A New Start!
21st September 2015
The start of the new academic year is here! Today we welcome back returning students embarking on their final year, those beginning their second year, and let’s not forget our part-time students who are at various stages of their academic studies. A special welcome goes to all our new students starting Induction Week today, we hope you are all settling in and that you enjoy the full schedule of activities for your first week at the University of Gloucestershire.
FCH Campus
It has been a busy summer for the History team, not only in terms of research and preparing for the new year, but also because we have undergone a number of changes. First of all, congratulations and farewell are in order to two members of staff, Dr Anna French and Dr Iain Robertson – both regular contributors to this blog – who have begun exciting new journeys elsewhere. Anna will be taking up a new post as Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Liverpool in October, whereas Iain started his new job as Reader in History at the University of the Highlands and Islands on the 1st September. Iain’s departure means that Christian O’Connell is the new Academic Course Leader in History. While we are sad to see Anna and Iain leave, we are also very happy to welcome two new members of staff. First of all, early modern specialist Erin Peters is joining us after completing her PhD at the University of Worcester on print culture in Restoration England. She will be starting with us on the 28th September and begins the semester by teaching on HM4404 Renaissance & Reformation, HM5403 Religion, Superstition & Fear and HM6403 Protestantism and Puritanism. We also welcome David Howell, a Lecturer in History and Heritage who is joining us to teach HM5404 Crime, Violence and Disorder and HM6405 Social Conflict in Nineteenth Century Rural Britain.
Gary Younge
Bonnie Greer
Beyond the start of courses, there is also lots going on at Gloucestershire this term. We have lots to look forward to in terms of extracurricular activity at the University. We previously published the Gloucestershire branch of the Historical Association program. All our students get free access to these fascinating talks which are normally held at our Park Campus. We also have a number of exciting events for Black History Month in October. This year, the School of Humanities has teamed up with the local council, the African Community Foundation and local community to organise a number of events. We are very excited to host talks by the African American dramatist and critic Bonnie Greer on the 14th, and lead writer for The Guardian and The Nation Gary Younge on the 20th October.
To look at a full list of events for Black History Month click here. Remember to check out our Black History Month competition, which ends on the 27th September. We will also shortly be announcing a list of events for our Showcasing History series, which was so successful last year. Make sure you follow the blog to keep up to date with all the events, but also join the Facebook Group and follow us on Twitter.