Search results
-
Lecturer helps lead celebrations for the life and impact of William Blake
Visionary poet and artist William Blake are one of the most vivid figures in British Romantic literature and to celebrate his impact a week of events began in Lincoln on 16 September 2019 with the launch of The Reception of William Blake in Europe at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU). Edited by Dr Sibylle Erle, Reader in English Literature at BGU, alongside Professor Morton D. Paley (University of California, Berkeley), the book is the first comprehensive and systematic reference guide to Blake’s influence across Europe. Exploring Blake’s impact on literature, art, music and culture, the book includes bibliographies of major critical responses, exhibitions and translations of Blake’s work in each country covered, as well as a publication history and timeline of the poet’s reception on the continent. The launch event at BGU was a tremendous success allowing Dr Erle and Professor Paley to meet with colleagues, students and Blake enthusiasts to discuss and share stories of the many years of working with European colleagues. It was followed later in the week by an additional launch in London at Senate House with the Series Editor Professor Elinor Shaffer before a Symposium at Tate Britain (20 September 2019). Contributors met with Martin Myrone (curator of the William Blake exhibition now open at the Tate and contributor to the volumes) bright and early for a curator’s tour at the staff entrance. The event, which lasted all day, was hosted by the Tate and supported by BGU. Other events in the week included Professor Morton D. Paley speaking at the Tennyson Research Centre about Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s copy of Blake’s Illustrations of the Book of Job. Tennyson received his copy in 1856, a present by his friend Benjamin Jowett, and through it Paley explored Blake's masterpiece in front of a select audience to a warm and enthusiastic response. Speaking at the end of the week Dr Erle expressed her pride at being involved in such an important cross-continental effort: “I am tired but so very happy. These were inspiring days, full of joy and inspiration. It was good for the soul. With the Brexit on the horizon, it felt good to come together as a European community of academics and talk about Blake.” Dr Erle’s research in the work and impact of William Blake has seen her invited to numerous speaking events. You can read more about her travels here. If you are interested in finding out more about English at BGU, visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team. -
International Guest Speaker Launches BGU's new Research and Knowledge Exchange Unit, Voicing the Past
‘Voicing the Past: Culture, Legacy and Narrative’, a new Research and Knowledge Exchange Unit established by academics at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), was officially launched on the 16th of October with a special lecture by Professor Mariaconcetta Costantini. Established by Dr Cassie Ulph, Dr Claudia Capancioni, Dr Daphne Whiteoak, Dr Duncan Wright, and Dr Jon Begley, 'Voicing the Past: Culture, Legacy, and Narrative' aims to remap and reshape the ways in which we understand human identity, communities, and intellectual connections by unfolding historical voices connected to regional, national, European and transatlantic archaeological, cultural and literary heritage, its legacy and narratives. Original scholarly research based on archival research, digitalisation projects, historical fictional and non-fictional writing such as life writing, artefacts and documents will form the main drive of this work. Professor Mariaconcetta Costantini was welcomed by the Vice-Chancellor of Bishop Grosseteste University, the Reverend Canon Professor Peter Neil, before going on to deliver her research seminar ‘Material Traces of the Victorian Past: Authenticity and Artifice’, which builds on her ongoing research into Victorian literature and culture, with a special interest in sensation fiction and the Gothic. Following the lecture, which formed part of a week-long visit to BGU during which she also shared her passion for the Gothic with first-year English students and for the Posthuman with the MA students, Professor Costantini said: “'Voicing the Past: Culture, Legacy, and Narrative' is an exciting, forward-looking initiative with great potential, and I accepted the invitation to join the unit very warmly. I have enjoyed my time at BGU and am thrilled to have had the opportunity to present my research.” Professor Costantini’s lecture was very well attended by staff and students, and received many, engaging questions and comments. With a bilateral agreement now existing between BGU and Gabriele d’ Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara in Italy, where the Professor teaches English Literature, both institutions hope the Professor’s Voicing the Past Lecture will become the first of many events and collaborations on which the two universities will embark. Speaking on behalf of the lecturers involved in the new research unit Dr Claudia Capancioni thanked the BGU community for their support: “We have been delighted with the warm welcome our RKE unit has had and are grateful for the support of the Vice-Chancellor, and those of you who attended and sent us inspiring messages and congratulations. We look forward to seeing what this exciting new unit can achieve” If you are interested in knowing more about 'Voicing the Past: Culture, Legacy, and Narrative', our initiatives, projects, future events, or you want to join our RKE Unit, please email Dr Claudia Capancioni at claudia.capancioni@bishopg.ac.uk -
National Caribbean Heritage Museum Helps BGU Celebrate Black History Month
As part of Black History Month Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) was proud to host a guest lecture delivered by Catherine Ross, Founder of Museumand, the National Caribbean Heritage Museum, exploring the histories and narratives of twentieth century Caribbean migration to the UK. The lecture explored the stories of some of the first pioneering Caribbean people to emigrate to the UK during the Windrush era following the Second World War. To give a personal context to these incredible stories Catherine and her team displayed items the migrants brought with them in their suitcases including ladies’ curling tongs, pre-1960s jewellery, men’s razor sets, hair products; and leisure items such as books, dominoes and harmonicas. Using these unique artefacts, collected since 1997 by Catherine for the museum, the lecture offered a fascinating insight what it meant to those who swapped Kingston for Birmingham, how they adapted to their new lives and the UK and how their presence contributed to Britain’s history through moving personal accounts, music, art, performance and crafts. Dr Sheine Peart, Lecturer of Professional Studies at BGU and researcher into features of the Black British experience, organised the event and ahead of the lecture explained why she felt such discussions were so important: “Caribbean people have been a part of British history for a millennia, certainly as far back as the Romans, but their stories have often been silenced or forgotten. Events such as this are an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate these rich stories and to do it as part of Black History Month has been fantastic.” Both Sheine and the team at Museumand hope this event will be the first of many at BGU exploring Black History. If you would like to take part in future events keep an eye on our news page or come along to one of our Open Days to find out how you can become a part of the learning community at BGU. -
New Book Aims to Help Support Autistic Children by Exploring the ‘Two Sides to Every Story’
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) was proud to host the launch of ‘Exploring Theory of Mind with Children & Young People on the Autism Spectrum’ the latest book by Dr Clare Lawrence, Senior Lecturer in Secondary Education at BGU. Subtitled ‘Two Sides to Every Story’, the book explores how theory of mind differences, and the difficulties created by different viewpoints, can lead to frustration and confusion for children with autism. This exploration is lead by carefully structured stories featuring Bryn, who is autistic, his mother and their ‘Wise Dog’. All involve frustrating or confusing social events that befall Bryn leading to meltdowns with each story then told again from another viewpoint. Each night, Wise Dog talks to Bryn and helps him understand what has happened. Alongside the stories of Bryn, his mother and Wise Dog are a wide selection of activities which are based around the stories and are designed to further the reader’s understanding of the challenges faced by children with Autism. These activities include story board and role-playing exercises which are perfect for parents and children to work through together or for teachers to use in classroom situations. Speaking at the launch Clare discussed the positive impact she hoped the book would have: “I’ve been working on this book for a long time and I’m delighted to now see it finished and available for people to enjoy and learn from. The ability to interpret different viewpoints can be a real struggle for children with autism who, due to theory of mind differences, see their version as the truth. My hope now is that this book can educate those who come into contact with children on the spectrum on how to interact with and support children with viewpoint so different to their own”. Clare was supported in the creation of the book by her BGU colleague Aimee Quickfall, Head of Programmes Primary & Early Years ITE, who provided illustrations. ‘Exploring Theory of Mind with Children & Young People on the Autism Spectrum’ is available now. If you would like to explore a future supporting children and young people, visit our website to book your place on one of our upcoming Open Days where you’ll find out how our wide variety of exciting courses can help you reach your goals. -
BG Futures Aim to Help Students Find Their Entrepreneurial Excellence in Global Entrepreneurship Week
Global Entrepreneurship Week (#GEW2019), the world’s largest campaign to promote entrepreneurship, began on the 18th of November and to celebrate BG Futures, the Careers, Employability and Enterprise team at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), are running a series of events to encourage the University’s future business leaders. With sessions on global business, ‘enterprising attitudes’, how to begin self-employment and accountancy advice the team hope to provide budding entrepreneurs with the skills they need to begin their businesses. And the drive to foster entrepreneurial successes at BGU is not limited purely to Global Entrepreneurship Week as Sarah Moseley, the team’s newly appointed Enterprise Development Manager, explains: “When universities foster a culture of enterprise and entrepreneurship, it equips students with the skills for a rewarding, self-determined professional and personal life With a career history working with SMEs I hope to bring to life, in a sustainable manner, our student’s enterprising ideas It is no coincidence that we have launched our Graduate Attributes excellence award in GEW and all the activities that we are offering students as part of GEW will count towards the award.” To find out more about the Graduate Attributes Excellence award or advice on how to start your entrepreneurial journey you drop into BG Futures, email bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk or call them on 01522 583900. -
Dance Society Raise over £1000 for Children in Need with Charity Tapathon
Members of the Bishop Grosseteste University Students’ Union (BGSU) Dance Society have once again participated in a World Record Attempt Tapathon in support of Children in Need raising over £1000 in the process. The aim of the annual Tapathon is to see how many dancers can perform the same tap routine at the same time across the UK. In the build up to the event two of the society’s executive members, Society President Keeley Pearson and Secretary Evie Elliott, learnt the official routine before teaching it to their members. 21 members of the dance society took part in the event beginning rehearsal in late September, giving them just over six weeks to learn the routine. During these six weeks, members used their sponsorship forms to collect as many funds as possible for Children in Need. In the 2018 Tapathon the society raised £587.50 and so they set themselves a challenge of £700 for the 2019 edition. Speaking after the event Emily Gray, BGSU Dance Society Treasurer, described how the day unfolded and praised the efforts of her fellow dancers: “When the day of the Tapathon arrived, everyone was very excited. We got rehearsals underway, having a couple of run throughs before the event started, to ensure we could perform the routine perfectly. After the fifteen-minute call, we all got into place and then performed the routine twice to verify the Tapathon attempt. All of our members danced perfectly and everyone had a smile on their face. The sponsorship money was counted during our performance and we are pleased to announce that we raised an incredible £1275 for Children in Need. As a society, we have raised enough money for at least eight young carers for a whole month of play therapy, six disabled children to get physiotherapy while in school, as well as ten young children to get a whole school year worth of free school meals. BGSU Dance society have helped children in the UK in great amounts from the money we have raised. As an executive team, we would like to give a special mention to one member in particular for the amount of money she raised for Children in Need - Emily Green, a 3rd year BGU student, managed to raise £167 alone. This is such an amazing amount of money and we are so proud of her, along with all of our other participating members.” Bishop Grosseteste University would also like to take the opportunity to praise the members of the Dance Society as £1275 is a fantastic amount to be raised by a group of young students. BGSU offer a wide range of diverse societies to match any interest (and will happily support you to start a new one). You can find more information on all of them on their website or you can meet them in person on our December Open Day. You can also follow more of their events and fundraising through their social media channels: Facebook: BGSU Dance Instagram: @bgsu_dancesoc Twitter: @BGSUDance -
Students help local children to discover the exciting possibilities of maths
Students involved in education and mathematics at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) welcomed local school children onto campus to help them explore the fun and entertaining possibilities of maths as part of the first Maths Week England. Maths Week England is designed to raise the profile of maths and promote different ways to engage with the subject in a positive way. At BGU students from a range of courses including BA Primary Education with QTS, Education Studies and Mathematics and Education Studies and Mathematics with a Foundation Year ran activities based around reasoning, problem solving and exploration designed to encourage collaboration between pupils and their teachers. Dr Ashley Compton, Senior Lecturer in Primary at BGU, was one of the event’s organisers and discussed what it, and the wider national initiative, could offer to learners and educators: “Maths Week England is designed to challenge the stereotypes around the subject, take away the anxiety that both children and educators feel towards maths and turn engaging with it into a positive experience. It is an especially key experience for our students as they can now take these lessons into their future classrooms.” And Dr Elizabeth Kimber, Programme Leader for Mathematics at BGU, who organised the event alongside Ashley, explained how the being involved in the activities could also offer academic and social benefits to the BGU students: “By bringing together learners from a range of courses these events allow our students to find a community of fellow mathematicians on campus.” For Sophie Evans, Education Studies and Mathematics student at BGU, who is seeking to move into teaching after her studies the highlight of the event was the opportunity to share the positive side of maths: “Today has been amazing practice for my future. Seeing how different pupils interact with maths and whether they enjoy it or struggle with it. Engaging with mathematics is so often seen as a negative experience but there are real opportunities for fun within it and these pupils will now be able to take those activities and memories back with them.” Eloise Biggin, Education Studies and Maths with a Foundation Year student, echoed Sophie’s feedback: “It’s great that I’m being given the opportunity to experience teaching maths so early into the course. I’m keen to go into teaching when I graduate so being immersed in these activities already is fantastic.” To find out more about BGU’s undergraduate and postgraduate mathematics courses visit our website, speak to a member of our Enquiries Team or join us on one of our Open Days. -
Raising Mental Health Awareness at Bishop Grosseteste University
In 2018, the Office for National Statistics produced its first estimates of Higher Education student suicides, an area which typically until then was difficult to quantify. By amalgamating different data sets (Death Registration Records and Higher Education registration data) they were able to see a better picture of this area. Their research showed, that whilst the rate of suicide of Higher Education students in England and Wales is significantly lower than the general population, tragically university student suicide rates have gone up over the last decade. -
“Amazing” Carers’ Initiatives Earn “Well Deserved” Awards for BGU
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) is delighted to announce that its Health and Social Care team and wider community have successfully been accredited with the Lincolnshire Carers Quality Awards for providing outstanding support for Carers at the University. -
BGU Lecturer Part of the Evolution of Higher Education in Zimbabwe
Earlier this year Dr Hadiza Kere Abdulrahman, Lecturer of Inclusive Education at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), was invited to take part in an international workshop focused on devising a comprehensive framework for the internationalisation of higher and tertiary education in Zimbabwe. Dr Abdulrahman’s involvement in the initiative came as a result of her work with colleagues at the University of Nottingham and The Zimbabwean Council of Higher Education – ZIMCHE. Their collaborative work explored the "The State of Internationalisation of Higher Education in Sub-Saharan Africa" requiring an understanding of events and procedures across six different countries and attempting to cast a critical decolonial light on the whole process. This new workshop took the group’s findings and utilised them from a Zimbabwean perspective and its recommendations are now in the process of being adopted as the national policy on internationalisation of higher and tertiary education in Zimbabwe. Speaking on her return to BGU Dr Abdulrahman discussed her motivations for taking part in the initiative: “My involvement in this workshop builds on my wider work of always problematising the things we have come to take for granted, be they the notion of Education or Internationalisation or any other such issue. How can African settings in particular address these issues with an adequate understanding of our particular historical specificities and peculiarities? My aim is to always attempt to view the issues through various lenses and theoretical constructs with Decoloniality being one. This paper was jointly undertaken with Professors Sabelo Ndlovu-Gatsheni and Juliet Thondhlana and Dr Evelyn Garwe who were also present at the workshop in different capacities.” Our academics are regularly invited to present at conferences and support learning initiatives around the world, you can follow all their travels on our news page and find out how you can start your own adventures on our course pages.
Explore BGU
Browse our wide range of degree courses and find the perfect one for you.
Open days are the best way to find out what BGU has to offer.
Download your copy of our prospectus to find out more about life at BGU.