A distorted, abstract view of The Meeting House on Sussex campus reflected in water, with green and blue hues.

Sussex Festival of Ideas

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The Sussex Festival of Ideas is a dynamic and engaging programme of events, talks and activities from the Faculty of Media, Arts and Humanities. This platform was developed to connect students, academics and the community to harness the transformative power of the arts and humanities, and its potential for fashioning new ways to think about the past, present and future.

This year’s Festival programme comprises a week of on-campus student-led activities in March and five events showcasing Sussex research as part of the Brighton Festival in May. We are delighted to share our exciting 2026 lineup.

2026 Festival

Sunset over a Brighton seafront with the i360, silhouetted against a warm orange sky. The scene feels calm and serene, capturing dusk.

Postcards from Brighton

Tuesday 17 - Thursday 19 March, 11:00 - 16:00

This digital photography exhibit created by University of Sussex Media Production student Isha Mudassar highlights Brighton beyond its summer reputation. Focusing on late winter and early spring, the collection captures Brighton through seasonal lighting, student activities, and everyday quiet routines. Shown as a digital projection, the exhibit explores themes of belonging, creativity, and how Brighton becomes a home for students living there year-round.

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An art studio table scattered with vibrant, abstract prints in blue and orange tones, carving tools, red thread, and green leaves, exuding creativity.

Different Strokes: Celebrating neurodiversity through creativity

Thursday 19 March, 9:30 - 16:00

Join this one-day creative event that celebrates neuro-affirmative ways of working, researching and collaborating. Through interdisciplinary conversations and reflective workshops exploring zine-making, lino printing, collective documentation and collage, it invites Sussex researchers to reflect on the ways neurodiversity shapes how we work.

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Abstract line drawing of lily pads and flowers on water. The sketch has a simplistic style.

Weaving the neurodivergent brain-body together

Wednesday 18 March, 12:45 - 14:30

Following an artist residency at Fabrica in November 2025, Beth Sutton (she/they) is taking a large-scale installation on the road. Beth will breathe new life into the installation by exhibiting the artwork to a new audience and by expanding on it and her research in new terms, focusing on neurodivergence, brain-body conditions and the neurodevelopmental diagnostic process.

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A group of five people sit on a bed with colourful blankets against a purple and orange background. Bold text reads 'GLIMPSES' and 'The Bed as a Meeting Place'. The scene conveys a casual, relaxed atmosphere.

Glimpses: The Bed as Meeting Place

Friday 20 March, 14:00 - 17:00

Beds can be places of caring, collective worldbuilding and of deep isolation. This event will transform a venue on campus into a nest where attendees will be welcomed into collective beds. As a physical framework centring the-body-in-bed, we will discuss bed stories: stories told by the facilitators and attendees about what it’s like to spend a lot of time in bed.

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Closing the Gap Opening the stage

Closing the Gap, Opening the Stage

Wednesday 18 March, 17:45 - 20:30

This event will convene a cross-generational panel of alumni, academics, and Student Union leaders to navigate the complexities of racial justice and belonging to Sussex within the larger landscape of Brighton. Following this, the stage will transform into a ”living canvas” of diverse talent featuring beatboxing, rap, and bilingual spoken words.

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Contact

If you have any questions, email festivalofideas@sussex.ac.uk.