We are delighted to announce that the School of Life Sciences (SLS) has successfully renewed its Athena Swan Silver Award. The award recognises the progress made by the School towards the goal of addressing gender inequalities and embedding an inclusive culture.

Find out more.

(March 2024)

On Friday 29 September 2023, the School of Life Sciences will be hosting a free workshop: "Are the university learning environments as inclusive as we think? An investigation from the awarding perspective".

Based on a thorough data analysis from recent years and first-hand practical experience, the workshop will identify existing reasons for lack of inclusivity and unbiased awarding in biological science and related degree streams.

The workshop participants, comprising academic leaders, teaching professionals and a diverse student community, will also provide on consensus recommendations on how to close existing awarding gaps for a more inclusive learning and teaching environment throughout the UK.

Consensus recommendations will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Find out more and register

Four female climate scientists from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh — who are currently pursuing postgraduate studies in Life Sciences thanks to ‘Women in STEM’ scholarships between the University of Warwick and the British Council — share their experiences and reflections on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2022.

Press release (11 February 2022)

On Friday 11 February Anna Ceesay a second year Biochemist, and Outreach Officer for Warwick's Biological Society, is joining a Virtual Q&A panel to celebrate Women in Science at Warwick. The day marks the sixth International Day of Women and Girls in Science; a day designed to promote full and equal access to, and participation in, science for women and girls. The live panel event will give the opportunity to meet some of the women in our Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine, and ask them any questions about Science at Warwick. Find out more

Noor Abu-Jbara, WMG MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship alumna, has won a prestigious Study UK Alumni Award.

Noor, who graduated from WMG in 2019, was announced as the winner in the Business and Innovation Award category for Jordan at an awards ceremony held on Sunday (30 January).

The UK Alumni Awards are led by the British Council to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the UK’s international alumni. Award winners and finalists are leaders in their fields who have used their experience of studying at a UK university to make a positive contribution to their communities, professions and countries.

The Business and Innovation Award category specifically recognises those who are active in initiating and contributing to innovative or creative new ideas, solutions or business opportunities, that have the potential for growth.

Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG said: “This award is a true testament to Noor’s dedication and passion for entrepreneurship and empowering women in Jordan. I’m delighted that her efforts have been recognised. Congratulations Noor!

“We look forward to seeing the wonderful things that she continues to achieve throughout her career.”

After graduating Noor became the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Supervisor at TheTank by Umniah and the Founder of SHEE. She is trainer and mentor for start-ups and has worked as a consultant and researcher in the fields of innovation, entrepreneurship, women empowerment and management consultation.

You can read more about Noor’s career here: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/education/wmgmasters/alumni-profiles/noor-abu-jbara_iae/

Noor Abu-Jbara, WMG MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship alumna, has been selected as a finalist for a prestigious Study UK Alumni Award in her native Jordan.

Noor, who graduated from WMG in 2019, has been nominated for a Business and Innovation Award.

The UK Alumni Awards are led by the British Council to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the UK’s international alumni. Award winners and finalists are leaders in their fields who have used their experience of studying at a UK university to make a positive contribution to their communities, professions and countries.

The Business and Innovation Award category specifically recognises those who are active in initiating and contributing to innovative or creative new ideas, solutions or business opportunities, that have the potential for growth.

Professor Jay Bal, MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship course lead at WMG said: “Noor is passionate about Women’s Entrepreneurship as a tool for empowering women in developing countries. We hope her efforts get recognised at the awards.”

After graduating Noor became the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Supervisor at TheTank by Umniah and the Founder of SHEE. She is trainer and mentor for start-ups and has worked as a consultant and researcher in the fields of innovation, entrepreneurship, women empowerment and management consultation.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 30th January.

You can read more about Noor’s career here: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/education/wmgmasters/alumni-profiles/noor-abu-jbara_iae/

WMG Senior Research Fellow, Dr Mona Faraji-Niri, has been announced as a winner of a prestigious 2021 TechWoman100 award.

Dr Faraji-Niri started her career at Iran University of Science and Technology, and then continued as a lecturer at Pooyesh Institute of Higher Education, before joining WMG in 2018.

Dr Faraji-Niri is currently based in WMG’s Energy Innovation Centre specialising in battery modelling, battery management algorithms, electric vehicle powertrain modelling and control, and machine learning algorithms.

Dr Faraji-Niri explains: “It is an honour to be included in such a fantastic list! We need women at all levels to reshape the tech world. There’s no longer a mindset of ‘I can’t because I am a woman,’ all is possible by recognising and embracing your uniqueness, and having the passion and love for what you do.”

The TechWomen100 awards are the first of their kind to focus solely on the female tech talent pipeline and to also recognise the impact of champions, companies and networks that are leading the way for future generations of tech talent. Highlighting the achievements of these women is part of the WeAreTechWomen’s campaign to shine a spotlight on 1,000 future female leaders in technology by 2025.

See the full list of 2021 TechWoman winners here: TechWomen100 Awards | Winners 2020 (wearetechwomen.com)

Congratulations to WMG Associate Professor, Freeha Azmat, who was a finalist, in the Digital and Technology category, at the prestigious Asian Women of Achievement Awards 2021.

The Awards, founded by Pinky Lilani CBE DL in 1999, celebrate multicultural Britain and the contribution of diverse cultures and talents to UK society. The awards play a key role in redefining the contribution of Asian women; and informing a new, positive, pro-diversity debate.

Freeha said: “It was so inspiring to attend Asian Woman of Achievement Awards in London earlier this week. I was amazed to meet great women who paved their way to success against all odds. Each one of them was different, but one thing that we all had in common was hard work and resilience.

“Whilst I was not the winner, I feel honoured to be a finalist, for me it wasn’t about winning more about being in a room with women having extraordinary talent and inspirational stories.

“Thanks to Pinky Lilani and her team for developing this prestigious platform which recognises the accomplishments of Asian women.”

Read more about Freeha’s career here: Freeha Azmat (warwick.ac.uk)

WMG Senior Teaching Fellow, Rink Desai has been awarded a prestigious Transforming Education Award, from the University of Warwick’s Student Union, for Student Communication.

The Student Communication award is for any individual staff member who has gone above and beyond in using meaningful ways to ensure that everyone has access to relevant and timely information.

This may specifically encompass communicating developments with regards to changes in light of Covid-19 restrictions, but also in general. The awarding panel noted that: “Rink has done an excellent job communicating with his (apprentice) students and kept them updated with early release of learning resources and timetables which helped them to plan their employment and degree commitments at a turbulent time. This was a result of Rink acting on the ‘voice of the student’ which was very much appreciated by his cohorts.”

Rink said: “I am very honoured to have been recognised by the degree apprenticeship students. We have had a challenging year where students and staff have dealt with difficult circumstances, and also a time in which communication has been key to ensuring a rewarding learning experience. My sincere thanks go to the students who have contributed to such a positive learning environment.”

Rink teaches Process Optimisation on the BEng Applied Professional Engineering programme. Find out more about the programme here: BEng Applied Professional Engineering Programme : University of Warwick