Dr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, Chief Fire Officer in West Sussex and one of the most senior female firefighters in the UK, has been awarded Degree of Doctor of Science by Royal Holloway, University of London. The Honorary Degree has been awarded in recognition of her achievements in her field as a behavioural neuroscientist and fire service leader.
Honorary Degrees of the University of London are conferred to people who are outstanding in their field or who have given exceptional service to the university.
The conferral was held at Royal Holloway’s campus in Egham, Surrey, during a meeting with the university’s Principal, Professor Paul Layzell. Sabrina’s oration was given by Professor Polly Dalton, Head of the Psychology Department.
Speaking about her Honorary Degree, Sabrina said: ‘I am really excited to have received an honorary degree of Doctor of Science from Royal Holloway.
‘It means a lot to know that the students and wider university community have welcomed me to be part of the university.’
Sabrina left home at 15, and school at 16. She joined the fire service in Wales and studied at the Open University and Middlesex University and then at Cardiff University, completing a PhD in psychology whilst still serving as an operational fire officer.
Her subsequent research into incident command in the emergency services has not only won awards but has also influenced policy at a global level. Sabrina is an Honorary Fellow at Cardiff University, and she has been named as a Marie Claire Future Shaper, a Big Issue Change Maker and she was listed on the Cosmopolitan Millennial Power List. Sabrina has also authored The Heat of the Moment, a book which explores how we make decisions under pressure.
