The Law School has established an annual award for contributions to social justice to honour our former colleague, and friend, Dr Dwijen Rangnekar.

Dwijen, who worked at Warwick Law School as an Associate Professor, was always a strong believer in global social justice and worked tirelessly in his fight to effect social and political change. Dwijen’s scholarship challenged conventional understandings of intellectual property (IP) rights and he was particularly concerned with how these legal rights can impact on development prospects and food security of local communities in the south.

Sharifah Sekalala, Assistant Professor at Warwick Law School shared “he was a tireless campaigner against injustice of all forms; I remember him as someone who did not only write and philosophise about injustice but one whose life reflected his scholarship.”

However, it wasn’t just his research that elicited this fight against injustice. Dwijen was genuine, gentle and empathetic and did not care for rank or hierarchical structures. He cared deeply about the people around him and could always spare time to offer advice or support, no matter who you were.

“His students were always at the forefront of his mind and he saw teaching and research as all part of the same academic endeavour’, aspiring always to bring his research to his students” recalls his colleague James Harrison. “Dwijen undertook all of his work and commitments with his characteristic generosity, good nature and mischievous sense of humour. He sparkled with life and was always full of stories.”

Sadly Dwijen passed away in October 2015 but to this day he remains a big part of the Law School family. We have therefore established this award as a tribute, along with the help of his family in India, to honour Warwick students and alumni who have made significant contributions to global justice.

Dilip Rangnekar, Dwijen’s brother says, “We hope and we believe this award will bear testimony to Dwijen’s strong belief in the power of academics and its impact on Society.”

The award will recognise contributions by inviting the winner to speak at an annual Dwijen Rangnekar Memorial Lecture held either at the University of Warwick or in a country of the awardees choice.

All current and former students of Warwick Law School are eligible for the award. To be considered you must be nominated by either a current or former student of the Law School or any current or former member of staff. You cannot nominate yourself. You must also have made a significant contribution to the cause of Global Social Justice.

The terms are broadly defined to include contributions to development, human rights, promotion of justice and struggles against injustices. These may include contributions within a single jurisdiction as well as global contributions.

Chair of Warwick Law School, Professor Andrew Sanders tells us, “Sadly I did not know Dwijen as I only took up my post at Warwick a few months ago. But I do know that he embodied some of the best things about the University and the Law School in particular.

“Much of what we do is concerned with understanding the role of law in either contributing to, or reducing, injustice - domestically and internationally. And we hope that our students will go on to do what they can to use this knowledge to make things better. This is what Dwijen stood for, and we honour the work he did by creating this award.”

We are launching the award today on Wednesday 17 April 2019, on what would have been Dwijen’s 54^th birthday.

Happy birthday Dwijen, you are sorely missed by everyone that was lucky enough to have met and known you.

Find out more about the award and how to make a nomination.