Sarah Noles
Research and Training Officer
Sarah Noles is a social scientist who draws on her interdisciplinary background in media, communications, and sociology to advance evidence-based engagement and impact research.
She holds an MA (Distinction) in Media, Campaigning and Social Change from the University of Westminster and a first-class BA (Hons) in Sociology from the University of Warwick. Her work focuses on harnessing research for social change, specializing in civic engagement, impact evaluation, stakeholder research, strategic communications, and responsible research and innovation (RRI).
Expertise and experience
Sarah’s expertise spans a range of research methodologies and public engagement practices. She has designed and implemented qualitative and quantitative research instruments – including surveys, in-depth interviews, and content analyses – to evaluate programs and communication campaigns. She regularly works with diverse stakeholders through focus groups and participatory workshops, ensuring that evaluation processes remain inclusive and grounded in real-world perspectives. In her role with IMI, Sarah develops theories of change and evidence-based communication strategies that help translate research findings into practice. Her approach is informed by Responsible Research and Innovation principles, emphasizing ethics, stakeholder involvement, and societal relevance in every project.
Funding
Since 2018, Sarah has contributed to numerous research and innovation projects across Europe and globally. She has helped deliver multi-year initiatives with international consortia and multi-million Euro budgets, in projects funded by agencies such as the European Commission, national research councils, and international organizations like the European Space Agency.
Training and capacity building
Sarah is committed to building capacity for effective engagement and social change. She has facilitated stakeholder workshops as part of research projects – for instance, guiding practitioners in co-designing impact strategies for water sustainability and policy. She has also developed and delivered training in community settings. Notably, as part of her postgraduate work, she co-created a volunteer training program to empower young climate advocates, and in a volunteer role in Tanzania, where she provided local entrepreneurs with skills workshops in digital marketing and business planning.
Publications
Sarah has co-authored peer-reviewed research focused on advancing research methods and impact. For example, she was a contributing author on a 2022 Open Research Europe study that piloted an innovative diary-based survey design for science communicators, improving methods for longitudinal engagement research. Additionally, she co-authored a 2025 Journal of Environmental Management article that introduced the 3i framework, analyzing stakeholder relevance in environmental decision-making processes by interests, influence, and impact. Sarah is also collaborating on forthcoming publications examining how research data and stakeholder engagement translate into positive policy impacts in areas such as environmental management, including an evaluation of how research programs influence public policy using an evidence-based theory of change.
Languages
English (native).
Research | Evaluation | Engagement | Training
Ireland | United States of America | Estonia
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