Caroline Lucas MP
George Freeman MP
Chi Onwurah MP
Government ministers, MPs and peers joined Sussex staff and students in the House of Commons earlier last week, Tuesday 11 July, to celebrate the launch of the University’s 12 new Centres of Excellence.
Caroline Lucas MP hosted the event, which marked the creation of the new flagship Centres that will carry out innovative and world-leading research to address areas of global importance.
The reception was the University’s fifth such event, designed to engage with a range of politicians and policy makers. It celebrated the launch of the Centres with a campaign inspired by the statement, “It always seems impossible until it’s done,” famously spoken by Nelson Mandela.
Building on existing strengths at Sussex, each Centre of Excellence will conduct ground-breaking and potentially transformative research that will drive progress and make an important contribution to the planet and its people.
From advancing quantum computing and artificial intelligence, better understanding genome damaging diseases, developing initiatives that contribute to global sustainability and enhancing access to education across the globe, the Centres will enable Sussex’s researchers to address a range of societal challenges.
Welcoming the guests to the Churchill Room, Sussex’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Sasha Roseneil said: “During the past few years, Sussex has continued to excel in many areas of research and teaching, and this has increased our reputation nationally and globally.”
Outlining the work of a few of the new Centres, Professor Roseneil continued: “The UK Trade Policy Observatory, known to many of you, is probably the most respected source of trade policy research in the country, offering expert analysis to politicians and policymakers in relation to one of the most significant policy areas of our time.
“Also ranging across the world, our Centre for Global Health is working with farming communities in Ethiopia and other southern regions to tackle devastating but neglected tropical diseases.
“And the Sussex Sustainability Research Programme is supporting many projects around the globe, including one that helps rainforest communities to ensure the conservation of their land rather than selling it for development.”
The reception’s host, MP for Brighton Pavilion, Caroline Lucas, said: “The research being led by the University of Sussex through its Centres of Excellence will play a really vital role in shaping our futures. I'm so proud that Sussex is a university that does put values at the heart of all that it does.”
In her speech, Chi Onwurah MP, Shadow Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, said: “These new Centres are testament to Sussex’s commitment to pioneering research.”
Also present was Professor Winfried Hensinger, Director of the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies, which is working on a wide range of projects including the development of a superfast computer powered by quantum mechanics.
Professor Hensinger explained that the Centre is on a mission not only to provide disruptive capabilities for numerous applications across a range of sectors, but also to be at the forefront of a whole new economic sector. “Sussex is a catalyst to generate a Silicon Quantum Valley here in the Greater Brighton region and there’s a lot of excitement to translate this academic research into economic prosperity,” he told guests. “Sussex is a place where you can really try to achieve the impossible.”
Addressing the room, George Freeman MP, Minister of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, said: “There are lots of quantum encryption technologies starting to be used and it’s incredibly exciting to see. So it’s coming and we’re on the front foot. The clusters that quantum is growing aren’t just in Oxford and Cambridge. You’re building one in Sussex and I look forward to helping you over the years ahead.”
The 12 new Centres of Excellence will retain their status for five years. As important hubs for training and mentoring, they will ensure that the research strengths of the University of Sussex continue to be nurtured and grow.