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History of German PoWs in Britain explored in new book by BGU Historian
Alan Malpass, recently appointed Lecturer in Military History at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), has had his book 'British Character and the Treatment of German Prisoners of War, 1939-48' published by Palgrave Macmillan. The book examines attitudes towards German prisoners of war held captive in Britain, drawing on original archival material including newspaper and newsreel content, diaries, sociological surveys and opinion polls, as well as official documentation and the archives of pressure groups and protest movements. Moving beyond conventional assessments of POW treatment which have focused on the development of policy, diplomatic relations, and the experience of the POWs themselves, this study refocuses the debate onto the attitude of the British public towards the standard of treatment of German POWs. In so doing, it reveals that the issue of POW treatment intersected with discussions of state power, human rights, gender relations, civility, and national character. Speaking following publication, Alan discussed what drew him to the study and how it feeds back into the Military History course at BGU: “Having been brought up watching films of British POWs in Germany and the Far East, the captivity of hundreds of thousands of German POWs in Britain instantly interested me when I was told of them having worked on the land collecting in the harvest. If asked about the fate of POWs during WWII, I think most people would immediately think of Steve McQueen attempting to jump the barbed-wire fence on his Triumph motorcycle in The Great Escape and Alex Guinness collapsing on the plunger at the end of The Bridge on the River Kwai. Certainly, I was very surprised when I first learned of the German military cemetery in Cannock Chase and that German POWs were held at a camp just down the road from my parents’ house in Staffordshire during the war. Hopefully the book will help shed further light on this marginalised episode in British memory of the conflict. Given the prominence of Colditz Castle and the Great Escapers in our popular understanding of the Second World War, I wanted to investigate the debates, concerns, and memories the British had concerning the enemy prisoners who were held across the UK in wartime and post-war Britain”. “Prisoners of war might be ‘out of the fight’ when captured, nevertheless their experiences and roles, especially as workers for their captors, are important to consider when studying war and warfare. The history of POWs is as long as that of warfare itself and the codification of international laws to help protect them from abuse is intricately bound up with the development of ethical thought towards conflict. While combat and the ‘face of battle’ are central elements in the study of warfare, our BA (Hons) Military History Course also emphasises the wider social, ethical, and cultural impacts of war and its aftermath”. The BA (Hons) Military History degree course at BGU explores the county’s rich aviation and military heritage, from the medieval period through to the present day, alongside a global coverage of the history of war and its broader impact. If you are interested in joining these discussions, visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team for more information. You can also connect directly with our Military History team on Twitter -
Applications open for BGU & Lincoln Civic Trust Scholarship Award
Applications are invited for the Lincoln Civic Trust scholarship award 2020-21, which is funded by the Lincoln Civic Trust and Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU). The award honours the work of Richard Lucas, the Trust’s founding president and noted local historian. Applications are open to students who are enrolled on the MA in Social & Cultural History who are either studying full-time 2020-2021 or who are undertaking their second year of part-time study. The scholarship is competitive. Applicants must submit a 1000 word research proposal on their choice of dissertation subject which MUST address an aspect of the history of the City of Lincoln, and/or Lincolnshire. The outline should include: name and contact detailsindication of stage of study(full-time or part-time)clearly state the intended area of researchthe significance of the research and archives to be consulted.The award will be administered as a discount of £2,000 against the tuition fee payable by the selected student for the MA in Social & Cultural History during the academic year 2020-21.The recipient of the award will be invited to attend the Lincoln Civic Trust’s Annual General Meeting and present their dissertation research outline. They will be expected to return after the completion and submission of their dissertation and give an illustrated presentation on their findings. They will also be invited to publish a short written summary of their dissertation research in a newsletter, magazine, and/or report. The closing date for this scholarship is Monday 28th September 2020, no later than 4pm. Any applications received after this time will not be accepted. The selection of the recipient will be based on expert review undertaken by academic staff within the History subject area. Their decision in the matter is final.Applicants are to submit their applications via email to the Programme Leader,Dr Claire Hubbard-Hall: claire.hubbard-hall@bishopg.ac.uk -
Collaborative BGU Nursing Programme makes Finals at HSJ Awards
The Postgraduate Certificate in General Practice Nursing (GPN-ST), a collaborative project between Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), HEE East Midlands, University of Northampton and Lincs Healthcare community has made it to the final of the 2020 Health Service Journal (HSJ) Value Awards. Although there will be no face to face event to announce the winners there will be an online HSJ Value Awards Day on 4th September. The online day is open to all and will begin at 9am and end at 4pm. It will be held on twitter, via @HSJ_Awards, and there is no need to register in advance. A 20-min slot will be dedicated to each category, in which the shortlist will be showcased and details surrounding the winner including their project synopses and judge’s commentary will be highlighted. The category for the GPN-ST, ‘System or Commissioner Led Service Redesign Initiative’ starts at 3pm. Addressing workforce shortfalls is a key priority for England’s Chief Nursing Officer. General Practice Nurse Specialty Training (GPN-ST) successfully creates a pipeline of new GPNs across STPs and resolves inter-practice poaching and recycling from the diminishing pool of experienced GPNs. GPN-ST offers nurses a way into an exciting and dynamic first destination GPN career, providing invaluable ‘on the job’ exposure, postgraduate education and supervision whilst also financially supporting practices to train. Showcased nationally as a model of good practice and a forerunner of the Long Term Plan’s ‘GPN Fellowships’, GPN-ST is delivering a viable solution to the GPN workforce crisis. Kirsty is a General Practice Nurse in Market Rasen and completed the course earlier this year. She shared her experiences and what the course could offer her career: “I had always wanted to work within General Practice right from my placements as a student nurse. After working in secondary care for 2 years from qualifying I got a job in General Practice but with no real experience I applied for the PG Cert in General Practice Nursing. Completing the course has given me the skills and underpinning knowledge to provide great care to patients and it has helped me understand the role of a practice nurse and enabled me to fulfil the role. I love my job as a practice nurse and the course really helped me achieve where I wanted to be.” The PG Cert In General Practice Nursing is a fantastic opportunity for health care professionals to up skill and provides a pathway into the developing course portfolio within the School of Social Science at BGU which reflects current and future needs of the health and social care sector. Other current courses include Master's in Health & Social Care Leadership and Primary & Community Care. To find out how these courses can help develop your healthcare skills visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team. -
Academic's Blake collaboration seeks to 'venture beyond death's limitations'
Earlier this summer Dr Sibylle Erle, Reader in English Literature and RKEU Literature and Literacies, collaborated with artist Marina White Raven (London) and musician Ana-Cristina Perez (Mexico City) in an online event that sought to venture beyond death’s limitation and make contact with the artistic genius of William Blake (1757-1827). “[Blake] died on Sunday night at six o’clock, in a most glorious manner. He said he was going to that country he had all his life wished to see, and expressed himself happy, hoping for salvation through Jesus Christ. Just before he died his countenance became fair, his eyes brightened, and he burst out into singing of the things he saw in heaven.” (Gilchrist ([1907] 1998, 382) Blake told his wife Catherine that “‘they would not be parted; he would always be about her to take care of her.’” (381) For Blake, life and death weren’t opposites; they were connected as two states of being. Titled 'The Sick Rose’ (Encountering Blake) the event saw Marina White Raven, who had immersed herself in Blake’s works, creating a performance seeking to reach into the afterlife; channelling Blake's spirit and bringing him into life. The live performance, now available to view on YouTube, was introduced by Dr Erle who is a recognised Blake scholar. Dr Sibylle Erle, who works on monsters, death and Blake, will teach on MA Children's Literature and Literacies to start in September 2021. If you’d like to share your projects from the summer we’d like to hear about them. Contact marketingteam@bishopg.ac.uk with the details. -
BGU Academics Awarded €178,000 Erasmus Funding for Well-being Research
Academics from Bishop Grosseteste University’s (BGU) Well-being and Workload in Education RKEU group have been awarded 178,000 euro of Erasmus+ funding to research and develop the well-being of initial teacher education students. The group from BGU, who will be leading this international project, consists of Dr. Emma Clarke, Dr. Phil Wood, Shaun Thompson and Aimee Quickfall. They will be working with colleagues at the University of Eastern Finland and Kobenhavns Professionshojskole, University of Copenhagen. Aimee, who is Head of Programmes for Primary and Early Years at BGU, commented that: “It is great to be working with our Finnish and Danish colleagues again on a topic that is dear to all of us – the continued success and happiness of our teacher trainees.” The aim of the project is to produce a package of resources for ITE students, school mentors and university staff, including ‘well-being toolkits’ that will be tailored to Finnish, Danish and UK contexts. Shaun, who is Regional Partnership Lead at BGU explained this: “It is really important to consider different education systems and also the different people that need support with well-being. If a student struggles with their well-being during their training, mentors and university tutors also need resources to support their trainee in their context; on placement, in tutorials, at a distance and in person.” The project will run for three years and include events in all three countries to share findings with students, school mentors and initial teacher educators. Emma pointed out: “The project has a real activist aim – we want to improve the experiences of teacher trainees as widely as we can.” To that end, the project outcomes will include a website with free to access online resources, blogs and advice, as well as the toolkits for supporting trainee well-being. Phil explained that: “Although the toolkits and resources will be based on research carried out at BGU, UEF and Copenhagen, there will be useful materials and findings for teacher trainees, mentors and tutors in other contexts and countries.” If you’re interested in a future in education, our BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS (3 year undergraduate degree), BA (Hons) Primary Teaching Studies with QTS (15 month top up degree), and PGCE courses are the perfect ways to begin or continue your adventure on the path to becoming a fantastic teacher! If you have any questions, our Enquiries Team are ready to help. Contact them today or visit our website to find out how to take your next steps. -
BGU Business Students Embrace Learning on a Global Scale
BGU Business Students Embrace Learning on a Global Scale BGU students are being given the opportunity to engage in a live international business project that will allow them to gain direct hands-on experience in working with students from around the globe. Coordinated by Chris Jackson, BGU’s Programme Lead for Team Entrepreneurship, the project will engage up to 100 students from universities in the UK, USA, Finland, Ecuador, China and Nigeria. Participants will be split into groups of ten and then issued with a business challenge by a company with a global presence. Says Chris: “This is a great opportunity for any young person to develop and test the skills and attributes they will need as they move forward into the world of work. The project will need them to come together as a team, decide for themselves how they want to address the task, establish objectives and delight the client. It’s about as real as it gets.” “Lockdown restrictions have seen us all have to adapt to new ways of working that can present challenges that haven’t been experienced before. While some people wait for a new ‘normal’ to return, the wheels of enterprise have to keep turning. We have a responsibility to make sure our learners don’t get left behind or miss out on any opportunity to explore new ways of working”. Participating students will experience many challenges, including language and cultural differences, coping with time zone disparities and having to find effective ways of communicating, not to mention any basic issues such as shyness. Each team will have access to an experienced international Team Coach. “The role of the Team Coach is neither to lead or instruct”, explained Chris. “Our role is more as a ‘guide on the side’ than ‘sage on the stage’. When learners say, ‘we don’t know what to do’, then we might simply ask them what they might do and encourage them to find alternative solutions to the problem. Of course, they might not make the ‘right’ decision first time, but we want them to become curios about the world they live in and more so discover what is ‘right’ for them”. The challenge begins in October and will run through to December, although interest is such that there are already plans to extend the initiative through 2021. The initiative is open to any student who wants to learn about teamworking and active enterprise on a global scale. For further information please contact Chris Jackson at chris.jackson@bishopg.ac.uk To find out how you can create your own successes in our collaborative learning community, visit our website, speak to a member of our Enquiries Team or join us on one of our Open Days. -
Links between monster imagery and post-traumatic stress explored in new paper
A new paper by Jenny Hamilton, Programme Leader for Counselling and the MSc Mental Health, Wellbeing & Resilience at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), is exploring the relationship between monster imagery and post-traumatic stress. Monsters are considered as symbol and metaphor for unspoken or unprocessed personal and cultural trauma, that may represent underlying, unacknowledged fears. The paper develops Jenny’s academic and counselling work in the area of film therapy and discusses how encounters with the monster onscreen, in mental imagery, dreams or metaphor, may be allegorical to the individual’s internal struggle with post-traumatic stress. The paper particularly explores how monsters represent fears surrounding cancer and terminal illness in movies such as A Monster Calls and The Shallows. It is proposed that trauma experience confronts us with our mortality and fragility, bringing us into contact with the sense of ‘abject’ horror represented by monster imagery, when faced with existential threats that may render the everyday meaningless. Speaking after publication Jenny discussed some of the papers themes: “Our fascination with monsters may be linked to an adaptive evolutionary drive to symbolise experience into awareness for processing and meaning making. These initial imaged representations of fear states may begin a process of psychological integration of difficult experiences. In this way monsters may actually play a complex role in a human struggle to come to terms with overwhelming events. Onscreen monsters may allow us to face our fears and survive.” The themes discussed in the paper are relevant to academics and students in different disciplines, from literature, film and media studies to counselling and psychology. It has been published online in the journal Humanities and Social Sciences Communications is available through open access as part of a wider journal collection of articles ‘Monsters: interdisciplinary explorations of monstrosity’. You can find it by clicking here. To find out how you can create your own successes in our collaborative learning community, visit our website, speak to a member of our Enquiries Team or join us on one of our Open Days. -
Student turns troubles into truffles during lockdown
During the Spring Lockdown Becca Taylor, a first year BA (Hons) Sociology student at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), thought that baking cakes for her family and friends might give them something to smile about. Little did she know that this would sow the seed for a lucrative business venture. As Becca explains, her plans looked like they might fall at the first hurdle: "I went to buy ingredients and found the shelves empty of flour and eggs but I still wanted to send a gift to our families as we couldn’t see them much" Undeterred Becca realised she could buy what was needed to make truffle treats instead. After positive feedback and a request to make more Becca experimented, tasted and tested and before she knew it 'Taylor’d Truffles' was born. As we enter Global Entrepreneurship week, the world’s biggest celebration of entrepreneurship, Sarah Moseley, Enterprise Development Manager within BG Futures caught up with Becca. When asked what key piece of advice she had for BGU students with fledgling enterprises, Becca said: "Do your research first. It pays off to get everything you need together such as registrations, paperwork etc. all the boring stuff done and ready for opening. It makes the process much more organised and professional. Ideally, post-graduation, I would like the business to have grown and be successful enough for it to be run on a full-time basis." Last month Taylor’d truffles received the highest-level Food Hygiene Rating meaning customers can order with confidence that all food safety and hygiene guidelines are followed. Taylor’d Truffles have seen an increase in orders since Lockdown 2.0 and are now taking preorders for Christmas which will be dispatched using Royal Mails first class service. To find out more about Taylor’d Truffles: Facebook Instagram www.taylordtruffles.com taylordtruffles@outlook.com If you are a BGU student running your own enterprise, or have an idea that you need support with developing, our Enterprise Team within BG Futures would love to hear from you. Contact sarah.moseley@bishopg.ac.uk Tel 01522 563817 -
Applying Self Determination Theory to Childhood Feeding Challenges Explored by PhD student
A paper by Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) final year PhD student, Jo Cormack, on an application of Self Determination Theory (SDT) has been recognised as among the most requested and downloaded article in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior for the quarter. Co-authored by Dr Katja Rowell (American medical doctor and child feeding expert) and BGU Lecturer in Psychology, Dr Gianina Postavaru, the paper applies SDT to childhood feeding challenges, in particular exploring how the 'basic needs' proposed by SDT - autonomy, relatedness and competence - can provide a framework for a responsive approach to child feeding. Speaking after receiving the accolade, Jo explained why the paper was gaining such a high level of attention: “The paper has generated a lot of interest among clinicians working with paediatric feeding problems (also known as 'extreme picky eating' or 'selective eating'). This is in part because the concepts of responsive feeding and responsive feeding therapy are currently gaining traction in the field, as practitioners explore alternatives to more pressuring and coercive strategies and therapeutic approaches to managing feeding difficulties.” You can read more about Jo's work with 'picky eating' at www.jocormack.com The full citation for the article is below: Cormack, J., Rowell, K., & Postăvaru, G. I. (2020). Self-Determination Theory as a Theoretical Framework for a Responsive Approach to Child Feeding. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 52(6), 646-651. For more information on the doctoral programmes at BGU, visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team. -
Update on planned return to learning in January and Lateral Flow Testing
The Government’s guidance is that the return to face-to-face sessions should be staggered over a 4-5 week period, with priority given to practical or placement based subjects, to help prevent the possible transmission of COVID-19 following the Christmas vacation period. In addition, Lateral Flow Tests will again be made available to students and staff in this period to help reassure that they are not returning with the virus. For BGU this means that most programmes will continue to be delivered via remote learning for the first two weeks in January (beginning the 4th and 11th) to complete semester 1. This includes the planned assessment week beginning the 18th which does not require in-person classes. A return to blended learning, including face-to-face sessions will for many subjects begin from the 25th of January with the start of semester 2. However, to facilitate the staggered return some subject sessions, as previously timetabled, will not start until the 1st of February. Certain subjects are exceptions and will return to placements and in-person activities earlier. These include: Programmes with ITE placements starting from 4th JanuarySome in-person sessions for Drama level 4 and Level 5 students For specific information relating to individual programmes, Joint honours student should check the information for both their subjects as they may start back at different times. Additional information will also be supplied by tutors through Blackboard for students on exception courses needing to return earlier or later than the 25th January. From the 4th January all of our student support services will remain available. You can find the full list of services and their contact details on our Working Together web page. To help keep the return to learning a smooth process we will again be offering free lateral flow testing to all students and staff. As with the end of term testing this a voluntary process but we would encourage all members of our community to make use of it in the build-up to your programme’s return to blended learning. You can book your appointments by clicking here.
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