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David Ruebain, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Culture, Equality and Inclusion) wrote to all staff on Wednesday 26 February. You can read his message in full:

Dear Colleague,

This month, I’d like to talk about:

• Spotlight on LGBTQ+ and Trans and Non-Binary staff networks
• Call for men to join gender equality work
• Celebrating International Women’s Day, 8 March
• International Women’s Network for Brighton & Hove 
• Nominating your colleagues for inclusion in the Sussex Awards
• Open Listening Programme workshops 
• Understanding equality analysis e-learning course  
• Holocaust Memorial Day events at Sussex
• Gary Younge In Conversation on systems of racial oppression 
• Postgraduate researcher workshop – listening to lived experiences
• Community iftar meals during Ramadan

Spotlight on LGBTQ+ and Trans and Non-Binary staff networks

February is , and I would like to take the opportunity to highlight two staff networks which foster connection, help to represent colleagues’ voices and contribute to shaping polices that support inclusion at Sussex. 

The LGBTQ+ Staff Network aims to raise awareness and understanding about key issues affecting the community, whilst celebrating LGBTQIA+ voices and contributions. Hosting a range of events and initiatives, the network offers staff the opportunity to meet new colleagues, share feedback and get support if needed. They also work closely with the Trans & Non-Binary Staff Network, a confidential group open to all staff members who identify as trans or non-binary. The Trans & Non-Binary Staff Network meets to discuss and review policy development and also organises social and other events throughout the year. . 

Call for men to join gender equality work

The Gender Equality Steering Group (GESG) is central to the work of advancing gender equality for women, addressing the systemic barriers that impact their careers, leadership opportunities, and overall experiences within the University.

The group also takes a broader lens, recognising that inequalities can impact everyone, including men. For example, rigid gender expectations can discourage men from taking parental leave or seeking support for mental health, just as they can limit women's career progression. 

To help achieve a more inclusive environment for everyone, we would very much like more men to actively participate in the GESG and also School Athena Swan Self-Assessment Teams. Men have a crucial role in challenging gender inequality, by identifying and addressing workplace cultures, policies, and systems that reinforce disparities. Having diverse perspectives, including more men in this space, is essential for driving meaningful change. If you are interested in joining the GESG or would like to find out more, please contact Sarah Law, EDI Consultant (ls2444@sussex.ac.uk) or Sarah Guthrie, Professor of Developmental Neuroscience and Gender Equality Steering Group Chair (s.guthrie@sussex.ac.uk). If you work in a School please contact your Athena Swan lead.

Celebrating International Women’s Day, 8 March

International Women’s Day is approaching, with a number of reflecting on progress achieved and challenges that remain. We are highlighting women Early Career Researchers with a photo exhibition in the Library in March. You can also share your thoughts about women who have inspired you on this . The new Sussex Women’s Leadership Academy will also launch next month, with applications open until 10 March. Additionally, the School of Life Sciences recently hosted an event to celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, showcasing achievements by staff at all career stages and bringing people together for discussion, knowledge-sharing and connection.

International Women’s Network for Brighton & Hove 

In Brighton & Hove, the International Women’s Network is a community organisation providing a platform for women to meet, share experience and knowledge, support one another, exchange ideas, and build friendships. Run by volunteers, the network brings together over 600 women from over 70 countries. If you are interested in finding out more or joining the network, please do .

Nominating your colleagues for inclusion in the Sussex Awards

The Sussex Awards are an important way for us to recognise staff and postgraduate researchers at the University who are doing brilliant work. Nominations are open until 16 March and I want to highlight two awards in particular which you may wish to consider. 

The Inclusive Education award recognises staff who deliver or support inclusive practices in education at the University; promoting accessibility, equality, and diversity in teaching, services, and student support. In addition, the Inclusive Sussex award recognises those who create a campus environment that values difference, where everyone is supported to feel that they belong and can thrive. 

Please do take a few minutes to who you think should be celebrated for the impact they are having at Sussex.

Open Listening Programme workshops 

Two years ago, we launched the Open Listening Programme, a series of workshops which offer the opportunity to learn how to work effectively with conflict and build stronger relationships based on respecting differences. We are now organising two further introductory workshops for anyone interested on 26 March and 7 May. Each workshop will explore conflict theory and provide opportunities to practice open listening and speak about your own experiences. You can .

Understanding equality analysis e-learning course  

As mentioned in my previous updates, equality analysis is a tool for the University to understand the effect that changes may potentially have on different groups of people. In turn, this helps us ensure that any unintended negative impacts are mitigated. If you are involved in equality analysis, or are interested in learning more, please do . You can also explore further equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) e-learning courses.

Holocaust Memorial Day events at Sussex

On 5 February, I was privileged to attend our annual Holocaust Memorial Day event, where Holocaust survivor Peter Summerfield BEM gave a very moving testimony, sharing photos of his family and his experiences fleeing Germany before the outbreak of World War II. The event also featured a screening of an animated short film Letter to a Pig (2022) followed by a discussion, as well as an exhibition telling the history of the ‘Polenaktion’, the first mass expulsion of Jews from Germany in 1938. You can f on the Staff Hub. In addition, a on 7 February explored the experiences of Roma and Sinti communities with a moving exhibition, film screening and discussion.

Gary Younge In Conversation on systems of racial oppression 

I was delighted to see so many staff and students at our recent In Conversation event where Gary Younge, a renowned journalist, broadcaster, award-winning author and now Professor of Sociology at the University of Manchester, talked about the experiences of Black Germans in Nazi Germany and what that tells us about different systems of racial oppression. He considered the differences and similarities between anti-Black racism and antisemitism in a way that surfaced the particularities of each. After his talk, Gary and I were joined in discussion by Dr Naaz Rashid, Co-Director, Sussex Centre for Cultural Studies and Associate Professor in Media and Cultural Studies; and Dr Gerhard Wolf, Associate Professor in History. You can .

Postgraduate researcher workshop – listening to lived experiences

Postgraduate researchers who self-identify as being from a minority or disadvantaged group are welcome to join a workshop tomorrow, Thursday 27 February from 2pm-3pm organised by Mitakshara Medhi, a postgraduate researcher from the School of Psychology. Supported by the Sussex Researcher School’s Researcher-Led Initiative Fund, the workshop is the first in a series aiming to raise awareness about micro-invalidation and other latent forms of exclusion, and how to be more inclusive in our workplace. .

Community iftar meals during Ramadan

Ramadan, a month of fasting and prayer for Muslims, is expected to begin on the evening of Friday 28 February and continue to Sunday 30 March, when it will conclude with Eid. On campus, our student Islamic Society will be offering free iftar (fast-breaking) meals each evening in the Prayer Room.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday 5 March, Christians recognise Ash Wednesday, a day of prayer and fasting which heralds the beginning of Lent, and some may wear ashes on their forehead to mark the occasion. Holi, the Hindu ‘Festival of Colours’, falls on Friday 14 March. Finally, some Buddhists will observe Higan-e on 17-23 March, a time to remember lost loved ones. They may use this time to visit the resting place of departed family and friends.

With good wishes,   

David Ruebain    

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Culture, Equality and Inclusion)

Coming up

• Sign Language Week, 17-23 March 
• Neurodiversity Celebration Week, 17-23 March 
• International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, 21 March
• International Transgender Day of Visibility, 31 March

Religious days and observances:

• Fast of Esther (Jewish), 13 March 
• Cho Trul Duchen (Buddhist), 14 March
• Ostara (Pagan), 20 March

Further information about upcoming awareness days will be shared on the Staff Hub.

This work supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 10 (reduced inequalities). You can read more about our work on the SDGs.