Equitable Partnerships for Sustainability Research

A research workshop featuring leading Sussex researchers and their project partners from abroad diving into what makes up an "equitable partnership" for sustainability research

SSPR banner with SDG-coloured sprays and event details in the centre, promoting the upcoming Equitable Partnerships 2024 workshop

As we work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and creating a more sustainable and just world, fostering inclusion and equity becomes crucial. However, realising the SDGs requires unprecedented global partnerships between government, the private sector, civil society, and the research community.

To drive impactful, evidence-based sustainability research, we must cultivate an inclusive research culture and foster interdisciplinary collaborations which are equitable and mutually beneficial. But what makes research inclusive and what exactly are “equitable” collaborations? What benefits and impacts, or challenges and barriers are associated with establishing these? And how can they be maximised, or overcome?

The Sussex Sustainability Research Programme (SSRP) Centre of Excellence addressed these key questions in their first “Equitable Partnerships for Sustainability Research” workshop which took place on Thursday, 29 February 2024, in the Conference Centre on Falmer campus. Chaired by Prof Robin Banerjee, University of Sussex Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global and Civic Engagement, the event provided a platform for dynamic discussions and knowledge-sharing on the intricacies of equitable research collaborations.

Nearly all SSRP-funded projects involve new or ongoing partnerships and external collaborations which support and enable our research community in carrying out excellent research. And only thanks to these partnerships our projects can have real-world impact, both locally and globally.

Drawing on extensive experience and expertise across campus, including the Brighton and Sussex Medical School and the Institute of Development Studies, the event aimed to unpack the concept of "equitable partnerships" for sustainability research.

We heard from a selection of insightful SSRP-funded projects, spanning collaborative research on sustainable agriculture in conflict zones in Northwest Syria; biodiversity and human rights in tropical forests of Ecuador; and the links between HIV treatment, drought, and poverty in South Africa.

Additionally, the workshop outlined initial tips for building and nurturing such partnerships, while also discussing common challenges and ways to overcome any barriers, inviting researchers on campus and their international project partners to share their insights.

The workshop featured: 

  • Insights on fostering global engagement and partnerships at Sussex, shared by Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global and Civic Engagement Prof Robin Banerjee. See Robin Banerjee's presentation slides here [PPTX 8.02MB]
  • A lively panel discussion on the definition, characteristics, possible barriers and requirements of equitable partnerships in sustainability research featuring SSRP project leads and their international partners from Ecuador, Syria and South Africa
    • "Research on sustainable agriculture in conflict zones in Northwest Syria"
      Kate Robertson (Middle East Adviser at the Council for At-Risk Academics, UK) & Dr Shaher Abdullateef (Co-founder and Director, Syrian Academic Expertise, Turkey)
    • "Research on biodiversity and human rights in tropical forests of Ecuador"
      Dr Ana Mariscal (Fundación Cambugán, Ecuador) & Prof Fiona Mathews (Professor of Environmental Biology, University of Sussex, UK)
    • "Research on links between HIV treatment, drought, and poverty in South Africa"
      Prof Collins Iwuji (Professor of Global Health and HIV Medicine, Brighton & Sussex Medical School, UK)
  • Plenty of time for a Q&A-session with the panelists, followed by a more open discussion on the topic. 

SSRP workshop "Equitable Partnerships for Sustainability Research" (29 February 2024)

Seated audience attentively listening to SSRP Senior Programme Manager Sephora Imomoh's opening comments at the SSRP workshop on "Equitable Partnerships for Sustainability Research" Seated audience attentively listening to a keynote speech on "Equitable Partnerships for Sustainability Research" Seated audience attentively listening to SSRP Director Joe Alcamo's introductory remarks on "Equitable Partnerships for Sustainability Research" Keynote speaker IDS Research Director Peter Taylor presenting on "Impactful, equitable partnerships". SSRP Director Joe Alcamo can be seen in the background sitting at the panel table attentively listening and taking notes Zoomed in photo of Prof Peter Taylor presenting on "Impactful, equitable partnerships" with a few blurred attendees seen in the foreground Group of people sitting on chairs and listening to keynote speaker IDS Research Director Peter Taylor present on "Impactful, equitable partnerships" Zoomed in photo of a person taking a photo of the speaker and the presentation slides with their mobile phone. A few blurred attendees can be seen in the background Group of people sitting on chairs and listening to keynote speaker IDS Research Director Peter Taylor present on "Impactful, equitable partnerships" Zoomed in photo of keynote speaker and chair of this event, Prof Robin Banerjee, University of Sussex Pro VC for Civic and Global Engagement, present on "Global Engagement at Sussex". The SSRP Banner with a globe and the words "Sussex Sustainability Research Programme is pictured in the background Group of people sitting on chairs and listening to keynote speaker and chair of this event Prof Robin Banerjee, University of Sussex Pro VC for Civic and Global Engagement, present on "Global Engagement at Sussex". His slides pictured in the background show the newly launched Centres of Excellence 2023 Zoomed in photo of a person sitting in the audience and listening to the keynote speech. A few blurred attendees can be seen in the background Zoomed out photo of Prof Robin Banerjee presenting on "Equitable Partnerships at Sussex" with an in-person audience pictures sitting in the room, taking notes and photos on their phone, and listening attentively. Zoomed in photo of keynote speaker and chair of this event, Prof Robin Banerjee, University of Sussex Pro VC for Civic and Global Engagement, present on "Global Engagement at Sussex". His slides pictured in the background show the vision of the Sussex 2035 Strategy Group of people sitting on chairs and listening to keynote speaker and chair of this event Prof Robin Banerjee, University of Sussex Pro VC for Civic and Global Engagement, present on "Global Engagement at Sussex". His slides pictured in the background show the key themes of the Sussex Sustainability Strategy Group of people sitting on chairs and listening to our "Equitable Partnerships" panel feat. SSRP researchers and their project partners from abroad. The Chair Prof Robin Banerjee can be seen facilitating the session, while three of the panelists are seated to the right of Robin and the remaining two online panelists are pictured via a big screen Group of people sitting on chairs and listening to our "Equitable Partnerships" panel feat. SSRP researchers and their project partners from abroad. The Chair Prof Robin Banerjee can be seen facilitating the session, while three of the panelists are seated to the right of Robin and the remaining two online panelists are pictured via a big screen Zoomed in photo of our "Equitable Partnerships" panel featuring SSRP researchers and their project partners from abroad. The Chair Prof Robin Banerjee can be seen facilitating the session, while three of the panelists are seated to the right of Robin and the remaining two online panelists are pictured via a big screen Group of people sitting on chairs and listening to our "Equitable Partnerships" panel feat. SSRP researchers and their project partners from abroad. The Chair Prof Robin Banerjee can be seen facilitating the session, while three of the panelists are seated to the right of Robin and the remaining two online panelists are pictured via a big screen Zoomed in photo of our "Equitable Partnerships" panel featuring SSRP researchers and their project partners from abroad. The Chair Prof Robin Banerjee can be seen facilitating the session, while three of the panelists are seated to the right of Robin and the remaining

Further highlights of the day will be uploaded here soon.