Professor David Ruebain, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Culture, Equality and Inclusion
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to the first Inclusive Sussex Update of the new term. Content for this month:
- Professor Jason Arday
- MS Teams webinars and avoiding disruption
- Screening of We Were Here
- Black at Sussex conference
- Coast is Queer Festival
- Pride Painting Party
- Bi Visibility Day
- Provision and signage of toilets, showers and changing rooms across campus
- A year in the life of our staff networks
- Reminder - Islamophobia and Antisemitism training
- Upcoming event - The Dirty Work by Jo Bannon
- Upcoming religious observances
Professor Jason Arday
Since last month’s update, I have spoken to many people at Sussex and in the wider higher education community who have been deeply affected by Professor Jason Arday’s treatment and death, including some who worked closely with him and tried to support him. Similar experiences faced by other Black academics and higher education leaders, such as Professor Claudine Gay at Harvard University and Lord Simon Wooley also at the University of Cambridge underscore concerns about a wider racist backlash against equality, diversity and inclusion, which in turn has given rise to fear and anxiety, especially amongst minoritised colleagues.
The Vice-Chancellor and I recently attended a Universities UK meeting, at which Sasha raised these wider issues. Subsequently, I and others are working with the UK HE sector agency, Advance HE, to develop a “rapid response pack” - guidance for universities to support and protect staff.
In the meantime, as well as the Staff Wellbeing Hub, other support is available, should it be necessary, including to assist with digital safety and personal safety, handling the media and otherwise, through the Health and Safety and Media teams at healthsafety@sussex.ac.uk and press@sussex.ac.uk respectively.
Microsoft Teams webinars and avoiding disruption
As you will know, the University has now moved to MS Teams for all online meetings which we are organising. I am aware of an external HE meeting which was hijacked by malicious actors showing extreme racist and pornographic content; indeed the University suffered such an attack a little over two years ago. In this context, please be aware of the security protocols to follow when organising online meetings with external participants. The ITS team has produced some useful guidance for using MS Teams webinars, the main principles of which are to use registration, to manage who can bypass the lobby and to use moderation.
Screening of We Were Here
I am delighted that we will be screening We Were Here – The Untold History of Black Africans in Renaissance Europe, which sheds light on the overlooked presence of African and Black individuals in Renaissance Europe, highlighting their depiction in masterpieces by some of the era’s most celebrated artists. Watch a trailer, and find out more about the film. The screening is at the Attenborough Centre for Creative Arts on Wednesday 7 October from 6pm until 9pm. It will be preceded by an introduction by filmmaker Fred Kudjo Kuwornu and afterwards there will be a discussion and audience Q&A. To book, please use the link for tickets.
Black at Sussex Conference 2026
In addition, all are welcome to join us on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 October for the Black at Sussex Conference: two days of learning, connection and celebration focused on Black experiences, knowledge, creativity and achievement across the University of Sussex community and beyond.
The conference will bring together academics, students, staff, alumni, community partners and business leaders for an engaging programme of guest lectures, panel discussions, a keynote address, interactive workshops and networking opportunities. If unable to join during the day, I particularly encourage colleagues to join the keynote and panel discussion on Tuesday 27 October, starting at 6.00pm. This will be led by the Hon. Dr Stuart Lawrence and joined by Sussex alumni Denise Noble, Ife Thompson and Daniel Akinbosede.
The programme will showcase the Black Brilliance in Business initiative, celebrating Black entrepreneurship, leadership and professional success in collaboration with the Business School. Attendees will have the opportunity to take part in two networking mornings with members of the Black at Sussex Steering Group, creating space for open conversation, relationship-building and ideas for the programme’s future. Book your free tickets.
Coast is Queer Festival
This annual festival is happening at the Attenborough Centre for Creative Arts from 15-18 October 2026. The four day event will include lively conversations, panels, workshops, performances and films celebrating some of the best and brightest LGBTQ+ writers, including Shon Faye, Susan Stryker, Thomas Glave, Sarah Waters, Julia Armfield, Kirsty Logan, Juno Dawson, Patrick Gale and many more.
Pride Identity Painting Workshop
As part of the Pride celebrations this summer, the LGBTQ+ Staff Network hosted a Pride Identity Painting Workshop on 13 August, led by artist Mel Elston-Mendones. The creative and reflective session invited participants to explore themes of identity, belonging and community through art.
Network Co-Chairs Keira Thomas and Hermione La Chappelle said: “It was an impactful event where members had the opportunity to connect with themselves and others, while reflecting on and sharing the thoughts and feelings behind their artwork. The stories shared sparked a range of emotions and created a sense of connection across the group. It was a truly special session that provided a beautiful and meaningful space for our members.”
Bi Visibility Day
Bi Visibility Day is celebrated annually on 23 September and provides an opportunity to recognise the diversity of bisexual and bi+ experiences, challenge stereotypes and celebrate the contributions of the bi+ community. The linked article has information about events marking the day, other events and details of organisations and support.
Provision and signage of toilets, showers and changing rooms across campus
You may have noticed changes to toilet signage and new wayfinding signs in some buildings recently. This work is part of an ongoing University review of toilet, shower and changing room facilities, prompted by recent legal and regulatory developments, including the Supreme Court judgment in For Women Scotland (referenced in my update of June 2025) and the new Equality and Human Rights Commission Code of Practice.
Our aim is to ensure legal compliance while considering the needs of, and maintaining an inclusive environment for, all users - staff, students and visitors. We will continue to provide male, female and all-gender facilities (and please note that single-user lockable cubicles can be used by anyone) as well as accessible and baby-changing facilities. See the full article for a list of what has changed. We will keep you updated on any further changes in the future, and we will be consulting with staff and students as the review progresses.
A year in the life of our staff networks
Our staff networks are a vibrant and valued part of life at Sussex. They bring people together, create spaces for connection and conversation, and give colleagues the opportunity to share experiences, celebrate different perspectives and have their voices heard. In doing so, they play a vital role in bringing the ambitions of the new Inclusive Sussex Framework to life, helping to shape a University where everyone can feel they belong. Read about how our staff networks have made a difference over the last year.
Reminder - Islamophobia and Antisemitism training
In a time of rising hatred and prejudice, understanding the particularities of different forms of racism and religious discrimination is especially important. Since this workstream commenced, we have explored issues through publications, speakers and other events and we now have e-learning modules on Recognising and Responding to Antisemitism, and Recognising and Responding to Islamophobia, on LearnUpon. They will help to recognise how both forms of prejudice and discrimination can manifest, and how to deal with situations when they do.
The Dirty Work
The Dirty Work by Jo Bannon, a visually impaired artist, comes to the Attenborough Centre on Thursday 1 October. This is a magic show that is also a meditation on visibility, disability, and the unseen labour we all perform. The event includes a programme of activities and events designed specifically for VIPs - Visually Impaired People - to foster access, community and welcome. Inclusive Sussex readers can get a ticket for £6 (plus £1 booking fee) using the code 6TDW in the promotions box.
Upcoming religious observances
In this period of High Holidays, Jews observed Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, from Sunday 20 September to Monday 21 September. Yom Kippur is followed by Sukkot, from the evening of Friday 25 September to the evening of Friday 2 October, with the main festival days falling on 25-27 September. The sukkah, a temporary booth in Library Square constructed for the Sukkot will have details about the seven-day festival.
The traditional Pagan festival of Mabon is celebrated around the Autumn Equinox on 23 September. Mabon notes the shift from summer into the darker part of the year and is a time to pursue balance.
The Hindu festival of Navaratri falls between 11 and 19 October: it honours the goddess Durga, and is followed by the major Dussehra festival, on 20 October.
My best wishes to all who are marking or celebrating religious and communal festivals and occasions over the coming weeks.
David