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University of Sussex strengthens European collaboration at Aurora Alliance Annual Conference 2026
By: Louise Turton
Last updated: Tuesday, 23 June 2026
Right to Left - Cornell Sanvoss Robin Banerjee, Annie McEntee, Louise Turton, Elena Southard, Matt Montgomery,
Louise Turton presenting to Aurora members at the University of Sussex workshop
Representatives from the University of Sussex played a prominent role at the Aurora Alliance Annual Conference 2026, held last month at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany. The event marked the 10th anniversary of the Aurora Alliance, a network of European universities committed to addressing societal challenges through collaboration in education and research.
Prof Robin Banerjee (Pro-Vice-Chancellor Global & Civic Engagement), Louise Turton (Global Partnerships Manager), and Dr Matt Montgomery (Head of Sustainability), alongside two representatives from the University of Sussex Students’ Union, attended the conference as Sussex joined the alliance for the first time as a strategic partner.
The conference provided an important platform for Sussex to engage with existing Aurora members, share expertise, and explore opportunities for collaboration. As a new strategic partner, the University showcased its strengths in sustainability, student engagement, and global partnerships.
Prof Robin Banerjee contributed to the second plenary session, “Aurora 2030 Midway: Achievements, Challenges, and the Road Ahead,” where he introduced the University of Sussex and highlighted the institution’s potential contribution to the alliance as it enters its next phase.
Sussex colleagues also led a standing-room-only workshop presenting the University’s Sussex 2035 strategy. The session highlighted Sussex’s commitment to delivering societal impact through education, advancing sustainability initiatives, and strengthening international partnerships.
Sussex formally became a strategic partner of the Aurora Alliance in March 2026 and is working towards full membership in 2027. This milestone is expected to align with the UK’s reassociation with the Erasmus+ programme, creating new opportunities for student and staff mobility across Europe.
Looking ahead, Sussex will focus on key collaborative areas including Teaching and Learning for Societal Impact, Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Open Science, Sustainability, and Student Engagement and Representation. These priority areas will support joint initiatives across the alliance, creating opportunities for innovation, knowledge exchange, and international mobility.
The University of Sussex is committed to strengthening its European partnerships and developing long-term collaborations with Aurora Alliance members, benefiting both students and staff while contributing to wider societal impact.