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‘Dedicated’ Students Look to Create a Legacy with First Student-Led Research Conference at BGU
‘Dedicated’ Students Look to Create a Legacy with First Student-Led Research Conference at BGU In April 2021, a group of seven dedicated final year BA Primary Education students took the lead in successfully delivering an online research conference to 100 of their peers and lecturers on conducting educational research. The group of students, supported by project-lead Dr Ashley Compton and Student Engagement Facilitator, Helen Waters-Marsh, planned, organised, and delivered a range of live online workshops as well as producing pre-recorded conference materials, all during the lockdown of 2021. Dr Ashley Compton discussed the origins and future of the conference: “Helen and I started talking about this in the spring of 2019. We had preparations for the first conference well under way when lockdown hit. This was before the world got used to existing through Teams and Zoom so at that point, we were forced to cancelled it. We were determined to try again this year so planned it as an online conference from the beginning.” “A group of students volunteered and proved to be dedicated and reliable. We worked together to produce a programme and shared out the jobs. The students were great about producing content and encouraged contributions from their fellow students.” “The conference was well attended by year two students and was incredibly useful for their current research module, but more importantly preparing them for their dissertation next year.” “The whole thing went so well that we intend to do this again next year.” Bethanie Crawley, one of the students who organised the conference, shared her experience and how she hopes it will impact her future: “I got involved with the student led conference as a way of paying back the help I have received over my three years training” “I gained a sense of comradery working with people I possibly haven't had much contact with previously. I was more motivated to get on with my assignments while we discussed the issues that arise in research as I now had solutions within my head” “I would highly recommend getting involved in the conference. You get to develop so many skills in presenting, teamwork, and time management. It also looks amazing on a job application for when you are applying as it shows you can work in a team.” “I am going to use this experience to have the confidence to get involved with other projects throughout my first couple of years teaching. I have presented online and been involved with delivering online material which will help in the case of possible teaching online based on the issues of the current climate, this is a good skill to have currently” Another student conference organiser, Molly-Ann Burnett, has since had a successful job interview where she was able to draw on her experiences organising the Student-led Research Conference: “In recent job applications, I have mentioned my role in the conference when discussing elements of professionalism and leadership. I drew on the experience in a successful job interview, speaking about how it developed my confidence and demonstrated my ability to work as part of a team” “I have gained some much-needed confidence in using technology for presentations, something which is sure to become more relevant in future years. I have also gained confidence in interacting with others, be that the team, contributors and those who attended the final conference” Alisha Gibbs, final year BA Primary Education student, said she got involved as she knew how challenging a dissertation can be: “It was so rewarding to be sharing advice and it was also a confidence boost to sit back and realise how much you have accomplished. I also found that I felt much more confident with leading and speaking in front of large groups which is an important skill to have” Student Conference Organiser Louise Beasley shared Alisha’s sentiments about organising the conference: “I grew in confidence when presenting live to the second years, it also helped me to reflect on my research and how far I had come since my second year. I also really like helping others, so I got a sense of pride and accomplishment through this” -
“You care, so let others care for you” – My Experiences as a Student Carer
Stefania Brien, BA (Hons) Health and Social Care student at Bishop Grosseteste University, shares her experiences of balancing her studies with her responsibilities as a carer and offers advice on how others in her position can access support. -
Autism Resources and Community Hub (ARCH)
Welcome to ARCH. These pages can be used as resources for the autistic community at BGU Scroll through the options below to find updates, resources and information that celebrates BGU’s autistic community. -
Autism Cafe Update February 2021
This month’s event was a small discussion group, with input from a BGU student engagement champion who is involved in a piece of work to review the university’s provisions for autistic people. Discussions mostly centred around the on-campus support and facilities available to students with autism at BGU, which include designated quiet spaces, sensory equipment, and a lanyard system to show face mask exemption, as well as bespoke support plans for autistic students that are put in place in conjunction with course tutors. Considerations were given to how these facilities could also be utilised by autistic staff members. Other discussions included considering what masking behaviours and coping mechanisms people find helpful, and how engaging in these can impact on wellbeing, both positively and negatively. We also continued on two of our discussions from last month, one around special interests; considering how these can present and how people draw a distinction between hobbies and special interests; and another around adult diagnosis, particularly in older adults and how society’s understanding of, and attitudes towards, autism have changed over the last 30-40 years. The next Autism Café event will be held in March and will feature a research symposium, hosted in conjunction with The Participatory Autism Collective (PARC) featuring the presentation of research discussions by post-graduate and doctoral students from Bishop Grosseteste University. Topics which will be covered are: How can autistic people be supported to enter the creative “gig” economy? Advantages and disadvantages of pursuing a “diagnosis” of autism. The lived experiences and journeys of autistic teachers. Is the reading of literature different in autistic and neurotypical pupils? -
Autism Ideas Cafe Update - December 2020
LORIC Autism Ideas Cafe goes online -
Ideas Café – Autism
On 5th April, we held an ideas cafe surrounding the topic of autism. Attendees came from a diverse range of health, social care and academic backgrounds. A range of ideas were highlighted for discussion, in relation to autism that the attendees felt would be valuable to discuss. Ideas that were put forward included: Managing parents’ expectations around obtaining a diagnosis for their childHow to keep autistic children in mainstream schoolSpecial needs training for all trainee teachersTransition for a child into adult servicesTraining for educational staff – increasing training and confidence levels of staff to better manage children with autismHow do we access school staff in order to train them?Can technology be used to link up all of these different areas?Mapping the services available for different age groups. The group consensus was that a mapping exercise would be useful to visualise what services are currently available and who they are aimed at. This led to an interactive session of plotting out services and gaps in service for different age ranges: Early YearsPrimary School AgeSecondary School AgePost 16/Teenagers/Young adultsAdultsThe Elderly Where gaps were identified, the group considered what was being done, or what could be done to address the shortcomings. Once plotted, services were categorised according to whether they could be accessed through universal services or self-referral, or whether they required a referral to be made via a professional. A follow-up event to further map out out the autism landscape of Lincolnshire, and to discuss and collaborate on other themes relevant to autism has been planned at LORIC on Friday 7th June 10am-12pm. This event is open to anyone with a personal or professional interest in autism and places can be booked via the LORIC Eventbrite page. -
Participatory Autism Research projects at BGU (ARCH)
“The Precariat” is a good name for a band: Autism, employment and the creative industries. This PhD study examines the experiences of autistic individuals as they transition from university into employment within the creative industries. […] For further information on this research, please contact clare.lawrence@bishopg.ac.uk Parents’ stories involving autism diagnosis for their child. This PhD study explores the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing an autism “diagnosis”, as understood from the parental perspective. […] For further information on this research, please contact clare.lawrence@bishopg.ac.uk Autistic Teachers. This MA study explores the lived experiences of autistic professionals as they enter, manage, stay in, or exit the profession. […]For further information on thisresearch, please contact clare.lawrence@bishopg.ac.uk Autism and Barriers to Employment. This 3rd year Psychology undergraduate assignment investigates the barriers to employment faced by autistic individuals, specifically through the lens of the discrimination case of Mr T. Sherbourne vs Npower (2019). It identifies ways in which what was done by Npower was harmful and discusses possible ways for companies to improve their practice around autistic employees. For further information on this research, please contact clare.lawrence@bishopg.ac.uk Sharing Autism. This ongoing research project uses literature and artefacts to explore autistic identity. Participants are autistic people and their family members who meet in small groups to share their understanding of autism using literature and objects as ‘scaffolds’ for this discussion. These thoughts and ideas are recorded verbally, in written form and visually through sketches and images. Findings from this project will be shared through journal publication and through art exhibition. If you are interested in this research – including exploring the possibility of taking part – please contact Kate at clare.lawrence@bishopg.ac.uk. Portrayals of Black autism in picture books. This research investigates whether and how Black autistic children are represented in picture books. To what extent (if any) can Black autistic children see autism portrayed as being ‘someone like me’? For further information about this research please contact either Sheine (sheine.peart@bishopg.ac.uk)or Kate (clare.lawrence@bishopg.ac.uk). The experience of autistic trainee teachers. Building on the work of the Autistic School Staff Project, this research investigates the experiences, support needs, strengths and lived experience of autistic people training to teach. For further information (of if you would like to discuss taking part), please contact Kate at clare.lawrence@bishopg.ac.uk. -
RKEU World Religions and Education
The World Religions and Education Research Unit (WRERU) has been established as a research and knowledge exchange unit within BGU that can bring together and support current activities, and create new initiatives, committed to research and development in world religions and education. We do not intend to replace or merge projects that are already established, but to create synergies and greater visibility for those projects and to add new work. There is a chance for BGU to have a globally-leading position on research in world religions and education. By ‘world religions’ in the unit’s title we mean those religious traditions of international significance, including – amongst many – Anglican, Roman Catholic, Nonconformist and Orthodox Christianity, Baháʼí, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Jain, Judaism, Sikhism and Zoroastrian. As religious education, globally, often includes education on non-religious ways of life and ethical and values education, these are also included in our work. -
Remembering 9/11 Twenty Years On
On the morning of September 11, 2001, an American Airlines Boeing 767 crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. Worldwide, millions watched in shock as events were broadcast by live television coverage. Many remember the chilling footage of the second plane hitting the south tower and the later collapse of the twin towers. At 9.45 am (Eastern Standard Time - EST), a third plane hit the Pentagon in Washington D.C. At 10.10 am (EST), a fourth hijacked plane crashed in a field in western Pennsylvania. United Flight 93 had been delayed leaving Newark Liberty International Airport, leaving time for some of its passengers to learn of the attacks in New York and Washington from cell phone calls. A group of brave passengers and flight crew fought the highjackers preventing the terrorists from weaponising the plane and taking out their fourth intended target, either the White House or the U.S. Capitol. The coordinated attacks were carried out by the Islamic extremist group al Qaeda. Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives that day. Twenty years on, historians at Bishop Grosseteste University share their memories of a day that changed the world. Dr Claire Hubbard-Hall, Programme Leader for Military History. I was weeks away from submitting my Master's' dissertation when 9/11 happened. The day the planes hit the World Trade Center, I had broken away from editing a dissertation chapter. I made a sandwich and then switched on the weighty analogue box television that occupied the living room corner. Images of destruction and devastation greeted me. News of the attacks in New York dominated both BBC and ITV channels (two of just five channels then). For the rest of the day, I sat transfixed, unable to make sense of the news that followed. In an era before social media, the live broadcast made it feel as if I were there. I watched in horror as the Twin Towers plummeted to the ground. At the time, I felt sick. Looking back, I still do. During my doctorate, I spent some time in New York as a Fritz Halbers Fellow researching aspects of the Holocaust at the Leo Baeck Institute. In 2006, on a bitterly cold January morning, I visited the site of the 9/11 attack. Standing silently in Lower Manhattan, I felt overwhelmed with emotion, still unable to process the unthinkable. As we mark the 20th anniversary of one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in history, I wonder how much 9/11 is shifting from lived experience to a historical event connected to the years of history before and after the 9/11 attacks. Dr Hazel Kent, Lecturer in History. I was rushing from my classroom to the staffroom to grab a much-needed cuppa after a busy lesson (some things don't change). A colleague stopped me in the corridor: "Have you heard what's happening in New York?" I hadn't. There wasn't easy internet access in a Lincolnshire comprehensive at that time, and certainly not in my History classroom. I went over to the Science block, to the technician's long, thin preparation room; this was the only place in the school with a live television signal. Surrounded by the chemical bottles and equipment, I remember watching the coverage in disbelief and trying to make sense of what was happening as more and more staff crowded into the tiny space to do the same. I remember the confusion as TV reporters tried to explain, as the horrific trauma of a carefully coordinated terror attack began to unfold thousands of miles away. Watching the coverage of the event certainly had a profound effect on me. From a historian's point of view, it is interesting to reflect on the experience of watching such a significant event unfold in real-time before its narrative has been created. Dr Alan Malpass, Lecturer in Military History. I've lived my entire adult life in the post-9/11 world, but my memories of that day are hazy. I do remember, quite vividly, sitting on the sofa in my parents living room watching news reports of the attack. I had just returned from school, so it must have been around 4 pm (BST). My dad was still at work, but my mum was watching the TV. I remember walking in and seeing her stood in the middle of the room. I immediately felt that something serious had happened, and I sat down. I don't remember us speaking a lot, but just sitting and trying to comprehend the news coverage. I didn't understand what had happened – I don't think anyone did at that point. I'd never heard of the 'Twin Towers' or thought much about terrorism, but the chaotic images made an instant impression. The sense that something tragically earth-shattering had happened was clear. Twenty years later, I now find myself teaching the events of 9/11 and terrorism on some of the modules I deliver. They are requisite to understanding the world we live in today. Further information about the 9/11 Memorials can be found at The 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Flight 93 National Memorial and The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. -
BGU Participatory Autism Research Symposium - 13th October 2021
The second Participatory Autism Research Symposium presented by Bishop Grosseteste University and the Participatory Autism Research Collective will be held online on Wednesday 13th October from 10am-12pm. Participatory autism research is defined as research where members of the autistic community have control over the research agenda and the analysis of, and reflection on, the data that is generated. It embeds the values of the draft framework for inclusive autism research (Chown et al., 2017), including that autism research should be aimed at improving the lives of autistic people. Each participant in the symposium will introduce an element of their current research and this will then be discussed by the group. Each presentation will last for approximately 15 minutes. Comment by audience members will not be supported during the symposium, but there will be an opportunity for delegates to discuss the event in groups at the end. Presentations: Autistic women and university This participatory PhD research focuses on autistic women's experiences of university, with specific regard to wellbeing. Participants expressed barriers to university and wanted universities to be more inclusive. As part of this project participants created creative pieces such as poems or artwork. Sophie is particularly interested in the use of creative methods as a research tool. Sophie is a BGU alumnus. Using the short film ‘Broken’ to explore autism in the classroom The short film Broken (Rimmer, 2020) is an artistic impression that aims to articulate autistic pupil dysfluency from an autistic viewpoint. The film has been used a tool to support trainee teachers’ understanding of fluency issues in autistic pupils in the mainstream classroom. The film (6 minutes) will be shown as part of the presentation. John is a member of BGU academic staff. The film’s co-creator, ‘Fauxparl’, is a BGU alumnus. Representation of Black autistic characters in picture books In 1990, Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop published an essay outlining the importance of children’s books as both ‘windows’ and ‘mirrors’: books that are windows enable children to learn about the lives of others, and those that are mirrors support children to see themselves reflected. This project looks at the representation of Black autistic children in picture books – a hugely under-represented demographic. It critiques this representation both from a Black and from an autistic perspective and investigates how these books work both as windows and mirrors. Clare is undertaking a PhD in children’s literature at Cambridge University. She is supporting three members of BGU’s academic staff with this project. BGU’s ARCH project BGU has this year started an Autism Resources Community Hub (ARCH), which aspires to be a one-stop starting point for all members of the BGU autism community (autistic students and staff, family members, friends and allies) to access information about autism at BGU. This community-based, exploratory work aims to build a positive resource that emerges from our autistic community. Helen is BGU’s Student Engagement Facilitator.
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