The conference provides an opportunity to share environmental sustainability practices, spark new ideas, and reflect on what it means to be a truly sustainable institution — while also celebrating our collective achievements and the progress we’ve made so far.
Tea and coffee will be available in Scarman Lounge on arrival
09:30-09:55 Welcome and Launch of Environmental Sustainability Strategy
Join us for the launch of the University of Warwick’s refreshed Environmental Sustainability Strategy. This milestone reflects a year of collaborative work between staff and students, bringing together diverse perspectives to shape a shared vision. As sustainability remains a key pillar of the University’s strategy, this launch looks ahead to the actions, partnerships, and innovations that will drive meaningful change across our campus and beyond.
Prof. Caroline Meyer
Provost
Prof. Stéphanie Panichelli-Batalla
Academic Director for Sustainability
09:55-10:00 Short Break
10:00-10:45 Keynote Alumni Panel
Celebrate the journeys of Warwick alumni who are driving change in sustainability. Our Alumni Keynote Panel showcases how we cherish and nurture talent, empowering students to turn passion into action and create a greener, brighter future.
James Varney
Roopal Kanabar
Ubayd Khan
Matthew Hayward
Politics and International Studies '25
Computer Management and Sciences BSc '08
Global Sustainable Development BASc & MASc '25
Chemistry BSc '96
VP Democracy and Development, Warwick SU
Founder of Sustainabar
Sustainability Analyst, Severn Trent
Director of Power & Life Sciences EMEA, Henkel
10:45-11:00 Break and Travel to Next Session
11:00-11:55 Morning Breakout Sessions
Sustainable Research Practice
This panel will explore how sustainable research practice is being embedded across our research community. Speakers will outline our commitment to the Concordat for Environmental Sustainability in Research and Innovation Practice, highlighting the progress made to date and the practical steps taken to align policies and culture with its principles.
The discussion will also focus on initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of our laboratories, including engagement with the LEAF Accreditation and equivalent schemes, and the challenges and benefits of this work.
The session will conclude with a case study showcasing a research project designed and delivered with environmental sustainability at its core. The presentations will be followed by a short Q&A, giving the audience the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers and explore the topics in more depth.
Session contributions:
Warwick’s Commitment to the Concordat for Environmental Sustainability in Research and Innovation Practice: Our Progress So Far - Dr Fred Dahlmann (Associate Professor of Strategy and Sustainability, WBS)
Environmental Accreditation in Research Labs: Challenges, Successes and Lessons Learnt - Dr Anish Mistry (Assistant Professor, Chemistry)
Sustainable Research in Practice - Prof. Nikoleta Jones (Professor, Global Sustainable Development)
Chair:
Dr Dan Blakey (Head of Research Strategy, Funding & Contracts, RIS)
Sustainable Campus Operations
Do you know how many solar panel are on campus? The session offers a concise snapshot of current activity and progress, providing an overview of how these approaches are contributing to the University’s sustainability ambitions.
Our session will explore how a whole-systems approach can transform campus operations into a driver of sustainability. Drawing on practical experience, we will showcase how integrated energy and carbon reduction projects are delivering measurable impact across the estate - including insights from the recent on campus projects.
Alongside this, we will highlight how circular economy principles are being embedded from procurement through to reuse, reducing waste while creating social value. Using initiatives such as our campus-wide Donation Drive, we will demonstrate how engaging staff and students can turn everyday processes into powerful sustainability interventions.
Session contributions:
Gemma Wilkins (Head of Sustainable Campus Operations)
Andrew Thomas (Senior Energy and Carbon Manager)
Fran Nibbs (Sustainability Officer - Circular Economy)
Education for Sustainable Development
This session showcases the breadth and ambition of education for sustainable development (ESD) at the University of Warwick, from institutional strategy to classroom practice, and from student skills to real-world living laboratories.
Speakers will provide an overview of the work of the ESD Action Group, including the outcomes of curriculum mapping and subgroup projects undertaken this year. The session will also spotlight the University's sustainability induction module and the Sustainability Matters Now podcast as examples of how sustainability is being embedded beyond the formal curriculum.
Participants will hear about the Warwick Living Lab, a collaborative space where students, staff, and partners develop and test real-world sustainability solutions on campus, alongside work to embed sustainability as a Core Skill within the Warwick Award, enabling students to connect their sustainability experiences to their personal and professional development.
The session will conclude with an open Q&A, inviting attendees to share practice, ask questions, and explore how ESD approaches might be adopted or adapted across their own departments and disciplines.
Session contributions:
Education for Sustainable Development at Warwick: Strategy, Action and the Sustainability Matters Now Podcast - Dr Tom Ritchie (Reader, Chemistry)
The Warwick Living Lab: Students, Staff and Real-World Sustainability Solutions - Dr Sarah Cook (Assistant Professor, School of Life Sciences)
Sustainability as a Core Skill: Embedding ESD in the Warwick Award - Steven Burke (Skills Developer, Student Opportunity)
Chair:
Dr Jessica Savage (Associate Professor, Global Sustainable Development)
Regional Engagement
This panel discussion will explore diverse and practical approaches to stakeholder engagement on sustainability across the West Midlands region. The session will examine how the university works with residents, businesses, local authorities, and community organisations in shaping regional environmental sustainability priorities and collaborating on action.
Each panellist will offer a short perspective on engagement approaches—from local authority‑led co‑design processes, to business‑driven innovation and partnership models, to community‑based initiatives that build grassroots momentum. Together, they will discuss the opportunities and challenges of aligning these groups’ interests, ensuring that engagement is meaningful, representative, and capable of driving long‑term change.
An interactive Q&A will invite attendees to share experiences, pose questions, and explore how these engagement methods can be adapted to their own contexts. The session aims to equip participants with practical insights to strengthen collaboration between local authorities, businesses, and community groups, supporting a more sustainable future for the West Midlands.
Session contributions:
Prof. Helen Wheatley (Academic Director for Warwick Institute of Engagement)
Hopi Sen (Director of Public Affairs and Policy, WMG)
Laura Waller (Digital Services and Inclusion Lead, Coventry City Council)
This relaxed and informative session offers a chance to discover how spaces across campus are being enhanced to support wildlife, improve habitats, and contribute to a more nature-positive environment. From pollinator-friendly planting to wetland restoration and habitat creation, you’ll gain insight into the practical steps being taken to protect and restore biodiversity—while enjoying a chance to connect with nature and others along the way.
In this engaging panel discussion, our Sustainability Leaders panel will share how their approaches to leadership have shifted in response to the increasing urgency of environmental challenges and the drive towards a more sustainable future. From championing sustainable practices to integrating sustainability into decision-making, policy, and long-term strategy, this session will explore what it means to lead with integrity, accountability, and purpose in today’s higher education landscape.
Chair of Sustainability Forum, Warwick Students' Union
14:45-15:00 Break and Travel to Next Session
15:00-15:55 Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Sustainable Research Practice
This panel will explore how sustainable research practice is being embedded across our research community. Speakers will outline our commitment to the Concordat for Environmental Sustainability in Research and Innovation Practice, highlighting the progress made to date and the practical steps taken to align policies and culture with its principles.
The discussion will also focus on initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of our laboratories, including engagement with the LEAF Accreditation and equivalent schemes, and the challenges and benefits of this work.
The session will conclude with a case study showcasing a research project designed and delivered with environmental sustainability at its core. The presentations will be followed by a short Q&A, giving the audience the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers and explore the topics in more depth.
Session contributions:
Warwick’s Commitment to the Concordat for Environmental Sustainability in Research and Innovation Practice: Our Progress So Far- Dr Fred Dahlmann (Associate Professor of Strategy and Sustainability, WBS)
Environmental Accreditation in Research Labs: Challenges, Successes and Lessons Learnt- Dr Anish Mistry (Assistant Professor, Chemistry)
Sustainable Research in Practice- Prof. Nikoleta Jones (Professor, Global Sustainable Development)
Chair:
Dr Dan Blakey (Head of Research Strategy, Funding & Contracts, RIS)
Sustainable Campus Operations
Do you know how many solar panel are on campus? The session offers a concise snapshot of current activity and progress, providing an overview of how these approaches are contributing to the University’s sustainability ambitions.
Our session will explore how a whole-systems approach can transform campus operations into a driver of sustainability. Drawing on practical experience, we will showcase how integrated energy and carbon reduction projects are delivering measurable impact across the estate - including insights from the recent on campus projects.
Alongside this, we will highlight how circular economy principles are being embedded from procurement through to reuse, reducing waste while creating social value. Using initiatives such as our campus-wide Donation Drive, we will demonstrate how engaging staff and students can turn everyday processes into powerful sustainability interventions.
Session contributions:
Gemma Wilkins (Head of Sustainable Campus Operations)
Andrew Thomas (Senior Energy and Carbon Manager)
Fran Nibbs (Sustainability Officer - Circular Economy)
Education for Sustainable Development
This session showcases the breadth and ambition of education for sustainable development (ESD) at the University of Warwick, from institutional strategy to classroom practice, and from student skills to real-world living laboratories.
Speakers will provide an overview of the work of the ESD Action Group, including the outcomes of curriculum mapping and subgroup projects undertaken this year. The session will also spotlight the University's sustainability induction module and the Sustainability Matters Now podcast as examples of how sustainability is being embedded beyond the formal curriculum.
Participants will hear about the Warwick Living Lab, a collaborative space where students, staff, and partners develop and test real-world sustainability solutions on campus, alongside work to embed sustainability as a Core Skill within the Warwick Award, enabling students to connect their sustainability experiences to their personal and professional development.
The session will conclude with an open Q&A, inviting attendees to share practice, ask questions, and explore how ESD approaches might be adopted or adapted across their own departments and disciplines.
Session contributions:
Education for Sustainable Development at Warwick: Strategy, Action and the Sustainability Matters Now Podcast- Dr Tom Ritchie (Reader, Chemistry)
The Warwick Living Lab: Students, Staff and Real-World Sustainability Solutions- Dr Sarah Cook (Assistant Professor, School of Life Sciences)
Sustainability as a Core Skill: Embedding ESD in the Warwick Award- Steven Burke (Skills Developer, Student Opportunity)
Chair:
Dr Jessica Savage (Associate Professor, Global Sustainable Development)
Regional Engagement
This panel discussion will explore diverse and practical approaches to stakeholder engagement on sustainability across the West Midlands region. The session will examine how the university works with residents, businesses, local authorities, and community organisations in shaping regional environmental sustainability priorities and collaborating on action.
Each panellist will offer a short perspective on engagement approaches—from local authority‑led co‑design processes, to business‑driven innovation and partnership models, to community‑based initiatives that build grassroots momentum. Together, they will discuss the opportunities and challenges of aligning these groups’ interests, ensuring that engagement is meaningful, representative, and capable of driving long‑term change.
An interactive Q&A will invite attendees to share experiences, pose questions, and explore how these engagement methods can be adapted to their own contexts. The session aims to equip participants with practical insights to strengthen collaboration between local authorities, businesses, and community groups, supporting a more sustainable future for the West Midlands.
Session contributions:
Prof. Helen Wheatley (Academic Director for Warwick Institute of Engagement)
Hopi Sen (Director of Public Affairs and Policy, WMG)
Laura Waller (Digital Services and Inclusion Lead, Coventry City Council)
This event has been planned with sustainability in mind, in collaboration with Warwick Conferences, and we thank you for supporting our efforts.
We are applying our Sustainable Event Guide throughout the planning and delivery of the event. As part of this, we are providing plant-based and vegetarian options as a more sustainable catering choice, running a low-waste event, and appreciating your support in helping us minimise environmental impact. Printed materials have been kept to a minimum, with only essential items produced in hard copy. We will also be showcasing a carbon calculator during the event to help demonstrate its environmental impact.
