Warwick brings sustainability research and community stories to Leamington Spa exhibition
Research from the University of Warwick and community sustainability stories from across the region were brought together at Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum on Saturday 7 November, for an event exploring how innovation, new ideas and local knowledge can help shape a more sustainable future.
The collaborative event was hosted alongside the gallery and museum’s exhibition, ‘Sustain: from the past, for the future’ – part of the Natural History Museum’s Fixing Our Broken Planet programme, and open until the 10 January. It brought Warwick’s sustainability research into conversation with local stories, collections and community projects.
From engineering and the arts to history and chemistry, the activities explored the connections between people, the environment and sustainability, drawing on lessons from the past while looking ahead to the future.
Helen Wheatley, Academic Director of the Warwick Institute of Engagement at the University of Warwick, said: “It’s important that conversations about sustainability reach beyond universities. Working with local partners brings different perspectives together, connects research with everyday experiences and helps us explore how we can all contribute to a more sustainable future.
“This collaboration showed the breadth of expertise and ideas that have a role to play in forming our future, from scientific research and new technologies to local heritage and community-led projects.”
The event explored three central themes of the exhibition: The food we eat, The stuff we use and The energy we use, with Warwick research and activities showcasing how innovation and collaboration were helping to address sustainability challenges.
Visitors got hands-on with research into food production, including work taking place at Warwick’s Innovation Campus, innovative materials science, and sustainable energy production and storage. They also explored how technology can bring fresh ideas to traditional repair techniques, while making connections with the gallery and museum’s wider collection, including stories of leisure, place and belonging in Leamington Spa.
Alongside stories and work created by young people in Coventry through the Acting on Climate project, three short talks explored retrofitting homes, monitoring river health and tackling invasive species. Together, these activities highlighted how local knowledge, community participation and shared expertise can help shape more sustainable communities.
Lily Crowther, Curator, from Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum, said: “We were delighted to work with the University of Warwick to bring this exhibition to life and explore sustainability from different perspectives.
“Bringing together stories from our collections and local heritage with the latest research and ideas gave visitors new ways to think about the challenges we face and how we can all contribute to a more sustainable future.”
Charlie Theobold, Doctoral Researcher at the University of Warwick, who contributed to the event, said: “The event provided us with a wonderful opportunity to engage and update the community on what we have been doing to monitor river water quality in Leamington. The discussions at the tabletop activity showed how keen the community is in Leamington to learn about their river water and what it means for a river to be healthy. The questions in the talk even led to exchanging contact details between some of the attendees, who are hoping to get involved in citizen science. The community in Leamington never fails to amaze me with how engaged they are in these sorts of projects, and their input is invaluable for the work we are trying to do”
The event formed part of the University of Warwick's ongoing commitment to creating opportunities for wider audiences to engage with its research, innovation and cultural activity. Through the Warwick Institute of Engagement, the University continues to work with local partners to create space for conversations around research and the issues that matter to communities.
For more information about the Warwick Institute of Engagement and its future events and activities, visit the WIE website.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
For more information please contact:
Stevie Connoll, Media & Communications Officer
About the University of Warwick
Founded in 1965, the University of Warwick is a world-leading institution known for its commitment to era-defining innovation across research and education. A connected ecosystem of staff, students and alumni, the University fosters transformative learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and bold industry partnerships across state-of-the-art facilities in the UK and global satellite hubs. Here, spirited thinkers push boundaries, experiment and challenge convention to create a better world.
About Resonate
This event is part of Resonate, a year-round programme from the University of Warwick offering free, interactive events across Coventry, Warwickshire, and campus, showcasing the work of Warwick staff and students to inspire curiosity and creativity. Find out more at: resonatefestival.co.uk
About Warwick Institute of Engagement (WIE)
Warwick Institute of Engagement (WIE) supports staff and students at the University of Warwick to engage with the wider world through collaboration, knowledge exchange, and public engagement. It also facilitates public involvement in Warwick research and aims to make the university more open and accessible to all. WIE is home to Resonate, a year-round programme of events for all ages that take place across Coventry and Warwickshire.
Established in 2020, WIE provides training and support to help embed public engagement in Warwick's teaching, research and everything else that the university does. In 2024–25, WIE delivered, supported or shared 117 public events attended by over 12,600 people, involving 396 Warwick contributors and 52 external organisations. Learn more about the Warwick Institute of Engagement.Link opens in a new window
12 November 2026