The University Council has approved the STEM Grand Challenge Strategic Brief and endorsed the vision and plans to expand STEM teaching and research at Warwick.

The Future of STEM at Warwick

Growth of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is a priority within the University’s strategy - Excellence with Purpose. In 2018, the STEM Grand Challenge was established by the University Council to consider how we might most effectively achieve this.

At its heart, the STEM Grand Challenge is exploring how we can best undertake science in the future, building on our existing strengths and capabilities, whilst adapting to new opportunities arising from rapid advances in data science, machine learning and automation, as well as the wider impacts of digital transformation.

After an extensive period of cross-campus consultation, conducted in partnership with Hassell Studio, a forward-looking Strategic Brief has been presented to the University Council which sets out a vision for future STEM developments on our campus, and proposes the construction of a major new Science Precinct.

Science Precinct

The Science Precinct will include new space on central campus for our Departments of Chemistry and Physics, and the School of Engineering, unlocking their potential for significant growth and development. It will also provide innovative new types of spaces to encourage inter- and multi-disciplinary collaborations across campus, facilitate collaboration with a wide range of external partners and support our ambitions to promote public engagement.

Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor and President, said:

“Despite the current challenges we face, future investment in STEM is vitally important if we are to remain globally competitive. The STEM Grand Challenge is helping us think through how we might best support our STEM departments to grow, innovate and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers over the coming decades. By endorsing the Strategic Brief, we’re renewing our commitment to invest in world-class facilities where our people and partnerships can work together to respond to the world’s most challenging problems.”