Former Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas has become a professor at the University of Sussex.
The university has appointed her as its first professor of practice in environmental sustainability, at its new Sussex School for Progressive Futures (SSPF).
As well as lecturing students, she will also lead a public lecture series. 
She said: “It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to collaborate with leading academics in their fields, and I look forward to engaging and working with colleagues, students, and the public to help amplify the hugely important work that the University of Sussex is doing on climate and environmental sustainability.”
Professor Sasha Roseneil, vice chancellor and president of the University of Sussex, said: “We are delighted to have Dr Caroline Lucas join us as Professor of Practice in Environmental Sustainability.
“Her long-standing relationship with the University of Sussex has inspired generations of students, and she will now be able to play a strategic role in advising on our research, teaching, and global and civic engagement around environmental sustainability, one of the three transformational themes of our new strategy, Sussex 2035.”
Caroline Lucas has a long-standing relationship with the University of Sussex. In addition to receiving an honorary degree at the 2025 winter graduation she has hosted and chaired seminars, and been involved in teaching and research activities across the university.
She is currently on the advisory board of The Bennet Institute for Innovation and Policy Acceleration, which is based at the university, and in the advisory board of SUS POL project, which explores pathways beyond fossil fuels.
As a Professor of Practice, Caroline will work with Professor Elizabeth (Buzz) Harrison, Dean of the SSPF, and Sussex’s three transformational theme leads, including Professor Peter Newell, theme lead in Environmental Sustainability.
She’s a waste of space and its would be a waste of money to sign-up for that degree…
Could you substantiate both assertions beyond the insult?
I’m assuming from your somewhat bitter tone Rostrum that you’re not a professor, and nobody has ever asked you to be. Probably for the best!
Let’s hope she keeps her extreme left politics out of the lecture room.
Lucas, Caroline (1989). Writing for women: a study of woman as a reader in Elizabethan romance. jisc.ac.uk (PhD thesis). University of Exeter. OCLC 1088533841. EThOS uk.bl.ethos.328713
She’s achieved much, much more than a no-mark like you could ever dream of!
You obviously haven’t met her or engaged on the subject.
Promotion for an eco loon. Read the science dear!
Though conveniently enough, when this phrase is uttered (on both sides of the spectrum, mind you), these same people always forget to actually link to ‘the science’…
Where’s the science, R Nicol?
Honorary degrees. So no real qualifications to the nonsense she’ll be indoctrinating the feeble minded that decide to waste thousands of pounds on this course, that will line them up for a job in……… Costa Coffee.
And the Green climate scam is passed on to a new generation of activist jobless sponges.
She got a PhD years ago so has been Dr Lucas for a long time. Even if her doctorate wasn’t directly on sustainability, I think it’s pretty obvious she has huge experience on the subject.
You seem to indicate you’re a climate change denier in your comments, so perhaps science and evidenced based research isn’t something you have a good grasp of… Think the university do part time courses if you ever need to juggle some extra study around your shifts at Costa Coffee.
“Even if her doctorate wasn’t directly on sustainability…” her PhD was in Elizabethan literature… no relevance whatsoever. I am literally looking at over 100 electionboards, hand crafted entirely recyclable with her name on by B&HGP…but they werent interested in reduce, recycle & all of that. Waste of materials, squandering carbon emissions they really had no understanding of the materials…oh & inability to take timely decisions…what a muddle. They certainly cdnt managed a rational distribution or collection system. I gave up on party politics after that. Voted Green *&* Labour so they cancelled each other out! Also shamefully cynical in places & preferred democratic decisions by those with zero expertise over someone who clearly knew what they were actually doing! (Oh & invented rules they definitely werent breaking. But hey why let the facts get inbthe way. God Help us … road to climate hell with their good intentions. Tragedy for the planet but hey ho.
You do realise that any issues you have with ANY political party and your experiences of party politics has nothing to do with this article, or who the University choose to appoint as a professor. You seem to be mixing two very different things up. You use an example of something one branch of the Green Party did or didn’t do with election boards that annoyed you, even though it’s pretty obvious that Caroline Lucas would not have been the person making a decision about what each branch of the Green Party did with election boards after elections. Not sure how much time you think she has, but whatever frustration you have about your experience over a very specific thing that was not something Caroline Lucas was responsible for – is quite an odd rationale for the conclusions you’ve drawn for the University’s decision (which I’m sure was thought through) that she’ll be great for this role.
Quite incredible that you gave up on party politics over an issue to do with election boards too. Generally I thought prople got involved in politics because they were passionate about making a difference to the world. Giving up because of an issue to do with election boards suggests maybe your heart wasn’t in it in the first place.
Not an honorary degree but a proper job.
People who get an honorary degree have no teaching commitments and don’t get paid!
Well said we
A very well earned accolade Caroline.
Do make sure to take some time to pause and enjoy nature, as well as continuing the fight for it in your retirement.
she actually has a phd
Lol to all the miserable people saying this degree is a waste of money…. I studied climate at university of Sussex last year (similar to this course) and now I’m on a 6 figure salary working on decarbonisation, with green jobs being the fastest growing sector for new jobs and paying above average rates…. so sorry whos the jobless sponge? Ps looking down on people who work in Costa isn’t a great look 🤷
You sound next level tedious. I think before you jump on some weird band wagon actually people are looking at her track record when she was in office, pretty poor. Had zero effect on policy and couldn’t even hold her own colour council to account when they failed hard on environmental policies. She’s made a great life for herself talking absolute garbage. Haha to be fair Brighton is full of blaggers so it made sense she was the MP for several years.
You sound like an unhappy person Dean.
The sun is shining, you should maybe take a walk and try and shift some of that bitterness and negativity.
A real PhD: Caroline Lucas, PhD (1989). Writing for women: a study of woman as a reader in Elizabethan romance. jisc.ac.uk (PhD thesis). University of Exeter. OCLC 1088533841. EThOS uk.bl.ethos.328713
An individual who values a 6 figure salary… Climate Change on a plate… those who value 6 figure salaries eh? Is that really the best Uni of Sussex can do with their students?
Well done and more power to you in your important work. Good comment.
Well at least by lecturing students, she is no longer lecturing the rest of us from her ivory tower of hypocrisy.
People being hateful is the sign of the times I guess. Maybe try being a little more supportive for one of our own whose crime is trying to care, that’s all. Congratulations Caroline.
Always worth asking a PhD in what exactly? Lucas, Caroline (PhD, 1989). Writing for women: a study of woman as a reader in Elizabethan romance. jisc.ac.uk (PhD thesis). University of Exeter. OCLC 1088533841. EThOS uk.bl.ethos.328713
I think it’s an excellent appointment. Caroline Lucas brings a vast amount of experience in Parliament and in the wider world and am sure she will bring this to benefit her role at Sussex University.
Good for her; Greens aren’t my personal cup of tea, but Lucas is clearly passionate and knowledge about the subject of environment.
I agree that she’s passionate and knowledgeable about the subject of environment, but also don’t forget that she’s very biased about that same subject too.
I hope she’ll be able to keep her bias out of her lectures.
What could a lay person like this engaged in a neo Marxist unproductive themes such as man damaging nature contribute? Shame on the university!
you can do absolutely f@ck all in life and get rewarded i have totally lost faith in this country
To be fair Glenn, she’s done more than most people in this country. Personal incredulity is not a strong statement.
To become a professor, you typically need a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and a Ph.D. in your field of expertise. In addition to a strong academic record, you must gain significant teaching and research experience, publish your work in reputable journals, and build a strong professional portfolio.
Academic requirements
Bachelor’s Degree: A bachelor’s degree in your chosen subject is the prerequisite for postgraduate study. It’s beneficial to achieve a high grade, such as a first-class or upper second-class honours.
Master’s Degree: A master’s degree is often required to gain a deeper understanding of your subject and advance your academic career
Gaining teaching experience is crucial. This can be done through roles like a teaching assistant while pursuing a Ph.D. or by taking on teaching duties as a lecturer for a few years after your doctorate.
Research and Publications: A strong publication record is essential. You must publish your research, thesis, and dissertations in peer-reviewed papers, journals, and books to demonstrate your expertise.
Postdoctoral Experience: Depending on the field, several years of postdoctoral experience may be necessary before securing a permanent position.
Professional Portfolio: Building a strong portfolio of your research, publications, and teaching work is important for applying to jobs.
UGC NET/SET: In some countries, clearing a national-level exam like the UGC NET/SET is a requirement before pursuing a Ph.D. to become eligible for a professorship.
The universities are industrial hubs that feed labour to capitalism.
At least Labour has brought back maintenance grants.for some.
But the mostly middle class self entitled Greens are not the answer to the continuing exploitation of labour by capital soon to be green capital.
A paid pulpit for her propaganda. Thats where your fees go kids.