Professor David Ruebain, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Culture, Equality and Inclusion)

Dear Colleague, 

I do hope that you all had something of a restful break. 

In my first Inclusive Sussex update of 2026, I am pleased to highlight:  

• The University’s Religion and Belief Forum, along with World Religion Day and World Interfaith Harmony Week 

• Holocaust memorial events in February 

• An upcoming Open Listening Programme workshop 

Religion and Belief Forum and World Religion Day 

Sunday 18 January marked World Religion Day, and World Interfaith Harmony Week is coming up at the start of February. Both are celebrations of diversity and aim to promote religious tolerance. Here at the University, our Chaplaincy team upholds our strong commitment to interfaith understanding and dialogue, supported by a team of Associate Chaplains who represent many different religious and spiritual traditions.  

Whilst the Chaplaincy focuses on pastoral and on faith and spirituality-based activity, our Religion and Belief Forum – part of arrangements to advance EDI in the University - is a steering group that aims to strengthen the University’s commitment to creating a non-discriminatory inclusive environment where the religious and non-religious faiths and beliefs of all are respected, and where the values of open and respectful debate are upheld. The Forum also provides feedback and input into University activities relating to religion and belief. The Forum is looking for interested staff to join it, and are particularly keen to encourage people with a Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim or Sikh background or faith to join, although the role of a member is not to represent a specific religion or belief.  

You can read more about this call for membership, and our religion and belief work at Sussex, in this recent update from the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team.  

Holocaust memorial at Sussex 

Holocaust Memorial Day is marked internationally on 27 January, marking the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. At the University, we are remembering the Holocaust with two events in early February. 

Holocaust Memorial Day  

Our annual Holocaust Memorial Day event is taking place on Wednesday 4 February. Although the event is fully booked, including many attendees from local schools and our wider community, staff can take part in the online programme, including hearing testimony from Holocaust Survivor Malka Levine. See full details on the Staff Hub, where the YouTube link for Malka’s talk will be available on the day, there is no need to register. Short films will also be shown during the event and will be available to stream for a limited period afterwards, and you can also sign up to attend the online launch of the Digital Memory Database from 5pm.  

Remembering the Roma Holocaust 

This year’s Holocaust Memorial Programme once again includes an open exhibition titled Remembering the Roma Holocaust, which will take place at the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts on Thursday 5 February, from 1pm to 3pm. The exhibition, which will be displayed around some Sussex towns later in February, aims to reflect the experiences of Roma and Sinti communities within the broader Holocaust narrative. It also invites reflection on contemporary issues of equality, diversity, and inclusion for people of Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller heritage today. 

As part of the event, there is an opportunity to attend a talk by Janna Eliot, author of Settela’s Last Road, described as: “inspiring. A kind of Gypsy Anne Frank.” The talk will highlight the history of the Roma Holocaust, during which an estimated 500,000 Roma and Sinti people became victims of Nazi policies of systematic extermination. The talk will take place from 1.30 to 2.30pm, followed by a Q&A.  

See full details and book to secure your place at the talk.  

Upcoming religious observances 

Two major religious events are coming up in February. Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of 17 February, the start of a month of fasting and prayer for Muslims on campus and around the world. Our student Islamic Society will be offering iftar (fast-breaking) meals each evening in the Prayer Room. It is worth considering whether any colleagues or students might need special arrangements in place whilst they fast.  

Ash Wednesday is taking place on 18 February this year, marking the beginning of the Christian period of Lent. Lent is a period of reflection leading up to Easter, during which many Christians give up something, engage in prayer, or fast to symbolise repentance.  

Additionally, some Pagans will celebrate Imbolc on 1 February, some Christians will celebrate Candlemas on 2 February, and 15 February is the traditional commemoration of the death of the Buddha, founder of Buddhism.  

Best wishes to everyone celebrating during this special time.  

With good wishes, 

David Ruebain 
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Culture, Equality, and Inclusion)  

Information about upcoming awareness days will be shared on the Staff Hub.   

This work supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 10 (reduced inequalities). You can read more about our work on the SDGs.