Sarah Brownsword is an Associate Professor in Primary education; she teaches the English and Primary Languages components of the Primary PGCE course, is the course co-director and responsible for mentor training. Sarah is the EDI lead for EDU. 

Sarah is a trustee and Executive Committee member of the UK Literacy Association (UKLA). She co-convenes the English in ITE Special Interest Group for the UKLA and is their Conferences Committee convener. Sarah also supports the OU/UKLA Reading for Pleasure Ambassadors CPD programme for trainee teachers. 

Sarah is an Individual Licensed Practitioner for The Bell Foundation, delivering CPD on English as an Additional Language (EAL) in the Eastern region. 

After graduating with a degree in French & German from the University of Leicester, Sarah embarked on a period of teaching English as a Foreign Language abroad. Firstly, in France teaching in a university and later in Indonesia working in language schools and a bilingual primary school. 

Sarah completed the Primary PGCE with a specialism in Primary Languages and the MA in Advanced Educational Practice, both at UEA. Her MA research dissertation focussed on the role of technology in children's writing. Sarah has recently completed an EdD, where she is researched the representation of racially minoritised characters in children's books. 

Sarah has taught in primary and middle schools in Norfolk and Suffolk where she held positions as Senior Teacher, English subject leader, SENCo and county moderator for KS2. She completed an Early Career Leadership course in her second year of teaching and has completed the National Award for SEN Coordination.

Sarah is interested in race and diversity in education, particularly in the context of children's literature and reading; and improving teachers' racial literacy. She is a member of UEA's Race Equality steering group and a steering group member of UEA's University of Sanctuary group. 

Sarah has completed the Advance HE Aurora programme for women in leadership.  

Sarah Brownsword teaches on the Primary PGCE; she teaches the English and Primary Languages components of the course and is the course co-director. Sarah also teaches on the BA Education Studies degree.