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Research at Sussex

                                                                                                Wednesday 12 February 2025

Welcome back to Research at Sussex, a fortnightly round-up of the latest research news, insights and discoveries at the University of Sussex.

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In this edition:

• Which Sussex research is pushing the government to act on protecting the nation’s bird population?
• Find out which Sussex professor has won a prestigious book deal

• Explore key findings from the rapid response study on the nature and impact of the UK summer riots

• Discover which Sussex social scientist is shaping a fairer net zero future

• Learn how unregulated AI could threaten both the environment and humanity

Sussex research prompts call for government action to protect UK’s birds

The study, High Prevalence of Veterinary Drugs in Bird's Nests, funded by SongBird Survival, found that, out of 103 nests screened, 100% contained fipronil, which was banned in the EU for use in 2013. 

Cannelle said: “This raises questions about the environmental impact of veterinary drugs and calls for a comprehensive environmental risk assessment of veterinary treatments.” 

Following the publication of the study, Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle submitted a question to the Department For Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 8 February to ask what assessment the Government has made “of (1) regulation of topical flea and tick treatments for pets; and (2) of a recent University of Sussex study on the impact of these chemicals on songbird reproduction”. A response is expected this week. 

Sussex professor wins prestigious book deal

to explore anti-corruption

The book will offer a first-hand account of how corruption is reshaping global politics, exploring how state capture takes hold and why it persists. With over 20 years of experience working with governments, businesses, and NGOs, Liz, who is the is the fourth recipient of the Ideas Prize, will shed light on the rise of grand corruption and the resulting threat to democracy.

Summer riots of 2024 were “attacks, not protests” Sussex-led study finds

The research, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and published by the UK Parliament Home Affairs Committee, concluded that, while each of the events had elements of protest from the participants (e.g., placards), violence began almost as soon as ‘protest’ participants arrived, with no gradual escalation. Overall, these were attacks rather than protests. 

Professor Drury said: “Although there was extensive commentary and opinion expressed on these events at the time, we carried out empirical research on the exact details."

“This study will help the government to better understand the role of communities in preventing racist attacks.”

Sussex professor recognised as one of world’s best

Mari’s work at the University of Sussex continues to shape policies and innovations in sustainability, driving meaningful change towards a greener future.

ScholarGPS rankings are based on the impact, quality, and productivity of a scholar’s work.

Explore the full ScholarGPS rankings and methodology.

Comment: Why unregulated AI poses a threat to the

environment and humanity

The newly released International AI Safety Report, initially commissioned by the UK government, highlights three primary concerns: malicious use, systemic risks, and unforeseen failures.

Despite efforts to regulate AI at the European level, industry concentration among a few dominant firms exacerbates the risks.

The increasing capacity of AI systems to generate misinformation—through deepfake technologies and targeted disinformation campaigns—pose immediate threats to democratic stability. Without strict oversight, AI-driven manipulation of public opinion could erode trust in institutions, disrupt fair elections, and diminish the capacity of societies to regulate climate change and other pressing global challenges.

Beyond political destabilization, AI’s unchecked expansion raises pressing environmental and economic concerns.

Advanced models, including China’s highly efficient DeepSeek, demonstrate that AI replication and deployment are becoming increasingly affordable, amplifying global energy consumption by accelerated usage. AI’s reliance on vast computational resources contributes to significant carbon emissions and water use, an aspect often overlooked in mainstream AI discourse. 

My research, working alongside Nobel laureate Daron Acemoglu, has found that AI-driven inequalities—whether through labour market disruptions or algorithmic polarization—can hinder governance capacities. 

We have shown how AI-induced economic divides and targeted misinformation campaigns weaken democratic institutions, making it harder to implement effective climate policies.

To mitigate these escalating threats, AI models should undergo rigorous pre-market security assessments, with independent oversight ensuring algorithmic transparency and bias mitigation. Furthermore, social media platforms must be held accountable for identifying and restricting AI-generated disinformation. before it undermines public discourse. The European Union, through policies like the Digital Services Act, has the tools to enforce stricter AI governance. Now it is time for strict enforcement.

Felix is Professor of Innovation and Policy Accel (SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit) University of Sussex Business School

Sussex in the media

Sussex experts continue to be at the forefront of global discussions on Trump’s proposed trade tariffs. Analysis from our Business School featured in BBC News, The i, Times Radio, and the Daily Express, warning of a £22bn drop in UK exports if a 20% tariff is imposed.

Tata Group Executive and Sussex alumnus, Noel Tata’s honorary doctorate award gained widespread international coverage including The Indian Express, Times Now, and Business Standard.

Finally, Professor Matthew Agarwala discussed UK-China relations on TRT (Turkey), explaining how new $730m trade agreements aim to bridge post-Brexit gaps.

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