University of Warwick shortlisted for Bhattacharyya Award
Monday 8th September 2025
University of Warwick shortlisted for Bhattacharyya Award
University of Warwick has been shortlisted for the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Bhattacharyya AwardLink opens in a new window for its sustained collaboration with the Tata Group.
The Bhattacharyya Award is an annual award presented by the Academy to celebrate long-term collaboration between academia and industry. Funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, it was launched in 2019 in tribute to Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya, the founder of WMG, University of Warwick.
The Award is worth £25,000 to the winner, who will be announced at the end of October. All the shortlisted entries, including the University, are operating at the interface of high-level research, pushing innovation, or creating new technologies for use in a commercial.
As Warwick’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart Croft, says: “This is partnership with purpose, driving innovation, delivering sustainability, and securing the future of the UK industry globally.”
These connections create a talent pipeline for companies while addressing critical skills gaps within these industries. Universities attract financial investment and ambitious students, while both sides discover new pathways to solutions and gain access to cutting-edge research.
Enabling decades of sustained innovation and growth
The University’s relationship with the Tata Group, India’s largest business conglomerate, spans research, education, and industrial capability. It has resulted in one of Europe’s largest research and development hubs, delivering over 100 research projects with £500m of investment. The partnership has also trained over 750 degree apprentices at JLR and at centres for doctoral training.
The range of projects includes pioneering electric car innovations such as I-PACE batteries, lightweight carbon fibre components, and laser welding innovations, which have reduced vehicle weight and emissions, as well as manufacturing waste and costs. The University is closely involved in Tata Steel’s Port Talbot site and its transition to electric arc capabilities, which is leading the world in low-carbon steel production.
As a result, WMG has developed a long and impactful relationship with Tata and its associated companies, something which Professor Kerry Kirwan, Dean of WMG, takes great pride in. He says, “The breadth of our work across electrification, materials, sustainability, steels, and supply chain resilience continues to thrive and has led to real benefit for both organisations and the communities we serve.”
In the last few years alone, WMG has worked with Tata Motors and JLR to develop autonomous vehiclesLink opens in a new window and partnered with Tata Technologies to accelerate innovation in automotive and aerospace technologies.Link opens in a new window
You can find out more about how WMG and Tata Steel are advancing green steel technologies through the WMG news pageLink opens in a new window.