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Reverend Dr Tania ap Siôn
The Revd Dr Tania ap Siôn is Reader of Religions, Humanities and Education, and joined Bishop Grosseteste University in 2018. She holds a BA and MA in Theology from Oxford University, an MA in Religious Studies from the University of Wales, Bangor, and a PhD in Education (focusing on theology, psychology and education) from the University of Warwick. Tania’s academic research has a strong relationship with professional practice in church-related, school-related, and community-related contexts. This is underpinned by the professional qualification of PGCE in Religious Studies, ordination as an Anglican priest in the Church in Wales, active membership of national and international organisations concerned with religion in schools, and the position of Executive Director of the St Mary’s Centre (a Christian research institute in Wales). Previously, Tania has held academic posts at Bangor University (1994-2007), Glyndwr University Wrexham (2011-2015), and the University of Warwick (2015-2018). Funded by the Wrexham (Parochial) Educational Foundation in partnership with Bishop Grosseteste University, since October 2020 Tania has been working on the St Giles’ Centre Research, Development and Impact Project in Religious Education, which is an exciting and innovative development taking place in the Wrexham County Borough, North East Wales. -
Revd Prof Jeff Astley
Jeff Astley holds the part-time post of Alister Hardy Professor of Religious and Spiritual Experience. His main research interests are religious and spiritual experiences, Christian formation and ‘ordinary theology’. He is currently working on a research project jointly with the University of Warwick and Boston University, USA. For four years (1977-1981) Jeff was Head of Religious Studies at Bishop Grosseteste College and Associate Tutor at Lincoln Theological College, overseeing a joint degree programme taught at both institutions. From 1981 to 2013, he was the founding Director of the North of England Institute for Christian Education, an independent, ecumenical research and development centre (https://neice.webspace.durham.ac.uk/) with strong links with Durham University where he taught on courses in philosophical theology, science and religion and practical theology, and where he is also an honorary Professor in the Department of Theology and Religion. Jeff studied biological sciences and theology as an undergraduate at Cambridge University, and did postgraduate work in theology at Birmingham University and Durham University (where he received his PhD). He is the author or editor of over 40 books and 150 articles or essays on religious faith, experience and formation; philosophical, systematic, ordinary and practical theology; and various related issues in Christian education and spirituality. -
Lecturer's new publication examines evolutionary factors in voting for Brexit and Trump
A new research paper by Dr Alyson Blanchard, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), examining voting behaviour in the EU Referendum and US Presidential Election of 2016 from an evolutionary perspective has been published in Evolutionary Psychological Science. As the paper explains, the year 2016 witnessed historic political change with the ascension to power of Donald Trump and the UK’s vote to leave the European Union (commonly referred to as Brexit). While research has sought to explain these once-deemed unlikely events, an evolutionary theoretical account had remained unexplored. Dr Blanchard’s work investigated whether people may have felt more fearful for their lives due to media coverage of the War in Syria between 2014 and 2016 that had led to a perceived increase in threat from terrorism and associated immigration issues. Evolutionary theory suggests that when environments seem dangerous and harsh that it is adaptive to make decisions that are optimal for the short-term. In this case, despite the long-term consequences for voting for Trump or Brexit – both campaigns promised immediate resolutions to existential threats caused by terrorism and immigration such as “Taking Back Control” and to “Make America Great Again”. The multi-study paper revealed that Trump and Brexit voters reported that they had experienced a perceived increase in existential threat in the time period 2014 and 2016, and feared terrorism and immigration respectively. Environmental factors such as social deprivation, ethnicity and education had a differential impact on vote choice, including votes for neither Trump, nor Hilary Clinton. Overall, the link between existential threats and voting is complex, but the paper affords new insight into voter psychology during the EU referendum and US presidential election.” You can find the full article in the Evolutionary Psychological Science Journal by clicking here. If you’d like to find more information our exciting and innovative doctoral and Psychology programmes vist our website or contact our Enquiries Team. -
Annual Mentor Conference Celebrates ‘Community of Learning’
Earlier this month members of the Secondary PGCE and School Direct team at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) held the first-ever fully remote Annual Mentor Conference titled 'In Changing Times, a Time to Change'. The impact of how training teachers within the COVID-19 pandemic is now shaping practices formed the inspiration for the event and throughout the four-hour conference, attended by delegates from across the partnership, presentations by leaders within the BGU Secondary team showcased the aspects of the Lockdown on professional training, and how BGU will be supporting all within continued restrictions. Professor Anna Lise Gordon (Institute of Education, Faculty of Education, Human and Social Sciences, St Mary’s University, Twickenham) gave the keynote lecture reflecting on her research-informed practices within Secondary teacher training and continued to reinforce the need for respect and relationships as the central development of contemporary resilient teachers. There were also insights by Senior leaders from partnership schools; Ms Marie Muir, Queen Elizabeth High School, Gainsborough and Mrs Jo Fieldsend, Director of Charter Teaching School Alliance, Horncastle shared their vision of how they will facilitate professional training programmes for BGU’s trainee teachers. The remote conference was created by Senior Lecturer Helen Bushell-Thornalley, who herself takes a leading role in Mentoring and Coaching for Secondary school professionals, with support from Mark Hall of BGU’s Centre for Enhancement in Learning and Teaching (CELT). Speaking after the conference Helen shared the events conclusions: “The conference’s conclusions were that BGU’s vision continues to be crafted through a community of learning. Mentoring for mentors alongside professionals in schools, for all of our teachers that we work with within our partnership schools. The recovery mentoring programme now more than ever requires a distributed community of practices.” You can find more information on the wide range of innovative PGCE courses offered by BGU on our website. Alternatively you can contact our Enquiries Team or join us on one our Open Days to find out how to begin your journey into teaching. -
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NQT Experiences to be Explored as BGU Academics Secure British Academy COVID-19 Research Funding
Academics from Bishop Grosseteste University Dr Emma Clarke, Dr Phil Wood and Aimee Quickfall have secured British Academy funding for a ground-breaking project looking into the experiences of newly qualified teachers (NQTs) in 2020/21; a cohort of teachers who have been impacted greatly by the COVID-19 pandemic. The highly competitive British Academy funding process resulted in just 6% of bids being approved. This project considers the experiences of newly qualified teachers, taking up their first career role having missed part of their work-based practice prior to employment. This project will follow NQTs through their first year of teaching to understand the challenges and opportunities they face, how they can be better supported professionally and emotionally, to inform practices and policies to ensure sustainability within the sector during and after the pandemic. Dr. Clarke commented on the project, explaining: “This research will help us understand the complex processes at play for NQTs and is important in ensuring that this cohort thrive in their careers. With a recruitment gap already apparent in English education, any adverse impact on this group of teachers moving forward will play a major role in exacerbating that problem.” It is hoped that the impact of the study will also reach beyond the teaching profession. Dr. Wood explained: “This research project will offer insights into how the wider public sector has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to the training of a new generation of professionals.” The project is part of the Well-being and Workload in Education Research and Knowledge Exchange Unit. If you would like to know more about the work of the Well-being and Workload in Education RKEU, please contact aimee.quickfall@bishopg.ac.uk -
How collaboration across Bishop Grosseteste University is supporting students to adapt in uncertain times
By Cassie Rainey - BG Futures Administrator Covid-19 has transformed the world we live in, pushing us to adapt to a ‘new normal’. One aspect of this ‘new normal’ is the way in which graduates will have to navigate their transitions into the labour market. At Bishop Grosseteste University, the support of academic and professional support teams is more vital than ever to students and graduates. Last month, the Primary and Early Years ITE team and the BG Futures: Careers, Employability and Enterprise team collaborated to deliver a virtual session for students across programmes on the format and logistics of online interviews. The sessions incorporated information on best practice, tips for different video calling platforms and guidance on possible interview questions. The sessions included a Q&A from a recruitment industry expert and BG Futures tenant with questions put forward by students. Sarah Howe, Senior Lecturer on the PGCE Primary programme said: “The Covid – 19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the job application process for some of our students and trainees. Lecturers in the Primary and Early Years ITE Programmes turned to the Careers, Employability & Enterprise team at BG Futures to ensure that support offered at our institution, met the needs of our students and trainees. Several on-line workshops and personal tutorials have taken place with encouraging feedback.” Emma McCarthy, Co-Director of McCarthy Adams Recruitment Specialists, a tenant within the Business & Enterprise Centre in BG Futures, was on hand to provide expert tips to succeeding in online interviews and assisted with a video Q&A for the session. Andy Wright, Careers, Employability & Enterprise Coordinator at BG Futures commented: “This has been a great partnership between teaching staff, BG Futures, students and one of our own tenant businesses. We’ve been very excited to extend our reach to those students who are not able to access face-to-face support at this time, and we have been delighted with the results.” George Rhodes, BA (Hons) Primary Education student, who used this session to help prepare for an upcoming online job interview commented: “After being recommended by a fellow student, I joined an online interview support session which not only provided invaluable advice but also built up my self-confidence. I was successful in my interview, running against 90 other candidates, and I believe without attending the session with Andrew this may not have been the case.” Sarah Moseley, Enterprise Development Manager, said: “The BG Futures Business and Enterprise Centre offers 14 leasable office spaces for start-ups and is home to our Student Enterprise Club. With an emphasis on making a positive impact, we strive to attract tenants who will work collaboratively, to improve the lives of our students, bridging theory and practice. We are extremely thankful for Emma McCarthy’s time and input with this session” You can find out more about BG Futures here. You can explore our Primary and Early Years programmes here. -
Congratulations to All Final Year Students on Your Results
Following the release of academic results this week at Bishop Grosseteste University, we would like to congratulate all of our final year students. We hope that those of you who have received your final classification are happy with your result and proud of your achievements. Despite the unprecedented times that we find ourselves in, you have made it to the end of your studies and are now part of a new alumni community with lots of exciting opportunities ahead. Whilst we are not meeting together at a graduation ceremony this year to celebrate, your Vice-Chancellor, The Reverend Canon Professor Peter Neil, would like to share some words with you which you can listen to by watching the video below. Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas, Chancellor of Bishop Grosseteste University, would also like to congratulate you all and has shared the following words: “As Chancellor of the University, I am delighted to welcome all students completing their studies this year. “Bishop Grosseteste, as a university, has at its core, education and learning, training, and personal development. I know these are values that you will take away with you, and which will continue to be used by you in your future careers. “We wish you well for your future, however, we hope you will not leave us completely, and that you will join BG Generations. “I look forward to seeing all of you who are completing your degrees this year at our celebration of graduation in Lincoln Cathedral in July 2021.” Whether you are embarking on your new career, continuing your studies, or doing something else with your time, we are wishing you all the best for your future.We hope you will keep in touch and make the most of the services that are available to you as a graduate of BGU. -
Martin Smith
Martin Smith joined BGU in 2016 and is the technician for Psychology. His main role is supporting staff and students with using the variety of Psychology equipment we have available in the department, such as the virtual reality headset and BIOPAC devices. Martin delivers a number of practical sessions across the degree to help support student understanding of psychological concepts. Martin also co-ordinates the SONA system, which is used to help advertise staff and student research projects. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Lincoln and completed a Research Master's looking at using Virtual Reality as a means of investigating how we use language for objects that are in motion. Martin is part of the Psychology, Health and Wellbeing Research and Knowledge Exchange unit, where he offers additional technical support for other members of the unit. -
Enterprising student’s journey to mastering the art of teaching and painting
The partnership between BG Futures, the Careers, Employability and Enterprise department at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) and the Prince’s Trust continues to flourish with another of our students benefiting from the Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme, which helps 18 to 30-year olds turn their big ideas into a business reality. Sarah Moseley, Enterprise Development Manager at BG Futures spoke to 1st year BA (Hons) Education Studies (SEDS) student Laurent McCready about how the Princes Trust webinar has helped him with his ideas for an Interior and Exterior Painting & Decorating Business. Laurent explains: “My degree choice was as a result of 3 years of voluntary work coaching primary school age children hockey for my Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh award. I felt the children connected with me and I enjoyed the sessions. Following 2 weeks of work experience at St Peters in Eastgate primary school I decided that I wanted to go into teaching as a career.” Teaching is very different to painting & decorating so what is the connection? “I also really enjoy painting and decorating and feel confident doing it, having started about a year ago. I heard about the Princes Trust webinar via a notification on my BGU account and decided to take part. I have now developed my knowledge of how to set my own business up. The most useful part of the webinar for me was being encouraged to talk about the idea and learning the key aspects such as taxation and national insurance, as well as being able to ask questions. I see my biggest challenge is to actually brave up and start the business. The next step is to do this once I have conducted a little more research about gaining customers and my competitors” Laurent is already succeeding in balancing his University work, position as a Student Ambassador, part time work at the Doubletree by Hilton, and his role with NCS running workshops with older children leading to a community-based project. When asked what the future may hold Laurent said: “Currently my training to become a primary school teacher comes first, however this may differ if I set up my own business and if that happens, I hope to be running Duvalsdecorating (Duval being my middle name) and perhaps a couple others!” To see Laurent’s painting & decorating projects follow duvalsdecorating on Instagram. Contact sarah.moseley@bishopg.ac.uk to discover more about the work of the Enterprise Team at BG Futures Explore BGUs range of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Teaching programmes For further details of The Prince’s Trust programme contact John Holliday on 07766 778341
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