Introduction

Founded in 1965, at a time of challenge and change, Warwick was established as a civic university from the outset, and still asserts an open and progressive approach to higher education.

Rapidly accelerating to become one the world’s highly ranked research-intensive universities, Warwick remains committed to building comprehensive capacity for effective knowledge exchange, placing partnerships with industry and community at the heart of our institutional purpose.

A Regional Force

Based in Coventry, Warwickshire and the West Midlands, our mission is to be a regional force for good, working alongside regional businesses, strategic partners, and communities to co-create new ideas with local impact, that lead to applied commercial innovation, socio-economic development, nurturing local talent, and providing transformative opportunities for local people from all backgrounds.

Our 2030 Strategy

Warwick’s 2030 strategy is to point the way ahead in research, education, and innovation, creating real-world impact across our strategic priorities of Innovation, Inclusion, International, Sustainability and Regional Leadership.

We have a clear strategy for delivering high-quality Knowledge Exchange (KE), set out in our KE Concordat and backed by senior level university commitment. We are building on our strong track-record and looking at new approaches; for example, recognising the positive impact of hosting the British Science Festival in 2019, we established the Warwick Institute for Engagement to focus our investment in public and community engagement. Our research excellence and partnerships shape our local KE approach, informing local decision-making and providing unique perspectives on approaches to regional policy, and support for business, community and the third sector. This engagement informs us where our KE activities can be most beneficial for local stakeholders and co-creates Knowledge Exchange approaches with partners.

Regional Partners

This approach enabled Warwick’s rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic, working with regional partners to rise to the challenge. Our researchers provided expert real-time COVID-19 science advice to government through SAGE committees and sub-groups and quickly developed new, less invasive rapid coronavirus testing kits. We partnered in Leamington’s Rosalind Franklin Laboratory, intended to become one of the UK centrepieces in preparing for future pandemics; Warwick provided epidemiological modelling, genomic sequencing, lab assessment, and training for NHS leadership. Warwick fundraised to establish an Institute for Global Pandemic Planning, providing comprehensive solutions for leaders around the World. Warwick supported regional businesses to survive the pandemic, with business strategies and innovation support to diversify into new markets and engagement in Ventilator Challenge UK.

Coventry City of Culture

We were a Principal Partner in Coventry, UK City of Culture, helping to plan and deliver the programme and established a new methodology for evaluating the impact of major cultural events, particularly in reaching marginalised communities. As part of City of Culture, we funded and organised the ‘Resonate’ programme, delivering c150 events and activities throughout the year to large audiences, both in-person and online: engaging with local communities across the city. Our investment in cultural infrastructure, includes a £45m redevelopment of Warwick Arts Centre and a new £57.5m Faculty of Arts building, forming a new ‘cultural quarter’ on campus, contributing to the legacy of City of Culture.

Our Impact

Warwick has had a significant impact on the national and regional economy. Our expertise continues to drive approaches to regional productivity, skills and enterprise and informed the ‘reset’ strategy of the local economy post-pandemic with a greater emphasis on creating and scaling innovative businesses. Warwick Innovation District provides support for entrepreneurs and incubation support to accelerate businesses in key sectors such as health, CreaTech, DeepTech and clean transport, while WMG runs major innovation support programmes for manufacturing supply chains and enables transformational business growth through its expertise and partnerships.

Warwick has supported local communities to develop capabilities for transformational change, leading major programmes in our local neighbourhood of Canley and working with community groups across Coventry and Warwickshire through the Warwick Institute of Engagement.