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

Hello, 

Yesterday was the first day of our Winter Graduation celebrations, and it is such a joy to share in this important milestone with students’ families, friends and loved ones.

Seeing our graduands take the stage and celebrate their achievements never fails to inspire me and you can also share in this through our Instagram highlights from each day (@sussexuni).

On the theme of celebration, I am also delighted to share that the University of Sussex Business School has ranked first in the UK for Business and Management research income for the third year running, according to the UK’s Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS).

This important research funding is used to tackle significant global challenges in sustainability, energy demand, trade policy, equality, innovation and digital technologies. The school’s nine research centres are actively shaping the future by addressing pressing issues in our economy and society.

Sussex staff across all faculties and academic disciplines, including many of your teachers are also researchers. This means they are making a positive difference, including at a global level in areas such as education, mental health, climate change, sustainability, trade and economics, corruption and health. This is recognised in the national independent Research Excellence Framework 2021, that showed that 89% of the research we submitted was categorised as ‘world-leading’ (40.6%) or ‘internationally excellent’ (48.4%).

This research expertise at Sussex is something that will benefit you in your learning experience here, and is something we hope you are also proud of.

Please read on for your regular update, including: 

• Holocaust Memorial Day is on 27 January
• Log your Spirit of Sussex Award points
• Student Food Takeover is back! Submit an international recipe and win a prize
• Blue Monday? Why the colour blue is not all gloom
• Canine cuddles: your weekly dose of puppy love!

Holocaust Memorial Day is on 27 January

This year, Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) is taking place on Monday 27 January. Our annual HMD event, on Wednesday 5 February will feature testimony from twin brothers who are both Holocaust survivors, as well as a short, animated film screening and discussion with the film’s director. The event is fully booked, but a livestream will be available and the YouTube link will be added to the event webpage on the day.

You can visit our Remembering the Roma Holocaust exhibition, on Friday 7 February from 12 midday to 3.30pm, which explores the experiences of Roma and Sinti communities. There is also a film screening from 1pm-2.30pm which you can sign up for.

Log your Spirit of Sussex Award points

The Spirit of Sussex Award celebrates your achievements beyond the curriculum and voluntary work. There is strong evidence that students who participate in the award also achieve higher educational outcomes, and together with your transcript, it is a fantastic way of showing future employers the value of your experience here.

By taking part in different activities, such as part-time work or volunteering, you can gain points towards either a Bronze, Silver or Gold Spirit of Sussex Award. These will be awarded at your graduation ceremony.

If you’re a final year student, you have until 1 April to log your points before Summer Graduation. Sign into the platform to start logging those points!

Student Food Takeover is back! Submit an international recipe and win a prize

Do you have a favourite dish from home you want to see being served on campus? Due to popular demand, Food Takeover is back and Sussex Uni Food invites you to submit traditional recipes online by Friday 31 January for a chance to buddy up with chefs to bring global flavours to campus!

Three winning recipes will be served on campus this term, and the lucky students will win a free generous meal for them and their friends. Don’t miss out! Read more on the Student Hub.

Blue Monday? Why the colour blue is not all gloom

‘Blue Monday’ was a term coined back in 2005, marking the unhappiest day of the year. But why we do we associate the colour ‘blue’ with feelings of sadness and melancholy?

Researchers at the University of Sussex have shown that blue is in fact on average people’s favourite colour. The Sussex Colour Group & Baby Lab in the School of Psychology conduct research which looks at human colour vision and perception, aiming to understand how we see and what we think about colour. Read more about their work on colour perception.

Former student DMC, Manasi, also created an Instagram video showcasing some of the colours of Brighton, encouraging us all to turn the idea of ‘Blue Monday’ on its head!

Canine cuddles: your weekly dose of puppy love!

Treat yourself to some quality time with some friendly dogs. Canine Concern will be on campus every Tuesday from 12-2pm, unless stated. Spaces are limited, so book early to secure your spot.

With best wishes,
     
Kate 

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