2023 in review: Highlights from an eventful year of staff, student and alumni achievements

January

• Product Design graduate Liam Murphy launched his mindfulness aid for kids aimed at improving children’s mental wellbeing.
• Groundbreaking research carried out for Drinkaware led to the first comprehensive review of alcohol misuse in the UK's LGBT+ communities.
• Three PhD students win three of five competitive research placements on BBC Radio 4 series ‘You’re Dead to me’.

February

• PhD Researcher Julia Meister presented her work to MPs and Peers at the finals of this year’s STEM for Britain.
• A collaborative study between the University of Brighton and Nottingham Trent University revealed fascinating clashes among British wildlife over leftover food.
• We celebrated the tremendous achievements of our students at the Winter Graduation ceremonies

March

• Original animation artwork by three Illustration students featured on the final of BBC1 television’s Great British Menu.
• 3D Design and Craft graduate Tom Meades launched new sustainable speakers made from waste plastic and e-bike batteries.
• Experts from the University of Brighton joined UK project to develop AI drone aimed at saving lives on the modern battlefield.

Illustration students attend the final of the Great British Menu

Researchers from the Centre for Precision and Health Translation Medicine

April

• We opened our new Centre for Precision and Health Translation Medicine, a UK hub for the development of new and innovative ways to prevent, diagnose and treat disease.
• A group of Brighton Podiatry students volunteered to treat injured runners at the 2023 London Marathon.
• Roderick Mills, Senior Lecturer in our School of Art and Media, was revealed as the artist behind the original artwork for The New York Times’ hit podcast, 'The Coldest Case in Laramie'.

May

• A team of staff and students spent eight days providing coaching support and training in The Gambia as part of our Football 4 Peace project.
• Alumna Keziah Burt’s sculpture of King Charles III was selected for the Royal Tribute Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
• Research led by the University of Brighton as part of Europe-wide project highlighted the importance of dignity and sense of personal control as UK population ages.

Football 4 Peace team

Brighton Summer Shows

June

• Students presented their brilliant works at the University of Brighton’s renowned Summer Shows.
• Our Vice-Chancellor, Debra Humphris, was appointed CBE in King Charles III’s first Birthday Honours list for services to Higher Education and the NHS.
• Air quality experts from our university took part in a project aimed at creating the world’s first hydrogen-powered crematorium.
• Investigations by our researchers revealed hidden sexual abuse of men and barriers to seeking support.

July

• As part of our Summer Graduation graduates received an incredible congratulatory video from astronaut and Brighton alumnus Sultan Al Neyadi from the International Space Station.
• Our School of Business and Law was recognised as one of the world’s leading business schools after receiving accreditation from the Association of Advanced Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
• Artwork by three Illustration students was chosen by award-winning investigative news agency, Bellingcat for their annual report.

Dr Sultan Al-Neyadi wishes graduating students well from the International Space Station

Professor Bhavik Patel

August

• Professor Bhavik Patel was recognised as one of the top 100 leaders and influencers in analytical science over the past decade.
• A team of Brighton students and staff won a national teaching award for their work tackling the UK’s shortage of blood and organ donors.
• Director of Education and Students Jo MacDonnell received a National Teaching Fellowship for her outstanding impact on our students.

September

• Brighton graduate Desmond Macauley received support from the university for his project to help train Sierra Leone’s first physiotherapists.
• Our teaching quality received a massive vote of confidence with a national Silver Award in the national Teaching Excellence Framework.
• Nursing alumna Rebecca Porter volunteered to provide vital medical care in war-torn Ukraine.
• Brighton was recognised for the work we do to deliver social and economic benefits in the latest Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF).

Queenwood Library librarians and graduate Desmond Macauley

NHS partnership

October

• We launched a new partnership with the NHS to offer guaranteed jobs to our mental health nursing graduates.
• Our School of Humanities and Social Science moved into its new home in Mithras House after major refurbishment works were completed.
• Alumnus Alex Witty launched a sustainable footwear line made from used Formula 1 tyres.

November

• An exhibition exploring human stories behind gender-based violence in UK and Mexico opened in Brighton featuring work by Lecturer Vanessa Marr.
• PhD student and Digital Music and Sound Arts graduate Olivia Louvel won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Sound Art at The Ivors Classical Awards 2023.
• A new partnership has been launched with Ringmer AFC to provide Brighton students with football industry experience.

Table cloth stories of gender based violence

University of Brighton research team

December

• Two University of Brighton research teams of staff and students spent a week suspended in space-like conditions to monitor the outcome of experiments with applications on earth and in space.
• Our final ‘Brains at the Bevy’ public talk of 2023 saw lecturer Gemma Graham explore and explain the mystery behind the love-hate relationship Brits have with the scary tales.
• Architecture lecturer Nick Hayhurst’s practice Hayhurst and Co wins RIBA House of the Year 2023.