A strong turnout and enthusiastic engagement marked the inaugural Affiliates forum of the Sussex School for Progressive Futures (SSPF) last week. 

More than 60 colleagues from across all four Faculties and some Professional Services Divisions were welcomed to the Teaching Room in the Library for an afternoon of discussion and ideas over homemade cakes. 

The SSPF launched earlier this academic year as part of the University’s new strategy Sussex 2035: Creating Progressive Futures – flourishing, sustainability and progress for the whole world. As of the end October, the School so far has around 150 affiliates, building a strong cross-campus community committed to research, teaching and global and civic engagement across our three transformational themes of environmental sustainability, human flourishing and digital and data futures. 

Reviewing the past; planning for the future 

The forum, which was planned to open with an ice-breaker exercise, had no ice to break due to the welcoming atmosphere and the homemade cakes courtesy of SSPF colleagues Kristine Langhoff and Claudia Raistrick, and fresh homegrown apples brought by Peter Newell and Elizabeth (Buzz) Harrison. 

Buzz Harrison, Dean of the SSPF, opened the forum with an introduction to the School and stressed the important role of the Affiliates followed by presentations from the Theme Leads, Kristine Langhoff (Human Flourishing), Alice Eldridge (Digital and Data Futures), and Peter Newell (Environmental Sustainability). They outlined the past and present of Sussex’s innovation and interdisciplinary work in each of themes, and began to set out an agenda for the future.  

Following the presentations, colleagues engaged in interactive discussions, generating a wide range of ideas that will play a part in shaping the SSPF. Afterwards, attendees commended the excitement and positivity in the room. 

Become an affiliate 

You can still become an affiliate of the School and play an important role in shaping its future through our termly forums. If you would like to become an affiliate or learn more about the Sussex School for Progressive Futures, email ProgressiveFutures@sussex.ac.uk, or check our website Sussex School for Progressive Futures.