A distorted, abstract view of The Meeting House on Sussex campus reflected in water, with green and blue hues.

Sussex Festival of Ideas

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The Sussex Festival of Ideas is a dynamic and engaging programme of events, talks and activities from the Faculty of Media, Arts and Humanities. This platform was developed to connect students, academics and the community to harness the transformative power of the arts and humanities, and its potential for fashioning new ways to think about the past, present and future.

This year’s Festival programme comprises a week of on-campus student-led activities in March and five events showcasing Sussex research as part of the Brighton Festival in May. We are delighted to share our exciting 2026 lineup.

2026 Festival

Sunset over a Brighton seafront with the i360, silhouetted against a warm orange sky. The scene feels calm and serene, capturing dusk.

Postcards from Brighton

Tuesday 17 - Thursday 19 March, 11:00 - 16:00

This digital photography exhibit created by University of Sussex Media Production student Isha Mudassar highlights Brighton beyond its summer reputation. Focusing on late winter and early spring, the collection captures Brighton through seasonal lighting, student activities, and everyday quiet routines. Shown as a digital projection, the exhibit explores themes of belonging, creativity, and how Brighton becomes a home for students living there year-round.

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An art studio table scattered with vibrant, abstract prints in blue and orange tones, carving tools, red thread, and green leaves, exuding creativity.

Different strokes: celebrating neurodiversity through creativity

Thursday 19 March, 9.30am - 4pm

Join this one-day creative event that celebrates neuro-affirmative ways of working, researching and collaborating. Through interdisciplinary conversations and reflective workshops exploring zine-making, lino printing, collective documentation and collage, it invites Sussex researchers to reflect on the ways neurodiversity shapes how we work.

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Augusto Corrieri in a sequin jacket reads 'Inner Secrets of Card Magic' at a cafe. The menu on the wall and condiments on the table create a casual, curious vibe.

What we talk about when we talk about magic

Friday 15 May, 6pm - 7.30pm

Are magicians really doing magic? In this original performance sharing and Q&A, sleight of hand artist Vincent Gambini will present new material from his current project on theatre and magic. The event will feature a special Q&A, in which we will try and answer the question: what do we talk about when we talk about magic?

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A collage of LGBTQ+ magazine covers, including 'DIVA', 'GAY TIMES' and 'Boyz,' showcasing diverse themes and highlighting community news and culture.

Queering the archive: who gets to tell our stories?

Sunday 24 May, 2pm - 4.30pm

Join zine-makers and archivists for a dynamic and hands-on workshop that brings grassroots creativity into conversation with an archive. This session invites you to reimagine who gets to record history—and why it’s important we do it together, within community.

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Abstract line drawing of lily pads and flowers on water. The sketch has a simplistic style.

Weaving the neurodivergent brain-body together

Wednesday 18 March, 12.45pm - 2.30pm

Following an artist residency at Fabrica in November 2025, Beth Sutton (she/they) is taking a large-scale installation on the road. Beth will breathe new life into the installation by exhibiting the artwork to a new audience and by expanding on it and her research in new terms, focusing on neurodivergence, brain-body conditions and the neurodevelopmental diagnostic process.

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A group of five people sit on a bed with colourful blankets against a purple and orange background. Bold text reads 'GLIMPSES' and 'The Bed as a Meeting Place'. The scene conveys a casual, relaxed atmosphere.

Glimpses: the bed as a meeting place

Friday 20 March, 2pm - 5pm

Beds can be places of caring, collective worldbuilding and of deep isolation. This event will transform a venue on campus into a nest where attendees will be welcomed into collective beds. As a physical framework centring the-body-in-bed, we will discuss bed stories: stories told by the facilitators and attendees about what it’s like to spend a lot of time in bed.

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Collage art: A classical statue appears contemplative against a turquoise backdrop. Next to it, a pixel art landscape in a Paint program features mountains, clouds, and a sun, combining classical and digital aesthetics.

AI and the arts: what does this mean for our creative future?

Tuesday 19 May, 5.30pm - 7pm

Join a Long Table dinnerparty on AI in the arts, where artists, academics and the public gather around a communal table to digest how GenAI transforms artistic practice, the role of the artist, and democratises knowledge and the costs of delivery.

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Microphone on a stand in spotlight against a blue background. Text reads 'Closing the GAP, Opening the stage.'

Closing the gap, opening the stage: a student showcase

Wednesday 18 March, 5:45pm - 8:30pm

This event will convene a cross-generational panel of alumni, academics, and Student Union leaders to navigate the complexities of racial justice and belonging to Sussex within the larger landscape of Brighton. Following this, the stage will transform into a ”living canvas” of diverse talent featuring beatboxing, rap, and bilingual spoken words.

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Illustration of plant growth stages from seedling to full plant on a light blue background. A stylized sun and a game board with dice appear nearby.

Planting seeds: a game to imagine our future food production

Sunday 10 May, 12:30pm - 3:30pm

Can games, storytelling, and creative collaboration help us imagine better futures for farming, nature, and everyday life in Brighton and the South East? Drawing on University of Sussex research — and leaving plenty of room for the unexpected! — we’ll explore regenerative futures together. All welcome.

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Hands cutting a green felt leaf with scissors on a table. Craft materials like paper and coloured boxes are visible, conveying a creative, focused atmosphere.

Making meaning: a creative space for hysterectomy stories

Saturday 23 May, 2pm - 4pm

This creative workshop brings together craft and conversation to open up a subject that is rarely discussed: hysterectomy. While the procedure is relatively common, its impact often remains hidden. Led by Dr Jill Kirby and Dr Ali Ramsey, this event uses craft as a tool to share stories, challenge myths, and create a safe, supportive space for dialogue.

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Contact

If you have any questions, email MAH-communications@sussex.ac.uk.