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Remembering 9/11 Twenty Years On
On the morning of September 11, 2001, an American Airlines Boeing 767 crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. Worldwide, millions watched in shock as events were broadcast by live television coverage. Many remember the chilling footage of the second plane hitting the south tower and the later collapse of the twin towers. At 9.45 am (Eastern Standard Time - EST), a third plane hit the Pentagon in Washington D.C. At 10.10 am (EST), a fourth hijacked plane crashed in a field in western Pennsylvania. United Flight 93 had been delayed leaving Newark Liberty International Airport, leaving time for some of its passengers to learn of the attacks in New York and Washington from cell phone calls. A group of brave passengers and flight crew fought the highjackers preventing the terrorists from weaponising the plane and taking out their fourth intended target, either the White House or the U.S. Capitol. The coordinated attacks were carried out by the Islamic extremist group al Qaeda. Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives that day. Twenty years on, historians at Bishop Grosseteste University share their memories of a day that changed the world. Dr Claire Hubbard-Hall, Programme Leader for Military History. I was weeks away from submitting my Master's' dissertation when 9/11 happened. The day the planes hit the World Trade Center, I had broken away from editing a dissertation chapter. I made a sandwich and then switched on the weighty analogue box television that occupied the living room corner. Images of destruction and devastation greeted me. News of the attacks in New York dominated both BBC and ITV channels (two of just five channels then). For the rest of the day, I sat transfixed, unable to make sense of the news that followed. In an era before social media, the live broadcast made it feel as if I were there. I watched in horror as the Twin Towers plummeted to the ground. At the time, I felt sick. Looking back, I still do. During my doctorate, I spent some time in New York as a Fritz Halbers Fellow researching aspects of the Holocaust at the Leo Baeck Institute. In 2006, on a bitterly cold January morning, I visited the site of the 9/11 attack. Standing silently in Lower Manhattan, I felt overwhelmed with emotion, still unable to process the unthinkable. As we mark the 20th anniversary of one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in history, I wonder how much 9/11 is shifting from lived experience to a historical event connected to the years of history before and after the 9/11 attacks. Dr Hazel Kent, Lecturer in History. I was rushing from my classroom to the staffroom to grab a much-needed cuppa after a busy lesson (some things don't change). A colleague stopped me in the corridor: "Have you heard what's happening in New York?" I hadn't. There wasn't easy internet access in a Lincolnshire comprehensive at that time, and certainly not in my History classroom. I went over to the Science block, to the technician's long, thin preparation room; this was the only place in the school with a live television signal. Surrounded by the chemical bottles and equipment, I remember watching the coverage in disbelief and trying to make sense of what was happening as more and more staff crowded into the tiny space to do the same. I remember the confusion as TV reporters tried to explain, as the horrific trauma of a carefully coordinated terror attack began to unfold thousands of miles away. Watching the coverage of the event certainly had a profound effect on me. From a historian's point of view, it is interesting to reflect on the experience of watching such a significant event unfold in real-time before its narrative has been created. Dr Alan Malpass, Lecturer in Military History. I've lived my entire adult life in the post-9/11 world, but my memories of that day are hazy. I do remember, quite vividly, sitting on the sofa in my parents living room watching news reports of the attack. I had just returned from school, so it must have been around 4 pm (BST). My dad was still at work, but my mum was watching the TV. I remember walking in and seeing her stood in the middle of the room. I immediately felt that something serious had happened, and I sat down. I don't remember us speaking a lot, but just sitting and trying to comprehend the news coverage. I didn't understand what had happened – I don't think anyone did at that point. I'd never heard of the 'Twin Towers' or thought much about terrorism, but the chaotic images made an instant impression. The sense that something tragically earth-shattering had happened was clear. Twenty years later, I now find myself teaching the events of 9/11 and terrorism on some of the modules I deliver. They are requisite to understanding the world we live in today. Further information about the 9/11 Memorials can be found at The 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Flight 93 National Memorial and The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. -
BGU Participatory Autism Research Symposium - 13th October 2021
The second Participatory Autism Research Symposium presented by Bishop Grosseteste University and the Participatory Autism Research Collective will be held online on Wednesday 13th October from 10am-12pm. Participatory autism research is defined as research where members of the autistic community have control over the research agenda and the analysis of, and reflection on, the data that is generated. It embeds the values of the draft framework for inclusive autism research (Chown et al., 2017), including that autism research should be aimed at improving the lives of autistic people. Each participant in the symposium will introduce an element of their current research and this will then be discussed by the group. Each presentation will last for approximately 15 minutes. Comment by audience members will not be supported during the symposium, but there will be an opportunity for delegates to discuss the event in groups at the end. Presentations: Autistic women and university This participatory PhD research focuses on autistic women's experiences of university, with specific regard to wellbeing. Participants expressed barriers to university and wanted universities to be more inclusive. As part of this project participants created creative pieces such as poems or artwork. Sophie is particularly interested in the use of creative methods as a research tool. Sophie is a BGU alumnus. Using the short film ‘Broken’ to explore autism in the classroom The short film Broken (Rimmer, 2020) is an artistic impression that aims to articulate autistic pupil dysfluency from an autistic viewpoint. The film has been used a tool to support trainee teachers’ understanding of fluency issues in autistic pupils in the mainstream classroom. The film (6 minutes) will be shown as part of the presentation. John is a member of BGU academic staff. The film’s co-creator, ‘Fauxparl’, is a BGU alumnus. Representation of Black autistic characters in picture books In 1990, Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop published an essay outlining the importance of children’s books as both ‘windows’ and ‘mirrors’: books that are windows enable children to learn about the lives of others, and those that are mirrors support children to see themselves reflected. This project looks at the representation of Black autistic children in picture books – a hugely under-represented demographic. It critiques this representation both from a Black and from an autistic perspective and investigates how these books work both as windows and mirrors. Clare is undertaking a PhD in children’s literature at Cambridge University. She is supporting three members of BGU’s academic staff with this project. BGU’s ARCH project BGU has this year started an Autism Resources Community Hub (ARCH), which aspires to be a one-stop starting point for all members of the BGU autism community (autistic students and staff, family members, friends and allies) to access information about autism at BGU. This community-based, exploratory work aims to build a positive resource that emerges from our autistic community. Helen is BGU’s Student Engagement Facilitator. -
BGU Academics Present at the International Nurse Education Today (NET) Conference
Two academics from the Health and Social Care team at BGU presented at the international Nurse Education Today (NET) Conference which is an annual event run by the Advance UK (formally the Higher Education Academy). NET provides a unique opportunity for delegates to engage with the latest worldwide research evidence, developments and thinking with educators, practitioners, and students. Papers are arranged in themed sessions where delegates participate in in-depth discussion and debate on a topic, facilitated by skilled convenors. Nicki Walsh (Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer) and Leanne McHugh (Senior Lecturer) presented on different themes. Nicki presented under the theme of “Educational Enhancement” showcasing her work supporting UK, the general practice nursing workforce (previously published). Her paper reviewed current drivers within practice and higher education, to support and develop the current and future workforce. It examined several initiatives that Nicki was involved with, from the support of General Practice to provide placements for undergraduate nursing and health and social care students, to the development of educational programmes to support nurses working in practice, or who wish to have a career in General Practice, with their continued professional develop and career enhancement. Leanne presented under the theme “Student experience, engagement and achievement”. Leanne shared an overview of the carers project at BGU. The presentation took the participants through the project’s development and planning stages and considered the student and staff engagement opportunities which this project presented. Consideration was given to how to craft the narrative of the project which focused on the question “What would it feel like to be a carer at the university?” “How can we identify a shared language, so we all hear your story?”. Future strategies to enhance the Carers project were also shared with the participants seeing the future vision, which is to consider, “What an active Carers community will look like”. During the question and answer session, feedback from the participants was really positive, offering networking opportunities and possibilities of increasing the awareness of the BGU Carers Community. Related publications Book Chapter - Chapter One – Contemporary General Practice Nursing – Editors Welsh, M. and Brooks, S., Elsevier Walsh, N and Mason, R., (2018) “Hitting the Ground Running": An Evaluation of Management Placements for Student Nurses with UK General Practice. Primary Health Care. Vol. 28 No.7 pp34-41 . doi: 10.7748/phc. 2018.e1443 Walsh, N., (2017) Using community education provider networks to develop general practice nursing. Primary Health Care. Vol.27, No.4, pp26-29 -
BGU Officially Welcome New Students at Annual Matriculation Ceremony
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) formally enrolled over 1000 students and welcomed nearly 600 of those students at the annual Matriculation Ceremony on Friday 8 October 2021. Now in its seventh year the welcoming ceremony has become an established and popular part of the academic calendar. All newly enrolled students are invited to the ceremony, held in the grand surroundings of Lincoln Cathedral, which gives both undergraduate and postgraduate students the chance to meet University staff and each other. This year’s ceremony began at 3pm with a procession of over 100 BGU members of staff before the new students were officially welcomed to the University by the University’s Chancellor, Dame Judith Mayhew-Jonas, the Vice-Chancellor, the Reverend Canon Professor Peter Neil, the President of the Students’ Union, Erin Bell and the The Vice-Chancellor of Lincoln Cathedral, The Reverend Canon Neil Burgess. As a symbol of their belonging in BGU, all students were given a specially designed gold badge. The Vice-Chancellor explained why the event has become such an important part of the student journey at BGU: “The Matriculation Ceremony marks our students’ formal entry into the University. In addition to offering a friendly welcome to all those who are starting their studies here this year, it marks their entry into BGU’s academic community, of which every student is an integral member. It is also emphasised that we are all there to guide and support the students throughout their time with us. This year feels particularly special, as it is the first time we have gathered together in the Cathedral for almost two years.” The ceremony closed with a performance from the BGU choir followed by speeches from Harry Mill, second year Education Studies and Mathematics student, and Bethany Mcallister, second year English Literature student. If you would like to become a part of the BGU community visit our website to find out about all the exciting courses available to you or contact our Enquiries Team today. You can watch this year’s ceremony and find a photo album on our Facebook page -
Perceptions of Death in Collective Memory: Numbers | Spaces | Texts (2021-22)
Research by Sibylle Erle Death is an abstract concept. I have always been interested in Death; not because I am morbid but because I want to live a better life. Having co-organized Academic and Creative Responses to Death and Dying (since 2017) with Peter Green at BGU, I realised that I needed to move on as well as back into my own discipline. I wanted to contemporize my interest in Death, which is rooted in the Romantic period where it connects to my research on Mary Wollstonecraft, Joanna Baillie and Mary Shelley. This is how it happened. In conversation with Dr Makrina Agaoglou, from the Institute of Mathematical Sciences (ICMAT) in Madrid, I realised how Mathematics could inform and teach non-mathematicians about how mathematical modelling can give some inside information on what is happening and if and how outcomes can be predicted. Sophie Ungerer a London-based architect and designer working at the University of Brighton, on the other hand, showed me how COVID-19 has affected the way we move in our minds and through our cities, including the spaces designated for preoccupation with death, such as graveyards, (makeshift) morgues or memorials. In my head I quickly moved from “What is the maths behind the current pandemic?” to “How should we inhabit public spaces – as well as the intimate space between us”. Our project seeks to explore the perceptions of death in the context of COVID-19 and how they were affected by the pandemic. COVID-19 has been represented by mathematical graphs describing a global phenomenum, that are abstract and not always easily processed by the public; the data, moreover, is counterpointed by a plethora of individual stories about loss, mental health and lockdowns. Yet, though the threat of death is omni-present and has shaped our societies and lives irreversibly, many still have not experienced death first-hand. Death is well-documented in the public eye, but all too often the dying had to die alone to ensure the safety of their loved ones and related communities. This disconnect - between the public and the private - has to do with how we process ‘the facts‘. Through our project we want to take stock of how the current situation is poised; it is not about knowing or not knowing, it is rather to do with accepting or rejecting ‘the facts‘. Using interdisciplinary collaboration, we aim to explore the perceptions of death: from the abstract, for the general public, the parameters that affect the spreading of the virus and thus define social distancing, to how empirical experience of death may be represented in text and space. Our project is funded by AlumNode (a collaboration between the Heidelberg Laureate Forum Foundation (HLFF) and the German Scholars Organization (GSO), funded by the Klaus Tschira Stiftung (KTS). Facts rarely produce empathy; and this is where the TEXT (Literature) comes in. For any information contact Sibylle Erle, FRSA, FHEA, who is Reader in English Literature and lead of RKEU Literature and Literacies. She teaches on the English programmes as well as on MA Children’s Literature and Literacies. Our first event on 2 November brings together Speakers from different disciplines who will explore ‘Death’ from different angles: we will have short presentations, a round table and a creative workshop; This will be lead by artist Marina White Raven, who I have been working with since the first Lockdown on a story titled, 'What did you do during lockdown?' - Find out more about that story here. What remains? Each point or number on those graphs holds its own story. Is it personal stories that will compete with the trends in the formation of the collective memory of the time we are now living through? How do we perceive, construct as well as represent Death in our daily lives? For details: https://www.icmat.es/congresos/2021/PDM-NST/index.php To register: https://predictiondeathmemory.eventbrite.co.uk -
Reflections on Black History Month at BGU
Throughout October, Bishop Grosseteste University hosted a month-long programme of free events to celebrate Black History Month. The events included academic lectures, story-telling session and exhibitions that highlight the contribution of Black poets, educators, activists, athletes amongst others during this global month of celebration. Each of these sessions were designed to be educational, but also to engage and entertain in different ways while challenging received ideas and knowledge and were available to staff, students, guests and the wider public via live-stream where applicable. Dr Sheine Peart, Reader in Access, Equality and Inclusion and Project Lead for Black History Month at BGU, said: “As we reach the end of October I would like to offer some personal reflections on Black History Month at Bishop Grosseteste University 2021 which has been a resounding success in countless different ways. “The month-long programme of events was planned by a multidisciplinary University wide team and from the outset the ambition was (borrowing words from the BBC charter) to entertain, educate and inform while at the same time celebrating the multiple ways the global community has been enriched by contributions of people’s from the African diaspora. Benefiting from the skills and knowledge of University colleagues and invited contributors, each event fed into this ambition and provided new insights to the participating audiences while simultaneously honouring the common bonds which unite us and engaging with the challenges which confront us. “Through poetry, music, song, film, thought-provoking talks and story-telling sessions the audience learned of the ways Black peoples had enriched local, national and international communities including the innovative education strategies of Beryl Gilroy (the first Black Headteacher in London) and the ways the Reverend Sonia Baron in her work with the national government is currently challenging inequalities in work based and other spaces to provide better opportunities for everyone. “BHM at BGU will return in 2022 with another programme of events which will be open to students, staff and the wider public. We look forward to welcoming you to our next celebration and invite you to keep watching for future announcements.” -
Second BGU Participatory Autism Research Symposium - October 2021
On 13th October, BGU hosted the second in its series of Participatory Autism Research Symposia, which featured presentations from members of the current BGU community and alumni. Attendees joined in with the online event from as far afield as Sweden, Canada and Malaysia, and heard presentations from four researchers. The first presentation described the artistic and academic journey taken by a current BGU staff member and an autistic BGU alumnus who created a short film called “Broken” (Rimmer, 2020) to detail an autistic pupil’s experience of trying to communicate with his teacher that his glasses were broken. This film has been used as a tool to support trainee teachers’ understanding of fluency issues in autistic pupils in the mainstream classroom. It can be viewed here. Sophie, a BGU alumnus then shared details of her participatory PhD research project which focuses on autistic women's experiences of university, with specific regard to wellbeing. As she is particularly interested in the use of creative methods as a research tool, Sophie asked project participants to create creative pieces such as poems or artwork which expressed barriers to university and a desire for universities to be more inclusive. In 1990, Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop published an essay outlining the importance of children’s books as both ‘windows’ and ‘mirrors’: books that are windows enable children to learn about the lives of others, and those that are mirrors support children to see themselves reflected. Clare, a PhD candidate at Cambridge University who is supporting three members of BGU’s academic staff with a research project into the representation of black autistic characters in picture books provided information on the study, which critiques this representation both from a Black and from an autistic perspective and investigates how these books work both as windows and mirrors. Finally, Dan, a PhD candidate at BGU gave a short presentation on the BGU Autism Resources Community Hub (ARCH), which aspires to be a one-stop starting point for all members of the BGU autism community (autistic students and staff, family members, friends and allies) to access information about autism at BGU. This community-based, exploratory work aims to build a positive resource that emerges from our autistic community. The ARCH web pages can be found here. If you missed the first Participatory Autism Research Symposium, you can view the recording on the Participatory Autism Research Collective Website here. -
International Men’s Day 2021
To celebrate International Mens Day, academics from across the University have highlighted influential men within their fields that have made a difference in their subject area. -
The Sandford Award for high quality heritage education awarded to 47 new sites
The Sandford Award is provided by the Heritage Education Trust in partnership with Bishop Grosseteste University and is the only body in existence to provide independent quality assurance for heritage education. Over 500 organisations from across the British Isles have received the award since the scheme began in 1978 and it is currently held by over 200 museums and heritage sites. This year, the Sandford Award will once again celebrate high quality in heritage education provision from a broad range of heritage sites and services across the wider UK heritage sector including Lincoln Cathedral, Blists Hill Victorian Town, Royal Air Force Museum London, Stonehenge and Wessex Archaeology. The award focusses on formal, curriculum-linked education opportunities, although recognition is also made of informal learning such as family programmes and outreach. The awards are made annually and are non-competitive. The newly awarded sites are set to be recognised for their heritage education work at the Trust’s very first virtual event on Wednesday 8 December at 11am; a joint celebration of 2020 and 2021 Sandford Award recipients. The Sandford Award supports heritage learning professionals to be strong advocates; improving provision and partnership working within their organisation to benefit diverse audiences. The Heritage Education Trust developed a new online approach to the assessment of the Sandford Award in response to the pandemic and will be adopting new ways of working in order to do so effectively. To achieve the rigorous assessment criteria, organisations must demonstrate the delivery of high-quality heritage education. Applicants for the award carry out a reflective self-assessment of their work, consult with their service users and present evidence of achievement against six assessment criteria. This is reviewed by an experienced peer volunteer assessor and followed up by an assessment of the education service, mentoring, and a report with advice for improvement. Organisations benefit from the process and particularly value the opportunity for constructive, critical review with an experienced peer, and the opportunity to learn through sharing good and effective practice. John Hamer OBE, Chair of the Heritage Education Trust, said: “The last two years have posed immense challenges for all of us. This year’s Sandford Award ceremony – for the first time virtually – celebrates the success of the heritage sector in general, and the 2020 and 2021 award winners in particular, in overcoming the many difficulties resulting from the pandemic. They are to be warmly congratulated on their achievements. Professor Scott Fleming, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Bishop Grosseteste University said: “After what the heritage education sector has been through since the spring of 2020, on behalf of Bishop Grosseteste University, I’m delighted that we’ll be able to celebrate the successful Sandford Award recipients for 2020 and 2021. “It’s always a super event – online this year – when we recognise sector-leading organisations of different kinds from Britain and Ireland.” The establishments that received the awards in both 2020 and 2021 are as follows: 2020 award winners Amersham Museum Chelmsford Museum Colne Valley Museum EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum Holdenby House Hopetoun House La Hougue Bie Museum of Jersey Heritage Lincoln Cathedral Milton Keynes City Discovery Centre Pontefract Castle St Albans Museum + Gallery Wirksworth Heritage Centre World Rugby Museum 2021 award winners 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield Alnwick Castle The Battle of Bannockburn Beeston Castle and Woodland Park Blists Hill Victorian Town Bristol Museum & Art Gallery Carlisle Castle The Collection Conisbrough Castle Crich Tramway Village Discovery Museum & Tyne & Wear Archives The Dorman Museum Durham University Library and Collections, Oriental Museum Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre Haslemere Museum Head of Steam: Darlington Railway Museum Jarrow Hall: Anglo-Saxon Farm, Village and Bede Museum Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden King Richard III Visitor Centre Knebworth House Layer Marney Tower National Maritime Museum Cornwall National Museum of Scotland Osborne House Parliament Education Centre Royal Airforce Museum London The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Stafford Castle Stonehenge Tatton Park The National Museum of Computing Tower Bridge Wessex Archaeology Worcester Cathedral A full list of current Sandford Award Holders: https://www.heritageeducationtrust.org/award-holders The 2022 Sandford Award opens for entries on Monday 13th December. Find out how to apply at: https://www.heritageeducationtrust.org/how-to-enter -
International students bring Festive Cheer to BG Futures
BG Futures, the Careers, Employability and Enterprise department at Bishop Grosseteste University, are now full of yuletide spirit thanks to international students Danling, Jianxin and their friend Rongrong.
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