The Education Awards 2024

Turner prize winning Jesse Darling's work, photograph by Agnus Mill

Pricilla Queen of the South sculpture by Jake Bowers

Winter graduation 2024

As we share our final edition of Flint for this academic year, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to take a look back on some of the best moments at Sussex this year.

Read on for some of our highlights from the 2023-24 academic year!

Sussex was recognised both nationally and internationally

• We ranked first in the world for Development Studies for the 8th consecutive year
• We ranked 8th in the UK and joint 26th in the world for sustainability
  
• We won an award for outstanding student support in the national competition hosted by UK Advising and Tutoring Association (UKAT)
• The School of Education and Social Work earned a Bronze Athena Swan Award
  
• We were awarded Silver in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework.

Sussex research hit the news

Fetching felines: new research from Sussex and Northumbria animal behaviour psychologists discovered that some cats like to play fetch!

A new study by a Sussex research team supports the future of marine recovery in Sussex - identifying 81 different marine species along our Sussex coastlines.

A study from Sussex psychologists found that rekindling old friendships is as scary as making new ones.

Sussex, in partnership with the University of Bristol, have been awarded funding to launch a new quantum technologies Centre for Doctoral Training, helping to further the goal for the South Coast to become the “Silicon Valley” of quantum technology.

Students constructed Sussex campus on Minecraft

Sussex Minecraft Society recreated and constructed campus buildings within the virtual platform, Minecraft, including renowned architect Sir Basil Spence’s Falmer House, a Grade 1 listed building, to the recently developed East Slope.

Turner Prize came to Eastbourne

Sussex were announced as the Education Partner for the Turner Prize 2023, in a major collaboration with Turner Prize 2023 hosts Towner Eastbourne. The partnership played a key role in developing and running an arts education programme and series of events focused around the Turner Prize.

Helen Cammock, University of Sussex alumna, and previous Turner Prize winner unveiled a new text-based artwork on a wall at the University's Student Centre, marking the first new permanent piece of public art on the University of Sussex campus in decades.

Sussex food became even more sustainable

Eat Central closed for a 12-week refurbishment with the aim of going greener - from upcycling existing furniture and giving away old items to sourcing environmentally friendly fabrics, the whole redesign has a sustainable ethos at its heart.

Carbon ratings on menus were introduced in the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts (ACCA), to answer the call from one in five people for better information about the choices they are making.

Arts Piazza Cafe introduced new socially responsible coffee: Cafe Queero.

Education Awards celebrated Sussex staff

The 2024 Sussex Education Awards saw its biggest increase in nominations yet, with over 600 nominations of staff. Over 450 of these nominations came from students! Read about the event and see the full list of winners.

Priscilla Queen of the South, came to Sussex

The University welcomed Priscilla, the Queen of the South, a sculpture of a Gypsy horse by Romany artist, journalist and activist Jake Bowers, as part of the National Trust project, ‘Changing Chalk Cultural Heritage’.

We partnered again with Brighton Festival

For the second consecutive year, the University of Sussex was chosen as the official Higher Education Partner for Brighton Festival 2024.

This year's Festival programme has featured a collaboration with the University of Sussex Festival of Ideas – a dynamic and engaging programme of talks, events and activities, from the School of Media, Arts and Humanities, now in its third year.

There are still lots of events on in the Festival until 26 May – check out the programme!

We celebrated winter graduations

In January we celebrated over 2000 graduating students at the Brighton Centre. Take a look back on some of the best moments on our Instagram (@Sussexuni), including student stage celebrations, and some of the incredible international dress we spotted.

Are you a final year getting ready to graduate this summer? We can’t wait to celebrate with you! Check out all the information you need to know about summer graduation.