In the early 1980’s, her father returned home with a ZX Spectrum tucked underneath his arm, and together with her brother, Sarra spent many days copying basic code from the pages of the spectrum magazine (only to watch a border flash and a ball bounce across a TV screen). She became fascinated with Steven Jackson’s game books, and so mastering the five finger page shuffle, she learned how to handle a multi linear story. She enjoyed playing early computer adventure games such as The Hobbit, and borrowing Tolkien’s book from the local library; Sarra proceeded to draw maps and compile lists of action words to solve this epic adventure…but that is another story.
Joining Coventry University later on in life; Sarra gained a First Class BA Illustration degree and was awarded D&AD New Blood For Film Craft Animation. She went on to work with some exceptionally talented creatives in the animation industry, working on projects that were awarded British Animation Award, BAFTA and other prestigious nominations.
Having also gained a PTLLS Teaching qualification, and wanting to encourage and support young creatives in the field of animation; Sarra worked as a lecturer at a number of respected universities. She supported undergraduate students at Birmingham City University, co-creating their first multi-disciplinary media elective module for the BA Animation and Animation for Games Degree with Ros Sinclair. She also guided students at Coventry University, UK on BA Animation and Illustration (Honours) undergraduate degree, advising on how to write and design an alternative thesis.
In 2020, Sarra was awarded Distinction for her Masters degree in Creative Application Development. It was here that she had access to Unity and Unreal game engine development and learned how to manage digital application development projects, agile methodologies and most importantly… to design and code virtual Reality serious game applications for multiple platform distribution including Oculus and Meta. During in her time with Falmouth University, Sarra progressed her research into game engine design and user experience. She was able to consolidate her previous research and extend it to safeguarding immersive experience users by examining interactive interface design, environment design, haptic and tactile feedback design.. and so on. Sarra also has an interest in machine learning (ML)and artificial intelligence (AI).
Could or should AI and ML be used in safeguarding design? (2015-2023)
Shepherds Shield: An holistic approach to embedding safeguarding design principles for safe and comfortable immersive-interactive (HMD VR SG) training scenario development.