Sussex landmarks

From high-profile members of staff and groundbreaking research, to providing an exceptional education for our students, we've packed a lot into the last 60 years. See our timeline of events below.


Black and white archive photograph of John Fulton standing in front of Falmer House.

The University College of Sussex comes into legal existence, with John Fulton as Principal.

The University of Sussex Royal Charter signed on 16 August.

The first graduation takes place in the Refectory, with 38 students. School of African and Asian Studies (AFRAS) founded.

Asa Briggs is appointed Vice-Chancellor.

The Mass Observation Archive is lodged at the Library.

The world’s first transatlantic email is received at Sussex’s Richmond Building during a conference.

The University acquires the Kipling Papers.

First alumni reunion, the ‘Summer Weekend’, beginning on June 30.

Black and white archive photograph of Harry Kroto holding up a model buckyball while using the telephone.

Professor Harry Kroto discovers a previously unknown carbon, C60 Buckminsterfullerene.

IDS and SPRU celebrate their 20th anniversaries. To mark Sussex’s Silver Jubilee, a 25th anniversary beer is produced by Harvey’s Brewery in Lewes.

Brighton hosts the UK premiere of Cry Freedom, raising funds for the Mandela Scholarship.

Steven Spielberg donates proceeds from the Oscar-winning Schindler’s List to the Centre for German-Jewish Studies. Professor Harry Kroto awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry.

Black and white photograph of Lord Richard Attenborough and Richard E Grant wearing formal ceremonial dress at a University of Sussex graduation ceremony..

Lord Richard Attenborough becomes fourth Chancellor. BBC Radio 1 Awards declares Radio Falmer as Best Student Union Radio in the UK.

Brighton and Sussex Medical School opens. Sussex becomes first English university to host a Holocaust Memorial Day event.

After 40 years of service and 10 as Chancellor, Lord Richard Attenborough retires.

Sanjeev Bhaskar OBE is photographed in his inaugural year as Chancellor.

Sanjeev Bhaskar OBE becomes fifth Chancellor.

Sussex is the first university to open a Centre for the Study of Corruption.

Sussex installs its first woman Vice Chancellor, Professor Sasha Roseneil.


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