Sarah Wood
A heritage professional whose innovative work is helping transform access to archives and historical collections has been highly commended in the Innovation in Career category at the inaugural University of Worcester Alumni Awards.
Sarah Wood, who studied BA (Hons) History at the University of Worcester between 2009 and 2012, was recognised for her contributions to the heritage sector and her work developing new approaches to public engagement, volunteering and staff wellbeing within archive services.
“I feel incredibly honoured and grateful to have been recognised as Highly Commended in the inaugural Alumni Awards,” she said. “Worcester played such an important role in my personal and professional development, and it is particularly meaningful to receive an award in the Innovation in Career category.”
Since graduating, Sarah has built a successful career in the heritage sector, qualifying as a professional archivist with an MA in Archives and Records Management in 2015. In the same year, she joined the University of Leicester as an Assistant Archivist and now leads the development of teaching, exhibition and public engagement programmes, helping students, researchers and wider audiences connect with archives and special collections.
Among her early career achievements was her involvement in a major national project led by the British Library and supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, helping preserve and provide access to nationally significant sound collections. In 2018, she was named runner-up in the Archives and Records Association New Professional of the Year Award, recognising her contribution to the sector.
A key focus of Sarah's work has been finding innovative ways to increase participation in archives and make heritage collections more accessible. Between 2022 and 2023, she led an Archive Testbed-funded project supported by The National Archives, exploring micro-volunteering as a way of reducing barriers to participation and widening public engagement with archive collections.
More recently, Sarah secured a competitive Professional Fellowship from The National Archives and Research Libraries UK to investigate how organisations can better support staff who encounter challenging or distressing archive records unexpectedly. The Fellowship led to the development of the Challenging Records Toolkit, an evidence-based resource that is helping archive services across the UK create more supportive and sustainable approaches to staff wellbeing
Sarah says her time at Worcester helped to shape the skills and confidence that have underpinned her career.
“My time at the University of Worcester gave me a strong foundation in research, critical thinking, communication and independent learning, all of which have been invaluable throughout my career,” she said. “Studying History taught me how to analyse evidence, assess the reliability of sources, construct balanced arguments and communicate complex ideas clearly.”
She also believes her undergraduate dissertation played a pivotal role in directing her future career.
“As part of my research, I worked with digitised collections as well as conducting research at my local county record office,” she said. “Walking into an archive repository and handling historical records was a completely new experience, but one that sparked a genuine enthusiasm for archives and primary source research.”
Among Sarah's fondest memories are the supportive learning environment within the History department, attending her first academic conference at Worcester, and the friendships she formed during her studies. She recalls the strong sense of community among students and staff, as well as many cherished memories of student life both on campus and in the city.
The Innovation in Career Award recognises graduates who are breaking new ground in their professions and creating meaningful impact through their work.