On 12 June, the University of Sussex welcomed around 30 distinguished external stakeholders to our annual meeting of Court, also known as the ‘Sussex Annual Forum’—a key moment in our calendar that brings together leaders from across the region to reflect on our shared progress and future ambitions.
The event opened with an overview from our Vice-Chancellor Professor Sasha Roseneil, who reflected on the university’s achievements over the past year and outlined our strategic look ahead. This set the stage for a series of short but compelling research presentations that led onto table discussions about our Sussex 2035 transformational themes.
- Dr Hope Wolf (Faculty of Media, Arts, & Humanities) shared groundbreaking research on modernist movements in Sussex, prompting a rich discussion of human flourishing and highlighting the region’s rich cultural legacy.
- Dr Chris Sandom (Faculty of Science, Engineering, & Medicine) described impactful work on nature recovery and rewilding, leading into an exploration of collaborative activities to deliver shared commitments to environmental sustainability.
- Professor Jackie O’Reilly (Business School) presented on technological innovation and the future of work, sparking conversations into the evolving world of digital and data futures.
These presentations not only showcased Sussex’s research excellence but also served as powerful catalysts for discussion on the future of our society and planet.
Professor Robin Banerjee, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global and Civic Engagement. provided an update on our University’s expanding civic engagement work. A highlight was the development of a new Civic University Agreement, currently being co-created with the University of Brighton and the University of Chichester, in close consultation with key public bodies including NHS Sussex, Sussex Police, local authorities, and business networks. Prof Banerjee highlighted our pan-Sussex commitments around the natural environment, our learning and health, and culture and heritage, with the aim of driving economic growth, pioneering new technologies, and tackling social inequalities.
Attendees included senior representatives from local councils, charities, public services, and businesses—ranging from Sussex Police and the Down Syndrome Development Trust to Glyndebourne and Shoreham Port. We were also honoured by the presence of the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex.
Professor Robin Banerjee observed, “There was a great buzz in the room, and I could see the very positive response from the external stakeholders to both the excellence of the wide-ranging work taking place at Sussex and the University’s enthusiastic and warm approach to civic and community engagement.”
Take a look at the gallery of images from the event:
