Sarah Woolley on Muck Rack

Sarah Woolley

London, San Francisco Bay
As seen in: Medium, BBC, Nature, The Guardian, The Independent (UK), PLOS Biology, VICE, VICE UK, Scottish Daily Record, The i Paper and
Covers:  I specialise in overlooked treasure, hidden histories, and discussing extremely difficult topics with the people I interview.
Freelance journalist + researcher. sarahwoolley.bsky.social ✍️ She/her

Get in touch with Sarah

Contact Sarah, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.

Learn more about Muck Rack

Actions

Share this page

Sarah Woolley’s Biography

Read Full Bio →

Freelance journalist. Words for @guardian @i_D @theipaper @Independent @ViceUK @ChurchTimes

Sarah Woolley’s Journalist Portfolio

See all 20 portfolio items →
Last-time buyers: why many older homeowners shun downsizing

Last-time buyers: why many older homeowners shun downsizing

What would "downsizing" in later life look like for you? You might think that your changing needs as you grow…

View article →
No place to call home: how do you solve the rural homelessness crisis?

No place to call home: how do you solve the rural homelessness crisis?

What image comes to mind when rough sleeping is discussed? Perhaps it's a person taking shelter under a concr…

View article →
The letting agency that welcomes tenants on benefits with open arms

The letting agency that welcomes tenants on benefits with open arms

"If you're just kind, great things can happen," says Susan Aktemel. Kindness isn't a trait landlords are famo…

View article →
Local solutions: meet the man who was part of a social housing revolution

Local solutions: meet the man who was part of a social housing revolution

In 1988 Paul Smith was a 24-year-old graduate living with his parents on a 1950s council estate in Bristol. H…

View article →
Prince Charles Gets Everything You Own If You Die Alone in This Part of the UK

Prince Charles Gets Everything You Own If You Die Alone in This Part of the UK

Thanks to a little-known quirk of tradition, those who die in Cornwall without a will or family see their est…

View article →
Funerals in 2020: better for mourners?

Funerals in 2020: better for mourners?

THE pandemic has upturned the rituals of grief and mourning. The Revd Ángel David Marrero-Ayala has conducted…

View article →

Articles

A species rules syntax model accurately organizes birdsong syllables into songs

|
By Jacob A. Edwards, Sarah Woolley
| Nature
Abstract Birdsong is a rare example of learned vocal communication. Like speech, song consists of acoustic units (syllables) that are learned from adults and organized into temporal sequences (syntax) during development. Tutors’ and pupils’ syllables and syntax are often the same, suggesting that both song features are learned. Syntax is highly species-specific and consistent across individuals and populations of the same species, unlike syllables.
Open in Who Shared Issue with article?

Early auditory and adult mating experiences interact with singer identity to shape neural responses to song in female zebra finches

|
By Sarah Woolley, Isabella Catalano
| biorxiv.org
Abstract Social and sensory experiences across the lifespan can shape social interactions, however, experience-dependent plasticity is widely studied within discrete life stages. In the socially monogamous zebra finch, in which females use learned vocal signals to identify individuals and form long-lasting pair bonds, developmental exposure to song is key for females to show species-typical song perception and preferences.
Open in Who Shared Issue with article?

Lightning in a Bottle is Making Waves in the Festival World

|
By Sarah Woolley
| EDM Identity
There’s some magic hiding in the grounds of Lightning in a Bottle that lights up the vibe for the weekend. I’ve been to many festivals in my career, and LiB is one that I will always strive to return to every year. The storytelling of each stage, the intricate art installation layout, seemingly infinite easter eggs, and soulful energy of the community are just a few notable points of value LiB has brought to Buena Vista Lake every Memorial Day Weekend.
Open in Who Shared Issue with article?
See all 151 licensed articles (182 Total)

Interview

See all 7 answers →

How is social media changing news?

The pressure for clicks can impact the quality, but we will always have good journalism if newsrooms foster diverse and dedicated talent.

What tools and software do you use to do your job?

G Suite, Otter, and Reaper if I'm editing podcasts.

What's your favorite social network?

TikTok.

Actions

Share this page

Is this you?

As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile

Get in touch with Sarah

Contact Sarah, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.

Learn more about Muck Rack
 •  Privacy  •  Terms  •  Security and Legal  •   •   •   • 

© 2026 Muck Rack

SOC 2® Certified