Target Audience: All Staff (Academic, Technical and Professional Services)

At Sussex, passions and deeply held values are one of the University's great strengths, and like all great strengths they can sometimes go into overdrive resulting in conflict between colleagues. Conflict is part of life, and though it can cause harm, it can also lead to understanding, stronger relationships and positive change if we know how to work with it.

We invite you to these experiential and practical workshops, which are one component of the University’s Open Listening Programme. The workshops will give you the opportunity to explore:

Conflict Theory

• What happens when we disagree?
• We will offer models for understanding the dynamics of conflict, exploring reactions, positional and personal power, choices and outcome-based responses.

Open Listening Space

• What helps or hinders us in speaking and being heard?
• We will explore the principles and intentions of Open Listening Space, and you will have the opportunity to try out a process for listening and speaking.

No previous experience is required, just an open mind and a willingness to engage.

Feedback from our pilot sessions included:

• I felt very heard and noticed the difference between this process and a typical conversation. I liked the focus on purposeful listening.
• It was valuable. It got me thinking about a lot of things, and even yesterday later, I would say, resulted in my operating differently with those I was around.
• Certain parts of the session were very revelatory.
• Quite searching exercises but very well managed to create a supportive environment.
• I think this could be very useful for bringing about positive change at Sussex in a meaningful way.
• It was a very powerful session.

Open Listening Spaces offer a safe environment to develop your capacity to participate in inclusive conversations, speak about your own experiences and allow different perspectives. At times this may feel uncomfortable, your level of participation is completely your choice. Our aim is to be accessible and inclusive for all participants across different identities and life experiences.

Delivered by Jassy Denison and associates. Jassy is available if you have any questions before registering - email her on jassydenison@gmail.com.

Register on this workshop through LearnUpon. Please log in to LearnUpon first for this link to take you directly to there.

Organisational Development will email further details the day before the event.

Please let us know as soon as possible if you have any accessibility requirements regarding this staff development activity (e.g., hearing/visual impairment) so that we can do our very best to accommodate your needs.

All managers are encouraged to enable staff to attend University events in work time, where business needs allow, as learning and development to further all staff contributions in supporting to achieve our goals. Please support to share this event with your teams and networks.

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By: Organisational Development
Last updated: Tuesday, 18 February 2025