Sarah Stevens is Director of Policy at the Russell Group of Universities, an organisation representing 24 research-intensive universities in the UK. She is responsible for the development and management of the Russell Group’s policy work covering a wide range of issues including research and innovation, funding and regulation, and education and student experience. Sarah leads a team of policy and data experts.
Before being appointed as Director, Sarah worked as a Head of Policy focusing on education and widening access. She co-authored a report, Pathways for Potential, setting out a roadmap to tackle educational inequality and improve access to higher education. Sarah also has extensive expertise in international and immigration policy.
Prior to working at the Russell Group, Sarah worked as Policy Manager at the British Screen Forum (formerly the British Screen Advisory Council) representing film, TV and media companies. She worked on a range of issues including broadcasting regulation, domestic film funding and intellectual property rights.
Sarah has worked as a freelance consultant for the National Film and Television School and is a qualified teacher of English as a foreign language. She holds a degree in English Literature from the University of Sheffield.
Sarah was appointed as an Independent Governor at Oxford Brookes University in July 2021.
