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Ceremony schedule for winter 2025

Wednesday 22 January 2025

Ceremony 1 at 10am

• Video transcript

  [‘Trumpet Fanfare’ music playing]

  (A procession of University senior academics and staff in ceremonial robes enter the auditorium, walk down the aisles betwixt the audience of seated graduands and guests, ascend the stage via staircases on the left and right respectively, and take their seats. At the end of the procession are two academics/staff with ceremonial torches who on stage bow to each other, the rows of academics/staff, and then place the torches on a small, raised table with a cloth at the very front of the stage.) 

  [Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar, stands and approaches the lectern to make an introductory speech.]

  Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar:

  Good morning. I declare open this congregation of the University of Sussex. I'm delighted as chancellor to welcome you formally to this graduation ceremony. A warm welcome to our honoured guests, our distinguished faculty members, and to those of the professional services here at Sussex. But the warmest of welcomes are for you, our graduands and your family and friends who join you here today. And to those who couldn't make it in person and maybe are watching this via a live video stream around the world.

  Graduation is one of the highlights of the university year. As such, as you can see up here on the stage, we've made a bit of an effort with our gowns, our bow ties and dressing up. Some have even brought forward their weekly baths and invested in deodorant. And this is all in honour of you and our pride in your fantastic achievement.

  The University of Sussex motto is "Be still and know" and I hope that at some point today, you can find a quiet moment to reflect on your accomplishments and the journey that brought you here. And I know that many of you have had to overcome many challenges on that journey to get to this day. Struggling to balance your studies with home life in some cases whilst raising children or supporting loved ones, experiencing loss and health issues, trying to survive on overdrafts loans or family help, perhaps battling loneliness, anxiety, self-doubt, and even sometimes the doubts of others. But you didn't give up. You didn't give in, and you've seen it through.

  For many, today will mark the end of your academic journey, a journey that started all those years ago at nursery or kindergarten where you learned that teddy bears could be real friends, that throwing things on the floor could be fun, that splashing in puddles was even more fun. That half your food on your mouth, the other half on your face was a perfectly acceptable ratio, and the hated phrases were "no more ice cream" and "time for bed". Through all your school years and exam pressures that led you to Sussex, where you learned that last night's pizza was a perfectly acceptable breakfast, that you could indeed make it to a 9:00 AM lecture if you woke up at 8:55. Late night chats fuelled by Dr. Caffeine or Miss Chardonnay, where you found the answer to life, the universe and everything, and you too have forgotten it the next morning and hated the phrases, "wifi not available" and "the assignment deadline is tomorrow". But at least there was no one to say "no more ice cream" and "time for bed".

  Which brings us to today. Your glorious day. And thank you families and friends I know from experience how much you've supported and sacrificed for your graduand and to be here and we're humbled and honoured that you now all have a connection to Sussex. So graduands in a short while, a name will be read out, hopefully approximating to yours, and you will take the mere 20 or so steps across this stage, terrified that you're gonna lose your hat or mortarboard, wondering whether the heels were a good idea, or whether your flies are open. And praying that you don't trip over your gown and end up in the lap of someone in the front row. But what an array of laps we've arranged for you this morning. It's like Squid Game meets the Antiques Roadshow.

  Now I'm beholden tell you or remind you, I know some of you have been up here before, but you haven't actually got your degree yet, and you getting it might just depend on how much love you show me when you come up here. No love for the Chancellor, no degree. But seriously, feel free to express yourself when you come up here in whatever way you want, as long as it's within the bounds of decency and legality.

  Over the years we've had handshakes, hugs, high fives, fist bumps, dabs dancing and press ups. I've gone along with all of them, but please, if you do press ups, that you're most welcome to do, don't expect me to do them with you. I can get down, I'm not sure I can get back up at my age. And family and friends, this is your day too. So when the time comes, please have your cameras ready and feel free to make some noise as your loved one crosses the stage. And if anyone is here on their own today, then I'll be your family or friend. So no one's here alone.

  Okay. I call upon the Vice Chancellor, Professor Sasha Roseneil, to address the congregation.

  [Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sasha Roseneil, stands and approaches the lectern to make an introductory speech.]

  Professor Sasha Roseneil:

  Mr. Mayor, distinguished guests, members of the university, parents, supporters, friends, and above all our graduands Sussex class of 2024. It's my great honour and enormous pleasure to welcome you here today. I'm Professor Sasha Roseneil. I'm the Vice Chancellor and president of the University of Sussex.

  As our chancellor Sanjeev Bhaskar has reminded us, today is all about you, our graduands. Today is celebration for you and of you and of all that you've achieved during your time at Sussex. It's also a moment to acknowledge that many of you have benefited in countless tangible and intangible ways from the love and support of your family or guardians and carers, and from the encouragement of your friends and of course from the teaching and guidance of staff at the university.

  You may also have had support from our alumni community and donors who've generously provided scholarships that have enabled you to study at Sussex. So I'm now going to ask for some participation from you. Our graduands, if you are able, would you please stand up and turn and face the audience, your friends and loved ones behind you, and offer your thanks with a big hearty round of applause? Thank you. Please do be seated again.

  As a university, we at Sussex are committed to providing an inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment for every member of our diverse and international community. And that extends to our celebrations today. This is an important event, not only in the lives of our graduates, but for everyone in the auditorium, some of whom have traveled a very long way to be with us. Sussex students represent the most wonderful variety of backgrounds, beliefs, and identities. You come each year from over 130 countries around the world, and we have people in the audience of many different nationalities and faiths. And amongst everyone gathered here, there will be a huge diversity of opinion and belief about almost every matter under the sun. And that diversity of thought and belief is a very special thing, something that Sussex as a university seeks to uphold and support.

  We have a foundational commitment to freedom of speech and academic freedom. It's our job as a university to create an environment in which diversity of belief and opinion can be explored. And so we nurture the conditions under which people can respectfully discuss and debate difficult ideas, where propositions can be tested, analysis undertaken, theories developed, and where minds can be expanded and changed. We are living in deeply troubled times with war and conflict, terror, death, and the destruction of habitats, economic hardship, hunger and inequality, as well as climate crisis and environmental degradation, giving enormous concern amongst Sussex students.

  Many Sussex students and their families and loved ones I'm sure hold passionate opinions about the causes, consequences and solutions to these issues. And so as we gather here today to celebrate graduation, I would like to emphasise that the university supports and will always support freedom of expression that is lawful and respectful of others, mindful of the humanity and diversity that's at the heart of our university community. And that is what binds us together across nations and faiths as a global community.

  So Sussex graduands, I'd like to thank you all for all that you've contributed to making our university a place of community inclusion and diversity, a warm, open and welcoming place. In the two and a half years since I became vice chancellor, I've come to realise that Sussex students are the very embodiment of energy, hope, and possibility alongside your academic work. Many of you have taken part in an impressive range of other activities as members and leaders of student societies and groups, and as volunteers helping and supporting other people on and off campus. Many of you are today receiving a spirit of Sussex Award for positive involvement with the community. From serving as campus ambassadors to fundraising for local causes and creating new ways for our campus to be more environmentally sustainable. I commend your commitment to your extracurricular activities well done on all that you've achieved alongside your formal studies.

  Over the past few years, I've had the great pleasure of meeting many Sussex alumni, not just from the UK but from across the world in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. And I've been overwhelmed by how many of them told me how much they loved their student days at Sussex and how the experience of studying at Sussex had fundamentally shaped their lives and careers. They record encountering new ideas and ways of thinking that transformed their worldview, as well as making friendships and building networks that have accompanied them ever since. I sincerely hope that you, our graduates will feel the same in the years to come.

  Whether you already have a job or are taking time to explore the world or looking for your next opportunity, you can be confident that you are leaving a university with a global reputation, a university that has equipped you with the knowledge and skills to think critically and creatively, to work across the boundaries of established knowledge and to understand the importance of a global perspective. You've been tutored and supervised by academics who are internationally recognised for the quality of their research and scholarship. The breadth and depth of their research has directly informed your education across the disciplines and in the spaces in between. Our research focuses on the urgent concerns of our time.

  Some of you might have seen our "Impossible until it's done" campaign on our website, on banners and buses. Inspired by the words of Nelson Mandela, we are highlighting the work we are doing to tackle pollution in rivers, to find new ways to treat dementia, and to improve young people's mental health using AI and digital tools. We know the great value of our research, but we also recognise the importance of sharing our successes and ambitions with wider audiences.

  And Sussex has much to celebrate. For the eighth consecutive year, we, along with our campus partner, the Institute of Development Studies, have been ranked first in the world for development studies. This is outstanding achievement by our academics. Development studies seeks understandings of and progress towards global equity, social justice, and sustainability, and is very much at the heart of what Sussex is about right across the disciplines. One of the key measures of the strength and impact of a university is the extent to which the publications of its academics are cited by other academics.

  And Sussex really does punch above our weight in many areas in this respect. In the world's most prestigious university league table, the QS World rankings. This year we have nine subject areas in the top 10 in the UK for citations with two subject areas, history and physics and astronomy. Each ranked first in the UK. We were also recognised as the eighth most sustainable university in the UK and 16th for employment outcomes in the UK. And for the past three years, the University of Sussex Business School has been ranked top in the UK for Business and Management research income. This funding is being used to tackle global challenges in sustainability, energy demand, trade policy, equality, innovation and digital technologies.

  All this means that Sussex research is improving the lives of people around the world, enhancing and advancing developments in technology and influencing the policies of governments, as well as making a positive difference to the protection and regeneration of our natural environment. Now I know that many of you graduating today have had extraordinary and sometimes difficult life journeys. All of you have been through the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, and some of you have struggled with mental and physical health issues. Some of you have faced loss and family disruption during your student days, but each of you has had a unique journey through your time at Sussex with its ups and downs.

  Whatever your Sussex story though, I hope when you look back at your time with us, you feel your studies were challenging, intellectually rigorous, that you were stretched, stimulated, and supported to achieve your best. And that you are leaving with knowledge, skills, and personal resources that will stand you in good stead. And also that you've made connections and friendships that will stay with you long into the future. You'll take many different paths now as you join our community of more than 200,000 alumni around the world.

  Our alumni include Nobel Laureates, grassroots, campaigners and activists, heads of state and vice presidents, leaders, influencers and creative practitioners in the arts and entertainment, writers, journalists and academics, chief executives of national and multinational organisations. And those with less high profile but no less significant lives and careers. People whose actions and relationships remake and renew the social fabric in small positive ways every day across the globe. In more than 160 countries and in all walks of life, Sussex alumni are sharing the benefits of their experience here to make the world a better place. I know you will do that too.

  So graduands celebrate who you are today. Celebrate the commitment you made to achieve your degree, the fact that the sacrifices you made were worth it. That the belief in yourself that made it possible has come true. And celebrate those who helped you reach this point in your journey. In short, celebrate.

  (Graduands and guests applaud.)

  I call upon the Head of the School of Global Studies, Professor Geert De Neve.

  [Head of the Head of the School of Global Studies, Professor Geert De Neve, stands and approaches the lectern to present the graduands. As he reads the names aloud, the graduands walk across the stage to applause and shake hands with the Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar]

  Professor Geert De Neve:

  Chancellor, I present to you for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology...

  Laurie MAY-MILLER

  For Anthropology and International Development (with a study abroad year)...

  Bishoy ZAKI

  For Geography…

  Charlotte HEENAN

  For Geography and International Relations…

  Daisy YEO

  For International Development with a Language…

  Maria Antonette BAYA

  For International Relations…

  Finn WRIGHT

  For the Postgraduate Certificate in International Security…

  also awarded the prize for the Best Dissertation in International Security Oluwatobi Daniel OYETOKI

  For the Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations…

  Eunji KIM

  For the degree of Master of Arts in Anthropology of Development and Social Transformation…

  Emily Brooks,

  Morgan GIAMPAOLO

  Luba KHALILI

  Jessica Jade ROCHESTER

  For Conflict, Security and Development…

  Thomas AFFORD

  Also the recipient of the Jesse White Masters Scholarship Hamzah AHMED 

  Khulood Ahmed Sheikh AL-LABANI

  Ibrahim Fathi Ibrahim ALGHADAMSI

  Koshin Abdi HASHI 

  Diepriye Tonjo KORUBO

  Also jointly awarded the Lisa Smirl Prize for the highest Dissertation Mark in Conflict, Security and Development Daniela Alexandra QUINCHE PACHON

  Ryad SHKAIR

  For Environment, Development and Policy…

  Sapargul Abdinabievna ABDINABIEVA

  Ryoka BETTO Marie CLERC

  Iva MARKOVIC

  Tshoganetso MASUNGA

  Isaac MCHALE

  Ayomide Michael OJO

  India PEARCE

  Also jointly awarded the the Ann Whitehead prize, for the best Postgraduate International Development Dissertation Betul Aybike SAHIN

  Ashqua Muqueem Ahmed SHAIKH

  Petar TABAKOV

  Millie WALLACE

  Yang ZHANG

  For Food and Development…

  Maria Cristina AYALA NIOCHET

  Yuk Tong CHAN

  Also awarded the prize for the best dissertation in the MA Food and Development Oliver Martin

  Zachary Louis

  Dale Morris

  Dohyeon MUN

  Samuel Oluwaseun OLATUNJI

  Helen RUSSELL BROWN

  For Gender, Violence and Conflict…

  Basudha GUHA KHASNOBIS

  For Geopolitics and International Affairs…

  Lela Jasmine Furaha AHMED BOURDETTE

  Theo DYER

  Petra JIRANKOVA

  Charlie LOCKE

  Toby POWLSON

  For Human Rights…

  Sophia BARKWAY

  Hannan EDDE

  Also jointly awarded the Ann Whitehead Prize, for the best Postgraduate International Development Dissertation

  Paulina Patricia ILABACA MENDEZ

  Azusa KATO

  Ekram Adem MOHAMMED

  Also jointly awarded the Ann Whitehead prize, for the best Postgraduate International Development Dissertation

  Kaori MUTSUKADO, congratulations.

  Ayane SANDERS LAD

  Shavinda Pumudi SISIRAKUMARA

  Krisztina Katalin SZEKELY

  For International Political Economy…

  Dilsu Oyku AYDIN

  Ayrton FAGG

  Christopher MARTIN

  Francesca WOOD

  For International Relations…

  Athija ALSERKAL

  Kayode ANIFOWOSE

  Sunday EGBUNWA

  Israa Malik ELFARMAWI

  Axel William Eric MCMULLEN

  Mai NISHIYAMA

  Peter PHELPS

  also awarded the prize for the Best Dissertation in International Relations. Sangeetha SUNDARARAJAN

  David Oluwafunsho TAIWO

  Juba THIEP

  Jantarathimas WATCHARASIRI

  For Migration and Global Development…

  Joan Alejandra Sophia DAVIES

  Bethany DURLEY

  Yucel KAPLAN

  also awarded the prize for the best dissertation in the MA in Migration and Global Development.

  Ying Yee LI

  Francesca PAINI

  For Migration Studies…

  Kyoka OIMATSU

  For Social Anthropology...

  Emily COLLIS

  Nozomi IMOTO

  Cristina MACKERRON

  Tegan MCLEAN

  James William TURNER

  Xinglan WU

  Figen CELIK KARAASLAN

  For Social Development…

  Regina MEDINA MORA URQUIZA

  Yuki MORIKAMI

  Rose NABALAYO WABUKE

  Megan O'NEILL

  For the degree of Master of Science in Climate Change, Development and Policy...

  Jonathan Mickael ANDREAS

  Max Fox

  Onaolapo GBENRO

  Laurence JOHNSON

  Edwin KIPSANG

  Moira MANGALINDAN

  Joy Blessed MUGANDA

  Katie MUSGROVE

  Ekeoma Malvina ONUOHA

  Edward RIMAN

  Also the recipient of the Peter Carpenter Prize for Climate Change

  Sebastian RODRIGUEZ VARGAS

  Lucy VARLEY

  Diarmid WALKER

  For Social Research Methods…

  Laurel Dean Jo HILLS

  Peter Martin Creffield RIDDELSDELL

  Abigail SEWELL

  Orlagh STEVENS

  Tanya WIJESINGHE

  Chancellor, I will now present to you for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy...

  For the thesis;

  Incidental War: Targeting, Software, and Bureaucracy

  Rupert BARRETT-TAYLOR

  For the thesis;

  Characteristics, Drivers and Predictability of Flood Events Events in the Tana River Basin,

  Kenya Augustine KIPTUM

  For the thesis;

  ¡Mujer y Taxista! Analysing the experiences of women in Malaga's male-dominated passenger transport sector.

  Belen MARTINEZ CAPARROS

  For the thesis;

  How 'global' is Global Health Security? Subaltern agency in International regimes of infectious disease control

  Dean Matthew James MOULL

  Chancellor, this concludes the list of graduands from the School of Global Studies.

  Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar:

  I call upon the Professor Law and Social Justice, Amir Paz-Fuchs, to present Caroline Lucas,

  Professor Amir Paz-Fuchs:

  Chancellor, vice chancellor, colleagues, graduands, friends and families. The recipient of today's award really truly needs no introduction. So I'm gonna talk about myself. When I accepted the offer to join Sussex Law School and we moved to Brighton, we did the customary thing where I come from. And that is to make everyone else jealous. So we explained that we're between the Sea and the South Downs National Park, that the city hosts the most popular international pride festival, but we saved the kicker for last, that it has the only green MP in Parliament. True story. QED.

  Caroline Lucas, of course, recently stepped down as that green MP because she probably heard that sitting MP's can't receive this award so she could finally receive this honour today. It was only in 1989 that Green Party local counsellors were first elected. Caroline Lucas was elected as local counsellor in 1993, became a member of the European Parliament in 1999, the first leader of the Green Party in 2008, the first member of parliament representing green member of Parliament representing Brighton Pavilion, where we currently are in 2010. The fact that she was a Green Party's sole MP was not an obstacle to her receiving awards, including The Most Influential MP, The Most Ethical Politician - maybe that's a low bar, MP of the Year, People's Choice MP of the Year.

  But beyond her individual work, Caroline Lucas built the foundations for the next generation of dreamers and activists as she stepped away from parliament. The Green Party now has four MPs and over 800 local counsellors. More broadly, green agenda seems to be integrated into public discourse, education, and consciousness, although it has never been obvious. Caroline Lucas's story and legacy offers one of the most striking examples of the saying, often and wrongly attributed to Mahatma Gandhi. First, they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you and then you win. How did and how does she do it?

  I'm going to suggest here that the secret lies in a less known fact about Caroline Lucas. And that is she's already even before this ceremony, Dr. Lucas. Indeed, as you would expect, Dr. Lucas wrote her PhD on Elizabethan literature. Now, you may think that her future political path diverged dramatically from the state inquiries into Shakespeare, Marlowe, and the like. But you'd be wrong. There is a clear line between the motivation that drew Dr. Lucas to the study of women in Elizabethan romance and her politics from then onwards. And that line is entrenched in the literal and metaphorical understanding of storytelling in the conviction that sometimes what separates imagination and reality is only time. And in the humility that leads to curiosity about people's lives, concerns and perceptions without which there is no empathy. And thus no good literature and no good politics.

  As she notes Charles Dickens and Elizabeth Gaskell did not only change Victorian's perception of the reality of urban poverty and public health, it led them to imagine a different one. That motivation has led Dr. Lucas to imagine not only a more sustainable planet, as we all know, but also very early on a world without nuclear weapons, then an economy that does not slavishly follow growth metrics. And most recently a world in which we can address death itself differently. It is no surprise that her book, which weaves together our literature, literary heritage in our political future is titled "Another England". Few people have encouraged, probed, and inspired us to in her own words in the book, imagine and pursue new and better hutures than the recipient of today's degree.

  Chancellor, I present to you for the degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa, Caroline Lucas.

  [Applause]

  [Caroline Lucas shake hands with Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar.]

  Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar:

  By the authority of the Senate. I'm delighted to confer upon you the degree Doctor of Laws honoris causa. Many congratulations.

  [Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, Caroline Lucas goes to the lectern to deliver her oration.]

  Doctor Caroline Lucas:

  Thank you so very, very much Chancellor. It is a huge privilege to be awarded this honorary doctorate by the University of Sussex.

  I am truly grateful you've kindly said that the award is in recognition of my achievement in politics. Although you did also hint at the literary background. But in fact, I'd like to share a few thoughts about the importance of my first love and the focus of my first doctorate, which as you've heard was in English literature. And I hope that doesn't seem too perverse. I know awards in art subjects are being made tomorrow, not today, but in the words of one of my favourite novelists, Emma Forster, only connect. I passionately believe that if more politicians spent more time reading fiction and poetry, we would have a far wiser and a far more compassionate politics. Thank you. And here is why.

  First, because literature cultivates our imagination. And in many ways, you know, political failure is I think a failure of imagination. A failure to imagine, for example, what it's like to be a refugee so desperate to flee persecution that you are willing to take your life in your hands and step into a dangerously overcrowded dinghy. Because in the words of the British Somali poet Warsan Shire. No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark. No one puts their children in a boat unless the water is safer than the land. Anyone, anyone at the home office or anywhere in government who has anything to do with drafting refugee policy should be required to read Warsan Shire.

  And second, literature embraces complexity. You know, my favourite words in the whole of Shakespeare, are from King Lear, where the Earl of Gloucester says to Edgar, “And that's true, too”. The siren voices of right-wing populists would have us believe that there are simple answers to the multiple crises that we face today. They seem unable to understand that several things, multiple things can be true at the same time. And that's true to four little words that I believe could work wonders in helping to diffuse the polarisation and intolerance that scars today's political discourse.

  And third, literature nurtures hope. Hope that things can and will be better. Not the kind of hope that's little more than a gamble, like sitting on your sofa clutching a lottery ticket. Rather the kind of hope that gifts us a profound sense of purpose. The kind of hope that the US writer Rebecca Solnit, describes as strong enough to propel you off the sofa, outta the house. And in her words is like an axe to break down doors with in an emergency because as she says, to hope is to give yourself to the future. And that commitment to the future is what makes the present inhabitable. Making the present inhabitable right now means urgently tackling the accelerating climate and nature crises.

  And our challenge is not to accomplish as much as possible, it is rather to expand the very limits of the possible so we can accomplish what is scientifically necessary, not what is just deemed to be politically convenient. And that means cultivating hope building tomorrow, today in our actions. And in so doing, accelerating the better future that we know is out there As the Booker Prize-winning novelist, Aati Roy reminds us; another world is not only possible, she is on her way and on a quiet day I can hear her breathing. I hope everyone receiving an award today can hear that other world breathing.

  And I hope that they have every possible opportunity to help create that better world. And so I'd like to end by thanking you again for the honour of this degree by congratulating all those who are receiving awards at this time. And by expressing my very best wishes for the future success of everyone associated with this wonderful University of Sussex.

  [Applause]

  Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar:

  I call upon the Director of the Institute of Development Studies, Professor Peter Taylor.

  [Director of the Institute of Development Studies, Professor Peter Taylor stands and approaches the lectern to present the graduands. As he reads the names aloud, the graduands walk across the stage to applause and shake hands with the Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar]

  Professor Peter Taylor:

  Chancellor,

  I present to you for the degree of Master of Arts in Development Studies...

  Prince ADU-APPIAH

  Ishita AGARWAL

  Andres Felipe ALEGUE GIRALDO

  Arifa Mamane AMADOU ARIFA

  Bernardo ARCE FERNANDEZ

  Raheel ASLAM

  Lucia AWAD GUTIERREZ 

  Aliha Jannah BABAR

  Michaela BECCONSALL

  Mohammad Shafiq BESMIL

  Deeksha BILLA

  Lauren CASHMORE

  Chitranshi Charu DHAMI

  Ross DUNCAN

  Emma EVANS

  Bianca FORMENTON MACOLA

  Chuchu FU

  Shiyona Ann GIJO

  Syed Hammad HAIDER

  Thomas MARSDEN

  Christopher Harding MAYHEW

  Deep MEHTA

  Tara MOHANDAS

  Salome MONTERO SOLIS

  Mandira MURALI

  Nooreen MUSHEER

  Aishath NAHUMA

  Simon Kariuki NDUNGU

  Van Ngoc Tuong NGUYEN

  Antonin Lucas Quentin OLSZAK-OLSZEWSKI

  Rebecca Anuoluwapo OLUWAPONMILE

  Kirti PATIDAR

  Aleksandra PIATEK

  Jose Alejandro RODRIGUEZ DIAZ

  Ibanrapsbun RYNJAH

  Than Zin SANN

  Woo Palak Jignesh SHAH

  Ali Afnan SYED

  Tomoko TAZAWA

  Chintya TJUSANTO

  Lingmin XU

  Mariia ZAKHARCHENKO

  For Gender and Development…

  Jyldyz ABDYLDAEVA

  Aisha Ahmad

  Marian ANSAH

  Natalie Claire

  Arnold Amna Ashraf Ronisha BHATTACHARYYA

  Faith CHIAZOR

  Simin Ibnat DHARITREE

  Arina HATATE 

  Aminata JAITEH

  Honoka KANEKO

  Naa Komley KLEMESU

  Sunderta LASHARI

  Nelly Wanjiku MUNGE

  Frida Mariana QUEVEDO COVARRUBIAS

  Emma Simon Shreya TAMRAKAR

  Firewoyni Solomon TEWOLDE

  For Globalisation, Business and Development…

  Yuwa ARIMOTO

  Anushka BHANSALI

  Soru HIRATSUKA

  Durdana MAHFUZ

  Ellena MOUZOURIS

  Jada ORLEBAR-EARLE

  For Governance, Development and Public Policy…

  Esther Temitope ADEYEMO 

  Mary Ebube CHIEJINA

  Maria Cecilia FIOCCHI

  Nikita JAWA

  Ya Fatou B JOOF 

  Ana KOURCHENKO MENDOZA

  also the recipient of the IDS award for the best overall result and for the highest dissertation results, Caitlin Anne MCCOY

  Maria Alejandra ORMENO OVIEDO

  Josedomingo PIMENTEL CAVALIE

  Aarushi SHARMA

  Hemangi SHARMA

  Rachna VYAS 

  For Poverty and Development…

  Nancy LEGGETT

  For Power, Participation and Social Change…

  Ximena CANSECO MICHEL

  Mariel MIRANDA MIRANDA

  Daniel ORREGO CABANILLAS

  Chancellor, I will now present to you for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

  for the thesis;

  A gendered ideational political economy analysis of policy reforms in India's Maternity Benefit Act (1919 to 2017)

  Meenakshi KRISHNAN 

  For the thesis;

  Intersectional-Subjectivities, Embodied-Experiences and Everyday- Responses among the Maasai Community amidst Environmental Changes: A Mara Ecosystem Insights

  Eunice Eunice MUNERI 

  For the thesis;

  Illegal gold mining in Ghana: Revealing the hidden face of South-South collaboration,

  Akua TWUMASI-ANOKYE

  Chancellor, this concludes the list of graduands from the Institute of Development Studies.

  [The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Keith Jones, goes to the lectern to present any late graduands]

  Professor Keith Jones:

  Chancellor,

  I present to you for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in International Relations...

  Ali SOHAIL

  For the postgraduate diploma in Climate Change, Development and Policy…

  Ugwunna Godswill Iroegbu

  For the degree of Master of Arts in Conflict, Security and Development...

  Diepriye Tonjo Korubo 

  Temitope Oluseun Olayiwola

  In International Relations...

  Salman Assaf S Aboethnin

  For the Doctorate of Philosophy...

  For the thesis;

  Going nowhere fast: Infrastructure, place and power in the Western Italian Alps

  Gabriel Popham 

  Chancellor, you have now met all the graduands at this ceremony, and the moment has come for the formal conferral of degrees of the University of Sussex. I therefore ask you to confer degrees on those presented to you and to the other graduands who have indicated their wish to graduate in absentia at this ceremony.

  [Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar stands in the middle of the stage.]

  Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar:

  Graduates, if you are able to, I'd like to ask you to all stand and on the stage as well.

  [Graduands and staff stand]

  Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar:

  Thank you very much. I formally confer degrees on all those of the aforementioned. Congratulations Sussex graduates.

  [Applause]

  Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar:

  Thank you. Please take a seat. Well, congratulations again. Wow, that was quick. Congratulations everyone again, including our honoris causa Dr. Lucas, Thank you for your inspiring words as ever. Interlaced more with literary references that, I've heard before, which is fantastic and a joy, but it also reminded me about with regards to hope, which is so crucial and even more crucial at the moment when you're dealing with kind of, they're reading the dogs, they're reading the dogs. If you knew who that was, well done. 

  Hope is incredibly powerful and necessary. And I remember reading this is what reminded me when you were speaking, uh, a fantastic definition of positivity, which is positivity is not thinking it's all gonna be great. Positivity is thinking, whatever it is now, it can get better. And so that's a fundamental thing to hang on to. So thank you for reminding me of that as well. The other two takeaways I've got from this morning ceremony are one, you know, Jose came dancing on and I responded with possibly the worst dad dancing that I've done in years. I am a dad, so I can hide behind that, but nevertheless, and also, I'm gonna get a baby. I'm just gonna carry a baby around because immediately people want you.

  Anyway, you all smelled lovely as well, which is a bonus for me. So as your time here at Sussex draws to a close, we hope that you will remain connected to us and to each other as alumni and see your relationship with Sussex as a lifelong one. And whether your next step is gainful employment, the search for it, even further academic study, or simply some time out, I wish you all the best.

  In closing the ceremony the chancellor is supposed to say something inspiring or impart some wisdom. I'm never more conscious than I am at the winter graduations of being the least smart person in the room. But here's some thoughts that you are free to ponder, ignore or even better approve, improve upon. As your Sussex chapter ends, the future begins and it's imperative that you get to write your future, that you have some say in your story, because if you don't, someone else will.

  There is one thing that you can and will always be better than anyone else in history. And that's being you. That's what makes you special. And you get the opportunity every day to be a better you. That is your gift. Another word for gift, of course, is present. And being present is a really healthy place to be. You all have, we all have a wonderful personalised resource, a handbook made, especially for you, just for you full of pointers, how to be a better you. It's called your past. You can access that to learn on, to improve on choices that you made before, that weren't so great, and repeat things that you did really well. And if you read and listen to other people's past, you can learn from that too. So dip into those whenever you can, but don't live there. Regrets are pointless. Living is now the present. And that gift is that you get the chance to be better every single day. And then there's your future, as I said, it's yet unwritten, but waiting for you to write it and write it with as much positive language as you can muster. Fill your future with ambition, hope, dream and joy. Resist filling it with guilt, fear, anger, regret. I'm not sure if you can manifest physical things, but you can manifest a mindset.

  A few days ago I spoke to a really close friend of mine that I've known since my university days, and she just lost her home in the California fires. And she's not a wealthy celebrity or anything like that. She's an everyday lawyer and lived in a normal neighbourhood. And she's been told that it'll take between three to five years to rebuild her house and her community. And I asked her how she was feeling right now. And she said that she was upset that she couldn't save personal things like photographs, but everything else could be replaced. But she added, I believe that my life will get better. And I said to her, well, then it will. 'cause you just decided it will. She could have said, I'm scared of the future. I'm worried about how we're going to effectively start again at this age. And that would've been her present, and that would've been the direction that ahead would've been pointing. It would take a lot more effort to get to a positive place from there.

  So whenever you can try to give yourself the most positive, hopeful platform to start from, it's challenging to find perspective when one is overwhelmed. So, like my friend, I tried to reach for a simplicity that I think that helps me. I found the healthiest place to be in is one of gratitude. Feeling grateful makes you feel lucky all the time. It brings a semblance of calm that opens doors to your own, vast reserves of empathy and compassion. When negative stuff happens to a lucky person, it's just crappy life stuff, you know, you just, you deal with it and you move on. When it happens to someone who feels unlucky, it feels personal and defining and stressful, and it compounds. Yet, why does it always happen to me? What did I do wrong? Why am I so unlucky? An existent existential cry to the universe for help? A lucky person doesn't ask those questions. They're just too busy looking for solutions and to their next decision.

  Sometimes it is a challenge to find gratitude, but the more you look for it, the easier it becomes to access until it's just a habit. It's just who you are. So take hold of your narrative and use it to consistently improving. Be unconditionally you. Now I often hear people say things like, well, they're nice to me, I'll be nice to them. You know, if they respect me, I'll respect them. If they're not gonna show me respect, I'm not gonna show them respect. All of these things are conditional. What it says to me is that you, they're all based on the act of someone else. So in that, in those scenarios, who's really controlling the narrative? Be nice, listen, respect, because that's just who you are. If the other person doesn't reciprocate, then that's them being them. You be you.

  When we feel overwhelmed by anything, grief, anger, anxiety, regret, fear, envy love, beauty, we can lose even momentarily perspective. If we then have to make a decision in that head space, we may make decisions that we wouldn't have made if we were feeling calmer. So feel all the emotions, because you have a right to every one of them. But find a route back to perspective. The quickest route is to talk to someone, get another viewpoint. Even just hearing yourself saying it out loud, can help clarify things and then find your way back to gratitude. Then make your next decision. I mean, that may sound like a long-winded process, but the more you do it, the quicker it becomes just a word on planning and life.

  A lot of people will be thinking about planning and stuff. Now, planning is great. It's really, really useful. It allows you to see and build your steps towards a goal. But planning is linear, right? It has to be. It's one sort of rung of a ladder falling the next, life is the exact opposite. Life is a disruptor full of curve balls, the unexpected weird coincidences, the WTF World Tennis Federation, in case you're wondering, that's normal. So be okay with your plan and okay, when it's disrupted, that's just life. As I've intimated before, you have no idea what your future holds. So you may as well fill it with positivity. It may not change the outcome, but your journey to it at least, will be far healthier.

  Now, I've got lived experiences of these, some of which you may know. Now, you may be aware that Sussex was my first choice many years ago when I first applied to universities. And I didn't get in. Apparently my grades weren't good enough. So I waited 25 years till all those people who were responsible for me not getting in, had either retired, were in prison, been deported, or just died. And I just came back in as chancellor. So, you know, where was linear planning then? I wanted to act right since I was five years old. And I know this because when I was five, some uncle that came to the house said to me, well, young man, what do you want to be when you grow up? And I said, actor. And my dad said, it's pronounced doctor. Sadly true. So a career seemed absolutely impossible. But the dream was always sitting there behind, you know, a sea of fear and doubt. And at the age of 30, I sued the last company I was working for, for breach of contract. Couldn't get any kind of job for two years while that rattled through the legal process. And at 32, I thought, well, I'll have a go. I've got nothing to lose. And I or anyone else could not have foreseen that. Two years later I'd been a successful TV show, and it would be the start of a joyous career. Again, take that linear planning.

  So don't define yourself by a bad day, a bad week, a bad month, or a bad year. I had a bad decade once. I came out of it. And don't be afraid of making mistakes. It's the human condition. Just make sure that each mistake you make is a new one. Don't keep making the same old mistake. That's the definition of an idiot. And I can't fail. I just can't. So I don't, 'cause I haven't given myself that option. I can learn or succeed, or even better, both.

  Gary Oldman, the actor, said; I worried for so long about what people thought of me until I realised that what people thought of me was none of my business. So again, let them be them. You be you. And a quote attributed to George Elliot says, "It's never too late to be what you might have been." It's never too late. So in short, strive every day to be the best you. But who are you by the way? And who are we? We are always our next decision. And if that decision is kind and compassionate about other people, about ourselves, then we are being a better us.

  As I say to my kids, whatever situation you find yourself in, whatever people you meet, leave that situation, leave that person in a better place than how you found it. Whether that be your neighbours, your friends, strangers, yourself or the planet. It hasn't worked with my kids' bedrooms yet, but I'm, I'm still picking up after them, so I'm working on that one. So I hope you take your gifts of uniqueness, your achievements, your kind, compassionate choices, your empathy, your humour, and express it to the world, to each other and yourselves so you can live a life of gratitude and humility and be the lucky you that you have the choice to be. And by the way, the answer to the life, the universe and everything is 42. If you know, you know. Good luck. We're super proud of you. I am and will remain always grateful to you. For this day, I officially declare this graduation closed.

  [Music playing]

  (Senior academics and staff on stage tip their hats as two academics/staff walk across the stage to pick up the ceremonial torches from the small, raised table. They bow to one another before bowing to the rest of the academics/staff. Both lead lines single files of all the professors in separate directions down the staircases on the left and right. The academics and staff walk down the aisles betwixt the audience of seated graduates and guests and exit at the back of the auditorium.)

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Ceremony 2 at 1.30pm

• Video transcript

  [‘Trumpet Fanfare’ music playing] (A procession of university senior academics and staff in ceremonial robes enter the auditorium, walk down the aisles betwixt the audience of seated graduands and guests, ascend the stage via staircases on the left and right respectively, and take their seats. At the end of the procession are two academics/staff with ceremonial torches who on stage bow to each other, the rows of academics/staff, and then place the torches on a small, raised table with a cloth at the very front of the stage.)

  [Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar, stands and approaches the lectern to make an introductory speech.]

  Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar:

  Good afternoon, I declare open this congregation of the University of Sussex.

  I'm delighted as chancellor to welcome you formally to this graduation ceremony. A warm welcome to our honoured guests, our distinguished faculty members, and to those of the professional services here at Sussex. But the warmest welcomes are for you, our graduands, and your family and friends that join you here today. And to those who couldn't make it here, here in person, and maybe watching this via live video stream around the world.

  Graduation is one of the highlights of the university year. As such, as you can see up here on the stage, we've made a bit of an effort with our gowns and our bow ties and dressing up. Some have even brought forward their weekly bath and or invested in deodorant. And this is all in honour of you and our pride in your fantastic achievement. The University of Sussex motto is, so you can see up there, 'Be still and know'. And I hope that at some point today, you find a quiet moment to reflect on your accomplishments and the journey that has brought you here.

  I know that many of you have had to overcome challenges on that journey as well. Struggling to balance your studies with home life, in some cases whilst raising children or supporting loved ones, experiencing loss and health issues, trying to survive on overdrafts loans or family help, perhaps battling loneliness, anxiety, self-doubt, and even sometimes the doubt of others. But you didn't give up. You didn't give in. And here you are.

  For many today will mark the end of their academic journey. A journey that started all those years ago in nursery or kindergarten, when you learned that teddy bears could be real friends, that throwing things on the floor was fun, that splashing in puddles was even more fun, and that getting half your food in your mouth and half on your face was a perfectly acceptable ratio. And hated the phrases 'No more ice cream' and 'time for bed'. Through all your school years and exam pressures that led you to Sussex, where you learned that last night's pizza was a perfectly acceptable breakfast, that you could indeed make it to a 9:00 AM lecture if you woke up at 8:55. Late night chats fuelled by Dr. Caffeine or Miss Chardonnay. Where you found the answer to life, the universe and everything, only to have forgotten it by the next morning. And hated the phrases 'Wifi not available' and 'the assignment deadline is tomorrow'. But you could eat as much ice cream as you want. So there was the plus. Which brings us to today. Your glorious day. And thank you families and friends as well. I know from experience how much you've supported and sacrificed for your graduand and to be here. We are humbled and honoured that you now all have a connection to Sussex.

  So graduands, in a short while, a name will be read out, hopefully approximating to yours, and you will take the mere 20 or so steps across this stage, terrified that you're gonna lose your hat or mortarboard, wondering whether the heels was such a good idea after all. Wondering whether your flies are open, and praying that you don't trip over your gown and end up in the lap of someone in the front row. If you do decide to go on that path, what an array of laps we have arranged for you this afternoon. It's like Squid Game meets the Antiques Roadshow. I am beholden to tell you, or to remind you - I know many of you have been up here before, but you haven't actually got your degree yet. And you getting your degree might, just depend on how much love you show me when you come up here. No love for the Chancellor, no degree.

  Seriously, feel free to express yourself when you come up here, in whatever way you want, as long as it's within the bounds of decency and legality. I'll go with it. I mean, over the years we've done, handshakes, of course, hugs, high fives, fist bumps, dabs, dancing, press ups, people have done press ups up here. I've gone along with those. If you're gonna do press ups today, you're doing them on your own. Okay? I can get down. I dunno if I can get back up at my age. And families and friends, this is your day, too. So when the time comes, please do have your cameras ready. And feel free to make as much noise as your loved one crosses the stage. And if anybody is on their on their own today, I'll be your family or friend. So no one's alone. Okay?

  I call upon the Vice Chancellor, professor Sasha Roseneil, to address the congregation.

  [Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sasha Roseneil, stands and approaches the lectern to make an introductory speech.]

  Professor Sasha Roseneil:

  Madam Deputy Mayor, distinguished guests, members of the university, parents, supporters, friends, and above all our graduands, Sussex class of 2024 as vice Chancellor and President of the University of Sussex, it's my great honour and enormous pleasure to welcome you here today. My thanks to our chancellor Sanjeev Bhaskar for as ever a fabulous opening speech. Sanjeev is an almost impossible act to follow. But as an as Sanjeev has reminded us, today is all about you, our graduands. It's a day of huge celebration for you and of you and of all you've achieved. It's also a moment to acknowledge that many of you have benefited in countless tangible and less tangible ways from the love and support of your family or guardians and carers, from the encouragement of your friends, and of course from the teaching and guidance of staff at the university. You may also have had support from our alumni community and donors who've provided scholarships that might have enabled you to study at Sussex. So I'm now going to ask for some participation from you, our graduands. If you wouldn't mind standing and turning, and facing your supporters, your families behind you, just giving them a big round of applause to say thank you.

  (Graduands and guests applaud.)

  Professor Sasha Roseneil:

  That's great. Please be seated again. As Sussex, as a university, we are committed to providing an inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment for every member of our diverse and international community. Sussex students represent the most wonderful variety of backgrounds, beliefs, and identities. You come here each year from over 130 countries around the world. And so we have people in the audience today of many different nationalities and faiths and almost everyone gathered here has a different opinion from someone else about something. That diversity of thought and belief is a very special thing. Something that Sussex as a university seeks always to uphold and support.

  We have a foundational commitment to academic freedom and freedom of speech. It's our job as a university to create an environment in which diversity of belief and opinion can be explored. And so we nurture the conditions under which people can respectfully discuss and debate difficult ideas, where propositions can be tested, analysis undertaken, theories developed, and where minds can be expanded and changed. We are living in deeply troubled times with war and conflict, terror, death, and the destruction of habitats, economic hardship, hunger and inequality, as well as climate crisis and environmental degradation, giving rise to enormous concern amongst Sussex students. Many Sussex students and their families and loved ones, I'm sure hold passionate opinions about the causes, consequences and solutions to these issues. And as we gather here today to celebrate graduation, I'd like to emphasise that the university always supports freedom of expression that is lawful and respectful of others, mindful of the humanity and diversity, that's at the heart of our university community. And is what binds us together across nations and faiths as a global community.

  So Sussex graduands, I would like to thank you for all that you have contributed to making our university a place of community inclusion and diversity. An open, warm and welcoming place. In the two and a half years since I became vice chancellor, I've come to see that Sussex students are the very embodiment of energy, hope, and possibility. Alongside your academic work, many of you have taken part in an oppressive array of other activities as members and leaders of student societies and groups as volunteers helping and supporting other people on and off campus. And many of you are today receiving a Spirit of Sussex Award for your positive involvement in our community. Serving as campus ambassadors to fundraising for local causes, creating new ways for our campus to be more environmentally sustainable. I commend that commitment to your extracurricular activities. Well done on all you've achieved alongside your formal studies.

  Over the past few years, I've had the great privilege of meeting many Sussex alumni, not just from the UK but from across the world, in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. And I've been overwhelmed by how many of them told me how much they loved their student days at Sussex and how their experience of studying at Sussex had fundamentally shaped their lives and careers. They recall encountering new ideas and ways of thinking that transformed their worldview, as well as making lasting friendships and building networks that have accompanied them ever since. I sincerely hope that you, our graduands today will feel the same in the years to come. Whether you already have a job or are taking time to explore the world or are looking for your next opportunity, you can be confident that you're leaving a university with a global reputation. A university that has equipped you with knowledge and skills to think critically and creatively. To work across the boundaries of established knowledge and to understand the importance of a global perspective. You've been tutored and supervised by academics who are internationally recognised for the quality of their research and scholarship. Their research has directly informed your education across the disciplines and in the spaces in between. Our research focuses on the urgent concerns of our time.

  Some of you might have seen our 'Impossible until it's done' campaign on our website, on banners and on the buses. Inspired by the words of Nelson Mandela, the campaign highlights the work we are doing to tackle seemingly intractable problems such as pollution in rivers, dementia, and young people's mental health. We know the great value of our research at Sussex, but we also recognise the importance of sharing our successes with wider audiences. And Sussex has much to celebrate. For the eighth consecutive year, we, along with our campus partner, the Institute of Development Studies, have been ranked first in the world for development studies. This is outstanding achievement by our academics. Development studies seek understandings of and progress towards global equity, social justice, and sustainability, and is very much at the heart of what Sussex is about.

  One of the key measures of the strength and impact of a university is the extent to which the publications of its academics are cited by other academics. And Sussex really does punch above our weight in many areas in this respect in the world's most prestigious university league table, the QS world rankings. This year we have nine subjects in the top 10 in the UK for citations with two subject areas, history and physics and astronomy. Each ranked first in the UK. We were also recognised as the eighth most sustainable university in the UK and 16th in the UK for employment outcomes. And for the past three years, the University of Sussex Business School has been ranked first in the UK for research income in business and management. This funding is being used to tackle crucial global challenges in sustainability, energy demand, trade policy, equality, innovation, and digital technologies.

  All this means that Sussex research is improving the lives of people around the world, enhancing and advancing developments in technology, influencing the policies of governments, and making a positive difference to the protection of our natural environment. Now, I know that many of you graduating today have had already extraordinary and sometimes very difficult life journeys. Some of you have struggled with your mental health, some with physical health problems. Some of you have faced loss and family disruption during your studies. Each of you has a unique journey through your time at Sussex. And each of you will have had your ups and downs. But whatever your Sussex story, I hope when you look back at your time with us, you feel your studies were intellectually challenging and rigorous. That you were stretched, stimulated, and supported to achieve your best. That you're leaving with knowledge, skills, and personal resources, that will stand you in good stead, and that you make connections and friendships that will stay with you long into the future.

  You'll now take many different paths as you join our community of over 200,000 alumni worldwide. Our alumni include Nobel Laureates, grassroots, campaigners, and activists, heads of state and vice presidents, leaders, influencers and creative practitioners in the arts and entertainment, writers, journalists, academics, chief executives of national and multinational organisations. And those with less high profile, but no less significant lives and careers, people whose actions and relationships remake and renew the social fabric in small positive ways. Every day, across the globe, in more than 160 countries and in all walks of life, our alumni are sharing the benefits of their Sussex experience to make the world a better place. I know you will do that too.

  So graduands, celebrate who you are today. Celebrate the commitment you made to achieve your degree. The fact that the sacrifices you made have proved worthwhile. That the belief in yourself that has made this possible has come to fruition. And celebrate those who helped you reach this moment. In short, celebrate.

  I now call upon the Deputy Head of the School of Law,  Politics and Sociology,  Professor Jo Bridgeman.

  (Applause)

  [the Deputy Head of the School of Education and Social Work, Professor Janet Boddy, stands and approaches the lectern to present the graduands. As she reads the names aloud, the graduands walk across the stage to applause and shake hands with the Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar]

  Professor Jo Bridgeman:

  Chancellor, I present to you for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Criminology... 

  April Moyle, James Quin 

  For History and Politics…

  Keir DEVENEY BILLINGE 

  For Politics and Sociology… 

  Adna Osman 

  For Sociology… 

  Maria SZLENKIER 

  For the degree of Bachelor of Laws in Law…

  Nessma MOHAMMED, Monica Anupama MONGARE, Obiaraure Chinomso Andrea OKORIE, Louis WEBER

  For Law with Business and Management… 

  Diana ALNAHAHEEM 

  For Law with International Relations… 

  Aaya OTHMAN  

  For Law with Italian…

  Alara DEREN   

  For Law with Media… 

  Kameron NIMOH-BROWN 

  For Law with Spanish…

  Shevindi RATNAYAKA MUDIYANSELAGE

  For the Postgraduate Diploma in For Law… 

  Hannah Louise French

  For the degree of Master of Arts in Corruption and Governance... 

  Anthony Ayeromi OMOAKE, Megan CHANDLER, also awarded the prize for the Highest Mark in the Corruption and Government's dissertation supported by Good Corporation Pascal DILLABOUGH-LEFEBVRE, Daniel GALLAGHER, Anka GREINER, Louise MACHARETH SILVA, Eva MACIAS, Aiah Yornie Dunstan SODENGBE, Anusha TEERUTH. 

  For Criminology and Criminal Justice… 

  Dalal Mohammed H ALOTAIBI, Rawan Abdulaziz A ALTHOBAITI, Isabel BRACKSTONE, Jacob Chapman, Evelyn Hardman, Madeleine Levy, Tabitha Ngonyo NG'ANG'A, Tobias Ifeanyichukwu NNADI, Ezinne Akudo ONUOHA, Lea PAYET, Sarah Frederica May POYNDER, Megha Rajesh SHARMA, Elise STUART, Natkamon WATTANAPONG, Megan Wright. 

  For Gender Studies… 

  Rafal Bassam Salih AL NASSAR, Stephanie Vanessa AVALOS YANEZ, also awarded the prize for the best Gender studies dissertation Tallulah BARKER, Sharanya CHAKRABORTY, Jacqueline HOLLYHEAD, Shalom Peace MAKINDE, Kazuto MORISHITA, Lindsey Amoruso RIPPERT,  Constanza Gabriela del Pilar SANTIBANEZ MANCILLA, Manaka SEKI, Anna SUENAGA, Wei Jia WANG. 

  For Law… 

  Grace BAWARA, Also awarded the prize  for the best performance on the MA in Law Connor Byrne,  Thomas Chatfield, Oluwafunto DADA, Leo GHORISHI, George Haddock, Jessica Harrison, Reanna Johnson, Luke Kimber, Paola KRYEMADHI, Cleo Monique LATTIN-RAWSTRONE, Carolyn Strandlie LEMENS, Kelly LOBBAN, Elvis OPPONG-MENSAH, Jack Patterson, Also awarded the prize  for the highest LLM dissertation and the prize for the best performance on the MA in Law Ella RAYE, Breagh Rose, Angus Simpson, Lily SISSONS, Rozerin ULGUT, Rhiannon VESEY HOLT,  Amber Adela White,  Sophie Wilson, Phoebe Woolard. 

  For the degree of Master of Laws in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice… 

  Also awarded the prize for the best performance on the LLM in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Ben George Anderson, Beatrice Bentley, Digvijay BHUYAN, Rebecca Louise Cox, Jade KILDEA, Muhammad Zayad NADEEM, Jacqueline Atieno OMOL, Also the recipient of the Draper Law Scholarship Alicia RABINA, Kaat VANSWARTENBROUCK, Pradyuman VASHISHTH. 

  For Information Technology and Intellectual Property Law… 

  Yeliz BASARAN KAYA, Ipek Seden BAYKARA, also awarded the prize for the best performance on the LLM in Information Technology and Intellectual Property Law  Teodora DRANGAZHOVA,  Ilayda GULEY,  Bilge GUNEY,  Ruth Oluwaseyi MAKINWA,  Fachran Dirgantara MUHAMMAD,  Emine TASKIRAN. 

  For International Commercial Law…

  Nasruddeen S S A S H ALTARARWA,  Nalan Atlan,  Goksun Nimet DEMIRDAG IMAM,  Tugce DOGRAMACI, Chima Emmanuel EBENE,  Emre EKMEKCI,  Esra Sultan KOC,  Abdullah Mohammed A KOMAN, also awarded the prize for the best performance on the LLM in International Commercial Law  and the prize for the highest LLM dissertation mark  Hannah MOUSSA, Sardar Muhammad MUNEEB, Paz NAVARRO BERNAL, Saeideh RAMEZANI NEJADKHAKIANI, Sivakami SEKHAR,  Seydanur SIMSEK SEVMEZ, Jasmijn TOPS, Ezgi YILMAZ. 

  For International Financial Law… 

  Mohammad Salem S ABOBAKER, Yazeed ALSULAYMI, Cansu CIMSIT, also awarded the prize for the best performance on the LLM in International Financial Law and the prize for the highest LLM dissertation mark and the prize for the best overall performance on the LLM Solumto Bernard CHUKWUMA-NWAFOR, Numair Eyad I MADINI, Kayleen MIGUNA, Deborah Taiye OLOWOOKERE, Calvin Jeremie SOUBANA, Serhat YESILDAL. 

  For International Human Rights Law… 

  Abdullah Mohammed A ALSHAHRANI, Bhavleen N, Thirtha BOSU, Henry CURTIES, Hussain Ahmad Khan DAHA, Laurenta Nwabogor ESEZOBOR, Nana GHVALADZE, Claudia HENDRIKS, Denise Ivone MBOANA, Margaret MWAPE, Lucimar PRATA DOS SANTOS, Sumaya RAHAMAN. 

  For International Law… 

  Syed Jawad ABBAS also awarded the prize for the best performance on the LLM in International Law Emily Buckle, Pearlann Kim DCOSTA, Aakarshi JAIN, Yuki KASHIWABARA, Omar MULLA, Natchanon WACKVAREE. 

  For Law… 

  Ryhan Ali ABUSEDRA, Olabode Olubunmi ADEGOKE, Eman Saeed Abdulnabi Ahmed ALHUBAISHI, also awarded the prize for the best overall performance on the LLM in Law Ophelia GEARY, Karthik JAYAKUMAR, Nasser Ahmed Qassim Abdulla MALIK, Also a recipient of the prize for the highest LLM dissertation mark Lewis O’Connell, Maryam M H K QASEM, Maroof SANI, Anjali Indrajit SHELKE,  Emin TURAN,  Theodora Ekata UGWUAGBO. 

  Chancellor, I’ll now present to you for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy...

  For the thesis: The accommodation of Turkic peoples in politics and public life in Afghanistan: A rights-based approach

  Moheb MUDESSIR. 

  Also awarded the Postgraduate Certificate for Social Research Methods and for the thesis:

  Generate and Engage: The Autonomation of the Critical Targeting Functions of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems Through the Lens of International Humanitarian and International Criminal Law 

  Ioannis VALIAKOS.   

  Chancellor, this concludes the list of graduands from the School of Law, Politics and Sociology.

  [The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kate O’Riordan, goes to the lectern to present any late graduands. As she reads the names aloud, the graduands walk across the stage to applause and shake hands with the Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar]

  Professor Kate O’Riordan:

  Chancellor, I now present to you those graduands who were unable to be presented earlier in the ceremony. 

  For the degree of Master of Arts in Gender Studies... 

  Mariagorathy Ukamaka Onyenwosa     

  For Law... 

  Harriet Isabella Cox 

  For the degree if Master of Laws in Information and Intellectual Property Law... 

  Debsankar Banik Chowdhury

  For International Law...

  Muhammad Ahmad, Andrea Conde.

  Chancellor, you have now met all the graduands at this ceremony, and the moment has come for the formal conferral of degrees of the University of Sussex. I therefore ask you to confer degrees on those presented to you today and to other graduands who have indicated their wish to graduate in absentia at this ceremony. 

  [Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar stands in the middle of the stage.]

  Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar:

  If I could ask you, if you can stand, and similarly on the stage as well, 

  [Graduands and staff stand]

  I formally confer degrees on all the aforementioned.  Congratulations graduates of the University of Sussex. 

  [Applause]

  Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar:

  Please be seated, thank you.

  Well, congratulations again, everyone. May I say that you smelled lovely. So, as your time here at Sussex draws to a close, we hope that you will remain connected to us and to each other as alumni and see your relationship with Sussex as one for life.  Whether your next step is gainful employment, the search for it, even further academic study, or simply some time out, I wish you the very best. I have to say I love these ceremonies. These are great. I mean, today we had a range of ages, we had range of backgrounds, we had at least two kids who came on who were little Harry Potters’. Did you see Elvis was in the building? This is as good as it gets.

  But in closing the ceremony, the Chancellor is supposed to say something inspiring and impart some wisdom. And I already know from the brief meeting with you that you are all a lot wiser than I am. But here are some thoughts that you're free to ponder or ignore or even better improve upon. As this chapter, your Sussex chapter ends, the future begins and it's imperative that you get to write it. It has not been written yet. And that you have some say in your story, because if you don't write it, someone else will write your story. There is one thing that you can be and always will be better than anybody else at, and that's being you. That's what makes you special, because you are unique, and you get the opportunity every single day to be a better you. That is your gift.

  Another word for gift, of course, is present. And being present is a useful place to be. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet to come. The present is real. And, you have a wonderful bespoke personalised, especially for your handbook, full of pointers, how to be a better you. It's called your past.  You can access that to learn, to improve on choices that you made before. And if you did things well, then repeat those things and you know, you can easily learn from other people’s pasts as well to dip into those whenever you can.  It's a resource. Regrets are utterly pointless. You know, I think every experience is useful.  A regret isn't useful. And then there's the future yet as I said, unwritten, but waiting for you.  And write it with as much positive language as you can muster. Fill your future with ambition, hope, dreams, joy, and resist filling it with fear, guilt, and anger. I'm not sure if you can, well, apart from the two Harry Potters’, that you can manifest real things, but you can manifest a mindset. 

  A few days ago, I spoke to a close friend of mine, and she and I have been friends since I was at university, and she lost her entire home in the fires in California. She's not a wealthy person; she’s not in the movies or anything like that.  She's just an everyday lawyer. And she lived in a very normal neighbourhood, and she's been told it'll take between three and five years to rebuild her house and her community. And I asked her, I said, how are you? How are you feeling? How are you feeling right now? And she said, she was upset that she couldn't save some photographs because, you know, those were personal. She said, everything else can be replaced. And she added, but I believe that my life will get better. And I said to her, well, then it will, because you've just decided it will. You could have just thought, I’m scared about the future.  How do I start again at my age? You know, everything I've lost. And that would've been her present. So, she would've been trying to move forward from that position. That negative - understandable. I'm not being judgmental at all. But, you know, that difficult position, takes a lot more effort to get positive from there than it does from starting from a positive place about your unwritten future. And it's challenging. It is challenging.

  You know, one of the things when we're overwhelmed by anything, whether it's grief, whether it's anger, whether it's sadness, whether it's beauty, whether it's love. Whenever we're overwhelmed, we lose perspective, even momentarily. And if we must make decisions in that moment, they may not be the same decisions we would make if we were calmer. So, it becomes important to feel the emotion. Because you have a right to every single emotion there is. But then find your way back to perspective. Because if you can access perspective, then you've got a great chance of finding the healthiest state that your head can be in. And that's of gratitude. You know, if you are always grateful, you are in such a better place than so many people. Because feeling grateful makes you feel lucky. I feel lucky all the time. It's not tied to whether something good or bad happened to me today. That's just life stuff. You know? It's 'cause when negative stuff happens to a lucky person, it's just the crappy life stuff. You kind of go you deal with it, you move on. When it happens to someone who feels unlucky, it's always personal and defining and stressful, and it compounds as well. And it begs all those other questions. Why me?  What did I do wrong? I gave to charity last week. I did a fun run, and now this has happened to me. You know?  And so, they're all existential cries to the universe to kinda say, it's not fair. It's not fair. A lucky person doesn't ask those questions. They're too busy looking for solutions and moving on to their next decision. And sometimes it is a challenge to find gratitude, especially now we need to be more positive. As the vice chancellor mentioned, we live in a very turbulent world where, we also live in a world were, ‘They're Eating The Dogs, They're Eating The Dogs'. We, so we need to find that positivity in ourselves. 

  It is more challenging sometimes, as I said, but the more you do it, the quicker it becomes to access until it's just a habit.  It's just who you are, to take hold of your narrative, to consistently improving unconditionally, be you. You must have heard this, when people say, ‘well, if they're nice to me, I'll be nice to them'. 'If they're not gonna respect me, I'm not gonna respect them'.  You know, 'why should I listen to them if they're not gonna listen to me?'. Which all sounds reasonable, but that's all conditional, right? So, what it says to me is that you will act based on how someone else acts first. So, who's controlling the narrative there? It's not you.  So be nice. Listen, respect, because that's who you are.  If the other person doesn’t reciprocate, that's them being them. They've gotta work on that. You be you.

  A word on planning and life, because obviously plans are made at times like this.  Planning is great. It's really useful ‘cause it allows you to see and build steps to your goal, right?  But planning is linear, right? It has to be.  It's like rungs of a ladder, you step 1, 2, 3, 4, and then you get to the top. That's a plan. Life is the exact opposite.  Life is a disruptor full of curve balls of the unexpected, weird coincidences, the WTF, -um, World Tennis Federation for the old people. That's normal. So be okay with your plan but be okay when it's disrupted. It's just life. As I said, your future is unwritten yet, and you may as well fill it with positivity. It may not change the outcome, but your journey to that point will be far healthier. And I've got lived experiences of the unwritten future. You may be aware, you may be not, that Sussex was my first choice when I applied to university many years ago. I didn't wanna go anywhere else, and I didn't get in. Apparently, my grades weren't good enough.

  So, I waited 25 years until all those who were responsible for me not getting in, had either retired, had been deported, were in prison, or were dead.  And I came back as chancellor. So, ha ha ha! Take that, Linear planning. And also, I wanted to act and write since I was five years old. And I know this because when I was five, some uncle came to a house and said to me, 'well, young man, what do you want to be when you grow up?' And I said, actor. And my dad said, 'it's pronounced doctor’ -unfortunately true. So, a career seemed impossible but the dream was always there sitting behind a sea of fear and doubt.  And at the age of 30, I sued a company I was working for with a breach of contract, and I couldn't get any kind of job for two years while it went through the legal process. And at 32, I had the chance to have a go. And I thought, well, I've got nothing to lose. I don't wanna be 70 years old and then regretting this moment.  And no one, me or anyone else could have foreseen that within two years, I would be embarking on a relatively successful career.  And again, take that, linear planning! Where were you then?

  So, life as a disruptor, of course it can disrupt and bring negative stuff.  If you really look at it, it can disrupt and take you to really positive things as well.  So don't ever, ever define yourself by having a bad day or a bad week or a bad month, or even a bad year.  I had a bad decade once I came out of it.  And don't be afraid of making mistakes.  As long as each mistake is a new one.  Don't keep making old mistakes. That's the definition of an idiot. And also, I decided I can't fail. And so I don't, yes, it really is that easy. I haven't given myself that option. I can learn or I can succeed, or both. Failure not an option. The actor Gary Oldman said, 'I worried for so long about what people thought of me until I realised, what people think of me is none of my business'. Let people be them. You be you. And a quote attributed to George Elliot says, ‘it's never too late to be what you might have been'. In short, it's never too late. Never too late. So, in short, again, strive every day to be the best you. If you wanna know, I can tell you that is your next decision. Your next decision is always who you are. And if that decision is kind and compassionate about other people, about us, about our environment, then we are being a better us.

  As I say to my kids, whatever situation you find yourself, whoever you meet, try to leave that situation or person, if you can, better than how you found them.  It hasn't worked with their bedrooms yet.  I'm gonna have to find another tack to do that.  I'm still picking up after them.  So I hope you take your gifts of uniqueness, your achievements, your kind, compassionate choices, your empathy, your humour, and express it to the world.  Express it to each other and to yourselves so you can live a life of gratitude  and humility and be the lucky you. You have the choice to be.

  And by the way, the answer to the life, the universe and everything is 42. If you know, you know, good luck. We're super proud of you.  I am and will remain always grateful to you.  For this day, I officially declare this graduation closed.

Download the Ceremony 2 video [MP4 4.4GB]

Ceremony 3 at 4.30pm

• Video transcript

  [‘Trumpet Fanfare’ music playing]

  (A procession of University senior academics and staff in ceremonial robes enter the auditorium, walk down the aisles betwixt the audience of seated graduands and guests, ascend the stage via staircases on the left and right respectively, and take their seats. At the end of the procession are two academics/staff with ceremonial torches who on stage bow to each other, the rows of academics/staff, and then place the torches on a small, raised table with a cloth at the very front of the stage.)

  [Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar, stands and approaches the lectern to make an introductory speech.]

  Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar:

  Good afternoon, I declare open this congregation of the University of Sussex.

  I'm delighted as chancellor to welcome you formally to this graduation ceremony. A warm welcome to our honoured guests, our distinguished faculty members, and to those of the professional services here at Sussex. But the warmest welcomes are for you, our graduands, and your family and friends that join you here today. And to those who couldn't make it here, here in person, and maybe watching this via live video stream around the world.

  Graduation is one of the highlights of the university year. As such, as you can see up here on the stage, we've made a bit of an effort with our gowns and our bow ties and dressing up. Some have even brought forward their weekly bath and or invested in deodorant. And this is all in honour of you and our pride in your fantastic achievement. The University of Sussex motto is, so you can see up there, 'Be still and know'. And I hope that at some point today, you find a quiet moment to reflect on your accomplishments and the journey that has brought you here.

  I know that many of you have had to overcome challenges on that journey as well. Struggling to balance your studies with home life, in some cases whilst raising children or supporting loved ones, experiencing loss and health issues, trying to survive on overdrafts, loans or family help, perhaps battling loneliness, anxiety, self-doubt, and even sometimes the doubt of others. But you didn't give up. You didn't give in. And here you are.

  For many, today will mark the end of their academic journey. A journey that started all those years ago in nursery or kindergarten, when you learned that teddy bears could be real friends, that throwing things on the floor was fun, that splashing in puddles was even more fun, and that getting half your food in your mouth and half on your face was a perfectly acceptable ratio. And hated the phrases 'No more ice cream' and 'Time for bed'. Through all your school years and exam pressures that led you to Sussex, where you learned that last night's pizza was a perfectly acceptable breakfast, that you could indeed make it to a 9:00am lecture if you woke up at 8:55. Late night chats fuelled by Dr. Caffeine or Miss Chardonnay. Where you found the answer to life, the universe and everything, only to have forgotten it by the next morning. And hated the phrases 'Wifi not available' and 'The assignment deadline is tomorrow'. But you could eat as much ice cream as you want. So there was the plus. Which brings us to today. Your glorious day. And thank you families and friends as well. I know from experience how much you've supported and sacrificed for your graduand and to be here. We are humbled and honoured that you now all have a connection to Sussex.

  So graduands, in a short while, a name will be read out, hopefully approximating to yours, and you will take the mere 20 or so steps across this stage, terrified that you're gonna lose your hat or mortarboard, wondering whether the heels was such a good idea after all. Wondering whether your flies are open, and praying that you don't trip over your gown and end up in the lap of someone in the front row. If you do decide to go on that path, what an array of laps we have arranged for you this afternoon. It's like Squid Game meets the Antiques Roadshow.

  I am beholden to tell you, or to remind you, I know many of you have been up here before, but you haven't actually got your degree yet. And you getting your degree might, just depend on how much love you show me when you come up here. No love for the Chancellor, no degree. Seriously, feel free to express yourself when you come up here, in whatever way you want, as long as it's within the bounds of decency and legality. I'll go with it. I mean, over the years we've done, handshakes, of course, hugs, high fives, fist bumps, dabs, dancing, press up, people have done press ups up here. I've gone along with those. If you're gonna do press up today, you're doing them on your own. Okay? I can get down. I dunno if I can get back up at my age. And families and friends, this is your day too. So when the time comes, please do have your cameras ready. And feel free to make as much noise as your loved one crosses the stage. And if anybody is on their on their own today, I'll be your family or friend. So no one's alone. Okay?

  I call upon the Vice Chancellor, professor Sasha Roseneil, to address the congregation.

  [Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sasha Roseneil, stands and approaches the lectern to make an introductory speech.]

  Professor Sasha Roseneil:

  Madam Deputy Mayor, distinguished guests, members of the university, parents, supporters, friends, and above all our graduands, Sussex class of 2024 as vice Chancellor and President of the University of Sussex, it's my great honour and enormous pleasure to welcome you here today. My thanks to our chancellor Sanjeev Bhaskar for as ever a fabulous opening speech. Sanjeev is an almost impossible act to follow. But as an as Sanjeev has reminded us, today is all about you, our graduands. It's a day of huge celebration for you and of you and of all you've achieved.

  It's also a moment to acknowledge that many of you have benefited in countless tangible and less tangible ways from the love and support of your family or guardians and carers, from the encouragement of your friends, and of course from the teaching and guidance of staff at the university. You may also have had support from our alumni community and donors who've provided scholarships that might have enabled you to study at Sussex. So I'm now going to ask for some participation from you, our graduands. If you wouldn't mind standing and turning, and facing your supporters, your families behind you, just giving them a big round of applause to say thank you.

  (Graduands and guests applaud.)

  Professor Sasha Roseneil:

  That's great. Please be seated again. As Sussex, as a university, we are committed to providing an inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment for every member of our diverse and international community. Sussex students represent the most wonderful variety of backgrounds, beliefs, and identities. You come here each year from over 130 countries around the world. And so we have people in the audience today of many different nationalities and faiths and almost everyone gathered here has a different opinion from someone else about something. That diversity of thought and belief is a very special thing. Something that Sussex as a university seeks always to uphold and support. We have a foundational commitment to academic freedom and freedom of speech.

  It's our job as a university to create an environment in which diversity of belief and opinion can be explored. And so we nurture the conditions under which people can respectfully discuss and debate difficult ideas, where propositions can be tested, analysis undertaken, theories developed, and where minds can be expanded and changed. We are living in deeply troubled times with war and conflict, terror, death, and the destruction of habitats, economic hardship, hunger and inequality, as well as climate crisis and environmental degradation, giving rise to enormous concern amongst Sussex students.

  Many Sussex students and their families and loved ones, I'm sure hold passionate opinions about the causes, consequences and solutions to these issues. And as we gather here today to celebrate graduation, I'd like to emphasise that the university always supports freedom of expression that is lawful and respectful of others, mindful of the humanity and diversity, that's at the heart of our university community. And is what binds us together across nations and faiths as a global community.

  So Sussex graduands, I would like to thank you for all that you have contributed to making our university a place of community inclusion and diversity. An open, warm and welcoming place. In the two and a half years since I became vice chancellor, I've come to see that Sussex students are the very embodiment of energy, hope, and possibility. Alongside your academic work, many of you have taken part in an oppressive array of other activities as members and leaders of student societies and groups as volunteers helping and supporting other people on and off campus. And many of you are today receiving a Spirit of Sussex Award for your positive involvement in our community. Serving as campus ambassadors to fundraising for local causes, creating new ways for our campus to be more environmentally sustainable. I commend that commitment to your extracurricular activities. Well done on all you've achieved alongside your formal studies.

  Over the past few years, I've had the great privilege of meeting many Sussex alumni, not just from the UK but from across the world, in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. And I've been overwhelmed by how many of them told me how much they loved their student days at Sussex and how their experience of studying at Sussex had fundamentally shaped their lives and careers. They recall encountering new ideas and ways of thinking that transformed their worldview, as well as making lasting friendships and building networks that have accompanied them ever since.

  I sincerely hope that you, our graduands today will feel the same in the years to come. Whether you already have a job or are taking time to explore the world or are looking for your next opportunity, you can be confident that you're leaving a university with a global reputation. A university that has equipped you with knowledge and skills to think critically and creatively. To work across the boundaries of established knowledge and to understand the importance of a global perspective. You've been tutored and supervised by academics who are internationally recognised for the quality of their research and scholarship. Their research has directly informed your education across the disciplines and in the spaces in between. Our research focuses on the urgent concerns of our time.

  Some of you might have seen our 'Impossible until it's done' campaign on our website, on banners and on the buses. Inspired by the words of Nelson Mandela, the campaign highlights the work we are doing to tackle seemingly intractable problems such as pollution in rivers, dementia, and young people's mental health. We know the great value of our research at Sussex, but we also recognise the importance of sharing our successes with wider audiences. And Sussex has much to celebrate. For the eighth consecutive year, we, along with our campus partner, the Institute of Development Studies, have been ranked first in the world for development studies. This is an outstanding achievement by our academics. Development studies seek understandings of and progress towards global equity, social justice, and sustainability, and is very much at the heart of what Sussex is about.

  One of the key measures of the strength and impact of a university is the extent to which the publications of its academics are cited by other academics. And Sussex really does punch above our weight in many areas in this respect in the world's most prestigious university league table, the QS world rankings. This year we have nine subjects in the top 10 in the UK for citations with two subject areas, history and physics and astronomy. Each ranked first in the UK. We were also recognised as the eighth most sustainable university in the UK and 16th in the UK for employment outcomes. And for the past three years, the University of Sussex Business School has been ranked first in the UK for research income in business and management. This funding is being used to tackle crucial global challenges in sustainability, energy demand, trade policy, equality, innovation, and digital technologies. All this means that Sussex research is improving the lives of people around the world, enhancing and advancing developments in technology, influencing the policies of governments, and making a positive difference to the protection of our natural environment.

  Now, I know that many of you graduating today have had already extraordinary and sometimes very difficult life journeys. Some of you have struggled with your mental health, some with physical health problems. Some of you have faced loss and family disruption during your studies. Each of you has a unique journey through your time at Sussex. And each of you will have had your ups and downs. But whatever your Sussex story, I hope when you look back at your time with us, you feel your studies were intellectually challenging and rigorous. That you were stretched, stimulated, and supported to achieve your best. That you're leaving with knowledge, skills, and personal resources, that will stand you in good stead, and that you make connections and friendships that will stay with you long into the future.

  You'll now take many different paths as you join our community of over 200,000 alumni worldwide. Our alumni include Nobel Laureates, grassroots, campaigners, and activists, heads of state and vice presidents, leaders, influencers and creative practitioners in the arts and entertainment, writers, journalists, academics, chief executives of national and multinational organisations. And those with less high profile, but no less significant lives and careers, people whose actions and relationships remake and renew the social fabric in small positive ways. Every day, across the globe, in more than 160 countries and in all walks of life, our alumni are sharing the benefits of their Sussex experience to make the world a better place. I know you will do that, too.

  So graduands, celebrate who you are today. Celebrate the commitment you made to achieve your degree. The fact that the sacrifices you made have proved worthwhile. That the belief in yourself that has made this possible has come to fruition. And celebrate those who helped you reach this moment. In short, celebrate.

  I call upon the Deputy Head of the School of Education and Social Work, Professor Janet Boddy.

  (Applause)

  [the Deputy Head of the School of Education and Social Work, Professor Janet Boddy, stands and approaches the lectern to present the graduands. As she reads the names aloud, the graduands walk across the stage to applause and shake hands with the Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar]

  Professor Janet Boddy:

  Chancellor, I present to you for the Certificate in Higher Education...

  Molly Hayes

  For the Diploma of Higher Education...

  Rohan Rahman

  For the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Social Care...

  Clara Bakari

  For Social Work...

  Mia Bittles

  Katie DE CIANTIS

  Madeleine ECCLES

  Sophie Fletcher, and also the joint recipient of BA Social Work Prize for Outstanding Performance

  Bradley ISABIRYE

  Charlotte Miller

  Abigail Mitchell

  Amber Nixon

  Blue PETRAITIS-WILLIAMS

  Lauren PORTELA-FELIX

  also the joint Recipient of BA Social Work Prize for Outstanding Performance Riley Reed

  Jade SERVAT

  Danielle Smith

  Millicent WALKER-HYDE

  Beth Whitby

  Jenna White

  and also the joint recipient of the BA Social Work Prize for Outstanding Performance Rhiannon Williams

  Charlotte Woodhouse

  For the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education…

  Ophélia GISQUET

  Agnieszka GLOWKA

  Helen Morley

  Thomas Murphy

  Nikoleta OSTREVA

  Gerardo PUCHE JIMENEZ

  Nicholas WHITTAKER

  For Pedagogy and Practice…

  Amal ABDULLE

  Minty ACQUAH-MANKOE

  Safin AHMED

  Sehrish ALEEM

  Tanjim ALI

  Carlien Leonie BALDY-GRAY

  Joanna Bentley

  Tausif BHATTY

  Luka BIANCARDI

  Emma Burgess

  Jack Burnage

  Libby BUSHILL

  Ed COWLARD

  Alice Coyle

  Kesia DAVIS

  Charlotte Farrell

  Abigail FLEMONS

  Veronica Freeman

  Ottilie FUGL

  Scarlett FURNESS

  Naomi Gibbs

  Lucy GRASTY

  Hannah Graveney

  Rachel HAWS

  Harrison HUBBARD

  James Hughes

  Natasha Hughes

  Syeda Tahsin HUSSAIN

  Zora HUSSAIN

  Niamh HUTNELL

  Amelia Kettle

  Aliya KHAN

  Arooj KHAN

  Joshua Kitchener

  Dylan Knott

  Dillan Lad

  Shumaila LODHIA

  Yuness LOUNIS

  Christy MOON

  Jessica Moore

  Raissa MOSENGO

  Robin NEWBY

  William Nicholson

  Isabelle Nicola Thompson

  Evelyn O'SHEA

  Skye OEILLET

  Katherine Parkinson

  Zayba PATEL

  Emily Phipps

  Hajera RAHMAN

  Rasa ROZAR

  Anastasia Smith

  Georgia Stanbrook

  Felicity STATHER

  Lianne STREETER

  Sofya TRUKHINA

  Clementina Tuck

  Hamsa WARSAME

  Tabitha Webster

  Lorraine Williams

  Isobel Willis

  Hamna ZAHID

  For the Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Art and Design…

  Samiksha SUBRAHMANYA

  For Business Studies…

  Sarah Edwards

  Philip Martin

  For Computer Science...

  Ines CARDOSO SOARES STAMP

  Orion Robin VASILESCU

  For Computing and Business Studies…

  James Adams

  For Design Technology…

  Aimee BEARNE and company, we have a new recruit to the University of Sussex!

  Elizabeth Cousins

  Kate KIRVEN

  For Drama…

  Amara DARBYSHIRE

  Sofia FALLEA

  Sarah LKHAGVASUREN

  Sophie LUCRAFT-MEE

  For English…

  Ellie Baker

  Charlotte BYRNE

  Alex CATHCART

  Veronica Coates

  Esme DE BULAT ATKINS

  Amy Kelly

  Roberta Lee

  Amanda MORTENSEN

  Finnley PEARCE

  Jessica PELLING

  Vivienne QUICK

  Claire RAYNAL

  George Sharp

  Alexandra STEPHEN

  Jordan WILLIAMS

  For English and drama...

  Megan JEFFERIES

  For Geography…

  Amelia CANAVAN-WHITE

  Alexandra CARBALLO BROEN

  Jessica Daley

  Karen Dock

  Eleanor Wright

  For Health and Social Care…

  Hannah North

  For History…

  Sannah DYER

  Joshua Knight

  Eleanor Massey HOWES

  Isaac PYM

  Matthew TRINDER

  Dylan UREN THOMSON

  Emma Wallace

  Nathalie WREDE-QUINN

  For Latin and Classics…

  Edward Chan

  Stephen Haynes

  Olivia Pillinger

  Izzy Shirley

  For Mathematics...

  Katie BURNISTON

  Fletcher BURTON

  Jack CROCKATT

  Sophie CROSS

  Callum Diplock

  David GIRGIS

  Kenna HOOK

  Guillaume LE FLAHEC

  Reilly MOULE

  Annabel Porter

  Ocean RAO DSOUZA

  Donna STUART-TURNER

  Christopher Ward

  For Media Studies…

  Nadine Stride

  For Modern Foreign Languages…

  Ronan BROWNE

  Anna CARDASCIA

  Paolo CAVALLARO

  Diana CLAVIJO

  Blanca DE DIOS GARCÍA

  Solene DELICOURT

  Caroline DURAND-DELGA

  Julia GISPERT PÉREZ

  Abigail Hughes

  Izadora HUTCHESON-LOVETT

  Kira Jardine

  Gabriela Johnson

  Alberto MAHAUAD CAMPODÓNICO

  Layla Moore

  Sophie PARISOT

  Emmanuelle Pereira

  Anaïs PRÉVOST

  Josephine WOLFE

  For Music...

  Rosanna SUMMERS

  For Primary...

  Esther Tolulope ADELEKE

  Emily Austin

  Georgia BARKER

  Georgina Barry

  Sarah Bell

  Eilish BONNAR

  Rosie Bowman

  Sophie-Louise Bullock

  Emily Burton

  Laura Chatfield

  Adaora CHIME

  Ossia DIMOGLOU TOHILL

  Caroline Drury

  Katharine East

  Rebecca Folkard

  Emily Gibbs

  Aemilia Gillespie

  Elliot Guest

  Rachel Hall

  Zaynab HAQ

  Jocelyn Harris

  Laura Harte

  Hope HAWKSWORTH-PRATTEN

  Madeline Hay

  Martha LACY SCOTT

  Tsz Tung LEE

  Jasmine Merriman

  Daisy Metcalf

  Maisie Pollins

  Elise Roberts

  Sophie SKEATES-TUBB

  Kayleigh SPENCER

  Matthew STELLING

  Louise TIDMARSH

  Maeve TULLY

  Serine TOUMI

  Maeve TULLY

  Joshua Warner

  Isaac Watson

  Phoebe White

  Lily Wooldridge

  Adam YOUSEMAN

  For Psychology…

  Lily COUGHLAN

  Ella Dodge

  Iyah MAHMOUD

  Lauren Rice

  For Science with Biology…

  Shannon AZAVEDO

  Ellen BULMER

  Bethany Elliot

  Chloe Ewen

  Henry Turner

  Amie WILKINSON

  For Science with Chemistry…

  Dinos APHAMIS

  Thomas Hartley

  Jonah Hillman

  Chloe HOANG

  Hannah Jackson

  Holly Latta

  Oscar OSPINA RODRIGUEZ

  Isabelle Whittle

  For Science with Physics…

  Denina Addis

  Brody CUNLIFFE

  Carl HENNINGWAY

  Inigo SACRISTAN ORTIZ

  For the Postgraduate Diploma in Early Years Education (with Early Years Teacher Status)… 

  Bridget LE GRANGE

  For Social Work… 

  Seun IBIDAPO

  also awarded the John Simmonds Outstanding Achievement Award Sylvia Atieno KASINA

  Hannah LETTS

  Anushka LUTHER-SMITH

  Benedicta MAWUENYEGA

  Oluwatobiloba Deborah OLUYISOLA

  Anaina Ann SANTHOSH

  For the Master of Arts for Childhood and Youth Studies…

  Akinsanya Adewale AKINOLA

  Duygu Ayca DEMIRCI

  Naomi Obehi ENORUWA

  Jennifer FRAMPTON

  Victoria Oluwatosin JOLOMI

  Oghenekevwe Queen MMAMA

  Adaobi Nneka OKOYE

  Theresa Ekemma WILLIAMS-IBEMGBO

  For Early Years Education…

  Yvonne Ezinwanne DIBIO

  Francesca VINCIS

  For Early Years Education (with Early Years Teacher Status)…

  Aleena AHMED

  Adenike Florence AJAYI

  Sophie ANDERSON

  Tiffani HEADLEY

  Daisy JORGENSEN

  Rebecca MCGOUGH

  For Education…

  Jumoke Ruth ABODUNRIN

  Grace Oluwadamilola ADENIJI

  Israel Oluwafemi ADENIRAN

  Jemima Bentley

  Yan CAI

  Harriet Freya CASSWELL

  Confidence Onyinye CHUKWU

  Ashley DAVIDS

  Lashawnda Michelle DAVIDS

  Ozlem DEMIRHAN TOPALOGLU

  Sorry, I'm going to get it right. I'm sorry. Oluwanisola FAGUN

  Chauvan HARDING

  Leah JEPCHIRCHIR

  Elias KIPCHIRCHIR

  Hillary KIPKOSGEI

  Stella KNIGHT

  Ethel Ujunwa ONWUDINJO

  Frank OPPONG

  Ning RONG

  Taofeeqot Teniola SALAUDEEN

  George SARBAH

  Rebecca SCHNEIDER

  Emmanuel Olamiji SHOFUYI

  Rachel Smith

  Nikita SOUTHALL

  Alison TEAGLE

  Andrea UPHUS

  Emmanuela Nnenna UZOMBA

  Ngoc Quynh Anh VU

  Jonathan Mark WAITE

  Michelle Williams

  Qianqian YANG

  For International Education and Development…

  Busayo Opeyemi ABAYOMI

  Eunice Oreoluwa ADEKUNLE

  Emma AHMED

  Ijeoma Maureen AMAECHI

  Isma AMJAD

  Siotepoh D BROH

  Carlitos Jorge CASSIMO

  Rachel CATERER

  Chilufya Mulenga CHILUFYA

  Emily COLLARD

  Dante D'AMICO

  Blessing Tunde DADA

  Ali Aftab GHIAS

  Yuki IOKIBE

  Emmanuel Temiloluwa JOSHUA

  also awarded the Luke Akaguri Memorial Prize, awarded for the Best Dissertation, title, LGBTQIA+ student experiences in South Korean secondary schools: the exclusion within Sung education Min Soo KIM

  Danielle Marshall

  Eduarda MODELLI CUALHETE

  Kate Rebecca MUNDAY

  Victor Chukwubuikem NDUNNA

  Kingsley Kelechi OMEIKE

  Ibrahim SULEIMAN

  Namse Peter UDOSEN

  Xinyu WEN

  For Social Work… 

  Elena CAMPBELL

  Catherine McCarthy

  Morgan Chukwunyelum OKONKWO

  also the recipient of the Joan Cooper Memorial Award Gabriella RENNIE

  Georgia VALENTI

  Ruby ZATCHIJ

  Chancellor, I will now present to you for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy...

  For the thesis;

  Navigating gendered terrains: Female social workers’ perspectives on working with boys and young men who display harmful sexual behaviours.

  Anna HUTCHINGS

  For the thesis;

  A study of professional connectedness and isolation in the learning lives of remote and peri-urban primary school teachers in Indonesia.

  Imelda Dwi Rosita SARI

  For the thesis;

  Producing and policing elite bodies: A study of the construction of schoolgirl femininities in a private, independent girls' secondary school in England.

  Louise Taylor

  Chancellor, This concludes the list of graduands from the very wonderful School of Education and Social Work.

  [The Provost, Professor Michael Luck, goes to the lectern to present any late graduands]

  Professor Michael Luck:

  Chancellor, I now present to you those graduands who were unable to be presented earlier in the ceremony.

  For the degree of Master of Art in Education...

  Janki Sahil Gadhia

  Chancellor, you have now met all the graduands at this ceremony, and the moment has come for the formal conferral of degrees of the University of Sussex. I therefore ask you to confer degrees on those presented to you and to the other graduands who have indicated their wish to graduate in absentia at this ceremony.

  [Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar stands in the middle of the stage.]

  Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar:

  May I ask if you can, for the graduands to stand up, and same on the stage, colleagues, if you wouldn't mind standing.

  [Graduands and staff stand]

  So by the powers invested in me by the Senate of the university, I formally confer degrees on all those aforementioned.

  Congratulations, university of Sussex graduates.

  [Applause]

  Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar:

  Okay, please take a seat. Thank you. Well, that happened. Congratulations, everyone again. You all look terrific and you smelled lovely, which is sometimes even more important. What a fantastic ceremony that was. It was so lovely to set, to have so many kids come up, and this is your day as well. And so many of you were so kind about me and my work, and that's really humbling. And you know, what was even more humbling, was that my position as chancellor was almost taken away by a small child who refused to get up from the chair. So, this could have been a short-lived tenure for me today. But that was all fabulous. And thank you for your kindnesses.

  So as your time here at Sussex draws to a close, we hope that you will remain connected to us and each other as alumni and see your relationship with the university as lifelong. And whether your next step is gainful employment, the search for it, even further academic study, or simply some time out, I wish you the very best in closing the ceremony. The chancellor is supposed to say something inspiring or impart some wisdom, but I'm already, you know, by meeting you briefly, I know that you are all way more wise than I am. But I'll give you some thoughts that I've been thinking about. And feel free to ponder them, ignore them, or even better, improve upon them.

  It struck me today, actually, with all the ceremonies today, that one of the things about these ceremonies, that I love so much about doing these ceremonies is that it's a room full of achievement. It's a room full of celebration. It's a room full of potential, and it's a room full of hope. And those are really fabulous things to be stepping forward, towards. And you know, right now as the as the vice chancellor alluded to in the opening speech that, you know, it's a very troubled world. There's lots of very challenging things going on at the moment. And so the ability to be hopeful and to see potential and to move forward, I think is more important than ever and to be positive.

  And there was somebody that had wrote a very good definition of positivity, which is, positivity isn't thinking, everything's going to be turn out great. It's the things may be terrible now, but they can get better. And that is positivity, especially, you know, now at the moment with all things that are going in the world. And, you know, such things as they're eating the dogs, they're eating the dogs. I mean, you, yeah, we've gotta remain positive through all of that. No one was eating the dog anyway. Anyway, we need to say that. But as your Sussex chapter ends, the, the future begins.

  And I do feel it's imperative, that unwritten future, that you get to write yours. Because if you don't have your say in your own story, someone else will write it for you. And there's one thing that struck me, that you can and always will be better than anybody else ever. And that is being you. That's what makes you special. And you get the opportunity every day to be a better you. And that is your gift. And another word for gift, of course, is present. And being present is a really useful and healthy place to be. The past can't be changed. Regrets are pointless.

  You know, those are just things that you haven't learned from to learn from it and turn it into a positive. And as I said, the future is yet to come. And we all have a fantastic personalised resource made specially for us, a handbook, full of pointers on how to be a better you. And that's called your past. Dip into that you can access it to improve on things that you did before, that didn't turn out great, and to repeat things or improve things that you did before, that were good, to dip into those whenever you can. But as I said, don't live there. Don't live in the past. Living is now. Then the future, as I said, it's unwritten.

  And when you write your future, I would urge you to fill it with as much positive language as you can. Muster some I've already mentioned. But fill your future with ambitions and with hope and with dreams and with joy and compassion and kindness, and resist filling it with fear, anger, and guilt. I'm not sure if you can actually manifest real things, but you can manifest a mindset. A few days ago I spoke to a, a really close friend of mine who I've known since my university days. And she had lost her home in the fires in California. And she's not a wealthy celebrity working in films or anything like that. She's just a regular lawyer and worked in a regular neighbourhood. And she told me that, she was told it would take between three to five years for them to rebuild their home and their neighbourhood. And I asked her, I said, how are you feeling right now? And she told me that she was upset she couldn't save some photographs because they were really personal, but she said, other than that, everything else could be replaced. And I said, well but how are you feeling about the future? And she said, I believe my life will get better. Absolutely believe it. And I said, well, then it will, because you've just decided it will.

  You know, she could have just thought, you know, how do I feel? Oh gosh, I feel upset and depressed and scared, and how do I start again at my age and all the things I've lost? And none of it would've been being judgmental about it. That would've all been perfectly acceptable. But she didn't. She took a very, very positive platform to move forward. If she hadn't, if she'd taken a negative position first, a completely understandable one, getting to somewhere positive would've been a much longer journey. And it's kind of, it's challenging, to find perspective at times like that. I think when we're overwhelmed, you know, whether it's by be, grief or anger or sadness or love or beauty, you know, when we are overwhelmed, we lose perspective even for a short space of time. And if we have to make a decision in that short space of time, it may not be the decision we would make when we were calm. So it's absolutely important to feel everything. Oh my goodness. You have the right to every single emotion, but then quickly to find your way back to perspective. And the quickest way really is to talk to somebody. I mean, you just get another viewpoint. Even hearing yourself saying out loud can help clarify things.

  And what, where it takes you to, is a place of gratitude. And that is the healthiest place to live. Live in gratitude because you feel lucky. I feel lucky all the time, and not because of something that happened today or yesterday. Just feel lucky. I feel blessed. I feel grateful. Because feeling that, I think, allows the doors to open to your own vast reserves of empathy and compassion. And when negative stuff, as it does happen to a lucky person, it's just crappy lifestyle. It's just stuff that comes along and you go, yeah, that's wasn't good, but it's gone. And you deal with the next thing. When it happens to an unlucky person, it begs all those other questions like, why me? Why does it always happen to me? You know, I did a fun run last week and raised money and for charity, and now this week this has happened. You know, everything becomes kind of transactional in a way. It becomes personal and defining and stressful, an existential cry to the universe for help. A lucky person doesn't ask those questions simply 'cause they're too busy looking for solutions and onto their next decision. So take hold of your narrative, use it consistently improving. Be unconditionally You. You must have heard this. Have you had people who kind of say, or are you the sort of person who says, 'Well, if they're nice to me, I'll be nice to them. If they respect me, then I'll respect them. If they don't listen to me, I'm not listening to them'. Which all sounds reasonable until you then think about who's really controlling the narrative here. It's the other person. It's not you. You are reacting the whole time. So be nice, respect, listen Because that's who you are. And if they don't reciprocate, that's them being them. That's their problem. You be you.

  A word on planning and life. You know, planning is great. Really important, very useful, you know, obviously, 'cause it allows you to see the steps that build towards your goal. But, planning is linear, right? Straight lines like, ladder, you go one, step two, step three. So you get to the top. That's what a plan is. Life is the exact opposite. Life is a disruptor, full of curve balls, the unexpected weird coincidences, WTFs, World Tennis Federation for the -for the old people. That's just normal. That is what life does. So be okay with your plan, absolutely, and then be okay when it's disrupted. 'cause that's okay too. It's just life. You just have to think about your next choice at that time. You have no idea what your future holds. You really don't. So you may as well fill the journey to it with positivity. It may not even change the outcome, but your journey to it will be a lot healthier and just a lot more fun. Now, I've got lived experiences of the unwritten future and, you know, life as a disruptor, taking you somewhere.

  So you may be aware that Sussex was my first choice for universities when I applied as an undergraduate. And I didn't get it because apparently my grades weren't good enough. So I waited 25 years until all those people who were responsible for, for me not getting in, were either very old, were in prison, had been deported or just dead, and I came back as chancellor. So he, hey! Where was linear planning then? Linear planning - zero, life - one. And also, I wanted to act and write since I was five years old. And I know this because when I was five, some uncle came to the house and said, 'well, young man, what do you want to be when you grow up?' And I said, actor. And my dad said, 'it's pronounced doctor' and it's true story. So I wanted to do it since I was five. But you know, career seemed impossible. But the dream was always sitting there behind a sea of doubt and fear. And at the age of 30, I sued the last company I was working for, for breach of contract. And I couldn't get any kind of job for two years while the whole thing rolled through the legal process. And at 32, I thought, I don't want to be 70 years old and regretting not trying. So I'll have a go. And I would not have foreseen, and neither would anyone else, that within just two and a half years I'd be in a successful TV show and would just enjoy an incredibly joyous, fortunate career. So again, I have to say, take that linear planning! Linear planning - zero, life - two.

  So don't define yourself by a bad day or a bad week, a bad month, or even a bad year. I had a bad decade once, but I came out of it. And don't be afraid of making mistakes. Just make sure each mistake you make is a new one. Don't keep making the same old mistake. That's the definition of an idiot. And you are not that. And the other thing that I realised, which is, which may be useful to you, I realised I can't fail. Ha! how about that? I just can't. So I don't. I haven't failed for years simply because I have not given myself that option. I can either learn or succeed or both. That's it. There is no failure. You know, all those things. People go, you failed, you go, I learned something. Thanks. Goodbye. Gary Oldman, the actor - brilliant actor, said, 'I worried for so long about what people thought of me until I realised, what people thought of me was none of my business'. That's down them. I go back to that thing, let them be them. You be you. A quote attributed to George Elliot says, 'It's never too late to be what you might have been'. The message of that, it's never too late. Never. Don't ever let anyone tell you it's too late. So in short, strive every day to be the best you. Who is the best you, by the way? I can tell you that we are always our next decision. Always. Our next choice is who we are. And if that decision is kind and compassionate about people, about ourselves, then we are being the better us.

  As I say to my kids, whatever situation you find yourself in, whatever person you meet, leave that situation, leave that person in a better place than how you found it or them. And, you know, that works for people, yourself or the planet. - It hasn't worked with their bedrooms, by the way. I'm still having to pick up stuff behind them. I'm gonna have to find another way of dealing with that. So finally, I hope you take your gift of uniqueness, your achievements, your kind, compassionate choices, your empathy, your humour, and express it to the world, to each other and yourselves every day. So you can live a life of gratitude and humility and be the lucky you. You have the choice to be. And by the way, the answer to the life, the universe and everything is 42. If you know, you know, good luck. We're super proud of you. I am and will remain always grateful to you. For this day, I officially declare this graduation closed.

  [Music playing] (Senior academics and staff on stage tip their hats as two academics/staff walk across the stage to pick up the ceremonial torches from the small, raised table. They bow to one another before bowing to the rest of the academics/staff. Both lead lines single files of all the professors in separate directions down the staircases on the left and right. The academics and staff walk down the aisles betwixt the audience of seated graduates and guests and exit at the back of the auditorium.)

Download the Ceremony 3 video [MP4 4.4GB]

Thursday 23 January 2025

Ceremony 4 at 10am

• Video transcript

  A full transcript of this ceremony will appear here shortly.

  [‘Trumpet Fanfare’ music playing] (A procession of university senior academics and staff in ceremonial robes enter the auditorium, walk down the aisles betwixt the audience of seated graduands and guests, ascend the stage via staircases on the left and right respectively, and take their seats. At the end of the procession are two academics/staff with ceremonial torches who on stage bow to each other, the rows of academics/staff, and then place the torches on a small, raised table with a cloth at the very front of the stage.]

  [Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar, stands and approaches the lectern to make an introductory speech.]

  Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar:

  Good afternoon, I declare open this congregation of the University of Sussex.

  I'm delighted as chancellor to welcome you formally to this graduation ceremony. A warm welcome to our honoured guests, our distinguished faculty members, and to those of the professional services here at Sussex. But the warmest welcomes are for you, our graduands, and your family and friends that join you here today. And to those who couldn't make it here, here in person, and maybe watching this via live video stream around the world.

  Graduation is one of the highlights of the university year. As such, as you can see up here on the stage, we've made a bit of an effort with our gowns and our bow ties and dressing up. Some have even brought forward their weekly bath and or invested in deodorant. And this is all in honour of you and our pride in your fantastic achievement. The University of Sussex motto is, so you can see up there, 'Be still and know'. And I hope that at some point today, you find a quiet moment to reflect on your accomplishments and the journey that has brought you here. I know that many of you have had to overcome challenges on that journey as well. Struggling to balance your studies with home life, in some cases whilst raising children or supporting loved ones, experiencing loss and health issues, trying to survive on overdrafts loans or family help, perhaps battling loneliness, anxiety, self-doubt, and even sometimes the doubt of others. But you didn't give up. You didn't give in. And here you are.

  For many today will mark the end of their academic journey. A journey that started all those years ago in nursery or kindergarten, when you learned that teddy bears could be real friends, that throwing things on the floor was fun, that splashing in puddles was even more fun, and that getting half your food in your mouth and half on your face was a perfectly acceptable ratio. And hated the phrases 'No more ice cream' and 'time for bed'. Through all your school years and exam pressures that led you to Sussex, where you learned that last night's pizza was a perfectly acceptable breakfast, that you could indeed make it to a 9:00 AM lecture if you woke up at 8:55. Late night chats fuelled by Dr. Caffeine or Miss Chardonnay. Where you found the answer to life, the universe and everything, only to have forgotten it by the next morning. And hated the phrases 'Wifi not available' and 'the assignment deadline is tomorrow'. But you could eat as much ice cream as you want. So there was the plus. Which brings us to today. Your glorious day. And thank you families and friends as well. I know from experience how much you've supported and sacrificed for your graduand and to be here. We are humbled and honoured that you now all have a connection to Sussex.

  So graduands, in a short while, a name will be read out, hopefully approximating to yours, and you will take the mere 20 or so steps across this stage, terrified that you're gonna lose your hat or mortarboard, wondering whether the heels was such a good idea after all. Wondering whether your flies are open, and praying that you don't trip over your gown and end up in the lap of someone in the front row. If you do decide to go on that path, what an array of laps we have arranged for you this afternoon. It's like Squid Game meets the Antiques Roadshow. I am beholden to tell you, or to remind you - I know many of you have been up here before, but you haven't actually got your degree yet. And you getting your degree might, just depend on how much love you show me when you come up here. No love for the Chancellor, no degree.

  Seriously, feel free to express yourself when you come up here, in whatever way you want, as long as it's within the bounds of decency and legality. I'll go with it. I mean, over the years we've done, handshakes, of course, hugs, high fives, fist bumps, dabs, dancing, press up, people have done press ups up here. I've gone along with those. If you're gonna do press up today, you're doing them on your own. Okay? I can get down. I dunno if I can get back up at my age. And families and friends, this is your day too. So when the time comes, please do have your cameras ready. And feel free to make as much noise as your loved one crosses the stage. And if anybody is on their on their own today, I'll be your family or friend. So no one's alone. Okay?

  I call upon the Vice Chancellor, professor Sasha Roseneil, to address the congregation.

  [Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sasha Roseneil, stands and approaches the lectern to make an introductory speech.]

  Professor Sasha Roseneil:

  Madam Deputy Mayor, distinguished guests, members of the university, parents, supporters, friends, and above all our graduands, Sussex class of 2024 as vice Chancellor and President of the University of Sussex, it's my great honour and enormous pleasure to welcome you here today. My thanks to our chancellor Sanjeev Bhaskar for as ever a fabulous opening speech. Sanjeev is an almost impossible act to follow. But as an as Sanjeev has reminded us, today is all about you, our graduands. It's a day of huge celebration for you and of you and of all you've achieved. It's also a moment to acknowledge that many of you have benefited in countless tangible and less tangible ways from the love and support of your family or guardians and carers, from the encouragement of your friends, and of course from the teaching and guidance of staff at the university. You may also have had support from our alumni community and donors who've provided scholarships that might have enabled you to study at Sussex. So I'm now going to ask for some participation from you, our graduands. If you wouldn't mind standing and turning, and facing your supporters, your families behind you, just giving them a big round of applause to say thank you.

  (Graduands and guests applaud.)

  Professor Sasha Roseneil:

  That's great. Please be seated again. As Sussex, as a university, we are committed to providing an inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment for every member of our diverse and international community. Sussex students represent the most wonderful variety of backgrounds, beliefs, and identities. You come here each year from over 130 countries around the world. And so we have people in the audience today of many different nationalities and faiths and almost everyone gathered here has a different opinion from someone else about something. That diversity of thought and belief is a very special thing. Something that Sussex as a university seeks always to uphold and support. We have a foundational commitment to academic freedom and freedom of speech. It's our job as a university to create an environment in which diversity of belief and opinion can be explored. And so we nurture the conditions under which people can respectfully discuss and debate difficult ideas, where propositions can be tested, analysis undertaken, theories developed, and where minds can be expanded and changed.

  We are living in deeply troubled times with war and conflict, terror, death, and the destruction of habitats, economic hardship, hunger and inequality, as well as climate crisis and environmental degradation, giving rise to enormous concern amongst Sussex students. Many Sussex students and their families and loved ones, I'm sure hold passionate opinions about the causes, consequences and solutions to these issues. And as we gather here today to celebrate graduation, I'd like to emphasise that the university always supports freedom of expression that is lawful and respectful of others, mindful of the humanity and diversity, that's at the heart of our university community. And is what binds us together across nations and faiths as a global community.

  So Sussex graduands, I would like to thank you for all that you have contributed to making our university a place of community inclusion and diversity. An open, warm and welcoming place. In the two and a half years since I became vice chancellor, I've come to see that Sussex students are the very embodiment of energy, hope, and possibility. Alongside your academic work, many of you have taken part in an oppressive array of other activities as members and leaders of student societies and groups as volunteers helping and supporting other people on and off campus. And many of you are today receiving a Spirit of Sussex Award for your positive involvement in our community. Serving as campus ambassadors to fundraising for local causes, creating new ways for our campus to be more environmentally sustainable. I commend that commitment to your extracurricular activities. Well done on all you've achieved alongside your formal studies.

  Over the past few years, I've had the great privilege of meeting many Sussex alumni, not just from the UK but from across the world, in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. And I've been overwhelmed by how many of them told me how much they loved their student days at Sussex and how their experience of studying at Sussex had fundamentally shaped their lives and careers. They recall encountering new ideas and ways of thinking that transformed their worldview, as well as making lasting friendships and building networks that have accompanied them ever since. I sincerely hope that you, our graduands today will feel the same in the years to come. Whether you already have a job or are taking time to explore the world or are looking for your next opportunity, you can be confident that you're leaving a university with a global reputation. A university that has equipped you with knowledge and skills to think critically and creatively. To work across the boundaries of established knowledge and to understand the importance of a global perspective. You've been tutored and supervised by academics who are internationally recognised for the quality of their research and scholarship. Their research has directly informed your education across the disciplines and in the spaces in between. Our research focuses on the urgent concerns of our time.

  Some of you might have seen our 'Impossible until it's done' campaign on our website, on banners and on the buses. Inspired by the words of Nelson Mandela, the campaign highlights the work we are doing to tackle seemingly intractable problems such as pollution in rivers, dementia, and young people's mental health. We know the great value of our research at Sussex, but we also recognise the importance of sharing our successes with wider audiences. And Sussex has much to celebrate. For the eighth consecutive year, we, along with our campus partner, the Institute of Development Studies, have been ranked first in the world for development studies. This is outstanding achievement by our academics. Development studies seek understandings of and progress towards global equity, social justice, and sustainability, and is very much at the heart of what Sussex is about. One of the key measures of the strength and impact of a university is the extent to which the publications of its academics are cited by other academics.

  And Sussex really does punch above our weight in many areas in this respect in the world's most prestigious university league table, the QS world rankings. This year we have nine subjects in the top 10 in the UK for citations with two subject areas, history and physics and astronomy. Each ranked first in the UK. We were also recognised as the eighth most sustainable university in the UK and 16th in the UK for employment outcomes. And for the past three years, the University of Sussex Business School has been ranked first in the UK for research income in business and management. This funding is being used to tackle crucial global challenges in sustainability, energy demand, trade policy, equality, innovation, and digital technologies. All this means that Sussex research is improving the lives of people around the world, enhancing and advancing developments in technology, influencing the policies of governments, and making a positive difference to the protection of our natural environment.

  Now, I know that many of you graduating today have had already extraordinary and sometimes very difficult life journeys. Some of you have struggled with your mental health, some with physical health problems. Some of you have faced loss and family disruption during your studies. Each of you has a unique journey through your time at Sussex. And each of you will have had your ups and downs. But whatever your Sussex story, I hope when you look back at your time with us, you feel your studies were intellectually challenging and rigorous. That you were stretched, stimulated, and supported to achieve your best. That you're leaving with knowledge, skills, and personal resources, that will stand you in good stead, and that you make connections and friendships that will stay with you long into the future. You'll now take many different paths as you join our community of over 200,000 alumni worldwide. Our alumni include Nobel Laureates, grassroots, campaigners, and activists, heads of state and vice presidents, leaders, influencers and creative practitioners in the arts and entertainment, writers, journalists, academics, chief executives of national and multinational organisations. And those with less high profile, but no less significant lives and careers, people whose actions and relationships remake and renew the social fabric in small positive ways. Every day, across the globe, in more than 160 countries and in all walks of life, our alumni are sharing the benefits of their Sussex experience to make the world a better place. I know you will do that too.

  So graduands, celebrate who you are today. Celebrate the commitment you made to achieve your degree. The fact that the sacrifices you made have proved worthwhile. That the belief in yourself that has made this possible has come to fruition. And celebrate those who helped you reach this moment. In short, celebrate.

  I now call upon the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Media, Arts and Humanities, Professor Cornel Sandvoss.

  (Applause)

  [The Executive Dean of the Faculty of Media, Arts and Humanities, Professor Cornel Sandvoss. stands and approaches the lectern to present the graduands. As he reads the names aloud, the graduands walk across the stage to applause and shake hands with the Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar]

  Professor Cornel Sandvoss:

  Chancellor, I present to you for the Certificate of Higher Education...

  Holly Harland.

  For the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Drama and Film Studies...

  Tirion Lewis.

  For Drama with French...

  Cara MCEVOY.

  For English (with a study abroad year)…

  Elsa PAHL.

  For English and History…

  John Murray.

  For History...

  Imogen Sanders.

  For History and Philosophy…

  Aisha Khan.

  For Media and Communications...

  Mia CANNON JEWELL.

  For Media Production…

  Yi Rong CHAN, Yasmin WATSON-HELFRICH.

  For Philosophy and Sociology…

  Lily Bell.

  For the Postgraduate Certificate in Filmmaking…

  Edward Thompson.

  For the degree of Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics in TESOL...

  Fatima Ronke AKINGBADE, Ceylan AKTURK, Khoi DOAN MINH, Sayyora USIBALIEVA.

  For Art History and Museum Curating…

  Zoe BASHESKA, Daisy Ella Marama JESSOP, Olivia Keenan, Caitlin Marie MYERS, also the recipient of the Art Scholars Ma Award; Emily Pryke, Madeline Woodhouse.

  For Contemporary History…

  Lisa Fairbank, Sheng YANG.

  For Creative and Critical Writing…

  Kate Frances, Beth McLean, Akshayaa SURESH, Lauren UGHETTI, Nuur Aqilah ALI, Nisan CAPRAZ, Lubing CHEN, Xiaotian CHEN, Yudan CHEN, Upamanyu DHAR, Chengxun LI, Youwen WU, Jincheng YUAN, Laith ZEHNI.

  For Digital Media…

  Seda ATES, Ava AUBREY CONBOY, Haichang LOU, Khadejh Saddik A SENDI, Harriet Emily SKILLINGTON, Xueer XIAN.

  For English, Literature, Culture and Theory…

  Jessica Bone, Eleanor Browning, Ellie Bunker, Anna Magdalen KELESIDOU, Anna Morlin. Anna Magdalen KELESIDOU, Alia Jumana RAHMAN, Shambhavi SHUKLA, Lucas Yelland.

  For Film Studies...

  Thomas Joyce, Farzana Bint MOHAMMAD, Atreyo PALIT, Thomas TSOUKARIS.

  For Filmmaking...

  Alexina Burton, Amogh Jayant GHADI, Sophie Louise LEIJSER, Junzhe LIANG, Xihao LIU, Yi LIU, Shubham MATTA, Wiktoria PIATKOWSKA, Giovanni RIZZO, Nareeman Hany Elsayed Mohamed SHARAF, Devansh SONI, Amalia THOMAS.

  For Gender and Media…

  Vafa ALIZADA, Angela Miel BUENSUCESO, Dipanjana DASGUPTA DEY, Esraa Saleh Saleh ELSAYED, Judith FRAHM, Dushica LAZOVA, Khumbuzile MBUQE, Avril Estefania MURILLO GUTIERREZ Francesca SYLPH.

  For International Journalism…

  Eunice Olufikayo AMPITAN.

  For Journalism and Documentary Practice…

  Noah BATURE, Anna Eaton, Ravi Babubhai PARMAR, Jeevan Kochumalil RAJ, Chowdhury Mohammad SAYEDUL ABRAR, Bowen WANG.

  For Journalism and Media Studies…

  Mikaela Brookings, Valerie Chioma, Rebecca Taiwo OJEKUNLE, Aditya Ravi PALIMKAR, Maripaz Beatriz RIVERA, Hanyue SONG, Fahad ULLAH.

  Chancellor, this concludes the first part of the presentation of graduands from the Faculty of Media Arts and Humanities.

  Professor Sasha Roseneil:

  I call upon Tim Hopkins, Associate Professor of Music, to present Tony McCaulay.

  [Tim Hopkins, Associate Professor of Music stands and approaches the lectern to present Tony McCaulay.]

  Professor Tim Hopkins:

  Chancellor, vice chancellor, colleagues, graduands, friends and families.

  'Last night, I didn't get to sleep at all', is the title of just one of the top 10 hit songs Tony McCauley wrote during one part of his artistic life to date as a songwriter, a producer, a novelist, a musical theatre composer, and an educator. It occurred to him in a state of jet lag while attending a songwriting event in Japan. We hope that there aren't any time zone issues today, or if there are, we hope that they inspire another top 10 hit. In a 2018 interview, Tony remarked that he never looked for awards and that sometimes it seemed to him he was much more likely to win them if he didn't think about them. We are very pleased to be able to help Tony continue this statistical trend of unsought honour as we welcome him to receive the richly deserved salute of an Honorary Doctorate of Music from us.

  I should add that during his career, Tony must have been not thinking about awards a lot 'cause he's actually received a huge number of them, including the Ivor Novello Award nine times, twice as Songwriter of the Year. The Evening Standard Drama Award, and the Ivan Novello Award for Best Musical and other recognition such as an invitation to compose a piece marking the 60th birthday of her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Like honorary degrees, these things are not given out lightly. They reflect the respect of industry peers in very competitive fields. They mark a hugely productive creative life across highly competitive media, but they also reflect something else, something more profound. They mean that Tony's creativity has touched the emotional life of the public.

  Statistics here too are more than impressive. Top 20 hit songs in the UK, with seven number ones, hit songs in the USA with three number ones. His songs have been sung by Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Olivia Newton John, Gladys Knight, Donna Summer, Sonny and Cher, Glenn Campbell, Andy Williams, Cliff Richard, Silla, Black, Sandy Shaw, The Fifth Dimension, David Soul, The Hollies, Matt Monroe, Scott Walker, The New Seekers, The Drifters, The Foundations, Annie Lennox and John Bon Jovi and that is an edited list. This means that millions of people have heard Tony's music. They've carried it around inside them, they've connected it's stories to their inner lives and more are doing so all the time. As of today, his song 'Build Me Up Buttercup', which he also produced, has been streamed on Spotify over 545 million times.

  Writing in the early 1600', The great Italian composer, Claudio Monteverdi as he went about the business of inventing opera, the then new art form on the block, was trying to analyse how storytelling through song actually worked. Like Tony, whose original training was in engineering, Monteverdi liked to work out how the moving parts of the whole acted together to be bigger than the sun. How the magical telepathy of a great song came about. Like Tony, he was great at passing on insights arising from his investigations. May we invoke one, which the enduring success of Tony's work bears out, the end of all good music is to affect the soul.

  Chancellor, I present to you for the degree of Doctor of Music, honoris causa, Tony Macaulay.

  [Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar and honoris causa, Tony Macaulay shake hands in the middle of the stage. Chancellor bestows upon him the Certificate. Honoris Causa will then go to the lectern to deliver his speech.]

  Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar:

  By the power vested in me by the authority of the Senate, gives me great pleasure to confer upon you the degree Doctor of Music, honoris causa.

  Here's the proof.

  (Applause)

  Honoris causa, Tony Macaulay:

  Chancellor, I just like to begin by thanking you and the University of Sussex for this very great honour. I'd particularly like to thank all those who champion me for this award. I'm very grateful to you all, thank you.

  It's commonly said that someone who turns their hobby into a successful career never does a day of work in their lives. On that basis, I'm not entirely sure what it is I've been doing for the last 60-some years, but I do know that this given me a host of wonderful memories, a ready supply of fine wines and whiskey and the love of a beautiful woman. And more than that, no man can ask.

  I didn't start out in music, I started out, as you've heard, in civil engineering. I trained here in Brighton and the only job I could get was designing sewage treatment plants, wonderful ammunition for my critics in the future. Sometime later, a journalist who loathed me wrote, "Songwriter Tony Macaulay used to work in sewers. Now instead of shovelling it, he writes it". Nice man, dead now… pity.

  To the general public songwriters are an anonymous breed. The man sitting opposite you on the train could probably hung half a dozen of your hits, but in all likelihood, he will have no idea who you are. A songwriter friend of mine tells a good story on that theme. He was in a public toilet once, and the man in the next stool to him began to whistle one of my friend's big hit songs without considering the advisability of talking to strange men in public toilets. He said, ‘Oh, I wrote that song’. The man looked at him And he said, 'Who are you, then?' So my friend said, I'm Barry Mason. He said, 'I've never heard of you, and anyway, that song was written by Les Reed.' My friend said, 'Yes, yes. Les Reed wrote the music. I wrote the lyric.' A man said 'I wasn't whistling the bleeding lyric, was I?'

  The music industry that I joined many decades ago was very poorly regulated. There were a lot of crooks and shysters in the business who exploited the young people they signed up to sing, play, and write and ripped them off shamelessly. I took a test case to the House of Lords and had the very oppressive standard form songwriters contract their much in use overturned in this centre shockwaves for the industry that resonates to this day. And I can say to those of you here who might yet go into the music business, you will find a kinder and more equitable industry than the one my generation knew.

  As you've heard, I've had many memorable moments in my life, but none more so, that when I was commissioned to write a new work to celebrate her majesty of the Queen's 60th birthday. This was performed by 6,000 children in the Four Court of Buckingham Palace in the largest rehearsed musical event in history. Some hours later, I had tea with her Majesty, and I asked her, 'What was the best part of your big day?' And she, she naturally mentioned the children. She looked a bit weary by this point. So I asked her 'And what was the worst part?' And she said, 'Having one's hair messed around with three times in a day.'

  Well, today is my big day and as you can see, that's not a problem actually I'm gonna be having!

  Thank you so much, Chancellor. Thank you Sussex University and thank you, too.

  (Applause)

  Professor Sasha Roseneil:

  I call upon the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Media, Arts and Humanities, Professor Cornel Sandvoss.

  [The Executive Dean of the Faculty of Media, Arts and Humanities, Professor Cornel Sandvoss. stands and approaches the lectern to present the graduands. As he reads the names aloud, the graduands walk across the stage to applause and shake hands with the Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar]

  Professor Cornel Sandvoss:

  Chancellor, I present to you for the degree of Master of Arts in Media and Cultural Studies...

  Jessica Christina Bond, Harry Cox-Day, Paul Hunter, Yewande Oluwakemisola IFARINDE, Sushmita Ritu MALAKER, Zihan TENG, Zhongyin XING Nantao XU.

  For Media Practice for Development and Social Change…

  Sarah Tarek Nabil AMR, Jeremiah Emmanuel Dwight BAILEY-HOOVER, Kerenza Joy BAKER, Kitty BURROWS, Charlotte Lynn Eagleson, Manami EGUCHI, Grace Elizabeth ENGARD, Jessica FORTUNA, Sophia Laverne HEYMAN, Annabel Rice Johnson, Ella JOICEY, Heather Kerr, Mitali Prashant KULKARNI, Amanda Victoria LAGO, Mc Jazer MALONDA, Also the recipient of the Cate Haste Scholarship in Media and Film; Mohammed Zeeshan Varish Ahmed TIRMIZI, Kei TORIO, Emma TRUMBLE.

  For Media Ethics and Social Change...

  Freyja BARNARD, Rhiannon Mary Elizabeth BRACE, Max CASTLE-BAKER, Matthew CECCHETTO, Jeremiah FISAYO-BAMBI, Orla FLEMING, Laura GRANTHAM, Euan HENDERSON, Caroline SCASSELLATI, Rhiannon SHADES, Liva VIKMANE.

  For Music and Sonic Media…

  Daniel Lanre AKINTUNDE, Frederick DEVONPORT, Yiguo FU, Samuel THRUSSELL, Lilia BERNARD, Jideofor Darlington ONUNZE, Saskia Maharanni WILCOX, Gloria WYBURGH.

  For Sexual Dissidence…

  Max Bone, Niamh CARROLL-TURNER, Sigrid ELVIKEN, Hannah Francis, Daisy Hanscomb, Heidi HUTCHENCE, Aleksander WENTYKIER.

  For Social and Political Thought…

  Marie Allen, Sarah AUSTIN-WILDE, Aishath Ayn FAZEEL, Jiyoun PARK, Frederick Pullman, Aislinn SHANAHAN DALY, Marcelle XAVIER CORREIA RODRIGUES.

  Chancellor, I now present to you for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy...

  For the thesis;

  Expanding our understanding of the uses of Modern Standard and Hijazi Colloquial Arabic in education: A study exploring learners' attention, academic performance, and language attitudes in Saudi Arabia.

  Sarah Ibrahim M ALHASHMI ALAMIR.

  For the thesis;

  Methodological holism and casual explanation; lessons from Durkheim and Weber.

  Joseph BACKHOUSE-BARBER

  For the thesis;

  Temporary identities and fixed profiles: International PhD Students' Self-representation on social media.

  Louise DE AZAMBUJA ELALI.

  For the thesis;

  White Evangelical Women, the Changing South, and the Wider World: The Southern Baptist Woman's Missionary Union, 1907 to 1943.

  Carol GROSE

  For the thesis;

  Empowerment, protest and celebration: the representation of 'Black Girl Magic' in speculative fiction and contemporary culture.

  Riziki MILLANZI.

  For the thesis;

  Movement (Still) in Samuel Beckett’s Plays.

  Sewon PARK.

  For the thesis;

  The network A Priori: Mapping New Ideological Constellations Under Conditions of Computational Capitalism.

  James Stockman.

  For the thesis;

  Sound tenses- an investigation into auditory permanencies.

  Malcolm TROON.

  Chancellor, this concludes the list of graduands from the Faculty of Media, Arts and Humanities.

  [The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kate O’Riordan, goes to the lectern to present any late graduands. As she reads the names aloud, the graduands walk across the stage to applause and shake hands with the Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar]

  Professor Kate O’Riordan:

  Chancellor, I now present to you those graduands who were unable to be presented earlier in the ceremony.

  For the degree of Master of Arts in Contemporary History...

  Efosa Ammanuel Eboigbe.

  For Digital Media...

  Reagan Opeoluwa Thomas.

  For Filmmaking...

  Oluwatoba Folarin Ayantoye, Ajiri Eta.

  For International Journalism...

  Ellen Brignull.

  For Journalism and Media Studies...

  Shaurya Shrivastava.

  For the degree of Master of Arts in Media, Ethics and Social Change...

  Anne Alagbe.

  Chancellor, you have now met all the graduands at this ceremony, and the moment has come for the formal conferral of degrees of the University of Sussex. I therefore ask you to confer degrees on those presented to you and to the other graduands who have indicated their wish to graduate in absentia at this ceremony.

  [Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar stands in the middle of the stage.]

  Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar:

  If you are able, I'd to ask you to stand, please and colleagues as well, if you wouldn't mind standing as well.

  [Graduands and staff stand]

  By the powers vested in me by the Senate of the University, I confer formally degrees on all those aforementioned.

  Congratulations graduates of the University of Sussex.

  [Applause]

  Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar:

  Thanks, please be seated. Thank you.

  Well, congratulations again everyone, including, honoris causa, of course, Dr. Macaulay.

  Thank you for your inspiring words. And it's kind of like one of the things that always inspires me more, is inspiration through humour. I think it's such a powerful tool. And I might just nick your toilet story, guess that was great. So congratulations to you. And also just the joy of creativity, I mean, to have a life in creativity. I know that Tony said that he wasn't sure what he's been doing for the last 60 years. When it comes to a hobby or job, but I think it is true. I think if you love what you do and you have a passion for it, really doesn't feel like work, you know? And it's a real privilege. I feel it. 99% of the planet don't get a chance to do what they love. And so if you get a chance to do it, hold onto it because it's precious.

  Graduates, now may I say at the top, that you all smelled lovely. One or two, not so much, but I mean, you know who you are, and it was, it was probably deliberate.

  So, as your time at Sussex comes to a close, we hope that you will remain connected to us and with each other as alumni and see your relationship with Sussex as one for life. Whether your next step is gainful employment, the search for it, or even further academic study, or simply some time out. I wish you the very best. In closing the ceremony, the chancellor is supposed to say something inspiring or in part words of wisdom. And I, you know, especially in the winter graduations when there's so many masters and PhDs I feel even more like the least smart person in the room. But here are some thoughts that you are free to ponder, ignore or even better improve upon.

  As your Sussex chapter ends, the future as ever begins. And it's imperative that you get to write your story, that you have some say in it, because if you don't, someone else will write it for you. It strikes me. There's one thing that you can and will always be better than anyone else and that's being you. That's what makes you special. And you get the opportunity every day to be a better you. And that is your gift.

  Another word for gift, of course, is present. And being present is a really healthy place to be. We forget this, but you have a wonderful, personalised resource, a handbook made, especially for you, full of pointers and how to be a better you. It's called your past. You can access that to learn to improve on things that perhaps you didn't do as well before, or to repeat things you did as well. And to modify those things. So dip into those whenever you can because it's always there. Regrets are pointless. The past can't be changed but it can be useful as a lesson. And living is now, the present. Then there's the future. And I would urge you to write your future with as much positive language as you can muster every day. Fill your future with words like ambition, and hope and dreams and joy, and compassion and love and possibilities. Resist filling it with fear and guilt and anger. I'm not sure whether you can manifest physical things, but you can absolutely manifest a mindset.

  A few days ago, I spoke to a friend of mine who I've known since my university days, and she just lost her home in the California fires. And she's not a wealthy celebrity or anything. She's everyday lawyer and lived in a kind of everyday neighbourhood. And she was told that it would take between three to five years for them to rebuild her home and her neighbourhood. And I asked her how she was feeling right now about all of that. And she said she was upset She couldn't save some photographs and videos, things that were personal. She said, everything else can be replaced. She added, 'I believe my life will get better'. And I said to her, then it will, because you've just decided it will. She could have said, quite acceptably and understandably, 'I'm scared about the future. I'm worried about how you start again at this age' and focused on the things that she lost. And then that would've been her start. That would've been her reality and to get to a positive place from there would've been much more difficult.

  When we feel overwhelmed, by anything actually, by grief, by anger, by sadness, by love, by beauty, we lose, momentarily sometimes, perspective. And if we have to make a decision when we've lost perspective, it may not be the decision we would make when we are calm. And so the crucial thing to me is, feel what you feel, because you have a right to every one of your emotions. And then find your way back to perspective. And the easiest way to do that is to talk to somebody. Always. I mean, even saying it out loud yourself can help clarify things. But also where that perspective eventually takes you to, which I think is the healthiest place, is gratitude. And in gratitude, you feel lucky. And that's an incredibly powerful thing to feel. I feel lucky all the time. It's not because of something that happened today or something that didn't happen today. I just feel lucky. And that's because I'm, I constantly feel grateful and I hope it then brings a semblance of calm that then opens those doors to making good decisions. And your own vast reserves of empathy and compassion. When negative stuff happens to a lucky person, it's just crappy life stuff. It's just stuff that happens. You deal with it and you move on. When it happens to someone who feels unlucky, it feels personal. It feels defining, it feels stressful, and it compounds, it begets all those questions. Like, you know, why does it always happen to me? What did I do wrong? Why am I so unlucky? These are all existential cries to the universe for help. And a lucky person doesn't ask those questions 'cause they're too busy just looking for the solutions and looking at their next decision. And sometimes it is a challenge to find gratitude. It's not always easy, but the more you look for it and the more you practice it, like anything else, it just becomes a habit. It just becomes who you are.

  So take hold of your narrative and use it to consistently improving. You, I mean, I've heard this, you must have heard this as well, where people will say I might be nice to them if they're nice to me. I'll respect them. If they respect me. I'm not gonna listen to them. They're not gonna listen to me. All of these are conditional, right? I mean, who's controlling the narrative here? It's not you, it's the other person. You're just responding to it. So be nice. Listen, respect, because that's who you are. You know, if the other person doesn't reciprocate, then that's them being them. They're not your responsibility. You are.

  A word on planning. Life planning is great. It's really useful. It allows you obviously to, to see your steps and build towards a goal. But planning is linear, right? I mean, it has to be. It's rungs of a ladder. You go one step, 2, 3, 4, 5, and then you get to the top. That's a plan. Life is the exact opposite. Life is a disruptor. It's full of curve balls, the unexpected weird coincidences, the WTFs, um, World Tennis Federation-for the old people. And that's normal. So be okay with your plan, but be okay when life does life and comes in and disrupts it. You have no idea. Neither does anyone else what your future holds. So you may as well fill it with positivity. It may not even change the outcome, but your journey to that point in the future will be better and healthier and happier. I've got lived experiences of the plan versus, the disruptor life.

  You may be aware that Sussex was my first choice, many years ago when I was applying to university. Didn't wanna go anywhere else, and I didn't get it. Apparently my grades weren't good enough. So I waited 25 years until all those who were responsible for me not getting in, had either just got really old, had retired, were in prison, deported or just died. And I just came back as chancellor. So, hey, hey! Take that, linear planning. -I'm aware that was childish. And the other thing was I wanted to act and be creative, since I was five years old. And I know this because when I was five, some uncle came to our house and said to me, I as a 5-year-old, 'well young man, what do you want to be when you grow up?' And I said, actor. And my dad said, 'it's pronounced doctor'. That's sadly and comically true. So career seemed impossible but the dream was always there, sitting behind a sea of doubt and fear. And at the age of 30, I sued the last company I was working for. I did a degree in business and marketing. And I sued them for breach of contract. And I couldn't get any kind of job for two years while it kind of rattled through the legal process. And at 32, I thought, I don't want to be 70 years old and regretting not having tried. So, it's such a passionate thing for me. Let me have a go. And no one could have foreseen that, two years later, I would be in a successful show on tv and that would be the start of a joyous career. And again, I have to say, take that, linear planning! So far that's linear planning, null, life disruptor two.

  So, you know, don't define yourself by a bad day or a bad week or a bad month, or even a bad year. I had a bad decade once, I came out of it, you know? And don't be afraid of making mistakes. everyone does it. Just make sure that each mistake you make is a new one. Don't make old mistakes. That's the definition of an idiot. Gary Oldman, the actor, brilliant actor, said, 'I worried for so long about what people thought of me until I realised what people thought of me was none of my business'. And again, it's them being them, you be you. A quote attributed to George Elliot says, 'it's never too late to be what you might have been'. And what I take from that and my own life is, it is never too late. Never too late. So in short, strive every day to be the best you. But who is the best you? I think, and I believe that we always are our next decision. That's who we are and our next choice. And if that decision is kind and compassionate about people, about ourselves, about our environment, then we are being a better us. One of my favourite quotes is Maya Angelou, the great American poet who said, 'People may forget what you did. People may forget what you said. People will never forget the way you made them feel'. And I think that is absolutely true. So I say to my kids, whatever situation you find yourself in, whether it be a person, whether it be a place, leave it in a better state than you found it when you came.

  So I hope you take your gift of uniqueness, your achievements, your kind, compassionate choices, your empathy, humour, and express it to the world and express it to yourself and to others. So you too can live a life of gratitude and humility. And be the lucky you that you have the choice to be. And I reference something I said in the opening. The answer to the life, the universe and everything is 42 if you know, you know. Good luck. We're super proud of you. I am and will remain always grateful to you for this day. I officially declare this graduation closed.

  [Music playing] (Senior academics and staff on stage tip their hats as two academics/staff walk across the stage to pick up the ceremonial torches from the small, raised table. They bow to one another before bowing to the rest of the academics/staff. Both lead lines single files of all the professors in separate directions down the staircases on the left and right. The academics and staff walk down the aisles betwixt the audience of seated graduates and guests and exit at the back of the auditorium.)

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Ceremony 5 at 1.30pm

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Ceremony 6 at 4.30pm

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Friday 24 January 2025

Ceremony 7 at 10am

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Ceremony 8 at 1.30pm

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