Congratulations to Professor Lorenzo Frigerio who will take up the role of Vice-Provost and Chair of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine, when the current Vice-Provost and Chair of Faculty, Professor Caroline Meyer, takes up her role as the new Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) during the Summer.

Lorenzo is Professor of Plant Biology in the School of Life Sciences. He has worked at Warwick since 1998 and has served as Head of the School since September 2017. He has a degree in Agricultural Sciences and a PhD in Plant Genetics from the Catholic University of Milano, Italy. During his post-doctoral years at the National Research Council, Italy and at Michigan State University, USA, he developed an interest in plant cell biology. He joined Warwick as a research fellow and became assistant professor in 1999. He has a strong track record in fundamental research on the biogenesis of subcellular organelles in plants and a lifelong passion for teaching. Lorenzo was Director of Undergraduate Studies, then Director of Education in Life Sciences, and won a Warwick Award for Teaching Excellence (WATE) in 2016. He is also a Warwick International Higher Education Academy (WIHEA) alumnus.

An internal consultation process has now begun, led by Professor Caroline Meyer, to find the new Head of School for Life Sciences.

The role of the Vice-Provost and Faculty Chair

The Vice-Provost and Chair of the Faculty (VP/CoF) provides academic leadership to Departments in their Faculty, and represents the Faculty in University matters. The VP/CoF works closely with University Executive Board and central professional and support services to deliver agreed priorities as required, including acting on behalf of the Provost where needed.

In addition to chairing the Board of the Faculty, VP/CoF serve on a range of University committees and are responsible for promoting the policies, programmes and procedures within their respective Faculty. Vice-Provosts and Faculty Chairs are also a source of support and act as ‘first port of call’ for Heads of Department and Research Centres in the relevant Faculty and inform and influence the Faculty on key decisions affecting it and the University.

Vice-Provosts and Faculty Chairs are also engaged in the appointment processes for key academic posts within the Faculty. Chairs serve ex officio on the following formal bodies: Senate, Steering Committee, Research Committee, Honorary Degrees Committee, Academic Quality and Standards Committee, Capital, Space and Amenities Group, the Academic Resourcing Committee, and might also act as Chair of the Investigating Committee and Appeals Committee.

Professor Lorenzo Frigerio