Staff who have worked at the University for 20, 30 and 40 years were invited to a special lunch last week to recognise their long service and celebrate what they have achieved in that time.

The lunch was hosted by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sasha Roseneil, who gave a warm speech of appreciation for colleagues’ loyalty, complete with humorous reminders of what was happening at the University and the wider world in 1983, 1993 and 2003.

Over 40 people were in the room, and colleagues enjoyed meeting others across the Schools and divisions and sharing stories of their time at Sussex over the decades.

Mike Collyer, Professor of Geography, who has been here for 20 years said: “The beauty of the campus is one of the reasons I like working here. I cycle in or walk to work and I can’t think of anywhere I would rather work, even after 20 years.”

Lucy Robinson, Professor in Collaborative History who has also worked here for 20 years said: “What I really like about working at Sussex is the way in which Brighton’s identity and Sussex’s identity is so connected, so when I’m invested in my work I feel I am investing in my city, and when I am investing in my city I feel like I am enriching my work.”

Alan Stewart, Professor of Ecology, who has worked at Sussex for 30 years, said: “Years go by incredibly quickly. My research has involved setting up chalkland areas at the far end of campus and that’s beginning to shape up nicely. We have also developed ‘living labs’, which are 12 plots around campus that we are going to monitoring for pollinating insects and plants year on year to see how they change. It’s all part of the sustainability agenda and the big ambition is to make this campus the most biodiverse campus.”

Sean Goddard, Collection Services Librarian, was one of two members of staff invited to the lunch who have now worked at Sussex for over 40 years, and met his wife, Liz, over the Library counter! Sean said: “The best thing has been working with colleagues, and meeting new people. It’s ever changing in the frontline services in the library. In terms of changes to the campus environment, I cycle to work and so the cycle paths on campus and to campus is great- much safer. I’m interested in seeing the building of West Slope and that we will have a new library building with no books, which seems strange. I’m now doing my PhD in Media, Arts and Humanities in historical country dance recordings, so that’s exciting.”

See a gallery of photos from the day:

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