This week, the University of Sussex is launching its new strategy for the future - Sussex 2035: Creating Progressive Futures – flourishing, sustainability and progress for the whole world. It’s all about making Sussex an even better place to learn, live, and create change – with a strong focus on interdisciplinary teaching and research, wellbeing, environmental sustainability, and digital innovation.

But the new strategy wasn’t written behind closed doors. Students, staff, alumni and prospective students all played a huge role in shaping what our vision for Sussex 2035 looks like. Here’s a quick look at how your feedback made a real difference.

Asking for feedback: the Sussex 2035 survey

Back in May 2024, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sasha Roseneil shared the first draft of the strategy. It included a new Vision (what Sussex wants to achieve), Mission (why Sussex exists), and Values (what Sussex stands for). The draft also highlighted three big themes:

• Environmental sustainability – tackling the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and leading green innovation
• Human flourishing – supporting people to live healthy, fulfilling, connected, creative lives
• Digital and data futures – preparing for a rapidly changing world powered by technology and information

Everyone in the Sussex community – students, staff, and alumni – was asked to give feedback. Over 2050 people took part in the surveys, sharing their thoughts and suggestions.

What people said

• Vision statement: 86% said it mattered to them and felt relevant
• Mission statement: 65% agreed it was inspiring and captured what Sussex is all about
• Values: 72% agreed that Sussex’s existing five values reflect the University’s character, and 84% supported the inclusion of our new value, Openness.

What future students thought

It wasn’t just current students who got a say. We also spoke to sixth form students across Sussex – the people who might be choosing where to study next.

Here’s what they told us:

• 70 out of 80 students liked the phrase “creating progressive futures”, saying it felt connected to their world
• More than half said they would check out a University’s strategy when deciding where to apply
• They loved Sussex’s focus on inclusivity, with many saying it made them want to visit campus.

A community effort

In total, Sussex 2035 was shaped through 20 different events involving more than 2,700 people. The final strategy is a true team effort – built on the ideas, feedback, and values of the entire Sussex community.

Want to know more about what’s in Sussex 2035 and how it will be put into action? Download a copy of the strategy or visit the Sussex 2035 webpage.

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