As one consultation ends, so another begins, as the new Pro-Vice-Chancellors at Sussex continue their active engagement with students and staff.
Professor Bob Allison, PVC (Research), has kicked off consultation on the creation of a research strategy for the University, following discussion at Senate on Friday 8 December.
Launching the consultation, Bob said: "I very much hope that individual members of staff and students as well as departments, schools and units, will respond to the questions and proposals made in the paper, thereby contributing to and helping to shape the University Research Strategy."
The consultation document is available now on the Research and Regional Development web pages (www.sussex.ac.uk/rrdd/1-4-6.html). Comments should be sent to research-consulation@sussex.ac.uk by 31 January 2007.
As part of the consultation process, Bob will continue to meet with schools and departments and other units to discuss the development of research at Sussex.
Professor Joanne Wright’s earlier consultation with staff and students on the development of a teaching and learning strategy concluded last Friday (8 December). She now takes forward the crafting of the strategy itself, which will be shared in draft across the University.
Joanne reported to Senate how encouraged she was by the responses both from staff and students, with good broad agreement for the direction set out by the consultation document, and positive and detailed suggestions for how the strategy should be developed.
The two strategies will both be drafted during the spring term and then presented to Senate and Council. In their discussions with staff and students, both PVCs have made clear how important it is that the two strategies are developed together, so that they can reinforce each other.
Joanne said: “As a research-led University our teaching is informed and strengthened by our research, which is something our students rightly value. We need to ensure that our academic staff – many of whom are hands-on teachers and researchers – have the right support and environment to achieve the right balance between the two, and so get the best results from both.”