Religion and Belief
The Equality Act 2010 provides protection against discrimination, harassment and victimisation of staff, students or visitors on the grounds of religion or belief. These protections apply to employment, education (including higher education) and the provision of goods and services. The University, as a public body also has proactive obligations through the Public Sector Equality Duty which include considerations of religion and belief.
In order to help meet these obligations the University has established a Religion and Belief Forum which meets once a term. The purpose of the Forum is to strengthen and develop the University’s commitment to creating a non-discriminatory, inclusive environment where the religious and non-religious faiths and beliefs of all are respected, and where the values of open and respectful debate are upheld. This work also supports the University’s fundamental commitment to ensure and advance respect for diversity of background, identity, belief, thought, discipline, and method.
The Forum has agreed terms of reference describing its role, including providing advice and information and supporting the University’s policies, procedures and practices relating to this strand of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) work. The intention is also to make links with other programmes of work, to share and build knowledge, understanding and awareness, and identify shared values that support positive engagement between people of different faiths (and none) and with a wide variety of deeply held beliefs. The Forum will consider how to support colleagues in their diversity of beliefs, and it will explore how best to promote inter-faith and inter-belief dialogue.
If you are interested in learning more about the activities of the forum or becoming a member of the forum please e-mail edi.unit@sussex.ac.uk.
Further Information and Support
Chaplaincy
The University Chaplains offer welcoming informal support to those both with and without faith. If you would like to talk to one of the Chaplains or find out more about the different chaplaincy groups visit the Chaplaincy and Meeting House webpages.
Student Societies
The University has a number of faith and belief-based societies. Find these on the .