On Tuesday 20 April, Keith Jones, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) & Acting Provost wrote to all staff with an update about our Size and Shape programme. You can read the full email below.

Last week, the Vice-Chancellor wrote to all staff with an update about the latest developments in our Size and Shape programme, in which he stated that Council had given approval to begin a phase of engagement with our community to discuss and share ideas to inform the Size and Shape proposals. I’m really pleased to be leading on this engagement phase.

First though, I’d like to encourage you to watch this short film, in which I and other members of the University Executive Group (UEG), share UEG’s collective views on why it’s so important to us that you have your say.

Everyone at Sussex has a critical part to play in designing our future. I’m proud to have joined a University that chooses to seek the views of all its staff in the big decisions that need to be taken. This certainly doesn’t happen in most organisations – and I support it wholeheartedly. Of course, it goes without saying that the consideration of any change can be difficult and some decisions will not be easy. However, please remember, no decisions have been taken yet, so it’s really important that you come forward with your thoughts.

So, today we are launching the University Engagement process.

Next steps

As part of the University Engagement process, you will be invited by your Head of School, or Divisional Director to attend a Size and Shape session, during w/c 26 April. This will be your first opportunity to put forward your ideas to help shape Sussex for years to come. There will be a further session planned approximately two weeks later.

To encourage discussions and ideas, we have formed the Sussex Engagement Group, made up of staff and students who will provide engagement questions for colleagues to consider at these meetings. These questions will be critical in helping the whole University to understand how we can achieve the excellence in research and education that we talk about in the video – and what that excellence looks like.

The feedback gathered will then go back to the Sussex Engagement Group to help shape further questions to be shared with staff at additional School and Divisional meetings.

We know some people prefer to give their feedback online, so we’ll be making sure you can do that too – and I’ll let you know when that is possible.

More information

If you would like more information about Size and Shape, the engagement process and the Sussex Engagement Group, please visit the Size and Shape webpages.

I will be in touch every week with updates on the work of the Sussex Engagement Group and provide the latest developments in our activities.

This is a great opportunity to use our knowledge and expertise to shape Sussex.

With best wishes and thanks,

Keith Jones
 
Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, and Acting Provost