"We enjoy the thrill of working with new technology - and making it accessible for all."
Did you know we have a dedicated audio-visual (AV) team here at Warwick? These hardworking techies are responsible for discovering, installing and maintaining all of the audio-visual equipment on campus, as well as providing technical services and training materials to support other staff members. We spoke to Chris Wood (Head of Portfolio & Product Manager - End User Products) and Andrew Maddison (AV Specialist) to find out more about what goes on behind the scenes in their team.
Tell us about your team...
Chris: "We're a specialist group of AV professionals working within Infrastructure and Operations, which is part of the wider Information and Digital Group (IDG).
We have five AV Technicians, one AV Specialist and one AV Manager - plus me, who buys the coffees and supports the team in our drive for continual service improvement!
We look after anyone who'd like to make use of any of the hugely varied audio-visual technologies located across our campus."
What does a typical day look like?
Andrew: "Typically, this could include an early start at 7am to visit the spaces we manage and repair any urgent technical faults before lectures commence.
It can be a very varied day - we could be installing new lecterns, replacing old projectors, upgrading different systems and technologies. We work every day to provide an accessible and reliable collection of spaces to aid teaching, learning and research.
The day finishes around 7pm (during term time) as our staff provide an evening 'on call' service to give peace of mind to our customers over the whole of the teaching day."
Can you tell us about a favourite project from recent months?
Chris: "I'm most proud of the remarkable work the team has completed over the past summer, modernising more than 35 teaching spaces across campus. Together, we've raised the technology bar to new heights - making sure our customers have a consistent and high-quality experience now and into the future.
Like all techies, we do enjoy the thrill of working with innovative new technology and making it accessible for all."
What鈥檚 one thing you wish people knew about AV and working in this area?
Andrew: "It鈥檚 an amazingly friendly and close-knit group of people, who genuinely care about making things better for all of our customers. We're always willing to stay late and work into the night to solve tricky problems and get that vital piece of tech installed just in time!"
Quickfire questions! What's your favourite thing about working at Warwick?
Andrew: "The energy and vibrancy of the place, the lovely people, the beautiful landscaping and the continually evolving campus environment."
Favourite place to eat on campus?
Chris: "The outrageously delicious Rootes Grocery Store curries. They're fabulous, but shh, don鈥檛 tell everyone!"
Favourite building to work in?
Chris: "Rootes Building, namely because of the technology upgrades to the Fusion Sports Bar that we delivered in 2022 just in time for the Football World Cup. It's something that we are very proud of.
However, this was recently eclipsed by the very shiny and very large new Big Screen that we installed in the Piazza over the summer.
Favourite place to relax on campus?
Chris: "The Sports Hub, a place to swim, play football (badly) and attempt to hit cricket balls in the general direction for which they were originally intended."
Favourite campus sculpture?
Andrew: "The two rather dapper dinosaurs roaming the plains on Windmill Hill. They always bring a smile to my face!"