Departmental news

WMG at The University of Warwick, has welcomed a record number of degree apprentices onto its BEng Applied Professional Engineering Programme (APEP) and BSc Digital and Technology Solutions (DTS).

This academic year a total of 215 students have enrolled across the two Degree Apprenticeship programmes.

APEP has grown significantly since it was first launched in 2021 when 59 apprentices enrolled. Today, that number has increased by a huge 179%, with the 2024 intake standing at 165.

Both APEP and DTS have been designed following extensive consultation with industry partners to ensure the course content aligned with the future needs of the engineering sector.

Professor Rob Thornton, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education at WMG, explained: “I’m delighted to see our Degree Apprenticeship programmes growing in popularity.

“Working with employers is fundamental to the development, delivery and success of all our programmes. They play a crucial part in driving economic growth and productivity, and Degree Apprenticeships offer the opportunity to learn industry-relevant skills with a regular salary and huge career prospects.

“The applied nature of our course means apprentices complete work-based assignments and projects throughout, so they gain a real understanding of the principles taught and how this can benefit their companies.”

Both courses have been designed to meet the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) accreditation requirements, therefore in the future students should be able to attain CEng (Chartered Engineer) professional registration status.

Find out more about Degree Apprenticeships at WMG here: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/study/degree-apprenticeships/

Baker Hughes, an energy technology company, and WMG at the University of Warwick have launched a two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to apply new technologies to the development of the company’s flexible pipe systems.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) aim to help businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills within the UK knowledge base. This KTP project was funded by UKRI through Innovate UK.

The Figiel Research Team from WMG’s International Institute for Nanocomposite Manufacturing (IINM), was awarded Innovate UK funding to apply Multiphysics modelling tools that will assist in developing context-aware pipe designs and analysis processes. This research will make material use more efficient, resulting in increased pipeline suitability, reliability and safety, whilst maintaining performance and structural integrity.

Through the use of Multiphysics modelling, Baker Hughes is expected to be able to more accurately predict the coupling between permeation of gases and fluids and the mechanical response of their flexible pipe systems, which are used extensively in floating production systems.

This research will also aid in the development of products to meet the world’s energy transition requirements, including carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) and hydrogen delivery. This work will position the UK as a global leader in the provision of products needed to supply clean energy.

Baker Hughes flexible pipe systems product line employs more than 500 people in the North East of England. This project is expected to result in more efficient manufacturing processes for the company that reduce waste and carbon intensity.

Dr. Soheil Bazazzadeh has been appointed by the university to carry out the project with supervision by WMG engineer Jack Davis and academic leadership from Dr. Lukasz Figiel, Reader at WMG. Soheil’s background includes a doctorate in aerospace engineering and three separate research fellowships, including at the University of Warwick.

WMG’s Jack Davis and Dr Lukasz Figiel say:

"This collaboration will further enhance WMG’s strong academic expertise in the field of Predictive Multiphysics Modelling of advanced engineering materials. In addition, the project will give us the opportunity to continue to build future partnerships in emerging fields such as hydrogen transport."

Dr. Angelos Mintzas, principal engineer at Baker Hughes and technical lead for New Product Introduction programmes says:

“This work has the potential to significantly enhance Baker Hughes’ design capabilities, enabling more efficient use of materials whilst keeping our focus on product reliability and safety. This collaboration is aligned with Baker Hughes commitment for 50% reduction of our CO2 emissions by 2030 and becoming a net-zero business by 2050.”

Ian Blakemore, Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Advisor for this project, says:

"This project is a prime example of the impact that Knowledge Transfer Partnerships can have. By bringing together forward-thinking businesses and the academic expertise of the UK’s world class universities, we can tackle real world challenges in new ways."

Workers on zero-hour contracts (ZHC) face lower wages and significantly higher turnover rates, yet such jobs have 25% more applicants than a permanent position for the same role, research by Assistant Professor Nikhil Datta has found.

The study - Why do flexible work arrangements exist?- is published by the LSE’s Centre for Economic Performance (CEP) where Dr Datta is an associate of the labour markets programme. He uses data from more than 31,000 employees and finds:

• Workers on ZHCs are more likely to be young, living in high student population areas and have higher education levels than those on other contracts.
• ZHCs are often used for temporary work.
• ZHC staff typically stay in their job for only a third as long as the same staff on fixed-hour contracts – with more than 10% of those hired on ZHC leaving before they even work a single shift.
• ZHC wages are approximately 6% lower than those for equivalent permanent jobs in the same occupation and industry.
• ZHC roles attract 25% more job applicants than equivalent fixed-hour positions and very few ZHC workers apply for equivalent fixed-hour positions within the same firm when vacancies come up.

The research comes as zero-hours contracts, which do not guarantee a set number of working hours, are in line for tighter regulation under the new government. Critics argue that they create unstable income for workers and undermine job security, while supporters claim they offer two-sided flexibility for businesses and workers.

Dr Nikhil Datta said: “Given there are some workers who show a strong preference for zero hours contracts, firms have a greater ability to mark down their wages compared to colleagues in fixed-hour jobs. Targeting that discrepancy should be a priority.”

Using detailed timesheet data, the research also uncovers new information on the volatility of hours and earnings experienced by ZHC workers.

Many workers actually see very little week-on-week hours and earning volatility, but there is a small proportion of workers who experience a lot of volatility: around 10% of workers see changes in their weekly earnings of £175 or more. Over the same period a full-time minimum wage worker would have expected to earn £318 a week.

From the employers' perspective, the study demonstrates how firms rely on ZHC workers to cover for staff absences from issues like sickness, staff turnover and responding to sudden changes in consumer demand and thus why they are more prevalent in industries such as hospitality, leisure and retail.

“This new research is important for those in government,” Dr Datta added.

“Policy makers should be cautious with how heavily the use of ZHCs is regulated. Many workers on ZHCs prefer them, and they play an important role for firms facing varying conditions.

"Outright bans would be counterproductive, but policies aimed at offering workers a right-to-request a fixed number of hours after some time in employment, are more reasonable. Attention should also be paid to ensuring that ZHC staff get paid the same wage rate as their fixed-hour counterparts.”

• Read the full paper here: Why do flexible work arrangements exist?

Professor Siddartha Khastgir, Head of the Safe Autonomy Research Group at WMG, University of Warwick, comments on the announcement of the Regulatory Innovation Office.

Professor Khastgir said: “The creation of the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) by the government is welcome. It’s good to see recognition that regulation can be used for implementing innovation and supporting the UK to be at the forefront of global science and technology.

“I hope the RIO will draw on learnings between the various transport domains (land, air, and marine) to develop timely regulations for cross-cutting developments like connected and autonomous technology, and AI. WMG’s cross-domain safety assurance framework will provide scientific evidence that can support the RIO’s policymaking.

“I also urge the RIO to prioritise sector-specific regulations, especially in areas such as self-driving technology. This will enable developers to work from a more concrete set of requirements to develop the technology safely.”

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

Prior to joining Warwick, Svitlana Lebedenko was a Hauser Fellow at the New York University School of Law’s Engelberg Center on Innovation Law & Policy and a Max Weber Fellow at the European University Institute in Florence.

Analysis of homemade 3D printed assault rifles at WMG at The University of Warwick has helped convict a criminal in a ground-breaking case.

Several homemade 3D printed guns were seized by West Midlands PoliceLink opens in a new window at the home of David Biddell-Portman in December 2020 as part of Operation Captiva, a Police response designed to reduce firearm deaths across greater Birmingham.

Professor Mark WilliamsLink opens in a new window, an expert in 3D printing and scanning at WMG was called in by West Midlands Police. His 3D scanning machines are 100 times more powerful than a hospital CAT scanner and can view images in detail smaller than a human hair.

By using his cutting-edge technology to scan the weapons, Mark was able to discover the amounts of metal and plastic in each of the weapons. This is achieved by analysing the different densities of the materials.

This crucial evidence helped prove that these homemade guns would be working and potentially deadly weapons. It also showed the levels of sophistication, effort and premeditation that went into the construction of the guns.

This evidence was crucial in securing a conviction, with the defendant receiving a five-year sentence.

Professor Mark Williams said: “It’s satisfying to see justice served, and I’m glad to use our technology in any way we can to help the efforts of West Midlands Police.

“By making this sort of technology available to the public sector, we’re ensuring it’s not just big companies that have access to cutting edge techniques.

“A dangerous criminal is now off the streets thanks to the efforts of West Midlands Police, and I look forward to our continuing work with them.”

By scanning the guns, police ensured that the judge and jury were aware of the extensive use of metal in the weapons – a sure sign that, when completed, they would have been working and potentially deadly weapons.

It also meant that the state of the guns was recorded if they deteriorated during test firing of the weapons by police, something that often occurs with 3D printed guns. The scanning also ensured that the police, judge and jury could understand the evidence surrounding the weapons.

For many, 3D printed weapons have never been encountered before, and are often irregular and defy categorisation due to their black market, homemade construction. With the scans, police could identify the closest professionally made weapons and make comparisons.

Michelle Painter, Deputy Head of Forensics at West Midlands Police commented: “This partnership is invaluable to West Midlands Police, the strength and commitment is truly unique and the boundaries are limitless.

“The application of the use of Micro CT scanning in criminal cases continues to be innovative and ground-breaking and progresses investigations and brings justice for victims.”

The conviction is the latest success in the decade long partnership between Professor Williams, WMG, Warwick and West Midlands Police. They recently marked a milestone, with the scanning technology having been used in over 300 casesLink opens in a new window since 2014.

The full paper on the case can be read hereLink opens in a new window.

Read more about WMG’s Centre for Imaging, Metrology, and Additive Technologies (CIMAT) here: Metrology and 3D Imaging (warwick.ac.uk)Link opens in a new window 

In this study, we investigate the differences between the pathogenic activities of P. asymbiotica isolates from different geographic locations. Pathogenicity was analysed using infection assays with both cultured cell lines (THP-1, CHO, and HEK cells) and primary immune cells, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from human blood.

Read the paper here.

As of 1 October, 2024 Professor Ana Sanchez will undertake the role of Head of Condensed Matter Physics group in the Department of Physics.

The paper on Corporate Governance for Sustainability, coauthored by Professor Andrew Johnston of Warwick Law School and the Cambridge Centre for Business Research, was originally published in 2020, but has recently entered the SSRN all-time top 10 lists for Climate Change Law and Policy, and Sustainability Law and Policy. The Statement has had a major impact on the debate over the future of corporate governance.

On Saturday (28th September), WMG at The University of Warwick and The Dyson Institute celebrated their fourth and final cohort of 35 graduates at a ceremony held across Dyson’s UK R&D campus.

A total of 160 students have now successfully completed the BEng Engineering Degree Apprenticeship, through the WMG and Dyson partnership, which first began in 2017.

This is the final cohort to graduate with a degree from The University of Warwick, as the Dyson Institute now moves to independent delivery and degree awarding powers.

The ceremony included speeches from Sir James Dyson, Founder of Dyson; Stuart Croft, Vice Chancellor of the University of Warwick, Mary Curnock Cook, Chair of Council; and Babajide Popoola, Class of 2024 Graduate.

Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG, said: “It has been a privilege to work with colleagues and learners at Dyson in realising the vision of the Engineering Degree Apprenticeship. The collaboration and mutual respect have resulted in, what I believe to be, an exemplar of how academia and industry can work together to achieve amazing results. My congratulations to everyone involved and I look forward to us building on this firm foundation together in the future.”

Sir James Dyson reflected on the success of the seven-year partnership with WMG in his commencement address: “This graduation marks another change for us as we step out from the partnership with WMG and the University of Warwick. I would like to thank Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG; and Professor Stuart Croft, Vice Chancellor of Warwick University. Thank you for saying ‘yes’ to joining us on this pioneering adventure back in 2017. You took on our pioneering adventure, it was an unselfish undertaking by you, a brave decision. I am sure you are as proud as I am at the achievements of the undergraduates, and the institution they’ve created. I sincerely hope our close association will continue.”

Find out more about WMG’s training and skills programmes for businesses: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/study/why-study-in-wmg/for-business/