WMG Warwick Manufacturing Group

Two WMG researchers, Mert GülçürLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window and Link opens in a new windowLink opens in a new windowDerya Kaya Özdemir have received MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships from Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie ActionsLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window. MSCALink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window are the EU’s flagship funding programme for doctoral education and postdoctoral training, supporting career development, whilst fostering excellence in research.

Edward Motson, a BSc Cyber SecurityLink opens in a new window graduate from WMG at The University of Warwick, was named as the Fred Piper Award Winner at ‘CIISec LIVE’ in Bristol.

In honour of Professor Fred Piper, this national award is presented by The Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec) to celebrate outstanding students, not only for academic achievements but for contributions to the cyber community too.

Those nominated for the Fred Piper Award have previously been awarded the titles of Best Student or Best Project by CIISec’s Academic Partners, as part of CIISec's Student of the Year Awards.

Congratulations to Dr Xingyu ZhaoLink opens in a new window, from WMG at the University of Warwick’s Safe Autonomy research group, who has been awarded the EPSRC’s prestigious New Investigator AwardLink opens in a new window (NIA).

The purpose of the NIA scheme is to address a gap identified in the funding landscape and support researchers to develop their own research vision.

Dr Xingyu ZhaoLink opens in a new window, Assistant Professor in Safety-Critical Systems, was praised for his project entitled: "Harnessing Synthetic Data Fidelity for Assured Perception of Autonomous Vehicles."

The project focused on scenario-based virtual testing for Autonomous Vehicle (AV) safety, developing a rigorous framework to define and quantify synthetic data fidelity, and explore how this impacts public confidence.

By advancing synthetic data and AV safety research, Dr Zhao’s research supports industry innovation, shapes safety standards, and ultimately enables the safe deployment of autonomous vehicles.

The SafeBatt project, involving battery experts from WMG at the University of Warwick, has won a Safety Innovation Award at the Electrical Product SafetyLink opens in a new window Conference. 

The conference was held in London on Thursday (21^st November) with the awards recognising and celebrating the best engineering collaborations and innovations across the UK. 

Funded by the Faraday Institution, SafeBatt is a collaboration of seven universities as well as industry partners investigating the science behind battery safety.  

Congratulations to WMG’s Dr Harjinder Lallie, Director of the Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education (ACE-CSE), who has joined two other members of the Cyber Security team, Dr Hany Atlam, Assistant Professor and Professor Carsten Maple, Director of the Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research (ACE-CSR), in the Stanford-Elsevier Top 2% Scientists listing.

Congratulations to Degree Apprentice Alumna, Kayleigh Poulter and WMG Associate Professor and Assistant Dean of Student Experience, Nicola Knowles who both take home Engineering Talent Awards.

The Engineering Talent Awards showcases role models and inspiring people to celebrate the diversity of organisations and engineers. The awards help to raise the profile of the engineering and technology professions across the UK.

Kayleigh Poulter received both the Engineering Graduate of the Year and Overall Excellence in Engineering awards for her amazing work in building more neuroinclusion into Dyson products.

Kayleigh earned a BEng Engineering as part of her Degree Apprenticeship from the University of Warwick, which WMG delivered in partnership with The Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology.

An advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion, Kayleigh's studies focused on accessibility, designing technologies for those with sensory sensitivities and neurodivergences. After conducting user trials, she developed recommendations to make Dyson products more accessible, a contribution that has influenced Dyson’s design processes.

During her studies Kayleigh led initiatives like LGBTQIA+ afternoon teas and played a vital role in improving support for neurodivergent and mental health needs.

Kayleigh Poulter said, “I thoroughly enjoyed working on my final year project, investigating designing for sensory sensitivity differences, and considering inclusive design more generally. I am extremely grateful to have been recognised for this, and my other work in the ED&I space, and I’m committed to continuing this work wherever I can.”

Associate Professor, Nicola Jane Knowles also brought home an award for University Engineering Staff Member of the Year.

Nicola is the Assistant Dean for Student Experience at WMG at the University of Warwick and teaches Digital Healthcare Science. Her focus is to understand

the student voice and recognise their wants and needs. Nicola quotes ‘nothing about us without us’ meaning that the students are engaged with every decision made for them at every step of the way. The student voice is at the centre of everything.

She recognises that students need a sense of belonging, by understanding their wants and needs, she has helped to create four new student spaces such as a cooking area at lunch times for students who prefer their own cultural foods; quiet places for those with neurodiversity's; a space for group working and the student hub where they can learn and relax together.

Nicola oversaw the launch of WMG peer writing mentoring. This allows students, who need extra help with writing, to go to peer mentors ensuring that everyone is able to get the support they require.

She also launched an innovative initiative, module huddle, that inspires colleagues to meet collectively to focus on student-related topics which provides a rapid system of quality enhancement in real time by quickly identifying the achievable goals. She also led many more initiatives which also focus on ED&I.

Associate Professor, Nicola Knowles said, “I am honoured and privileged to win the award; it really is a career highlight. The award represents the team and the hard work we do to support the student voice and make our education provision inclusive.”

Pro-Dean of Education at WMG, Professor Gill Cooke, said, “Congratulations to both Nicky and Kayleigh on winning their awards. It is fabulous to see our staff and students recognised for their achievements. Awards such as this really do help to showcase the amazing work our people do for industry, for student experience, and for equality, diversity and inclusion.”

See the full list of 2024 winners here: https://engineeringtalentawards.com/

Two Professors at WMG at the University of Warwick have been elected as Fellows of the prestigious Royal Academy of EngineeringLink opens in a new window.

Professor Claire DavisLink opens in a new window, Head of Advanced Steel Research Centre; and Professor Mark WilliamsLink opens in a new window, Head of the Metrology and Visualisation Research Group, at WMG, have been elected as part of a group of 71 leading figures in the field of engineering and technology.

The group consists of 60 Fellows, six International Fellows and five Honorary Fellows, each of whom has made exceptional contributions to their own sector.

Each Fellow has been involved in pioneering new innovations, leading progress in business or academia, providing high level advice to government, or promoting wider understanding of engineering and technology.

The new Fellows will be formally admitted to the Academy at a special ceremony in London on 27 November, when each Fellow will sign the roll book.

In joining the Fellowship, they will lend their unique capabilities to achieving the Academy’s overarching strategic goal to harness the power of engineering to create a sustainable society and an inclusive economy for all.

Professor Davis said: “I am very honoured to have been elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. It is an exciting and dynamic time for the global steel industry and I look forward to working with the Royal Academy in promoting clean technologies for the future.”

Professor Mark Williams said: “I’m honoured to be elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and am extremely grateful to colleagues across the country who have seen fit to elect me.

“It’s a long way from my time as an apprentice to the Royal Academy. I’d like to thank my colleagues at Warwick who have supported me over my career here and look forward to working with the other Fellows.”

Dr John Lazar CBE FREng, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, says: “Our new Fellows represent some of the most talented people in the world of engineering and are taken from the ranks of those who are aiming to address some of our most critical problems.

“We are proud to say that many of our newly elected Fellows have come from underrepresented groups in engineering and related sectors and we hope this helps to tackle some of the issues around a lack of diversity within the profession.

“There is ample evidence that a wider pool of ideas and experiences helps to improve decision-making and develop novel solutions to global challenges.”

See the complete list of Fellows elected here: Royal Academy of Engineering Fellows 2024 (raeng.org.uk)Link opens in a new window 

WMG students were recently recognised at the Warwick Awards for Public and Community Engagement (WAPCE) 2024 for their efforts in delivering public engagement activities over the last year.

CyberWomen@Warwick, a student-led initiative founded in collaboration with students on WMG’s Cyber Security programmes and staff at WMG’s Cyber Security Centre, received the Student Team Award at a celebration event on campus.

Through initiatives such as school outreach programmes, a national conference, and various competitions, CyberWomen@Warwick aims to inspire more women into the cyber security industry and promote inclusivity and positive change within STEM. Their hard work and dedication has resulted in considerable and long-term gains in knowledge, appreciation, attitude, interest, and participation from all involved.

Maria Motter, Vice President of CyberWomen@Warwick, said “We're incredibly honoured to have received the Warwick Award for Public and Community Engagement. This recognition is a testament to the dedication and passion of the entire CyberWomen@Warwick team. And it strengthens our commitment to continue empowering women and non-binary people in the cyber security field and inspiring the next generation of leaders.”

The WAPCE awards celebrate the vital contributions of Warwick students and staff in engaging the public with learning and discovery, strengthening the University's role in the community. Find out more about the WAPCE Awardees 2024.

Dr Elizabeth Titis, Assistant Professor and Academic Lead for CyberWomen@Warwick, said “I am extremely proud of the work our Cyber Women do to benefit the wider community. The WAPCE award is yet another accolade they have received for bringing considerable and long-term gains in the society. Looking forward to the next big steps together!"

WMG at the University of Warwick has seen five of its courses ranked number one in the UK by the Eduniversal Best Masters 2024.

Eduniversal ranks the quality of Master’s both in the UK and worldwide. This year a total of five WMG programmes have been recognised in their respective categories, with MSc Cyber Security Management being ranked number one in the world.

Accompanying MSc Cyber Security Management in the rankings were the MSc e-Business Management; MSc Supply Chain and Logistics Management; MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship and MSc Engineering Business Management programmes.

The rankings were as follows:

· MSc Cyber Security Management –number one in the world for Cybersecurity, Systems Security and Data Protection programmes

· MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship – number one in the UK and number 22 globally for Entrepreneurship – up three places on the 2022 rankings

· MSc Supply Chain and Logistics Management - number one in the UK and 28th globally for Supply Chain and Logistics - up one place from 2022

· MSc Engineering Business Management - number one in the UK and number three in Western Europe for Industrial and Operations Management.

· MSc e-Business Management - number one in the UK and fifth in Western Europe for E-business and Digital Marketing.

Professor Dan Nunan, Associate Dean (Postgraduate Education) at WMG at the University of Warwick, explained: “I am thrilled to see WMGs specialist courses in applied engineering, management and technology once again recognised as a leading choice for students seeking to develop their careers. These rankings are testament to the hard work and dedication of all our teaching team at WMG.”

Harjinder Lallie, Discipline Group Lead for Cyber Security at WMG, and Director of the Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education at the University of Warwick, said: “I am absolutely delighted that our MSc Cyber Security Management degree continues to receive recognition both nationally and globally. The course has an international reputation for excellent teaching, hands on practical experiences and superb post-study employment opportunities. To be ranked number one in the world is an outstanding achievement.”

Eduniversal Group is a global leader in higher education information, providing students worldwide with the tools to find the best education opportunities. Eduniversal publishes annual rankings of the best Master's programmes in 50 fields of study, covering 154 different countries within nine geographic zones. The ranked programmes come from more than 1,800 universities and schools.

WMG offers 14 applied Master’s courses across technology, engineering and management all designed to meet the needs of global industry. Find out more here: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/study/masters-degrees

Two former WMG graduates from the University of Warwick have been recognised at the British Council’s prestigious StudyUK Alumni Awards.

The Awards celebrate the achievements of international students who have studied in the UK and gone on to achieve great things.

Yerkenaz Zholymbayeva, from Kazakhstan, who studied on the MSc Process Business Management programme in 2014 was announced as a winner of the Science and Sustainability Award.

Yerkenaz spearheaded the Repaper project, introducing a novel method for multiple deinking of wasted A4 paper in office environments securing an international patent in the process. She also organised, with the support of various institutions and colleagues, a summer science school for children aged 8-14 in rural areas of Kazakhstan.

Meanwhile Olugbenga Ojo from Nigeria, who studied on the MSc Supply Chain and Logistics Management 2014, was a finalist in the Business and Innovation category. Olugbenga established Warehöuzit, a digital warehouse ecosystem leading to a shift in how individuals and businesses source their warehouse spaces. He also contributed to the increase in employment opportunities and empowered businesses to become more agile in their operations.

Professor Steve Maggs, Director of Alumni and Industry Engagement, said: "Congratulations Yerkenaz and Olugbenga on your outstanding achievements! Your successes are a testament to the University of Warwick's commitment to excellence. As former WMG graduates, your contributions to science, sustainability, and innovation truly exemplify the spirit of our institution.

“Your recognition at the British Council’s prestigious StudyUK Alumni Awards serves as inspiration to our global network of over 285,000 alumni across more than 185 countries and territories. With over 29,000 proud WMG graduates, know that you're always part of the supportive and inclusive Warwick family, where connections thrive long after you've left our campus.”

To find out more about studying at WMG visit: Study | WMG | University of Warwick