Hear from members of staff from the departments that have made the Faculty of Arts Building (FAB) their new professional home.

1. Hi Tim, tell us about your role as Head of Department for History.

I only started in this role in August 2021, so I am still learning! I have a brilliant group of Professional Services and Academic staff who keep everything running on a day-to-day basis and managing a department is definitely a team effort. My role is more strategic, particularly so because we are going through Strategy Renewal this year, setting out our vision for the department for the next five to ten years. This has involved lots of internal conversations about the exciting things we want to do in the future.

2. How did you feel before the move to the Faculty of Arts building and how do you feel now?

The old Humanities building was very tired, whereas the FAB is a real statement of the University’s investment in Arts and Humanities. We are still figuring out how best to use the spaces, and how to stamp our identity on our floor, but we are getting there.

3. In what ways has the re-location and the access to new spaces/facilities positively impacted the development/ teachings of the department?

The best thing, without a doubt, is the student social learning spaces. In the Humanities Building our students had no spaces to work in, but in the FAB there are loads of spaces on our floor where students can work individually or collaboratively. By mid-morning the place is really buzzing which is great to see.

4. How has the move enhanced co-collaboration between different arts and humanities disciplines now that many departments are under one roof?

I think we are still figuring that out to some extent, but bringing the Milburn departments back onto main campus will, I am sure, foster greater interaction between departments. Research seminars, for instance, can be advertised to different audiences more easily, and now do not involve a trek across campus.

5. What plans do History have for next academic year?

We have a newly appointed historian of Africa joining us in September, and we are keen to welcome her as well as some new fixed term colleagues. We are also keen to put flesh on the bones of our ideas for online learning, both at UG and PGT level.

6. How do you feel Arts and Humanities at Warwick) help us to recognise the importance of understanding human culture, as a foundation of creating a better world?

Just in terms of my own discipline, History, I find that understanding the world around us is impossible without understanding the historical background. From the invasion of Ukraine, to the Windrush scandal, history continues to shape our modern world in numerous ways. History can help us comprehend why Putin feels Russia has a claim in Ukraine and also why Ukrainians disagree. Only by understanding these issues can viable solutions be found.

7. What’s the best thing about the Faculty of Arts Building?

The staircases! Very Hogwarts.