Queen Mary, University of London and the University of Warwick have announced a strategic partnership which, by combining talent and resources in selected disciplines, aims to ensure that both universities continue to thrive amidst the increasing uncertainty and pressures facing higher education institutions in England. Striking a balance between competition and collaboration the partnership – based on shared philosophy and mutual understanding - will enable Queen Mary and Warwick to retain their individuality whilst achieving common objectives through joint working in teaching, research and recruitment.

Marking the launch of the partnership, Queen Mary and Warwick have announced a series of initiatives, including a number of post-doctoral research fellowships focused on areas of existing research excellence in both institutions, which begin with: Ethnicity and Mental Health in Post-War Britain; Discrete Mathematics; Rewiring the Renaissance, and Functional Molecular Materials.

In addition, a programme of collaborative schools liaison activities will see the partnership trial new approaches to outreach and widening participation by research intensive universities, designed to expand opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds in London and the Midlands. The initiative aims to develop the potential recruitment pools from these communities for Queen Mary’s and Warwick’s respective undergraduate programmes, demonstrating one of the specific benefits arising from a partnership involving a London HE institution and one based outside the capital. This strand will benefit from evidence-based research into the best approaches in widening participation activity – with a particular focus on long-term interventions – agreed to be undertaken by the new partners in conjunction with the Education Endowment Foundation and the Sutton Trust.

A joint leadership programme will foster the development of leadership potential amongst academics and professional services staff.

Professor Nigel Thrift, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Warwick said: “This is an agreement between two universities of substantial strength; both have robust records as providers of high quality education to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Collaborations of this kind will be increasingly important as we seek to collectively discharge our responsibilities to society at large. The most significant and successful inter-university collaborations will need to be based on a recognition of a shared ethos between autonomous institutions, and a mutual understanding of what may be achieved together, in both education and research, by combining talent and resources in selected areas."

Professor Simon Gaskell, Principal of Queen Mary, University of London said: “We expect the developing partnership between Queen Mary and Warwick not only to enhance our individual strengths as centres of teaching, learning and scholarship, but also together to provide a leading role in defining the future of universities in the UK and beyond.”

• Find out more about the Queen Mary-University of Warwick alliance and the Postdoctoral Research Fellowships being offered by the partnership

For further information please contact:

Peter Dunn, Head of Communications
Communications Office
University of Warwick
Tel: 024 76 523708 Mobile 07767 655860
p.j.dunn@warwick.ac.uk

Alex Fernandes, Communications Office
Queen Mary, University of London
Tel: 020 7882 7910
a.fernandes@qmul.ac.uk

PR50 20th March 2012