Sussex in the community
At the University of Sussex we're lucky to be part of a vibrant mix of communities and cultures, and we care about the role we play.
Our work
By engaging with businesses, charities and other local partners, we hope to make a positive difference to our local area. Find out more about our:
Community partnerships
Brighton Festival
We've enjoyed a close partnership with Brighton Festival since it began in 1967. As official Higher Education Partner, we bring academic expertise to the forefront of the arts through curated programming, as well as facilitating community arts, learning and engagement.
Our Festival of Ideas event series, led by the School of Media, Art and Humanities is part of the official festival programme.
Brighton Pride
We're an official partner of Brighton Pride; an annual celebration of the city’s LGBTQ+ community.
Sussex staff and students join the festivities in August, and we have a float in the Pride parade.
Turner Prize
We were the official Education Partner of the Turner Prize 2023; the world’s leading prizes for contemporary art.
Teams across the university worked in collaboration with Towner Eastbourne on an inspiring art education programme which included events at the Attenborough Centre for Creative Arts (ACCA) and brought the Turner Prize to life for local young people across the region.
Students and staff in the community
Our students and staff actively engage with their local community through a variety of initiatives including:
Sussex Co-Lab
Sussex Co-Lab brings together universities, local governments and health partners with businesses, artists, researchers and residents, we use creative and participatory methods to enable more inclusive decision-making. We aim to improve outcomes for local people by testing new ways of working that can help everyone to flourish.
Soapbox Science
Soapbox Science is a public outreach platform that promotes women scientists. The event provides an opportunity to enjoy, learn from, interact with, and be inspired by, some of our leading scientists. No middle person, no PowerPoint slide, no amphitheatre – just remarkable women in science who are there to amaze you with their latest discoveries, and to answer the science questions you have been burning to ask. The Brighton event, organised by University of Sussex staff, is held on the seafront, next to the i360, and is part of Brighton Fringe.
- Video transcript
[Shots of Brighton including the seafront and West Pier and a woman putting up a parasol. Dr Hadia Almahli walks along the promenade]
This is Dr Hadia Almahli.
She is a researcher and lecturer specialising in drug discovery.
She spoke at this year's Soapbox Science event.
Hadia: Usually Soapbox Science runs each summer, here on the seafront in Brighton, because it's a busy area with a lot of people here on the beach, from different nationalities, different backgrouns and different ages. People walk by and they can stop or we can stop them to inspire them about our experiences in research and to encourage them to be involved in science.
Sorry... let's start again.
I feel so excited to be a scientist.
Since my childhood, I've seen a cartoon film on TV in Syria about Marie Curie. Marie Curie is a scientist - chemist- ans she's the first woman in the world to win a Nobel Prize twice, and the first woman to be a Professor in Paris University. She struggled a lot in her life. She lost everything from her paternal side and maternal side - properties, everything. It's very similar to my situation as we lost everything in Syria after the war, so we started from zero again.
Our message to all people, especially young people, through this event is try to read more about science, and dream about science. All these fields lead to one thing - to help other people. To save their lives, improve their lives. Our target is human. Whatever life throws at you, just work hard, think big and follow your dreams. Don't stop!
[End credit shows University of Sussex logo].
Sussex Law Clinics
Our Law Clinics are a collaboration between final year law students, law academics and external solicitors and barristers. The clinics offer free legal advice to the public, charities, schools and organisations on a variety of legal issues.
We run a number of different clinics including: criminal justice law, family law and housing law.
Featured story
Turner Prize-winner unveils brand new artwork at University of Sussex
Turner Prize-winner and Sussex alumni Helen Cammock has reinvigorated public art on campus. Her text-based artwork, on a wall at the University's Student Centre, is the first in decades.
