Vitae researcher development conference 2009: realising the potential of researchers 08 September 2009 - 09 September 2009

Ms Sarah Kearns

Presenter Organisation

University of Plymouth

Presenter Job

Postgraduate Skills Development Officer

Sessions & Workshops

Engaging researchers with enterprise

Biography

Sarah was born in the UK and later emigrated from Plymouth with her family to Australia after her father retired from the Royal Navy in 1990.  After completing school in Brisbane, she worked in various part-time posts whilst undertaking training in Business Administration.  She then worked for five years in the insurance industry whilst undertaking a Bachelor of Business.  Sarah graduated with a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Human Resource Management from Queensland University of Technology in 2000.  Following ten years of living and working in Queensland (the Sunshine State), Sarah moved in January 2001 to Canberra to work for the Australian Department of Defence.  Sarah was based at the Australian Defence College and coordinated the Australian Command and Staff Course until 2007.  This Graduate Diploma-level course developed Command and Staff skills for Australian and International Military Officers (Major equivalent) from the Navy, Army, Air Force and Civil Service.  During this time Sarah immensely enjoyed travel opportunities with the College to various parts of Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines.  In 2004 Sarah commenced a Master of Arts in Strategy and Policy and focused on South-East Asia security.  In December 2006 she graduated from the University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

Following a lengthy period of consideration, Sarah was absolutely certain her heart lay back in the UK.  In 2007 and after 17 years in Australia, Sarah moved back to the UK.  Fate intervened and a post came up at the University of Plymouth.  Sarah, overjoyed accepted this post and moved back to Plymouth and commenced her current post in November 2007.  Sarah is currently the Postgraduate Skills Development Officer at the University of Plymouth's Graduate School.  She greatly enjoys working with the development of research students and early career researchers and the opportunities to work with a variety of interesting and highly skilled colleagues.