Delegates at Aurora's Annual Conference in Paris, summer 2025

The University of Sussex has joined the Aurora Universities Network as a strategic partner, a move that will strengthen Sussex’s European partnerships and expand opportunities for students and researchers.  

Aurora is a consortium of research-intensive European universities committed to the social impact of their activities and with a history of engagement with their communities. They work together to harness academic excellence to influence societal change through research and educational activities – and ultimately to contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Aurora was selected as one of the first alliances of the European Universities initiative, supported primarily through Erasmus+ funding. 

Aurora’s aims align closely with the University’s strategy, Sussex 2035: Creating Progressive Futures – flourishing, sustainability and progress for the whole world, particularly its commitment to meeting the challenges of environmental sustainability, working on socially impactful research with local and international communities, and empowering students.  

The Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sussex, Professor Sasha Roseneil, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding confirming the University’s affiliation with Aurora as a strategic partner. Sasha said: “I am delighted that the University of Sussex has joined the Aurora Universities Network as a Strategic Partner. The Aurora partnership’s values closely reflect what we cherish most here at Sussex: a deep commitment to international collaboration and to addressing the most urgent global challenges through research and education. By strengthening our European partnerships, we are expanding opportunities for our students and staff and advancing our ambitions for environmental sustainability and human flourishing.” 

Dr Ramon Puras, Aurora Secretary General, said: “As a strategic partner, Sussex will begin structured engagement with Aurora institutions, participating in selected events and collaborative activities, and building institutional connections across the network. We were delighted to welcome Professor Robin Banerjee, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global and Civic Engagement), to the annual conference of Aurora in Paris last summer, and he joined the Aurora Board meeting this week to discuss Sussex’s new affiliation with Aurora. The University plans to work towards full membership in 2027 once details of the UK’s re-association to the Erasmus programme are agreed. Full membership would open further opportunities for joint research projects, collaborative education initiatives, and enhanced student mobility across Europe.”