We are delighted to announce that Professor Elizabeth (Buzz) Harrison has been appointed to a key leadership role supporting the University's Education and Students portfolio.  

Professor Harrison, Professor of Anthropology and International Development, and formerly the Head of the School of Global Studies, has been appointed to a two-year post as Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Experience). 

Buzz joins fellow Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellors (DPVC) Professor Claire Smith (Education and Innovation) and Professor Graeme Pedlingham (Student Experience) at the centre of delivering our Education and Students work, reporting to Professor Kate O’Riordan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students), with a focus on Curriculum Reimagined.  

As DPVC (Academic Experience), Buzz will work with Schools and Professional Services colleagues on the architecture and structural elements of our hugely important Curriculum Reimagined project, creating a distinctive and compelling Sussex offer, a simpler set of module choice for students, and more efficient delivery of teaching and use of space. Curriculum Reimagined aims to improve the staff and student experience significantly and will help to deliver excellent student outcomes. 

About Curriculum Reimagined  

Curriculum Reimagined is reviewing our institutional educational offer to our students, with a focus on our assessments and module offer, and how we can improve these to simplify choices. The aim is to improve the curriculum for our students and increase their overall satisfaction with their studies.  

Curriculum Reimagined is also looking at our course structures, academic year framework and online prospectuses. The ‘reimagining’ part looks at how we can move forward to deliver the next strategy – Sussex 2035 – embedding choice, sustainability, inclusivity and human flourishing to improve the student experience, reduce awarding gaps and improve graduate outcomes.  

The Curriculum Reimagined project team would like to thank Professor Jessica Horst, who previously held this role, for everything she has done for the project, including a founding role in setting up the project, and in leading the architecture and structure working group with departments and schools.  

See Professor Claire Smith explain Curriculum Reimagined in our latest video and find out the latest developments in Curriculum Reimagined Open Meetings.  

About Buzz

Buzz is Professor of Anthropology and International Development in the School of Global Studies. Between 2018 and 2023 she was Head of School and Social Science representative on the University Executive Group. Prior to this she was Head of International Development over a six-year period and the School's Director of Recruitment and Admissions.

Buzz started her new role on 3 January and it is a 40% time commitment, with Buzz continuing her teaching and research work for the remaining time.