The My Warwick Life feature gives an insight into staff and students’ lives at Warwick, considering both their work and social life on campus. This week we hear from Sarah Pain, Research Office Manager, Engineering.

There’s no such thing as a typical day, but, in a nutshell, my job involves…

supporting the research functions here at the School of Engineering. My role is a new one (well, just over a year old) and varies week by week. I help with event management, sourcing funding, sharing information, website updates and writing/distributing a periodic research newsletter, amongst many other things. I work most closely with academics and research staff, along with my immediate team.

It would be really useful to work more closely with…

the Communications team, who do a great job of promoting internally and externally all that is good about Warwick. There is so much interesting work going on within the School and I am glad that they give the opportunity to share it.

I'm really enjoying working on…

our website, following the move to ID6. The changes in style and fonts really make a difference and I feel we can work towards a website to be really proud of.

The best thing about working at Warwick is…

the buzz – simple as that! There’s always something going on, new and interesting people to meet and events to attend. The campus also offers scenic areas for relaxation, and I appreciate being able to venture to Tocil Wood or the lake in the better weather.

I used my Warwick Learning Account vouchers for…

the Open Studies Certificate in Ecology and Conservation, with Prof. Godfrey Armitage. It’s a wonderful course, which is helping to further my knowledge of an area of great interest to me. I consider it a great bonus of working at Warwick, that we have the opportunity to undertake such courses.

I recently watched The Help at the Arts Centre and…

I loved it. I’m always a little apprehensive seeing the film adaptation of a book which I’ve enjoyed, but I thought Tate Taylor and his team did a fine job. As an avid movie buff, I enjoy the intimate atmosphere of the Arts Centre Cinema, and I can always be sure to find the films I want to see there. I also recently saw Australian comedian Steve Hughes, who was both side-splittingly funny and thought provoking; a good combination!

I recently had dinner at Gusto…

it was delicious! The atmosphere and service there is great, and they understand the importance for quick turn-around given their proximity to the Arts Centre. I was especially pleased that they are open and accommodating about dietary requirements (I’m vegan) and even made me something that wasn’t on the standard dinner menu – can’t say fairer than that!

I usually travel to campus…

on foot, thankfully! I recently moved to the Canley area, and appreciate not having to either drive or take the bus. In the latter two aspects, Warwick is a victim of its own success, and I’ve experienced traffic queues and crammed buses that make me glad of the alternative I now have. The buses are frequent and cost effective though, so I think it’s the best alternative.

I make use of…

the superb Library facility. As part of my Open Studies course I’ve been inspired to venture in more over the last year, and have found so much more than just the books I need for my course. I really appreciate how helpful the staff members are in there.