Latest Alumni Updates

He’s toured all over the world and released his first album earlier this year, but it was James Hudson’s time at Warwick that inspired him to become a professional jazz singer. Although he studied Biological Sciences, James credits his involvement in societies such as Musical Theatre Warwick and Warwick Big Band for shaping his career.

Taking place from 14 to 18 June 2021, Warwick Enterprise: Summer Innovation Programme is a weeklong celebration of innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities at the University of Warwick.

Warwick Enterprise has prepared a plethora of activities that you can get involved with. These range from engaging discussions about student innovation and social enterprise, to fun hands-on activities like the Social Innovation Challenge and VR Design Workshop that lets students get to experience what actual enterprise and design is like!

To bring you a variety of exciting collaborative events, we have teamed up with a number of community stakeholders, such as the Coventry City of Culture 2021, Women of the Future Programme, the NOI Club, Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre, and many more. Upon registration, you will have access to all of the events on Microsoft Teams.

Register to secure your spot today.

Joining our graduate scheme will put you at the heart of the University, working in a variety of professional services roles. You’ll gain hands-on experience of working on a number of high-profile projects whilst obtaining on-the-job learning as well as a structured professional development programme and a project management qualification. Come along to one of our virtual information events to hear more about the scheme from previous Warwick graduate trainees.

The Resonate Festival will bring together a 12-month programme of inspiring and interactive events for all ages to spark ideas, curiosity and creativity as part of Coventry UK City of Culture 2021

A message for our alumni and friends

Life Sciences' Dr Eleanor Townsend and Dr Ellie Jameson were part of a documentary on the 'Secret Science of Sewage'

As part of a monthly series featuring the eight finalists in this 2020 competition, Andy Gladman (PhD student of Dr Dave Chandler) and his Leamington Spa allotment are the subject of March's edition.

I don’t believe I could have reached this position without the the invaluable problem solving skills from my degree combined with the encouragement from Warwick to explore different areas of study.

"In 1966, I joined the first group to read physics at Warwick. It was only later that I discovered why the department was a year behind in getting started. There was no Physics building and we camped out on the East Site throughout my time there. Head John Forty concentrated on solid state physics and I developed a strong interest in electron microscopy."

"I joined the MA Writing with a mission - to write the novel that has been in my bones and in my head for as long as I can remember. I'm happy to report - mission accomplished! My novel, CECILY will be published by Viking (Penguin Random House) on 29 July 2021."

Around fifty Warwick language students are taking part in the programme ‘ShareAmi’. They are paired with a French senior citizen to help improve their language skills and provide company to older people in these times of increased loneliness.

A team of students called The Warwick Boring Team are heading to LA this summer to compete in Elon Musk’s the Boring Company’s tunnelling competition. They will build their tunnelling machine and test it against competitors to get top spot.

The search for 30 people to take up new PhD pandemic research scholarships has begun thanks to philanthropists donating to the University of Warwick’s newly created Institute for Global Pandemic Planning. The 30 new doctoral students will research the best ways for global leaders to respond to pandemics and more details on how to apply are available here: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/igpp/applicationform

The University is launching this week our first monthly challenge aimed at primary school children in Key Stage 2. The project will take place between February and July 2021 and is designed and delivered by four Undergraduate Warwick Students.

The project is entirely digital and can be done from home or school on a computer. It is asynchronous so the children get to meet our students indirectly via videos and blogs. The activity is opened to all, so please feel free to use for your own events or with your own children. Challenges will be released in the first week of each month.

Warwick Institute of Engagement is excited to announce the appointment of 38 Foundation Fellows, 27 Honorary Fellows and 32 Associate Fellows of the Institute. They’ll shape the future of engagement as Warwick and the world around us. Meet our new faces and see what they have to say about engagement.

Warwick is partnering with world-leading Universities to deliver an established virtual internship programme, connecting teams of multi-disciplinary students with a wide variety of organisations.

By taking part, you will have a team of six students apply their perspectives, skills, global outlook and academic abilities to your specific business need. Plus it’s a great way of supporting our students!

International Political Economy (IPE) graduates have an opportunity to join a series of “online get-togethers” between IPE alumni and current students. The idea is for students to learn from your experiences on leaving university and starting your professional career. The focus is not so much on specific job opportunities but to hear from you and your personal development. If you would be interested in getting involved with this, please get in touch.

We want to support parents, children and teachers with home schooling once again during lockdown.

Find a collection of our online education resources for school children and signposted external sources. All of these resources are either free, or they have been made free during the period of school closures.

Congratulations to the Queen’s New Year’s Honours recipients from our Warwick community.

Here are four things you might not know about vaccines and vaccination from Dr Gareth Millward from the Centre for the History of Medicine

Produced in association with the University of Warwick’s Department of Physics, six intrepid Physicists bring you a bite-sized taste of the world-class research happening on campus ONLINE. So, pull on your Christmas jumper, grab a mince pie and settle down with family members or friends for these FREE ten-minute lectures featuring mind-boggling science and some explosive experiments you can do at home.

Warwick Arts Centre has been awarded a £1.9m Capital Kickstart grant as part of the Government’s Recovery Fund.

Read a message on student mental health and the University

Read a message from the Vice-Chancellor, on sexual misconduct and the University

You will have lots of support available to you, great facilities around you and the opportunity to make life-long friends.

The Study UK team is running the free Preparing for Work  MOOC again, beginning on 19 October.

The course is designed for current international students at UK universities who are about to graduate from undergraduate or postgraduate courses, as well as recent graduates and international alumni who already have some work experience.

The variety of challenges offered by the Data Science BSc have definitely been my favourite aspect of studying at Warwick.

Earlier this year, Warwick hosted the UK’s first ever Women in Economics Student Workshop which brought the students’ perspective into the debate on female under-representation in the discipline. Following the event, Warwick students were inspired to establish a new Women in Economics student society.  They are now looking for any Economics alumnae who might be willing to speak at a future event (albeit virtually for now) about their career journey since graduating, and to offer any tips or advice from their own experiences.

The Student Opportunity team are looking for volunteer mentors to support students from a widening participation background.

The programme aims to provide students with an opportunity to grow their confidence, learn how they may develop professional skills and gain an insight into professional life or different industries to support their career journey.

Warwick Summer School is a three week programme open to undergraduates, postgraduates and professionals and recommended by 97% of our Alumni.

The Summer School also offers a fully-inclusive 10 night programme for 16-18 year olds.

I think it is a very, very interesting course that I did and a very, very exciting environment, which gives the students the opportunity to actually try.

The Warwick campus is to become an Athletes Village during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

As a Warwick graduate, you are an integral part of our University community, and we would like to share how our community is handling the COVID-19 pandemic, including the academic researchers informing global efforts to contain the virus.

Our brand new creative Graduate Accelerator & Incubator will help graduate businesses become part of the UK’s largest creative cluster outside Greater London. Creative Futures provides an exciting opportunity for business teams to develop their entrepreneurial skills, test, launch and pitch their business ideas and get 6 months of free space and support to develop their creative enterprises in Leamington Spa.

Applications open on 3 August, but you can register your interest now.

Join us for the Ingenuity Impact 2020 Feeder Events throughout July and August. You'll be able to compete for the £20,000 prize fund, which will be awarded to the most innovative ideas, funded by Santander Universities. Hear from national experts, and collaborate with others from your region. Places are limited, so book now to avoid disappointment.

More info: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/enterprise/ingenuity2020

Interview with Thierry Cambray written by Melissa Chan-Cheape

"I never thought that I would be graduating at home along with my Mum and Dad. I never thought that my celebrations would consist of a family meal with polite conversation and a glass of wine. Nor did I ever think that I would be entering the job market during such a hard, uncertain time period as a global pandemic".

Centre for Education Studies alumna Anita Chagar offers advice to our new graduates.

"Don’t consider ‘The Class of 2020/The COVID-19 Cohort’ as a label for uncertainty, adversity or loss, but as a label for determination, resilience and a new way of achieving success."

WBS alumna Valerie Patrick offers advice to our new graduates.

"This is a time to evaluate what you have accomplished, think strategically and ask yourself what you could do to make the world a better place."

Philosophy alumnus Peter Blackman offers advice to our new graduates.

"Be Proud – you are Warwick graduates; persevere and be broad minded about the sort of future you seek."

WBS alumnus Stuart Humphreys offers advice to our new graduates.

"It may seem a little trite for me to say I feel fortunate to have graduated during one major economic downturn and to have subsequently graduated again during another."

WBS alumna Hannah Brockbank offers advice to our new graduates.

"You're just at the starting line with many more years to go!"

Centre for Lifelong Learning alumna Alison Duncanson is a Chartered Psychologist and has worked for most of her career with people, from graduates to senior business leaders, consulting on change projects, designing assessment centres and developing leaders.

Today she shares her advice to new graduates.

 The London Professional Network is hosting on Friday afternoon at 17:30 featuring Lord Karan Bilimoria, Founder and Chairman of Cobra Beer Partnership, President of the Confederation of British Industry.

Want to know more about the Productivity and the Futures of Work GRP?

Hear from alumnus, Alex Toft, Head of Minerva, on the growth of Minerva Business Angels based on Warwick Science Park and their upcoming webinar series for those interested in finding out about being an angel investor.

The University of Warwick is working in partnership with Engage Britain, a new organisation that aims to identify the biggest challenges facing the UK today. Further information about the project and how you can get involved can be found here.

Warwick is easing the path to postgraduate study that could prove invaluable for Warwick Alumni during these exceptional times by introducing the Alumni Discount Scheme and Warwick Graduate Award Scheme 2020.

Mark Bailey is a consultant in charge of the infectious diseases isolation ward at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital. He shares a reflection on the current pandemic.

"New challenges, such as COVID-19, can tell us a lot about ourselves, others, and the organisations we work for and we all have a lot to learn from being involved in the current crisis."

Ann Caine (Divisional Manager for Biomedical Sciences) tells us about what she and the team have been working on.

"I feel very proud of our admin team members who are supporting our staff and students to the best of their abilities, and our dedicated clinicians and talented scientists who have stepped up to help fight this unseen enemy."

Jordan (MB ChB) shares his experience as a Medical Student Clinical Support at University Hospital Coventry.

"As a former historian, I feel as though we are watching history unfurl before us – a turning point as real as the world wars, the nuclear age, the bubonic plague. As before, the solution is courage in the face of adversity."

Abbie (MB ChB) reflects on her experience as a medical student during the pandemic.

"Covid-19 has truly changed our lives, and we as medical students are no different."

Anj Kang (MB ChB Phase I Secretary) signed up to the NHS Volunteer Responder initiative and tells us what her role involves.

"Both the patients and the pharmacies have been extremely grateful for the help I and lots of others are providing for those who are unable to get out at the moment."

Roopak Khara (MB ChB, 2013) tells us about her role working as medical lead on a psychiatric inpatient Covid-19 ward.

"Overnight I went from working as a general adult psychiatry registrar on a PICU (psychiatric intensive care unit) to medical lead for the UK’s first psychiatric inpatient COVID-19 ward in West London."

Shirley Rigby (PG Award, 2004) tells us about her role working as a consultant on a Covid-19 ward.

"It was a rapid learning curve, learning how to diagnose and treat a new disease that none of us had seen before."

Jessica Nolan (MB ChB, 2019) reflects upon her experience as an F1 working on a Covid-19 ward.

"When starting work as an F1 this year, I never thought that I would be facing anything as challenging as the Covid-19 pandemic."

Ho Sheng Yi (BA PPE, 2014) shares his story about surviving COVID-19.

Please note: Some of the content may be upsetting for some readers.

Aakriti Ajay Goenka (BSc Economics, 2018) shares her success story from India.

Rosario Pascale was an exchange student at Warwick in 2013. Here he shares a bit of positivity during these difficult times:

"It's been a long time since I've walked down Warwick Road and through the Student Union square. I hope all of the students can come back soon to campus and enjoy the best university life there.

In the picture you can see my experience of lockdown in Milan. I made this pizza for the first time at Tocil, at the south-east of the University of Warwick, in 2013 exactly - it's also improved!

A big hug to every one of you. Wishing you all the best, and stay safe."

Muhammad Ali Randhawa (MA Public Policy, 2017) is currently working as the Home Secretary in Gilgit-Baltistan, a beautiful region of Pakistan. After the arrival of COVID-19, Ali has been the head of all the relief operations in his jurisdictional province.

"With dedicated team effort and continuous hard work, we have been able to achieve a 75% recovery rate of COVID-19 patients, the highest in Pakistan. I believe the quality of education that I got from the University of Warwick has helped me to frame the policies and implement them by using networking management style."

Further updates can be found on Twitter @RandhawaAli.

Councillor Phillip Howells (MBA, 1993) shares his account of recent events.

Over the last two months, brothers Faisal Ahmed (MSc Marketing and Strategy, 2016) and Suhail Ahmed have been supplying polycotton fabric to the NHS for making scrubs.

Peter Koyio (LLM Law, 2016) shares his own story about testing positive for COVID-19.

Please note: Some of the content may be upsetting for some readers.

Computer Science teacher, Jenny Andrews (PGCE, 2018) is in the process of making a new app to put vulnerable or self-isolating people in touch with volunteer shoppers. The app allows the user to sign up as a self-isolating individual or family to create a shopping list. Volunteer shoppers can review the shopping requests and if they are able to help, they will contact the user via messaging.

To find out more about how it works, click here.

French and European Literature alumna, Jane Bowell graduated from Warwick in 1975 and now resides in France. Although Jane retired from teaching a few years ago, she decided to switch on Skype and other web platforms to deliver English language and literature classes to various levels.

"Although the beaches are closed and we do not yet have a reopening date, for me, this has been one of the most rewarding parts of lockdown and has rapidly become a full-time occupation again!"

Kemal Onur Uz graduated from Warwick in 2014 after studying Creative and Media Enterprises, and now works as a freelance journalist and a musician. During his time at Warwick, he did a TEDx talk called 'What if we weren't afraid?'. He is currently creating a video about his experiences at Warwick, particularly aimed at international students - watch this space!

Roslyn Byfield (BA English, 1972) blogs about her experiences during lockdown.

Please note: The opinions expressed are those of the blogger.

John Willis (MPA, 2008) has set up free online seat-based exercise classes for older and disabled people during lockdown.

"The response has been so extraordinary we will try to keep them going beyond the 12-week program. So far over 32,000 people have cumulatively viewed the sessions with an average of over 2,000 per morning/beginner’s session! We must be doing something right!"

The videos can be found here on the Keep Active with Oaks Facebook page.

MA Politics and International Studies graduate, Intissar blogs about her experience of being stranded in Turkey due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest video diary from Vice-Chancellor Stuart Croft

The latest video diary from Vice-Chancellor Stuart Croft

The latest video diary from Vice-Chancellor Stuart Croft

The latest video diary from Vice-Chancellor Stuart Croft

The latest video diary from Vice-Chancellor Stuart Croft

The latest video diary from Vice-Chancellor Stuart Croft

Arriving at Warwick, I knew I was at the right place and that my desires would be met.

Here is a video message from the Vice-Chancellor Stuart Croft to update our staff and students on the further planning the University has put in place to continue to protect our community welfare.

I studied physics at Warwick after enjoying the subject at GCSE and A-Level. I enjoyed the challenge of the subject and thought it could help me end up in a job where I got to answer real world questions and make a difference.

Warwick is a great university. I enjoyed my time over there. I have met so many inspiring people and good friends.

Despite the very specific sounding name, the course involves an interesting mix of statistics and computer science - two subjects that compliment each other very well

It was amazing. What I really liked about Warwick is that there's so much support given to you, everyone wants you to succeed

It expanded my network and I was given the chance to work with an industry partner.

When I chose to study Maths and Physics at Warwick, I never expected to end up where I have or taken the journey I did to get there, but it has all felt very natural.

I've got very fond memories of being at Warwick. I would 100 per cent you know, if I had to do it again, I'd do it again!

The knowledge in this course is essential and comprehensive for anyone dedicated to researching polymer science.

The Physics careers staff also helped me to prepare for interviews as I moved into the working world.

It was a very difficult program but at the same time it was very rewarding

The Warwick Physics degree gave me a good overall understanding of physics, as well as in-depth knowledge in specific subjects in order to support these clients and understand what they are trying to do.

All the employers know about MORSE and have a good idea of how prestigious it is.

When I realised that science communication, rather than research, was to be my future career, my work in Warwick’s excellent outreach programme was an ideal springboard into the sector.

If you are a student enjoying maths, statistics, economics or any financial related subjects but don't know exactly what to do after graduation, MORSE is definitely a great choice for you.

What I learnt from MORSE is a good preparation for my MSc course in Applied Statistics.

I chose MORSE over a maths degree due to the flexibility it offers me.

Knowing that I wanted to become an actuary, the MMORSE degree was ideal as it allowed me to tailor the course towards this end goal via the Actuarial and Finance stream.

Although very challenging in terms of quantity and difficulty of work, MORSE is a very rewarding course

I don't know any other courses with so much choice in the final year.

MMORSE is a wonderful combination of Mathematics, Optimisation, Statistics and Economics

If your experience was like mine, you will have a great time and learn a lot.

The course was very well structured with plenty of support, the staff and fellow students were friendly, and I enjoyed my time there.

I have no doubt that my physics degree has been an invaluable asset in contributing to success in my field of work.

Coming into my first year at Warwick, I had a completely different view on mathematics than I do now.