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Unique art exhibition comes to BGU
If you visit the Robert Hardy Building on campus, you will discover a selection of artworks each created by prisoners at HMP Morton Hall as part of their 12-week art programme. Last week the exhibition launched and had an auction for specific pieces during opening night. The University collaborated with PeoplePlus UK to make this happen and from a social purpose and perspective, working closely with HMP Morton Hall helps support individuals to realise their ambitions and create positive change in their communities and beyond. While open to all, the art studio supports prisoners with mental health issues and those struggling to participate in the prison’s mainstream education and training programmes. As part of rehabilitation, offenders undertake art sessions providing space to be creative and work with others in a safe environment. This exhibition provided the opportunity to showcase their innovative creations and reinforces the message that something positive can come out of prison life. "When I draw or paint, it takes away the negative thoughts. I feel like I’ve found a new talent within myself that’s helping me grow out of my issues and keeps me away from insecurities I had before the course." Allison Webb, Director of Business & Community Engagement, said "it is a special exhibition that gives the prisoners a voice" and Gillian Johnston (Programme Lead for Sociology and Criminology) stated at the opening night: "Criminology is a new and exciting discipline for us at BGU, so when this initiative was first mooted a few months ago I jumped at the chance for us, as an institution and at a programme level, to be involved. It cannot be underestimated just how important these initiatives are in fostering relationships between organisations. Being able to collaborate with HMP Morton Hall on this important project is a delight for me and I hope this is the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship between us." Samantha Boothman the Head of Education, Skills and Work at HMP Morton Hall said "we are delighted to be working with BGU on this unique event and very much looking forward to further collaboration." Overall the auction raised £560 and these funds will go to Victim Support, Ambers Army (The PeoplePlus recognised charity for 2024), the prisoner who created the artwork, and for a new art studio kiln. The majority of the remaining artwork is for sale and the viewing public can buy item(s) through the silent auction process. Information on how to do this can be found in the foyer of the Robert Hardy Building. "The art course is purposefully unaccredited; this enables men to learn not just about art and new techniques, but also to develop wider skills without being pressured to pass an exam. Everyone is able to work at their own pace and is guided to follow their own creative pathway. The art room is a space where the men can spend time out of their cell and share thoughts, worries and ideas whilst also developing their creativity. For many it is the first time they have experienced a classroom and using a pencil or paint brush. They are encouraged to help each other to be their best selves. I witness time and again how creativity and kindness to one another can totally change people for the better and improve their mental wellbeing." Karen Sharples – Art Lecturer at HMP Morton Hall. PeoplePlus UK deliver the educational provision at the prison and you can watch their short video Bringing the Inside, Out which explains their purpose further. The exhibition runs from the 30th of May until 13th of June 2024 in the Robert Hardy Building, BGU. -
New Degrees on Offer as BGU Expands Portfolio
Students at Bishop Grosseteste University will be able to take degrees in Health and Social Care, Sociology, Psychology, Counselling and Entrepreneurship from September 2015 thanks to a major expansion of courses announced today (Wednesday). In response to demand from students and employers BGU has reviewed its academic portfolio and will introduce a suite of new degree courses in a range of new and existing subject areas. BGU will introduce a new Health and Social Care degree as well as other courses for professionals working in this area. There will also be new degree courses in Psychology and Counselling. In Business and Enterprise, BGU will have an innovative programme promoting entrepreneurship that will focus on students working in teams to start and run new businesses in dedicated business units. The university will enhance its already strong Education programmes with the introduction of a new single honours degree in Education Studies, and there will also be new degree courses in Sociology as part of suite of Social Science subjects. “Developing BGU’s academic portfolio through a range of new and exciting courses is a key part of our growth strategy,” said The Reverend Professor Peter Neil, Vice Chancellor of Bishop Grosseteste University. “Like all universities we have to respond to what students and employers want, and these new courses will ensure that we can continue to provide students and businesses with the skills that they require to be successful in the future.” As part of the ongoing management of the courses it offers Bishop Grosseteste University will no longer teach Music or Visual Art at undergraduate level once current students have completed their studies. PGCE courses in Music will continue to be offered as part of the university’s postgraduate portfolio. BGU intends to continue its musical tradition through the University Choir and to maintain engagement with the local community through the work of the Community Music Development Co-ordinator. -
Three New Heads Appointed Following BGU Restructure
Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln has made three new senior academic appointments following a major restructure. Dr Graham Basten has moved to BGU to head up the new School of Social Sciences, while the new School of Humanities and the new School of Teacher Development will be led by Dr Andrew Jackson and Dr Nicholas Gee respectively. The new School of Social Sciences is launching a suite of new courses including Health and Social Care, Sociology, Psychology, and Counselling. “This is an exciting and timely phase for BGU given the recent news of devolved health and social care budgets to the Greater Manchester region, a model which could be rolled out across England, putting BGU graduates at the heart of this new initiative,” said Dr Basten. Most recently Dr Basten was Acting Head of The School of Allied Health Sciences at De Montfort University in Leicester, where he was responsible for strategic leadership and management of a complex, broad, multidisciplinary and fast-growing school. He joined DMU in 2007 and has significant experience in teaching, learning, research and knowledge transfer. He secured both a Royal Society grant to look at science in primary schools and funds to deliver projects with charities, sports clubs and local government. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and the Institute of Biomedical Science, and a DMU Teacher Fellow interested in translating primary education methods to higher education and the use of technology and democracy in learning spaces. He holds a PhD in Nutritional Biochemistry from the Institute of Food Research (University of East Anglia) and a BSc in Biomedical Science from the University of Wolverhampton. He has previously worked at the Medical Schools of the University of Sheffield and the University of Nottingham. “I am absolutely delighted to be joining the team at Bishop Grosseteste University,” Dr Basten said. “It is a university with a powerful vision based on sound values, and I very much look forward to playing my part in its onward journey.” Dr Nicholas Gee will move from the University of East Anglia to BGU next month to become Head of Teacher Development. Meanwhile Dr Andrew Jackson now leads the School of Humanities and was formerly Head of the Department of Culture and Creative Arts at BGU. The university’s new academic structure has been put in place as part of BGU’s Five-Year Strategy which was announced in October 2014. -
International Health Expert Looks Forward to Working with BGU
A leading healthcare expert from Australia led two research seminars for staff at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln on Wednesday and is looking forward to future collaborations. Amanda Kenny is Professor of Rural and Regional Nursing at La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University in Bendigo near Melbourne. Her seminars looked at how to build a strong research culture and how co-production can improve understandings in mental health. Co-production is defined as the development of services through equal partnerships between those who deliver services and those who use them. Global mental health policy identifies the need to involve consumers in all stages of healthcare design, delivery and evaluation. “We are very pleased this week to welcome Professor Kenny, who is a world-renowned researcher in mental health and cancer,” said Dr Graham Basten, Head of the School of Social Sciences at BGU. “We recently launched a suite of health and social care courses to complement our counselling and psychology programmes. I am delighted as Professor Kenny is keen to work with BGU and contribute to the research drive to enhance publications, grants and international collaborations in health and social care and with multidisciplinary teams across BGU. “Most importantly our work is in co-production with service users and will make a difference to local communities.” Professor Kenny is widely published internationally and is frequently invited as a key speaker at national and international conferences. Next week she will be chairing a conference on health and social care at the University of Cambridge. -
PGCE (Secondary) Social Science
Announcing a new PGCE in Social Science (14-19 curriculum) starting in September 2016 The School of Teacher Development at Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln has a longstanding national reputation for providing high-calibre initial teacher training in Secondary specialist subjects. Drawing on expertise within the team of PGCE Secondary partnership programme we are planning to introduce a new PGCE in Social Science for graduates in Sociology, Psychology, Politics and Law. We work with a wide range of schools, colleges and educational organisations across county of Lincolnshire and beyond. Our PGCE Social Science is aimed at trainees wishing to mainly teach the 14-19 curriculum in one or more of the social sciences (sociology, psychology, politics and law) in secondary schools and/or post-16 colleges. Trainees will be given the opportunity to study and teach areas of the Social Sciences (Psychology, Sociology, Politics, Law, Health and Social Care, Citizenship and PSHE) at Key Stages, 4 and 5. Trainees may gain some experience of teaching the humanities (RE, Geography and History) subjects at Key Stage 3 and 4. Social Science subjects are exceptionally popular choices at GCSE, 'A' level, IB and BTEC levels. For further information please contact Dr Yvonne Hill: 01522 583 730 yvonne.hill@bishopg.ac.uk -
Visiting Professorship at BGU for Australian Health Expert
A leading healthcare expert from Australia has become a visiting professor at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln. Professor Amanda Kenny accepted the visiting professorship from Professor Jayne Mitchell, Deputy Vice Chancellor at BGU, at a special lunch in honour of her visit today (Tuesday). Professor Kenny, who is Professor of Rural and Regional Nursing at La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University in Bendigo near Melbourne, Australia, is paying her second visit to BGU this week with two colleagues. She will give a guest lecture and seminar and is working with researchers from the School of Social Sciences at the university on future health research projects. “Professor Kenny has made outstanding contributions to knowledge exchange, education, professional practice and consultancy, principally in the fields of nursing, rural and public health,” said Professor Mitchell. “We recently launched a suite of health and social care courses to complement our counselling and psychology programmes and we are delighted that she has accepted our offer of a visiting professorship.” Professor Kenny said: “La Trobe University and Bishop Grosseteste University have striking similarities in the way they have developed and the successes and challenges they face. We have fantastic opportunities for cross-disciplinary research in such fields as oral health for children and psychosocial cancer care. “I feel privileged that we will be able to work together on collaborative research projects and look forward to staff and student exchanges in the future.” Professor Kenny is widely published internationally and is frequently invited as a key speaker at national and international conferences. The partnership has been facilitated by a former colleague, Dr Janice Pascal, who now works at Bishop Grosseteste University as Academic Co-ordinator for Health and Social Care. -
New Lease of Life for Former Connie’s Restaurant at BGU
A former canteen and dining room at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln is being turned into much needed teaching accommodation as the institution gears up for an increase in students. BGU is spending £850,000 on converting the former Connie’s dining room and kitchen into an academic facility. The refurbishment project will create seven multi-functional, flexible teaching spaces on the ground floor of the building which will be ready for use in September 2015. The university’s strategic plan envisages a growth in student numbers and BGU is also broadening the range of courses it offers, introducing Business (Team Entrepreneurship), Health and Social Care, Sociology, Psychology, Counselling and History and Archaeology from September. Part of the new teaching facility will be used by staff and students on the university’s new Business (Team Entrepreneurship) degree course. “In the past Connie’s was the place where our students who lived on campus had their meals, but now we’ve moved to self-catering accommodation and opened the Refectory to cater for the changing demand,” said Fred Robson, Head of Estates at BGU. “We no longer need this catering space so we’re converting the building to give us additional teaching space as we grow our student numbers.” The work, which entails some minor demolition and re-roofing of the former kitchen, is being undertaken by the main contractor, Robert Woodhead Ltd from Mansfield. -
Find Out About Volunteering at BGU
gVolunteering to help others is not just personally rewarding – it can also help you develop skills that are invaluable to potential employers. To help students and others to learn more about volunteering, Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln is to host a Volunteering Fair on Wednesday 10th February 2016 which will also be open to the public. More than 20 organisations will attend the event from 12.30pm until 3pm in the Students’ Union at the BGU campus on Longdales Road in Lincoln. Organisers hope to raise awareness of the value of volunteering while also opening up volunteering to those who may not have previously considered it. “Volunteering is a fantastic way to support good causes and it's also a great way to kick start a career, improve your CV and get active in the wider community,” said BGU’s Volunteering and Opportunities Officer, Lucy Camsell. “Almost half of all people in England do voluntary work, and more than a quarter volunteer once a month, according to a survey conducted last year by the Institute for Volunteering Research.” Information will be available on a wide range of volunteering opportunities including befriending and mentoring, environmental conservation, fundraising and campaigning and health and social welfare. Steph Boyfield, Project Officer at Voluntary Centre Services in Sleaford which is exhibiting at the event, said: “Many people find that helping out in the community leads to changes in their own lives, such as a career change, new friends or an improved sense of wellbeing. There are many opportunities to help out, depending on what you’re into. There are lots of roles that look for personal qualities such as a caring nature, good listening skills or practical experience as well as relevant qualifications, and many are flexible too, fitting in around other commitments such as work, family or studies.” She added: “Although volunteering for a local charity or community group isn’t paid, there are other benefits. Volunteering can unlock your potential and tap into qualities and skills you didn’t even realise you had, boosting self-esteem and even enhancing your CV. “Research says that doing good actually does you good, improving both mental and physical health and contributing to a more positive community – an all round win!” For further information contact Diane Haines on 01522 583900 or email diane.haines@bishopg.ac.uk. -
BGU Seeks Future Research Leaders
Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln is seeking six future research leaders to take up six full-time PhD studentships starting in spring 2016. As part of its ongoing strategy to increase its research activity, BGU will award the studentships to six candidates who can demonstrate their academic achievement and future research potential. The successful students will have the opportunity to work alongside BGU’s world-leading academics for up to four years. Studentships are being offered in two areas: Education and Related Studies, and Health, Social Care, Psychology and Wellbeing. The former will look at topics such as children’s spirituality, global issues in early childhood education and care, and enterprise education, while the latter will consider such subjects as human nutrition, psychosocial cancer care, and sleep, memory and dreaming. “We are looking to attract candidates with the ambition and ability to launch their research careers at Bishop Grosseteste University,” said Professor David Rae, Executive Dean for Research & Knowledge Exchange at BGU. “This is the first major investment by the university in developing its PhD programme by funding four-year studentships across areas of research excellence, and we plan to grow our involvement in research and innovation with further commitments in the future.” BGU will provide each successful student with a bursary and payment of their tuition fees for PhD study at the university. The PhD will be awarded by the University of Leicester under its validation partnership with BGU. The minimum entry requirement for a research degree programme is an upper second-class honours degree, or an equivalent overseas qualification, in a relevant subject. These studentships are restricted to applicants with citizenship in the United Kingdom and European Union. For more information and how to apply, please click here. -
Need a New Career Challenge? Why Not Apply to University?
An Education Studies and Psychology student who was looking for a new career challenge and applied to Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln through Clearing will receive his degree at Lincoln Cathedral on Wednesday. Now he’s aiming to continue his education by studying for a master's degree in Forensic Psychology at the University of Lincoln. Glen Hughes (25) was disillusioned with his job as a carer and convinced Olivia Sagan, Academic Co-ordinator for Psychology at BGU, to offer him a place. He will graduate with a BA (Hons) degree in Education Studies and Psychology on on Wednesday 20th July. “I was pretty bored with my job and I rang up not expecting a place,” said Glen. “When I spoke to Olivia she gave me a place and I was like, what is going on here? I don’t think it really dawned on me that I was actually going to university! “My advice to anyone contemplating going to university through Clearing is: don’t hold back, just do it. When I contacted BGU I was bored out of my mind and they gave me what I needed.” Glen, from Bracebridge Heath near Lincoln, has been involved in a number of roles at BGU that help promote both the Education Studies and Psychology courses; he worked as a student ambassador and is now interning for Olivia and helping with her research projects. Before entering Clearing Glen studied for a BTEC in Health and Social Care at Andover College. He then moved to Lincoln and was a carer with Bupa for two years.
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