A champion for widening participation in education for adults across Coventry and Warwickshire has retired after more than 20 years working at the University of Warwick.

Dr Russell Moseley, who lives in Leamington Spa, has served as one of the University’s senior administrators since 1988, and as the Director of the Centre for Lifelong Learning since 2002. He was awarded the Chancellor’s Medal during the summer 2010 Graduation ceremonies for his exceptional contribution to the University’s work and development.

Under Dr Moseley’s guidance, the Centre for Lifelong Learning has created a range of partnerships locally, particularly with Further Education Colleges. He also developed Warwick’s 2+2 degree programme, designed for adults who lack formal qualifications and wish to study locally for a University degree.

More recently he has developed a new series of Foundation Degrees. Both of these initiatives have enabled people to enter higher education who otherwise might never have had the opportunity to do so. He has steered the Centre into new areas such as teacher training for post-compulsory education and in 2007, Warwick was awarded one of the nine national Centres of Excellence in Teaching and Training.

Other new areas include essential skills; counselling and, most recently, training for careers guidance. He accomplished all this while retaining the popular programme of Open Studies courses, day schools, and study visits and tours.

Dr Moseley has a strong national and international reputation in his field and has played an important part in developing policy and practice in the area of higher education in further education, a subject on which he has written a number of good practice guides.

He said: “Over the 22 years I have been at Warwick the University has never wavered from its commitment to open up opportunities for adults in the local community to access high education, whether through our Open Studies programme, Part-time degrees, or our Foundation and 2+2 degrees with local colleges.  Warwick may be one of the UK's top universities but it has always taken its local roots seriously - and long may it continue to do so.” 

University of Warwick Vice-Chancellor Professor Nigel Thrift said Dr Moseley had made an invaluable contribution to the University. 

He said: “We will be sad to see Russell retire, his enthusiasm and drive has been a fantastic asset to the University. We have been lucky that he chose to stay and develop his career here at Warwick and we wish him a long and happy retirement.” 

Dr Moseley retired on 3 September, 2010, Dr David Lamburn will take over as Acting Director. 

Notes to editors

Photographs of Dr Moseley with his Chancellor’s Medal are available here http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/communications/medialibrary/images/july2010/img_0486_edited.jpg

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/communications/medialibrary/images/july2010/img_0490_edited.jpg 

For more information, please contact Kelly Parkes-Harrison, Communications Manager, University of Warwick, k.e.parkes@warwick.ac.uk, 02476 150483, 07824 540863   

Dr. Russell Moseley with the Chancellor's Medal