Dr Lory Barile receives Warwick Wonder Award

The Warwick Economics Staff Common Room welcomed a distinguished guest recently when Vice Chancellor Stuart Croft dropped in to surprise Dr Lory Barile with the news that she had won a Warwick Wonder Award

Presenting Lory with her award, Stuart said: “Lory Barile does amazing work in education, supporting sustainability at the University, and working with the city council to understand why certain communities don’t take up funding opportunities for home insulation and greener living. Her work makes a real difference to our local community. Lory’s teaching, education support, sustainability work, and research are all incredible. But in particular, she is being recognised for how she works with local stakeholders to tackle big issues and help communities lead greener lives.”

Lory has been working with Coventry City Council, Act on Energy, local artists and a Coventry school on the Retrofit Rocks project. This pilots the use of an s-frame approach for research, emphasising the need for policy design that accounts for the broader systems in which individuals act to better understand barriers to the uptake of retrofit energy efficiency measures, and test a creative methodology to engage citizens in policy-making.

Lory was nominated by India Holme, Research and Impact Development Manager (Regional) in Research and Impact Services, who has supported Lory with this project and others.

Commenting on the surprise, Lory said: “I am incredibly honoured to have received a Warwick Wonder Award, recognising my work with the local community on sustainability. A huge thank you to India Holme, Bret Willers from Coventry City Council and Rachel Jones of Act on Energy for their support and encouragement along the way—their guidance and collaboration have been invaluable. I also want to express my gratitude to Nikita Asnani for her creativity and dedication in working with residents and children".

“While Retrofit Rocks came with its challenges, it was a highly rewarding experience that taught me a lot—both from others and about myself. I’m thrilled to continue this journey with funding support from UKRI, and looking forward to the many exciting months ahead!”

• Read more about Lory’s nomination and watch the presentation: Meet our latest Wonder winner...

• Read more about the Wonders and Wows award scheme: Warwick's Wonders and Wows