Key interests and
achievements
Sarah is committed to digital
rights and democracy, and developing environmental policies for a greener
Wales. Prior to being elected, Sarah was
the Chair of Sustainable Wales, a charity based in Porthcawl that supports
community-based sustainable development. In 2020, she produced the webinar
series “Circular Economy: A Design For Life" attended by leading experts
from across Wales and the UK. In March 2020, Murphy founded the Bridgend
Coronavirus Support Group that has approximately 12,000 members and has raised
money for Bridgend Foodbank and Splice Child and Family in Pyle.
Personal history
Murphy lives in Bridgend with
her partner.
Professional background
After graduating, Sarah moved
to Seoul, South Korea to teach English. She has worked in London for a global
property development company. In 2016, she graduated from the School of
Journalism, Media & Communication at Cardiff University with an MA
Distinction in Digital Media & Society. Sarah was awarded a scholarship
from Cardiff University and a grant from the Leathersellers’ Company Charitable
Fund to carry out her studies. Between
2019-2021, Sarah focused on her social welfare and big data research, primarily
for the Data Justice Lab at Cardiff University. She researches UK and
international governments use of big data and algorithmic-design for public
services – with a focus on identifying potential data harms and discrimination
against children and families. Her most recent research project investigated
data-driven workplace surveillance.
Political history
Sarah Murphy was the Head of
Events for Welsh Labour between 2009-2012. In 2017, as the Research Analyst for
Lee Waters AM, she developed and implemented the first opensource, online
crowdsourcing platform for a Welsh Assembly Member. Following the 2017 General
Election, she was appointed as the Senior Communications Manager to Anna
McMorrin MP, and then the Senior Advisor to the Shadow Secretary of State for
Wales. Sarah was elected as the Welsh
Labour Member of the Senedd (MS) for the Bridgend constituency at the 2021
elections with a majority of 4,064 .She is the only woman to have won a seat
previously held by a man during this election, replacing former First Minister
Carwyn Jones, who decided not to stand for re-election.
