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BGU wellbeing research reaches a wider audience at national conference
Academics from the School of Teacher Development at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), Dr. Emma Clarke and Aimee Quickfall, presented their on-going wellbeing research at a British Education Research Association (BERA) special interest group, last month. The BERA Mental Health, Wellbeing and Education special interest group support researchers in education who are looking at the mental health and wellbeing of students, teachers and children. Their July event included presentations from The Education Support Network, Professor Andrew Ravenscroft from the University of East London and Dr. Elizabeth Nye from the University of Oxford. Following the event Aimee explained how the diverse nature of the attendees made the BERA group the perfect place to present their research: “The attendees were hugely supportive and interested in our research methods and findings. We have made links with other universities and organisations who have the same passion to improve conditions for teachers and trainee teachers that we have, and we look forward to working with them in the future.” The research project at the centre of Aimee and Emma’s presentation, which has so far included projects in Finland, Denmark and at two universities in the UK, has been carried out by Shaun Thompson, Sue Lambert, Hannah Wells, Dr. Claire Thomson, Dr. Emma Clarke, Aimee Quickfall, a team of student researchers on the BGU PGCE Primary programme and Professor Jonathan Glazzard at Leeds Beckett University, as well as faculty members in The University of Eastern Finland and UCC in Copenhagen. For Dr. Clarke the opportunity to work with student researchers on the project was a particular highlight: “The interviews and other methods were enjoyable for researchers and participants. We particularly enjoyed working as a team with student researchers, who helped to design the research and to keep it strongly focused on the student experience of the PGCE.” Strands of the project have used photo-elicitation to capture the daily experiences of being a teacher trainee, as well as drawing timelines of the whole programme in terms of well-being and semi-structured interviews to talk through the photographs and timelines. The team have also used a simple 'see-saw' model for trainees to consider their resources and challenges and whether they can balance these. The team are now building in sessions for trainees on the PGCE Primary to think and talk about their well-being based on their pilot study findings, as well as rolling out the well-being research for a second year with Leeds Beckett University and international collaborators. If you’re interested in a future in education, our BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS (3 year undergraduate degree), BA (Hons) Primary Teaching Studies with QTS (15 month top up degree), and PGCE courses are the perfect ways to begin or continue your adventure on the path to becoming a fantastic teacher! If you have any questions, our Enquiries Team are ready to help. Contact them today or visit our website to find out how to take your next steps. -
BGU School Administrator to Represent GB at Obstacle Course Racing World Championship 2019
Catherine Fahey, School Administrator at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), will represent Great Britain in the upcoming Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) World Championships 2019, held in the UK this October. The OCR World Championships are the only independent global championships for the sport of Obstacle Course Racing designed to unify, promote, and increase participation in the sport of OCR. Catherine qualified for her place with an impressive second place in her age category in the Spartan Sprint race. To prepare for the Championships Catherine is engaged in a rigorous training regime including three sessions a week with Summit Outdoor Fitness, along with strength training in the Gym and additional running sessions. As she prepares, Catherine expressed her excitement at being chosen for the event: “Competing in OCR has been an incredible experience and I truly believe if I can do it anyone can. Working at BGU has given me the flexibility to be able to run before and after work and during my lunch break and I would like to thank the team in the BGU Sports and Fitness Centre who let me use their facilities. I am a big believer in Positive Mental Attitude, Outdoor living and looking after the environment. I would like to thank everyone for their support and well wishes for the up and coming event.” Everyone at BGU wishes Catherine the best of luck for her upcoming championship and you can keep up to date with how she gets on on our News page. If you’re interested in starting a new career in a flexible and supportive environment, visit our jobs website to see which of our vacancies could be the perfect opportunity for you. -
Teenage Market Heads to the Coast to Encourage Enterprising Entrepreneurs
As the Lincoln Teenage Market continues to grow, the Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) based BG Futures team behind it are developing new and exciting partnerships with keen supporters. One such partnership is with the Lincolnshire Coastal Business Improvement District. A Business Improvement District (BID) is a precisely defined geographical area where the local business community has voted to invest in additional services to those provided by the local authority. By working with the Coastal BID BG Futures aims to inspire and support young entrepreneurs from across the wider county, in particular within Skegness and the surrounding area. BG Futures also aims to work with the local population to raise aspirations, and promote social mobility by providing informal careers advice and guidance, and promoting the BGU offer within the coastal community. Part of this initiative included bringing the Teenage Market to the centre of Skegness, providing entrepreneurial young people with the chance to trial new business ideas and sell creative products in Tower Gardens just off the seafront. Alongside the market BGU partnered with the local Premier Inn to raise funds for their chosen charity GOSH, while members of their team provided face painting for youngsters. Free crafts were also provided by BGU most notably by regular volunteer Jill Draycott who is a keen advocate of the market. Following the market Becky Goodman, Enterprise Development Manager, and Nikki Smith; Careers, Employability and Enterprise Adviser at BGU praised the event for what it could do for the wider area: “Taking the Lincoln Teenage Market on tour to Skegness has been a particular highlight of our summer series of markets, and it has been great to partner with The Coastal Bid team on this to take the Market to the coast. Seeing new stallholders showcase their entrepreneurial talents, and our existing stallholders thrive in a new location backed by The Coastal Bid, local mayor, town council, and local businesses gives all of the BG Futures team an immense sense of pride“ The Teenage Market offers budding traders, business owners and performers the chance to trial their entrepreneurial ideas in a realistic and supportive environment. If you’d like to find out more about the Lincoln Teenage Market or perhaps get involved as a trader or performer at the next event, please contact the Teenage Market team at: teenagemarket@bishopg.ac.uk. You can also follow Lincoln Teenage Market on Facebook -
BGU research supports trainee teachers in Pakistan
Dr Abigail Parrish, Senior Lecturer in the School of Teacher Development, recently delivered an online seminar for participants at a research workshop organised by the Institute of English Language and Literature at the University of Sindh in Pakistan. Abigail’s session looked at Self-Determination Theory and motivation to learn English, drawing on her research interests, and giving participants chance to think about how they could apply what they learned in their own classrooms. It was attended by 35 participants, the head of the English department and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Sindh. One participant noted that the workshop was: "Rich in content and valuable in creating better understanding of the topics that were discussed, there should be more such events as it was a great learning opportunity" This feedback was also shared by the organiser, Dr Ghazal Kazim Syed, who reported that both the head of department and vice chancellor had been very impressed particularly with Abigail's commitment, professionalism and positive attitude to learning. Abigail has been invited to deliver another seminar for undergraduate and postgraduate students at a later date. James Duke, Digital Learning Developer at BGU, facilitated the online delivery of the session, providing invaluable support and advice to ensure it ran smoothly. You can read more about Abigail’s research into student motivation here: Abigail Parrish & Ursula Lanvers (2019). Student motivation, school policy choices and modern language study in England. The Language Learning Journal, 47:3, 281-298. DOI: 10.1080/09571736.2018.1508305 BGU have a global outlook on education, and our courses offer unprecedented opportunities to travel and teach. Our professionally focused educational courses are perfect for learners both within and looking to join the teaching profession. To find out how they can benefit you visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team for more information. -
First Implicit Religion Research Centre Launched at BGU
The Edward Bailey Centre for the Study of Implicit Religion, the first dedicated centre for the study of implicit religion in the world, has been launched at Bishop Grosseteste University by the Reverend Canon Professor Neil, Vice-Chancellor of BGU, together with Dr Francis Stewart, Implicit Religion Research Fellow. Implicit Religion focuses on commitments, rituals, actions, rites of passage, behaviours and beliefs that appear in things we would not normally think of as ‘religious’, for example the game of football or knitting communities. To this end Edward Bailey suggested three areas for focus: commitment, integrating foci, and intensive concerns with extensive effects. These have been explored in a wide range of topics from art, shopping, Elvis fans, pilgrimage, Occupy protests, video games, Starbucks, punk rock, elective childlessness, animal rights, tattoos and sport. The centre will serve as a hub for a wide range of activity including work in local schools, university modules, research projects, free public events in Lincoln. The centre aims to create new degree modules that are relevant and focused on implicit religion within Lincolnshire, to develop new degree courses that will bring international postgraduate students to BGU and be accessible for adults in Lincolnshire. Speaking on behalf of BGU, Professor Neil said: "Professor Bailey is synonymous with implicit religion and was well ahead of his time when he shaped the concept. The time is now right to expand the reach of the research exploring the concept of implicit religion to interpret the changing landscape of religion and spirituality in the UK. Theology is a core part of our University's heritage and I am delighted to see us continuing to push the boundaries of its exploration with this new centre of excellence.” As the lead of the new centre Dr Stewart expressed her excitement at how it would build on the legacy of Professor Bailey's work: "What do we mean when we say something is religious? What do we mean when we say something is not religious? Do we ever stop to consider if the person we are speaking to or about understands the word religion in the same way that we do? These are all questions that drive the study of Implicit Religion, a fascinating area of theological study that I look forward to being able to bring to a new generation of scholars." BGU's growing involvement in the study of implicit religion saw the institution host the 42nd Implicit Religion Conference earlier this year. The call for paper for the 43rd conference, which will also be held at at the University, is now open and submissions are free for all Lincoln residents. The Conference's theme will be 'Implicit Religion, Race and Representation' and will feature a keynote speech from Dr Ipsita Chatterjea, an expert on race and violence. If you’re interested in a future exploring and discussing religion then our Theology courses and RE teaching pathways could be for you. Visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team today for more information. -
BGU join the Lincoln Book Festival 2019 to Celebrate the life and legacy of Queen Victoria
This September staff and students from Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) joined the Lincoln Book Festival to celebrate the bicentenary of the births of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert with ‘V for Victoria!’ with a series of events from 23rd to 28th September capturing the ways in which the city connects the life and legacy of Queen Victoria. From the most recent publications on Queen Victoria, the British Empire and Victorian authors such as, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, John Ruskin, and Janet Ross, but also Ada Lovelace, Charlotte Brontë’s publisher, William Smith Williams, there were exciting events for a variety of interests. BGU has been collaborating with the Festival for a number of years and that relationship further increased this year spearheaded by Dr Claudia Capancioni, Programme Leader for English at BGU, whose specialism is Victorian Literature. Staff and students were actively involved in the festival programme’s activities with our trainee PGCE students in English and Drama and staff opening the festival by leading workshops for school pupils who took part in a creative writing competition, Flash Fiction, and the creative writing programmes run by First Story and Writing East Midlands with the Society of Authors for Fiction. Later in the week BGU sponsored ‘If Words Could Kill’, an evening with Claire Harman and Ambrose Parry (aka Chris Brookmyre and Dr Marisa Haetzman). There was murder most foul in this two-part author event with Harman’s Murder by the Book, which focuses on a true crime murder that shocked Victorian London, and the thrilling new novel, The Way of the Flesh, Parry wrote about the hunt for a killer in 1847 Edinburgh. The University's involvement continued on Friday with Dr Capancioni introducing Janet Ross, a Victorian historian and biographer who entertained guests such as William Gladstone, Robert Browning, Mark Twain and Virginia Woolf at Poggio Gherardo, her villa near Florence. In Leaves from Our Tuscan Kitchen: or How to Cook Vegetables, Janet recorded the recipes of Giuseppe Volpi, her cook for over 30 years, which her guests loved and requested - George Frederic Watts in particular. Published in 1899 and still in print, it appeared at a time when vegetables were considered only as an adjunct to the main course, this recipe book has become an established resource for all British chefs interested in Italian food. Together with The Cheese Society and The Straw Collection, ‘In the Tuscan Kitchen of Janet Ross’ offered a taste of Ross’s recipes through sampling the cheese she used, accompanied by Tuscan wines. Since the summer, the city of Lincoln has contributed to an array of national events including the series organised by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, which will be the topic of the forthcoming lecture by the V&A director, Tristram Hunt, at Lincoln Cathedral on 10 October. If you are interested in finding out more about studying English at BGU, visit our website, contact our Enquiries Team or join us on one of our Open Days. -
Students ‘escape their fears’ with the help of CELT
During Welcome Week at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) teams of students all entered the CELT centre and - using their ingenuity and problem-solving skills – cracked the codes to escape within the hour. Nine teams of between two and seven students completed the challenges and were successful. Participants all completed four challenges to collect crystals which were converted into points. These challenges required students to make use of academic and digital skills which will be essential in their university life. These included fostering a growth mindset; active reading for a purpose; problem solving and merging documents. The Escape Room introduces members of the CELT team to new and returning students and highlights the wealth of academic support available to them. All students who gave feedback said they enjoyed the event and would visit CELT again, with one student stating that it was “a good way to meet new people”. If you would like to know more about the support CELT can offer to students, check out our Blackboard area. -
Travellers Initiative Praised for Supporting Young People in Lincolnshire
LiNCHigher, a collaborative outreach programme led by educational providers across Lincolnshire, has been praised in a professional evaluation by the research and insight body Cosmos for its positive, dramatic and meaningful impact on young people in the county. LiNCHigher brings together Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), the University of Lincoln and 45 schools, colleges and other local organisations to understand how to best create tailored activities and events that give inspiration, increase aspiration and support young people in years 9-13 to plan their future education. The evaluation focussed on 10 key projects run by LiNCHigher, including the Lincolnshire Traveller Initiative and the Lincolnshire World of Work Festival. Key findings from the evaluation highlighted that LiNCHigher has had a positive impact on students’ confidence, through their development of an array of new skills after completion of projects. This includes new study skills, techniques and ways of revising, which ensures students can retain information and be more successful in exams. Students also felt more confident in planning ahead – from finances to studying and revision. This included the ability to make decisions about their future, with students feeling as though they were now better informed to make a decision about their educational future. Of the 10 projects covered in the review Cosmos highlighted the Lincolnshire Travellers Initiative, funded by LiNCHigher, for having an especially dramatic and meaningful impact on the community. Case-studies illustrate its efficacy; the programme changed the students’ and parents’ perceptions towards education, gave the learners the opportunity to gain qualifications, increased employability skills, improved students’ confidence, raised the community’s knowledge on health issues, and revealed options and possibilities that were previously perceived as unviable. Given the prevalence of word of mouth recommendations in this culture, the intervention is predicted to have a lasting effect on the community as a whole. Speaking on behalf of LiNCHigher, Senior Project Officer Jessica Darnell, praised the efforts of the county’s educational providers to help the project succeed: “Higher Education should be open to anyone and it is exciting to be working alongside engaged, and enthusiastic providers to help those who would normally face barriers in participating in education. Thanks to the evaluation by the team at Cosmos we have been able to review the focus of the project and can now work with our partners to ensure its positive impact continues as it enters its next phase.” The next phase of the LiNCHigher will see the programme run until at least July 2021. If you are a Lincolnshire student or learning provider and would like to get involved in the LiNCHigher project please email linchigher@bishopg.ac.uk for further information. About Cosmos: Cosmos was selected for their expertise and experience in delivering complex research and evaluation projects within the education sector. They also deliver targeted outreach activities through their flagship Marginal Gains programme. Cosmos worked in close collaboration with LiNCHigher when carrying out the evaluation, which was key in successfully accessing ‘hard to reach’ groups and students. -
Lecturer helps lead celebrations for the life and impact of William Blake
Visionary poet and artist William Blake are one of the most vivid figures in British Romantic literature and to celebrate his impact a week of events began in Lincoln on 16 September 2019 with the launch of The Reception of William Blake in Europe at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU). Edited by Dr Sibylle Erle, Reader in English Literature at BGU, alongside Professor Morton D. Paley (University of California, Berkeley), the book is the first comprehensive and systematic reference guide to Blake’s influence across Europe. Exploring Blake’s impact on literature, art, music and culture, the book includes bibliographies of major critical responses, exhibitions and translations of Blake’s work in each country covered, as well as a publication history and timeline of the poet’s reception on the continent. The launch event at BGU was a tremendous success allowing Dr Erle and Professor Paley to meet with colleagues, students and Blake enthusiasts to discuss and share stories of the many years of working with European colleagues. It was followed later in the week by an additional launch in London at Senate House with the Series Editor Professor Elinor Shaffer before a Symposium at Tate Britain (20 September 2019). Contributors met with Martin Myrone (curator of the William Blake exhibition now open at the Tate and contributor to the volumes) bright and early for a curator’s tour at the staff entrance. The event, which lasted all day, was hosted by the Tate and supported by BGU. Other events in the week included Professor Morton D. Paley speaking at the Tennyson Research Centre about Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s copy of Blake’s Illustrations of the Book of Job. Tennyson received his copy in 1856, a present by his friend Benjamin Jowett, and through it Paley explored Blake's masterpiece in front of a select audience to a warm and enthusiastic response. Speaking at the end of the week Dr Erle expressed her pride at being involved in such an important cross-continental effort: “I am tired but so very happy. These were inspiring days, full of joy and inspiration. It was good for the soul. With the Brexit on the horizon, it felt good to come together as a European community of academics and talk about Blake.” Dr Erle’s research in the work and impact of William Blake has seen her invited to numerous speaking events. You can read more about her travels here. If you are interested in finding out more about English at BGU, visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team. -
Castles, Palaces and a Zoo Among 2019 Sandford Award Winners
Historic houses, palaces, castles, museums, archives, gardens, parks and a zoo are among over 40 heritage attractions to win a Sandford Award for their high quality heritage education provision. Mr Tom O’Leary, Director of Public Engagement, Historic Royal Palaces will present the awards to a broad range of heritage attractions on Monday 18th November at the V&A Museum of Childhood in London (one of this year’s recipients) and Caroline Marcus, Chair- Group for Education in Museums will be guest speaker at the event. Looking ahead to the ceremony, John Hamer, Chairman of the Heritage Education Trust, commented: “It is a great pleasure to be able to welcome this year’s Sandford Award winners to such a delightful venue as the V&A Museum of Childhood. The winners, coming from all parts of the United Kingdom, represent some of the best work currently being achieved in heritage education.” The Sandford Award is managed by Bishop Grosseteste University in partnership with the Heritage Education Trust and recognises and promotes quality and best practice in heritage education provided by sites across the British Isles. The Award is independently judged and offers a quality assured assessment of a site’s formal education programme. More than 500 sites including country houses, museums and galleries, archives, places of worship, wildlife parks, gardens, landscapes and different collections have received the prestigious quality mark since the scheme began in 1978. Speaking on behalf of BGU the University’s Vice-Chancellor, the Reverend Canon Professor Peter Neil, explained why BGU continues to actively support the awards: “Heritage sits at the heart of Bishop Grosseteste and the Sandford Award is a scheme of which we are immensely proud. It is great to see the educational work of so many of the country’s great historic buildings and institutions being rewarded for their inspirational projects designed to make heritage accessible to the public and bringing the past to life in so many creative ways.” For more information about the Sandford Awards, please contact: Jayne Ellis Sandford Award Administrator 01522 583695 Jayne.ellis@bishopg.ac.uk Photo credit: 'Learning at the Palace of Holyroodhouse' - Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2019. Photographer: Jane Massey 2019 Sandford Award winners Beaumanor Hall & Park, Leicestershire Benjamin Franklin House, London Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire Bowhill House & Grounds, Scotland Bradgate Park, Leicestershire Bramall Hall, Greater Manchester Buckingham Palace, London Cannon Hall, South Yorkshire The Charterhouse, London Chester Zoo, Cheshire Chiltern Open Air Museum, Buckinghamshire Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum, Lincolnshire Dunster Castle & Gardens, Somerset Elsecar Heritage Centre, South Yorkshire Fishbourne Roman Palace, West Sussex Fort Nelson, Hampshire Fulham Palace, London Herschel Museum of Astronomy, Somerset Hill of The O’Neill & Ranfurly House Arts & Visitor Centre, Northern Ireland Kelmarsh Hall & Gardens, Northamptonshire Kirkleatham Museum, North Yorkshire London Metropolitan Archives Lotherton, West Yorkshire M&S Company Archive, West Yorkshire Milestones Museum, Hampshire The National Archives, London National Army Museum, London National Museum of Ireland- Country Life, Ireland New Walk Museum & Art Gallery, Leicestershire No.1 Royal Crescent, Somerset Oakham Castle, Rutlandshire Oxford Castle & Prison, Oxfordshire Palace of Holyroodhouse, Scotland Roman Baths, Somerset Royal Museums Greenwich, London Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum, Dorset Time & Tide Museum, Norfolk Ufton Court Educational Trust, Berkshire V&A Museum of Childhood, London V&A Museum, London Welsh Mining Experience: Rhondda Heritage Park, Wales Wicksteed Park, Northamptonshire Windsor Castle, Berkshire
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