Public and third sector

Our research, consultancy, technology, know-how, spin-outs and training are improving practice and performance in the public and third sectors – helping people and their organisations achieve their goals. We welcome all enquiries about research in all fields, as well as having particular areas of strength.

How we can help you

We work with governments across the world, providing practical solutions to global challenges. We collaborate to provide insights into future development and are partnered with government to inform and build trade policy. We work closely with the local unitary authority across multiple policy and delivery areas.

We also work with health partners, NHS services, innovators and people to solve some of the biggest challenges facing the health and wellbeing of us all. We bring new knowledge to transform policy and practice, whether discovering technologies and diagnostics, building the resilience of the workforce for future demand, or designing services to meet the needs of future populations.

It's our strategic goal to be one of the most sustainable universities in the world. We aim to show global leadership in demonstrating and promoting all forms of environmental, social and economic sustainability. We want to achieve this through our own performance and through our research. That's why we are seeking new research partnerships at all levels – internationally, nationally and locally.

We welcome all enquiries about research in all fields, as well as having particular areas of strength.

Want to work with us? Email us at collaborate@sussex.ac.uk.

Working together for people and planet

Our students and researchers work with various organisations including NGOs locally and around the world to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

These collaborations help to forge a more equal and sustainable future, in line with the key pillars of the Sussex 2035 strategy: human flourishing and environmental sustainability.

They take the form of student volunteering programmes, research partnerships and the development of educational resources.

Student volunteering programmes

Our students have volunteered for charities including Nightline, Mind and FareShare.

Students can find volunteering opportunities through our CareerHub service and the Students’ Union.

Research partnerships

Our researchers collaborate with charities and NGOs for the benefit of humanity and nature.

For instance, the ‘Ripple Effect’ project sees our academics team up with local NGO Friends of the River Medway to inspect levels of pollution in the River Medway through citizen science.

Our researchers also work with conservation charities The Blue Marine Foundation and Sussex Wildlife Trust to monitor biodiversity off the Sussex coast since a trawling byelaw in 2021.

These partnerships engage with the SDGs to protect and restore nature and improve the lives of local communities.

Educational resources

Sussex researchers produced a toolkit for educators and students entitled ‘Creating with uncertainty: sustainability resources for a changing world’.

The collection is designed to support teachers and students in engaging with the complexities of climate change and biodiversity loss in their everyday lives.

The toolkit was developed in collaboration with local NGOs Green United and Brighton Permaculture Trust.