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Autism Cafe Update February 2021
This month’s event was a small discussion group, with input from a BGU student engagement champion who is involved in a piece of work to review the university’s provisions for autistic people. Discussions mostly centred around the on-campus support and facilities available to students with autism at BGU, which include designated quiet spaces, sensory equipment, and a lanyard system to show face mask exemption, as well as bespoke support plans for autistic students that are put in place in conjunction with course tutors. Considerations were given to how these facilities could also be utilised by autistic staff members. Other discussions included considering what masking behaviours and coping mechanisms people find helpful, and how engaging in these can impact on wellbeing, both positively and negatively. We also continued on two of our discussions from last month, one around special interests; considering how these can present and how people draw a distinction between hobbies and special interests; and another around adult diagnosis, particularly in older adults and how society’s understanding of, and attitudes towards, autism have changed over the last 30-40 years. The next Autism Café event will be held in March and will feature a research symposium, hosted in conjunction with The Participatory Autism Collective (PARC) featuring the presentation of research discussions by post-graduate and doctoral students from Bishop Grosseteste University. Topics which will be covered are: How can autistic people be supported to enter the creative “gig” economy? Advantages and disadvantages of pursuing a “diagnosis” of autism. The lived experiences and journeys of autistic teachers. Is the reading of literature different in autistic and neurotypical pupils? -
Autism Ideas Cafe Update - December 2020
LORIC Autism Ideas Cafe goes online -
Ideas Café – Autism
On 5th April, we held an ideas cafe surrounding the topic of autism. Attendees came from a diverse range of health, social care and academic backgrounds. A range of ideas were highlighted for discussion, in relation to autism that the attendees felt would be valuable to discuss. Ideas that were put forward included: Managing parents’ expectations around obtaining a diagnosis for their childHow to keep autistic children in mainstream schoolSpecial needs training for all trainee teachersTransition for a child into adult servicesTraining for educational staff – increasing training and confidence levels of staff to better manage children with autismHow do we access school staff in order to train them?Can technology be used to link up all of these different areas?Mapping the services available for different age groups. The group consensus was that a mapping exercise would be useful to visualise what services are currently available and who they are aimed at. This led to an interactive session of plotting out services and gaps in service for different age ranges: Early YearsPrimary School AgeSecondary School AgePost 16/Teenagers/Young adultsAdultsThe Elderly Where gaps were identified, the group considered what was being done, or what could be done to address the shortcomings. Once plotted, services were categorised according to whether they could be accessed through universal services or self-referral, or whether they required a referral to be made via a professional. A follow-up event to further map out out the autism landscape of Lincolnshire, and to discuss and collaborate on other themes relevant to autism has been planned at LORIC on Friday 7th June 10am-12pm. This event is open to anyone with a personal or professional interest in autism and places can be booked via the LORIC Eventbrite page. -
Holocaust survivor and discrimination campaigner among those recognised with honorary awards at BGU in 2020 Graduation Ceremonies
Bishop Grosseteste University is delighted to recognise an incredible group of individuals with honorary doctorates as part of its 2020 graduation ceremonies. Those selected represent a wide range of backgrounds including Holocaust survivor and discrimination campaigner Simon Winston, Operations Manager for the England Men's World Cup winning Cricket team in 2019 Phil Neale and the former Director of INSET at the National Centre for Language and Literacy Prue Goodwin. You can read more about each of the exceptional recipients below: -
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Leads Honorary Doctorates at Bishop Grosseteste University 2021 Graduation Ceremonies
Professor Jonathan Van Tam, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for health protection in England, Susan Hollingworth GRSM ARMCM BEM, and Professor Nigel Curry, Founder of the Lincolnshire Food Partnership will all be awarded honorary doctorates as part of the University's 2021 Graduation ceremonies. -
"Do not sit on the side lines; roll-up your sleeves and rebuild the world you want to see"
Professor Jonathan Van Tam encourages graduates of BGU's Class of 2021 to take their place in deciding the World's future in his Honorary Graduation Speech -
BGU Signs Up to Gender Equality Charter
Bishop Grosseteste University has signed up to a charter used to transform gender equality within higher education. The Athena Swan Charter, an international framework used to address gender equality and barriers to progression that affect women, was officially adopted by Bishop Grosseteste University – Lincoln this month. By being part of the Athena Swan Charter, Bishop Grosseteste University is committing to adopting ten key principles within their policies, practice and culture, which promote gender equality. Originally established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment, the Charter is now being used across the globe to address gender equality more broadly. Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Scott Fleming said: ‘We’ve launched the formal part of our Athena Swan journey at a time when the Charter has just been transformed. It is now more streamlined, flexible, transparent and consistent. There’s already been a lot of work to get us to this point but we still have a lot to do. The team is eager and committed; it’s an exciting time for BGU.’ The University hopes to enter an application for the Bronze Athena Swan Award in the academic year 2022-23, following a year of self-assessment. Dr Aimee Quickfall, Head of Programmes for Primary ITE, said: ‘As chair of the BGU Athena Swan self-assessment team, I am very pleased that the project is now underway with the signing of the charter. Behind the scenes, we have been delighted with the level of response from the BGU team, with representatives from Faculty, Professional Services and the student body volunteering to be part of the self-assessment core team and a consultative group. The wealth of experience and expertise offered is fantastic, and it is clear that there is a real passion and enthusiasm for the Athena Swan project.’ The project has received strong support from Bishop Grosseteste’s Human Resources team. ‘As Director of HR I am delighted we have formally started our Athena Swan journey. Behind the scenes, the group chaired by Dr Aimee Quickfall has been working extremely hard to ensure the University is in a position to start this project. As a university we are committed to making positive changes around gender equality, committing to the Athena Swann charter is a positive step forward for BGU, ensuring we adopt key principles within our practices and culture to positively promote gender equality,’ said Jonathan Cheeseman -
Black History Resource Pack launched for schools
Working with the Secondary Education Team and in partnership with Black History Month UK and Museumand (The National Caribbean Heritage Museum) two of the UK’s leading Caribbean organisations, Bishop Grosseteste University have created an innovative teaching resource pack for use in secondary schools, ‘The Black History Month UK School Pack’. In subject specific groups, trainee teachers designed and produced new resources and lesson plans which demonstrated how Black people have contributed to the UK both in the past and present. All resources were tied to defined National Curriculum subjects and topics and featured the works of key figures such as Scottish Poet, Jackie Kay and Spanish footballer Inaki Williams which were designed to inspire, enthuse and engage young people to explore hidden histories of Black people. Dr Sheine Peart, Reader in Access, Equality and Inclusion at the University who co-ordinated the project and worked with students to create the new resources said “Working with Black History Month UK and Museumand, The National Caribbean Heritage Museum has been a fantastic opportunity for trainee teachers on our PGCE Secondary course. After taking part in the project our trainee teachers said they feel more prepared to teach a diverse range of students, and have a better awareness of the topics and issues that impact negatively on the lived experiences of their students. Our trainee teachers better understand how to incorporate the histories of people of colour into the curriculum, and are keen to continue developing their skills and knowledge. It is wonderful that the process of producing the pack has been a learning vehicle for our students, and now it will become an invaluable learning aid for teachers and young people across the UK. It’s a real win-win for everyone involved.” A recent article published in Black History Month UK titled ‘New Black History Resource Pack for schools launched by Black History Month UK to champion black history all year round, across all of the curriculum’, gives detailed information about the contents of each pack together with further information on why these resources will be beneficial in supporting all schools to effectively deliver the curriculum. Lynda-Louise Burrell, Creative Director of Museumand, who also worked on the project said: ‘A brand-new pack for schools has been launched to help schools around the UK celebrate the continued achievements and contributions of black people of African descent to the UK and around the world – all year round, across all of the curriculum, while supporting teachers and young people to talk about and understand the issues of race and equality in a post-2020 world.” Catherine Ross, Founder and Director of Museumand and Editor of Black History Month UK magazine added: “I am truly looking forward to sending the packs out to schools across the country as I know they will make a positive difference to young people, their families and communities. The packs are creative, innovative and of exceptional quality and are a tribute to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved. I would like to thank Dr Sheine Peart and her team of colleagues and trainee teachers at Bishop Grosseteste University for being the driving force behind the packs. They have worked tirelessly to create a great range of teaching materials.” The school packs will be available to schools nationwide by Black History Month UK from October onwards. Click New Black History Resource Pack for schools launched by Black History Month UK to champion black history all year round, across all of the curriculum - Black History Month 2021 to access and read the full article. -
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 -
Bishop Grosseteste University ranked 2nd position in Top 10 Universities in the country for social inclusion
Bishop Grosseteste University has been announced 2nd in the top 10 ranking for social inclusion in the country in this year’s Sunday Times Good University Guide.
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