. ISBN: 978-1-80455-691-7.

2019 – with Dr Hugues Seraphin. The Significance of the Contribution of Children to Conceptualising the Destination of the Future. International Journal of Tourism Cities, 5(4). pp. 544-559. ISSN 2056-5607.

In progress:

2026 - Book chapter: with Dr Jackie Raphael-Luu and Rose Pickles. The Changing Climate of the Advertising Industry. in: The Routledge Advertising Ethics Handbook - date TBC.

2026 - Conference paper: Brand Space Under Siege: Spatial Politics, Activist Interventions, and the Limits of Physical Boycotts at: Power or Prestige: Bureaucracy, Boundaries and Boycotting. PoP26, June 2026, Fiji.

2026 - Conference Abstract: Beyond Design: How Social Meanings and Lived Experience Shape Consumer Interactions with Space. 

2026 - Conference Abstract: Decoding Consumer Perceptions of Physical Space: A Narrative Approach to Spatial Design in Healthcare and Service Marketing.

presentations & talks

2025 - TEDx Talk - The spaces around us and why they matter. TedX Winchester, June 6, 2025.   

https://youtu.be/G-e2zWkyGfE?si=_B8uRDuR1_lsV2Os

2025 – Conference presentation and poster - What Matters, Not What is The Matter: A Novel Approach to Empathising and Understanding the Third Space of the Healthcare Waiting Room. In: European Healthcare Design, 9-11 June 2025, The Royal College of Physicians, London.

2024 - Presentation to architects: Novel empathy methodologies for spatial design. 

2023 - Event talk: Conceptualising the Destination of the Future. IGNITE, Winchester, 2023.

2015 - Poster: Design into Plastics, Arts University Bournemouth, Bournemouth, 2015,

Attended:

Conference: DMA Customer Engagement Conference 2025: London, 2025.

Conference: PLACE BRANDING?  It's not about the logo. Liverpool, June 2018.

Conference: Design into Plastics, Arts University Bournemouth, 2015,

teaching specialisms

Undergraduate level:

- Consumer Intelligence and Brand Engagement

- Strategic Brand Management

- Brand Identity

- Digital Strategy

- Content Marketing

- Research methods

- Applied Advertising

- Creative Futures

- Digital Marketing

- Platforms and Social Media

- Marketing principles

- Enterprise and entrepreneurship

- Fashion Enterprise

- Design Thinking

Postgraduate level:

- Design Management

- Digital Marketing 

- Marketing Communications

- Digital Transformation

- Research methods

studio projects

Artist Member - Brassey Road Studios 2007-2010

Founder and Director - Birdhouse Studio - 2014-2020

professional memberships

Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) 2026  

Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy  (FHEA) 2017

Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (MCIM)

Member of the Data and Marketing Association (DMA)

Trial member of the DMA Customer Engagement Commitee