What is a Teach-out?
Teach-outs are social events, talks, or workshops that relate to the strike. They are community-organised learning environments that seek to foster critical reflection, conversation, and solidarity among all participants as a part of the university community.
Teach-out events do not replicate teaching or research events that would have happened during the strike; rather they are community events that arise from the strike and related issues.
The format of teach-out events can include workshops, readings (such as poetry readings for instance), screenings, music, social activities.
Beyond being a significant way to express your solidarity with striking staff, teach-outs are also a great opportunity to experience an alternative kind of learning. They offer students and staff a chance to explore some of the most complicated issues which surround the strikes in a collaborative, accessible, and open manner.
The Badger spoke to the Sussex Strike Events team and asked them why teach-outs are so important. They said:
“The teach outs are a model for what education in a university should be. They are free, accessible and produced collaboratively by students and staff. The topics are inspired by social struggles and political issues locally and globally, historically and presently. They are vibrant and engaging forums and open to all!”
A member of the student strike solidarity group said:
“Teach-outs during the strike period are an incredibly collaborative experience of political learning and one of my favourite times to be at the university. They are an alternative space of what the university could be outside of rigid assessment structures for both students and staff.”
But what about crossing the picket?
Teach-out events are held in Falmer House or the Meeting House, or on the main picket line at the entrance to campus. If you’re worried about crossing the picket line, don’t worry! Both are “neutral zones”, so you are not crossing the picket by entering these buildings. The same goes for the Students Union.
Can I organise a teach-out?
University staff, students, and faculty who are taking part or in support of the strikes are welcome to suggest their own teach-out event.
To propose your own teach-out event, simply fill in this form: https://forms.gle/b5ixPqos6eB5WWYj6
The current Teach-out timetable can be found here. Please note that the document is frequently updated!