<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><p style="margin:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal">Dear colleagues,</p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><br></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal">I thank the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) of the UK Government for responding to my <b>Open Letter on REF 2029 - Research Culture</b><b></b></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><br></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><a href="https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/geoforall/2025-September/006617.html">https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/geoforall/2025-September/006617.html</a></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><br></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><a href="https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/geoforall/2025-September/006622.html">https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/geoforall/2025-September/006622.html</a></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><br></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal">It is important to talk about research culture and the Research Excellence Framework 2029. I thank the UK university community and REF 2029 community for this focus on research culture for REF 2029. Let us all work to build a healthy and thriving research system that delivers the maximum benefits for society.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><br></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal">Together, let's drive meaningful change towards a more inclusive and equitable representation in the UK academic landscape. Let us support the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion, continuing to build communities where all voices are heard, and every individual thrives.</p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><br></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal">“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi</p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><br></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal">Let’s build a world beyond racism and discrimination, where we all exercise our human rights. Be a human rights champion!</p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><br></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal">Best wishes</p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><br></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal">Suchith</p><p style="margin:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><br></p></div><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Wed, 19 Nov 2025 at 11:48, Suchith Anand  wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left-width:1px;border-left-style:solid;border-left-color:rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">Dear colleagues,</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px"><br></font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">An excellent convening on <b>Reimagining Sustainability in Higher Education: Leading Through Equity</b> at the UK House of Lords on 17th November 2025.  I represented and contributed on behalf of the University of Exeter for this important meeting. </font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px"><br></font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">Hosted by Baroness Verma, the event united a distinguished cohort of senior leaders, including:</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px"><br></font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">- Vice-Chancellors and PVCs</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">- Representatives from over 20 universities, encompassing Russell Group and post-92 institutions</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">- Regulatory and sector bodies such as the Office for Students and HEPI</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px"><br></font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">This endeavour will create a unified, sector-wide vision of a sustainable University, one that champions equity, thrives on inclusion, and endures through purposeful collaboration. The dialogues were profound, open, and strategically focused, underscoring a fundamental truth: Equity is not an add-on to sustainability but the cornerstone of a thriving higher education sector.</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px"><br></font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">Delegates delved into how equity can propel:</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px"><br></font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">- Financial and operational resilience</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">- Enhanced outcomes and student experiences</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">- Robust governance practices</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">- Inclusive digital and workforce advancements</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px"><br></font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px"><b>Next Steps:</b><b></b></font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px"><br></font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">Our forthcoming actions include:</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px"><br></font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">- Crafting a comprehensive sector-wide report, incorporating insights from the event and amplifying the voices of Vice-Chancellors leading equity initiatives nationally</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">- Facilitating virtual in-depth roundtables for each thematic stream</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">- Showcasing institutions pioneering equity-driven transformations</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">- Ensuring alignment of our roadmap with evolving government policies</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px"><br></font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">This endeavour will create a unified, sector-wide vision of a sustainable University, one that champions equity, thrives on inclusion, and endures through purposeful collaboration. Thank you to Baroness Verma for hosting us, and to Dr Jummy Okoya for leading this important conversation.</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px"><br></font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">Looking forward to working together for championing equity and inclusion. Together, we are reshaping the sector’s future. </font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px"><br></font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">Best wishes</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px"><br></font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">Suchith</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:15px"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px"><br></font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">Professor Suchith Anand</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font face="Arial" style="font-size:14px">Professor of Practice in Science Policy | Senior Adviser to Governments and International Organisations | Scientist | Global Citizen | Science Diplomacy |  SDG Volunteer and Advocate</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:14px"><a href="https://spspa.exeter.ac.uk/people/profile/index.php?username=sa1131" target="_blank"><font face="Arial">https://spspa.exeter.ac.uk/people/profile/index.php?username=sa1131</font></a></span></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:14px"><a href="https://ethicaldatainitiative.org/" target="_blank"><font face="Arial">https://ethicaldatainitiative.org</font></a></span></p></div>
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