Broadcast: News items

Dear Colleagues

First, I am very mindful of the current collective consultation process, and the consequent anxieties and difficulties this is bringing for all staff, particularly those whose roles have been placed at risk. I would like to reiterate the offer of support from our Mental Health First Aiders, as well as our usual sources of support, and to thank you all for the great care and attention that you are all showing each other in these difficult times.

This month I would like to highlight:

• The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s updated services Code of Practice
• Building race equity through reflection and action at Sussex
• Carers’ Week
• Sign up to take part in the University’s walking party at Brighton & Hove Community Pride
• International Women in Engineering Day
• The University's response to a consultation on the future of Disabled Students Allowance

Equality and Human Rights Commission’s updated services Code of Practice

You may have seen it reported that the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s updated services Code of Practice was laid in Parliament on 21 May following ministerial approval. Parliament is now in the middle of a 40 day period to consider the draft code which, unless either House passes a resolution to reject (or "disapprove") it, will be brought into force at a date to be determined. The code is the first major update to guidance for service providers including universities since 2011, and seeks to interpret the UK Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland in April 2025 on the definition of sex.

We are aware that the Code of Practice and the issues that it raises may impact members of the University community in a variety of ways, and we encourage anyone who needs support to reach out to the sources outlined above. We are now considering what additional steps may be required whilst ensuring our commitment to a supportive and inclusive environment on our campus for everyone. Our commitment to equality and inclusion remains firm, including on the grounds of disability, gender reassignment, religion and belief, sex, and sexual orientation as well as all other protected characteristics. 

We will consult and provide updates on developments. Meanwhile, our new Inclusive Sussex Framework, which I will share on the Staff Hub in the next few weeks, will provide more detail on our long-term approach to inclusion as it sits within our new strategy, Sussex 2035.

Building race equity through reflection and action at Sussex

Late spring and early summer each year bring several important moments connected to race, culture and community, on which to celebrate and reflect. Windrush Day, marked annually on 22 June, recognises the contributions of the Windrush generation and Caribbean communities to life in the UK. South Asian Heritage Month, which is marked in July, celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of South Asian communities in the UK and beyond. You can read about how our Race Equality Charter brings together all of our work around race equity in a recent Staff Hub article.

Carers’ Week

Carers’ Week was marked from 8 to 14 June, with a theme of Building Carer Friendly Communities. If you are a new member of staff or have recently become a carer, you may not be aware of the guidance and support for staff with caring responsibilities through our  Carer support webpages. These include information on flexible working, parental and dependants’ leave, the Sussex Parent and Carer Staff Network, the Carer Fund, on-campus childcare, and more. If you identify as a carer then don’t forget you can add this information to your MyView equality data here: Welcome - MyView (sussex.ac.uk). We also have a staff Sussex Parent and Carer Network, which provides a collective voice to ensure the experiences of carers are represented and respected within the University. 

Sign up to take part in the University’s walking party at Brighton & Hove Community Pride

As I covered in last month's update, Pride Month is celebrated globally during June, and Trans Pride Brighton is coming up on Saturday, 18 July.

I mentioned the opportunity to take part in the University’s walking party at the Brighton & Hove Community Pride Parade on Saturday 1 August. There are still spaces available and you can sign up via this link. You will need to be available from 9am to 2pm, and the invitation is open to staff, students and alumni. 

International Women in Engineering Day - 23 June

On 23 June, the University will be joining organisations around the world in celebrating International Women in Engineering Day. The day is an opportunity to recognise the incredible contributions of women in engineering and to encourage more girls and young women to explore careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

To mark this, the School of Engineering and Informatics is hosting a poster exhibition featuring the research of some of the School’s talented postgraduate and undergraduate student researchers. The exhibition is accessible online via Padlet and physical posters will be displayed in Faculty common spaces for two weeks following 23 June. The posters will also be displayed at an event to celebrate the life and work of Professor Margaret Boden being held on 30 June in Pevensey Building, see details of the event.

The University's response to a consultation on the future of Disabled Students Allowance

We have recently submitted a response to the Department for Education’s consultation on Assistive software funded through Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). The consultation invited views on proposals for changes to the way in which assistive software is funded through DSA, and on the use of artificial intelligence in supporting disabled students

In our response, which is available for staff to read, we raised significant concerns that the proposals would not deliver positive outcomes for students or for higher education providers. Of particular concern was the potential to disproportionately affect students from lower socio-economic backgrounds.  

Current and upcoming religious observances

The Midsummer Solstice or Litha is a Pagan/Wiccan festival marking the longest day of the year, and this year falls on 20 June. The Feasts of Saints Peter and Paul falls on 29 June this year and is a Christian celebrations of the two martyrs.

On 2 July many Jews will observe Shiva Asar B’Tammuz, a fast day marking a number of historic disasters including the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem by the Romans in 69CE. On 10 July Bahá’ís commemorate the execution of The Báb in Tabriz, Persia, in 1850. The Báb is regarded by Bahá’ís as a central prophetic figure and forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í faith.

With good wishes

David