Building a culture of understanding and connection: the Open Listening Programme at the University of Sussex

This guest blog has been kindly authored by Professor David Ruebain, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Culture, Equality and Inclusion and University Free Speech Officer at the University of Sussex and Isobel Pearce, Assistant Director of Human Resources for Culture, Equality and Inclusion at the University of Sussex

Like all universities, Sussex is a site of deep contestation, often reflecting profound questions of identity, belief and politics, some of which cleave to generational and cultural differences. Beyond academic arguments, furious disagreement can arise on matters which engage questions of sex and gender, the Israel-Palestine conflict and traditional left/right divisions. 

In a scholarly environment, robust disagreement is necessary to the advancement of understanding, but at times we have struggled to find ways to support contention without it spilling-over into tension and conflict. And whilst legal and regulatory frameworks are necessary and important, they are not enough, because university life is lived in everyday interactions and behaviour, not in codes and rules. 

In this context, we determined that one of the best things that the University can do is provide resources to support difficult conversations, and, in particular, to facilitate the skills involved in active listening. When approached constructively and with courage, conversations across deeply held differences can deepen understanding, strengthen relationships, and inspire positive change – without requiring agreement or the setting aside of personal beliefs, experiences, or identity. With the right tools and support, challenging moments can become opportunities for growth and connection.

The Sussex Open Listening Programme was created to facilitate this. Developed and delivered by our consultant Jassy Denison, a facilitator specialising in conflict and communication, its purpose is simple yet transformative: to strengthen our individual and collective capacity for engaging in difficult conversations—especially those that arise from different life experiences, identities, beliefs and perspectives—and to cultivate a culture in which listening, understanding, and respectful dialogue are the norm.

It has taken us several years of careful, collaborative, and iterative work to get here, and there have been a few pitfalls along the way but we are now at a point where the programme is established and embedding.

What Is the Sussex Open Listening Programme?

The programme comprises several elements that build on ‘open listening’ as an experiential process that combines theory, reflective practice, and guided exploration. Throughout 2023 and 2024, pilot introductory workshops and activities were delivered across the University, bringing different elements of conflict theory to life through practical exercises, facilitated listening spaces, and opportunities for dialogue.

The Pilot Programme

The pilot programme focused on introducing staff and some students to inclusive listening approaches and to working effectively with interpersonal conflict, exploring what happens when we disagree, building confidence in navigating conflict constructively, and strengthening relationships grounded in respect for difference.

As part of the programme, participants explored both theory and practice. In the Conflict Theory component, they were introduced to frameworks that explain the dynamics of conflict, including how we tend to react when disagreements occur, the influence of positional and personal power, the range of choices available to us in those moments, and how different approaches can lead to different outcomes.

In the Open Listening Spaces, participants were guided to reflect on what enables or hinders open expression, what it truly means to listen to another person, and how our intention and attention shape the quality of dialogue. Together, these elements can create a strong foundation for more compassionate, skilled and effective communication.

The results of the pilot were overwhelmingly positive, with participants highlighting the value of purposeful listening, increased self-awareness, and the supportive environment created in the sessions. For instance, one participant said

I felt very heard and noticed the difference between this process and a typical conversation. I liked the focus on purposeful listening.

Participants described the workshops as powerful, thought-provoking and well-facilitated, with several noting that the experience influenced how they interact with others and deepened their understanding of effective communication. They reported increased confidence in working with differences, as well as new skills for listening, communicating, and navigating challenging conversations. Many also expressed a desire to engage further with the programme, paving the way for further workshops and expansion.

To support continued growth and long-term culture change, the programme now comprises three interconnected workstreams:

• The Introductory Workstream offers termly workshops to all staff, providing foundational understanding and core skills. 
• The Thematic Workstream focuses on targeted interventions designed to meet specific community needs. It includes facilitated dialogues to address tensions or “hot topics” and creates spaces for exploring relevant current issues, supporting responsive and community-led engagement. Community dialogues on Israel/Palestine and Gender and Sex have been held.  
• The Applied Workstream provides a deeper programme for colleagues who wish to develop and embed their practice within their respective parts of the University. It offers training and support to apply open listening principles in everyday work and establishes a pathway for sharing the approach across the University. The first cohort recently completed the programme and will be supported to champion listening-led culture change through the organisation.

We are now also exploring development of other ways to apply the tools of open listening, including an elective module for students under the ‘human flourishing’ theme in the newly established interdisciplinary Sussex School for Progressive Futures.

Shaping a More Connected Sussex

The Sussex Open Listening Programme is more than a series of workshops. Articulating the Sussex values of collaboration, courage, integrity, inclusion, kindness, and openness, it is a profound and transformative collective commitment to building a University environment in which people feel heard, valued, and respected. As the programme evolves, we hope that it will continue to create a culture in which difficult conversations can become opportunities for learning, connection, and positive transformation.