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Sociology graduate and BGU student researcher speaking at TEDX event
The independently organised TEDx event aims to share bold ideas, long truths, and jaw-dropping creative visions. The day event will feature a speaker programme, discussion groups, workshops and is designed to help you dig deeper and turn ideas into actions. Robyn studied Sociology at BGU and was also student researcher on this two-year project to that provided a programme of activities to raise awareness, share learning and promote progress using Participatory Action Research, to make BGU better placed to promote inclusion. Earlier this year, Robyn also gave a poster presentation at the International Conference on Women’s Leadership and Empowerment in Amsterdam on the project ‘Enabling Gender Equality in Leadership: an exploration of leadership and self-awareness at Bishop Grosseteste University’. Robyn Jackaman said: “I’m delighted to be speaking at the TEDxBrayfordPool event this November. I’m incredibly passionate about social change, gender and identity. “I’m currently aiming to accomplish a PhD in Education and work towards legislative changes in the British sex education, and I’m always up for a chat about my areas of research.” Photo credit: www.tedxbrayfordpool.com/tedxybp -
Autistic Perspectives to be Explored in Third Bishop Grosseteste University Participatory Autism Research Symposium.
Wednesday 16th November 2pm -
Carers’ Conference 2022
Earlier this month, we were delighted to host the 'Engaging, identifying and supporting carers within education and employment learning' Conference. This was a joint collaboration between BGU's Health and Social Care Community and Every-One, with an aim to raise the profile of unpaid carers. “An unpaid carer is described as someone who looks after a relative or friend who due to ill health, physical or mental illness, disability, frailty or addiction cannot manage without support” - Lincolnshire County Council A variety of guest speakers spoke throughout the day, along with BGU staff and students, all of whom shared their experience of being a carer. Over 80 delegates participated from a number of different healthcare providers in Lincolnshire. Representatives from Lincolnshire Coop, Lincolnshire County Council, Every-One, Carers First, Kisimul School, Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust and North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, were all in attendance, alongside our Health and Social care students. The students played a vital role at the conference, in terms of co-hosting and facilitating workshops. Speaking about the conference, The Rev’d Canon Professor Peter Neil, Vice-Chancellor of BGU, said: “As an institution we take carers very seriously and have obtained the Carers’ Award on repeated occasions which is in recognition of both the work with our students and staff who have caring responsibilities. It was good to have BGU being described as a centre of excellence for this particular group, and it was pleasing to hear so many positive comments from delegates and organisers about our students’ engagement with this as they will be the professionals with a role in taking the agenda forward as future innovators” Thank you to everyone who participated and attended in the conference. We look forward to seeing you again at future events. To find out more about our Health and Social courses at BGU, click here. You can also follow the team on social media: Health & Social Care Twitter Feed – follow us @BGUHSC Health & Social Care on Facebook – join us today https://www.facebook.com/groups/413626524138455/?ref=share -
Bishop Grosseteste University Third Participatory Autism Research Symposium Reflection
On 16th November 2022, Bishop Grosseteste University hosted it's third Participatory Autism Research Symposium. -
BGU Theology students take London!
A group of first year Bishop Grosseteste University students recently explored religious sites across London, giving them a unique insight into a variety of faiths. Nine Theology students spent four days meeting with religious practitioners and learning about their respective institutions and practices. The group were introduced to their beliefs and values, and the speakers were happy to answer any questions the students had. The sites included Westminster Abbey, Nipponzan Myohoji Peace Pagoda, Swaminarayan Hindu Mission Neasden Temple, ISKCON Centre Radha-Krishna Temple and the National Gallery. Theology and Education Studies student Lillie-Mae Green said: "These types of trips are great for experience and collecting fieldwork data for assignments. You get to see a new perspective that you couldn't achieve from just studying." As well as the academic benefits, Lillie-Mae was keen to learn more about different religious practices and cultures. She said: "My highlights for the trip were Radha-Krishna Temple, the Peace Pagoda and Neasden Temple. Each of these sites were amazing visually but also culturally. The people we met at these places were so kind and knowledgeable and even offered us gifts. It was clear how greatly they care for their institutions as well as their faith." "I've never been on a trip like this before, and getting first-hand experience of different religious institutions was an unforgettable time." Learn more about studying Theology -
BGU graduate sets up supercar charity business
Recent Bishop Grosseteste University alum Laurent McCready is supporting important causes through fundraising efforts and charity supercar events. Initially conceived as a business venture, LincsAutoClub aims to create a community of local people with an interest in supercars – luxury and performance – as well as classic motors. Alongside Co-Founders Will Hunter, Blake Keal, Sam Fearn, and Will Johns, Education Studies graduate Laurent was keen to collaborate with other small businesses by hosting events at local coffee shops, country parks, and even the bomber command centre. After a few successful events, the team saw an opportunity to use their time and efforts to raise money for good causes. Since then, LincsAutoClub has supported a variety of charities including Cancer Research UK, Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, and Lincolnshire Emergency Blood Bikes Service. The team also like to get out and about in the local area, taking part in the annual Santa Fun Run and using money raised to provide meals to vulnerable people over winter. According to Laurent, the team is not only driven by their shared love of cars, but by their desire to give back to the local community. He said: “We have an amazing community of guests supporting LincsAutoClub who all enjoy the fundraising events. “I just want to help other people and the charity work we do enables us to see the difference we make first hand.” Click here to learn more about LincsAutoClub. -
BGU Vice-Chancellor announces retirement
The Vice-Chancellor of Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), the Rev’d Canon Professor Peter Neil, has announced he will retire at the end of July 2023. He is the second vice-chancellor of the institution since it gained university title in 2012 and amongst the longest serving VCs in the UK. During his ten-year leadership, BGU has transformed from its former status as a university college with a strong tradition in teacher education to become a higher education provider that is shaped by a flourishing suite of research and knowledge exchange activities and an enhanced campus estate. Since 2013, the portfolio of taught provision has expanded to include professional studies, social sciences, and the humanities. The volume, scope, and quality of research at BGU has improved significantly with a four-fold increase in the number of researchers returned to the Research Excellence Framework between 2014 and 2021. Knowledge exchange has also gathered momentum during this time, especially through projects in partnership with the public sector. Throughout BGU has remained steadfastly committed to its person-centred approach and focus on the students’ experiences. Professor Neil said: “It has been an immense privilege working for Bishop Grosseteste University as one of the key education providers in the city. It is a very special place and its values and ethos remain as strong today as they did when the then College was opened in 1862. "I am extremely proud of what we continue to do for students and of the contribution that BGU and our community make to the life of the city, county and beyond.” The Chair of University Council Anne Frost said: “Professor Neil has been one of the longest serving Vice Chancellors of this very special education institution. The Council would like to thank him for everything he has done for the university in that time and wish him well for his retirement. We will now begin the recruitment process to find his successor.” Professor Neil - who is also a Canon of Lincoln Cathedral - will leave post at the end of July. -
Bishop Grosseteste University shortlisted in three categories for Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) is delighted to announce the University has been shortlisted for the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023 in three different categories. These include student support, halls and accommodation, and career prospects. The Whatuni Student Choice Awards is an annual event that recognises and celebrates excellence in higher education. The awards are based on feedback from thousands of students across the United Kingdom, who rate their universities on various aspects such as quality of teaching, campus facilities, student support, and accommodation. Collected on campuses across the country and on the Whatuni website, these reviews bring valuable insight into the institutions and make the WUSCAs the largest exclusively student-voted awards in the UK. The university has been shortlisted in the student support category, which recognises institutions that go above and beyond to support their students during their time at university. The halls and accommodation category acknowledges universities that provide high-quality accommodation options for their students. Finally, BGU has also been shortlisted in the career prospects category, which recognises universities that help their graduates to secure employment after graduation. Bishop Grosseteste University Pro Vice-Chancellor Rob Boast said: “We are thrilled to have been shortlisted for three categories at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023. As an institution that puts students at the heart of everything we do, it is incredibly rewarding to be recognised for our commitment to providing an exceptional standard of student support, accommodation, and delivering excellent career prospects. “These nominations are a testament to the collaborative hard work of all our staff and we take great pride in knowing that our students have a positive and fulfilling experience at Bishop Grosseteste University.” The winners of the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023 will be announced at a ceremony in London in April 2023. BGU will be hoping to add to its previous success in the awards, having placed second for Student Support in 2022. -
Love Letter to BGU
Bishop Grosseteste University recently held a creative writing competition, asking members of the BGU community to write a love letter to the University. The competition marked the end of a year of celebrations for the University's 160th birthday. Some of the entries received offered words of affection directly to the university in the form of a traditional poem, some mapped the poet's journey through their BGU experience, and some took a more comical, freeform approach. But all were insightful, personal accounts of their relationship with the university. But there could only be one winner, and that was Lucetta Crosskill, whose work was commended for its nostalgic recollection of the poet's experience at BGU. The poem captures the emotions and challenges of starting a new chapter in life, and the sense of belonging that comes from finding a welcoming community. It was found to be a heartwarming reflection on the transformative power of education and the impact of a supportive community. The winner received a special valentines day gift as a prize. A book containing all the submissions has been created and placed in the University archives and a copy has been sent to those who entered. Read Lucetta's poem below. Dear BGU, The letter read ‘you are invited to an interview’ Excited, nervous, apprehensive…my feelings – just a few. On entering the Maths department, the welcome, and the smiles. Out of the Uni’s, I had visited, this was the best by miles. ‘I did it!’ When I received the letter, I had got a place. Surprise, amazement and ‘oh my goodness’ overcame my face. It was a Sunday, in September, back in 1999, I arrived at BG with my bags, looking for my room sign. Unpacking my bags, in my lonely, bare room, I thought what have I done? Living with a load of strangers, would it be awful or fun? As I got used to my surroundings and found my way around, The historic BG buildings, and new friends, I excitedly found. The hard work very quickly started, but I knew it was for me, The library, the learning, the lectures… I loved everything at BG. Early morning teaching practice very soon started. Grimsby, Scunthorpe, Mansfield, Lincoln… 6.45am we departed. In my time within these schools, so much that I did learn, My very own class, my end goal…was what I did yearn. My mentors - they were the very best…Mrs Morley and Miss Emery too. Lifelong friends I have gained and into the role of the teacher I grew. Lincoln became my second home, in halls and houses I resided. But often jumping on the train to visit home, I decided. A new tradition in my life, the Market each December, And now I take my children there and share things I remember. As I wore my gown and mortarboard in 2003, I knew that in my heart one day, back at BG I’d be. It wasn’t long before I decided to do another degree. There was only one place, to do my MA…back at BG. Whilst teaching full-time, it was September in 2005, Excitedly, I prepared myself and at BG I did arrive. A challenge, but at home and school I was very well supported. I knew the hard work would be worth it and I’d be rewarded. Without a shadow of a doubt, completing my Masters at BG, Was, within my teaching and learning career, one of the proudest moments for me. So thank you BG to you all, in my life you have played a huge part. Memories, learning, staff, and my friends - you are always in my heart. -
BGU lecturer explores The Ruskin Speech in new research article
A publication written by James Silverwood, Senior Lecturer in Business at BGU, and his co-author, Peter Wolstencroft of Liverpool John Moores University is now free to read on the website of the British Educational Research Journal. The journal article ‘The Ruskin Speech and Great Debate in English Education, 1976-1979: A study of motivation’ reignites debate about the intentions behind the intervention into educational by James Callaghan and his Labour government starting with the Prime Minister’s speech at Ruskin College, Oxford in October 1976. There is good reason why Callaghan’s speech remains lodged within the popular consciousness amongst educationalists, it been possible to trace forward integral aspects of the speech into controversial elements of education in England in the present day. Foremost among them been the concentration of regulatory power within a national body, Ofsted, the centrality of a national curriculum within educational provision, and the firmly link education with the delivery of employability. Consequently, the Ruskin speech is often conceptualized as a ‘turning point’ within English education leading inexorably towards the modern English educational system. As we approach the fiftieth anniversary of Callaghan’s Ruskin speech in 2026, it was time to engage in retrospective, something James and Peter’s paper achieves by critically inspecting the speech in the context in which it was delivered, rather than with the benefit of hindsight of knowing the subsequent trajectory of the English educational system. Conducting documentary analysis of archival material held in the National Archives, Kew Gardens, the authors conclude that the motivation for Callaghan’s speech at Ruskin College was to support the ideals of the comprehensive educational system, rather than institute widespread educational reform. This is in contrast to the common understanding of the Ruskin speech within English educational history as delineated above. Dr James Silverwood Speaking about his research, James Silverwood, said: “There is no doubt that the Ruskin speech is a seismic event in the history of education in England, but perhaps not for the reasons currently considered. “We found no evidence in the archives to suggest that the motivation of Callaghan and his Labour government was to implement widespread educational reform. Much the opposite, evidence suggested they were motivated to support and defend the comprehensive educational system from attack by political opponents who would seek to reform it. Where subsequent governments have referred back to the Ruskin speech as justification for educational transformation away from comprehensive ideals it to imbue the Ruskin speech with motivations that were not shared by Callaghan and his Labour government.” You can read the journal article here.
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