Sophie is the Environmental Improvement Officer for Air Pollution and Climate Change at Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, working within the Pollution Control Team in Public Health. This role covers environmental permit inspections, air pollution monitoring, air quality planning consultations, Councillor engagement and project work.

The most rewarding part of the role so far has been her involvement in an air quality project working with local faith centres, funded by Defra's air quality grant programme. The project has installed low-cost air quality monitors outside faith centres across the borough, and works closely with faith leaders and the local community to encourage behaviour change surrounding habits that contribute to air pollution and climate change.

Sophie holds an MSc in Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change and a BSc in Physical Earth Science. Her current role has helped her to see the public health side of environmental work and its importance in provoking behaviour change to link environmental issues back to human health.

Sophie joined the IES in 2021 as an Associate member. Of her membership, she notes: "The IES offers a fantastic range of support and education that has helped me improve my confidence in certain areas."