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This team directly shaped the UK Government's 2025 Anti-Corruption Strategy, most notably by drafting the country's first ever official definition of corruption, now used as an operational tool across various government departments.

The University of Sanctuary team exemplifies Sussex's commitment to combining academic research, advocacy, and practical action in service of some of the world's most vulnerable communities.

The winners of this year’s Sussex Awards were revealed at a ceremony at the Attenborough Centre on Monday 27 April. Hosted by Professor Sasha Roseneil (Vice-Chancellor) and Professor Michael Luck (Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost), the event was the culmination of a programme designed to recognise the work of staff, students and postgraduate researchers across the University. 

After nominations closed in February, several judging panels reviewed over 600 nominations that students, staff and postgraduate researchers selecting the shortlist and winners for each of the 17 categories.

Winners in the Faculty of Social Sciences were:

Scholarship 

The ‘How to Embed Authenticity in Legal Assessments’ team - Dr Jo Wilson (Associate Professor in Commercial Law), Dr Verona Ni Drisceoil (Reader in Legal Education), and Jeanette Ashton (Associate Professor in Law) - for authoring a rigorously researched and timely book that addresses one of higher education's most pressing challenges: how to design authentic, fair, and academically robust assessments in the age of generative AI. Drawing on extensive pedagogic research and 20 diverse case studies from legal educators across the UK, the book moves beyond theoretical analysis to offer practical, innovative assessment strategies that enhance standards at Sussex while inspiring educators nationally and internationally. 

Research and Innovation Impact 

The Sussex Centre for Corruption Studies – Dr Becky Dobson Phillips (Assistant Professor in Politics), Prof Liz David-Barrett (Professor of Governance & Integrity), Prof Robert Barrington (Professor of Anti-Corruption Practice), Dr Dan Haberly (Associate Professor in Human Geography), Dr Tom Shipley (Research Fellow in Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence Programme), Prof Dan Hough (Professor of Politics), and Georgia Garrod (GI-ACE Programme Manager) - for directly shaping the UK Government's 2025 Anti-Corruption Strategy, most notably by drafting the country's first ever official definition of corruption, a conceptual framework now used as an operational tool across government departments in areas ranging from NHS procurement to football regulation. Drawing on nearly five years of research, the CSC's contributions on procurement red flags, illicit financial flows, legal ethics, and anti-corruption evaluation demonstrate an exceptional translation of academic scholarship into real-world national policy impact. 

Civic Engagement 

University of Sanctuary team - colleagues across the University, including Prof Mike Collyer (Professor of Geography), Dr Tahir Zaman (Associate Professor in Human Geography), Prof Anke Schwittay (Professor of Anthropology & Global Development), Prof Linda Morrice (Professor of Education & Migration), Prof Mario Novelli (Professor of the Political Economy of Education), Dr Judith Townend (Reader in Digital Society & Justice), Dr Moira Dustin (Assistant Professor in Law), Prof Nuno Ferreira (Professor of Law), Prof Zahid Pranjol, Dan Sumner, Naimatulla Zafary, Shona Luton, Dr Emilie de la Nougerede, Amy Andrews, Jo White, Paul Wiggins, Robert Yates, Rachel Dyson, Antony Groves, Andrew Jackson, and Md Zulkar Nayen. This team were winners for demonstrating exceptional civic engagement through a wide-ranging, collaborative programme of support for refugees and sanctuary-seeking students, spanning scholarships, language programmes, widening participation initiatives, and partnerships with local government, all co-designed with students who have lived experience. From supporting academics and students in Gaza to revitalising a regional Arc of Sanctuary network and providing scholarships for Afghan women, the team exemplifies Sussex's commitment to combining academic research, advocacy, and practical action in service of some of the world's most vulnerable communities.  

Congratulations to all our worthy winners for whom this recognition reflects their outstanding work, dedication and the amazing impact of their endeavours.