Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

In the School of Education and Social Work (ESW) we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) practices and policies. We want all staff and students to experience our School as a space that enables them to meet their potential and to thrive. We are particularly interested in active work to address inequalities produced around the specific intersections of gender, race, and disability.

EDI activity in our School is mapped to the University’s EDI Strategy. This has four main priorities:

EQUAL SUSSEX Reduce the gap in representation, experience, progression and reward between those with and without protected characteristics.
DIVERSE SUSSEX Be a place that celebrates diversity and tolerance and fosters good relations in our own and the wider community.
ACCESSIBLE SUSSEX Provide equal access to excellent learning, research and employment opportunities regardless of physical or unseen disabilities.
FLEXIBLE SUSSEX Become an organisation that is flexible by default to ensure we are inclusive in everything we do

You can find out more about the Inclusive Sussex vision, leadership and activities on the Sussex Equality, Diversity and Inclusion website.

We aim to collate the views of everyone in our community to support, review and develop our approaches to EDI. Every term, EDI Lead, Alka Townend invites all staff and Postgraduate Researchers to attend the "EDI Forum" (EDIF). This open meeting provides attendees with the opportunity to share ideas and offer feedback on new initiatives. Feedback from the Forum is shared with the "EDI Steering Group" - comprised of representatives from each Department, a professional services represenantive and a Postgraduate Researcher, along with Alka. The Steering Group agree on which actions to prioritise, share these with the School's School Leadership Team, and then take agreed initiatives forward.

EDI is also tabled at every School Student Experience Group (SSEG) meeting which is attended by representatives from each course (Student Reps). Details of initiatives are shared with attending Student Reps for discussion, whilst also giving Student Reps the opportunity to share their own ideas if they have them. The School is currently exploring the possibility of having an EDI Student Rep, the opportunity for which will be given to all students and relevant training provided to the successful applicant.

Anyone wishing to know more about or wanting to attend an EDIF should look out for emails from Alka, or contact her directly: A.Townend@sussex.ac.uk. Please also contact Alka to discuss a specific EDI issue.

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Happy Lunar New Year 2025!

As we approach the Lunar New Year, which this year falls on Wednesday 29 January, we want to acknowledge the diverse traditions associated with this festive period and reaffirm our commitment to inclusivity.

Often called Chinese New Year, this celebration extends beyond China, with unique customs and practices in many East and Southeast Asian cultures.

While family reunions and hopes for a prosperous year ahead are common themes, each country boasts unique customs and ways of marking this special occasion.

蛇序呈祥，福寿安康。祝各位新年快乐! (May the snake sign bring good luck, long life, and health - wishing all a happy New Year!)

새해 복 많이 받으세요! (Happy New Year in South Korean)

新年快樂! (Happy New Year in Taiwanese)

Did you know?

The Lunar New Year usually falls between 21 January and 20 February.
It's a public holiday in many countries, including:

East Asia: China, Japan (select regions), Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan.
Southeast Asia: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam.

Exploring Diverse Traditions:

China (Spring Festival - 春节 ): Famous for lion and dragon dances, fireworks, family banquets, and red envelopes ( 红包 ) containing lucky money.
Taiwan ( 春節 / 過年 ): 15 days of celebrations, each with a unique focus, including the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival and a reunion dinner featuring dishes like Buddha's Delight and whole fish, symbolizing abundance.
South Korea (Seollal - 설날 ): Three days of honoring ancestors, wearing Hanbok, performing Sebae (formal bows), playing Yut Nori, and eating tteokguk (rice cake soup) for a fresh start.
Vietnam (Tết Nguyên Đán - 節元旦 ): Homes decorated with peach blossoms, visits to pagodas, giving lucky money, and enjoying special dishes like bánh chưng (sticky rice cake).

Beyond these, many other countries and cultures have their own unique ways of celebrating the Lunar New Year.

How we are celebrating Lunar New Year 2025 in ESW

Red Envelope Hunt:
Each morning from 27-31 January, red envelopes will be hidden throughout the ground floor of Essex House containing gold chocolate coins!
*Vegans can exchange their milk chocolate coins for a vegan chocolate alternative at reception.
Know your Animal:
See our Chinese zodiac sign at Essex House reception from 29 January and learn what Chinese animal represents your year of birth.

Learn More:

Lunar New Year traditions across different cultures
The historical significance of the Lunar New Year
Popular Lunar New Year dishes:

Chinese New Year recipe compilation
South Korean Tteokguk (rice cake soup)

Respectful Language:

Use the appropriate term for the celebration in different cultures (e.g., Seollal in South Korea, Tết in Vietnam).
Avoid generalizing all Lunar New Year decorations or traditions as solely "Chinese."

Let's celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Lunar New Year!

Developed by Dr Henglien Lisa Chen - Associate Professor, member of the EDI Steering Group & EDI representative for the Department of Social Work and Social Care, in collaboration with Mx James Ward-Lee - Assistant Coordinator (Social Sciences), Professor Gillian Ruch (Social Work), Mr Ruben Brett (Education and Social Work), Miss Lily Cartwright-Douglas (Social Sciences), Mrs Heather Stanley (Social Sciences), Dr Jeongeun Park - Research Fellow (Education), and Alka Townend, Assistant Professor (Education) & Director of Equality Diversity and Inclusion for the School of Education and Social Work.

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What EDI training is available?

The University’s online training platform Learn Upon offers a range of mandatory and optional courses for staff. These include Diversity in the Workplace, Trans and non-binary awareness and the Impact of Micro Behaviours. The University hold a variety of events to commemorate

In ESW we also hold a range of additional Events and Training for staff and students. This has included hosting speakers on Race Equality, Neurodiversity and Disability Awareness. We are always open to ideas so if there is an area you would like us to focus on or a speaker you’d like us to invite, please contact Alka.

What about support and relevant networks?

The University offers a range of other networks, services and points of contact including the LGBT+, BAME, Trans and Non-Binary, and Disability staff networks.

See also the University's Dignity, Respect and Inclusion policy.

Students and staff can also access support via the University's Report + Support platform.

As staff, if I have a question or something of concern related to EDI, what should I do?

EDI Director, Alka Townend, can be contacted if you have a question or concern around EDI. This could range from a question around appropriate terminology or suggesting a speaker or celebration event.

You can also contact us in the first instance if you are experiencing bullying, harassment or discrimination and we can listen in confidence and signpost appropriately. Your line manager, head of department or unit, union representative or HR rep can also offer advice and guidance.

Outside of the School, Report + Support is the University’s online tool, for you to find support, report anonymously or ask to speak to an adviser in relation to topics such as bullying, harassment, a hate incident, sexual violence, domestic abuse or discrimination.

As a student, if I have a question or something of concern related to EDI, what should I do?

EDI Director, Alka Townend, can be contacted if staff members have a question or concern around EDI. This might be a query about appropriate terminology, or a suggestion for an initiative, and event, or a speaker.

Students can contact the School's Directors of Student Experience, Jo Tregenza and/or Dr Rachel Burr [eswdose@sussex.ac.uk] if they are experiencing bullying, harassment or discrimination. DoSEs will listen, discuss options in confidence, and signpost appropriately. Academic Advisors, course or module leads, and the Student Union can also offer advice and guidance to students.