Dr Sarah Gretton is Director of the Natural Sciences programme and institutional lead for Education of Sustainable Development (ESD) at the University of Leicester. Since her appointment as Programme Director, Sarah has re-designed and redeveloped the Natural Sciences course enhancing the key features of the programme; interdisciplinary problem-based learning framed within a student research journey. Her philosophy of recognising the importance of supporting student subject and skills development, “not just teaching science but creating scientists” has resulted in improved student experience and outcomes.
Dissemination of her innovations and practice have led to opportunities and invitations to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) academics and programmes, nationally and internationally. Her leadership of ESD has resulted in 98 percent of University of Leicester undergraduate students receiving teaching aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the University achieving a top 10 ranking in the People and Planet Awards. Sarah has reached the finals of the UK Bioscience Teacher of Year and Green Gown Awards in Sustainability Champion and Continuous Improvement categories. Most recently, she led a successful application by the Natural Sciences programme team for a Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence.
