Discover Your Future: Book your spot on one of our Open Days!

Search results

  1. Applications open for Psychology Summer Research Internship Scheme 2019
    The Psychology team at Bishop Grosseteste University invite students and staff at BGU to apply for the 2019 round of the Psychology Summer Research Internships scheme. The internships offer the opportunity to collaborate with an experienced staff researcher on one of their existing or developing research projects over the Summer. In the process interns can gain experience of real research, develop specific research skills and expertise in an area of interest, and can contribute to BGU’s research culture. Internships are available in the broad field of Psychology, to all students and staff (no specific disciplinary background is required, although some projects may require specific skills and experience, such as statistical analysis.) Some projects offer flexible arrangements for you to contribute from home. Others would require full or partial presence on site. Projects offered in 2019 are outlined below. Please read carefully for more information. Application instructions: If you would like to apply for a specific project, please email the project lead and copy in caroline.horton@bishopg.ac.uk, by the deadline of 1pm Friday 17th May 2019, with “Psychology internships” as the subject. You will need to attach a statement of interest. The statement should include a rationale for applying for your chosen project(s), outlining why you would make a strong intern. Ideally please apply for just one specific project, or list one alternative, if you can’t decide. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted on Monday 20th May, and invited for an informal interview with the project lead on Wednesday 22nd May. Please note that this is a tight turnaround to facilitate appointment before students leave campus for Summer. Feel free to contact project leads with specific queries about projects, or Dr. Caroline Horton, scheme coordinator, if you have more general enquiries (caroline.horton@bishopg.ac.uk). We look forward to researching with you! Dr. Sue Becker Susan.becker@bishopg.ac.uk Two projects are available: Project title: Developing Experiential Writing Strategies Using Online Synchronous Collaborative Techniques Brief overview of project: The project used and evaluated online synchronous collaborative writing techniques with levels 4, 6 & 7 Psychology students. Brief overview of internship requirements: The internship will focus on drawing together existing analytic work and updating literature review to co-author journal article Expectations of applicant: Basic knowledge of mixed methods research Opportunities for the intern: opportunity to co-author research paper and experience submission and review processes Any other information: Although the internship will end in September it is expected that the intern will maintain contact with the supervisor through the submission and review processes. Project title: Resisting Epilepsy through humour Brief overview of project: The project is focused on the analysis of humour and laughter in interaction as it appears in 47 interviews with people diagnosed with Epilepsy in adulthood. Brief overview of internship requirements: The internship will focus on drawing together existing analytic work and updating literature review to co-author journal article Expectations of applicant: Familiarity with qualitative analysis, experience of literature searching Opportunities for the intern: opportunity to co-author research paper and experience submission and review processes Any other information: Although the internship will end in September it is expected that the intern will maintain contact with the supervisor through the submission and review processes. Mirena Dimolareva mirena.dimolareva@bishopg.ac.uk Three projects are available: Project title: Assessing the effectiveness of the 2-year review Brief overview of project: Investigating whether the 2-year-review is offered to all parents as intended by the government as well as whether it is effective in finding children who are showing a language delay. Furthermore, parent views of the 2-year-review are also investigated. Brief overview of internship requirements: This project is well under way and much of the data is collected. There is still some data to collect through questionnaires (online) and playing games with children in person (one-to-one assessment). The internship is flexible and students can choose whether they would like to take part in the online questionnaire collection and/ or in-person testing. Once data is collected, there will be an opportunity for data analysis. Training is provided for all tasks involved in this project. Expectations of applicant: Online questionnaires: ability to recruit online, using social media and other channels In person testing: Ability and confidence to work with children. Willingness to learn how to use a standardised test, ability to recruit parents in person. Opportunities for the intern: Training to use the pre-school language scale (if doing in-person testing), training on data collection and recruitment. Dates project commences and ends: on or after 27th May- latest until 22nd sept. This is flexible and depends on recruitment success Any other information: The online part of the project can be completed from home. You will need to have the training before commencing. Project title: Investigating the relationship between pet attachment and anxiety Brief overview of project: This questionnaire based project will be set up online and investigate the relationship between people’s attachment to their pets and the levels of their anxiety. Brief overview of internship requirements: The internship will involve setting up the online questionnaires, online recruitment and inputting data. Training will be provided for all stages of the project. Depending on the success of data collection, opportunities for data analysis will also be available. Expectations of applicant: Ability to do online recruitment. Opportunities for the intern: In this project you will be trained on how to run an online research project as well as the rules and guidelines of data inputting. Dates project commences and ends: 27th May- 22nd sept. Any other information: This project can be completed from home or BGU. You will need to have the training before commencing. Project title: Establishing the gaps for the rural autistic community Brief overview of project: Living in rural Lincolnshire often presents challenges for people with special needs due to a shortage of services. The project will aim to ask the Autistic community what they need in an attempt to explore options available for further services. This will likely be in collaboration with the Autism Research Innovation Centre at University of Lincoln. Brief overview of internship requirements: Online recruitment of autistic people and their families. Potential in person questionnaire completions. Attending Autism events organised locally. Expectations of applicant: The willingness to speak to, recruit and work with autistic people and their families. Opportunities for the intern: There is a possibility of an Autism event being organised at LORIC which you will be encouraged to attend. This will enable you to make connections with other local people involved within the Autistic community. Dates project commences and ends: 27th May- 22nd sept. Any other information: This project can be completed from home or BGU. You will need to have the training before commencing. Dr. Maria Efstratopoulou Maria.efstratopoulou@bishopg.ac.uk Project title: MBC checklist for children Brief overview of project: Entering data already collected (during a previous phase of the MBC Project) on children’s behaviour from: Local Schools in UK ( Primary mainstream schools/ teachers from Lincolnshire, London) Expectations of applicant: Preferably SENI or / and Psychology student year 2 (during the academic year 2018-19) with an ability to use SPSS, entering data (training will be provided). An ability to contact with local Primary schools for cooperation will be an asset. Opportunities for the intern: Training on simple Statistical analysis of data, possible cooperation in publications and Conferences. The intern will gain the knowledge and experience to write his/ her Thesis (during the next academic year) in a similar subject (ADHD, ASD, Mental health issues, Assessment of emotional and behavioural problems in children, effectiveness of interventions for challenging behaviours etc.). Help and support will be constantly available. Dates project commences and ends: Data entering and Statistical analysis May 2019 –end August 2019 Any other information: Students can work flexible hours in their own environment without having the obligation to be on Campus. Jenny Hamilton, Helen Elliott and Elizabeth Hicks jennifer.hamilton@bishopg.ac.uk Project title: Self-care among helping professionals: Looking after those who look after Brief overview of project: This project is in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council Social Services and aims to explore whether training/workshop interventions on self-care can raise awareness of the importance of self-care and improve upon workplace wellbeing and resilience among social services helping professionals. There is a disproportionately high rate of staff burnout among helping professions, and in particular among social services, and this project aims to explore how this can be tackled. Brief overview of internship requirements: The intern will have the opportunity to be involved in various research activities that the project requires. These may include transcribing audio recordings, conducting literature reviews and synthesising and critically evaluating research. Expectations of applicant: The applicant should be able to accurately transcribe verbal audio recordings verbatim; have a good level of ability using Microsoft Office programmes (including excel); ability to conduct a systematised and comprehensive literature review and to critically evaluate research; handle information sensitively and abide by confidentiality codes of conduct. Opportunities for the intern: Working within a supportive research team, gaining experience of conducting real world counselling research; opportunity to consolidate skills developed at university including literature reviews and academic writing. Dates project commences and ends: 3rd June – 6th September 2019 Dr. Caroline Horton Caroline.horton@bishopg.ac.uk Up to two projects are available over the Summer, in the DrEAMSLab (www.dreamslab.co.uk ; @sleepandmemory) Project title: Sleep hygiene adherence – what are people’s experiences of undertaking a sleep hygiene programme? Brief overview of project: Participants were asked to complete a two week sleep hygiene programme. They then engaged with focus group discussions about their experiences. The project aim to explore, for the first time, what challenges people experienced with a sleep hygiene intervention. Analyses aim to identify these challenges, which will inform the development of a wider sleep-hygiene intervention, across the campus. Brief overview of internship requirements: Interns will be asked to transcribe focus groups (June) and conduct content and thematic analyses on the data (July). Data will then be written up for publication (August). Expectations of applicant: All training will be given, however an interest in sleep hygiene would be very beneficial. The intern will be required to work independently. Opportunities for the intern: Interns will develop qualitative data analysis experience, and will contribute to the authorship of a peer-reviewed publication. Dates project commences and ends: Approximately 1st June – 31st August 2019. Any other information: This initial project will form part of a wider programme of impact activities, exploring sleep hygiene and its effects on emotion regulation, dreaming behaviours, academic outputs and memory. Project title: Hyperassociativity in sleep and dreams Brief overview of project: Hyperassociativity has been described in the sleep and dreaming literature as the process by which memories are only distantly related to one another, but with little evidence to explain it. The current project involves collecting data from systematically sampled dream reports, and scoring the presence of different forms of hyperassociativity. The data will be analysed and presented in a peer-reviewed paper, supporting the development of a larger research grant bid. Brief overview of internship requirements: The successful intern would be the main contact for data collection, involving meeting with participants, explaining about the sleep and dream measures, asking participants to code their own reports, and entering data for subsequent analysis. Expectations of applicant: Interns would need to be present over the Summer to engage with data collection, and would need to be organised with their time and with data. Full training would be given. Interns would have the opportunity to read through and analyse hyperassociativity from dream reports, so an interest in sleep and dreaming would be beneficial. This is a quantitative project, employing objective measures of sleep quantity, as well as involving dream diaries (analysed statistically). Opportunities for the intern: The intern would receive training in the measures, equipment and approaches employed in this study. They would engage with data collection, and therefore find out about the practicalities of psychological sleep research. Dates project commences and ends: Approx. 1st June to Sept 20th 2019. Any other information: Up to two interns could work on this project. Thomasin Nicholds Thomasin.nicholds@bishopg.ac.uk Project title: Women who Influence; exploring opportunities and barriers in organisations. Brief overview of project: Working with an external funder and community based partners we are exploring an emerging project to consider the opportunities, barriers and achievements of women in organisations. The project is in the initial stages of development with the aim of enabling and highlighting potential; whist challenging limiting factors. The project will be drawing on psychological theories and relating them to the workplace, with the potential to consider elements such as motivation, leadership, power and inclusion. The role of the intern will be to support the lead in project planning and literature review, to enable the development of a clear rationale which can be taken forward in partnership with other organisations. Brief overview of internship requirements: The role will involve supporting a literature review to contribute to project development in addition to opportunities to assist in meetings with cross-sector partners to define activities, investment requirements and roles. Expectations of applicant: The ability to undertake literature searches and synthesize resources. Strong communication skills with a clear understanding of appropriate professional conduct when working in partnership. Opportunities for the intern: This opportunity will give the intern the experience of project planning from an initial idea to shaping partnerships and identifying resource needs. These skills will be transferable to a variety of academic and professional environments, providing an experience that develops writing skills and professional practice. Any other information: Lincolnshire based, mainly BGU campus with the potential for some local travel. Dr. Gianina Postavaru Gianina.postavaru@bishpopg.ac.uk Two projects are available: Project title: Cancer carers’ nutrition and diet needs: a literature review Brief overview of project: This project will equip students with skills required to perform a systematic literature review (design of study protocol, Boolean search keywords, screening and data collection, quality assessment and academic write up). It is a collaborative project with Laura Miller, the Macmillan project lead dietitian at Nottingham University Hospitals. Brief overview of internship requirements: The intern will need to be available for the entire period of the internship and opportunity for development may be provided beyond its duration. Expectations of applicant: Interest in health or clinical psychology, with a focus on psychological aspects of eating behaviours following a diagnosis of and treatment for cancer. No statistical analysis is required. However, the student will need to possess great time management skills, be an organised individual, be able to work in a team and meet agreed deadlines. Opportunities for the intern: Training and supervision will be provided through regular meetings and teleconference with the project collaborator at Nottingham City Hospital. There is opportunity for joint publication and/or participation in a conference organised at the City Hospital in Nottingham in 2020 as part of this collaboration. There is also opportunity for mentorship to enhance employability skills beyond the lifetime of this project. Dates project commences and ends: July-September 2019. Any other information: The student will need to possess their own laptop and be able to use OneDrive. Project title: Self-managing chemotherapy side-effects and eating behaviours Brief overview of project: This project will equip students with skills required to transcribe sensitive data and potentially conduct face to face interviews with people living with and beyond cancer. The opportunity is part of an ongoing project in collaboration with support groups in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire. Brief overview of internship requirements: Training and supervision will be provided through regular meetings. The intern will get familiar with the ethical implications of conducting and transcribing interviews. Familiarity with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, 2018) and Data Protection Act (1998) is at the core of this work. Expectations of applicant: Great interest in health psychology, with a particular focus on psychological aspects of eating behaviours following a diagnosis of and treatment for cancer. No statistical analysis is required. However, the student will need to possess a professional and ethical conduct, great time management skills, be an organised individual, be able to work in a team and meet agreed deadlines. Opportunities for the intern: There is opportunity for developing clinical and employability skills. As part of this role, the intern may benefit from mentorship to develop these skills beyond the lifetime of this collaboration. Dates project commences and ends: July-September 2019. Any other information: The student will need to possess their own laptop and be able to use OneDrive.
  2. Psychology PhD Student at BGU Seeks New Insight on why we Dream
    Psychology PhD student at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), Anthony Bloxham, has recently been granted funding for an experiment being conducted as part of his PhD work that will seek new insight into the nature of dreaming. Anthony's experiment is being conducted in collaboration with University of Lincoln, making use of the additional facilities in their Sleep and Cognition Laboratory, with funding being provided by the Dream Science Foundation (DSF) and the International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD). Applications to participate in Anthony’s experiment, which involves two overnight stays in the sleep laboratory, are still open and Anthony discussed what potential participants could expect: “This research may help to inform new insight on the nature of dreaming and why we dream. It contains novel aspects and combinations of previously tested methodologies in the field of sleep and dream research, including the use of Virtual Reality. "Participants in my experiment will be encouraged to play Virtual Reality video games before spending a night in the sleep lab, providing dream reports and playing the games again in the morning.“ If you are interested in participating, please contact anthony.bloxham@bishopg.ac.uk to register your interest or request further information. Compensation for participating is a £50 Amazon.co.uk gift card. You can find more information our exciting and innovative doctoral and Psychology programmes on our website or by contacting our Enquiries Team.
  3. ‘World Changing’ Trans Student Experience Project Included in International Social Psychology Text
    The CELT-LTIF funded ‘Transforming the Student Experience’ project has been featured as an example of ‘world changing’ applied research in a new book. The project was co designed and developed through a partnership between trans and non-trans students and staff and has seen many of its recommendations, including more inclusive welcome messaging and trans awareness training for staff and students, either achieved or in the process of going through the University Committee structure. Internationally renowned Social Psychologist Wendy Stainton Rogers was impressed by the project following a presentation by Sue Becker and former BGU student Ashley Ravenwood at the BPS Psychology of Sexualities Section 20th Anniversary Conference in July 2018, describing it as: “…a great project with real progress and outcomes, and a good model to follow”. In her recent book, Perspectives on Social Psychology – A Psychology of Human Being, Rogers features the project as a case study to inspire others to come together and make positive changes in their communities. The project team continue to work to ensure findings and recommendations from the project are embedded into BGU policy and practice and are currently working to publish a paper outlining their approach and findings. The project team are: Alex Dale Whistler – Education Studies and Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Jayde Williams – Primary Education with recommendation for QTS Dr Sue Becker – Programme Leader for Psychology Lyndsay Muir – Senior Lecturer Dr Sue Cordell – Head of Learning Enhancement Dr Claire Thomson – Head of the Centre for Enhancement in Learning and Teaching Dr Gianina Postavaru – Lecturer in Psychology If you’d like to become a part of BGU’s research focused community, speak to a member of our Enquiries Team or join us at one of our upcoming virtual open days.
  4. The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023 ranks Bishop Grosseteste University fourth for social inclusion and teaching quality
    The guide, published by The Times and Sunday Times, evaluates factors such as student satisfaction, degree completion rates, and graduate employment prospects, to produce a guide of 132 higher education institutions that allows prospective students to make an informed choice about their education. In the 2023 edition, BGU ranked fourth for teaching quality and 13th for the overall student experience. With data from the recent National Students Survey (NSS) informing their rankings, the guide commented on the ‘extraordinary turnaround in rates of student satisfaction.’ The guide also ranked BGU fourth nationally in their Social Inclusion Ranking, which measures the proportion of students from whole sections of society including disadvantaged backgrounds. In a further breakdown for social inclusion, BGU is also fourth for recruiting students from areas with a low uptake of higher education, fifth for the number of students in receipt of the student disability allowance, and sixth for the recruitment of students who are the first in their family to attend university. The tables for subject rankings also showed an increase in ranks for Education, English and Psychology at BGU. The Rev’d Canon Professor Peter Neil, Vice-Chancellor of BGU, said: “We are incredibly pleased with the positive results in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023. “Being ranked fourth for both teaching quality and social inclusion is testament to the high-quality provision that our students receive. We are delighted that BGU’s long-standing commitment to ensuring education is accessible to students irrespective of their socio-economic background has been recognised.”
  5. Reading buddies share stories at local nursery
    Students from Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) recently shared stories at St Giles Nursery as part of a Reading Buddies scheme. Developed in partnership with the nursery and Ermine Library, the scheme provides an opportunity for university students to witness the importance of sharing stories with young children and help them develop their literacy skills. Seven Early Childhood Studies students explored a range of books with small groups of early years children. From 'Gorilla Loves Vanilla' to the classic 'Funnybones', the children's imaginations were captivated by the books shared during the thirty-minute sessions. Under the scheme, students can gain certification for their CVs based on how many sessions they attend. The initiative runs once a month and has been well received by both the students and the children. BGU Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies Samantha Hoyes said: "The Reading Buddies scheme is a wonderful initiative that not only benefits the children but also provides our students with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience. "By participating in this programme, our students are able to develop their skills and knowledge while supporting the local community. We are delighted to see the positive impact that this scheme is having and look forward to continuing our partnership with the Ermine Library and St Giles Nursery School."
  6. Dr Caroline Horton
    Caroline joined BGU in April 2015. She is a Reader in Psychology: Consciousness and Cognition, where she is director of the DrEAMSLab, Chair of the Research Ethics Committee, and Lead for the Psychology, Health and Wellbeing Research and Knowledge Exchange Unit. Caroline contributes to the undergraduate BA Psychology courses, having previous programme led the courses, as well as the PhD programme. (see: www.dreamslab.co.uk / @sleepandmemory). More widely, Caroline is the Co-Director of the Lincoln Sleep Research Centre (LiSReC), the Treasurer and Trustee of the British Sleep Society, an elected committee member of the Cognitive Section of the British Psychological Society, where she is also a Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol), and a member of the International Association for the Study of Dreams Research Board. Caroline is affiliated to research groups at the University of Lincoln, and Swinburne University, Australia. Caroline is a regular reviewer for several academic journals, a renowned expert in sleep, dreaming and memory, as well as on the Editorial Board for Sleep Psychology, and two of the Frontiers in Psychology journals. Caroline has been an external examiner at the University of Edinburgh (2019-2023; MSc Psychology of Mental Health) and is currently an examiner at the University of Derby (Psychology MRes) and Newman University (MSc Psychology (conversion)) and has externally examined several research degrees. Before joining BGU, Caroline obtained her undergraduate (2003) and Master's (2004) degrees in Psychology from the University of Durham, her PhD from the Institute of Psychological Sciences, University of Leeds (2007), and a PGCHE from Leeds Metropolitan University (2008). Caroline has taught at the Universities of Durham and Leeds as well as the Open University, and predominantly at Leeds Metropolitan University where she was a Lecturer then Senior Lecturer (2007-2015). Caroline’s research interests principally span the fields of sleep, dreaming, and memory, and the relationships between those concepts. She has pioneered and developed the Sleep Well programme, a behavioural sleep improvement programme, which is being rolled out to various populations, including young adults with anxiety, and people living with diabetes. Caroline regularly features in the media, on BBC radio shows and international podcasts. She is the founder and host of the Sleep Science Pod.
  7. Stephanie-Roxanne Blanco
    https://www.bgu.ac.uk/staff/stephanie-roxanne-blanco
  8. BGU Counselling student recognised in award
    This year will see the first cohort of students graduate from the Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) BA (Hons) Counselling degree programme. All of these students have undoubtedly done extremely well, but one student out of this group has shone through - not just in her academic work, but with her level of resilience. Naomi Dimberline has, throughout her four years at BGU, faced some personal challenges that would be incomprehensible to most of us. Those who have worked with Naomi during her time here, know that her determination and strength of character has been unshakable. As a department, they decided to create an award in recognition of this achievement making Naomi the first recipient of the ‘Frankl Award.’ The award is named after Viktor Frankl, who was an Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, and Holocaust survivor. His book ‘Man's Search for Meaning’ details his experiences in a Nazi concentration camp and describes his belief that finding purpose is essential for psychological health. His ideas have influenced psychotherapy and existential philosophy; focusing on the emphasis of resilience, hope and the human capacity to find meaning in life's most challenging moments. Naomi has been dedicated to her newfound purpose and the resilience to see it through.
  9. Unique art exhibition comes to BGU
    If you visit the Robert Hardy Building on campus, you will discover a selection of artworks each created by prisoners at HMP Morton Hall as part of their 12-week art programme. Last week the exhibition launched and had an auction for specific pieces during opening night. The University collaborated with PeoplePlus UK to make this happen and from a social purpose and perspective, working closely with HMP Morton Hall helps support individuals to realise their ambitions and create positive change in their communities and beyond. While open to all, the art studio supports prisoners with mental health issues and those struggling to participate in the prison’s mainstream education and training programmes. As part of rehabilitation, offenders undertake art sessions providing space to be creative and work with others in a safe environment. This exhibition provided the opportunity to showcase their innovative creations and reinforces the message that something positive can come out of prison life. "When I draw or paint, it takes away the negative thoughts. I feel like I’ve found a new talent within myself that’s helping me grow out of my issues and keeps me away from insecurities I had before the course." Allison Webb, Director of Business & Community Engagement, said "it is a special exhibition that gives the prisoners a voice" and Gillian Johnston (Programme Lead for Sociology and Criminology) stated at the opening night: "Criminology is a new and exciting discipline for us at BGU, so when this initiative was first mooted a few months ago I jumped at the chance for us, as an institution and at a programme level, to be involved. It cannot be underestimated just how important these initiatives are in fostering relationships between organisations. Being able to collaborate with HMP Morton Hall on this important project is a delight for me and I hope this is the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship between us." Samantha Boothman the Head of Education, Skills and Work at HMP Morton Hall said "we are delighted to be working with BGU on this unique event and very much looking forward to further collaboration." Overall the auction raised £560 and these funds will go to Victim Support, Ambers Army (The PeoplePlus recognised charity for 2024), the prisoner who created the artwork, and for a new art studio kiln. The majority of the remaining artwork is for sale and the viewing public can buy item(s) through the silent auction process. Information on how to do this can be found in the foyer of the Robert Hardy Building. "The art course is purposefully unaccredited; this enables men to learn not just about art and new techniques, but also to develop wider skills without being pressured to pass an exam. Everyone is able to work at their own pace and is guided to follow their own creative pathway. The art room is a space where the men can spend time out of their cell and share thoughts, worries and ideas whilst also developing their creativity. For many it is the first time they have experienced a classroom and using a pencil or paint brush. They are encouraged to help each other to be their best selves. I witness time and again how creativity and kindness to one another can totally change people for the better and improve their mental wellbeing." Karen Sharples – Art Lecturer at HMP Morton Hall. PeoplePlus UK deliver the educational provision at the prison and you can watch their short video Bringing the Inside, Out which explains their purpose further. The exhibition runs from the 30th of May until 13th of June 2024 in the Robert Hardy Building, BGU.
  10. Dr Judith Naseby
    Judith is a Lecturer in Psychology at BGU.

Explore BGU

BGU graduates standing in the sun with their graduation caps on

Courses

Browse our wide range of degree courses and find the perfect one for you.

Find a course
BGU Open Day 2023 26 1

Open Days

Open days are the best way to find out what BGU has to offer.

Book an open day
DSC 3983

Prospectus

Download your copy of our prospectus to find out more about life at BGU.

Order a Prospectus