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About us

What is Engagement?

Engagement (also referred to as public engagement) is a term that describes how people working and studying at universities interact with external publics/partners to share knowledge, research and expertise; foster collaboration on new ideas; or collectively co-produce new research, or new ways of working. Its aim is to create spaces that enable curiosity, exploration and conversation for a broad cross section of society. Through these interactions everyone gains valuable insights, in turn contributing to societal development and progress.

The WIE Mission

WIE's Mission is to support and help lead staff and students at Warwick to engage with the wider world.

As a University-wide Institute comprised of a core specialist team and wider Fellowship made up of staff, students and regional representatives, we deliver strategic co-ordinated engagement initiatives, programmes and funding both within the University and between the University and its key communities.

  • We run training for Warwick staff and students in order to ensure they are able to engage with the wider world in the most compelling and effective way possible and that they are recognised and rewarded for their work.
  • We teach the theory and practice of engagement directly to students, mentor staff across the University to develop their own engagement-focused modules and courses, as well as support students to undertake their own engagement projects and get involved with ours.
  • We host a continual programme of events on and off campus, providing our staff and students with the right opportunities to engage with the wider world on the topics that matter to us all.

Find out more about what WIE offers through our quick reference Infographic below, or by checking out the Get Involved pages. You can also click on the links below to meet the team and wider Fellowship, and find out about our Learning Circles.

What WIE offers


View an accessible version of this interactive content

Our Commitment to Inclusive Engagement

WIE is committed to ensuring our activities are as inclusive as possible. Our Inclusive Engagement Statement has been formulated by our Inclusive Engagement Learning Circle to define and set a standard for members of the Institute in their public engagement practice. The statement is a starting point to ensuring a fair and consistent approach.

Get support embedding sustainable practice

Need advice on creating inclusive engagement activities? Check out our guide with a short video introduction to why we need EDI in Engagement, and 5 top tips to get your started.

You'll also find links to further resources and templates you can use.

If you have ideas for things we've missed please email us, we'd love to add them.

We value your feedback and input on the statement and our approach to Inclusive Engagement. If you have any suggestions, please email us on wie@warwick.ac.uk

Our Inclusive Engagement Statement

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion concern all of us and are the responsibility of all members of our community. We all contribute to ensuring that the University of Warwick and the communities of which it is a part, become safe, welcoming, accessible and stimulating environments for all, where there is equality of opportunity and equity in outcomes, fostered in an environment of mutual respect and dignity.

We believe that inclusive engagement can be recognised both in inclusive practice, which works against historic inequalities and current forms of exclusion, and in the diversity of participants at all levels in that practice. This is reflected in our three core principles of inclusive engagement.

1. The best engagement activities strive to foster long-term relationships with clear and identifiable benefits for the community, and contribute to engaging a diverse range of staff, students, and stakeholders.

2. Engagement should be inclusive by design from start to finish. Inclusion should be at the forefront of our thinking and practice during design, delivery, and evaluation. This will be reflected in our language and behaviours throughout, in how we address issues of power and equity in our practice, and how success is measured and who measures it. Where possible, opportunities for co-design and co-creation of activity should be explored.

3. We acknowledge that our position as a university historically and currently affords our voices more privilege and power. We will work to recognise all the inequalities and inequities (both historic and current) found within the University and beyond. As equal members in the community, we will strive for equitable dialogue, respect, and the inclusion of diverse voices.

Inclusive engagement will ensure that the uniqueness, talents, beliefs, backgrounds, capabilities, and ways of working of all individuals and communities are able to come together, to create a culture of collaboration and belonging, where all people are valued and respected.