Minister for Mental Health and
Wellbeing
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.
