Update from VC on Provost

Professor Emma Flynn will be leaving her role as Provost on Wednesday 20 August 2025.

Emma joined the University of Warwick from Queen’s University, Belfast in 2023. During her time as Provost, she has been central to the University’s endeavour to have a future-focused academic strategy that places inclusive student success and societal impact at its centre.

She has overseen the development of the STEM and Social Sciences Connect Programmes, which aim to harness and integrate our power in research, education, and innovation to ignite real-world progress - within our region, for our nation and at a global scale. Alongside this, she has worked with the development and alumni team to identify the projects and investment needed to make future ideas come to life through philanthropy.

Through her leadership of the academic community, Emma has focused on continuing to deliver world-leading research, impact and education. Working closely with teams in finance, HR, estates, education, research, innovation, student recruitment and the international group, her commitment to Warwick has stood out during a period of time that has required clear and agile decision-making to secure the University’s future stability and growth. Emma has led initiatives that have placed us in a strong financial position by working with departments and faculties to plan resource use and also to improve student recruitment. The University is in a stronger position because of these initiatives.

Emma’s stewardship has been crucial in empowering faculties through the devolution of processes such as probation, promotion and planning and strategy development – bringing decision making closer to the academic community. Her aim has been to create a culture of inclusion, inspiration and success.

Commenting on her departure, Emma said:

“I have had a fantastic team of Heads of Departments, Vice-Provosts and Deans to support me in my endeavours. And beyond the academic community I would like to acknowledge the support from teams within finance, HR (the people team), governance, education, innovation, international and research alongside estates and community safety. It has been a joy to see the integration of everyone’s endeavour. I wish everyone at Warwick much happiness and success in the future.”

Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor, said:

“On behalf of our Warwick community I would like to thank Emma for her unwavering commitment to our ambition to grow world-leading research, education and innovation. Through her stewardship and strategic insight, she has helped lay down the foundations for a more resilient and inclusive future. I wish her all the best.”

Professor Caroline Meyer will be stepping into the role of Provost, and Professor David Leadley into the role of Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, both for the academic year 2025/26.