Can the arts help transform access to nature?
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This email is being sent to all University of Sussex staff.
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'Transformative' project improves access to heritage centres and landscapes for sight-impaired visitors |
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A unique research project led by Dr Karis Jade Petty, at the University of Sussex, is opening up new ways for sight-impaired visitors to engage with landscapes and heritage sites.
The pilot, delivered in partnership with Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex, brought together inclusive arts practice, sighted guide training, and co-created activities that invited deeper connection with nature through sound, touch and smell.
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Everybody’s Garden is a video that accompanies the project and explores how inclusive arts practices can transform access and enjoyment of these spaces through art, creativity and sensory experience.
Angie Lim, project participant and East Sussex Vision Support member said:
“The project had a positive impact on my social life. It drew me out of my social isolation of nearly two and a half years after the loss of my dear husband. It helped me to regain my confidence and ability to engage with others.”
The project is now informing inclusive practice at Wakehurst and aiming to inspire wider change across the heritage sector. Watch the video Everybody’s Garden.
Find out more about the Pathways to Inclusion project |
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Sussex energy expert to advise ministers on UK’s clean power future |
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Professor Sovacool’s appointment places Sussex at the forefront of national policymaking on energy transition. His research focuses on climate change mitigation, energy justice, and the social dimensions of climate policy.
He said: “I am delighted to be part of such a prestigious council which highlights the importance the Government has placed on engaging with a broad evidence base in formulating its policies for a clean power future and transition to a net zero economy. I hope to bring a much needed social science and humanities focus on people and the impacts energy transitions have on communities.”
The Council met for the first time on 9 July and will convene quarterly to inform decisions on clean power, energy networks, and system reform. |
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First-of-its-kind research strategy aims to improve lives across Sussex |
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The University of Sussex is proud to be one of the academic partners contributing to a new five-year strategy, which will use research to improve health and care support to Sussex residents.
Improving Lives Together through Research was launched in June 2025 by NHS Sussex and the Sussex Health and Care Research Partnership, based at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) – a partnership between the University of Sussex and the University of Brighton. |
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It is the first strategy of its kind for Sussex and sets out how research will be embedded into everyday decision-making to improve health outcomes and tackle inequalities across the region. This includes a focus on clinical research with a goal of ensuring everyone in the region can have access to evidence-based and effective treatments.
Watch the video Improving Lives Together through Research to learn more about how research is helping to improve health outcomes in Sussex. |
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Reframing how we talk about 'energy poverty' |
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By Mari Martiskainen
If you have listened to news this year of high energy bills and the UK government's changes to the winter fuel payment, you would have heard terms like 'the fuel poor' or 'the energy poor'.
This type of language, which groups people into disadvantage, has rather Victorian implications about shame and hard work, or the lack of it. It tends to suggest that if people worked a bit harder, or managed their money a bit better, they would be able to pay their energy bills. |
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I’ve been exploring this complex issue with a team of academics from across the world – together we’re challenging the terminology that stigmatises people, and calling out a broken system that causes home energy injustices.
The problems which make it difficult for people to heat (or cool) their homes are not the fault of individuals or communities. They are systemic. They point to inadequate energy infrastructure, policy failures, socio-economic marginalisation and an overreliance on fossil fuels to set energy prices, which have left people unable to heat or cool their homes.
Researchers and policy makers are increasingly calling for energy transitions to be just and fair. Rhetoric like ‘leaving no one behind’ can come across as top down and even patronising. To be truly inclusive and create the conditions for real change, we need to move beyond labels that reduce people to their hardships, and work with communities to develop more inclusive energy policy language that reflects people’s lived experience.
Read more about the importance of language in energy and climate policy discussions, in the Nature Energy paper authored by Stefan Bouzarovski, Karla Cedano, Laurence Delina, Mari Martiskainen, Tony G. Reames and Neil Simcock.
Professor Mari Martiskainen of the University of Sussex, and Director of the Energy Demand Research Centre (EDRC), is based at the University of Sussex Business School. |
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Professor James Hirschfeld – almost certainly the UK’s longest-serving lecturer – has retired after an extraordinary 60-year career advancing the field of finite geometry. His legacy includes having taught over 15,000 students, authoring around 80 academic papers, and supervising 24 PhD students. His story featured on ITV News, BBC News, BBC Sussex and Heart FM.
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Professor Gillian Sandstrom shared research with The Guardian showing that people prefer deeper, more meaningful conversations over small talk, even with strangers.
Dr David Armstrong McKay spoke to Carbon Brief about Amazon rainforest dieback, warning it may be the most concerning climate tipping point due to its impact on global rainfall patterns.
Finally, Professor Dave Goulson and technician Norman Carreck shared expert insights with The Guardian on a record die-off of honeybees in the US, commenting on a new study and highlighting the role of virus-spreading mites and rising pesticide resistance. Professor Goulson also spoke to the Daily Mail about wasp season in the UK, encouraging appreciation of their role as pollinators and natural pest controllers.
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We hope you have enjoyed this edition of Research at Sussex. We would love for you to share it with your friends, colleagues, and collaborators – so please feel free to forward it on.
Help us shape future editions. We would really value your feedback and ideas for content that you would like to see. Please send your thoughts to Campaigns@sussex.ac.uk. |
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