Professor Sarah Soppitt
External Co-opted Committee Member of the Academic Assurance Committee
Summary
Professor Sarah Soppitt is an Emeritus Professor at Northumbria University and a Visiting Professor at the University of Cumbria. A criminologist with extensive experience in research, education, and public service, her work focuses on youth justice, policing, serious violence, and intervention strategies that support pathways away from offending. She has a particular interest in public criminology, seeking to ensure that academic research is accessible, relevant, and impactful for practitioners, policymakers, and communities.
With more than 30 years of experience in criminal justice research, evaluation, and higher education leadership, Sarah has led and contributed to a wide range of collaborative projects with police forces, local authorities, voluntary sector organisations, and community partners. Her research has explored the role of early intervention, partnership working, and evidence-informed practice in improving outcomes for children, young people, and communities affected by crime and social disadvantage. She is committed to working alongside practitioners and people with lived experience to co-produce knowledge and develop effective responses to complex social challenges. With colleagues Sarah developed the Safer Children’s Network, a knowledge exchange and collaboration network which brings together academics, practitioners, and organisations working with children and young people who are affected by violence, exploitation, harm, and vulnerability.
Alongside her research and scholarly activity Sarah has made significant contributions to university leadership. She has served as Head of the Department of Social Sciences, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, and most recently Dean of Apprenticeships at Northumbria University. In these roles, she led strategic initiatives to enhance educational quality, student experience, and employer engagement. As Dean of Apprenticeships, she was also the strategic lead for Northumbria University's partnerships with Durham Constabulary and Northumbria Police, strengthening collaboration between higher education and policing to support workforce development, professional education, and applied research.
