Academic update: November 2024 : Staff Hub : University of Sussex

Academic update: November 2024

Posted on behalf of: Internal Communications
Last updated: Wednesday, 13 November 2024

Academic Update highlights the key priorities for academic colleagues and recent news and updates which you and your teams may find useful.

If there is information you would like included in future Academic Updates, please submit your request to the Internal Comms mailbox.

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Research and Innovation

Worktribe upgrade
The first substantial upgrade of Worktribe, our new Research Management System, has provided access to new features and improvements, including an improved risk assessment and a new look for profiles. You can find details of these changes by logging in to Worktribe and viewing the announcement on the homepage.

Global and Civic Engagement

Chevening Scholars at Sussex share their tips with prospective international students
The University has welcomed a cohort of over 100 students from all over the world who were awarded highly competitive Chevening scholarships to study in the UK this academic year. Sussex is again one of the most popular destinations of choice for Chevening Scholars. Read the application tips from some of our current students at the Chevening website.

English for Refugees runs again in 2024/25 
With support from Brighton & Hove City Council, the successful ‘English for Refugees’ programme is once again being delivered by the Department of Language Studies, providing English language classes to forced migrants. Last year, this impactful programme enabled six of the 15 students to start degrees at Sussex, with other students progressing onto other educational and employment opportunities.

Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 place Sussex 36^th in the world for International Outlook 
The recently published Times Higher Education rankings positions Sussex as one of the most international universities in the world, based on the international diversity of its staff and students, and research collaborations. Sussex was ranked joint 26^th overall in the UK, and 23^rd for research quality.

Office for Students funds expansion of degree apprenticeships at Sussex
Sussex was one of 33 universities selected by the Office for Students to receive funding to develop apprenticeships. Building on the success of our existing Level 7 apprenticeship offer in partnership with Sussex and Surrey Institute of Technology, we are working with employers to develop new opportunities for expanding career development opportunities for individuals.

World Kindness Day
Sussex will be featuring a host of activities to celebrate the power of kindness this week and beyond, in association with the Sussex Centre for Research on Kindness, including Kindness Bingo throughout this week in Library Square. Helen Rimmer, one of the graduates from our unique PG Cert on the Psychology of Kindness and Wellbeing at Work, is hosting the Kindness Unites summit on World Kindness Day itself, Wednesday 13 November, and free places can be booked here.

About you

Academic job titles update
Find out more about upcoming changes to academic job titles. This work has been part of a wider project that has included updating the academic promotions process. The new job titles are now being introduced, and HR will write to all impacted academics this month to advise of the intended changes, with details of how this affects them. The University sees this as a positive change, both for academic colleagues whose job titles are now more internationally recognisable, and also for the University as an institution.

Seeking the inaugural Director of the School for Progressive Futures
Colleagues are invited to apply for the internal position of the Director of the Sussex School for Progressive Futures (SSPF) by Thursday 21 November. Rooted in our values of collaboration, inclusion, and openness, the SSPF will be a flagship hub to catalyse and coordinate a distinctive, world-changing programme of interdisciplinary education, research and innovation, and global and civic engagement in relation to the Sussex 2035 strategic themes of environmental sustainability, human flourishing, and digital and data futures.

Workplace adjustments toolkit for staff and managers
Workplace adjustments remove or reduce barriers a staff member may be facing, enabling them to do their job and fulfil their potential. Find out about the University’s updated Workplace Adjustment Toolkit  which provides guidance for staff and managers. The toolkit outlines how to arrange, implement, change and review adjustments and includes further useful information and guidance for staff.

Covid-19 vaccinations and lateral flow tests
The winter season can bring more frequent cold, flu and Covid-19 infections. The NHS provides useful guidance on  how to keep well in winter  and how to avoid catching and spreading Covid-19.

The University is no longer reimbursing staff for Covid-19 lateral flow tests. Those with health conditions that mean they are vulnerable are still able to receive free Covid-19 vaccinations from the NHS, and lateral flow tests are readily available to buy through many retailers, including on campus at the pharmacy. 

The latest information on Covid-19 arrangements at the University, including how to request a review of building ventilation, is available on the Health & Safety Covid-19 webpage.

Flu vaccinations for staff
If you are eligible for a free flu vaccine through your GP or NHS, we encourage you to use that service. As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting staff health and wellbeing, you may claim reimbursement for the cost of flu vaccination by a third-party provider if you are not eligible.

Please choose the most cost-effective option when booking your flu vaccination as prices can vary widely. You can pay for it directly using a University Purchasing Card if you have one - or pay for it and then reclaim the cost through the  Out of Pocket Expenses process - charging to sub-project code EM003-01 and expense type ‘staff wellbeing’. Please note that you must attach the proof of purchase (i.e. receipt) to the Purchasing Card reconciliation or expense claim.

Discretionary Pay Review
As you will have seen in Sasha’s most recent Reflections note, we have had to make the decision not to run the Discretionary Pay Review (DPR) scheme this year. The DPR is designed to encourage and reward exceptional performance by both PS and academic staff, however it is unaffordable this year.

Pay award reminder
The first part of this year’s pay award  has now been implemented, with backdated payments to 1 August 2024 having been paid in October’s pay. Full details of the new salary scales are available on the  HR pages of the website. The pay increase will be made in two stages. Effective from 1 August 2024 all colleagues have received an uplift to their annual salary of £900. Then from 1 March 2025:

spine points 12 to 22 receive a further £300 annual uplift (totalling £1,200 and resulting in a 5.2% uplift for pay point 12 tapering to 4.1% at pay point 22 from 1 March 2025)

spine points 23 to 37 receive a further £250 annual uplift (totalling £1,150 and resulting in a 3.8% uplift for pay point 23 tapering to 2.52% at pay point 37 from 1 March 2025)

spine points 38 upwards receive an annual sum (variable by pay point) which results in a total uplift of 2.5%

Microsoft Bookings now available for diary management
Microsoft Bookings is now available for all staff and students as part of our Microsoft 365 suite. This is an add-on to your existing Outlook and Teams calendars that lets you easily share your availability with others, including external contacts. This can help reduce back and forth conversations about your availability. Features include:

people can book meetings directly into your diary while following clear rules e.g. Wednesday afternoon only, 15-minute slots, leaving five minutes free either side of booking

option to send automatic appointment reminders

option to send automatic feedback requests after meetings

To set up your Microsoft Bookings Page and for more information read the Microsoft Bookings Guide.

Leader and Manager Essentials programme refreshed
Our updated Leader and Manager Essentials programme was launched in October for staff who are new to the role of people leader, aspire to lead or would like to refresh their skills and knowledge. Updated in line with the new Sussex Leader and Manager Competency Framework, the programme equips staff with the tools and techniques to lead effectively, supporting their leadership development journey.

About Sussex

Student debt update
The small number of students who have not yet paid their termly tuition fee and rental (accommodation) fee instalments which were due in October will start having sanctions applied from this week. Sanctions for unpaid tuition fees include the suspension of IT and Library services, and ultimately withdrawal from the University. Students who do not pay their rental fees will be given notice and will need to leave their accommodation. Affected students have been contacted directly.

Giving consideration to the wellbeing of our students and supporting them to continue with their academic studies and achieve the academic outcomes they have worked for is at the forefront of all planning. View the most recent briefing information which explains what will be happening and how staff can help students. The briefing is designed to help staff understand how we are supporting students through the process.

Sharing your views with Senate
The next Senate meeting is coming up this week, on Wednesday 13 November, and the agenda, minutes and papers are available on Sussex Direct. Senate is the highest academic committee in the University, overseeing quality assurance and standards of the education provided by the University.

Find out about the elected senators in your Faculty, who act as spokespeople, representing your needs and interests, and how to get in touch in confidence if there is a matter you would like them to raise at Senate. Senate meets termly, and you can view information about past and future meetings. 

Library to celebrate 60^th birthday
The Library building celebrates its 60^th birthday this month, having been officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 13 November 1964. Chapter 60, an exhibition of images and artefacts celebrating the Library's role on campus, will be on display in the Library's Open Learning Space from 13 November to 20 December. Open to all staff and students, Chapter 60 will feature images that showcase the evolving nature of the building and its users throughout the decades, sourced by the Library Operations Team in collaboration with Special Collections at The Keep. Other exhibits will include a multimedia feature and a display of classic furniture.

CINECITY is on campus until 17 November
Every November, CINECITY brings the best in world cinema to Brighton & Hove, with a festival programme of premieres and previews, treasures from the archive, live soundtracks, talks and special events. We're delighted to be screening 11 events on our new state-of-the art cinema screen at the Attenborough Centre (ACCA) this month. The festival runs from 8-17 November and ACCA is joining other venues in Brighton, Hove and Lewes to host CINECITY screenings. For further details of the films showing and to buy tickets visit the ACCA website. The ACCA is part of the  new Division of Library, Culture and Heritage  which also includes The Keep and the Library.

Read the latest Transforming Sussex newsletter
The October edition of Transforming Sussex is now available, featuring news from across the Capital Programme and beyond, including:

the Relish bagel van project supporting the Down Syndrome Development Trust (DSDT)

what we’re doing to improve recycling rates on campus

how Cloud projects are helping to improve the resilience, stability and flexibility of our computer systems.

Stay up to date by signing up to our mailing list to receive future issues of the newsletter directly to your inbox.

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