Sussex Retold: Sounds, Sites, Stories

About

Artists, story-tellers, scholars, land-workers and policy-makers will gather at the University of Sussex to share work and ideas at a creative conference, Sussex Retold: Sounds, Sites Stories, on Friday, 19 June 2026.

The day offers a timely investigation into the diversity of Sussex heritage and how the past can be used for progressive futures.

Speakers will include Anooshka Rawden, Cultural Heritage Lead for the South Downs National Park Authority; Alinah Azadeh, artist, writer and local cultural activist; Caroline Lucas, former MP and now Professor of Practice in Environmental Sustainability at the University; Matthew Bird, Director of Love Our Ouse; Libby Drew, Knepp Wildlife Foundation Director and Charlie Cain, National Trust Ranger, Saddlescombe Farm.

Also to savour will be stalls, walks and workshops (final line-up TBC), including:

Dance displays by Brighton Morris (first formed at the University in 1967) who promote an inclusive approach to tradition
'Prehistoric Sussex on a Plate', with ancient food grains;
Creative writing inspired by Neolithic 'Whitehawk Woman' and Knepp
Singing together to 're-sound The Long Man of Wilmington'
A walk to the students' forest food garden via the campus rewilded patch.
Have a go at step-dance or soak in a meditative local 'birdbath'. Discover more about Sussex Gypsy Roma and Traveller heritage with historian Janet Keet-Black. Take a look at exhibits from The Keep's Copper family archive, renowned local singers from Rottingdean.

The day will also premiere a site-specific 'promenade' drama about the history of Sussex-campus land by award-winning playwright Sara Clifford, known for her work on the class struggles and hidden histories of the local area.

Things will end with music from The Wilderness Yet, acclaimed young Sussex-infused folk stars, at Falmer's The Swan Inn barn.

Organised by the University of Sussex's Centre for Life History and Life Writing Research in partnership with the Sussex School for Progressive Futures, the day is the culmination of a two-year project Sussex Retold, working with local partners to develop practical solutions to challenges in the local culture and environment.