Broadcast: News items

Professor Sasha Roseneil, Vice-Chancellor

On Monday 2 October, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sasha Roseneil, emailed all postgraduate researchers. You can view the message in full below.

Dear Postgraduate Researcher,

As the academic year begins, I would like to warmly welcome you, either as you begin your research at Sussex, or as you return as a continuing postgraduate researcher (PGR) for the new year.

It is wonderful to see and feel the hustle and bustle, the conversations, and the energy that the new academic year brings to our beautiful green campus. There are so many places here to gather with others, over a coffee or a meal, and spaces to reflect, think and enjoy some quiet time too.

I love our unique location on the edge of the South Downs National Park, just 10 minutes from the centre of Brighton & Hove, and over the past year – my first at Sussex – I have hugely enjoyed walking on the Downs, sea-swimming, and exploring the city. I hope that during your postgraduate studies you will explore and enjoy some of the activities the University and surrounding areas have to offer. A research degree is a hugely absorbing – and challenging – enterprise, and it’s vital to regularly take time out, to switch off, and focus on other things.

Sussex is a very special community – created and re-created over time by our shared connections, and the relationships that we build with each other. It takes time to create those connections and relationships, and I really encourage you this year to reach out to new people, from your School and beyond, and to take some chances that you have things in common that you haven’t yet discovered.

Sussex is a university rich in diversity, with people coming here from all over the country and from around the world, with a huge range of life experiences, beliefs, and identities. Meeting people who are different from us, who hold differing opinions, and who are from different backgrounds is a big part of what university is about. As a member of the Sussex community, your views matter, as do the views of others. Respecting the diversity of beliefs and identities of everyone at Sussex is critical if we are to learn, grow and contribute to expanding knowledge – this is what it means to be part of a learning community.

To conclude, the Doctoral School webpages are full of information, including about support around your research. Please do also follow these links if you are looking at ways to earn money and develop your career, find a buddy or mentor, or if you need support for your wellbeing. If you have not already, do explore the Student Hub to find out more about what Sussex has to offer you.

I will be in touch with you from time to time, and Professor Jeremy Niven (Dean of the Doctoral School) and other Doctoral School colleagues will send you regular updates and useful information about researcher life at Sussex and about your training and development.

Before I sign off, if you see me on campus, please do say hello. I’d love to hear about how you are finding things at Sussex. Good luck with the start of the year, and with your postgraduate research journey.

Wishing you all the very best,

Sasha

Professor Sasha Roseneil

Vice-Chancellor and President