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Tennyson Discovery Sheds New Light On Victorian Poets
Lincolnshire Poet Laureate Alfred Lord Tennyson owned an original copy of William Blake’s masterpiece Illustrations of the Book of Job, a Lincoln academic has discovered. The book, which consists of a series of engraved prints by Blake published in 1826, has been part of the Tennyson Research Centre at Lincolnshire County Council for many years. The discovery by Dr Sibylle Erle is significant as the book had been archived as part of Tennyson’s collection of Old and New Testaments Bibles. Until now Blake scholars were unaware that Tennyson owned one of the 150 original copies of Blake’s Job. “This discovery is of international importance,” said Dr Erle, Senior Lecturer in English at Bishop Grosseteste University. “It poses the question, what did Tennyson make of Blake? “Tennyson probably acquired the book before the publication of the first major Blake biography in 1863, which reignited interest in Blake and his work in the mid-nineteenth century. It’s important to realise that Tennyson got hold of his copy before the Blake revival started. Tennyson has been compared to Blake but now there is evidence that Tennyson was interested in Blake. “I’m still working on the implications of this possession. The interesting question is: who else would have seen it? The Rossettis? Tennyson kept it with some other illustrated books in a prominent position on his drawing room table on the Isle of Wight, where they would have been placed to entertain visitors and to stimulate conversation. “The real discovery is the list of books on Tennyson’s drawing room table. Blake’s Job was one of many illustrated books Tennyson chose to have on display. Blake did his own illustrations but Tennyson couldn’t. Illustrations, of course, were crucial to Victorian book illustration. What did Tennyson make of Blake, his artistic independence and relationship with his audience? That is what I want to think about and find out about.” Grace Timmins, Collections Access Officer at the Tennyson Research Centre in Lincoln, commented: “It’s very pleasing when the unexpected significance of an item is discovered. Connections do emerge in the rich range of material here, but Dr Erle’s visits were particularly fruitful in an unexplored area.” Blake’s biographer Alexander Gilchrist wrote that “The engravings are the best Blake ever did: vigorous, decisive…” while the art critic John Ruskin claimed “Blake is greater than Rembrandt”. Dr Erle has been working on an online exhibition about Tennyson’s copy of The Illustration of the Book of Job. The website can now be found at https://www.lincstothepast.com/exhibitions/tennyson of the books and other items from the Tennyson Archive are on display at Lincoln Central Library from now until 30th September 2013. Dr Sibylle Erle is Senior Lecturer in English at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln. She teaches mainly 18th and 19th-century literature and researches into text/image relationships, Anglo-German relations and problems of representation. -
New Vice Chancellor Starts Today at BGU
A new Vice Chancellor has taken up his post at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln today (Wednesday, 1 May). The Reverend Professor Peter Neil has taken the reins at the university after moving south from the University of the West of Scotland, where he was Interim Executive Dean of the Faculty of Education, Health and Social Sciences. Professor Neil has a distinguished academic record in the fields of education and theology and has been a prominent figure in the world of Scottish higher education. “I have been looking forward to coming to Lincoln for months now but nothing could have prepared me for the very warm welcome to the city and for the overwhelming support which has been shown to me on campus,” said Professor Neil. “The university is in a very strong position, having reached many landmarks in the last year. We need to be prepared, however, not to rest on our laurels, to look for new opportunities and to face inevitable challenges as we move on into the next phase in our story. “I am delighted to be part of this institution at this particular time and feel that we, as a team of staff and students, are well equipped to take BGU further as a university.” Professor Neil was born on the Isle of Bute on the west coast of Scotland. After working as a teacher of modern languages in Scotland he moved to Belfast where he became a senior lecturer in Education at Queen’s University Belfast. Whilst at Queen’s he completed a PhD in Education and began studying theology. In 2003 he took up the role of director of Education and Lifelong learning at Aberystwyth University, subsequently returning to his native Scotland as Head of the School of Education at the University of the West of Scotland. With a wide range of research interests centred on education and on theology Professor Neil has written books on language teaching, Continuous Professional Development and teacher mentoring. He has researched topics ranging from language education to school leadership and ordinary theology, publishing in academic journals and speaking at international conferences. Professor Neil succeeds Professor Muriel Robinson who retired last week after almost ten years in charge of BGU. For interview and photo opportunities please contact Jez Ashberry at Shooting Star PR on 01522 528540 or email jez@shootingstar-pr.co.uk. -
New Vice Chancellor for Bishop Grosseteste University
The Rev Professor Peter Neil will become Bishop Grosseteste University’s next Vice-Chancellor. Professor Neil will succeed Professor Muriel Robinson OBE who retires in April 2013 after 10 years at BG. -
BGU's New Deputy Vice Chancellor Looks to Future
Building the university's research profile and enhancing international links are two of the goals identified by the new Deputy Vice Chancellor of Bishop Grosseteste University. Professor Jayne Mitchell last week took up the new role of Deputy Vice Chancellor with responsibility for academic affairs. She was formerly Director of Research, Development and Partnerships at the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and before that Associate Dean at Staffordshire University. "My role at BGU is a completely new one and my remit is to focus on three areas: teaching and learning, research and international activity," she said. "One of our long-term aims is to grow the university's research capacity and capability and to raise the profile of the research work being undertaken by staff. We also want to enhance the internationalisation of the BGU experience both for UK students and students coming to BGU from overseas." Professor Mitchell is no stranger to Lincolnshire, having grown up near Cleethorpes, but it was the heritage and growing reputation of Bishop Grosseteste University that appealed to her. "I was attracted by the job and the institution - where it is now and where it's going in the future," Professor Mitchell explained. "This is a really exciting time for BGU. The university has a strong heritage and firm foundations, but there are also plans for development and expansion in a controlled way and scope to move to even bigger and better things. That was really attractive and something I wanted to contribute to." The Vice Chancellor of BGU, the Reverend Professor Peter Neil, welcomed Professor Mitchell to the university. "We are sure that Jayne will make a valuable contribution to the strategic direction of BGU and we are extremely pleased to welcome her as part of the senior leadership team," he said. Professor Mitchell completed her PhD in Physical Activity Epidemiology at the University of Exeter and holds a Master's in Public Health from the University of Birmingham. She has previously held a number of posts in higher education institutions that reflect her commitment to quality assurance and academic and research interests in physical activity and health. She will work at BGU alongside Hâf Merrifield, Deputy Vice Chancellor for strategy and performance. News release 11th March 2014 -
BGU Academic Elected to Children’s Spirituality Role
An academic at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln has been elected Vice-Chair of the International Association for Children’s Spirituality (IACS). Dr Kate Adams, Reader in Education at BGU, has been researching and publishing on the topic for 15 years. The IACS promotes research and practice in children's spirituality and has members in 16 countries.Ofsted currently inspects schools’ provision for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, and if it finds weaknesses in this provision a school will be judged to require improvement or be rated inadequate. “Most academics in the field agree that schools’ recognition of children’s spiritual life is extremely important at this point in history, when many teachers feel overwhelmed by targets, exam results, league tables and inspections,” said Kate.“However, variable provision in initial teacher training and continuing professional development can mean that many teachers have not been fully informed about children’s spirituality, leading them to miss the richness of this dimension of children’s lives. “This is worrying, because without the appropriate grounding, adults can underestimate young people’s ability to explore and express their sense of self. In a busy classroom it is too easy to miss the fascinating ways in which children seek meaning and purpose in their lives and find their place in the world.” Kate has recently secured a grant from the British Educational Leadership, Management and Administration Society to explore the key leadership qualities which help primary schools to be outstanding in relation to children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (SMSC). “If we can capture those specific leadership qualities, this knowledge and understanding can be used to support schools who find it difficult to achieve effective SMSC throughout their curriculum, thereby benefiting more children,” said Kate. Members of the International Association for Children’s Spirituality across the world collaborate to help educators and other professionals understand this compelling dimension of children’s lives. “As Vice-Chair I’m looking forward to working with international colleagues in developing the association in meeting these aims,” Kate added. -
New Head of Teacher Development Takes Up Post at BGU
Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln has appointed Dr Nick Gee from the University of East Anglia to lead its School of Teacher Development. The university has now made three appointments to take charge of its new Schools of Teacher Development, Humanities and Social Sciences. Under the new academic structure Dr Graham Basten is Head of the School of Social Sciences while Dr Andrew Jackson is Head of the School of Humanities. BGU has been a pioneer and a leader in teacher education since its creation in 1862 and Dr Gee says he is looking forward to building on its strong reputation in the field of teacher training. "Speaking as someone who’s been involved with teacher education for over 11 years, BGU has a great reputation and heritage and I’m delighted to be joining an institution that has such strong traditions,” he said. “I’m excited about the fact that as an institution we’re at the start of a process of change; our new Five-Year Strategy was launched recently and I’m pleased to be arriving at a time when there’s an ambition to move forward and develop both the international and the research agendas.” Dr Gee joins BGU from the University of East Anglia, where he held the positions of Associate Dean in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Senior Lecturer in the School of Education and Lifelong Learning. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a BA (Hons) in Geography and holds a PGCE and EdD from the University of East Anglia. His primary research interest is outdoor education, and he is also a higher education representative in national consultations on assessment reform. “I am really looking forward to working with with partnership colleagues and strengthening our links throughout the region,” he said. The university’s Five-Year Strategy was announced in October 2014. -
Former Archbishop of Canterbury to Speak at BGU
The former Archbishop of Canterbury, The Rt Rev Rt Hon Lord Rowan Williams, will be in Lincoln next month to give a lecture at Bishop Grosseteste University. He has been invited to speak by the Lincoln Theological Society on Tuesday 7th April and the subject of his talk will be Centenarians, Teresa of Avila and Thomas Merton. Lord Rowan Williams was Archbishop of Canterbury from 2002 to 2012 and is now Master of Magdelene College, Cambridge. His lecture will take place at 7.30pm in the Robert Hardy Building at BGU. Bishop Grosseteste University is also staging a series of lectures to mark the 800th anniversary of the signing of Magna Carta. Magna Carta itself will be the subject of a talk by Dame Pauline Green on Wednesday 29th April at 2pm. Dame Pauline is the first female president in the 120-year history of the International Co-operative Alliance. Tickets for the Lord Rowan Williams lecture cost £5 and include wine, juice and car parking. To book visit the Lincoln Minster Shop, send an email to shop@lincolncathedral.com or visit Unicorn Tree Books in Lincoln Central Market. To book a place at Dame Pauline Green’s lecture contact Jessica Lyons by calling 01522 583681 or emailing jessica.lyons@bishopg.ac.uk. This lecture is free of charge and refreshments are provided. -
Exploring the Magna Carta at BGU Lecture
Exploring the Magna Carta at BGU Lecture The President of the International Co-operative Alliance will give a talk about the Magna Carta at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln to mark the 800th anniversary of the signing of the famous document. Dame Pauline Green will use her lecture on Wednesday 29th April to draw parallels between the Magna Carta and the modern co-operative movement. The Magna Carta is credited with laying down the core principles of British democracy, and its influence spread around the world as emerging nations searched for an equitable and just governance system. Democratic principles also lie at the heart of the co-operative business model developed 600 years after Magna Carta by a group of mill workers in Rochdale. The ‘Law First’ of the Rochdale Pioneers spawned a modern model of business that has reached all parts of the globe. Dame Pauline Green is the first female President in the 120-year history of the International Co-operative Alliance. She was elected in 2009 and re-elected for a second term in 2013. In her lecture she will argue that the co-operative movement is the best ever initiative for taking people out of poverty with dignity that the world has ever seen, and one of the UK’s most enduring exports. The lecture will take place at 2pm on Wednesday 29th April in the Robert Hardy Lecture Theatre at BGU. The event is free and open to everyone, and refreshments will be served. To book your place contact Jessica Lyons by calling 01522 583681 or by emailing jessica.lyons@bishopg.ac.uk. -
Enjoy Bhajis and Bhangra Beats at BGU Bollywood Evening
Tickets are still available to join in the one-night-only Bollywood bash at Bishop Grosseteste University. This year’s Bollywood-themed evening will take place on Sunday 13th September 2015 to raise money for the Bishop Grosseteste University Foundation Fund. For just £25 guests will be treated to a screening of Bollywood movie Queen, followed by an authentic Indian meal in the Refectory. The evening will begin at The Venue at BGU from 5pm, with the bar open from 4pm. Queen is a 2014 comedy-drama directed by Vikas Bahl and produced by Anurang Kashyap. The film tells the story of a young Delhi girl who decides to travel alone on her planned honeymoon after her fiancé ends their relationship. Hannah Clipsham, Events Manager for BGU, said: “Bollywood is one of the largest centres of film production in the world, so this is a real treat for everyone, whether you are already an avid fan of Indian film and culture or not. “This will be our fourth annual Bollywood evening, which has always been very popular in the past. And as if there were another excuse needed to get involved, we will direct all proceeds from the evening to the BGU Foundation Fund. “This event is co-organised with the dedicated support and generosity of Jasmit Phull, a member of the Bishop Grosseteste University Council, who works hard to make it a success.” The BGU Foundation Fund exists to encourage and enable students and alumni to take part in voluntary or community engagement activities, both here in the UK and overseas. The initiative supports charitable projects that clearly demonstrate enrichment to the students, but cannot be otherwise resourced through the university’s main funds. It also helps staff to develop innovative activities which enhance the student experience and supports the Students’ Union clubs and societies. Over the last year grants have been provided to support many diverse activities, including a visit by one student to Japan to take part in the world Scout Jamboree. Another is travelling to Bangalore, India as part of a visual arts project. Although it is not compulsory, guests are welcome to fully embrace the evening of Bollywood glamour and arrive in traditional Indian or international dress. For tickets or more information please contact Jessica Lyons in the BG Venues Conference and Events Office 01522 583702 or email jessica.lyons@bishopg.ac.uk -
Visiting Professorship at BGU for Australian Health Expert
A leading healthcare expert from Australia has become a visiting professor at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln. Professor Amanda Kenny accepted the visiting professorship from Professor Jayne Mitchell, Deputy Vice Chancellor at BGU, at a special lunch in honour of her visit today (Tuesday). Professor Kenny, who is Professor of Rural and Regional Nursing at La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University in Bendigo near Melbourne, Australia, is paying her second visit to BGU this week with two colleagues. She will give a guest lecture and seminar and is working with researchers from the School of Social Sciences at the university on future health research projects. “Professor Kenny has made outstanding contributions to knowledge exchange, education, professional practice and consultancy, principally in the fields of nursing, rural and public health,” said Professor Mitchell. “We recently launched a suite of health and social care courses to complement our counselling and psychology programmes and we are delighted that she has accepted our offer of a visiting professorship.” Professor Kenny said: “La Trobe University and Bishop Grosseteste University have striking similarities in the way they have developed and the successes and challenges they face. We have fantastic opportunities for cross-disciplinary research in such fields as oral health for children and psychosocial cancer care. “I feel privileged that we will be able to work together on collaborative research projects and look forward to staff and student exchanges in the future.” Professor Kenny is widely published internationally and is frequently invited as a key speaker at national and international conferences. The partnership has been facilitated by a former colleague, Dr Janice Pascal, who now works at Bishop Grosseteste University as Academic Co-ordinator for Health and Social Care.
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