Community and Belonging (2023)  

Students’ ethnicities make a significant difference to their sense of belonging. Several studies have shown that students of colour are more likely to experience a lack of belonging than white students. This project, led by Cath Senker, explored the experience of students and draws findings to help to implement practical measures to improve the sense of belonging of students of colour alongside tracking the awarding gaps within the School of Law.  

Module mentoring pilot in the School of Law 2022-23  

This project, run in conjunction with the central Student Experience and Engagement team, established a mentoring scheme in two core modules, where students from year 2 and 3 supported first year students.  

Law Marking Criteria Student Connector Project (2022)

In Spring 2022, Jo Wilson and 6 Law Student Connectors embarked on a 7 week project to reconsider the SLS Undergraduate Marking Criteria. The project resulted in two key developments. First, we created clearer and more accessible level specific marking criteria to reflect the academic progression of students at different levels of study. Second, we developed a series of tools, resources and strategies to educate and inform students about key aspects of the criteria. In July 2022, this project was short-listed for a Student Social Mobility Award (Category: University Access Initiative of the Year).

Student Connector Reading List Project (Spring 2021)

In 2021, Teresa Sutton led a student-led review of reading lists and linked online learning materials. This resulted in a report output guiding module convenors on best practice. 

SQE: Planning for the future (2020)

In 2020, Jeanette Ashton and Kieran Durcan led a project researching the implications of the new Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), the new route for qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales, the different options available to prepare for the SQE exams and how best to provide a clear pathway for students. This work resulted in the introduction of a Multiple Choice Question component in many of our core modules, to align with the SQE1 exam format, and the introduction of a ‘Business Law and Practice’ module at L5.This module, which has a practical focus, won a “World Readiness” award in the 2023 Sussex Education Awards. Alongside this, Sussex Law School secured a partnership with Barbri, providing SQE taster workshops and discounted fees for Sussex graduates for SQE prep courses after graduation.

Sharing Teaching Experience Sessions (2020)

Throughout the challenging teaching and learning environment during the Covid-19 pandemic,, Kieran Durcan hosted regular Sharing Teaching Experience sessions where teaching faculty in the law school came together to share experience, concerns and best practice. These sessions, often attended by colleagues from TEL, offered faculty an opportunity to discuss and resolve the challenges presented by the online mode of delivery and learning.

The ‘Law’ Critique and Question Reading Group (2020/2021)

The ‘Law’ Critique and Question Reading and Writing Group ran in 2020 and 2021 and provided a space for students to come together to read, reflect and question the ‘law’ together. The focus for the Group was to consider a range of critical voices, to challenge the status quo.

The ‘Frank Conversations about Law’ Video Project (2020)

Jeanette Ashton worked with two of our final year LLB students and Jo o'Sullivan, Family Law Brighton, Divorce Lawyers Brighton, Cohabitation Solicitor Brighton, Family Law Lewes, Divorce Lawyers Lewes, Cohabitation Solicitor Lewes local family law practitioner and one of our CLOCK Legal Companion scheme partners, to produce a series of 'Frank Conversations about the Law' videos. These conversations address issues such as the role of AI and legal tech; diversity in the profession; learning in the time of Covid-19; hopes and fears for the future, and many more.

Links to the videos here: frank conversations about the law - YouTube