Departmental news

Dr Fanghui Liu was selected as a speaker in AAAI 2024 New Faculty Highlights Program to present his research on machine learning theory as well as theoretical-oriented applications.

Have you ever wondered why we have leap years?

Dr Minjae KimLink opens in a new window and Dr James McCormacLink opens in a new window from our Astronomy and Astrophysics Group explain the science behind leap years, and why it is so important that these are added to the calendar.

Find out what they said.

Dr Ingrid Pelisoli is an Assistant Professor in the Astronomy and Astrophysics group.

Our next Warwick Law School Staff Spotlight interview features Dr Ali Struthers Associate Professor and Director of Widening Participation.

Many factors contribute to the persistence of pay disparities between women and men in the workplace, from unequal responsibility for caring for children to occupational segregation and the glass ceiling. There is also a growing body of evidence that women, as a group, are hesitant to compete against men, which affects promotion prospects and salary negotiations.

A new study by Dr Lory Barile and Professor Michalis Drouvelis explores this phenomenon using a laboratory experiment which tests the effect of an intervention known as “priming.” Priming theorises that exposing a person to a stimulus, such as a poem, article or word puzzle, can affect how that person responds to a later prompt, without them being conscious of the influence.

In the experiment, participants were asked to complete as many sums as possible in three minutes, correctly totalling four randomly-generated two-digit numbers each time. They were paired with another participant but it was not a collaborative task.

• In the first round, each correct sum was rewarded with a payment of £0.50.
• The second round introduced an element of competition – the participant in the pair with the most correct answers got £1.00 per answer while their opposite number got nothing.
• For the third round, participants could choose whether to accept the flat rate or to compete against their partner.

Between rounds two and three, some of the participants were assigned a priming task. One task involved unscrambling neutral sentences, while the other asked participants to unscramble sentences with themes of winning, competing and scoring.

Analysis of the results showed that in both of the groups which experienced priming, more women chose to compete in the third round, thus closing the gender gap.

• In the group which was not primed, 36 per of women chose to compete in round three compared to 59 per cent of men.
• In the group which did the neutral priming task, 48 per cent of women and 56 per cent of men chose to compete in round three.
• In the group which did the competitive priming task, 47 per cent of women and 64 per cent of men chose to compete in round three.

One interesting aspect of the findings was that the neutral sentences actually closed the gap more than the sentences themed around competitiveness. The researchers concluded that this was because the sentences triggered negative associations, possibly triggering anger, which is known to increase competitive behaviour.

Dr Barile said “Our paper shows that the reactions and feelings which the priming task triggers matter, and that a neutral priming is more effective in reducing the gender competition gap.

“In order to effect change, more research is needed in this area, but this easy-to-implement intervention may have significant potential in reducing the gender gap in female representation in male stereotyped high-competitive, high-reward positions.”

Professor Drouvelis added: "Gender differences in labour market outcomes constitute one of the fundamental policymaking concerns in economics. Our work uses psychological techniques that can offer valuable insights how gender disparities in competitiveness - a measure used to predict career choices and prospects - can be mitigated."

• Priming and the gender gap in competitiveness. Dr Lory Barile and Professor Michalis Drouvelis. Warwick Economics Research Papers No 1490 February 2024

The Department of Computer Science is hosting the alumni reunion conference on March 22nd - bringing together current and past students, along with academics and researchers to enjoy a day of talks and demonstrations.

In anticipation of the Paris 2024 Olympics, The University of Warwick, in collaboration with 62 Coventry primary, secondary, and special educational needs schools, officially launched the Flame of Friendship Torch Relay on Thursday 22^nd February.

The torch relay kicked off with a spectacular launch ceremony at Coventry Cathedral, featuring a procession led by Team GB Water Polo player Amelie Perkins, who carried the torch to its first destination, Southfields Primary School.

As the relay unfolds, the torch will journey to 62 schools across Coventry, culminating in a momentous grand finale at the University of Warwick on the 8^th July.

The torch has been custom made for this event, following a competition in which over 2000 Coventry pupils took part. The winning design, from a Year 7 student at Finham Park School, was manufactured at WMG as a project done by four Rugby College students currently undertaking T Level-related activities with WMG.

Led by Rebecca Bollands, Deputy Head at Earlsdon Primary School, and supported by the Warwick Institute of Engagement on behalf of the University of Warwick, the Flame of Friendship Torch Relay aims to foster unity and collaboration among Coventry schools in the spirit of the upcoming Olympic Games.

Kerry Baker, Associate Director at the Warwick Institute of Engagement said “I’m so proud of all the people that have had a hand in making the Flame of Friendship a real, physical thing – taking ideas and solutions from the brains of 12- to 50-year-olds and combining them to make something so unique, so stunning, and so representative of Coventry. It’s an honour to be able to support our community in such a fun and once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

At the Finale on Monday 8^th July, over 1000 Coventry pupils and teachers will line the road on the University of Warwick campus and join a procession as the torch passes by, making its way along the final relay leg to Butterworth Hall at the Warwick Arts Centre, pausing in the Piazza where members of the Royal Opera House will lead the participants in an Olympic themed dance.

For more information and to view the route of the torch visit our website.

ENDS

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