Professor Nigel Thrift
Since becoming Vice-Chancellor in 2006, Professor Thrift has launched an ambitious new strategy for Warwick's future and has led the University in: implementing an extensive capital plan; achieving a 50% increase in research income; producing the highest ever annual philanthropic income in 2009; establishing high-profile partnerships and research collaborations with leading universities in the US, Australia, India, Asia and Europe; and rapidly increasing Warwick's international profile through initiatives such as the Warwick Commission and the International Gateway for Gifted Youth.
Professor Thrift has also been instrumental in building on Warwick's strong links with business and industry, both nationally and internationally, including Warwick's leading role in the Birmingham Science City initiative.
Professor Thrift was born in Bath, educated at Aberystwyth and Bristol and is an international research figure in the field of geography. He continues to maintain an active research career alongside his role as Vice-Chancellor and has been the recipient of a number of distinguished academic awards including the Royal Geographical Society Victoria Medal for contributions to geographic research in 2003, Distinguished Scholarship Honors from the Association of American Geographers in 2007 and the Royal Scottish Geographical Society Gold Medal in 2008. He was made a Fellow of the British Academy in 2003 and received an Honorary LLD from the University of Bristol in 2010. His current research spans a broad range of interests, including international finance; cities and political life; non-representational theory; affective politics; and the history of time.
