Your student update: Career advice, Sussex at Pride, paid Race Equity Advocate opportunities and more
Posted on behalf of: Internal communications
Last updated: Friday, 15 August 2025
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students), Professor Kate O'Riordan, wrote to all taught students earlier today. Below you can read her full message:
Hello,
I hope you are continuing to enjoy the summer and finding time to recharge. I know many of you are coming towards the end of your studies, and I wish you the best for your work on final projects. I have also included information below on our Careers and Entrepreneurship services. This is an award winning service, and you can continue to access some of this support for three years after graduation, to help you with your employment goals. Sussex was ranked as 16th in the UK for employment outcomes in the QS World University Rankings 2025, which is a testament to your work, the value of your degree from Sussex, and the quality of the careers service.
This week, I am also pleased to share with you a new report, showing how sustainability research at Sussex is making a real difference in the world. This is through the work of the Sussex Sustainability Research Programme’s interdisciplinary work. As well as undertaking leading research in this area, we strive to lead by example in promoting environmental, social, and economic sustainability locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. And we are committed to becoming one of the most sustainable universities in the world.
For those of you who are continuing to study with us next year, we also have news about our new gym facilities, and paid work opportunities through the Race Equity Advocate scheme.
Please read on for your regular update, including:
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Support to help you get the career you want
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Your chance to nominate inspirational individuals for honorary degrees
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Highlights from the Brighton and Hove Pride Parade 2025
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Paid Race Equity Advocate roles now open to current students
Helping you get the career you want
The Careers and Entrepreneurship team is here to support you for three years after graduating.
After you graduate, you will automatically receive login instructions for your graduate CareerHub account via your personal email address. You can use this new login to continue accessing CareerHub for browsing job vacancies – including graduate roles.
You can also continue to book one-to-one phone, Zoom or on-campus appointments with our Careers Consultants and Entrepreneurship Experts, via the appointments tab on CareerHub before you graduate.
Your chance to nominate inspirational people for honorary degrees
You have the opportunity to nominate inspiring people to receive an honorary degree or fellowship from Sussex at a future graduation ceremony.
Awarded in recognition of excellence in an academic field, or to those who have played an important role in society, honorary awards give us the opportunity to acknowledge people who make a positive impact in the wider world.
Former recipients of honorary degrees from Sussex include comedian Suzy Eddie Izzard, former Green Party leader and Brighton MP Caroline Lucas and Knepp Estate founder Isabella Tree.
How to nominate:
You can find information about the criteria and the online nomination form on our honorary degrees webpage.
Brighton & Hove Pride Parade 2025
On Saturday 2 August 2025, University of Sussex staff, students, alumni, family and friends came together to take part in the Brighton & Hove Pride Community Parade in support of the LGBTQ+ community. As the UK’s biggest Pride event, Brighton & Hove Pride is a highlight of the summer, and the University was proud to once again join the celebrations with our walking party in the parade.
Positive Futures: Seven years of sustainability impact
From the Ecuadorian cloud forests to the Sussex coast, the Sussex Sustainability Research Programme (SSRP) has championed interdisciplinary research that delivers real-world change.
A new report, Positive Futures: People, Nature, Planet, highlights SSRP’s impressive body of work and the wide-ranging impact it has had locally, globally, and across disciplines.
One high-profile example of research impact in the report is SSRP's support for Ecuador's landmark 2021 Los Cedros ruling, which protected the forest under the country’s ‘Rights of Nature’ legislation. Ecological data gathered by Professor Mika Peck helped win the case and inspired the creation of Ecoforensic, a community-led initiative training paraecologists to collect evidence for legal action. It is a pioneering model for biodiversity protection.
If you are interested in the sustainability work of the University, visit the Sussex website to find out more and get involved.
New gym to open in September
The main campus gym is moving from Falmer Sports Complex at the top of campus, to a new home at the Sports Centre near Falmer House.
This multipurpose space will be equipped with Life Fitness equipment, including treadmills, resistance machines, and free weights – everything you would expect from a modern, high-quality gym.
Paid Race Equity Advocates
The Students’ Union is recruiting new Race Equity Advocates (REAs) across all faculties. These are paid, part-time roles for students of colour, aimed at helping to address the Sussex BAME awarding gap. The roles begin in October and are open to current students only – including PhDs – so we are aiming to reach returning students before term starts.
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Paid, flexible part-time role (Oct 2025–May 2026)
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For current students who self-identify as Black, Asian, Arab, mixed Heritage or a person of colour
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Application deadline: 1 September 2025
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Application link: Race Equity Advocate Roles
With best wishes,
Professor Kate O'Riordan
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students)
Sussex Snapshot