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BGU lecturer explores The Ruskin Speech in new research article
A publication written by James Silverwood, Senior Lecturer in Business at BGU, and his co-author, Peter Wolstencroft of Liverpool John Moores University is now free to read on the website of the British Educational Research Journal. The journal article ‘The Ruskin Speech and Great Debate in English Education, 1976-1979: A study of motivation’ reignites debate about the intentions behind the intervention into educational by James Callaghan and his Labour government starting with the Prime Minister’s speech at Ruskin College, Oxford in October 1976. There is good reason why Callaghan’s speech remains lodged within the popular consciousness amongst educationalists, it been possible to trace forward integral aspects of the speech into controversial elements of education in England in the present day. Foremost among them been the concentration of regulatory power within a national body, Ofsted, the centrality of a national curriculum within educational provision, and the firmly link education with the delivery of employability. Consequently, the Ruskin speech is often conceptualized as a ‘turning point’ within English education leading inexorably towards the modern English educational system. As we approach the fiftieth anniversary of Callaghan’s Ruskin speech in 2026, it was time to engage in retrospective, something James and Peter’s paper achieves by critically inspecting the speech in the context in which it was delivered, rather than with the benefit of hindsight of knowing the subsequent trajectory of the English educational system. Conducting documentary analysis of archival material held in the National Archives, Kew Gardens, the authors conclude that the motivation for Callaghan’s speech at Ruskin College was to support the ideals of the comprehensive educational system, rather than institute widespread educational reform. This is in contrast to the common understanding of the Ruskin speech within English educational history as delineated above. Dr James Silverwood Speaking about his research, James Silverwood, said: “There is no doubt that the Ruskin speech is a seismic event in the history of education in England, but perhaps not for the reasons currently considered. “We found no evidence in the archives to suggest that the motivation of Callaghan and his Labour government was to implement widespread educational reform. Much the opposite, evidence suggested they were motivated to support and defend the comprehensive educational system from attack by political opponents who would seek to reform it. Where subsequent governments have referred back to the Ruskin speech as justification for educational transformation away from comprehensive ideals it to imbue the Ruskin speech with motivations that were not shared by Callaghan and his Labour government.” You can read the journal article here. -
Dr Adam Foxon
Dr. Adam Foxon is a senior lecturer at BGU on our Foundation Year programme. He also lectures on Theology, Philosophy and Ethics. He completed his PhD in 2022 entitled, Quod Homo sit Minor Mundus: Robert Grosseteste and the Potentiality of the Material World: Microcosmism and Deification in the Development of a Didactic Weltanschauung. Dr. Foxon has worked in schools and colleges around his work at BGU and actively encourages public exposure to the academic world. He is open to conversations surrounding academic outreach, particularly in areas concerning history, philosophy, and religion. His academic work and interests are incredibly varied. He is a medievalist at heart (12th-13th centuries), but he also delves into other areas, from: historic and modern perspectives on the paradigm between science and religion; arguments for the existence of God; the Christian notion of microcosmism (and its effect on deificatory convictions); and process theology, to: exotheology (theological thought related to extra-terrestials) and the relationship between religion and football. -
Gillian Johnston
Gillian joined BGU in October 2022 as a Sociology/Criminology lecturer. Her current role is Programme Leader for both the BA (Hons) Sociology and BA (Hons) Criminology programmes. Gillian played a pivotal role in developing the recently validated BA (Hons) Criminology programme. Gillian’s qualifications span both disciplines. She graduated from the University of Lincoln with a BA (Hons) Social Science degree and later graduated from Keele University with an MA in Criminology and Research Methods. She is currently undertaking an EdD. Her area of interest and the topic of her thesis is related to class, gender and Higher Education. The aim of her research is to examine the impact that social background and gender may have on mature working-class women whilst on their Higher Education learning journey. The working title of her research: Exploring the inner worlds of mature working-class women on their journey through Higher Education. Gillian’s criminological interest is with punishment and prisons. She has gained extensive practical skills through her volunteering experiences with several local organisations that offer support to offenders in the prison environment and ex-offenders in the community. Gillian teaches on several Sociology modules: What is (the point of) sociology?Advanced Social ThoughtDiscourse and Identity: Local, National and Global ContextsProfessional ContextsIn Dialogue: Subject Studies Across the Arts and HumanitiesSurveillance and Society She will also be delivering several modules on the BA (Hons) Criminology programme. -
Criminology course welcomes guest speakers to enhance student experience
Students studying on our undergraduate criminology degree benefited from sessions hosted by guest lecturers. -
Mary Brown
Mary joined BGU November 2023. Lecturer in Sociology and Criminology. Mary has contributed to the programme development and delivery of the new undergraduate programme: BA Criminology degree and to the BA Sociology degree, developing several modules including the new module Sociology of Education, one of her specialist subject areas. More widely, Mary contributes to the Lincolnshire Youth Justice Team Futures4Me programme on the Community Panel. She is involved with developing placement opportunities as part of the BA Criminology as well as developing involvement of multiple sections of Lincolnshire police and agencies within the Criminal justice System in vocational curriculum development and employability. Other connections and class based learning development Mary has affiliated with include from Social Work teams, the Lincolnshire Recovery Partnership and LiNCHIGHER. Previously, Mary gained her BA (Hons) Social Sciences degree at the University of Hertfordshire (1995), her PGCE from Nottingham Trent University (2010) and her Master of Philosophy research degree from University of Lincoln (2022). Mary has taught at Lincoln College, where she was a lecturer in sociology, criminology (2007-2024) and policing (2021-2024) and at the University of Lincoln where she was an Associate Lecturer (2018-2021). Mary’s research interests are principally focused on young people and social class, particularly in the field of education and the relationship between these and what they mean for experience and success in education. She has contributed to improved innovation and focus on learning programmes and their accessibility for wider participation students and those with more practical focus particularly from working class backgrounds. Such interests are also shared with the wider sociological community via the British Sociological Association and Mary is a contributor to discoversociety.org. By applying research literature reviews of sociologists of education, Mary has applied new found ways of contributing to teaching programmes. -
BGU Students visit the National Civil War Centre
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) Archaeology, History, and Military History students recently embarked on a trip to the National Civil War Centre. Located in the heart of Newark, the centre features interactive exhibits, immersive displays, and a vast collection of historical artefacts. Visitors can learn about the causes of the conflict, the key events and battles, and the impact the war had on society and culture. During the trip, the ten students had the opportunity to handle various artefacts and objects from the British Civil War, which provided them with a hands-on learning experience outside of the classroom. The fully-funded trip is part of the subject provision that Foundation Year students receive, and it serves as a highlight for them to celebrate completing Semester one. Dr Erik Grigg led the excursion and - having spent a decade working in heritage - recognises the value of the hands-on learning that museums can provide. He said: "Trips like these are incredibly valuable for students as they provide an opportunity to get out of the classroom and engage with history in a more immersive and tangible way. "The National Civil War Centre is a fantastic resource, and being able to handle artefacts and learn from knowledgeable guides brings the subject to life in a way that traditional study might not." -
New exhibition explores British troops' deployment experience
‘Behind the Bastion’, an art exhibition exploring the personal stories of British troops deployed to Afghanistan, will open to the public on Friday 9th June. The exhibition features new artwork by Ed Kluz and pieces created by veterans. Led by Bishop Grosseteste University's Archaeology and History Programme Leader, Dr Derwin Gregory ‘Behind the Bastion’ is part of a wider project on vernacular ‘placemaking’ within the British military, exploring how British troops make operational bases feel like home while deployed overseas. Dr Derwin Gregory said: “This project aims to bring together art, history, and military experience to uncover the often-overlooked stories of British troops deployed overseas. “I hope 'Behind the Bastion' will generate new conversations about the personal experiences of troops and the impact of their built environment on mental health, and I look forward to sharing our findings with the public." The project has been made possible by the IWM 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund, a national partnership programme of over 20 artist commissions inspired by the heritage of conflict. Led by Imperial War Museums, the IWM 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund was created following the success of 14-18 NOW, the official UK arts programme for the First World War centenary. Rebecca Newell, Head of Art at Imperial War Museums said: “Working with artists has been a core part of IWM’s practice since the First World War. Part of the IWM 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund, Behind the Bastion continues this important tradition, telling stories of conflict through new and thought-provoking ways.” Artist Ed Kluz, who has been commissioned by the project for the temporary exhibition, said: “It has been such an honour to work with the veterans in carefully exploring the profoundly complex experiences of serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. I knew from the start of the process that the pace and lines of enquiry had to be led by them - by the exploration and respectful acknowledgement of their trauma and testimonies in collaboration with our art therapist. “The form of this piece references the watchtowers which are often found in war zones surrounding military bases. Here, though, rather than it being a structure from which a view is achieved by looking out, here perspectives and insights are gained by peering in.” The exhibition is free to visit and will run from Friday 9th June to Sunday 20th August 2023 at The Stable Yard Gallery at Doddington Hall. For more information, click here or contact derwin.gregory@bishopg.ac.uk. -
Louise Boulter
https://www.bgu.ac.uk/staff/louise-boulter -
Claudia McKibbin
Claudia McKibbin is a Business Lecturer. She holds an LLB in Law and a Master of Arts in Middle East Policy Studies from the University of Exeter. She also holds a Master of Arts in International Relations recognised by the Universidade de Brasília. Her experience includes teaching in both Portuguese and English, developing professionals, content creation, coaching and mentoring, and learner capability analysis. Claudia’s areas of interest and expertise include EDI, Strategy and Risk Management, International Business, Continuous Improvement in Industry, Project Management, Law and Policy Compliance, Leadership and Management, Human Resources Management, Organisational Development, L&D, Conflict Resolution, and Cultural Intelligence. Claudia is a member of the Chartered Management Institute, works as a freelance consultant and has experience working within both public and private sector companies. Notably, Claudia worked as a Contracts Manager at an engineering firm in the USA, as an Executive Officer and Continuous Improvement Specialist within the steel industry in Brazil, and most recently as a Strategic Business Partner at a Lincolnshire NHS Trust. Alongside her role as lecturer, Claudia supports the Lincolnshire Open Research & Innovation Centre (LORIC) as a Business Research Associate with projects funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Outside of academia, Claudia teaches Latin and Ballroom dancing, and enjoys spending time with her family. -
“Is this some kind of joke?” – BGU Present an Evening of Stand-Up Comedy with Tribute Artist Lee Lard
Join us at 7.30pm on Thursday 17 May for an evening of comedy as the one and only Peter Kay Tribute Act – Lee Lard (peterkaytribute.co.uk) – performs in The Venue at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU). Now in his 10th year and with over 2500 performances under his belt, Lee Lard is still being voted the most popular comedy tribute act in the UK. His outstanding tribute to Bolton's funny man Peter Kay has been enjoyed by thousands of fans throughout the UK and abroad and is as popular now as ever continuing to sell out wherever he goes! With a show packed full of Kay highlights from ‘Phoenix Nights’ to ‘Max and Paddy’ and beyond, Lee appeals to an audience of all ages, delivering his own hilarious ‘Peter Kay’ style of stand-up comedy. Lee started as a comic back in 1993, going pro in 2000, making his name in the early days as a part of comedy duo ‘Lean & Lard’. After being invited to work alongside Peter Kay on the biggest comic relief video ever in March 2005 this new career was born! Tickets are £14 each with a student rate of just £10. For further details please contact Daisy Wedge on 01522 585635 or email daisy.wedge@bishopg.ac.uk. You can find more information on the all the exciting events coming up at the Venue throughout the year here.
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