Category: Geography

top view of swimming pool

Pioneering new project explores inclusive open water swimming with visually impaired community

A groundbreaking project is supporting visually impaired people across Sussex to enjoy the mental and physical benefits of open water swimming.

Led by researcher Sadie Rockliffe from the university’s School of Business and Law, the project focuses on making blue spaces, such as seas, lakes, and pools, more welcoming and accessible to people with sight loss.

While outdoor swimming is increasingly recognised for its health and wellbeing benefits, many blue spaces remain inaccessible to people with visual impairments. Often designed with sightedness as the default, these environments can overlook the importance of other senses, such as touch, sound, rhythm, and temperature, which are essential for many swimmers, with or without sight.

Sadie’s research project challenges this sight-centred approach by exploring how people with visual impairments connect with water through their other senses – and by working directly with participants to reimagine these environments as more inclusive, community-focused, and responsive to diverse sensory experiences.

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University of Brighton sign outside elm house

University of Brighton ranked among top 4.3% of universities worldwide

The University of Brighton has earned a place among the world’s leading universities. Brighton has ranked in the top 4.3% of institutions globally, in the 2025 Global 2000 list by the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR). 

This recognition highlights the university’s continued dedication to academic excellence, impactful research, and the success of its students and alumni worldwide.

The 2025 CWUR rankings are the largest of their kind, based entirely on outcome-based data, rather than surveys or self-submitted statistics. Universities are assessed across four key pillars: education, employability, faculty, and research – all of which reflect measurable impact on students and society.

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female wearing cricket sportswear holding a bat

University of Brighton to open UK’s largest indoor cricket academy

The University of Brighton has announced the UK’s largest indoor cricket academy, enabling aspiring cricketers to develop their talents while earning a degree.

Brighton Cricket Academy is a groundbreaking partnership between the University of Brighton and Square One Education Ltd, which will offer top-tier professional coaching and cutting-edge facilities from September 2025.

Based at the university’s new Brighton Sport and Health Complex, Brighton Cricket Academy will be the second largest indoor cricket facility in the world, providing a world-class training environment catering to student cricketers of all ages, genders, backgrounds, and abilities. The academy programme will support players in fulfilling their potential both on the field and in their academic studies.

Brighton Cricket Academy will be open to all University of Brighton students at foundation, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels, catering to aspiring professional cricketers and those with a passion for the game. 

Continue reading “University of Brighton to open UK’s largest indoor cricket academy” →

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Montage of images invlude a birde eye view of the ocean, a drone flying over a green field, a mose in a field and the Royal Pavillion in Brighton

Centre for Environment and Society to drive R&KE excellence

The University of Brighton has launched its latest Centre of Research and Knowledge Exchange Excellence – the Centre for Environment and Society, headed by co-directors Dr Corina Ciocan and Professor James Ebdon from the School of Applied Sciences.

The centre replaces and builds on the work of the Centre for Earth Observation Science and Centre for Aquatic Environments and seeks to address pressing environmental, health and societal challenges. Research and knowledge exchange activities within the new centre fall under the following five broad themes:

  • Water, health and humans
  • People, nature and place
  • Geoscience and society
  • Ecology and conservation
  • Environmental data and spatial intelligence.
Continue reading “Centre for Environment and Society to drive R&KE excellence” →

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group shot of geography and enviromental students on fieldtrip in Siciliy

From the classroom to Sicily: How Brighton geography and enviroment students experience the real world

Field trips are the best way of learning what the world’s really like in practice, not just in theory. They also boost students’ confidence for future studies and for jobs – they’ve seen the challenges the field throws up, and they’ve learned that they can deal with them!” – Dr Nick McGlynn, Senior Lecturer in Geography.

Second-year students studying our Geography and Environmental Sciences degrees recently took an unforgettable field trip to Sicily! The annual visit is a vital part of our courses, allowing students to put theory into practice in dynamic, real-world environments.

Accredited by the Royal Geographical Society and the Institution of Environmental Sciences, our degrees ensure students graduate with genuine field experience — a vital asset for their future careers.

Continue reading “From the classroom to Sicily: How Brighton geography and enviroment students experience the real world” →

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Person on a bike by Brighton pier

Brighton named one of Time Out’s 50 best cities in the world for 2025

Brighton ranks 34th on Time Out’s 2025 list of the world’s 50 best cities, making it the third-highest ranked city in the UK.

The definitive annual list is published every year, based on feedback from tens of thousands of city-dwellers across the globe. This year, over 18,000 participants shared their thoughts on key aspects of city life such as food, nightlife, culture, affordability, happiness, and overall atmosphere.

Claiming the 34th spot globally, Brighton secured its place among the globe’s go-to destinations as the third highest-ranked UK city, behind only London and Edinburgh, and one of just six UK cities to make it into the top 50.

Time Out highlights the city for its unique blend of metropolitan features and welcoming, laid-back beach attitude, stating:

“Brighton has essentially plucked all the important parts of a sprawling cosmopolitan metropolis (connections to London in under an hour, an array of properly excellent restaurants, energetic late-night spots) and paired it with the easy-breezy beachy attitude to life that makes you feel welcome in an instant.”

Brighton stood out as the second-most walkable of all cities surveyed, and Brighton locals were the third-most likely to call the city ‘diverse and inclusive’, with 64% of residents saying it’s a lively place to be.

The beach was praised for its ‘standout restaurants’, ‘buzzy bars’ and ‘new active venues’, meanwhile the food scene was lauded as being one ‘where diners can also enjoy DJs, dancefloors and cocktails, all in one place.’

The city’s beloved North Laine was also praised for its ‘hippy-esque beating heart’ and ‘city-wide passion for sustainability, emphasised through everything from vegetarian eateries such as Iydea to homeware shops like Dowse.’

The University of Brighton is proud to call this dynamic city home, sharing its values of community engagement, creativity, and sustainability. As Brighton continues to flourish, it remains a hub for students and residents to engage with a rich array of cultural and social opportunities.

Other UK cities on the list include London in fifth place, Edinburgh at 13th, Glasgow in 36th, Belfast in 47th, and Bristol in 48th.

Read the full article.

 

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Paul Cottingham Trust scholarship

University of Brighton announces one of the UK’s first scholarships focused on the study of trans inclusion

A PhD scholarship focused on trans and non-binary inclusion has been launched by the University of Brighton in collaboration with The Paul Cottingham Trust.

The scholarship will provide a talented researcher with financial support and access to world-class resources, to develop a project focusing on trans and non-binary inclusion within the broad remit of supporting health, wellbeing, and dignity in health and social care. It will be awarded to a candidate who is committed to making a difference to the wider trans community and will provide a unique opportunity for in-depth research that can explore the issues and opportunities for trans people.

This landmark initiative reflects the University of Brighton’s ongoing commitment to advancing research, fostering social change, and championing equality.

Logo for the Paul Cottingham Trust

The scholarship is overseen by the University’s Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender (CTSG), an internationally recognised research centre known for its pioneering work in LGBTQIA+ lives and communities. The centre’s researchers employ innovative methods and creative approaches, to produce work that informs policy and practice. The centre also champions anti-racist and gender-inclusive research, providing a vibrant and inclusive environment for its thriving community of early-career researchers and students.

Professor Nigel Sherriff, Professor of Public Health and Public Promotion and Director of CTSG at the University of Brighton said:

“The scholarship represents a unique opportunity to contribute to a vision for the future that transforms trans and non-binary inclusion at every level. It will be awarded to a candidate who demonstrates a strong commitment to driving social change, advancing trans rights, and championing inclusion for trans and non-binary communities, particularly their most marginalised members. It represents an exciting chance to contribute to a vision that translates into tangible improvements in the lives of trans and non-binary individuals.”

Funding for the PhD is provided by The Paul Cottingham Trust, founded in memory of actor, singer, fundraiser and charity supporter Paul Cottingham. Established by Lord Michael Cashman CBE (Paul’s husband) and fellow Trustees, the Trust is dedicated to promoting LGBTQIA+ equality and inclusion globally, focusing on initiatives that create meaningful change for marginalised communities.

Lord Michael Cashman CBE said:

‘We are proud to join the Uni of Brighton in this innovative and exciting project which embodies our shared commitment to achieving an inclusive and equal society where everyone can achieve their unique potential and enjoy the same rights, obligations and privileges as others.’

Click here for more information on the scholarship and how to apply.

Joanna TurnerLeave a comment
Sustainable campus in Falmer

Brighton jumps into top 30 in new university sustainability league table

The University of Brighton has climbed an impressive 16 places to secure a spot in the top 30 of the latest People & Planet University League, a prestigious ranking of 165 UK universities based on their environmental and ethical performance.

Brighton’s achievement also places it as the fourth most sustainable university in the South East, showcasing its leadership in sustainability within the region.

Recognized for Excellence in Sustainability

The People & Planet League evaluates universities across 14 categories, including environmental policy and strategy, water use, waste and recycling, carbon management and reduction, as well as education on sustainable development.

Brighton was awarded:

  • 100% for its sustainability strategy and policies.
  • 90% for staff and student engagement.
  • 85% for education on sustainable development.
  • 83% for carbon management.

The improvement on last year’s league table position means Brighton has risen by 41 places in the last two years having placed 71st in 2022 and 46th in 2023.

University of Brighton People and Planet award

A Mission-Aligned Approach

Ollie Swan, Head of Sustainability at the University of Brighton, emphasized the institution’s dual focus on academic and operational excellence:
“Our academic mission is deeply connected to addressing today’s environmental and ethical challenges. By aligning our teaching and research with real-world issues, we prepare students to contribute to a sustainable society. At the same time, we’re committed to ‘walking the talk’ through our own environmental performance. While these results are encouraging, we remain focused on consistent improvements within our emerging university strategy.”

A Track Record of Sustainable Action

The latest performance in the national sustainability league table comes after the university was awarded platinum status through the EcoCampus university sector environmental management certification (EMS) scheme.

This is a result of implementing strategic policies to cut carbon emissions, move towards cleaner energy, protect biodiversity, and reduce waste.

So far, the University of Brighton has:

  • Generated 630,000 kWh of solar power in 2023/24—equivalent to powering 230 homes for a year.
  • Diverted 4.7 tonnes of waste from landfills through a reuse campaign, which collected 592 bags of unwanted items from student halls and raised £8,880 for charity in 2024.
Commitment to a Sustainable Future

This recognition reflects Brighton’s dedication to fostering a culture of sustainability. The university’s staff and students play an active role in driving positive environmental change, setting a strong example for the wider community.

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