Research culture enabling plan

In 2023, we developed our Research Culture Enabling Plan through consultation with our research community.

Our research culture enabling plan 

By engaging in open conversations about the real experiences, ideas, aspirations and challenges faced by academics and those supporting research here at Sussex, we’ve been able to put together a plan of action that truly reflects what matters most to our people. 

The plan builds on our strengths, making the most of what we’re already doing well, while also tackling areas where we know there’s room to improve.

We found that:

  • collaboration across disciplines is part of the DNA of the university, but some barriers to this have grown over time.
  • many of our community are passionate about advancing global knowledge equity as a step toward social justice, including making research more open.
  • support for researchers is available, but it needs to be more consistent across the university to help everyone reach their full potential.
  • not everyone in our community feels the same sense of belonging, which is an important issue we need to address.

Our priority areas

There are four priority areas for our research culture:

Collaboration infographicCollaboration

Recognising that we achieve more together. Working across disciplines, institutions, sectors and regions to build knowledge, tackle challenges and bring about positive change.

Maximising potentialMaximising potential infographic

Actively enabling everyone working on research at Sussex to flourish, whatever their career path or role. Rewarding practices that strengthen our community.

BelongingBelonging infographic

Ensuring researchers at every level feel respected, supported and connected. That the university’s core values of kindness and inclusion are a lived reality in our culture.

Open researchOpen research infographic

Embedding Open Research practices and transparency within our culture, building inclusion and integrity. Supporting our researchers to make their work as accessible as possible.

The Research Cuture Steering Group

The research culture steering group was formed in 2022, led by DPVC Research Seb Oliver. Seb reached out to all schools and divisions, across academic and professional services to bring together a discussion group. Those with the most relevant expertise and area of responsibility were invited to join.

Since then, the group has helped guide our efforts as we implement the enabling plan, working with us to overcome challenges, find solutions and nudge progress forwards, helping to shape a stronger and more supportive research culture across our university.