Summer of Research

Discover our annual festival of events to share and celebrate the work of our research community.

Staff and students socialising at research poster event

Summer of Research 2026

Summer of Research 2026 showcased the breadth and diversity of research at Sussex. From 15 to 26 June, the University's research community came together to celebrate the ideas, partnerships and impact that drive our research culture.

Through workshops, talks, exhibitions, networking events and discussions, the festival created space for new conversations, strengthened existing collaborations and highlighted the positive impact of Sussex research.

A festival built on connection

The festival reflected our commitment to interdisciplinary working and research excellence, demonstrating how different perspectives and areas of expertise come together to address complex challenges and generate new opportunities.

While this year's programme has concluded, the connections, ideas and collaborations developed during the festival will continue to shape our research culture throughout the year.

Highlights from Summer of Research 2026

Browse the gallery below to explore some of the highlights from Summer of Research 2026 and the people, events and conversations that made the festival such a success.

Morris dancers in traditional white shirts, dark trousers, and bells perform outdoors with waving white handkerchiefs to music played by an accordionist.

Sussex Retold: Sounds, Sites, Stories Conference

A presenter gestures with both hands while speaking and sitting next to a violinist, performing in front of a seated audience and a presentation screen.

Sussex Retold: Sounds, Sites, Stories Conference

A group of nine people line up and smile on stage in front of a Three Minute Thesis Finalists presentation screen

Three Minute Thesis 2026 Final

A group of people collaborate around a table covered with colorful lego building blocks, assembling a small model together in a bright seminar room.

British Academy ECR Network: Sussex Chapter Launch

A workshop leader speaks and gestures with both hands while leading a discussion with a group seated around a circular table.

Conspiracist World-Making Sandpit Workshop

A Three Minute Thesis Competition winner shows their first-place certificate with two Sussex Researcher School banners in the background

Three Minute Thesis 2026 Final

A speaker gesturing with one hand and speaking into a microphone while wearing a bright yellow blazer during a presentation.

Three Minute Thesis 2026 Final

Three speakers at a lecture podium below a large presentation screen for the Sussex Annual Keynote 2026 event.

Sussex Retold: Sounds, Sites, Stories Conference

A smiling presenter stands next to a screen holding a clicker while speaking to an audience.

Beyond Growth Economics Symposium

A presenter wearing a colorful fruit-patterned t-shirt gestures with open arms while presenting in a room with a lime green wall.

When Enemies Become Victims Symposium

  • Morris dancers in traditional white shirts, dark trousers, and bells perform outdoors with waving white handkerchiefs to music played by an accordionist.
  • A presenter gestures with both hands while speaking and sitting next to a violinist, performing in front of a seated audience and a presentation screen.
  • A group of nine people line up and smile on stage in front of a Three Minute Thesis Finalists presentation screen
  • A group of people collaborate around a table covered with colorful lego building blocks, assembling a small model together in a bright seminar room.
  • A workshop leader speaks and gestures with both hands while leading a discussion with a group seated around a circular table.
  • A Three Minute Thesis Competition winner shows their first-place certificate with two Sussex Researcher School banners in the background
  • A speaker gesturing with one hand and speaking into a microphone while wearing a bright yellow blazer during a presentation.
  • Three speakers at a lecture podium below a large presentation screen for the Sussex Annual Keynote 2026 event.
  • A smiling presenter stands next to a screen holding a clicker while speaking to an audience.
  • A presenter wearing a colorful fruit-patterned t-shirt gestures with open arms while presenting in a room with a lime green wall.

Summer of Research events listing

Read the full list of events below to get a flavour of the Summer of Research 2026 festival.

DateEvent titleTimeLocation
Tuesday 2 June Environmental Sustainability Collaboration Workshop 11am-2pm School for Progressive Futures Room, Library
Thursday 4 June  Human Flourishing Collaboration Workshop 11am-2pm School for Progressive Futures Room, Library
Thursday 11 June
 Digital and Data Futures Collaboration Workshop 11am-2pm School for Progressive Futures Room, Library
Monday 15 June Conspiracist World-Making: sandpit workshop 10am-2pm School for Progressive Futures Room, Library
Tuesday 16 June When Enemies Become Victims 10am-12pm G22, Jubilee building
Tuesday 16 June Sussex Kindness Conference 2026 10.30am-3pm Terrace Room, Bramber House Conference Centre
Wednesday 17 June Sussex Digital Humanities Lab, Annual Keynote 2026 3pm-4pm Arts A1 Lecture Theatre
Thursday 18 June Why Being Open Makes Sense: Perspectives from Different Disciplines 11am-12pm Online
Friday 19 June Sussex Retold: Sounds, Sites, Stories 9am-7pm Fulton building
Monday 22 June Towards a Net Zero NHS: Green Healthcare Hub 10am-1pm Terrace Room, Bramber House Conference Centre
Monday 22 June British Academy ECR Network - Sussex Chapter Launch 10am-2pm Jubilee 118
Tuesday 23 June Beyond Growth Economics Symposium 1.30pm-5.30pm

School for Progressive Futures Room (Library) and online
Wednesday 24 June Centre for International Education 2026 Inaugural Lecture on Education for Progressive Futures 3pm-5.30pm School for Progressive Futures Room (Library) and online
Thursday 25 June Sustaining Science in Crisis: Physics, Gender, Conflict and International Cooperation 12.30pm-4pm Freeman G22
Thursday 25 June Shaping a sustainable future: Polyvocal views 2.30pm-4pm Sussex School for Progressive Futures Room (Library)
Friday 26 June  Three Minute Thesis Final and PGR Impact Panel 1pm-4.30pm Woodland 2/3, Student Centre
Friday 26 June  End-of-Year Researcher Gathering at Stanmer Park 5pm-8pm Stanmer Park
Sasha Roseneil
“I have a powerful sense that the Summer of Research is now an established and important part of the academic calendar at Sussex.” Sasha Roseneil
Vice-Chancellor

Contact us

If you have any questions about the festival, please email research.initiatives@sussex.ac.uk.

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