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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 -
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Perceptions of Death in Collective Memory: Numbers | Spaces | Texts
Perceptions of Death in Collective Memory: Numbers | Spaces | Texts Project & Collaboration Dr Sibylle Erle, FRSA, FHEA (Reader in English Literature), Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln Dr Makrina Agaoglou (Postdoctoral Researcher), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Institute of Mathematical Sciences (ICMAT), Madrid Sophie Ungerer, FHEA, ARB (Senior Lecturer & Architect), University of Brighton Phase 1: Completed. We have submitted a proposal to present our work at Academic and Creative Responses to Death and Dying, organised by the Chaplaincy at BGU. Phase 2: Collaboration This collaborative project has been an inspiring journey into new territory for all three if us, bringing together a mathematician, an architect and myself, a Reader in English Literature. I am still scared of numbers, but I am getting better at reading graphs and listening to my colleagues. This collaboration has brought us together. We started breaking down complex ideas for each other and in return learned to look at our disciplines from a new angle. We are not afraid to push back and insist on what we feel passionate above. We are now playing to our strengths, and we are having fun! Why collaborate? I work on William Blake and my chosen field of research is well established. I enjoy trying to break new ground and make new connections between ideas and different fields of research. I am good at making connections between ideas that might seem unexpected but often flourish. I am also good at underestimating myself. When things go wrong, sometimes it is difficult to draw a line (let go) and move on. To make it work there needs to be openness and respect between colleagues, trust in cooperation, determination, focus, persistence, and excellence. As we are moving into the second phase of our project, I am excited to explore where our collaboration will take us as a team and me personally. At BGU Blake and Death are taught as part of the Romanticism, Young Adult and Children’s Literature modules (Undergraduate English Programmes – joined and single honours) and the MA Children’s Literature and Literacies strand of the MA English Literature. -
BGU awarded silver Hedgehog Friendly Campus
The university improves on their previous bronze accreditation after implementing a number of hog-friendly measures across campus. -
Bishop Grosseteste University’s results in Research Excellence Framework 2021
BGU is committed to supporting excellent research in all its forms. Research and knowledge exchange at the University also achieves impact in its local and regional communities, as well as nationally and internationally, it underpins its doctoral programme provision, and engages students in research-informed learning and teaching. BGU’s submission to REF 2021 reflects a period of significant growth in its research and knowledge exchange. Two more Units of Assessment have been added to the three that were returned in REF 2014, there has been a four-fold increase in the number of staff submitted, a near three-fold increase in the number of outputs, and a four-fold increase in research income. The University submitted work reflecting established fields of research expertise in Education, English Language and Literature, and History, and made its first entries in Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience and in Theology and Religious Studies. The results include published outputs of world-leading quality and acknowledge fields of internationally excellent public impact, and a rich, vibrant, and diverse research environment and culture. Vice-Chancellor, Revd Canon Professor Peter Neil, said: “These results mark an important milestone in BGU’s development as a provider with a reputation for excellence in research and knowledge exchange. “We have embraced the spirit of inclusivity in the REF and reflected research activity and interests across the whole of the institution. This successful outcome emphasises the breadth of our research, includes outputs which are regarded as internationally excellent and highlights our public impact with local, regional and international reach. “I am extremely grateful to colleagues for all their hard work in expanding and enhancing research at BGU over the last seven years. I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of our external partners in supporting many areas of our research.” -
BGU graduate sets up a social enterprise
Denise has over 40 years’ experience of teaching music and is a BA (Hons) Health and Social Care graduate from BGU. Denise explains “I have been employed for many years in the health and social care sector, working with young people in rehab, supported living and care home residential settings, young people and adults with learning difficulties and those suffering with mental health problems. I am passionate about helping them achieve their goals. I had thought about studying for a degree for years and after a change in personal circumstances decided that it was the right time to embark on the journey. I chose to study at BGU as the location is ideal and the group size relatively small. Any feelings of apprehension about going to university and worrying about being too old or not being able to cope with the work were soon dismissed. I had excellent teaching staff, was made welcome and put at ease. The student group consisted of a variety of ages, and I never once felt out of place. It was a friendly and supportive group. Admittedly at times it was difficult fitting everything in, work, an elderly parent to care for and the ongoing demands of family life; a husband, grown up children and grandchildren! I was determined to get through the whole experience and so pleased I did. I would not have missed it for the world. "Throughout the years I have used music, art and craft to improve wellbeing, build confidence and self-esteem, enabling people to perform and entertain. I believe that the arts can have a lasting and powerful effect on an individual's health. They can be a fun way to socialise and make friends.” Denise said “the support I received from Sarah at BG Futures has been extremely valuable and important. It has helped and encouraged me to continue and develop the confidence needed to run my own business. OUR ECLECTIC ARTS is available for anyone aged over 18 years and caters for all abilities. The service is bought to clients whether in their own home, residential or community setting. At present I am concentrating on a 30-mile radius covering Lincoln to Louth as well as coastal areas. "Regardless of age, if anyone is thinking of starting their own business my advice is to ask for help and advice and to talk through your ideas with friends and family. Do your market research to offer something different and go for it. To encourage others, I always say, if I can do it, so can you.” Sarah adds “Denise’s market research revealed that there are a limited number of organisations delivering wide-ranging art activities, in the community, to individuals that have difficulties accessing services. OUR ECLECTIC ARTS is dedicated to offering a broader range of activities within the Arts. Denise has a client centric approach and a genuine interest in improving people’s lives. This has been reinforced by choosing to operate as a social enterprise whereby trading profits will be reinvested to do more of this good work.” For more information about OUR ECLECTIC ARTS contact Denise on dpopple8@gmail.com Instagram: oureclecticarts Facebook: Our Eclectic Arts If you are a BGU student or recent graduate and are interested in finding out what support is available from the BG Futures team click here. -
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Incorporating sustainability and ethical practice into policies and practices relating to the BGU community -
Responsible Consumption and Recycling
Incorporating sustainability and ethical practice across all areas at Bishop Grosseteste University -
Bishop Grosseteste University celebrates excellent National Student Survey results
For three subjects in particular BGU placed in the top ten in the UK, with Literature and English finishing in first place with a satisfaction score of 100%, Sport Science ranking second with 96%, and Health Studies rising to 10th nationally with a 90% satisfaction score. The NSS is an annual survey for undergraduate students that invites them to share feedback on their university experience. Around half a million students are asked to give their opinions relating to various aspects of their course, including teaching quality, assessment and feedback, and learning community. The results help prospective students make informed choices about their education and provide important data for universities and colleges to improve their student experience. The latest survey results show BGU has made substantial improvements in ranking across all NSS core question categories. In the 2022 survey, BGU is ranked in the top 30 for eight out of nine categories – including first for timely feedback, third for student assessment and feedback, and sixth for learning resources. Satisfaction with access to learning resources has also improved, with satisfaction with library resources climbing to 4th, and access to course specific resources rising to 14th. Other highlights also include Education and Teaching Training course areas, placed in the top 25 which is their highest ever ranking to date, and Childhood and Youth Studies reporting above sector satisfaction rates. Rob Boast, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Students) at BGU, said: “The community at BGU prides itself on ensuring that students are a name not a number, and we’re pleased that so many of our final year undergraduates, who experienced all the turbulence of learning throughout the pandemic, have shared such positive feedback about their time with us. “As a small university we are perfectly positioned to offer our students a personal and tailored experience, so it is encouraging that areas such as academic support, assessment and feedback, learning community and student voice have reported high satisfaction rates. “The sharp rise in our ranking across several categories reflects a lot of hard work from our staff across all departments, working collaboratively to provide a student-focussed learning experience, and we will continue with our ambitious plans to expand on our outstanding record for student progression, achievement and employability on a national level.” -
Dr Sunny Dhillon
Prior to joining the Education Studies team in November 2021, Sunny spent five years as a learning developer at the University of Leeds, as well as at BGU, where he also worked as a Visiting Tutor in the Theology, Ethics and Society department. Sunny conducted his doctoral research through the Philosophy department at Cardiff University, focussing on the concept of utopia through the works of Friedrich W. Nietzsche, Ernst Bloch and Theodor W. Adorno. Sunny’s research interests include Critical Theory (The Frankfurt School), Nietzsche, Jiddu Krishnamurti, Utopia and Philosophy of Education. His current research projects critically explore education as ontotheological principle, and student engagement from the perspective of academics in the social sciences who often experience a ‘disclosure dilemma’ when deciding what perspectives to share with students across levels of HE. Office number: Skinner 119 ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6632-701X Blog: https://dsdhillon.medium.com/
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