School of Global Studies : University of Sussex

The Faculty of Social Sciences reception hub (Essex House Reception) standard opening times are Monday to Friday between 9am – 5pm with phone lines open between 10am – 4pm. If you can’t drop by in person, we’re also available by phone (01273 877540) and email (global@sussex.ac.uk) during these hours, and we’re happy to set up Zoom calls with you too. You can also visit Virtual Reception for quick answers to FAQs.

A global hub at the heart of the University

The School of Global Studies is a global hub at the heart of Sussex University. Our engaged research and critical pedagogy addresses the most pressing global issues of our times – global inequalities and global justice, climate and environmental change, war and peace, global health and finance crises, intolerance and discrimination. Our mission is to generate knowledge and understanding that can make a difference, for a fairer, safer, more sustainable and more inclusive world.

Global Studies has never been more relevant and valuable than it is today. To find out more about joining our School, browse our site and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and WordPress!

First in the world for Development Studies for the seventh consecutive year

In partnership with the Institute of Development of Studies (IDS) we have been named best in the world for Development Studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023 for the seventh year in a row!

This ranking reflects our international reputation for excellence as well as the strength of teaching and research relationships between Sussex, IDS, our staff, students, alumni and partners globally. It has been achieved through the work of IDS and our Schools of Global Studies, Education and Social Work, Media, Arts and Humanities, and the University of Sussex Business School.

According to the Rankings, all four Global Studies' departments: Geography, Anthropology, International Development, and International Relations are in the UK Top 20.

Professor Elizabeth Harrison said: ''To be ranked number one in the world for seven consecutive years is wonderful recognition of our continued commitment to excellent teaching and research for a fairer, safer, more sustainable and inclusive world. We don’t necessarily have all of the answers, but we will keep asking the difficult questions in ways that are both challenging and collaborative''.

Black Lives Matter

The School of Global Studies believes Black Lives Matter. We stand with our Black students and staff across the University. We condemn the violence of racism in our institutions and society at large. We recognise that racism manifests itself in our everyday working lives and pledge our urgent commitment to eradicate it in our institution and wider society. We are committed to promoting social justice and anti-racist values and ensuring that our staff and students, as well as our pedagogy and curriculum reflect and promote these.

We are committed to learning from efforts to resist and eradicate racism in a range of long-standing anti-racist projects. At the same time, we also recognise that the labour of staff and students in this work is almost always voluntary and too often remains unrecognised. We urgently call on the University to acknowledge this labour and to continue to support this work by ensuring it is properly resourced. At School level we pledge to intensify our work to address systemic racism. We commit to eradicating structures and patterns of prejudice by addressing the BAME awarding gap; decolonising the curriculum; implementing a mentoring support programme for staff and students; improving recruitment practices to ensure equitable opportunity for Black applicants and retention of Black and BAME staff; ensuring all staff and students undergo unconscious bias training and that race equality training is mandatory for staff; and addressing the specific issues raised by Black Lives Matter as they affect our students and staff.

School of Global Studies blog

SussexGlobal provides a space where students, faculty, alumni and associates can share research, experiences and opinions in their own words, providing lively and on-going discussions on the most pressing global issues today.