Kate O'Riordan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students), Professor Kate O'Riordan, wrote to all taught students earlier today. You can read the full message below:

Hello,

Next Wednesday (8 November), our Vice-Chancellor Sasha Roseneil will be in conversation with Sussex alumna Marina Mahathir at the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts (ACCA). Marina studied a BA in International Relations at Sussex and is now a prominent activist, AIDS advocacy worker and a fearless voice for women’s rights, gender equality, religious freedom and justice. I recommend you book your free seat as it promises to be a very interesting event.

Keep an eye on the programme at the ACCA while you are at Sussex, it is a fantastic on-campus venue and supports student and staff projects as well as having an internationally renowned programme. This month the Brighton Film Festival, CineCity has a-programme of amazing films, many of which are screened on campus at the ACCA, including the 36-hour film challenge where you can see films made by Sussex students.

We want to hear from you about what is going well and how we can improve the areas that matter the most to you. You can give feedback to the University in many ways, including mid-module evaluations and other surveys. If you have an idea to improve your course or your School, you can talk to your teaching teams and you can contact your Student Rep. Reps are really important roles, find out who your Rep is and be in contact to help them support you. They are elected by students to ensure your voices are heard in the decisions that will impact you during your time at Sussex. We are currently working with 41 other universities to understand students’ sense of belonging at university. First year students will receive an email invite on Friday that will be labelled Evasys/Sussex. It is a short survey that will run now and again towards the end of academic year. We will be looking in depth at the responses to understand how we can improve, please do contribute if you wish to.

As a university, we’re also taking part in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs), the largest annual university awards in the UK voted for exclusively by students. You can leave a review for Sussex on the Whatuni website and you’ll enter the weekly prize draw to win a £200 Amazon voucher. Leaving a review only takes a few minutes, and is another way to help us to understand what's going well and how we can improve the areas that matter most to you.

Please read on for your regular update, including:

• Be inspired by our Centres of Excellence, driving progress for our planet and its people
• Win a £1,000 Santander Brighter Future Grant to support your studies
• Road changes impacting bus routes on campus
• Applications are open for the Coaching Programme
• Last chance to book your slot for the Careers Fair
• Affordable fitness classes you don’t want to miss this autumn
• Free Black at Sussex photography exhibition
• Sussex snapshot.

Be inspired by our Centres of Excellence, driving progress for our planet and its people

Did you know we have world-leading researchers at Sussex? Many of them are also your lecturers and tutors! Watch our new video showcasing three of our 12 Centres of Excellence. You’ll hear from some of our inspiring researchers about how they are tackling ‘impossible until it’s done’ challenges and how the work happening in our centres has the potential to drive progress for our planet and improve the lives of millions of people.

Win a £1,000 Santander Brighter Future Grant to support your studies

In partnership with Santander Universities, we’re offering 10 prizes of £1,000 to our current Sussex students. Applying online only takes a few minutes and you don’t need to bank with Santander. Sign up by 30 November for your chance to win!

Read our news story to find out more.

Road changes impacting bus routes on campus

From today, Thursday 2 November, there will be changes to bus and road routes on campus. East Slope is open, and Refectory Road is closed and is access only until April 2024. This is to allow the final works at the bottom of East Slope Road to be completed.

There is no access to Northfield Lane or East Slope Road from Refectory Road. Access to the Health Centre and disabled parking bays along Refectory Road will be maintained.

Buses on campus no longer serve Bramber House bus stop. Instead, buses will turn from North South Road up onto Boiler House Hill, and then depending on the service, either travel via East Slope Road to reach the north of campus or exit campus via Knights Gate Road.  An additional temporary bus stop will be added to East Slope Road, heading north of campus, so there will be bus stops heading in both directions.

See more information on the Student Hub.

Applications are open for the Coaching Programme

If you’re experiencing challenges at the moment, such as self-doubt, difficulty with organisational skills or feeling a sense of isolation, then do consider applying for a place on the Coaching Programme. It will provide you with one-to-one sessions with a professional coach, who will help you explore solutions and set achievable goals. Previous participants have fed back on how beneficial they found their coaching and how it’s made a difference to them. Find out more on the Coaching Programme webpage and apply by Monday 6 November.

Last chance to book your slot for the Careers Fair

Next Wednesday (8 November), you’ll have the opportunity to speak with over 95 employers from a wide range of sectors at the Careers Fair 2023. Many employers will be targeting students from any degree discipline, so it's an excellent way to start exploring your options!

Book your two-hour time slot for the Careers Fair now.

Affordable fitness classes you don’t want to miss this autumn

Exercise is a great way to help maintain and improve your overall wellbeing. Why not take a look at Sussexsport’s group fitness classes on offer, all included within your Silver or Gold membership (or at a reduced ‘pay as you go’ rate with a Bronze membership)?

From indoor group cycle classes and body conditioning, to yoga and metabolic strength training, there is something for everyone! View all Sussexsport classes and book online.

Free Black at Sussex photography exhibition

To mark Black History Month, the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts is hosting a free exhibition of photography by Charlie Phillips and Eddie Otchere, commissioned by the University of Sussex for Black@Sussex. First Contact: Black at Sussex is open from Monday to Friday, 10am-5pm, and during public events at evenings and weekends until Sunday 19 November. I really recommend going along.

With best wishes,
  
Kate

Professor Kate O’Riordan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students)

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