For policymakers
The University of Sussex has a long history of influencing policy – locally, regionally, nationally and globally – through its world-leading research on a broad range of issues.
What we offer
We pride ourselves on offering practical ideas, perspectives and solutions to ensure that our research delivers positive societal outcomes. Policy@Sussex acts as a central point of contact, providing policymakers with the insights and solutions they need.
Our academic experts can employ their expertise and insights to:
- anticipate future challenges
- explain complex systems and explore different options
- highlight problems with existing or proposed policies and suggest creative solutions
- design new policies and strategies
- provide bespoke insights on a specific issue, for example in response to requests for evidence.
We are able to communicate complex research findings for policy audiences. We frequently submit evidence to select committees, publish policy briefings and produce multi-media outputs that highlight key points and explain important concepts.
Sharing our expertise for policy
Our research has fed into government policy and decision making at local, regional and national levels:
- Professor Benjamin Sovacool is a Research Co-Director of the Industrial Carbonisation Research and Innovation Centre (IDRIC), which produces policy reports and hosts policy events with the goal of decarbonising UK industry. Professor Sovacool also co-authored an article about implementing climate justice in Boston’s Building Performance Standard, including recommondations for policy.
- Dr Lucila Newell and Dr Valentina Scarponi (pictured) presented their research on the restoration of South Coast waterways at a parliamentary reception in the House of Commons hosted by MP for Lewes James MacCleary in June 2025.
- Professor Fiona Marshall and Sussex colleagues have developed a digital platform called Landscape Integrative Mapping and Modelling for Multifunctional Analysis (LIMMMA), an open-source tool for collecting evidence for sustainable multifunctional land use. The evidence collected by LIMMMA can feed into science policy for local and regional governments.
- Dr Michael Rogerson and colleagues conducted research on climate change and modern slavery in public procurement, funded by the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre. Their report produced a series of findings for policy around modern slavery and sustainability in public sector supply chains.
Browse through a selection of our recent policy briefs:
- Policies for transforming the UK’s food system [PDF 2.81MB]
- Trifold agenda for action for atrocity-affected communities [PDF 433KB]
- New study reveals flaws in UK Coronavirus testing system after comparison with other countries [PDF.193.4KB]
- A Guide to Implementing the Law on Anti-social Behaviour [PDF.244.9KB]
- Governance of Data Value [PDF.279.1]
- Narrating blood – the impact of hidden blood-related conditions [PDF.122.6KB]
Supporting planning policy
We work closely with local planning departments to reduce the impact of student lets on neighbourhoods, striking a balance between meeting the needs of our students and the city’s wider population.
For example, we collaborated with Brighton and Hove Council on their Strategic Housing Market Assessment in 2023, which included discussions to ensure that any growth in student numbers is accounted for with increased availability of purpose-built student accommodation.
Our input has supported local government planning policy, for instance the City Plan 2041 and the Local Development Scheme 2025-2028, which are both currently undergoing public consultation.
Find out more
Contact: Lenny Rolles (Associate Director of Public Affairs) – L.Rolles@sussex.ac.uk
Follow us on Twitter: @Policy_Sussex
Read our policy engagement case studies for a taste of our recent activities and achievements.