Search results
-
Ongoing Study
We don’t regard it that you’ve finished at BGU just because you’ve qualified. We have much more opportunities for you to continue your passion for learning. -
Student-led Social Enterprise is on the rise
As an alternative to protesting, students are channelling their energy through causes they care about into business plans, thanks to the symbiosis of increased awareness and support for social entrepreneurship, says Head of the Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT) Dr Claire Thomson. -
Armed Forces Support at BGU
Opportunities for Armed Forces Members & Families -
BG & You
Welcome to our university magazine, BG & You, your guide to what’s happening at Bishop Grosseteste University. -
Reverend Dr Tania ap Siôn
The Revd Dr Tania ap Siôn is Reader of Religions, Humanities and Education, and joined Bishop Grosseteste University in 2018. She holds a BA and MA in Theology from Oxford University, an MA in Religious Studies from the University of Wales, Bangor, and a PhD in Education (focusing on theology, psychology and education) from the University of Warwick. Tania’s academic research has a strong relationship with professional practice in church-related, school-related, and community-related contexts. This is underpinned by the professional qualification of PGCE in Religious Studies, ordination as an Anglican priest in the Church in Wales, active membership of national and international organisations concerned with religion in schools, and the position of Executive Director of the St Mary’s Centre (a Christian research institute in Wales). Previously, Tania has held academic posts at Bangor University (1994-2007), Glyndwr University Wrexham (2011-2015), and the University of Warwick (2015-2018). Funded by the Wrexham (Parochial) Educational Foundation in partnership with Bishop Grosseteste University, since October 2020 Tania has been working on the St Giles’ Centre Research, Development and Impact Project in Religious Education, which is an exciting and innovative development taking place in the Wrexham County Borough, North East Wales. -
Revd Prof Jeff Astley
Jeff Astley holds the part-time post of Alister Hardy Professor of Religious and Spiritual Experience. His main research interests are religious and spiritual experiences, Christian formation and ‘ordinary theology’. He is currently working on a research project jointly with the University of Warwick and Boston University, USA. For four years (1977-1981) Jeff was Head of Religious Studies at Bishop Grosseteste College and Associate Tutor at Lincoln Theological College, overseeing a joint degree programme taught at both institutions. From 1981 to 2013, he was the founding Director of the North of England Institute for Christian Education, an independent, ecumenical research and development centre (https://neice.webspace.durham.ac.uk/) with strong links with Durham University where he taught on courses in philosophical theology, science and religion and practical theology, and where he is also an honorary Professor in the Department of Theology and Religion. Jeff studied biological sciences and theology as an undergraduate at Cambridge University, and did postgraduate work in theology at Birmingham University and Durham University (where he received his PhD). He is the author or editor of over 40 books and 150 articles or essays on religious faith, experience and formation; philosophical, systematic, ordinary and practical theology; and various related issues in Christian education and spirituality. -
Student Research Studies Form Part of New Oxford Press Collection
A new collection from Oxford Press, featuring original research studies from two Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) students and edited under the supervision of Dr. Maria Efstratopoulou, Senior Lecturer in Special Educational Needs at BGU has been released. The Collection, titled ‘Interdisciplinary Reflections and Socio-Cultural Issues in Education: Anthropological, Legal and Educational Views for Vulnerable Groups’, highlights the latest knowledge and new ideas as “food for thought”, which can be applied in peoples’ everyday life, and particularly in the everyday educational practice. The two BGU students, Sue Wood a Doctoral Candidate, EdD from BGU presenting a part of her Doctoral Thesis and Abigail MacDougall, a SENI graduate in 2019, have each submitted a chapter for the book under Dr Efstratopoulou’s supervision. Sue’s chapter explores ‘Assessment in Special Education: Improving professionals’ skills using video footage’ whilst Abigail’s investigates Parents’ perceptions of the impact of early stage exam tests on anxiety levels in young children with and without Autism. The full book presents current socio-cultural issues for discussion, trying to enhance the quality of teaching and increase students’ interest and inclusion. Its first part presents this new era with new needs that have arisen and the second one, ideas for practice and methodological issues. It refers to young and experienced teachers of all levels, psychologists, social workers and people who work in education and provides material for thought and reflection. The texts include current topics such as Education and Leading Strategies in Special Education as well as topics related to increasing motivation in the educational process. In addition, traveling through the pages of this book you can find out original research articles on innovative topics. You can purchase your copy of the full book here. Courses at BGU are packed with unique learning opportunities and led by academics with international expertise. To find out how you can become a part of the BGU community, visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team. -
Student Podcast Explores the Narratives and Cultural Impact of Video Games
Second year student Josh Sykes has launched a new podcast exploring the narratives of video games. Created as part of his work studying English Literature at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), the podcast offers listeners the chance to join Josh as he, and guests, discuss how settings and stories are shaped along with how games can offer explorations of topics such as war and mental health. Despite having no previous experience creating podcasts Josh explains what drew him to the project: “The English@Work module presented a unique opportunity to explore my own interests and hobbies whilst at the same time allowing me to discover how these interests can be applied to workplace scenarios. For me, I have a deep interest in the world of videogames including the way settings and stories are shaped to the way in which games can engage with the player through explorations of topics such as war and mental health. Thus, through the English@Work module, I could explore these topics in a greater detail whilst also illustrating how I can take the topic of videogames and apply it to any workplace situation. At the start of this project I was new to the world of podcast and audio production but through the progression of it I was able to develop a good level of knowledge in editing and recording of audio files whilst also developing a critical eye for what was best placed in the podcast. The experience of creating the podcast has been enjoyable and I am pleased with the final outcome and the feedback received has been positive, but I am also pleased that I chose to do the podcast project as it allowed me to meet a variety of people from experts on videogames to audio professionals as well as develop a variety of skills that I did not possess at the start of the project.” You can listen to the first episode of the podcast, where Josh is joined Esther MacCallum-Stewart, an Associate Professor at Staffordshire University and an expert in narratives in games, by clicking here. English@Work is a second-year module that focuses specifically on employability and opportunities to apply subject-specific skills and knowledge and develop an enhanced awareness of the transferability of those skills through project-based learning. In partnership with BG Futures team, and this module embeds students’ understanding of their transferable communication skills and information literacies in specific, employability contexts. Dr Claudia Capancioni, Programme Leader for English at BGU, praised both Josh and his peers for how they have embraced their projects despite wider international complications: “The sudden and unprecedented circumstances caused by Covid-19 had an immediate impact on the projects our students worked on this academic year but our students' reaction and resilience have given us fantastic stories of achievement. Colleagues from across BGU who have worked with the students, including our BG Futures team and Nikki Smith, Lecturer in Business, have been incredibly impressed with their efforts and particularly how successfully they have adapted and transformed their projects demonstrating incredible resourcefulness, and creativity.” For more information on how you can become apart of BGU’s learning community, visit our website, or speak to a member of our Enquiries Team. -
Self-determination explored at special symposium
Researchers from around the world attend symposium organised by BGU academic -
Lecturer Helps Develop New Risk Assessment Tool for Animal-Assisted Interventions
Dr Mirena Dimolareva, Lecturer in Psychology at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), together with colleagues and the University of Lincoln and Virginia Commonwealth University, USA has published a risk assessment tool for animal-assisted interventions in any settings. The tool is free to use for staff and practitioners nationally and internationally, in any setting (including education, nursing homes, hospitals) and aims to provide unified, standardised guidelines for animal-assisted therapy as well as animal-assisted interventions and activities. It is a comprehensive tool which takes into consideration the animal and human care and welfare. Speaking following the publication, Dr Dimolareva discussed what drove the research and what users could expect from the new tool: “Animal-Assisted Interventions in various settings have become extremely popular in recent years. Most often, therapy dog visits are organised for hospitals, nursing homes, schools and other educational settings with some scientific research showing beneficial effects. Other animals such as cats and reptiles also provide visits, but the beneficial effects are less known. As a new area of work and research there is lack of clarity around these visits and interventions. Furthermore, thorough risk assessments which consider all involved- the service users, staff, therapy animals and handlers are often overlooked. This free-to-use detailed Risk Assessment Tool was created to provide information on the risk related to Animal-Assisted Interventions as well as a Risk Assessment Template for any setting. The aim is to unify the field and thoroughly consider the safety and well-being of all involved. It is flexible and easy to use, providing the opportunity to incorporate procedures and protocols relevant to the different institutions hosting the animals and handlers.” The publication and attached tool is available for free by clicking here.. If you have a subject you’re passionate about exploring then BGU is perfect place for you to start. Find out about our supportive and collaborative learning environment, by visiting our website, booking onto one of our Open Events or by speaking to our Enquiries Team.
Explore BGU
Browse our wide range of degree courses and find the perfect one for you.
Open days are the best way to find out what BGU has to offer.
Download your copy of our prospectus to find out more about life at BGU.