Professor Saul Becker, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor

The University has today announced that its Provost, Saul Becker, will retire from the University in April 2021.

Professor Becker, who sits on the University’s Executive Group (UEG), has been at Sussex since September 2017 and, next to the Vice-Chancellor, is the University’s most senior academic overseeing the institution’s schools.

Vice-Chancellor Adam Tickell said: “Saul is a wonderful person and it has been a great privilege to work alongside him over the last three years.  His passion for Sussex has been keenly felt throughout his time here, and he has made an irrevocable and huge stamp on this institution.

“Saul’s warmth and compassion have been hallmarks of his leadership and, combined with his ability to understand the real and potential differentiators of our education, research and civic offering, has meant that he has been fundamental in driving a transformation at Sussex.  Colleagues will know of the role that he has played in our many institutional successes but may not be aware that Saul has remained an active and leading researcher in his field of social work and young carers.

“I know that Saul has plans to continue his research and civic engagement work when he retires from University management and I have no doubt that we will be hearing about his outstanding contribution to society for many years to come.  Although it is with sadness that we will say goodbye to Saul in the Spring, I am also excited for him and hope that you will all join me in wishing Saul the very best.”

Provost Saul Becker commented: “It has been an amazing and exhausting three years at Sussex and I have loved working with the Heads of Schools, academic and professional services colleagues on so many strategic initiatives and projects.  I’m especially proud of our Strategic Framework, A better university for a better world, and all the work subsequently to help the University, schools and colleagues to navigate the pandemic and changes in Higher Education.

“I’m excited at being able to focus more in the future on my research and public engagement work, in particular becoming the first Ambassador for the national charity, Carers Trust, and being given a public platform to speak out on behalf of all informal family carers and young carers in particular. I wish the University Executive Group and everyone at Sussex a great future and thank you for the opportunity to serve and, hopefully, to have made some difference.”

The University will now begin recruitment for the Provost position.  In addition to this, the Vice-Chancellor has said that he intends to expand the representation of UEG to include academic representatives of each of the school clusters.  Details will be announced in due course.

Professor Becker will be awarded the title Emeritus Professor of Social Work and Social Policy at the University.