Shaping Brighton's future
Higher education in the UK is facing profound challenges. Severe financial pressures, changing student expectations and growing demand for skills, innovation and research mean that incremental change is no longer going to deliver.
Rather than waiting for change to happen, the university is thinking boldly about its future and how it can create a stronger, financially sustainable institution that is radically relevant and better connected to students, employers, communities and partners.
Professor Donna Whitehead, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Brighton, said: "Universities across the UK are facing significant challenges. Our response is not to stand still or wait for change to happen to us.
"We are choosing to shape our own future, building a university that is stronger, more sustainable and better connected to the needs of future students, employers, communities and partners.
"This is about creating the foundations for the next generation of Brighton and ensuring we continue to invest confidently in our students, our staff and our impact."
Transforming our campuses for the future
Brighton’s ambition is to create campuses that match its vision for the future – inclusive, connected and sustainable places that bring people together, support collaboration and provide an outstanding environment in which to learn, teach, research and work.
Through its Campuses of the Future work, the university is exploring how its estate can better support that ambition and the changing needs of students, staff and partners.
Today, the university operates across three campuses: City, Moulsecoomb and Falmer. Each has its own strengths and identity, but operating across three locations also means the university’s community, facilities and investment are dispersed across the city. A preferred option is now being explored that could see activity currently delivered across three campuses brought together at City and Moulsecoomb from 2030.
This has the potential to create a more connected, inclusive, vibrant and sustainable experience, while enabling investment to be focused where it can make the greatest difference. It would create opportunities to develop high-quality, accessible spaces designed around the needs of the whole university community, with modern technology and outstanding facilities supporting learning, teaching, research, collaboration and innovation.
The proposal would also strengthen the university's presence in central Brighton and deepen connections with employers, communities, cultural organisations and public services across the city and region.
This is a significant proposition, and no final decision has been made. Further detailed work is taking place alongside engagement with students, staff and partners before any recommendation is considered by the university's Board of Governors later this year.
Tom Rowson, Chief Operating Officer, said: "We believe there is an opportunity to create something genuinely special for our students and the whole university community.
"By bringing more of our community together, we would be able to focus investment on world-class facilities, technology and student experience, while strengthening our connection to the city that inspires and shapes so much of what makes Brighton distinctive.
"It’s important to say that no decision has been made, and we are engaging openly and actively with staff, students, trade unions, partners and the wider community as this work develops."
A future-focused relationship with trade unions
Alongside its campuses work, the university has begun discussions with its recognised trade unions about a future framework for employment arrangements and a new recognition agreement.
These discussions are intended to replace approximately 28 collective agreements with a more modern employment framework that better supports staff, students and the institution's long-term ambitions.
The university has been clear that this work is not about reducing or withdrawing colleagues' existing terms and conditions, contractual benefits or employment protections including annual leave, occupational sick pay, maternity and paternity pay, parental leave and notice periods.
Nor is the university seeking to weaken the role of its recognised trade unions. All existing collective agreements remain in place during the nine-month notice period while discussions take place, with the university committed to working collaboratively with its trade unions to develop and agree the new framework.
Professor Whitehead said: "I deeply value the important role our trade unions play in representing colleagues and contributing to university life. I want to be very clear that we are not reducing or withdrawing colleagues’ terms and conditions, contractual benefits, or employment protections.
"These discussions are about working with our trade unions to create arrangements that are fit for a modern university and support colleagues, students and our future ambitions.
"I am committed to constructive engagement and meaningful dialogue throughout the process and look forward to working collaboratively with our recognised trade unions."
A commitment to engagement and partnership
The university is continuing an extensive programme of engagement with staff, students, trade unions and external partners through open meetings, consultation activities and dedicated communications.
Professor Whitehead said: "These are important conversations and we are committed to open and honest engagement as our thinking develops.
"We value the insight, expertise, challenge and creativity that our community brings, and we want colleagues, students, trade unions and partners to help shape the future of Brighton with us."