University of Sussex Business School

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University of Sussex Business School

We study the issues that matter, in order to transform our world and your future. Welcome to the University of Sussex Business School.

The School consists of the Departments of Accounting and Finance, Economics, Management, Strategy and Marketing, and SPRU – Science Policy Research Unit. Together these departments offer a wide range of expertise that is of direct relevance to businesses and economic, science and technology policy locally, nationally and internationally. As a research orientated School, producing cutting edge research that addresses real-world issues, pressing global policy agendas, and business practices, we are also committed to developing the underlying core disciplines. We provide leadership in the development and dissemination of sustainable business and management practice, informed by sound economic logic and a deep understanding of policy making. We provide the highest quality teaching and learning facilities for the aspiring business leaders, economists and policy makers of tomorrow.

15/09/2026

⏰ Only 1 week until Welcome Week!

Whether you're joining us for the first time or returning for another year, there's something for everyone.

Make sure you've booked onto all your relevant welcome sessions.
Just check your welcome week timetable for more details https://student.sussex.ac.uk/new-students/welcome/business-school
We look forward to seeing you!

14/09/2026

Congratulations to Benjamin Sovacool, Professor of Energy Policy at the University of Sussex Business School, and his co-authors on their paper co-winning a 2026 Best Paper Award from the journal Energy Research & Social Science.

Led by Professor Sovacool, the paper explores how the public can be involved in considering possible climate futures, using technology foresight to examine interventions including carbon removal and solar geoengineering.

Carbon removal is the process of physically scrubbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it permanently, through tree planting or advanced technologies; solar engineering uses climate technologies to reflect a small fraction of sunlight back into space to reduce Earth’s temperature.

The study identifies five possible climate futures, ranging from a Global Green Belt and Urban Carbon Gardens to an Interplanetary Sunshield, highlighting different ways societies could respond to climate change.

Professor Sovacool is also a co-author of the second 2026 Best Paper Award, led by Dr Nellie Amosi, which reviews 25 years of research on metrics and indicators for energy, climate and environmental justice.

A fantastic double recognition for him!

Read more: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/energy-research-and-social-science/about/awards/benjamin-k-sovacool-and-colleagues-and-nellie-amosi-and-colleagues-are-the-co-winners-of-the-two-2026-best-paper-awards-from-energy-research-social-science

09/09/2026

Could Canada-EU ties go beyond trade?

Matthew Agarwala, Professor in Sustainable Finance at the University of Sussex Business School, explored this question during his feature on the TRT World Roundtable yesterday.

As Canada seeks to diversify its trade relationships amid growing strains with the US, Professor Agarwala noted that closer cooperation with Europe could go far beyond simply trading goods and resources.

He highlighted the potential for deeper economic integration, including “co-funding investments in the strategic infrastructure” needed for supply chains across telecommunications, defence, rare earth metals, and AI to flourish.

For Canada and the EU, stronger ties could lead to more resilient supply chains and greater economic security. Canada could also support Europe’s net-zero transition ambition. These would bring two key middle powers closer together.

Watch Professor Agarwala's contributions from 8:53 to learn more insights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxM_yeyQZE8

04/09/2026

As heatwaves increase in Europe, it’s vital to include health systems in climate adaptation plans.

This is among the core highlights of a recent Nature letter authored by a trio from the University of Sussex Business School: Chirantan Chatterjee, Professor of Development Economics, Innovation and Global Health; Indrajit Adhikari, Doctoral Research Student; and Benjamin Sovacool, Professor of Energy Policy.

They argued that preparing for extreme heat goes beyond cooling cities and improving buildings. Healthcare systems need the capacity, funding, and resilience to respond to increasing health risks.

Learn more: https://bennettinstitutesussex.org/stories/put-health-systems-at-the-centre-of-european-heatwave-plans/

03/09/2026

Join us for the Michael Lipton Memorial Lecture featuring Francisco H. G. Ferreira, one of the world's leading development economists, hosted by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS).
The lecture will explore pressing questions around inequality, poverty, and inclusive development in this thought-provoking lecture honoring Michael Lipton's lasting legacy.

📅 Tuesday 17 November
⏰ 3pm - 5pm
📍 IDS Convening Space and/or online Zoom

Register today and be part of the conversation: https://www.ids.ac.uk/events/michael-lipton-memorial-lecture-with-francisco-h-g-ferreira/

01/09/2026

Access to affordable and nutritious food: should it be a public policy concern or left to individuals?

A recent Institute of Development Studies opinion piece, co-authored by Dr Elaine Swan from the University of Sussex Business School, explores the backlash against publicly supported restaurants in the UK.

The authors argue that urging people to “shop better” or “cook at home” ignores the real issues behind food insecurity. These include low incomes, rising costs of living, and a lack of time.

The debate raises a broader question: should affordable, nutritious food be considered part of a healthy society's infrastructure?

Learn more: https://www.ids.ac.uk/opinions/just-go-to-lidl-the-backlash-against-public-restaurants/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_ilc4rwaixu

28/08/2026

Explore the LEAF Indonesia project led by Fiona Marshall, Professor of Environment and Development at the University of Sussex Business School.

It combines community knowledge, artificial intelligence, satellite imagery, and policy research to show more sustainable and inclusive land-use pathways.

This project is important because it shows how Indonesia can achieve food security, protect biodiversity, support local livelihoods, and tackle climate change. It can do this without sacrificing one goal for another.

Read more: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/business-school/research/news?id=71075

26/08/2026

Where you are when violent crime occurs may shape how it affects your mental wellbeing.

A new article co-authored by Professor Richard Dickens and Dr George MacKerron, economists at the University of Sussex Business School, explores how proximity to violent crime can affect the wellbeing of local residents.

The researchers found stronger effects among people who were at home and closer to where violent incidents occurred, while the effect was smaller when residents were away from home.

They suggest that incidents closer to home may feel more personal, particularly when people become aware of them through police activity, local word of mouth, media coverage, or seeing the aftermath.

The findings highlight how experiences of safety can be shaped not only by whether crime happens, but by where it happens in relation to our everyday lives.

Read the full article in The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/violent-crime-in-your-area-could-be-affecting-your-mental-health-284685

25/08/2026

More than 2,000 companies, representing US$36.6 trillion in annual revenue, have made net-zero commitments. Without consistent ways to measure emissions, how can we tell if these commitments are real and driving real climate action?

A new Nature Sustainability article co-authored by Professors Matthew Agarwala and Felix Creutzig, climate experts based at the University of Sussex Business School, proposes net-zero blueprints specific to industry while being grounded in climate science.

These blueprints can show what credible efforts to cut carbon emissions look like in various industries. They could also provide clearer benchmarks to track progress towards net zero.

Learn more: https://iiasa.ac.at/news/jul-2026/trillion-dollar-question-behind-corporate-net-zero-pledges

21/08/2026

“There should be clear, consistent policy signals on climate technologies that will be in new homes, such as low-carbon heating, external shockers to cushion grid failure, air conditioning, trees for local shading, and urban green space. This will enable businesses and households to react and respond efficiently.”

Matthew Agarwala, Professor of Sustainable Finance at the University of Sussex Business School, highlighted the importance of this approach when he appeared on Channel 4 this week to discuss solutions to the UK’s wildfires and extreme heat.

While urging the Andy Burnham-led government to invest in a climate-resilient future, he stressed the need not to make the problem worse through continued carbon emissions, new North Sea drilling, and fossil fuel subsidies.

Watch the footage of his interview for more insights: https://www.channel4.com/news/uk-climate-breakdown-coming-faster-and-harder-says-economist

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Jubilee Building, University Of Sussex, Falmer
Brighton
BN19SL

Website

http://sussex.ac.uk/business-school

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