Dr. Sarah Barns in Sydney, Australia in 2023.
Hello there, nice to meet you.
I’m a strategist, researcher and storyteller with a mission to enable and facilitate new ways of learning and collaboration between people, places and habitats.
In my toolkit: place strategy, digital and data strategy, product development, narrative, sound and story design, research & evaluation, engagement strategy and creative direction.
I've enjoyed a varied career so far, spanning public policy, program management, innovation & digital design, research leadership, place management and creative practice.
I’m a co-founder of Studio ESEM and STORYBOX Places, leading creative and digital partnerships in community and public spaces.
In 2023 I established a new initiative on regenerative placemaking, supported through a RMIT-based research fellowship. This is focused on key sites of urban transformation where ecological regeneration, decolonisation & creative partnerships are prioritised in the creation of place value and future place identity.
I’m currently working with Miyawaki forest practitioners to develop more holistic programs of evaluation linking ecological and social practices of care and custodianship.
You can explore these different facets of my work here at this site, or feel free to get in touch to explore collaboration ideas.
Wisdom that guides my way
“There is no logic that can be super-imposed upon the city; people make it, and it is to them, not buildings, that we must fit our plans. We expect too much of buildings, and too little of ourselves.” — Jane Jacobs
“There are places in the world where rules are less important than kindness.” — Carlo Ravelli
Where you can find me
Senior Vice Chancellor’s Research Fellow, RMIT University Centre for Urban Research (2023 onwards)
Founder and Creative Adviser, Studio ESEM (2012 onwards)
Founder & Strategic Adviser: STORYBOX (2020 onwards)
Previously
Senior Strategy & Policy roles at CSIRO/Data 61, Urban Growth NSW & Landcom, the ABC, the ACMA, and the Australia Council for the Arts and the National Office for the Information Economy.
Independent Consultant, Sitelines Media (2008 onwards)
Clients & Collaborators
Australian Museum
CSIRO / Data 61
HASSELL
Dhun Jaipur (MRS Group)
MIXD Urban Design
Sydney Airport Corporation
Arup
Urban Growth NSW
Landcom
City of Sydney
City of Parramatta
Liverpool City Council
ABC
National Film and Sound Archive
Arts Centre of Christchurch
Arts SA
Sydney Living Museums
+ more