Gongs and greats

From a host of renowned honorary graduates to celebrity Chancellors and Nobel Prize winners, we've attracted some great people to Sussex over the last 60 years. See our timeline of achievements below.

1957

Helena Normanton QC, the first woman to practise at the Bar in England, is the first person to pledge a gift to help found the Â鶹´«Ã½.

Black and white photograph of Asa Briggs.


1967

Renowned historian appointed as Vice-Chancellor.

1975

Professor is awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry.

1976

Sussex grad Brendan Foster wins Bronze in the 10,000 metres at the Montreal Olympics.

Portrait shot of Len Garrison, courtesy of the Garrison family and Black Cultural Archives.


1981

Sussex alumnus, Len Garrison, co-founds the . Image courtesy of the Garrison family and Black Cultural Archives.

Black and white photo of Sir Paul McCartney at a Sussex graduation ceremony.

1988

Sir Paul McCartney and Bodyshop founder, Anita Roddick, receive honorary degrees.

1996

Richard Attenborough installed as fourth Chancellor.

1999

Eminent biologist John Maynard Smith awarded Crafoord Prize.

Portrait shot of Professor Maggie Boden.

2002

Professor awarded OBE for services to cognitive science.

2003

Professor Anthony Leggett wins the Nobel Prize for Physics.

2004

Alumnus wins the Turner Prize.

2005

Alumnus Michael Fuller becomes the UK’s first black Chief Constable.

2014

Alumna Zhang Xin listed as one of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women by Forbes.

Professor Winfried Hensinger in his lab at Sussex.


2017

Professor Winfried Hensinger publishes the first quantum computer blueprint.

2018

Journalist and activist Hella Pick CBE receives honorary degree from Sussex.

2021

Alumnus Damini Ogulu, known as Burna Boy, at the Grammy Awards.

2022

Director for the Student Experience, Jayne Aldridge, awarded an MBE for services to students in higher education. Sussex tops QS World Â鶹´«Ã½ Rankings by Subject for Development Studies for sixth year in a row.

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