We are pleased to announce that 12 Researcher-led Initiatives (RLIs), demonstrating significant potential for meaningful impact, have been awarded funding following a thorough review.

This year’s themes encompassed research culture, interdisciplinarity, public engagement, and researcher training and career development. Each applicant impressed us with their well-thought-out projects and resourcefulness.

We extend our congratulations to all researchers who successfully submitted proposals. It is inspiring to witness such innovative projects emerging from our postgraduate researcher (PGR) and early career researcher (ECR) community. We take great pride in the Sussex Researcher School’s ability to support this important work. For further details about each of the RLI projects keep reading and stay tuned for information on how you can participate in the upcoming months.

Easthill Park Science Fair

Amber Sheperd (MPS)
Amber’s initiative entails organizing a small science fair at Easthill Park in Portslade, which will feature interactive activities related to research conducted at the University of Sussex. The event will include stalls showcasing physics demonstrations, insect exploration activities, and robotics, all facilitated by University of Sussex researchers.

Empowered Inquiry: Collaborating with Care-experienced Children and Young People to Consolidate a Quantitative Research Proposal

Jeongeun Park (ESW)
Jeongeun’s initiative aims to collaborate with children and young people with care experience to develop a quantitative research proposal that examines the impact of care, education, and health on life outcomes over time. The initiative seeks to foster inclusive and innovative research practices while enhancing engagement skills and benefiting underrepresented communities.

Listening to lived experiences – an EDI initiative

Mitakshara Medhi (Psychology)
Mitakshara’s initiative is an EDI-focused event, featuring three sessions designed to address underlying issues of exclusion and promote awareness among PGRs. The programme includes group discussions specifically for underrepresented PGRs, a workshop on reflexive listening utilising art-based techniques, and an evening dedicated to creative expression, allowing participants to share their lived experiences.

Collective Action and Political Participation: Using transdisciplinary approaches to address societal challenges

Rebekka Kesberg (Psychology)
Rebekka’s initiative seeks to promote transdisciplinary collaboration by bringing together researchers engaged in collective action and political participation. The programme will include two half-day workshops featuring keynote presentations, networking opportunities, and roundtable discussions. The focus will be on how marginalised groups contribute to social change and the importance of including underrepresented voices in the political sphere.

The Menopause, Cognition and Dementia – What matters to you?

Sam Atkinson (BSMS)
Sam’s initiative aims to investigate the relationship between menopause and cognitive health in later life, with a particular emphasis on Alzheimer’s disease, which disproportionately impacts women. This effort seeks to identify obstacles, foster inclusivity, and ensure that research is aligned with the needs and experiences of individuals most affected by dementia.

Launch of the Sussex Brain Tumour Research Group

Stephen Robinson (LifeSci)
Stephen’s initiative aims to unify and enhance brain tumour research by promoting collaboration among various departments and institutions. This effort is designed to create a cohesive, multidisciplinary group that will advance innovative brain tumour research and enhance Sussex’s national reputation in this field.

Close to My Heart: Autoethnographic Approaches

Tiffany Murphy (MAH)
Tiffany’s initiative is a one-day event designed for PGRs to explore and share methodologies related to autoethnographic research. The event will feature workshops and discussions aimed at fostering collaboration, addressing challenges such as researcher self-care and ethics, and promoting cross-disciplinary engagement.

Life-Sci-Fi Film Club

Joanna Fernandez (LifeSci)
Joanna’s initiative is designed to promote a collaborative research culture within the School of Life Sciences by screening science fiction films that relate to departmental research areas. This initiative aims to reduce social barriers and facilitate interactions among PGRs, ECRs, and Principal Investigators in a welcoming environment, while also inspiring potential collaborations across various research groups.

Empowering Excellence: Unlocking Prizes, and the ‘Research for the Greater Good’ Award

Louisa J Rinaldi and Emily Whelan (Psychology)
Louisa and Emily’s initiative seeks to fill a gap in career development training for PGRs and ECRs through a workshop focused on the advantages and procedures of applying for research prizes. This effort will culminate in the establishment of a “Research for the Greater Good” Award, which will recognise impactful research that contributes positively to society, with categories designated for both PGRs and ECRs.

Interdisciplinary PGR conference on migration and migration research

Nicky Sharma (Global Studies)
Nicky’s initiative is a one-day interdisciplinary conference dedicated to migration and migration research. The conference aims to connect PGRs from Sussex and other institutions, promoting collaboration and skill development across disciplines such as Geography, Sociology, and International Relations.

From Dissertation to Publication: Peer Insights and Experiences

Zizhu Wang (Global Studies)
Zizhu’s initiative seeks to address the writing challenges encountered by PGRs, particularly within the Social Sciences. This programme invites ECRs to share their experiences related to writing and publishing their theses. The series will consist of monthly lectures that focus on strategies to overcome writing obstacles. Special attention will be given to supporting students from the Global South who may face financial and cultural barriers.

Academic Publishing: How to Write a Paper

Diana Ramirez Sarmiento and Sunisha Neupane (IDS)
Diana and Sunisha’s initiative is designed to provide a course led by a publishing expert, guiding PGRs through the comprehensive publishing process, from manuscript preparation to journal selection. This course will offer practical training on effectively developing various sections of academic papers, with the goal of equipping students with essential skills for successful academic publishing.

This year’s selection panel included Susanna Broom (Head of the Sussex Researcher School), Prof Roberta Piazza (MAH), Dr Elizabeth Ford (BSMS), Dr Martin T. White (EngInf), Prof Erika Mancini (Life Sciences), and Dr Hadir Elshafay (LPS).

Read further information here.

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