WP and Criminology collaborating with local organisations: showcasing tangible career pathways to Yr10 students
By: Christopher Derbyshire
Last updated: Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Widening Participation will meet some of their own agenda, but also the University’s broader engagement objectives, with a wonderful piece of collaborative work supporting over 100 young lower socio-economically disadvantaged learners from East Sussex. Sociology and Criminology’s Asst Prof. Estelle Marks, Sussex Police, East Sussex County Council, Manna Nexus (a Lewes-based organisation, building meaningful pathways between education, employment), and Widening Participation, will be providing site-based programmes in the new year offering access to police working environments, including Criminal Investigation, dog-handling, firearms, et al. This will be followed by a contextualised 'learner's journey' insight (understanding the associated the academic pathways and requirements) delivered by visiting the University of Sussex for Criminology workshops, exploring the ethics of 'Stop and Search' and campus and study awareness with input from the WP Team.This initiative addresses aspects of the Local Skills Improvement Plan and the NEET risk agenda; develops employability capital via workplace representation; supports underrepresented and disadvantaged learners; and show-cases opportunity, educational value, and progression pathways toward relatable careers. Delegates, aged 13-15, attending a programme of activities, will be invited from a range of local schools in the new year.This is a really exciting programme and builds on a pilot initiative last year.