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SSRP Programme Manager Sephora Imomoh

She keeps the SSRP show on the road... but what makes Sephora get up in the morning? And who are her three fantasy dinner party guests? Read on.

What part of your SSRP role do you find most rewarding?

International research partnerships, done right, have the power to transform ecosystems and change lives. With over 100 international partnerships across the programme, the Sussex Sustainability Research Programme (SSRP) has a track record of building and maintaining equitable partnerships that support accelerated action on multiple SDG implementation. It is rewarding to work with a community of academics committed to positive change.

This work aligns with my values with regards to the importance of collaborative working to solve pressing problems. Since joining the programme I have facilitated the development of multiple partnerships and collaborations that have the potential to continue to contribute to the important objective of delivering partnerships for the SDGs.

Why is the work of SSRP so important?

SSRP delivers what some might call ‘cradle to grave’ research support. The programme has supported streams of research that develop researchers across all levels from ECRs to Professors. I manage the SSRP secretariat team and provide the strategic direction for our operations. My team ensures that the environment for research to develop and for collaborations to occur organically works well.

We run workshops, conferences, symposia and sandpits. We also deliver strategic communications to increase the visibility and reach of the work of our research fellows. Since joining the team, I have focussed on increasing our grant capture and we have added almost 15 million in external bids in the last six months. This is vital for the programme’s viability and for growing the research streams.

What makes you get up in the morning?

I am really good at strategy and at seeing the bigger picture. In my previous workplace I always scored highly on the behaviour called ‘shaping the future.’ I connect the dots and then I love to connect people, bring them together and show them how they can achieve strategic objectives. This is why it is so rewarding to work for an interdisciplinary research programme.

SSRP has a massive track record of connecting disciplines, and I enjoy hearing from our fellows about how the seed funds they received with a requirement to collaborate across schools has led them to deliver research in ways that they wouldn’t have otherwise.

What is your professional background?

I trained as an architect and practiced for a short time before moving into partnerships and programme management. I joined Sussex in 2019 after eight years at the British Council in Nigeria where I had led on the delivery of a range of higher education programmes covering international student recruitment and higher education partnerships. I worked collaboratively with government agencies and industry to deliver capacity-building initiatives for leaders in Higher Education including Vice Chancellors and government officials.

At Sussex, I joined as a Global Partnerships Manager. In that role, I developed new institutional partnerships and delivered new and innovative profile-raising and reputation-building projects for the University through partner-focused events and communications.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I am an avid reader and learner, and I am always up for exploring new things. I took an interest in languages recently and completed the Swedish language course on Duolingo in 2021. I found the language very similar to mine, and I had so much fun learning the basics. Recently I have been working on improving my French and I am taking a French language course here at the Sussex language centre. I also enjoy playing tennis recreationally and in the summer months my children and I enjoy playing at our local club.

Who are your three fantasy dinner party guests?

My fantasy dinner party guests would be some amazing female leaders. Former Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson because I admire her achievements and love the Swedish language. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden, because she is just a fantastic leader and courageous in all the right ways. And Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to hear more about her longevity, her strength of conviction and courage.

I think that courageous leadership is very important for the changes we want to see in the world, and I would gladly have dinner with most of the SSRP fellows who are leaders in their research areas and are making a real change in the places where they work.