News

On Wednesday 26 July, David Ruebain, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Culture, Equality & Inclusion) emailed all staff. You can read the message below:

Dear Colleague,
 
This month, please do take a look at the following: 

• Race Equality Charter submission 
• Apply to be Chair of the Ethnic Minority Staff Network 
• Open Listening Programme 
• Gypsy, Roma and Traveller workshop held for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions 
• Supporting Brighton & Hove Pride and Trans Pride Brighton 
• Non-Binary People’s Day – 14 July 

Race Equality Charter submission 
I am delighted that we have submitted an application to Advance HE’s Race Equality Charter (REC) this month, for the first time. The REC is a systemic change programme which addresses structural racism, under-representation and disadvantage in universities. It is sector-specific, calibrated to the characteristics of British universities and it considers the experience of staff and students.  
 
Our work towards REC application began with the creation of a Race Equality Charter Self-Assessment Team (REC SAT) at the University in 2019. Covid-19 and staff changes delayed the work, but during the past four years there has been a process to understand the patterns and dynamics of racialised inequality and exclusion at Sussex through both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The data and insight gathered helped identify key issues, resulting in a four-year action plan to address the issues and support systematic change over a period of time. This action plan has been submitted as part of our REC application.  
 
We have applied for a Bronze award and expect to hear from Advance HE in autumn 2023. Whatever the outcome, we are committed to our action plan and will base our work on this in the coming years. 
 
Apply to be Chair of the Ethnic Minority Staff Network 
If you are a staff member of colour, I invite you to consider putting yourself forward to become our new Chair of the University’s Ethnic Minority Staff Network. The network was re-launched in 2022 and if you are interested and would like to find out more, please email Sarah Law, EDI Consultant, at ls244@sussex.ac.uk. You can also read more about our staff networks and how we support them.  
 
Open Listening Programme 
This summer, we have been piloting our new Open Listening Programme with colleagues principally from the Library and the School of Media, Arts and Humanities. The programme aims to develop Inclusive Listening Champions, helping colleagues learn how to work effectively with conflict and build stronger relationships based on respecting differences. I am pleased to say that the results of the pilot were overwhelmingly positive and we will be extending them more widely across the University this autumn. Further details of the workshops and how to book a place will be available soon. Subsequently, there will be an opportunity to develop the tools and skills further. 
 
GRT workshop held for EDI Champions 
Misconceptions and barriers to education were the focus of discussion at our recent Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) awareness session with EDI Champions. Run by the Friends, Families, and Travellers charity, the session was one of a range of activities held at Sussex during GRT History Month, and forms part of our pledge to support students from traveller communities into and within higher education. 
 
Supporting Brighton & Hove Pride and Trans Pride Brighton 
I am looking forward to joining a group of 100 Sussex staff, students and alumni once again in the Brighton Pride community parade on Saturday 5 August. Vice-Chancellor Sasha Roseneil and fellow University Executive Group member Kate O'Riordan, currently Dean of the School of Media, Arts and Humanities and soon-to-be Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students), will join us on the parade. The University has been a proud partner of Pride since 2017 and we are honoured to be part of such an important event for the LGBTQ+ community and Brighton & Hove. This year, Sussex is also sponsoring a community bus to support accessibility for those on the march with mobility difficulties, whether they are from the University community or elsewhere.  
 
Meanwhile, thousands of people joined Trans Pride Brighton on 15 July celebrating the event’s tenth anniversary. Through the Trans and Non-Binary Staff Network, the University contributed funds to support the accessible facilities for the event. On campus, the LGBTQ+ Staff Network, and Trans and Non-Binary and LGBTQ+ networks and societies celebrated Trans Pride at Sussex by hosting a creative showcase featuring art, poetry and live performance.  
 
Non-Binary People’s Day – 14 July 
Coinciding with events celebrating Trans Pride Brighton, 14 July was also Non-Binary People’s Day. You can find out more about  support available at Sussex and our aim to improve inclusion for staff and students with non-binary identities.  
 
I do hope that you are able to take a break before the next academic year begins, and that you enjoy the summer.  

With good wishes, 

David 
 
David Ruebain 
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Culture, Equality and Inclusion) 

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