Alumni Profile
ROBIN SAWYER
Robin G. Sawyer, PhD is an Associate Professor & Associate Chair at the Department of Public & Community Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA. He currently lives in Columbia, Maryland, USA (between Washington DC and Baltimore).
Robin graduated from Marjon in 1972, having studied Physical Education and English.
Robin kindly filled in the Alumni Profile Questionnaire and his answers are below.
Why did you go on to higher education?
Realized that without some form of further education and qualification, career prospects would be very limited.
Why did you choose your degree subject?
I’ve always been an incredible sports fan, but also had a huge interest in literature – so this way I got to combine my interests.
Best and worse things about university
Experiencing being away from home for the first time and making life-long friendships. Worst – that the course only lasted for three years!
Danny Moloney (left) and Robin whilst at Marjon
Describe your current role.
My area of expertise is adolescent sexuality, so my research and teaching deal with issues like unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, sexual assault prevention and contraceptive compliance. I speak at university campuses around the country, in addition to working with both undergraduate and graduate students in our department.
How did your time at Marjon help your career?
Marjons gave me a taste for academia, and I knew that I really wanted to pursue that direction even while I was in college.
What’s the professional achievement you’ve been most proud of since graduating?
Earning my PhD and gaining tenure here at the University of Maryland.
What personal achievement are you most proud of?
My beautiful and talented four daughters – despite having to pay for the weddings!
What are your main hobbies or interests?
I’m still a football fanatic (Spurs fan) – I’ve coached my daughter’s football team for several years, culminating last year in a football tour of Liverpool where we played the girls teams associated with professional clubs like Everton – a huge thrill!
What are your plans for the next few years (career-wise and other if relevant)?
I’ll work for a few more years. I have a book coming out in April 2008, called “Sexpertise” based on all the rather strange questions I’ve heard in my sexuality class over the past twenty years. I’ve also just completed my fifth educational film, titled “Playing the Game 2” which deals with date rape.
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