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BGU research supports trainee teachers in Pakistan
Dr Abigail Parrish, Senior Lecturer in the School of Teacher Development, recently delivered an online seminar for participants at a research workshop organised by the Institute of English Language and Literature at the University of Sindh in Pakistan. Abigail’s session looked at Self-Determination Theory and motivation to learn English, drawing on her research interests, and giving participants chance to think about how they could apply what they learned in their own classrooms. It was attended by 35 participants, the head of the English department and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Sindh. One participant noted that the workshop was: "Rich in content and valuable in creating better understanding of the topics that were discussed, there should be more such events as it was a great learning opportunity" This feedback was also shared by the organiser, Dr Ghazal Kazim Syed, who reported that both the head of department and vice chancellor had been very impressed particularly with Abigail's commitment, professionalism and positive attitude to learning. Abigail has been invited to deliver another seminar for undergraduate and postgraduate students at a later date. James Duke, Digital Learning Developer at BGU, facilitated the online delivery of the session, providing invaluable support and advice to ensure it ran smoothly. You can read more about Abigail’s research into student motivation here: Abigail Parrish & Ursula Lanvers (2019). Student motivation, school policy choices and modern language study in England. The Language Learning Journal, 47:3, 281-298. DOI: 10.1080/09571736.2018.1508305 BGU have a global outlook on education, and our courses offer unprecedented opportunities to travel and teach. Our professionally focused educational courses are perfect for learners both within and looking to join the teaching profession. To find out how they can benefit you visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team for more information. -
Special Event Kicks Off Life at BGU for New Mature Students
On Thursday 12th September, the team from the Centre for Enhancement in Learning and Teaching (CELT) at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) held ‘Over 21s Only!’ a welcome event for incoming mature undergraduate students. Mature undergraduate students can sometimes find settling at university difficult due to the age and experiences differences with their peers. ‘Over 21s Only!’ is designed as a way for these students to ‘kick-start’ their studies at BGU by meeting others in their position, learning about available support, and chatting with existing mature students. Over 40 new students attended the event, representing a range of subject areas and disciplines. They were joined by current BGU students Chris, Stef, Claire, Mick, Judith, and Melanie, who shared their own experiences as mature students at BGU, assisted in workshop sessions, and delivered a campus tour. Students’ Union (SU) President Alan Foster and Vice President: Education Jordan Fane also dropped in to meet the new students and introduce them to the services offered by the SU. The day began with an inspirational talk by Dr Sacha Mason, the Programme Lead for Professional Studies, who emphasised the importance of independent learning and excellent time management for students who may have additional commitments. Other workshop sessions were delivered by Learning Development Tutor Dr Hannah Grenham on developing a growth mindset, problem-solving potential issues while studying, and critical thinking. The day was organised by the CELT team and facilitated by Student Engagement Facilitator Helen Waters-Marsh. The day was warmly received by all who attended, with feedback indicating that 91% felt more confident about beginning their studies as a result of the event. One attendee noted that the event made them feel ‘so excited and much less anxious’, while another expressed relief at ‘Knowing I am not alone on this journey’. This is the third time this important event has been run and it continues to evolve every year. If you are a mature student and would like to be involved in next year’s event, please contact studentchange@bishopg.ac.uk to register your interest. -
First Implicit Religion Research Centre Launched at BGU
The Edward Bailey Centre for the Study of Implicit Religion, the first dedicated centre for the study of implicit religion in the world, has been launched at Bishop Grosseteste University by the Reverend Canon Professor Neil, Vice-Chancellor of BGU, together with Dr Francis Stewart, Implicit Religion Research Fellow. Implicit Religion focuses on commitments, rituals, actions, rites of passage, behaviours and beliefs that appear in things we would not normally think of as ‘religious’, for example the game of football or knitting communities. To this end Edward Bailey suggested three areas for focus: commitment, integrating foci, and intensive concerns with extensive effects. These have been explored in a wide range of topics from art, shopping, Elvis fans, pilgrimage, Occupy protests, video games, Starbucks, punk rock, elective childlessness, animal rights, tattoos and sport. The centre will serve as a hub for a wide range of activity including work in local schools, university modules, research projects, free public events in Lincoln. The centre aims to create new degree modules that are relevant and focused on implicit religion within Lincolnshire, to develop new degree courses that will bring international postgraduate students to BGU and be accessible for adults in Lincolnshire. Speaking on behalf of BGU, Professor Neil said: "Professor Bailey is synonymous with implicit religion and was well ahead of his time when he shaped the concept. The time is now right to expand the reach of the research exploring the concept of implicit religion to interpret the changing landscape of religion and spirituality in the UK. Theology is a core part of our University's heritage and I am delighted to see us continuing to push the boundaries of its exploration with this new centre of excellence.” As the lead of the new centre Dr Stewart expressed her excitement at how it would build on the legacy of Professor Bailey's work: "What do we mean when we say something is religious? What do we mean when we say something is not religious? Do we ever stop to consider if the person we are speaking to or about understands the word religion in the same way that we do? These are all questions that drive the study of Implicit Religion, a fascinating area of theological study that I look forward to being able to bring to a new generation of scholars." BGU's growing involvement in the study of implicit religion saw the institution host the 42nd Implicit Religion Conference earlier this year. The call for paper for the 43rd conference, which will also be held at at the University, is now open and submissions are free for all Lincoln residents. The Conference's theme will be 'Implicit Religion, Race and Representation' and will feature a keynote speech from Dr Ipsita Chatterjea, an expert on race and violence. If you’re interested in a future exploring and discussing religion then our Theology courses and RE teaching pathways could be for you. Visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team today for more information. -
BGU join the Lincoln Book Festival 2019 to Celebrate the life and legacy of Queen Victoria
This September staff and students from Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) joined the Lincoln Book Festival to celebrate the bicentenary of the births of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert with ‘V for Victoria!’ with a series of events from 23rd to 28th September capturing the ways in which the city connects the life and legacy of Queen Victoria. From the most recent publications on Queen Victoria, the British Empire and Victorian authors such as, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, John Ruskin, and Janet Ross, but also Ada Lovelace, Charlotte Brontë’s publisher, William Smith Williams, there were exciting events for a variety of interests. BGU has been collaborating with the Festival for a number of years and that relationship further increased this year spearheaded by Dr Claudia Capancioni, Programme Leader for English at BGU, whose specialism is Victorian Literature. Staff and students were actively involved in the festival programme’s activities with our trainee PGCE students in English and Drama and staff opening the festival by leading workshops for school pupils who took part in a creative writing competition, Flash Fiction, and the creative writing programmes run by First Story and Writing East Midlands with the Society of Authors for Fiction. Later in the week BGU sponsored ‘If Words Could Kill’, an evening with Claire Harman and Ambrose Parry (aka Chris Brookmyre and Dr Marisa Haetzman). There was murder most foul in this two-part author event with Harman’s Murder by the Book, which focuses on a true crime murder that shocked Victorian London, and the thrilling new novel, The Way of the Flesh, Parry wrote about the hunt for a killer in 1847 Edinburgh. The University's involvement continued on Friday with Dr Capancioni introducing Janet Ross, a Victorian historian and biographer who entertained guests such as William Gladstone, Robert Browning, Mark Twain and Virginia Woolf at Poggio Gherardo, her villa near Florence. In Leaves from Our Tuscan Kitchen: or How to Cook Vegetables, Janet recorded the recipes of Giuseppe Volpi, her cook for over 30 years, which her guests loved and requested - George Frederic Watts in particular. Published in 1899 and still in print, it appeared at a time when vegetables were considered only as an adjunct to the main course, this recipe book has become an established resource for all British chefs interested in Italian food. Together with The Cheese Society and The Straw Collection, ‘In the Tuscan Kitchen of Janet Ross’ offered a taste of Ross’s recipes through sampling the cheese she used, accompanied by Tuscan wines. Since the summer, the city of Lincoln has contributed to an array of national events including the series organised by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, which will be the topic of the forthcoming lecture by the V&A director, Tristram Hunt, at Lincoln Cathedral on 10 October. If you are interested in finding out more about studying English at BGU, visit our website, contact our Enquiries Team or join us on one of our Open Days. -
Academics' Wellbeing Research Expands to New European Audience
Having enthralled attendees at the British Education Research Association (BERA) special interest group, last month, Teacher trainee wellbeing research led by academics at BGU has reached a European audience at the European Conference on Education Research, organised by the European Education Research Association (EERA). Dr. Emma Clarke, Aimee Quickfall and Shaun Thompson presented the well-being research at the conference in Hamburg to an international audience of education researchers. The trio presented on behalf of the wider team at BGU, which also includes Sue Lambert, Hannah Wells and Dr. Claire Thomson. The pilot study, conducted in 2018/19, tracked the journey of PGCE Primary students in terms of their well-being and used photo-elicitation; participants took two photographs a week that summed up their experience, as well as drawing timelines and recording their challenges and resources for well-being. The project also looked at the teacher training experiences of students in Finland, Denmark and The Netherlands, where the team investigated how different programme structures supported well-being. Aimee commented on the opportunities the conference presented: "We were delighted with the response to our presentation. Colleagues from Australia, Europe and the UK are interested in learning from our pilot findings and getting involved in further research with us. We will be building on these connections to further improve trainee well-being at BGU, and the well-being of trainees in universities across the world." The pilot findings are now being shared with the new PGCE Primary cohort to support their well-being journey to Qualified Teacher Status and beyond, and a main study is being launched to roll out in the UK, Finland and Denmark in 2019/20. Emma explained the motivation for this follow on work: "We really want to use our research to support our teacher trainees, which is why our pilot findings are already being used to make modifications to programmes and shared with trainees." If you’re interested in a future in education, our BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS (3 year undergraduate degree), BA (Hons) Primary Teaching Studies with QTS (15 month top up degree), and PGCE courses are the perfect ways to begin or continue your adventure on the path to becoming a fantastic teacher! If you have any questions, our Enquiries Team are ready to help. Contact them today or visit our website to find out how to take your next steps. -
BGU academic joins team of leading Reformation Scholars
Dr Jack Cunningham has been asked to join a group of leading academics in a project that focuses on the Reformation in northern Europe. The team from England and Ireland, including Professors Peter Marshall and Alec Ryrie, will meet for a five day writing workshop at the University of Bergen in Norway in November. The project's aim is to produce a volume with the title Northern European Reformations, which will be published by Palgrave in 2020. Following the announcement Dr Cunningham discussed his excitement for the upcoming collaboration: “I am delighted to be joining such a prestigious team of scholars, many of whom I have admired throughout my career. I'm also looking forward to incorporating the many things I'm sure I will learn from this project into our programme modules that study this period in history.” If you’re interested in a future exploring and discussing religion then our Theology courses and RE teaching pathways could be for you. Visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team today for more information. -
BGU Military History Course Gifted Resources Worth Over £14,000 by Osprey Books
Staff and students on the new BA (Hons) Military History degree at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) are enjoying an exciting range of new resources thanks to a generous donation from Osprey Books. Part of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, Osprey, an Oxford-based company specialising in illustrated military history books, commands an impressive catalogue of published works ranging from ancient warfare to the latest military technology. In total they have donated 1,191 volumes, with the full cost running to £14,500, covering military and aviation history subjects. With titles including Air Campaign Series ‘Battle of Britain 1940’, Command Series ‘Napoleon Bonaparte’ and Elite Series ‘The Persian Army 560-330 BC’ the donation will form an amazingly valuable collection of reference material for Military History students at BGU for years to come. Dr Claire Hubbard-Hall, Programme Leader for Military History at BGU, discussed what students on the course could expect to explore thanks to the donation: “This sizeable and generous donation from Osprey books will provide an invaluable reference resource for students studying Military History at the university. The books provide a global history of warfare focusing on the nature and conduct of war, the role of battle and reform at sea, on land and in the air, as well as the strategic impact of airpower, and major war and battle narratives.” The Military History degree course at BGU explores the county’s rich aviation and military heritage alongside a global coverage of the history of war and its broader impact. If you are interested in joining these discussions, our new BA (Hons) in Military History, which reviews conflict and its relationship with society from the medieval period through to the present day, is the perfect place to start. Visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team for more information. -
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. -
Academic’s work on the 'early modern state' translated into German
‘Luther’s Legacy’, the latest book by Robert von Friedeburg, Reader in History at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), on the nature of the Early Modern State in Germany has been selected for translation into German by the Max Planck Institute for Legal History in Frankfurt. First published by Cambridge University Press in 2016 ‘Luther’s Legacy’ examines how the modern notion of state does not rest on the experience of a bureaucratic state-apparatus. It emerged to stabilize monarchy from dynastic insecurity and constrain it to protect the rule of law, subjects, and their lives and property. Against this background, Lutheran and neo-Aristotelian notions on the spiritual and material welfare of subjects dominating German debate interacted with Western European arguments against 'despotism' to protect the lives and property of subjects. The combined result of this interaction under the impact of the Thirty Years War was Seckendorff's Der Deutsche Fürstenstaat (1656), constraining the evil machinations of princes and organizing the detailed administration of life in the tradition of German Policey, and which founded a specifically German notion of the modern state as comprehensive provision of services to its subjects. The original publication has been praised for its “major intervention” and “new way of thinking” and the new translation will be published on November 1. Friedeburg has also been invited to Germany, to the University of Bielefeld, to talk about his book on October 17. Earlier invitations had been to the German Historical Institute in London and to Georgetown University. If you would be interested in joining these discussions visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team for more information on our wide range courses including a selection of joint honours BA History degrees, our MA in Social & Cultural History and our BA (Hons) in Military History. -
Castles, Palaces and a Zoo Among 2019 Sandford Award Winners
Historic houses, palaces, castles, museums, archives, gardens, parks and a zoo are among over 40 heritage attractions to win a Sandford Award for their high quality heritage education provision. Mr Tom O’Leary, Director of Public Engagement, Historic Royal Palaces will present the awards to a broad range of heritage attractions on Monday 18th November at the V&A Museum of Childhood in London (one of this year’s recipients) and Caroline Marcus, Chair- Group for Education in Museums will be guest speaker at the event. Looking ahead to the ceremony, John Hamer, Chairman of the Heritage Education Trust, commented: “It is a great pleasure to be able to welcome this year’s Sandford Award winners to such a delightful venue as the V&A Museum of Childhood. The winners, coming from all parts of the United Kingdom, represent some of the best work currently being achieved in heritage education.” The Sandford Award is managed by Bishop Grosseteste University in partnership with the Heritage Education Trust and recognises and promotes quality and best practice in heritage education provided by sites across the British Isles. The Award is independently judged and offers a quality assured assessment of a site’s formal education programme. More than 500 sites including country houses, museums and galleries, archives, places of worship, wildlife parks, gardens, landscapes and different collections have received the prestigious quality mark since the scheme began in 1978. Speaking on behalf of BGU the University’s Vice-Chancellor, the Reverend Canon Professor Peter Neil, explained why BGU continues to actively support the awards: “Heritage sits at the heart of Bishop Grosseteste and the Sandford Award is a scheme of which we are immensely proud. It is great to see the educational work of so many of the country’s great historic buildings and institutions being rewarded for their inspirational projects designed to make heritage accessible to the public and bringing the past to life in so many creative ways.” For more information about the Sandford Awards, please contact: Jayne Ellis Sandford Award Administrator 01522 583695 Jayne.ellis@bishopg.ac.uk Photo credit: 'Learning at the Palace of Holyroodhouse' - Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2019. Photographer: Jane Massey 2019 Sandford Award winners Beaumanor Hall & Park, Leicestershire Benjamin Franklin House, London Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire Bowhill House & Grounds, Scotland Bradgate Park, Leicestershire Bramall Hall, Greater Manchester Buckingham Palace, London Cannon Hall, South Yorkshire The Charterhouse, London Chester Zoo, Cheshire Chiltern Open Air Museum, Buckinghamshire Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum, Lincolnshire Dunster Castle & Gardens, Somerset Elsecar Heritage Centre, South Yorkshire Fishbourne Roman Palace, West Sussex Fort Nelson, Hampshire Fulham Palace, London Herschel Museum of Astronomy, Somerset Hill of The O’Neill & Ranfurly House Arts & Visitor Centre, Northern Ireland Kelmarsh Hall & Gardens, Northamptonshire Kirkleatham Museum, North Yorkshire London Metropolitan Archives Lotherton, West Yorkshire M&S Company Archive, West Yorkshire Milestones Museum, Hampshire The National Archives, London National Army Museum, London National Museum of Ireland- Country Life, Ireland New Walk Museum & Art Gallery, Leicestershire No.1 Royal Crescent, Somerset Oakham Castle, Rutlandshire Oxford Castle & Prison, Oxfordshire Palace of Holyroodhouse, Scotland Roman Baths, Somerset Royal Museums Greenwich, London Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum, Dorset Time & Tide Museum, Norfolk Ufton Court Educational Trust, Berkshire V&A Museum of Childhood, London V&A Museum, London Welsh Mining Experience: Rhondda Heritage Park, Wales Wicksteed Park, Northamptonshire Windsor Castle, Berkshire
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