SARAH MERCER
Climate Communicator, Activist, and Film Producer
HELLO
I have a passion for real action on climate change and a belief that we are changing the world for the better.
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We are faced with countless challenges, and with those come endless opportunities. Over the past several years I have worked on many projects, from founding Footprint, the annual two-day climate innovation event held in Durham, to producing a feature-length film exploring how envisaging Utopias can be the first step towards real change, and cultivating hope for a better future.
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Find out more about the projects I have worked on below.
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Image right: Standing with the artwork at the Island Utopias film premiere. Courtesy of Mike Wade.
PROJECTS
March 2020 - ongoing
ISLAND UTOPIAS
An art, music and film journey imagining what a better future would look like.
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A combination of interviews with the public carried out during Covid19 Lockdown, layered with visuals of artists creating works inspired by these voice collages, accompanied by newly-composed piano pieces complimenting the themes and ideas of each of the 12 parts
September 2019 - ongoing
MANANNAN'S CHARMS
Manannan’s Charms is a webapp that combines elements of the rich vein of Manx folklore and history with a series of tasks and challenges to get involved with the environment around you.
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An online social adventure described as ’Manx Folklore meets Pottermore meets Greta Thunberg’.
Founded in 2018, now annual
FOOTPRINT
Footprint is a two-day climate innovation event that focuses on the positive steps we as individuals and communities can take towards a more sustainable future.
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An interdisciplinary and multi-media event, it combines traditional lectures with interactive workshops, musical performances, art exhibitions and film showings, culminating in an event wide planning workshop to create action plans to begin working on.
EXPERIENCE
PLAYWORKER, ISLE OF PLAY
I work with the Isle of Play team to promote and provide opportunities for all children on the Isle of Man to fulfill their Right to Play (Article 31, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child).
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My role is to create an environment in which children can fully explore their curiosity, test their abilities, and expand their creativity while out in nature.
PROJECT LEADER,
CULTURE VANNIN
This was a year long role to design and implement a project intertwining the culture of the Isle of Man (Manx culture) and climate change. It pushed my boundaries and allowed me to explore climate change from a new cultural perpective.
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I created Manannan's Charms and Island Utopias, as seen above.
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR,
ISLE OF MAN GREEN PARTY
This role involves working with the executive committee of the IOM Green Party, with the focus of my role being effective communication and framing, and the development of a green education policy.
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I am also involved in the creation of the campaign manifesto for Green Party candidates.
SPEAKER, VARIOUS
I have done several talks on the theme of climate change, ranging from effective climate communication to more recently, the role that envisaging a better future has in igniting action for change, in line with the Island Utopias film and research project.
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I am available for talks on the subject of climate change, utopian thinking and the necessity of hope. Please get in touch to discuss your needs.
ACTIVIST
My activism work has come under many hats.
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- I am on the Citizens Forum for Climate Change, whose decisions lead into the Isle of Man Climate Change Bill and the Climate Action Plan.
- Involved in XR actions in Edinburgh, London and the Isle of Man, including a collaboration with Peel Cathedral in solidarity.
- Part of the initial team that set up XR IOM.
- Member of the Climate Change Coalition Isle of Man.
- Planting a 7 acre food forest and native woodland, with the hopes to use it as a space for learning and inspiration in the future.
EDUCATOR, VARIOUS
I have been involved in education in various formats for several years. I have been involved in academic style tutoring as both a demonstrator at the University of Durham and a Geography tutor for GCSE and A-Levels for over 4 years. I have also been involved in more loosly focused, child-led education, including the well known Forest School learning process, at both OASES (Outdoor and Sustainability Education Specialists) and Isle of Play.
Additionally, I am co-teaching on a four week course on climate change at University College Isle of Man, and am aiming to develop more courses in the future on a variety of topics.
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SKILLS
My varied career thus far has allowed me to build up a wide portfolio of skills. Innovative thinking, compassionate teamwork and dedication are key to acheiving success. I have also developed several other more specific skills, as highlighted below.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
With experience running complex, long term projects and having organised several events, my project management skills are crucial when it comes to achieving set aims to the highest possible standard.
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This is also highlighted by my event planning skills, which require tight time management and and the ability to organise the event team, venue, catering, speakers, additional activities, accomodation, bookings, social media and documenting the event amongst much more.