This is an archive page

US mini logoHome | A-Z Index | People | Reference | Contact us

Press release


  • 14 March 2007

Step this way for innovation in teaching and learning


InQbate: Getting creative in the Sussex zone

InQbate: Getting creative in the Sussex zone

Two new "creativity zones", designed to give students and tutors opportunities to unleash and explore their ideas in state-of-the-art surroundings, are to be officially opened at the universities of Sussex and Brighton on 15 March, 2007.

InQbate, a joint project between the two universities, was set up with the help of a £4.1 million Government grant in recognition of the universities' excellence in teaching and learning.

The grant was one of 74 made by the Higher Education Funding Council for England in 2005 to institutions to set up Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL).

Students are already benefiting through the award of 16 Creativity Development Fund projects, and will now have access to the creativity Zones, created in former offices and laboratories at both campuses. The zones feature the latest in screen technology, sound and lighting and are designed to be flexible to suit the needs of groups and individuals.

The zones are available for students across the disciplines - from engineering to creative writing. External groups are also welcome.

"The idea is towards a more generative experience where we use creative methods, the environment and technology to augment our innate creativity" says Peter Childs, InQbate director and professor of Engineering Design at Sussex.

The University of Sussex Creativity zone has been in use for teaching and learning since the autumn term and has held exhibitions of work by undergraduates studying concept design and MSc students from Informatics. The Sussex zone has also hosted workshops for school students in the "Young Entrepreneurs for Tomorrow" programme, which the university supports. The University of Brighton's Creativity Zone is also located alongside new design studios and includes a visualisation laboratory.

Richard Morris, assistant director of InQbate who is based at the University of Brighton, says: "The zone and new design studios will provide a wonderful resource for students and staff across the university and help forge even closer links with industry."

Celebrating the launch on 15 March will be the University of Sussex Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alasdair Smith, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Brighton Professor Julian Crampton, and Simon Fanshawe, who is chair-designate of the University of Sussex Council.

At each zone there will be an exhibition and students and practitioners will be talking about their work.

Notes for editors

  • The InQbate launch is on 15 March, 2007, with presentations at the University of Sussex Creativity Zone at 12.30pm and the University of Brighton Creativity Zone at 2.30pm.  Please contact Sue Orton: 01273 873816, 07930 576565 if you would like to attend.
  • For more information about InQbate, visit www.InQbate.co.uk
  • University of Sussex Press Officer: Jacqui Bealing and Maggie Clune, Tel: 01273 678888, Email: press@sussex.acuk
  • University of Brighton Press Office: Rebecca Haroutunian and Emma Blundell, Tel: 01273 643022, Email:Communications@brighton.ac.uk

 

 

Useful links


This is an archive page

Site maintained by: Web team Disclaimer | Feedback