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Q&A with We are ¾ÅÖÝÓ°Ôº (WaC)

What was your role within the team?

Dr. Tom Ritchie (Reader and Director of Student Experience): Working with Adam, we established the initial framework for 'We are ¾ÅÖÝÓ°Ôº' and facilitated partnerships between students and staff. My focus was creating space for student voices to genuinely shape departmental decisions while ensuring our approach aligned with research on belonging and student success.

Adam Alcock (Student Engagement and Experience Coordinator): I worked with Tom to translate student insights into practical initiatives through our 'high-value, low fixed-cost, by stealth' approach. This meant designing engagement opportunities that resonated with students' lived experiences while maximising impact with limited resources. We also worked with students on our communications strategy, empowering student interns to completely reimagine how we connect with our community.

Jess Man (WaC Student Intern 22/23): As the first student intern, I brought lived experience to the team, helping identify barriers to inclusion that might not be visible to staff. I worked directly with Adam and Tom, as well as different groups of students to develop initiatives that reflected their actual needs rather than assumptions about what would help them succeed.

What were the biggest challenges in this project?

Ayra Kaisar (WaC Student Intern 23/24): One of our biggest challenges was overcoming what we called 'Warwickness'—students' hesitancy to seek help or show vulnerability. Traditional support approaches weren't working because students feared judgment. Creating environments where students felt safe to connect required completely reimagining how we structured engagement opportunities.

Niraali Mehta (WaC Student Intern 23/24): Breaking down traditional hierarchies between staff and students was initially challenging. Moving from a consultation model to genuine co-creation meant developing new ways of working together and building mutual trust, which took time but ultimately transformed how initiatives were developed and implemented.

What different strengths did different people bring to the team?

Max Campbell (WaC student intern 22/23): Our team's strength came from its diversity - Tom and Adam brought institutional knowledge and expertise, while we contributed lived experience and creative approaches. This combination allowed us to develop initiatives that were both evidence-based and authentically resonated with student needs.

Aashna Dwyer (WaC student intern 23/24): The multigenerational aspect of our team was really helpful. Having student interns from different years meant we could understand how needs evolved throughout the student journey, while Tom and Adam provided continuity and institutional memory that helped sustain WaC over time.

Why is this work so important?

Dr Tom Ritchie: ¾ÅÖÝÓ°Ôº education requires both practical skills and theoretical knowledge, creating unique challenges for student belonging. Our work bridges these domains by integrating academic support with community building, ensuring students develop both the technical abilities and confidence necessary for success in the field.

Where do you see the biggest impact of your work being?

Dr Dani Pearson (Assistant Professor and Deputy Director of Teaching Laboratories): Beyond the quantitative improvements in retention and exam results, I see our biggest impact in the cultural shift within the department. Students now expect to be partners in decision-making rather than just recipients of services, creating a more dynamic and responsive educational environment.

How do you see this work developing over the next few years – what is next for your team?

Dr Tom Ritchie: We're expanding our focus to postgraduate students and alumni networks, creating a continuous pathway of support and engagement throughout the student journey and beyond. This integrated approach will strengthen the community while providing valuable career and mentorship opportunities. Beyond the department, we are applying these principles to the University's Belonging Framework and Student Engagement Toolkit.

What inspires or motivates your team?

Jess Man (WaC Student Intern 22/23): What motivated me was creating a department that I wish had existed when I first arrived. Many of us experienced isolation or disconnection at some point, and transforming these experiences into positive change for future students is incredibly rewarding.

Dr Tom Ritchie: For me, it is how applicable this is beyond the department - when we share this with colleagues at Warwick and beyond, they all take something valuable away and can apply it to their own contexts. We are also just getting started, and looking forward to what comes next!

What is the importance of collaboration in the chemical sciences?

Qudus Akib (Warwick Black ¾ÅÖÝÓ°Ôº Society President): ¾ÅÖÝÓ°Ôº thrives on diverse perspectives. The challenges facing our field require collaborative approaches that bring together different ways of thinking. The Black ¾ÅÖÝÓ°Ôº Society demonstrates how creating genuinely inclusive environments enables everyone to contribute their unique talents and experiences, leading to more innovative and effective solutions.

Lakhan Barrotte (WaC Student Intern 24/25): Collaboration in chemistry isn't just about working together—it's about creating environments where different voices are genuinely valued. Our approach shows that when departments commit to authentic partnership, students develop both scientific skills and the collaborative mindset essential for addressing complex global challenges.

How are the chemical sciences making the world a better place?

Dr. Tom Ritchie: ¾ÅÖÝÓ°Ôº is central to addressing global challenges from climate change to healthcare. But these solutions require diverse perspectives and collaborative approaches. By creating more inclusive educational environments, we're helping to develop chemists who not only have technical expertise but also the collaborative skills and diverse thinking necessary to apply that knowledge effectively.

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in the chemical sciences?

Adam Alcock: Find your community. ¾ÅÖÝÓ°Ôº is challenging, but it's infinitely more rewarding when you're connected to others who share your passion. Seek out environments that value your unique perspective and don't be afraid to help create them if they don't exist yet.

Qudus Akib: Don't underestimate the importance of your unique perspective. ¾ÅÖÝÓ°Ôº needs diverse voices to tackle complex problems, and your background and experiences provide valuable insights that the field needs. Build networks that support you while allowing you to contribute authentically to the discipline. 

We recognise the importance of valuing all members of our community; we believe that for the chemical sciences to prosper, they must attract, develop and retain a diverse range of talented people.

See our work to promote inclusivity and accessibility