The University is delighted to announce that Professor Chris McConville, Department of Physics, has been appointed Director of the Science City Research Alliance (SCRA). SCRA is a strategic research partnership between the University of Warwick and the University of Birmingham and has benefited from a multi-million pound investment in equipment and research infrastructure across both institutions. Professor McConville takes over the role which was previously held by Professor Pam Thomas who is now Chair of the Faculty of Science.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic Resourcing Professor Koen Lamberts said:

We are very pleased to announce that Professor McConville has been appointed Director. He has been involved in the Research Alliance since its inception and is well placed to coordinate the activities of the Alliance across the two institutions.

Professor McConville said:

I am looking forward to leading the SCRA project, continuing to develop closer links between colleagues at Warwick and Birmingham and with local and national industries. The challenge of continuing to spread the Science City message remains extremely important, for both Universities and for the long-term sustainability of the project. I see encouraging this interaction, at all levels, as the key responsibility of the Director.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Transfer at the University of Birmingham, Professor Adam Tickell, said:

The Science City Research Alliance has already delivered tangible benefits for the West Midlands conducting much needed research in areas including translational medicine and future fuels. We are excited by Professor McConville’s appointment and believe his experience of working with the SCRA will help drive forward these important collaborative projects.