Departmental news

Diversity in STEM is a set of GCSE Biology, Chemistry, and Physics resources that are designed to fit into existing lessons. 

All the resources are curriculum-aligned and provide a simple, effective, and engaging way to highlight diversity in the STEM classroom. 

There is an interactive website—Diversity in STEM: The Challenge—to get started: Diversity in STEM: The Challenge Interactive Website 

As well as downloadable slides and lesson plans from both the website and the TES teachers’ resource portal: Diversity in STEM Slides and Lesson Plans 

All resources are free to download, use and adapt.  

They were developed by Dr James Poskett at the University of Warwick with funding from the History Department and the British Academy.

Warwick Law School welcomes a new Assistant Professor to our community.

Achas Burin joins us from Oxford Brookes University where she taught tort and medical law and developed a book proposal based on her PhD.

•  WMG and Wayve create first system-agnostic framework to improve AI safety
• Closing the AI safety gap is critical to the real-world deployment of autonomous vehicles globally

• WMG Professor presents framework to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)

Experts at WMG, University of Warwick and Wayve – a leading AI technology developer – have created the first system-agnostic framework designed to bring a standardised, scientific approach to the testing of datasets for self-driving vehicles.

Warwick Law School welcomes a new Assistant Professor to our community.

Before joining Warwick, Areti Theofilopoulou was an Assistant Professor in the Ethics of Non-Violence at the University of Birmingham.

Recent research by Snehalata Sahu Link opens in a new windowon the discovery of a hot white dwarf merger remnant has attracted the attention of Astronomy Now magazine editor Stuart Clark. Impressed by her unique blend of science and creativity, they reached out to feature her astronomy-inspired artwork in the magazine's October issue.

The autumn newsletter is out, on the Museum Studies web site.

• Introduction from network coordinator Robert O'Toole.
• The Museum Explorations podcast and YouTube channels.
• Exhibitions by Warwick People (Kate Astbury, Cathy Hampton).
• Publications by Warwick academics (Jamie Larkin).
• Special edition of the Exchanges journal, and how you can contribute.
• Plans for the next event, on gaming, arts, humanities, and museums.
• The Campus as Gallery and Museum.
• Progress update on the Bridges conference, bringing together art, maths, and science.
• Museum technologies (including funding opportunities).
• Is it possible to be over-museumed? 25 museums in one summer, what did we learn? – a personal reflection.

Read it online here.

Students and staff from across the university are invited to join us for a new lecture series exploring censorship and freedom of speech: "Culture Wars: Power, Censorship, Freedom".

Each week throughout the year, an academic from a different discipline will explore this important topic from their own angle. There will also be time for questions and discussion.

This term, all lectures are in MS.04 (Zeeman Building) on Mondays, 11am-12pm, beginning on Monday 13 October (Week 2).

The first lecture, by Professor Gary Watt from the School of Law, is titled "Moving Statues and Social Movements - Free Speech Acts and the Colston Case".

You can read a schedule for the series and descriptions of each talk in Term 1 here: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/english/culturewars/Link opens in a new window 

Do please join us.

Dr Stephen Purcell

English and Comparative Literary Studies

University of Warwick leads immersive Virtual Reality workshop to help Coventry residents cut their energy bills and usage by retrofitting their homes.

On Thursday 2nd October, a pioneering new project led by the University of Warwick used virtual reality (VR) to help residents experience the benefits of energy-efficient homes—without leaving their neighbourhood in Ball Hill.

Key project features:

• Interactive VR Experiences: Residents explored what a sustainable, energy-efficient home looks and feels like.

• Community Workshop: Co-designed with local people, the workshop gathers feedback and address concerns specific to Coventry’s diverse communities.

• Personalised Advice: Participants received tailored information on available grants and practical steps for making their homes greener.

• Local Collaboration: The project is a partnership between the University of Warwick, Coventry City Council, Act On Energy, and community hub Destination Ball Hill.

With over 20% of Coventry households impacted by fuel poverty, and the city – like the country – facing important climate targets, the project breaks down barriers to home retrofitting (improved insulation, boiler upgrades, and solar panel installation) by making the process more relatable and accessible.

Through immersive VR workshops, residents were able to ‘walk through’ a 3D model of a retrofitted home, see the improvements, and understand the real-world benefits for greater comfort, better health, and lower energy bills.

Dr Lory Barile, Associate Professor, University of Warwick, said:

“When residents can step inside a warmer home, even virtually, the benefits stop being abstract. Virtual Reality makes retrofit feel real and achievable, helping Coventry families cut bills, improve comfort and health, and lower emissions.

“Pairing trusted advice with immersive experience we hope to turn awareness into action, so that no-one has to choose between heating and eating.”

The workshop built on the success of the Retrofit Rocks project and responds directly to the city’s need to boost uptake of energy-saving measures such as insulation, boiler upgrades, and solar panels.

Despite generous funding schemes, uptake remains low (in some instances as low as 2%)—often due to lack of awareness or confidence in the process.

Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, Coventry City Council, said:

“As we head into the colder months and face rising energy prices, it’s important that we find ways to show Coventry residents what retrofit looks and feels like. This innovative VR project brings that to life, making it more real for people and easier to see and understand the benefits.

“We want to help people access any financial support on offer so they can take action to lower their bills and live in warmer homes. This is good for health and the environment, so it really is a win, win.”

Retrofitting is a key action that people can take in the fight against climate change. For Coventry, like many other UK cities, the residential sector accounts for a significant proportion of carbon emissions (30% of total emissions). Lowering residential emissions is a vital step on the road to net zero by 2050.

Rachel Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Act On Energy, said:

“With energy costs remaining high and energy debt in the UK reaching 4billion it is critical that we can support residents and empower them on their energy journey. VR is one tool that can show the difference energy efficiency measures can have. A warm home and energy efficient home leads to improved health and lower energy bills.”

Dr Lory Barile is Associate Professor in the Department of Economics, University of Warwick - please visit her staff profile page for contact details.

Professor Dennis Novy has been appointed as Chief Economist and Director of Analysis at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), one of the oldest and most prestigious Government departments.

Founded in 1782 as the Foreign Office, FCDO leads the UK’s diplomatic, development and consular work around the world.

In his new role Professor Novy becomes the lead economic adviser to the Foreign Secretary on all of the UK’s foreign and international development policy. He will offer analysis, advice and thought leadership to the whole Ministerial team on the issues before them. He will also provide leadership for the FCDO’s analysts, helping to ensure that policies are based on robust data, evidence and evaluation, and represent the UK to counterparts on foreign government and global institutions such as the World Bank.

In addition to his internationally respected academic work on the economics of international trade and macroeconomics, Professor Novy had previously served as the Specialist Adviser to the House of Lords on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), as a member of the Council of Economic Advisers at HM Treasury appointed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and as a member of the Economic Advisory Council of the British Chambers of Commerce. In January 2024 he gave evidence to Parliament’s Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, making recommendations on how to enhance the UK’s economic security.

Professor Novy has been a member of the Department since 2006 when he joined the faculty from the University of Cambridge, where he took his PhD. He is currently Impact Director of the ESRC Centre for Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE), based in the Department, and a Research Fellow at the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR).

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Warwick Professor Stuart Croft said:

“I was thrilled to hear the news that Professor Novy will be joining the Foreign Office to bring his expertise and insight to bear at the very highest levels of UK policy-making.

“It is a wonderful appointment for Dennis, who has an impressive track record in parliamentary and government engagement, and also fantastic news for Warwick.

“As a university we aim to contribute to society by applying our outstanding research to real-world problems. The appointment of Dennis as Chief Economist and Director of Analysis at the FCDO shows that we deliver on that ambition.”

Professor Novy said:

“I am delighted to join the FCDO in this exciting role. It is a huge privilege to serve the UK as part of this excellent institution.

“At this time of great change and uncertainty in the world, rigorous policy analysis and principled economic thinking are more vital than ever. The Economics Department at Warwick is at the forefront of that intellectual endeavour.

“On a personal note, I have been thrilled to discover a strong Warwick community among my new colleagues, many of whom studied at Warwick themselves, have children who are currently studying with us, or who are preparing their applications.”

Head of Department Jeremy Smith said:

“I am absolutely delighted to congratulate Professor Dennis Novy on his appointment as Chief Economist and Director of Analysis at the FCDO. This is a prestigious and impactful role, and Dennis’s selection is a testament to his outstanding scholarship and commitment to public service.

“Dennis joined the Department in 2006 and has contributed not only through his internationally recognised research in international trade and economic policy, but also through his leadership roles, including as Impact Director of the ESRC Centre for Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE).

“The FCDO will benefit immensely from Dennis’s expertise. On behalf of the Department, I extend our warmest congratulations and wish him every success in this important new chapter.”

Congratulations to Maximilien Zahnd and Signe Larsen on securing a British Academy small grant in support of their research.