Latest Alumni Updates

28 November marked a jubilant day for Professor David Greenwood, CEO of the High-Value Manufacturing Catapult and Director for Industrial Engagement at WMG. In a special ceremony in London, he was formally admitted to the Royal Academy of Engineering. The event was a celebration of his outstanding contributions to the field of engineering. After he signed the Roll Book to officially join the Fellowship, he was graciously welcomed by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal—a Royal Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Disha Naik (MEng Mechanical Engineering (with Intercalated Year), 2020), is revving up the world of motorsports. Her head start came from Warwick Racing, a student-run motorsport project team, delivered by WMG as a group project in collaboration with the School of Engineering. Here she pursued her passion for motorsports and helped break down diversity barriers.

Earlier this year, alum and activist Jo Todd (BA English and European Literature, 1990) received a CBE in recognition of 30+ years’ service to the victims of domestic abuse. From volunteering at a refuge in the outskirts of London, to more than 20 years as CEO of Respect - the pioneering charity tackling the root of the problem - Jo has dedicated her life to making a positive difference. And she’s not finished yet.

If you enjoy Ukrainian cuisine, you may own a copy of Olia Hercules’ (BA Italian and International Studies, 2006) recipe books. But, you may be surprised to hear that Olia’s journey started not in the kitchen, but in the corridors of Warwick.

The Chemistry with Scientific Writing course is a great opportunity that provides a flexible platform to hone both your chemistry and scientific communication skills. I loved the supportive environment provided by Warwick and everyone was very friendly and welcoming. I would 100% recommend it!

What particularly appeals to me is the opportunity to gain first-hand experience within the BBC, immersing myself in the workings of broadcast media.

With nearly a decade in the British Army including tours of Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan before coming to Warwick, Lee Kemp (BA Film with Television Studies, 2007) had an unusual path to his degree. But it was a simple truth that made his decision.

After a long career in public relations, Dianne Page (Dipl History of Art, 2007; MA History of Art, 2009) took the plunge to pursue her passion for the arts via Warwick. Now with three novels under her belt and a fourth in the works, Dianne reflects on the milestones that got her here.

Growing up in northwest London, Kaya Patel (BA Film and LiteratureLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, 2020) considered universities around the UK. But she chose to move to the Midlands for her undergraduate experience because she trusted her intuition.  

What happens when you have no choice but to flee your home and leave all you know behind? Can you ever utilise your experiences and turn them into opportunities for others? When Attal Shams’ journey of conflict, displacement, and resilience became the focus of his dissertation, he didn’t think anyone would be interested. But now, those experiences have become the driving force to him making a real difference to others.

Recent graduate Carolina Sagardoy Saavedra (BA History of Art, 2019) always knew she had a passion for fine art. She turned that passion into a reality – graduating from Warwick and moving to New York to study a Masters’ degree in Art Business at the world-renowned Sotheby’s Institute of Art. Today, she uses the knowledge she gained at Warwick to help art be bought and sold across the world.

In a world of uncertainty, where climate change looms large, the role of scientists becomes crucial. Whether the climate is changing or not, it is the responsibility of scientists to determine the truth. As individuals, we also have a role to play in shaping our future and making a positive impact on our lives and the lives of others.

The ASI course at Warwick provides an excellent learning experience, where classroom lectures are seamlessly interconnected with hands-on experience with modern instrumentation techniques. The cohort-based learning style, guest lectures, and research seminars throughout the year really fuel curiosity and innovative thinking.

"I work as the Department General Manager of the Special Assets Business at Beijing International Trust Company."

The level of support and encouragement from both the academic and administrative staff alongside your cohort's is an invaluable part of this MSc AS&I course, which stretches the mind and any preconceived limitations

"My history book is published! Fighting Vichy From Horseback: British mounted cavalry in action, Syria 1941.

For those interested in military history - and in particular highly niche military history, look no further than this story of 7,800 horses and their riders in World War II."

"My book, Memorable Loss, is being released on 11 July 2023. I began it whilst writing in Prof Andrew Williams' non-fiction class, and developed it in the Memory Studies unit with Prof Alison Ribeiro de Menezes. Following encouragement from Alison, I was fortunate enough to be mentored by Prof Maureen Freely for a year, whilst I concentrated on crafting my book."

What makes a good communicator? We may think we know, but how many of us really excel when communicating? A successful career in sales and marketing led Tim Pollard (MBA, 2003) to a career-defining curiosity where he sought to understand and capture the underlying “science” behind communication.

"I have been awarded the Bram Stoker Lifetime Achievement Award for my outstanding contribution to horror fiction.

The Bram Stoker Lifetime Achievement Award is the most prestigious recognition in the horror genre. It is presented to individuals who have made significant and sustained contributions to the horror genre throughout their careers. Previous recipients include Stephen King, Christopher Lee, Peter Straub, Koji Suzuki, Robert McCammon, Ray Bradbury, and Anne Rice."

Making a difference is what drives Kate Frost (BSc Management Sciences, 1997). She left her financial career to pioneer a charity that turns pennies into pounds to make a big impact.