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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. -
Students and Staff Instigate International Research to Combat Climate Change
In April 2019 Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) played host to the International Symposium on Climate Change and the Role of Education. Organised in partnership between BGU, the International Climate Change Information Programme (ICCIP), Hamburg University of Applied Scientists and the Baltic University Programme; the Symposium explored how society can adapt to the far reaching effects of climate change to overcome the challenges it poses using “Education” to engage and empower people to act to alleviate the many and various impacts of climate change. Following the successful event, research and discussions from the day have now been published in a new book ‘Climate Change and the Role of Education’. Part of the Springer Nature Climate Change Management Series five of the book’s 30 chapters have been authored by BGU staff and students with the University’s Programme Leader for Geography, Dr Sarah Hemstock serving as editor alongside Walter Leal Filho. Speaking following it’s publication Sarah and Walter explained why the book’s unique viewpoint made it an important tool in the study and combatting of and adaptation to climate change: "Climate change is without a doubt one of the most pressing challenges of modern times. One which affects both industrialised and developing nations. Education is known to potentially play a key role in catalysing the participation of individuals and communities in climate change mitigation and adaptation processes. But the role of education it is not only about helping people to understand the impacts of global warming. Rather, education on matters related to climate change is also about catalysing changes in attitudes and behaviour, which may encourage individuals to take a more active role in both, climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. International experiences show that there is a perceived need to make climate change education a more central and more prominent component of responses to climate change, both at the international, regional and local level. Yet, there is a paucity of truly international publications, which address the many pedagogical, social, and economic variables which characterise climate change education. This book has been produced to address this need. It is the outcome of the “International Symposium on Climate Change and the Role of Education”, organised by Bishop Grosseteste University (UK), the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (Germany) and the International Climate Change Information and Research Programme (ICCIRP). Papers here compiled look at matters related to the use of a variety of educational approaches to educate, inform or raise awareness about climate change across a variety of audiences. It contains experiences from empirical research, practical projects and teaching methods being deployed round the world, all with the aim of bringing the message across various audiences. Moreover the book also entails contributions on how to promote the climate agenda and foster adaptation efforts at the local level. Thanks to its scope, this is a truly interdisciplinary publication. We thank the many authors who contributed to this volume, and for their willingness to share their knowledge and expertise. We hope it will be useful to scholars, social movements, practitioners and members of governmental agencies, undertaking research and/or executing projects on climate change education across the world." If you would like to explore the discussions and research on climate change visit our website, contact our Enquiries Team or by come along to one of our Open Days to find more information on our Geography courses. -
Trailblazing Foundation Year Students Complete Their First Term
It’s been a busy but rewarding first term for students on the new Foundation Year programme at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) with all three of the new cohorts well on their way to completing the first year of their university journeys. Already students have completed two of the required eight modules needed to complete the year, ‘Self as Learner’ and ‘Resourcing Learning’ with a further two modules due to be finished in February 2020. The completed modules have focused on underpinning key academic skills that the students may need to hone if they continue with their studies such as: - using library resources effectively, referencing, reading for a purpose and understanding how individuals learn. Foundation Year courses offer the chance to study almost any undergraduate degree at BGU over four years, rather than the traditional three, providing an extended and intensive induction to Higher Education (HE) that can open the doors to those that may have previously thought university wasn’t an option. The first year is focused on equipping learners with the necessary tools to excel in Higher Education such as critical thinking and digital skills along with boosting confidence and employability. As the year progresses learners are able to engage with their chosen subject through special sessions and projects and once the first year has been completed they will then move straight onto the rest of the course without having to reapply. The Foundation Year programme really gives people a taste of university life, raising aspirations in addition to offering different study choices and career opportunities that may not otherwise be considered. The beauty of the course is how adaptable it is and the amount of support students receive with their learning. There are no set exams and assessments are all project/assignment based and students have both a personal tutor as well as a subject liaison tutor, ensuring they have the best preparation possible to succeed in their chosen path. While some people might find the idea of an extra year at university daunting, many of the students taking part in the new programme have found it beneficial to their success as current student Pollie Simpson explains: “I’m really pleased that I decided to enrol on the Foundation Year for my degree course. It has helped me feel confident in returning to education after a gap of more than thirty years. The tutors are so supportive and have helped me to develop my academic skills.” And Brendan Brown, one of Pollie’s fellow Foundation Year students, shared his views: “Being a mature student, I was nervous about coming to university but I was well supported by the application office at BGU to go through clearing. After being given a place, I have thrown myself into university life, every single person I have meet so far on my journey has been helpful.” If you’d like to find out more about the new Foundation Year course options, visit our Foundation Year web page, speak to a member of our Enquiries Team or join us on one of Open Days. -
What it means to be human explored in new publication
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) recently celebrated the release of a significant publication that aims to bring a new understanding of what it means to be human. -
BGU joins fellow East Midlands Universities in support for Armed Forces Covenant
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) joined eight other universities from the East Midlands to celebrate the updating of their Armed Forces Covenants in a joint ceremony held at the University of Leicester last week. The revised agreements include new, clear-cut promises to support Armed Forces personnel. -
Entrepreneurial Enterprises and Start-up Advice on the Agenda at BG Futures Business Open Morning
BG Futures, the Business and Enterprise Centre at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), opened its doors to the University’s students for a morning of start-up advice, business support and networking. -
Explore Death, Grief and Medieval Beliefs on the Second 2020 Death and Dying Conference Weekend
Split over two weekends, the annual Death and Dying Conference at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) aims to provide a forum where emotionally draining or difficult to discuss topics can be shared and explored with both respect and understanding. -
Using Shared Reading to explore the ‘telling’ of death
Earlier this year, at the 2020 Death and Dying conference, attendees came together to discuss how shared reading could explore the ‘telling’ of death. One of the goals of the workshop was to use art to capture a ‘live’ response that included something of the personal and transitory nature of the event. Aimee Quickfall, Head of Programmes for Primary Education and Early Years at BGU, Dr Clare Lawrence, Senior Lecturer in Teacher Development, and Dr John Rimmer, Senior Lecturer PGCE secondary (art and design), share their feedback on the unique and engaging experience. Using Shared Reading to explore the ‘telling’ of death Academic and Creative Responses to Death and Dying Conference, BGU 2020 Dr Clare Lawrence, Aimee Quickfall, Dr John Rimmer Shared Reading is an approach pioneered and developed by Jane Davis to use the read-aloud experience of literary texts to explore group participants’ reflections, thoughts and memories, where the text is presented as a live presence, not as something pre-read or an object of study. This Shared Reading workshop was part of a conference that had as its theme, How to tell the children, and as such used texts that explored the ‘telling’ of death, and the experience of parents’ death as understood by the (adult) child of those parents. The text chosen were Gertrude’s description of Ophelia’s death in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Act IV sc. v and Charles Causley’s poem Eden Rock. Throughout the workshop Aimee Quickfall took notes visually, sketching and drawing as the participants talked. These sketches sought to capture something of the perspectives and experiences of those who took part, less to create a factual record and more to produce a live response that included something of the personal and transitory nature of the event. This method builds on the work of Heath and Chapman (2018), who believe that ‘a sketch does something different to, say, a photograph or a written field note’ (Heath and Chapman, 2018 p. 715). Back and Puwar (2012) suggest that the nature of data that is generated through sketching is different from that generated through other methods, not least because of what drawing, of necessity, leaves out. The artist must choose what to record, so that the record is always synthesised and personalised in a way that a mechanical record is not. Midgley (2011) believes that this means that drawing can capture passions and tensions in a way that other means of recording do not. The discussions during the workshop were then further synthesised by John Rimmer, who worked what was discussed into a piece of highly abstract animated art, reflecting his interpretation of the themes that were explored. These academic and Creative responses to the workshop will be shared in due course through published output. If you’d like to explore a future as part of diverse learning community, speak to a member of our Enquiries Team, or book onto an Open Event to find out how to take your first steps. References: Back, L., & Puwar, N. (2012). A manifesto for live methods: provocations and capacities. The sociological review, 60, 6-17. Heath, S., Chapman, L., & Centre Sketchers, T. M. (2018). Observational sketching as method. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 21(6), 713-728. Midgley, J. (2011). Drawing Lives-Reportage at Work. Studies in Material Thinking, (4). Retrieved, 5. -
Clap for carers: How two BGU students are helping the most vulnerable during Covid-19
As the United Kingdom continues to grapple with ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic care providers across the country have been adapting their procedures to ensure that vulnerable people receive the support they need. EarlyBird Lifestyle Support is one of these hard-working groups and they’ve been sharing how the pandemic has impacted their work. Created and run by Bishop Grosseteste University students Damian Taylor (MA Health & Social Care) and Neil Martin (MA Education with TESOL) Earlybird prides itself on being a friendly well-being service supporting people throughout the city of Lincoln and surrounding areas with tasks such as cooking, cleaning, collecting prescriptions and medication, food shopping, trips out, escorting individuals to appointments and more. Damian discusses the changes the pandemic, and associated lockdown, has brought and how the team at Earlybird have adapted to it: “We work with many of groups left most vulnerable to COVID-19, primarily our older clients but also younger individuals suffering from mental health or other disability related problems. We wore a lot of protection anyway, but we’ve had to increase our use of PPE. It’s been so difficult to find supplies for reasonable prices though. We are also finding that many of our clients find the staff wearing the full PPE quite intimidating and try our best not to scare them off. Ultimately our team works to promote independence for vulnerable people, allowing them to lead their choice of lifestyle. That choice can be so easily lost at times like this and I’m proud to think we’re helping people to keep some level of freedom. I’d like to thank all our staff for their hard work during this time. Their enthusiasm and professionalism haven’t dropped once. They’re truly the backbone to the business, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without them.” Support from EarlyBird is available to anyone in Lincolnshire and the surrounding area, to find out how they can help you visit their website, or get in contact via email at info@ebls.co.uk or on 01522424161. Damian and Neil are the one of the many success stories to emerge from the BG Futures Business and Enterprise Centre at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU). If you have got a vision for your own business but aren’t sure where to begin then the BG Futures team are the perfect place to start. With facilities and expert support available in their incubation centre, they’ll be able to get you on the road to success. Visit our website or contact them today to see how you can start your own adventure. -
‘World Changing’ Trans Student Experience Project Included in International Social Psychology Text
The CELT-LTIF funded ‘Transforming the Student Experience’ project has been featured as an example of ‘world changing’ applied research in a new book. The project was co designed and developed through a partnership between trans and non-trans students and staff and has seen many of its recommendations, including more inclusive welcome messaging and trans awareness training for staff and students, either achieved or in the process of going through the University Committee structure. Internationally renowned Social Psychologist Wendy Stainton Rogers was impressed by the project following a presentation by Sue Becker and former BGU student Ashley Ravenwood at the BPS Psychology of Sexualities Section 20th Anniversary Conference in July 2018, describing it as: “…a great project with real progress and outcomes, and a good model to follow”. In her recent book, Perspectives on Social Psychology – A Psychology of Human Being, Rogers features the project as a case study to inspire others to come together and make positive changes in their communities. The project team continue to work to ensure findings and recommendations from the project are embedded into BGU policy and practice and are currently working to publish a paper outlining their approach and findings. The project team are: Alex Dale Whistler – Education Studies and Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Jayde Williams – Primary Education with recommendation for QTS Dr Sue Becker – Programme Leader for Psychology Lyndsay Muir – Senior Lecturer Dr Sue Cordell – Head of Learning Enhancement Dr Claire Thomson – Head of the Centre for Enhancement in Learning and Teaching Dr Gianina Postavaru – Lecturer in Psychology If you’d like to become a part of BGU’s research focused community, speak to a member of our Enquiries Team or join us at one of our upcoming virtual open days.
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