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31.
Lecturer Helps Develop New Risk Assessment Tool for Animal-Assisted Interventions
Dr Mirena Dimolareva, Lecturer in Psychology at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), together with colleagues and the University of Lincoln and Virginia Commonwealth University, USA has published a risk assessment tool for animal-assisted interventions in any settings. The tool is free to use for staff and practitioners nationally and internationally, in any setting (including education, nursing homes, hospitals) and aims to provide unified, standardised guidelines for animal-assisted therapy as well as animal-assisted interventions and activities. It is a comprehensive tool which takes into consideration the animal and human care and welfare. Speaking following the publication, Dr Dimolareva discussed what drove the research and what users could expect from the new tool: “Animal-Assisted Interventions in various settings have become extremely popular in recent years. Most often, therapy dog visits are organised for hospitals, nursing homes, schools and other educational settings with some scientific research showing beneficial effects. Other animals such as cats and reptiles also provide visits, but the beneficial effects are less known. As a new area of work and research there is lack of clarity around these visits and interventions. Furthermore, thorough risk assessments which consider all involved- the service users, staff, therapy animals and handlers are often overlooked. This free-to-use detailed Risk Assessment Tool was created to provide information on the risk related to Animal-Assisted Interventions as well as a Risk Assessment Template for any setting. The aim is to unify the field and thoroughly consider the safety and well-being of all involved. It is flexible and easy to use, providing the opportunity to incorporate procedures and protocols relevant to the different institutions hosting the animals and handlers.” The publication and attached tool is available for free by clicking here.. If you have a subject you’re passionate about exploring then BGU is perfect place for you to start. Find out about our supportive and collaborative learning environment, by visiting our website, booking onto one of our Open Events or by speaking to our Enquiries Team. -
32.
Mindfulness-based interventions could slow cell aging and improve immune system function, new research suggests
A study of the impact of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on six immune related biomarkers provides new evidence that the practices could improve inflammatory regulation, immune cell ageing and immune response. -
33.
University Professor co-authored the British Sleep Society’s case for Permanent Standard Time
One of the universities' professors, Caroline Horton, reviewed and edited a position statement advocating for the restoration of permanent Standard Time -
34.
Psychology PhD Student at BGU Seeks New Insight on why we Dream
Psychology PhD student at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), Anthony Bloxham, has recently been granted funding for an experiment being conducted as part of his PhD work that will seek new insight into the nature of dreaming. Anthony's experiment is being conducted in collaboration with University of Lincoln, making use of the additional facilities in their Sleep and Cognition Laboratory, with funding being provided by the Dream Science Foundation (DSF) and the International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD). Applications to participate in Anthony’s experiment, which involves two overnight stays in the sleep laboratory, are still open and Anthony discussed what potential participants could expect: “This research may help to inform new insight on the nature of dreaming and why we dream. It contains novel aspects and combinations of previously tested methodologies in the field of sleep and dream research, including the use of Virtual Reality. "Participants in my experiment will be encouraged to play Virtual Reality video games before spending a night in the sleep lab, providing dream reports and playing the games again in the morning.“ If you are interested in participating, please contact anthony.bloxham@lincolnbishop.ac.uk to register your interest or request further information. Compensation for participating is a £50 Amazon.co.uk gift card. You can find more information our exciting and innovative doctoral and Psychology programmes on our website or by contacting our Enquiries Team. -
35.
‘World Changing’ Trans Student Experience Project Included in International Social Psychology Text
The CELT-LTIF funded ‘Transforming the Student Experience’ project has been featured as an example of ‘world changing’ applied research in a new book. The project was co designed and developed through a partnership between trans and non-trans students and staff and has seen many of its recommendations, including more inclusive welcome messaging and trans awareness training for staff and students, either achieved or in the process of going through the University Committee structure. Internationally renowned Social Psychologist Wendy Stainton Rogers was impressed by the project following a presentation by Sue Becker and former BGU student Ashley Ravenwood at the BPS Psychology of Sexualities Section 20th Anniversary Conference in July 2018, describing it as: “…a great project with real progress and outcomes, and a good model to follow”. In her recent book, Perspectives on Social Psychology – A Psychology of Human Being, Rogers features the project as a case study to inspire others to come together and make positive changes in their communities. The project team continue to work to ensure findings and recommendations from the project are embedded into BGU policy and practice and are currently working to publish a paper outlining their approach and findings. The project team are: Alex Dale Whistler – Education Studies and Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Jayde Williams – Primary Education with recommendation for QTS Dr Sue Becker – Programme Leader for Psychology Lyndsay Muir – Senior Lecturer Dr Sue Cordell – Head of Learning Enhancement Dr Claire Thomson – Head of the Centre for Enhancement in Learning and Teaching Dr Gianina Postavaru – Lecturer in Psychology If you’d like to become a part of BGU’s research focused community, speak to a member of our Enquiries Team or join us at one of our upcoming virtual open days. -
36.
Martin Smith
Martin Smith joined Lincoln Bishop 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. -
37.
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023 ranks Bishop Grosseteste University fourth for social inclusion and teaching quality
The guide, published by The Times and Sunday Times, evaluates factors such as student satisfaction, degree completion rates, and graduate employment prospects, to produce a guide of 132 higher education institutions that allows prospective students to make an informed choice about their education. In the 2023 edition, BGU ranked fourth for teaching quality and 13th for the overall student experience. With data from the recent National Students Survey (NSS) informing their rankings, the guide commented on the ‘extraordinary turnaround in rates of student satisfaction.’ The guide also ranked BGU fourth nationally in their Social Inclusion Ranking, which measures the proportion of students from whole sections of society including disadvantaged backgrounds. In a further breakdown for social inclusion, BGU is also fourth for recruiting students from areas with a low uptake of higher education, fifth for the number of students in receipt of the student disability allowance, and sixth for the recruitment of students who are the first in their family to attend university. The tables for subject rankings also showed an increase in ranks for Education, English and Psychology at BGU. The Rev’d Canon Professor Peter Neil, Vice-Chancellor of BGU, said: “We are incredibly pleased with the positive results in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023. “Being ranked fourth for both teaching quality and social inclusion is testament to the high-quality provision that our students receive. We are delighted that BGU’s long-standing commitment to ensuring education is accessible to students irrespective of their socio-economic background has been recognised.” -
38.
Reading buddies share stories at local nursery
Students from Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) recently shared stories at St Giles Nursery as part of a Reading Buddies scheme. Developed in partnership with the nursery and Ermine Library, the scheme provides an opportunity for university students to witness the importance of sharing stories with young children and help them develop their literacy skills. Seven Early Childhood Studies students explored a range of books with small groups of early years children. From 'Gorilla Loves Vanilla' to the classic 'Funnybones', the children's imaginations were captivated by the books shared during the thirty-minute sessions. Under the scheme, students can gain certification for their CVs based on how many sessions they attend. The initiative runs once a month and has been well received by both the students and the children. BGU Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies Samantha Hoyes said: "The Reading Buddies scheme is a wonderful initiative that not only benefits the children but also provides our students with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience. "By participating in this programme, our students are able to develop their skills and knowledge while supporting the local community. We are delighted to see the positive impact that this scheme is having and look forward to continuing our partnership with the Ermine Library and St Giles Nursery School." -
39.
Professor Caroline Horton
Caroline joined Lincoln Bishop in April 2015. She is Professor of Sleep and Cognition, where she is director of the DrEAMSLab, Chair of Lincoln Bishop’s Research Ethics Committee, Lead for the Psychology, Health and Wellbeing Research and Knowledge Exchange Unit, and REF lead for Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience (UoA 4A) for Lincoln Bishop. Caroline contributes to the undergraduate BA Psychology courses, having previous programme led the courses, as well as the PhD programme. (see: www.dreamslab.co.uk / @sleepandmemory). More widely, Caroline is the Co-Director of the Lincoln Sleep Research Centre (LiSReC), the Treasurer and Trustee of the British Sleep Society, an elected committee member of the Cognitive Section of the British Psychological Society, where she is also a Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol), and a member of the International Association for the Study of Dreams Research Board. As a Committee member for the BPS’ Division of Health Psychology, Caroline is Co-Editor of the Health Psychology Update. Caroline is affiliated to research groups at the University of Lincoln, and Swinburne University, Australia. Caroline is a regular reviewer for several academic journals, a renowned expert in sleep, dreaming and memory, as well as on the Editorial Board for Sleep Psychology, and two of the Frontiers in Psychology journals. Caroline has been an external examiner at the University of Edinburgh (2019-2023; MSc Psychology of Mental Health) and is currently an examiner at the University of Derby (Psychology MRes) and Newman University (MSc Psychology (conversion)) and has externally examined several research degrees. Before joining Lincoln Bishop, Caroline obtained her undergraduate (2003) and Master's (2004) degrees in Psychology from the University of Durham, her PhD from the Institute of Psychological Sciences, University of Leeds (2007), and a PGCHE from Leeds Metropolitan University (2008). Caroline has taught at the Universities of Durham and Leeds as well as the Open University, and predominantly at Leeds Metropolitan University where she was a Lecturer then Senior Lecturer (2007-2015). Caroline’s research interests principally span the fields of sleep, dreaming, and memory, and the relationships between those concepts. She has pioneered and developed the Sleep Well programme, a behavioural sleep improvement programme, which is being rolled out to various populations, including young adults with anxiety, and people living with diabetes. Caroline regularly features in the media, on BBC radio shows and international podcasts. She is the founder and host of the Sleep Science Pod. -
40.
Dr Stephanie-Roxanne Blanco
Dr Steph Blanco, is a Neuropsychologist, Senior Lecturer and Disability Advocate known for blending science and lived experience to challenge exclusion in psychology and beyond. She is module leader across biopsychology, cognitive, advanced clinical and community-focused modules, and the Psychology Placements module, bringing creativity, critical thinking and a deep commitment to inclusive practice. Her practice is rooted in research and personal experience from classroom discussions to national advocacy work. With students, she will often explore intersectionality, diversity, inclusion and hidden disabilities or dynamic conditions in sessions and quirky topics too. She is vice-chair of a national charity and her work beyond the classroom regularly features in public talks, including TEDx or policy making, on neurodiversity, dynamic disability or health, environmental or other equity.Her research explores the intersection of neuroscience, identity and justice. She works across neuroimaging, phlebotomy, mixed methods analyses, lived experience and participatory methods, and critical health psychology with a key focus on hidden and dynamic disabilities, psychological and environmental distress, and the role of inclusive research in transforming systems of care or in brain health, inflammation, and nutrition. In 2024, she was awarded the University’s STAR Awards for Inclusive Teaching and Student Support (voted by students), received the Scope Purple Pioneer Award in 2025, and was nominated for a National Diversity Lifetime Achievement Award. She believes psychology should be human, accessible, and bold, and that’s exactly how she teaches it (creatively, a little chaotically, critically and always with care).
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