Professor Robin Banerjee, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global and Civic Engagement) has been recognised by the Kindness & Leadership, 50 Leading Lights campaign for his impact across the University through kindness. The campaign, which spotlights leaders around the world who are making impact in business and empowering change through kindness, encourages all no matter our role or background to #LeadWithKindness.

Robin said: “It is so wonderful to have been nominated for this award by my generous colleagues here at the University. Kindness seems to have a powerful ripple effect: when we experience kindness from others, or even just notice other people being kind, we are more likely to be kind ourselves, creating a rewarding and positive culture. That has certainly been my experience in the School of Psychology and across the wider University, and I feel very moved and honoured to have been recognised as a kind leader through this award.”

Robin’s career has been linked to Sussex since his days as an undergraduate student. He stayed for his doctoral studies and became a Lecturer in Psychology, and then Professor of Developmental Psychology, before becoming Head of the School of Psychology in 2019. Robin, who was appointed as the University’s inaugural Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global and Civic Engagement) last year, led the School through the Covid-19 pandemic with transparency and compassion, highlighting wellbeing as a core priority, and focusing on the importance of community and the need to respect differences of opinion.

Kindness is at the heart of Robin’s research, which is focused on the social and emotional development of children and young people. He founded the Sussex Centre for Research on Kindness, an interdisciplinary research centre aiming to illuminate the nature of kindness and its impacts on people and communities. One of the centre’s flagship projects, led by Robin in partnership with the BBC, is The Kindness Test, the largest ever public science project on kindness. In addition, he also developed a postgraduate certificate course in the Psychology of Kindness and Wellbeing at Work which started two years ago.

Talking about Robin’s kindness, Dr Gillian Sandstrom, Director of the Sussex Centre for Research on Kindness, said: “When I first visited Sussex, Robin met me in the car park. Walking me back to his office, he stopped to check on someone who had experienced IT issues earlier in the day. He held the door open for someone. He noticed that a student looked lost, and helped them find their way. All while making me feel welcome. These everyday acts of kindness exemplify how Robin operates.”

Read more about the campaign,including the full list of awardees on the Kindness & Leadership website.