Sarah Rood

Author, Historian

In her career as a professional historian, Sarah has experience in all areas of public history, specialising in digital histories and exhibitions. She is motivated by her firm belief that the past shapes the present and the future, and enjoys working with community groups to record and document their stories. Sarah aims to produce interesting and engaging histories by communicating stories in an absorbing way and by using her narrative skills to help communities reconnect with their past, facilitating a sense of achievement and ownership.

Sarah has worked on histories of private companies, community groups, sporting clubs, schools and universities. These histories have taken the form of books, exhibitions and websites. Sarah has also curated exhibitions for MFB, Melbourne Museum, Monash Museum of Computing History, Jewish Museum of Australia, Robert Blackwood Hall and Moreland City Council, and created audio histories for Culture Victoria, VicRoads and ABC Radio National.

Where were you born?

Madison, Wisconsin (USA)

What other jobs have you had?

Assistant Curator, Museums Victoria; Research Support Officer, Monash University

What themes are recurring in your work?

Community, identity, belonging, story gathering and storytelling, connection, meaning, legacy

What have been the highlights of your career?

Working with people and individuals to gather and communicate the events of the past that are significant to them. Having the opportunity to be creative every day and to think of new ways to reach and connect with people. Creating a business and working with three other strong, intelligent, creative and funny women!

What are you passionate about?

People, history, and making the world a better place by using the past to emphasise our similarities and our shared desire to connect.

Sarah is a Way Back When historian. Read more about the Way Back When Historians and their history sessions here.