Resilient Research, Resilient Researchers: Building Research Culture now and for the future

In this time of financial uncertainty in the higher education sector, the importance of protecting and adapting the Research Culture agenda has never been greater. Join us at this year’s Sussex Research Culture symposium, which offers an exciting opportunity to come together, share ideas and reimagine what is possible in the face of challenges. The aim being to collaboratively explore how we can not only sustain, but also continue to grow positive culture.  

We will focus on two themes which are central to Research Culture at Sussex, and which we believe have the potential to support resilience. In pursuit of resilient research, we will focus on the theme of Collaboration, and in support of resilient researchers, we will focus on Belonging.  

We are delighted to hear from a range of speakers from Sussex, UCL and the Eastern ARC consortium, sharing their knowledge, experience and ideas for future approaches:  

Panel one, discussing Collaboration for resilient research: 
Chair - Debbie Keeling - Sussex Academic Lead for Research Culture
Phil Ward – Eastern ARC Consortium Director  
Paul Statham – Director of Sussex Centre for Migration Research
Lewis White – Seascape Research Lead at Sussex Bay 
Lizzie Thynne – Acting Research Lead for Practice, Media Arts and Humanities, Sussex and lead of the 2024 project Media practice as creative research method and medium fostering collaboration across disciplines and sectors  

Panel two, discussing Belonging for resilient researchers: 
Chair - David Ruebain: Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Culture, Equality and Inclusion)
Kamna Patel - Inaugural Vice-Dean at the Bartlett Institute (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) and Chair of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expert Advisory Group (23-24) 
Gavin Mensah-Coker - Chair of BlackAtSussex, celebrating black alumni and fostering belonging for black students 
Tamsin Hinton-Smith - Associate Dean Culture, Equity and Inclusion, Social Sciences 
Elizabeth Rendon-Morales –  Associate Professor in Engineering, EDI lead at the School of Engineering and Informatics and co-lead of the Sussex Women’s Leadership Academy         

Through discussion we will explore new approaches, practical solutions, share best practices and identify opportunities to strengthen our research cultures - so that they remain a source of pride, progress and resilience even in these tricky times.

Please note, this is a hybrid event. Please join us in-person for sandwiches and networking, or online if that's more convenient (Zoom link to follow).

If you have any questions about the event, please email a.sambrook@sussex.ac.uk 

Please go ahead and register for your free ticket here.

This event is part of the Summer of Research 2025, a two-week festival of researcher-led talks, workshops and exhibitions celebrating our fantastic research here at the University of Sussex. Find out about and sign up for other exciting events here! 

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By: Alice Sambrook
Last updated: Tuesday, 3 June 2025