Broadcast: News items

David Ruebain, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Culture, Equality and Inclusion), wrote to all staff earlier today, Wednesday 19 June. You can read the full text of his email below.

Dear Colleague, 

In this month’s update, I will highlight:   

• Engaging with the Office for Students on freedom of speech
• Race Equality Charter update
• Black at Sussex chairperson appointed
• Black Studies library collection launch, 30 May

Engaging with the Office for Students on freedom of speech

We have sought to engage in a wide range of conversations and initiatives regarding freedom of speech alongside advancing EDI. Recently, I participated in a student video interview with Abby, a Digital Media Creator, where we explored what freedom of speech is and the impact it has on our University community, particularly for students.

The University also engages in these issues across the higher education sector. The sector regulator, the Office for Students (OfS), recently undertook public consultations on how it intends to implement the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, much of which will come into force from 1 August 2024. The consultations consider their proposed new complaints scheme, guidance and regulating student unions, and the University provided detailed responses to each. You can read the University’s consultation responses in full on our academic freedom and freedom of speech webpage.

Race Equality Charter update

As previously announced in September, the University received the Race Equality Charter (REC) Institutional Bronze award. This acknowledges our commitment to eliminating structural and systemic racial inequalities at Sussex but, importantly, does not signify that we have achieved this. Rather, it recognises that the REC Action Plan presents a credible approach to address the issues identified. Recently, the REC Self-Assessment Team met with the Vice-Chancellor to explore the barriers to progress and also ways to enable engagement with race equity work. Please do read more about the meeting, actions underway and aims for the next academic year.

Black at Sussex chairperson appointed

Black at Sussex - our five year programme to enhance the recruitment, retention and experiences of Black students and staff – is about to conclude its second year of activity. I am very pleased to announce that Gavin Mensah-Coker has been appointed to assume the role of Chair of the Black at Sussex programme from 1 August 2024. Gavin, who will also begin a new role as Joint Head of the Department of Language Studies and Head of English Language in the coming weeks, was one of the founders of Black at Sussex. His EDI roles have included Deputy Race Equality Director in the School of Media, Arts and Humanities and EDI Lead for students on the Foundation Year programme. Gavin, a former Sussex student in the School of African and Asian Studies (AFRAS), has also recently been appointed to the EDI committee of The Charleston Trust and is continuing his research into supporting students of colour with specific learning differences, which he will present at The Sussex Education Festival.

We are now progressing work for the programme for 2024/25 and if you have ideas or suggestions for projects, podcasts or other media, talks and seminars, or collaborations with Black-led organisations, do get in touch at: blackatsussex@sussex.ac.uk.

Black Studies library collection launch, 30 May

University librarians have collected materials relevant to Black Studies and modern Black British history since Sussex was founded in 1961. Recently, a group of colleagues and students from the Library and the Schools of Media, Arts and Humanities, and Global Studies, unearthed rare and culturally important materials which address the roots of Black history and social movements in Britain and beyond. Over 750 items have been brought together to create the University’s first Black Studies library collection, curated by student Myisha Box. I am delighted that this collection was launched with an event in the Library, where Black community history, education, and literary figures joined staff and students to explore and reflect on the unique collection.

With good wishes,   

David Ruebain    
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Culture, Equality and Inclusion)

Recent and ongoing events:

• World Pride Month, 1-30 June
• Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month, 1-30 June
• Carers Week, 10-16 June

Coming soon: 

• Windrush Day, 22 June
• International Women in Engineering Day, 23 June

Further information about upcoming awareness days will be shared on the Staff Hub.