Skip to main content Skip to navigation

About Ideas Café

What is the Ideas Café?

The Ideas Café is a series of early evening, interactive events which brings together key people with exciting research interests in a series of gatherings designed to promote interdisciplinary thinking in an engaging, informal and interesting way.


When and where do Ideas Cafés take place?

We are running one or two Ideas Cafés per term. Once a date and location has been set for the next cafe, it will be posted on the front page of this website.


Why did the University start running Ideas Cafés?

The Ideas Café is the result of consultation, which has shown that people would like to know more about their colleagues’ work, but not necessarily within the framework of a formal lecture. A range of topics for discussion have been suggested and a number of people have expressed a willingness to take part. The hope is that right across the University people will feel able to come together, to listen and perhaps to share their own ideas in this kind of setting.


What Ideas Cafés have there been so far?

Details of all previous Ideas Cafés are available in the Previous Cafés section.


Who are the Ideas Cafés aimed at?

Any Warwick staff member, student, alumni or local community member can register to attend a café. You may be working in the broad topic theme, or just have an interest or desire to find out more. You can engage at a level that suits you.


If I register and come along, what is expected of me?

You should listen to the different perspectives on the theme and note any thoughts, observations and questions you have down on the writable table cloths, or graffiti boards. After the presentations, you will have a chance to discuss the topic with those around you, ask questions to the panel and engage in the general debate.


5:30pm is a tricky time for me, I need to get home to see family / make dinner

A cold buffet will be available, plus soft drinks and wine. You are welcome to bring a non-University member guest along.


How can I help?

Suggestions for more topics, volunteers to take part in the panels and thoughts on how the Ideas Café might develop further are very welcome. Please email internalcomms at warwick dot ac dot uk