Sarah Foster
PhD Student

Profile

Biography

My interests include environmental education in terms of climate change and its effects on biodiversity loss. I have a BSc in Biology from Central Methodist University and a MSc in Biology/Conservation Education from Missouri State University in the US. While completing my masters, I worked at various conservation education settings as an education docent, then continued working in higher education at MSU as an academic advisor for STEM students. I am also interested in art and theatre and how to connect it to science education. I was excited to begin my journey in January 2022 at the Stockholm Environment Institute under the supervision of Dr. Steve Cinderby and Dr. Sarah West.

Career

• BSc Biology and Education - Central Methodist University (2008 – 2012)
• MSc Biology – Missouri State University (2014 – 2016)
• PhD Human Geography and Environment – University of York (2022 – Present)

Research

Overview

I am a PhD researcher interested in art integration methods in environmental education settings to encourage pro-environmental behaviors for climate change and biodiversity loss. My goal is to identify if arts-based methods are an effective tool to environmental education programs to encourage behavior changes. I also aim to evaluate where arts-based methods can be used to further the educational goal of environmental education programs. I will be partnering with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT) and artists in residencies using the CreativeVoice method in current education programs to learn how climate change is affecting Yorkshire ecosystems and species. My project will also be using case studies of current art integration methods through YWT’s Wild Eye project on the eastern coast of the UK for conservation of sea life. Future research includes motivations of participants and if ecoanxiety may be a contributing barrier of pro-environmental behaviors and again if art is a possible tool.