David Ruebain, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Culture, Equality and Inclusion) wrote to all staff on Tuesday 29 April. You can read his message in full:

Dear Colleague,

You will, I’m sure, have read of the outcome of the Office for Students’s (OfS) investigation into freedom of speech and academic freedom at Sussex, issued last month. Please see the information on our Staff Hub for details. There has been much coverage of this in the media, much of it inaccurate. The University is appealing the imposition of the monetary penalty and we are seeking judicial review of the decision to find breaches of the relevant OfS conditions of registration itself. In addition to the information on the Staff Hub, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sasha Roseneil has explained the implications of the decision in a number of media interviews and blogs, including those published on the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) website and Politics Home website.

In this update, I want to reaffirm both the University’s foundational commitment to academic freedom and freedom of speech, and also our commitment and ambitions to equality and to creating a diverse, inclusive work and study environment in which staff and students can flourish.

This month, the UK Supreme Court gave a judgement which determined that the definition of ‘sex’ within the meaning of the protected characteristic in the Equality Act 2010 is biological sex. The implications of the ruling are not straightforward, and the University will await further guidance from Equality and Human Rights Commission. However, I want to restate that regardless, as indicated by the Vice-Chancellor in her recent statement for Trans Day of Visibility, we will continue to work for a supportive and inclusive environment on our campus for everyone including trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming students and staff. We will not withdraw from our commitment to equality and inclusion in respect of all protected characteristics, including sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, and religion and belief (which includes those holding gender-critical views).

This month, I’d like to talk about:

• Spotlight on staff networks: Disability and Neurodiversity
• Black at Sussex interview on BBC Sussex
• Reminder to sign up for Open Listening Workshop, 7 May
• Discussion on meaning, morality, and religion, 7 May
• Meet our staff networks for a walk, cuppa and cake on 14 May
• Online screening and discussion of This Might Hurt documentary, 12-26 May
• Pride at Sussex exhibition coming soon

Spotlight on staff networks: Disability and Neurodiversity

As part of our continued focus on staff networks at Sussex, the spotlight this month is on the Staff Disability Network and the Neurodiversity Staff Network. In each article, you can find out about the role of the networks, how they engage with members and some of the ways they support awareness and drive change in the wider University community. If you’d like to hear more about our staff networks, you’re welcome to join a campus walk and chat event on 14 May - further details are available below.

I would also like to highlight some of the disability equality and inclusion resources available to all staff. Following a recent campus survey, the detailed AccessAble access guides have been updated, providing information about access and facilities for staff, students and visitors. The Workplace Adjustments Toolkit for staff and managers includes information and guidance about ways to remove or reduce barriers, enabling staff to do their job and fulfil their potential. And, if you’d like to learn about digital accessibility or expand your knowledge, you can now book on to a training session or request a training session for your team.

There are also two upcoming webinars to support colleagues, hosted by the Business Disability Forum:

• Wednesday 14 May, 11am-12 noon: Information session about resources Sussex staff can access.
• Tuesday 20 May, 12 noon–1pm: What works? Reasonable adjustments for disabled colleagues.

Black at Sussex interview on BBC Sussex

It was great to hear a recent BBC Sussex interview with Bud Johnston, Project Lead for Black at Sussex, where he talked about our five-year programme to improve the experience of Black students and staff at Sussex, through ongoing research, events and initiatives. Bud was invited to speak with radio host and Sussex alumna Kamilah McInnis about Black at Sussex, its aims and why it matters. In the interview, Bud discussed upcoming projects and how the programme is building bridges between past, present and future generations of Black students. You can listen to a recording of the interview which is available until Sunday 4 May.

Reminder to sign up for Open Listening Workshop, 7 May

Our second introductory Open Listening Workshop is coming up for staff who would like to explore ways to build stronger relationships based on respecting differences and learn about working effectively with conflict. The session will explore conflict theory and provide opportunities to practice open listening. No experience is necessary - find out more and book your place.

Discussion on meaning, morality, and religion, 7 May

Christian YouTuber Glen Scrivener of Speak Life Ministries joins University Chaplain James Croft for ‘Is Christianity the Air We Breathe? Meaning, Morality, and Religion’ at the Meeting House on Wednesday 7 May at 7pm. All are welcome at the event at which James and Glen will reflect on whether modern culture is undergoing a meaning crisis, if we can find meaning without religion, and whether we can build relationships with those of differing beliefs. They will outline their different approaches to questions of meaning and morality, before taking questions from the audience.

Meet our staff networks for campus walk, cuppa and cake on 14 May

Our staff networks at Sussex are hosting their first joint event from 1.30pm-3pm on 14 May. Coinciding with National Day for Staff Networks, the Campus Walk, Cuppa and Cake meet up will enable members to connect with each other and offer an opportunity for staff across the University to meet the network chairs and members. The route is step-free and you are welcome to join for the whole session or just a part of it as you prefer.

Online screening and discussion of This Might Hurt documentary, 12-26 May

The Staff Disability Network and Chronic Fatigue and Long Covid Support Network are hosting an online screening of This Might Hurt, a documentary exploring chronic pain and pain reprocessing therapy. You can watch the film any time between 12-26 May via the online screening and are welcome to add your thoughts, questions, and feedback to the online Q&A. Audience comments and questions will be used as part of an online discussion which you can join at 1pm on Wednesday 21 May.

Pride at Sussex exhibition coming soon

A photography and writing exhibition reflecting the experiences of LGBTQ+ people at the University will be hosted in the Library this June. Following an open invitation for staff to take part, the organising team has received a range of submissions from across the University, reflecting the diversity of LGBTQ+ experiences at Sussex. The team is currently selecting extracts of writing from each to appear in the exhibition and reaching out to participants to arrange sessions with the University photographer. I hope that many of you will have the opportunity to visit when it opens in June.

Finally, the traditional Pagan festival of Beltane is celebrated on Wednesday 30 April to Thursday 1 May, welcoming the start of summer. Vesak, also called Buddha Day, will be celebrated by some Buddhists on Monday 12 May. Honouring the birth, life, death, and enlightenment of Buddha, some Buddhists may visit temples to make offerings and pray.

With good wishes,   

David Ruebain    

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

Recent events:

• Lesbian Visibility Week, 21-27 April and Lesbian Visibility Day, 26 April

Coming up:

• Deaf Awareness Week, 5-11 May 
• International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), 17 May

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

Further religious days and observances:

• Ascension Day (Anglican, Catholic, and other Christian denominations), 29 May
• Shaheedi Guru Arjan Dev Ji (Sikh), 30 May