Case studies

Explore how the Business School is sharing our research and scholarship through the Engagement Facilitation Fund.

First organised by the Business School in 2021, the Engagement Facilitation Fund (EFF) encourages our academics and researchers to work directly with non-academic organisations.

To date we have run 15 projects with businesses, NGOs and community groups, ranging from podcasts and toolkits to community interventions. Topics have ranged from post-Brexit trade and sustainability to digital and workplace inclusion.

The below case studies illustrate EFF projects from 2024.

Carbon Reduction Action Box (CRAB): Workshops for small businesses in Brighton and Hove

Alexandra Pearson, Associate Professor in Management, in collaboration with Climate Fresk and Small99.

CRAB workshop attendees sat around a table

The aim

The series of workshops aimed to train local business owners, students, community leaders and academics in carbon reduction and Climate Fresk.

The project

Alexandra Pearson and co-facilitators organised monthly Climate Fresk and Carbon Reduction Action Box (CRAB) workshops in the heart of Brighton throughout 2024. These workshops appealed to small businesses, council members, and the general community of Brighton and Hove.

Climate Fresk is a teaching tool that aims to accelerate a wider understanding of climate issues. Over the months, 70 Climate Fresk participants have been trained.

The impact

This project has led to the formation of an active network of Climate Fresk facilitators in the city, who are now actively running workshops in their communities and workplaces, engaging with the Business School’s Climate Education Kick-off events (CEKO) and maintaining strong ties with the Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber Net Zero Champions to promote carbon reduction in small businesses.

Beyond the ongoing workshops, further events are being planned to support micro businesses to start their journey to Net Zero. Discussions with Brighton Council will continue to create climate awareness events through the Our City Our World climate strategy for schools.

Navigating the workplace as LGBTQ+: A workshop for local council workers

Benjamin Everly, Associate Professor in Organisational Behaviour, and Jeremy Jacobs, Sussex MBA graduate, in collaboration with Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC).

Ben Everly leading workshop

The aim

The three-hour training and development workshop explored the unique challenges and opportunities that LGBTQ+ people face in the workplace. The workshop combined Benjamin's academic research and expertise with Jeremy's entrepreneurial background.

The project

Ben and Jeremy delivered the first workshop on 20 June 2024 to the LGBTQ Workers' Forum of Brighton & Hove City Council. Using group discussions and interactive activities, the workshop provided a safe space for participants to reflect on their own identities and experiences as LGBTQ+ people. The workshop also focused on how to improve workplace cultures for LGBTQ+ employees.

The impact

The workshop for Brighton & Hove City Council received positive feedback from participants. Eric Page, workshop attendant and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Officer LGBTQ+, said:

"The LGBTQ in the workplace training was insightful, well-balanced, and interesting. While the training had an evidence-led, academic focus, the interactive elements encouraged group work and self-analysis, making the content more relatable and applicable to our daily work lives within BHCC.

“Overall, this training session was an excellent opportunity for personal growth and fostering a more inclusive workplace environment. It has equipped me with new perspectives and tools to contribute positively to our organization's diversity and inclusion efforts, along with some curious insights into my own, and other Queer colleagues, motivations and behaviours."

Fintech Let’s Talk: A seminar series to inspire fintech students

Malgorzata (Gosia) Sulimierska, Associate Professor in Banking and FinTech, in collaboration with fintech industry professionals.

Students watching a FinTech Let's Talk event in a lecture theatre

The aim

This initiative aimed to establish a dynamic platform for fintech industry professionals to engage with and inspire Business School students.

The project

Fintech Let’s Talk comprised of three talks, led by distinguished industry professionals, each addressing different aspects of the fintech landscape.

The first event featured Noah Asser, a private equity intern at a prominent Swiss investment firm, who provided a valuable perspective on the practical steps students can take to enhance their finance career prospects. The second featured Simon Ritchie, the Founder and CEO of Blox, a fintech startup, who highlighted the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. The final session featured representatives from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), focusing on the critical areas of Regulatory Technology (regtech) and Supervisory Technology (suptech).

The impact

Fintech Let’s Talk has positioned Sussex as a hub for high-level fintech discourse. The series not only enriched the academic environment but also broadened student understanding of the fintech industry, offering them a glimpse into real-world applications and future career opportunities.

This initiative exemplifies the university’s commitment to fostering industry connections and enhancing the educational experience for its students.

Below are some selected projects from 2023:

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