Everyone’s voice matters
We are building an Inclusive Sussex, one that offers space for opinion, feedback, discussion and debate.
Your voice
By being unafraid to share our views in a positive and constructive way, we can continue to challenge convention and build a better Sussex. Our Sussex 2025 strategic framework keeps that ethos at the core.
Staff and students share their views at Sussex in a number of ways. We encourage a culture of openness and constructive feedback every day, through one-to-one dialogue, forums, class reps and working groups. You can also explore some of the more formal ways our people let us know what they think below:
Staff pulse survey
Our staff pulse survey, which runs twice a year, allows us to hear how our people feel about working at Sussex and understand what we may need to do differently in future. The survey is confidential, and each School and Division develops action plans based on the survey results. Find out more about our staff survey.
VC Open Forum
The University holds open meetings for staff each term, when colleagues have the opportunity to discuss developments at Sussex, ask questions and share feedback with the Vice-Chancellor and leadership team.
Webinars
We hold regular webinars focusing on a wide range of initiatives which feature open question and answer segments to ensure colleagues’ voices are heard. These include our Research with Impact forums and Better Sussex webinars which staff can register for via the Staff Hub.
Staff networks
Our staff networks play an important role in achieving our Inclusive Sussex strategy goals, providing an opportunity for people from across campus to meet and support each other and share knowledge. Staff within each network help shape policy and procedures which support our people and ensure we meet our goals on equality, diversity and inclusion. Find out more about our staff networks.
Consultation and engagement
It’s important to hear as many voices as possible when making decisions which shape life on campus. In 2022, we launched a consultation about campus services covering catering and facilities management. Thousands of staff and students have already shared their opinions about what they want from food on campus through online surveys, focus groups, forums and drop-in sessions, with a similar process planned for facilities management.
Inclusive Sussex: In Conversation events
Our ‘Inclusive Sussex: In Conversation with...’ event series explores issues of liberation, equality, diversity and justice with voices from all walks of life bringing their expertise and lived experiences to the fore. Sussex has a proud history of welcoming staff and students from the widest range of backgrounds and working to create a truly inclusive community. We strive for Sussex to be a leading example of good practice and a place which welcomes rigorous discussion and debate, where everyone can thrive.
The Big Biodiversity Conversation
We have kick-started a big biodiversity conversation among the Sussex community to help us realise our collective vision of creating the most biodiverse university campus in the UK. Staff members contribute ideas and feedback to help us finalise our biodiversity plans and make them happen. Learn more about our Big Biodiversity Conversation.
National Student Survey
Final-year undergraduate students are invited to give feedback on what it's been like to study on their course by completing the National Student Survey (NSS). Their feedback is vital to how we shape the student experience at Sussex and the results are published to prospective students through the DiscoverUni website. Find more information about NSS.
Student Union
Students can make their voice heard by getting involved in the Student Union, either as a representative or by taking part in elections, campaigns and surveys. Find out more about our Student Union.
Student Connectors
The Connector Programme involves students and staff working as equal partners, collaborating to improve the student experience at Sussex. Through co-creation, Connector teams develop careers support, embed technology in learning, design new course modules and more. Learn more about our Student Connectors.