Sarah Loxdale

Senior Lecturer and Programme Manager

s.loxdale@uwtsd.ac.uk

Background

Sarah is an experienced education and careers professional with expertise in work-related learning, policy, and partnerships across schools, businesses, and higher education. She began her career with the Dyfed Education Business Partnership and held senior roles at Careers Wales West, shaping strategy for careers education and guidance across Wales. Since joining the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) in 2011, Sarah has focused on professional and work-based learning, completing an MA in Professional Practice in 2019 and gaining Fellowship of the HEA.

She supports colleagues as an HEA Aurora Role Model. Her academic interests include recognition of prior experiential learning (RPEL), adult learning, work-based research, and coaching and mentoring. Sarah has undertaken Action Learning Set Facilitator and coaching training to enhance learner support and is committed to leadership, education, and collaboration between academia, business, and industry.

Specialist Subjects

Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL)
Adult Learning and Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Work-Based Learning and Work-Related Education
Coaching and Mentoring
Action Learning Set Facilitation
Work-based Research

Professional and/or Research Experience

Sarah has contributed significantly to professional development and experiential learning research. In 2023, she co-presented 'Unleashing the Power of the Learner’s Voice: Empowering Professional Development and Organisational Impact' at the NEXUS Conference, highlighting strategies to amplify learner input and its organisational benefits. Earlier, in 2019, she critically evaluated the impact of the Recognition and Accreditation of Prior Learning (RAL) module, exploring how reflective practices on experiential learning shape learners’ professional growth and career planning. Her work highlights how reflective learning supports professional growth and benefits organisations.

Qualifications

MA in Professional Practice, University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Fellow Higher Education Academy
Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Leadership, Management, and Consultancy, Manchester University
BA Hons Welsh, Swansea University

Languages Spoken

Sarah is fluent in English and Welsh

Professional Membership or Roles

HEA Academy Fellow

Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning and Accreditation Board

Member of Welsh Provision Sub-Committee for the Institute of Management and Health

External Recognition or Rewards

UALL Quiet Achiever Award - Joint Runner up (2025)

Professional Publications

Loxdale, S. Harris, L. (2023) Unleashing the Power of the Learner’s Voice: Empowering Professional Development and Organisational Impact. Presentation at the NEXUS Conference 30th June 2023.