POETRY is in scientific motion at the University of Warwick.
A new Poetry Trail, unveiled as part of the university’s 60th anniversary celebrations, features 14 poems by award-winning poet and musician Sujatha Menon.
Each of the poems was inspired by largely female researchers and technicians across the School of Life Sciences.
Sujatha spent a year-long residency as the department’s first poet-in-residence, commissioned by Professor Emeritus Kevin Moffat. It was during this time she wrote her new collection, Microscopia published by Pindrop Press.
The poems will be permanently displayed as a trail through the university’s ancient bluebell woods and paths near Gibbet Hill, transforming a walk in nature into a celebration of literature, biology, and wellbeing.
Professor Miriam Gifford, head of the School of Life Sciences, said: “Bringing these poems to life has been a process fuelled by imagination, bringing all kinds of creative ideas into both our labs and our conversations.
“The trail is a unique opportunity for the Warwick community to engage with scientific research through the voices, stories, and discoveries of female academics, technicians, and researchers.
“We‘ve loved the opportunity to bring science and art closer together on campus – the collaboration has opened our eyes to the powerful ways the two interlink.”
Visitors can expect thought-provoking themes, from ‘skinning spells’ to ‘talking in the rhizosphere’ and ‘hydrosapien neuropathies’, offering a poetic reflection on science and the human experience.
Sujatha added: “I’ve always been fascinated by science – it’s in my blood. I come from a family of doctors, I’m trained in complementary medicine, and my work as a health practitioner has deepened my interest in science. Collaborating with the university has been a wonderful way to explore how science and poetry can speak to each other.
“As Poet in Residence since 2022, I’ve been passionate about finding new ways to engage people with research – to look at it differently, through metaphor, emotion, and storytelling. It felt especially meaningful to create Microscopia to commemorate Warwick’s 60th anniversary year – a point in time to celebrate the university’s visionary spirit, its commitment to igniting curiosity and embracing creativity. Warwick is more than an institution – it’s a place for discovery, connection and inspiration.”
Visit warwick.ac.uk/about/60/converge-poetry-trail/ for further details.
