Our website, and the different systems that flow to and from it, such as our online prospectus, are known collectively as our ‘web estate’. This is foundational to so much of what we do here at Sussex. 

As well as providing the primary lens through which those outside the University see us, our web platforms help us with countless critical tasks from recruiting and retaining students, to publishing research, supporting colleagues and students with work, study and wellbeing and much, much more besides.  

Best practice for website design and the production, curation and governance of content is constantly evolving. As part of our digital transformation, we need to make sure that Sussex keeps pace with these developments, making the most of our web estate and providing the very best experience possible for our users. 

The New Web Estate project 

To do this we have recently begun work on a new project to review our existing web estate and the operating models that sit behind it. The project will look at where we are now, and where we want to go next, before designing, rolling out and continuously developing a comprehensive new University-wide approach.  

The New Web Estate project is one of our projects to deliver Better Ways of Working and is part of the University’s transformational Capital Programme. 

Rachel Levett, Associate Director, Digital & Creative Media, is leading the project and said: 

“This is a fantastic opportunity to meet the needs of our users head-on, giving them a high quality, seamless experience as they navigate across our online estate. This will only be possible with changes to the way we work with content, alongside innovative and responsive design and continuous improvement. This project gives us the chance to take a huge leap forward to the benefit of our users and everyone here within the Sussex community."

What is in scope? 

The project will focus on a replacement for our existing website and associated systems and the addition of a parallel staff intranet. Efforts will be concentrated in four key areas: user experience, systems, content, and governance. Existing ways of working will also be reviewed.  

How will it benefit Sussex? 

Efficient and consistent ways of working with content, alongside a responsive, slick and well-designed web estate has the potential to significantly improve Sussex’s reputation and credibility, as well as having positive financial, legal, regulatory, trust and efficiency implications.  

Perhaps most significantly, a University’s web presence can also have a significant bearing on its ability to effectively attract and cultivate new students and talented staff – making a standout website a must in today’s highly competitive HE marketplace.  

Staff will benefit directly from greater clarity and support for how we manage our digital content, as well as an easily navigable, high-quality external website and intranet. 

When is this happening? 

The project started in October 2023 and is working to deliver an effective and robust new web estate swiftly. We’ll keep you up to date with developments, including how any changes may impact you as the project progresses. 

Learn more 

If you have any questions about project, please do let us know at: bettersussex@sussex.ac.uk.