Caroline Lucas, former MP for the Brighton Pavilion constituency and former leader of the Green Party, has been appointed as the University’s first Professor of Practice in Environmental Sustainability. Caroline will commence the new role in the newly established Sussex School for Progressive Futures (SSPF) on 1 October 2025.
SSPF is the University’s flagship hub designed to catalyse and coordinate a distinctive, world-changing programme of interdisciplinary education, research, and global and civic engagement in relation to the three transformational themes that underpin the Sussex 2035 strategy: environmental sustainability, human flourishing, and digital and data futures. The new Professors of Practice, accomplished professionals in their field, will provide advice to students and staff and support our engagement and impact in each of the transformational themes at the heart of Sussex 2035.
A well-known leader in sustainability thinking and activism within the UK and beyond, Caroline is an inspirational figure for many students, activists, researchers, and policy-makers. With a PhD in English Literature from the University of Exeter, Caroline spent a great deal of her career on the front line of politics, first as a member of the European Parliament, and later as the UK’s first Green Party Member of Parliament, representing the Brighton Pavilion constituency. During this time, she helped to push the climate emergency into the mainstream and supported human rights campaigns.
Caroline has received multiple accolades in recognition of her contributions, including the Most Influential MP Award from the Political Studies Association in 2012 and topping the list of the BBC Radio Woman’s Hour Our Planet Power List of influential activists, educators and campaigners in 2020. Last year she was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the UK’s largest sustainable business awards scheme. Caroline is also an accomplished writer; her most recent book, Another England: How to Reclaim our National Story (2024) is a Sunday Times bestseller in which she explores England’s history to envision what a greener, fairer English identity could look like in the future.
Caroline said: “I’m honoured and excited to be appointed to this role at the University of Sussex. It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to collaborate with leading academics in their fields, and I look forward to engaging and working with colleagues, students, and the public to help amplify the hugely important work that the University of Sussex is doing on climate and environmental sustainability.”
Caroline, who has a long-standing relationship with the University of Sussex, has a track record of giving talks, hosting and chairing seminars, and being involved in teaching and research activities across the University. She received an honorary degree at the 2025 winter graduation, and is currently on the advisory board of The Bennet Institute for Innovation and Policy Acceleration and in the advisory board of SUS-POL project, which explores pathways beyond fossil fuels.
As a Professor of Practice, Caroline will work with Professor Elizabeth (Buzz) Harrison, Dean of SSPF and our three transformational theme leads, including Professor Peter Newell, theme lead in Environmental Sustainability. Caroline will play a key role to help amplify the University’s research, education and global and civic engagement, and strength our influence on environmental sustainability.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Sasha Roseneil says: “We are delighted to have Caroline Lucas join us as Professor of Practice in Environmental Sustainability. Her long-standing relationship with the University of Sussex has inspired generations of students, and she will now be able to play a strategic role in advising on our research, teaching, and global and civic engagement around environmental sustainability, one of the three transformational themes of our new strategy, Sussex 2035.”