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BGU Vice-Chancellor announces retirement
The Vice-Chancellor of Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), the Rev’d Canon Professor Peter Neil, has announced he will retire at the end of July 2023. He is the second vice-chancellor of the institution since it gained university title in 2012 and amongst the longest serving VCs in the UK. During his ten-year leadership, BGU has transformed from its former status as a university college with a strong tradition in teacher education to become a higher education provider that is shaped by a flourishing suite of research and knowledge exchange activities and an enhanced campus estate. Since 2013, the portfolio of taught provision has expanded to include professional studies, social sciences, and the humanities. The volume, scope, and quality of research at BGU has improved significantly with a four-fold increase in the number of researchers returned to the Research Excellence Framework between 2014 and 2021. Knowledge exchange has also gathered momentum during this time, especially through projects in partnership with the public sector. Throughout BGU has remained steadfastly committed to its person-centred approach and focus on the students’ experiences. Professor Neil said: “It has been an immense privilege working for Bishop Grosseteste University as one of the key education providers in the city. It is a very special place and its values and ethos remain as strong today as they did when the then College was opened in 1862. "I am extremely proud of what we continue to do for students and of the contribution that BGU and our community make to the life of the city, county and beyond.” The Chair of University Council Anne Frost said: “Professor Neil has been one of the longest serving Vice Chancellors of this very special education institution. The Council would like to thank him for everything he has done for the university in that time and wish him well for his retirement. We will now begin the recruitment process to find his successor.” Professor Neil - who is also a Canon of Lincoln Cathedral - will leave post at the end of July. -
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Business student completes placement with geocaching magazine
Bishop Grosseteste University student, Lewis Garrett-Pughe, recently completed a placement with PinPoint, a magazine which explores the hobby of geocaching. Geocaching is a real-world GPS treasure hunt game, where players use mobile technology to find containers hidden by other players. There are over 3.5 million geocaches and 350,000 players worldwide, in every country except North Korea! BA Business student Lewis was placed with PinPoint for the final dissertation module of his programme in the spring of 2023. He was involved in a number of tasks and projects during this time, including designing a readers' feedback survey, editing and proofreading, interviewing contributors and contributing to web design. PinPoint, the UK’s only print magazine about this game, was launched in spring of 2022 following a Kickstarter campaign by two lifelong friends, Jane Spencer and Andy Wright. Jane is a professional editor, proofreader and publisher, working with authors, publishers, businesses and organisations. Andy is a BGU alum and has also held a number of roles at the university, including Careers and Employability Co-ordinator. Andy said: "It’s been an absolute pleasure having Lewis with us these past few weeks. He’s turned his hands to such a range of tasks and has challenged us to think about the way we do a few things. He’s been a great member of the team." The final day of Lewis' placement was spent at 'London Calling' a large-scale gathering in Marylebone, London, known in geocaching as a Mega Event. The convention saw players and suppliers from across the UK and several European countries gather for a day-long jamboree of puzzle-solving, litter-picking, searching and trading, as well as several social activities in the capital. Lewis was involved in selling magazines, including subscriptions, interacting with attendees, engaging with potential contributors and networking with a range of suppliers and event managers. Reflecting on his time with PinPoint, Lewis said: "I am grateful for the placement opportunity with PinPoint over the last three months. "I have learnt a lot of new skills as well as developed my existing knowledge along the way with the help of the organisation. It's great to get an insight into how a small business operates." -
BGU inaugural Health and Social Care Fair Success
BGU recently hosted the inaugural Health and Social Care Careers Fair. Health and Social Care students, staff and the team at BG Futures worked together to organise and run the event. Students from across all H&SC programmes were invited to attend and learn more about the possible next steps in their careers in Health and Social Care. A variety of health and social care organisations from across Lincolnshire attended the event, including: NHS Neighbourhood Working Team, Market Rasen General Practice, Lincolnshire County Council Adult and Children’s services, With You, One You Lincolnshire and KIDS Lincolnshire. The event provided an opportunity for students to network with sector providers; with a focus on individual experiences of working in the sector and an interactive seminar exploring “A day in the life…..”. Further opportunities during the event included: a marketplace and discussions around both current vacancies and career development opportunities. Feedback from students reported an overwhelming success and more of the same: “My experience was really enjoyable; everyone was very chatty and helpful” “Really good: I thought it was brilliant being able to sit down and chat, in more depth about services” “Made me really think about where my BSc (Hons) will take me in the future”. Service providers reported that the students were “so enthusiastic and interested in what we do”, where they might fit within service and future career opportunities. Following the day's success, organisers hope to run the event again next year with a view to expanding and inviting even more service providers. -
Bishop Grosseteste University Appoints Interim Vice-Chancellor
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) has announced the appointment of Professor Karen Stanton as the Interim Vice-Chancellor, effective from August 1st, 2023. According to the University, Professor Stanton is an accomplished Vice-Chancellor with a comprehensive background of leading transformational change within Higher Education, having previously served as Vice-Chancellor of Solent University and Vice-Chancellor at York St John University. Her professional journey also includes the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Glasgow Caledonian University, as well as significant positions at King's College London, the universities of Nottingham, Birmingham, and Sheffield Hallam. Professor Stanton said: “I am delighted to be joining the University. BGU is a remarkable institution with a rich heritage of educational excellence and inclusion. “I look forward to working together with its dedicated staff, students and the Council to lead BGU through the next phase of its proud history." A core focus for Professor Stanton throughout her career has been widening access to education and the social purpose and impact of universities. Her one-year appointment as Interim Vice-Chancellor is expected to provide a solid foundation for BGU's future development and growthProfessor Karen Stanton . -
Honorary Award recipients announced
Each year, Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) has the opportunity to award Honorary Doctorates and Honorary Fellowships at its graduation ceremonies. BGU staff and students, retired staff and alumni and current or former University Council members were invited to nominate candidates for honorary awards. Honorary Fellowship is awarded in recognition of outstanding contributions to the University; whilst Honorary Doctorate is awarded to those who have made outstanding contributions to academic achievement, social, economic or cultural life. We're pleased to announce this year's award recipients, who will be honoured at graduation celebrations in July 2023. Bishop Grosseteste University Vice-Chancellor Rev Canon Professor Peter Neil said: “We are proud to be awarding this year’s honorary recipients for their expertise and service in their respective roles. I am delighted to welcome them to our wider BGU community. “Each one of them is inspirational in their own right and all serve as excellent role models for our students in how to make a positive impact on society.” -
Empowering others through music therapy
Sabina Marr knew she wanted to be a music therapist since the age of 12. With a passion for music, a caring nature, and a fascination for the human mind, it made perfect sense to combine these elements of her personality and work towards a career in music therapy. Sabina added singing, the guitar, the piano and the viola to her list of talents, honing her own skills so she could use them to support others in the future. After gaining experience working for HCPT - a charity that works with young people and adults with complex needs - she enrolled on Bishop Grosseteste University's (BGU) Special Educational Needs, Disability & Inclusion and Music course. Sabina said: "There were only a couple of universities in the whole country that offered this kind of course combination, so I went to look round BGU. As soon as I stepped foot on campus, I knew I was in the right place. "The University's approach is completely person-centred and I felt immediately welcomed into its community. Throughout my course I had fantastic support from my tutors and I was given the opportunity to complete placements that improved my confidence and provided experience that would prove invaluable in my future career." After completing a Master's in Music Therapy, Sabina joined Chiltern Music Therapy in 2021 as a Music Therapist. The non-profit organisation provides Music Therapy, Neurologic Music Therapy™ and Community Music services across England and strives for 'a world where music therapy is the transformative thread in everyday life.' Clients range significantly in age, background, personal needs, and goals. Sabina says it's a misconception that music therapists only work with children and shares that 60-70% of her client base are adults. Sessions can be one-on-one or to a group of clients, and may be delivered in schools - including those for students with special educational needs - or in a clinical setting such as brain injury rehabilitation, residential care homes, mental health facilities and hospitals. When defining music therapy, Sabina said: “Every person has the ability to appreciate and respond to music. Music therapists use this connection to establish and develop therapeutic relationships with the people they are working with, in order to meet relevant physical, emotional, social, behavioural, cognitive and communicative goals. Sessions are tailored so that they are accessible and targeted towards individualised development. "Music therapy is an established psychological clinical intervention, and is an internationally recognised practice.” She emphasises that her goal is not to teach others how to play instruments or read music. She says: "I use music to achieve non-musical goals. For example, when working with someone who has had a stroke, I may use melody and familiar songs to improve their clarity and fluency of speech. If the person needs support learning to walk again, I may use elements of music, such as rhythm, to help with their coordination and balance. If the individual is suffering from low mood, we may use song writing or musical improvisation to explore these feelings. "With music, you don't have to rely on words to express yourself, which is really helpful for my non-verbal clients. It's important to tailor the sessions to the individual needs of the client so we can make sure we're on the right path to achieving their goals. "There are so many ways music can be used to improve lives. The most rewarding part of my job is seeing my clients progress and witnessing how much the sessions have helped them. Right now, I'm focusing on refining my expertise and continuing to use music therapy to empower others. " -
Union Bar wins big at industry awards
Bishop Grosseteste Students' Union (SU) recently made a significant impact at the NUS Best Bar None awards, winning awards in three categories. The event was held at NEC, Birmingham and acknowledges outstanding venues for their safety measures, customer experience, staff training, and community outreach. The SU's venue, Union Bar, was recognised as the "Best Newcomer" and also achieved a Gold Accreditation in the team's first year of operation. Accreditation remains valid for one year, with regular updates and assessments to ensure continuous compliance with evolving priorities, including the safety and well-being of women and girls. Each accredited business receives a personalised report offering valuable advice and recommendations to enhance the safety and atmosphere of their establishment. The Best Bar None (BBN) accreditation scheme recognises, promotes and rewards venues that practice excellent social responsibility. The program is supported by the Home Office, and evaluates hospitality venues based on four essential criteria: venue management, staff training and care, customer safety and welfare, and customer service and community engagement. Abi Savage, CEO of the Students' Union, also received a Special Recognition Award for her exceptional support and dedication to the SU's commercial services. She said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to achieve gold in the first year of us running the bar. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the bar team that we have achieved the gold standard." The SU's Commercial Manager, Kieran Wiseman, and CEO Abi Savage accepting the awards -
BGU announces honorary award recipients for 2023
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) has announced the recipients of its Honorary Awards, which will be presented at upcoming graduation ceremonies in late July 2023. Five awardees are set to receive Honorary Doctorates for their outstanding contributions to academic achievement, social, economic or cultural life. Two Distinguished Honorary Fellowships will be awarded to individuals for exceptional contributions to the University and public life locally or regionally. Among the Honorary Doctorate awardees are husband and wife, Claire and James Birch, whose fundraising efforts have supported several local projects, including the reinvigoration of Doddington Hall. Charles Cormack, another recipient of an Honorary Doctorate, is recognised as a leader in international higher education. As the founder of the Ukraine Twinning initiative, his work paired UK and other international universities with Ukrainian universities to provide support and resources. Dame Judith Mayhew-Jonas DBE will also receive an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of her exceptional contributions over the course of her career, including as Dame Commander of the British Empire, Chairman of the Royal Opera House, Commissioner of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Chancellor of BGU. Another recipient of the Honorary Doctorate is best-selling female historian Alison Weir acclaimed for her extensive body of work, including 21 history books and 14 historical novels, which have collectively sold three million copies worldwide. Receiving a Distinguished Honorary Fellowship is Hannah Spencer, Managing Director of LAGAT College and Trustee and Vice Chair of the Lincolnshire Employment Accommodation Project (LEAP), which aims to tackle the issue of homelessness. Her work has so far helped over 1,500 individuals and families find stable housing and employment. John O'Donoghue, a member of Lincoln BIG, will also receive a Distinguished Honorary Fellowship. His dedication to providing career opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students in Lincoln through his businesses has made a significant impact in the local area. He also acts as an external trustee for Bishop Grosseteste Students’ Union. Bishop Grosseteste University Vice-Chancellor, The Rev’d Canon Professor Peter Neil said: “We are proud to be awarding this year’s honorary recipients for their expertise and service in their respective roles. I am delighted to welcome them to our wider BGU community. “Each one of them is inspirational in their own right and all serve as excellent role models for our students in how to make a positive impact on society.” The awards will be presented during graduation celebrations at Lincoln’s Cathedral. Awardees were nominated by students, retired staff, alumni, and current or former University Council members. More information about each recipient can be found here.
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