In the run up to the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic games, 63 Coventry primary, secondary and special educational needs schools participated in a torch relay, the Flame of Friendship, leaving Coventry Cathedral on Thursday 22nd February and finishing on the University of Warwick campus on Monday 8th July. Here are some hilights of the race:

• 3,720 pupils took part in the relay.
• 40 schools visited Warwick for the finale
• At the finale we had just over 700 teachers and pupils in attendance and 490 individuals access the live stream with a number of those being whole classes/schools watching in their classrooms/halls).
• An accompanying activity book was produced whih had 14 challenges each linked to a child-friendly description of a piece or area of UoW research.
• 15,600 books will be delivered to Coventry school pupils next week.

The BBC did live coverage of the event, which can be found here. A special thanks goes to Kerry Baker, WIE Associate Director and Rebecca Bollands from Earlsdon Primary School who were the masterminds behind this unifying project.

Join us in welcoming our new Administrative assistant, Abbie! We're delighted to have her to join the team. She is passionate about creating inclusive ways of working and looks forward to supporting the team with their exciting events and opportunities. To find out more about Abbie, head to our website here!

Welcome to our 8 summer interns every success with their placements that begin over the next few weeks. Many thanks to our partners: Together for Change, Culture Coventry Trust, Health Determinants Research Collaboration, Coventry (Coventry City Council), Warwick Arts Centre, Warwick’s Regional Strategy and Partnerships team and colleagues within WIE for hosting interns this summer. We’re looking forward to sharing details of the projects they undertake over summer!

On June 25th we were delighted to bring together colleagues, fellows, friends and partners of WIE to celebrate all that we have achieved together over the past year and to award our deserving 2024 WAPCE winners. The sun joined us for what was a lovely afternoon, beginning with a canapes and refreshments accompanied by live music at the Cryfield Sports Pavilion, followed by the award ceremony. The WAPCE awards recognise the vital contributions that Warwick staff and students make in engaging the public in our learning and discovery. They significantly contribute towards strengthening the role that we and the wider university play in the region. See the photos and more information from the event hereLink opens in a new window.

We are looking for a full time Administrative Assistant to support Josh with all things admin. Join our lovely team by applying here today!

We wish Helen Luckhurst all the best as she heads off on maternity for the next year. We’re delighted Charlotte PearceLink opens in a new window joins us from the English department to take the reins of our Student programmes.