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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. -
BGU Academics Present at the International Nurse Education Today (NET) Conference
Two academics from the Health and Social Care team at BGU presented at the international Nurse Education Today (NET) Conference which is an annual event run by the Advance UK (formally the Higher Education Academy). NET provides a unique opportunity for delegates to engage with the latest worldwide research evidence, developments and thinking with educators, practitioners, and students. Papers are arranged in themed sessions where delegates participate in in-depth discussion and debate on a topic, facilitated by skilled convenors. Nicki Walsh (Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer) and Leanne McHugh (Senior Lecturer) presented on different themes. Nicki presented under the theme of “Educational Enhancement” showcasing her work supporting UK, the general practice nursing workforce (previously published). Her paper reviewed current drivers within practice and higher education, to support and develop the current and future workforce. It examined several initiatives that Nicki was involved with, from the support of General Practice to provide placements for undergraduate nursing and health and social care students, to the development of educational programmes to support nurses working in practice, or who wish to have a career in General Practice, with their continued professional develop and career enhancement. Leanne presented under the theme “Student experience, engagement and achievement”. Leanne shared an overview of the carers project at BGU. The presentation took the participants through the project’s development and planning stages and considered the student and staff engagement opportunities which this project presented. Consideration was given to how to craft the narrative of the project which focused on the question “What would it feel like to be a carer at the university?” “How can we identify a shared language, so we all hear your story?”. Future strategies to enhance the Carers project were also shared with the participants seeing the future vision, which is to consider, “What an active Carers community will look like”. During the question and answer session, feedback from the participants was really positive, offering networking opportunities and possibilities of increasing the awareness of the BGU Carers Community. Related publications Book Chapter - Chapter One – Contemporary General Practice Nursing – Editors Welsh, M. and Brooks, S., Elsevier Walsh, N and Mason, R., (2018) “Hitting the Ground Running": An Evaluation of Management Placements for Student Nurses with UK General Practice. Primary Health Care. Vol. 28 No.7 pp34-41 . doi: 10.7748/phc. 2018.e1443 Walsh, N., (2017) Using community education provider networks to develop general practice nursing. Primary Health Care. Vol.27, No.4, pp26-29 -
Quiet Spaces
Sometimes, we all need to take some time-out. The University has a network of quiet spaces on campus. These are available to staff and students. The Peace Gardens located behind the Accommodation Office, this is a quiet outdoors space in the centre of campus with seatingThe Students’ Union Council Chambers – To access this quiet space please ask the staff working downstairs in the SU who will be happy to helpStudent Advice - To access this quiet space please ask at the Student Advice reception in the Cornerstone BuildingThe Library Rest Room - To access this quiet space, which is a windowless room with a sink, easy chair, ambient light and first aid couch, please ask at the Student Advice Reception Desk or the Library Service DeskThe Library Nook – A comfy armchair, footrest and blanket available on the first floor of the Library (at the far end of the book shelves, next to the fire exit)Prayer, Well-being and Relaxation Room – Located on the ground floor of the Skinner building in room 12 (this room has adjustable lighting)The Snug – Look for the quiet space sign in The Snug space outside the University Chapel (ground floor Skinner building) If you would like any more information about quiet spaces on campus, please email thehub@bishopg.ac.uk Click here to download the Wellbeing map. -
Safeguarding, Harassment and Misconduct
BGU expects its students, staff and visitors to behave responsibly and respectfully to each other and to abide by its various regulations and codes of conduct. Please use the tiles above to make a report (either anonymously or giving contact details) or to access more information about the 'Report and Support' process. You can access information about: inappropriate behaviour and misconduct, including potentially criminal behaviour; guidance on how to report such behaviour; and actions the University will take and the support it can provide Please find the University's relevant Codes of Practice and policies listed below: -
Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct - Information, Reporting and Support
No member of the BGU community is expected to tolerate bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct, whether by a member of the BGU community, a visitor to the University or a member of the public. Any member of staff, student, research participant, or member of the public has the right: to disclose experiences of unacceptable behaviour experienced while working, studying or participating in a BGU activity; to be listened to and to seek support. All staff and students have a responsibility to ensure a working and studying environment where everyone is treated with equal respect and dignity. Each member of the University is expected to contribute to preventing unacceptable behaviours, including harassment, bullying or sexual misconduct through self-awareness; and by modelling positive behaviour for others, and raising any concerns. This page outlines the key principles of BGU’s Prevention of Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy. -
BGU Officially Welcome New Students at Annual Matriculation Ceremony
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) formally enrolled over 1000 students and welcomed nearly 600 of those students at the annual Matriculation Ceremony on Friday 8 October 2021. Now in its seventh year the welcoming ceremony has become an established and popular part of the academic calendar. All newly enrolled students are invited to the ceremony, held in the grand surroundings of Lincoln Cathedral, which gives both undergraduate and postgraduate students the chance to meet University staff and each other. This year’s ceremony began at 3pm with a procession of over 100 BGU members of staff before the new students were officially welcomed to the University by the University’s Chancellor, Dame Judith Mayhew-Jonas, the Vice-Chancellor, the Reverend Canon Professor Peter Neil, the President of the Students’ Union, Erin Bell and the The Vice-Chancellor of Lincoln Cathedral, The Reverend Canon Neil Burgess. As a symbol of their belonging in BGU, all students were given a specially designed gold badge. The Vice-Chancellor explained why the event has become such an important part of the student journey at BGU: “The Matriculation Ceremony marks our students’ formal entry into the University. In addition to offering a friendly welcome to all those who are starting their studies here this year, it marks their entry into BGU’s academic community, of which every student is an integral member. It is also emphasised that we are all there to guide and support the students throughout their time with us. This year feels particularly special, as it is the first time we have gathered together in the Cathedral for almost two years.” The ceremony closed with a performance from the BGU choir followed by speeches from Harry Mill, second year Education Studies and Mathematics student, and Bethany Mcallister, second year English Literature student. If you would like to become a part of the BGU community visit our website to find out about all the exciting courses available to you or contact our Enquiries Team today. You can watch this year’s ceremony and find a photo album on our Facebook page -
Student Advice & Wellbeing Team Support for Autistic Students
Students who are (or think they may be) autistic, whether they have a diagnosis or not are encouraged to come and speak to a member of the Student Advice & Wellbeing Team to discuss their individual circumstances and support requirements. Students are welcome to come to Student Advice & Wellbeing whenever they need to, whether it is for some time out in one of our quiet rooms or to talk to an adviser about any social or academic concerns. Our service is professional, non-judgemental and confidential.
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