Inclusive Sussex: In Conversation
This event series explores issues of liberation, equality, diversity, inclusion and social justice with voices from a wide variety of backgrounds, occupations and walks of life.
About In Conversation events
Hosted on campus, the events feature guest speakers in conversation with staff, students and our local community, often accompanied by presentations and talks.
View upcoming In Conversation events.
Latest event
Gary Younge discusses systems of racial oppression
Professor Gary Younge, award-winning author, broadcaster and professor of Sociology discussed what the experiences of Black Germans in Nazi Germany tell us about systems of racial oppression. This event, held in February 2025, supported our project to build understanding of different forms of racism.
Previous events
Find out more about our previous In Conversation events and view replays.
- Fox Fisher on transgender lives and experiences
The Trans and Non-Binary Staff Network hosted an In Conversation event in October 2024 welcoming Sussex alum Fox Fisher back to campus. Fox is an artist, author, filmmaker, and prominent transgender rights activist known for their extensive work in advocating for the transgender and non-binary community. Fox joined us to share a number of short films from My Genderation, a film project focusing on the lives of transgender and non-binary people. The honest and moving films shine a light on the joys and challenges experienced by transgender and non-binary people of all generations and identities.
- Race and education explored with Kalwant Bhopal
Professor Kalwant Bhopal of the University of Birmingham joined us for an In Conversation event in October 2024, talking about themes in her book Race and Education: Reproducing White Supremacy in Britain. Sharing insights from her research, Kalwant explored the issues of gender versus race, the impact of equality charter work and ways for allies to support the fight against racism. As a renowned Critical Race Theorist, Kalwant’s work supports our aim to explore different understandings of racism and religious discrimination.
- Generational inequalities in focus with Nicola Dandridge and Omar Khan
We welcomed Professor Nicola Dandridge and Dr Omar Khan to campus in February 2024 for a discussion about generational differences in the way we think about justice and society, and how universities can help drive change. Dame Nicola Dandridge DBE is a former Chief Executive of Universities UK and was the first Chief Executive of the Office for Students (OfS). She is now Professor of Practice in HE Policy at Bristol University. Dr Omar Khan was formerly Director of the Runneymede Trust, Britain's oldest race equality organisation, and is now Chief Executive of TASO (Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education). Both are long-time equality activists and advocates.
Professor David Ruebain, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Culture, Equality and Inclusion) and three panelists from the School of Education and Social Work also shared their perspectives: Dr Emily Danvers, Senior Lecturer in Higher Education Pedagogies; Professor Janet Boddy, Professor of Child, Youth and Family Studies; and Matt Johnson, postgraduate researcher and Head of Research at the Runnymede Trust.
- Inclusive leadership is top of the agenda with Lela Kogbara and Jane Farrell
Lela Kogbara and Jane Farrell joined us to discuss inclusive leadership in October 2023. Lela has many years of experience of bringing together individuals, local communities and organisations to address the structural barriers that prevent Black people from thriving. Jane is a specialist in inclusive leadership, unconscious bias, organisational change and cultural adaptability.
The event also featured a panel of Sussex staff including Dr Benjamin Everly and Dr Zahira Jaser, both senior lecturers at 日韩无码 Business School, and Professor David Ruebain, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Culture, Equality and Inclusion). During the wide-reaching conversation they discussed experiences of marginalised identities at work, gender and leadership and the extent to which equality, diversity and inclusion programmes are and can be successful within organisations.
- Tom Shakespeare talks relationships and interdependence
We were joined by Tom Shakespeare, Professor of Disability Research at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine for our second In Conversation event in May 2023. In a panel discussion with Dr Hadir Elshafay and Dr Hannah Mason-Bish, both from the School of Law, Politics and Sociology, and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Culture, Equality and Inclusion) Professor David Ruebain, Tom discussed next steps in disability, liberation and equality in light of the transformative experience of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
- Dan Gillespie Sells explores storytelling, identity and power
Our first Inclusive Sussex: In Conversation event in November 2022, featured musician and songwriter Dan Gillespie Sells. Dan is lead singer of The Feeling and has composed the music for the hit musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie about a young drag queen, which was subsequently made into a film. The wide-ranging yet intimate conversation focused on liberation and storytelling.
Dan also took part in a panel discussion with Professor Kate O’Riordan Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students), Dr Sharon Webb, Senior Lecturer in Digital Humanities, and Professor David Ruebain, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Culture, Equality and Inclusion). During the discussion, the panel reflected on how sometimes the magic is working out the space between perspectives – the tussle of two narratives, resulting in something new. That ‘something new’ is where inclusion lies.