Sarah Barnsley is a writer, researcher, lecturer and academic leader, with interests in poetry, creativity, health/medical humanities, and mental health advocacy and activism.  She is also Contributing Editor to The Understory Conversation, an online hub for creatives. After many years as Senior Lecturer in English and American Literature at Goldsmiths, University of London, Sarah teaches poetry as Affiliated Faculty at Syracuse University's London Centre where she also manages the academic program.

Sarah was a winner in the Poetry Society Members’ Poems Competition (Spring 2021, Autumn 2018), shortlisted (2018) and longlisted (2020) in the Live Canon Poetry Competition, shortlisted in the Bridport Prize (2018, 2010) and joint runner-up in the Poetry School/Pighog Pamphlet Competition (2014).

Sarah’s collection, The Thoughts, was published by Smith|Doorstop in January 2022. Other publications include 'Find your own fascinator' (a ten-poem sequence) in Mariscat Sampler 3 (Mariscat, 2025), a pamphlet, The Fire Station (Telltale Press, 2015), co-editorship (with Robin Houghton and Peter Kenny) of Truths: A Telltale Press Anthology (Telltale Press, 2018) and a selection of literary criticism, including Mary Barnard, American Imagist (SUNY Press, 2013), which followed a research grant as H.D. Visiting Fellow at the Beinecke Library, Yale University, and won special commendation in  The Year’s Work in English Studies. A companion piece – an edited book, Mary Barnard’s Complete Poems and Selected Translations is now out with SUNY Press. Coupon code for 30% off below. Read a sample here. The book is supported by Barnard’s literary executor and funding from the British Association of American Studies. Pre-order the paperback now – out December 2025.