Eastern Arc welcomes fourth member
By: Communications
The University of Sussex has joined the universities of East Anglia, Essex and Kent to become the fourth member of the Eastern Arc (academic research consortium).
At a ceremony at the Royal Society in London on 11 January 2024, the vice-chancellors of the four universities signed a memorandum of understanding that will support joint working in research, education, innovation, knowledge exchange, training, and equipment-sharing.
Launched in 2013, Eastern Arc has grown to be a significant regional catalyst for collaboration and cooperation, resulting in over £10m of funding for partnerships between two or more of the member institutions since 2020.
The Consortium has increasingly advocated for and led on issues of particular importance to the greater southeast of England, including coastal deprivation, food, diet and nutrition, and heritage, culture and placemaking. A series of Eastern Arc events has brought together academics and stakeholders to explore these issues, leading to reports which are helping policymakers and directing our future collaborations.
Within the universities, it has supported the development of a positive research culture, opening up training across the consortium, launching an Imaging Platform Alliance, and establishing an innovative mentoring scheme that has matched over 230 academics, technicians and professional services staff for their professional development.
Prof David Maguire, Vice-Chancellor at the University of East Anglia, said:
“The University of Sussex shares our principles of collaboration, interdisciplinary thinking and delivering impactful research, so we are pleased to see this expansion of the Eastern Arc. We all continue to benefit from joint working across research, innovation and teaching.”
In 2024 the Consortium will develop its strategy for the next five years, supporting the creative, civic and impactful work of its members, and ensuring that the work of regional, dual-intensive universities plays a central role in addressing the key issues that face the country.
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