Views from campus... Dr Sarah Bonner

Where did it all start?  

It all started in the School of Combined Honours at Liverpool University, where I went on the expectation that I was going to be studying English and geography at BA level. When I arrived, it turns out I didn't have the grades for English, so I was recommended to take art history instead and add a module or two of sociology. Sociology lasted about a year, but art history stuck. I enjoyed it. It turns out I was good at it and ended up majoring in the subject that I never intended to do. 

Did I have a career plan? Not really. I wasn't sure what to do with art history. Luckily, I had an excellent supervisor and mentor at the university who guided me into postgraduate study and since then I haven't really looked back! I suppose that would qualify me as being an academic through and through. 

How did you get to your current position? 

Through a lot of hard work, putting the hours in, as well as taking and making opportunities. 

I finished my MPhil at Liverpool and then came back home to Cumbria. I secured a job at Cumbria College of Art and Design in the library, got myself a teaching qualification and then put out a speculative CV run which secured me an hour-long lecture at St Martin’s College, Lancaster once a week. So, I did that for a year, commuting every Friday and the following year they offered me a second hour, on a Tuesday. I took the work, managed it around my library position and gradually built up a portfolio of work and a reputation of being reliable and found my way through a number of different positions from contractual work to permanent work through to programme leader in photography and then principal lecturer. From there, with the merger of two institutes, I applied for and was appointed to the role of Head of Learning and Teaching. 

What do you love about your subject?  

Everything – Everything! I think the visual arts is brilliant and hugely important for society. It speaks to every single human being. There are no barriers to visual arts or there shouldn't be barriers to visual arts. It's a great privilege to be able to research and discuss the visual arts with other people. To think critically and expand our knowledge and understanding of the work that we look at, but also that continues to inform how we think and respond to each other as well and the bigger issues in the world. 

When did you know you wanted to teach others? 

I think when I first started teaching. It was terrifying but so exciting at the same time. 
Yeah, really invigorating.  

What is your favourite part of campus? 

Well, I'm based at Brampton Road campus. It overlooks the river and the city.  

What is the biggest change you have seen since you started working at the university? 

I've seen a lot of change. I started as a library assistant in the Cumbria College of Art and Design, which then became Cumbria Institute of Arts and then merged to become the university. And it's not so much the changes, I think, that's defining for me at the University of Cumbria. I think it's the staff, it's colleagues that demonstrate a consistent and unwavering commitment to arts education. The enthusiasm and commitment to their work, the community of learning and the students. Being part of the journey students embark upon with us and seeing their achievements, sometimes in the face of adversity, is extremely rewarding. 

If a graduate walked into your lecture theatre today, what’s one new thing they would be surprised to learn about?  

Probably seeing me lecturing, I don't get the opportunity to do that very much, but I do enjoy it. It's an energising experience. But no, I don't teach so much these days. 

What’s your proudest achievement in your role? 

It's not so much about my achievement, it's about helping others achieve their ambitions and I think that's probably true of most teachers and lecturers. Students encounter challenge, helping them navigate the challenges is rewarding, and a shared achievement. 

What are you currently obsessed with?  

Actually, at the moment, I'm really enjoying watching Schitt's Creek. I also really enjoyed the comedy drama series The Residence. I don’t really do ‘obsessed’ but I always have a book on the go, a fiction book. I've just finished a Frederick Backman, My Friends. I really enjoy his storytelling and I'm kind of hungry at the moment for some really good stories, I am enjoying Amor Towle as an author at the moment. So I'm always on the lookout for a new book, the students have given me a few tips recently so I need to search those out. Can't have any less than six books on my table waiting to be read. I get very anxious if it drops below four. 

What’s your idea of a great weekend? 

Sunshine (or very windy), at Talkin Tarn, early doors, watching the rowers. A big walk, bit of gardening, food and family, taking time out. 

Give us your Cumbria top tips... 

Getting out for a walk in the places that aren't hugely populated, aren't hugely touristy. I don't live in the Lakes but with access to Geltsdale, I enjoy getting out and seeing big skies. For me, it's the big skies and the colours of the sky and actually, there's been some fantastic light these last few days before the Sahara sand blew in. And the days are getting longer, I like that. 

Who should we interview next? Got a suggestion, drop us an email…. alumni@cumbria.ac.uk