University of Sussex Physics and Astronomy Department

21/05/2026

You are invited! Join visiting Professor of Physics Clare Burrage from the University of Nottingham for a talk on “What Is Dark Energy and Why Do We Need It?”

📅Monday, 8 June 2026
⏲️1-2pm
Fulton A Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex

How do we come to the remarkable conclusion that 95% of our universe is made up of things we can't see and don't understand?
Royal Society prize winner Prof Clare Burrage will describe how, by asking simple questions about galaxies, that we can observe in the night sky. Clare will talk about one of these mysterious substances, dark energy, that is causing the expansion of the universe to accelerate, and how we are trying to detect it in experiments on earth.

Clare tries to understand what the Universe is made of. She has talked about her work on the Sixty Symbols YouTube channel, on the BBC Horizon programme, and on Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman. She is passionate about making physics a more welcoming and supportive place for groups of people who are currently underrepresented in this field.

She has won a prize for her Royal Society lecture around encouraging girls to apply to do Physics at University.

This is a FREE event. Walk-ins are welcome but cannot be guaranteed entry.

Reserve your space now! 👇

How do we come to the remarkable conclusion that 95% of our universe is made up of things we can't see and don't understand?

14/05/2026

We’re excited to be exhibiting at STEM in the Park 2026 – a fantastic family day out 🙌

📅 Saturday 16 May 2026
⏲️11.00am – 4.00pm
Memorial Gardens, College Road, Crawley, RH10 1EH

Entry: FREE and open to all!

This free, family-friendly event celebrates science, technology, engineering and maths through hands-on activities and interactive exhibits for all ages.

Come along to explore STEM careers, meet local organisations and businesses, and get involved with activities including drone flying, interactive challenges, and more.

The University of Sussex will be there alongside a range of local employers, colleges and STEM organisations showcasing the exciting ways STEM shapes the world around us.

Find out more: https://thestemhub.org.uk/stem-in-the-park

29/04/2026

Hey students!

As the academic year wraps up, we’re excited to invite you to a special networking event:

Meet Your Future Employers: Networking at the Students’ Centre
📍 The Student Centre, Woodland 2&3 room, University of Sussex, Refectory Road, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QU.
📅 Thursday 4th June 2026
🕕 From 6:00 PM – 8.30PM

Organised by the Data-Intensive Science Centre at the University of Sussex (DISCUS) and FoSEM, this evening is all about connecting you with local employers looking for STEM graduates, interns, and PhD students.

Open to all FoSEM Undergraduate, Masters, and PhD students.

What to expect:
✅ A relaxed reception with refreshments and representatives from local companies
✅ Short pitches from employers about what they do and who they’re looking for
✅ A room full of career opportunities—and free refreshments!
✅ A matching desk to help connect you with specific employers if you don’t get a chance to speak on the night

Worried about networking?
No pressure! Just come along, listen to the pitches, and approach the companies you're most interested in. And if you don’t get to speak to someone—we’ll help you connect afterwards.

So sign up… dress up… and come join us for a fun and career-boosting evening!

👉 Register now using your Sussex email address: https://www.ticketsource.com/fosem-university-of-sussex/t-vxxdraa

28/04/2026

Join Prof John Spencer for the next Sussex Universe lecture as he discusses p53, the ‘Guardian of the Genome’ - a protein frequently mutated in cancer that can lose its ability to trigger programmed cell death (apoptosis), allowing cancer cells to survive.

Once considered undruggable, it is now the focus of significant clinical activity, with numerous drugs undergoing trials.

📅 Wednesday 6 May, 6-7PM
Fulton B, University of Sussex

The talk is free, will last approx 1 hour, and includes time for questions at the end.

It’s open to all, so please feel free to bring family and friends - no prior knowledge needed.

Seats are limited and filling up fast, so we recommend reserving your FREE ticket in advance. Walk-ins are welcome on the day but cannot be guaranteed entry.

To book, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/p53-the-guardian-of-the-genome-tickets-1982523266458

21/04/2026

Don't miss the next Sussex Universe Lecture TOMORROW "Broken Brains and Guilty Minds" 🧠

📅 Wednesday 22 April, 6-7PM
Fulton A, University of Sussex

Can neuroscience help us understand addiction as a ‘broken brain’ condition? And if so, should this change how the legal system assigns blame?

There will be celebratory drinks in the foyer before the talk!

FREE tickets are still available if you’re quick. Book now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/broken-brains-and-guilty-minds-tickets-1980123915936

16/04/2026

Could you be a friend to a new Sussex student joining you in Mathematical and Physical Sciences? Could you support someone that is part of your community, from your country, or shares your interests?

The Students’ Union Buddy Scheme is looking for Sussex students to support our freshers in September! If you remember what it’s like to be new at Sussex, and not knowing anyone on campus, then you know how our 2026 students will feel… having a friendly face to greet them when they arrive makes a world of difference and can help them settle into campus much faster.

We ask volunteers to give up just 1 hour a week, just chatting to their matched fresher, answering their questions and hanging out! We match you based on your preferences, and these can be anything from school, other students from the same minority backgrounds as you, other students who share your languages, or even just by something so simple as also liking sports, or reading books!

Lots of lasting friendships have come from Buddy Scheme so why not give it a go yourself? It looks great on your CV too, counts towards your Spirit of Sussex award and can help in future job interviews!

If you’re interested and want to find out a bit more, check out the website here:

www.BuddyScheme.Com

14/04/2026

Happy ! ⚛️

14/04/2026

01/04/2026

Don't miss the next Sussex Universe Lecture, “The Invisible Universe.” 🌃

🗓️ Wednesday, 15th April 2026
⏲️ 6-7pm
Fulton A Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex

Professor Antonella De Santo will explore one of the most intriguing puzzles in science - the nature of dark matter.

The talk is FREE and will last approximately one hour, with time for questions at the end. It is open to everyone, so please feel free to bring family and friends along. No prior knowledge is needed.

Seats are limited and filling up fast, so don’t miss out and reserve your FREE ticket today!

Walk-ins on the day are welcome, but we strongly encourage booking in advance.

05/03/2026

Sussex Universe Presents: First Light – The Earliest Galaxies

What happened in the first few hundred million years after the Big Bang, before the Universe lit up with stars and galaxies?

Join Professor Stephen Wilkins for this Sussex Universe public lecture as he takes us on a journey to uncover how the first stars, black holes and galaxies formed and evolved at the dawn of the cosmos — and what cutting edge telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope are revealing about our ancient universe.

📅 Wed 11 Mar | 6–7pm | University of Sussex, Fulton A
🎟️ FREE tickets (booking required): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/first-light-the-earliest-galaxies-tickets-1977501277554?aff=oddtdtcreator

Open to everyone — no prior knowledge needed!