Margaret Low, WMG (11am)

As a Computer Scientist working in an Engineering-focused department, Margaret plays a leadership role in introducing new software and technology solutions to her own and her colleagues’ teaching. She has always been an early adopter of technology, applying it where relevant and useful to teaching practice. Her teaching is also directly informed by industry practice, ensuring that students graduate with up-to-date and relevant knowledge that can be directly applied in the workplace. Chairman and Founder of WMG, Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharryya, says,

Margaret is highly collegial, and will always promote others’ contributions before her own. This WATE award is therefore an overdue recognition of her outstanding contribution to teaching excellence and the student experience more broadly at Warwick."

Dr Leanne Williams, School of Life Sciences (3pm)

Leanne’s teaching has been described as having meticulous planning and preparation which encourages accessibility of knowledge and development of engagement and creative thinking from her students. She actively alters her approach when engaging with the different year groups. Head of Life Sciences Dr John McCarthy says,

Leanne is an outstanding teacher and a great role model for students; highly innovative and committed to the student learning experience, and is a very highly regarded member of the School of Life Sciences. She is one of those individuals in the community who stands out as an example to others. I believe that this WATE award does not only constitute deserved recognition for what she does for the community but should also send a reassuring message to Leanne that her exceptional contributions are appreciated and valued."

Professor Richard Parry-Jones CBE, Hon DSc (11am)

Richard Parry-Jones has had around 40 years’ global career experience in the automotive industry, including as Group Vice-President Global Product Development, Chief Technical Officer and Head of global R&D operations for the Ford Motor Company. In 2012 Professor Parry-Jones became Chairman of Network Rail.

He has played an important role in public life: he chaired the Ministerial Advisory Group for the Deputy First Minister of the Welsh Assembly (2006-11), and, with Secretary of State Vince Cable, currently cochairs the UK Automotive Council.In 2005, he was made a CBE for services to the automobile industry. He also served for five years on the Advisory Board of Warwick Business School.

Dr Subra Suresh, Hon DSc (11am)

Subra Suresh is President of Carnegie Mellon University. He is also a member of all three of the United States National Academies (the National Academies of Engineering and of Science and the Institute of Medicine), elected in recognition of his pioneering contributions to engineering, sciences and medicine. He has also been elected to membership of the Chinese Academy of Sciences – the highest honour bestowed by the People’s Republic of China – and of academies in India, Sweden, Germany, Italy and Spain.

From 2010 to 2013, Dr Suresh held the prestigious post of Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the United States.

Professor Michael Doyle, Hon LLD (3pm)

Michael W. Doyle is an eminent international relations scholar. He is the Director of the Columbia Global Policy Initiative, and the Harold Brown Professor of International Affairs, Law and Political Science at Columbia University. He has previously taught at Warwick, Johns Hopkins University, Princeton University and Yale Law School.

In 2001-2003, he served as Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Planning and Special Adviser to United Nations Secretary- General, Kofi Annan. He is the former chair of the Academic Council of the United Nations Community. He served as an individual member and the chair of the UN Democracy Fund, 2006-2013. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, New York.