Message from the Head of School

Welcome to our latest edition of the alumni newsletter. We send you hope, joy and good luck for the year ahead. At the start of each academic year, which in the Global North begins each September, we should pause and reflect. The academic cycle repeats and each year, we welcome new students and celebrate the achievements of those leaving us. The cyclical nature can lull us into a false sense of security, where we take for granted the privilege of education and the need to celebrate achievements. Covid 19 enabled a global pause and the relationships between education and society became even more visible. Students continued to learn and educators continued to teach and degrees were completed- well done to all for persistence, resilience and diligence.

At the School of Education, we start this academic year hoping for a smoother year, with less disruption and a clearer pathway to success. In the newsletter, you will find lots of interesting updates on our current community and our alumni. Do let us know your news and share how your education has helped you, your community, family or beyond. Our research environment is really successful and judged so by a recent national exercise (called the Research Excellence Framework). We have developed a new MOOC on Future digital literacies - this is open to all and showcases some of the research and education we are proud of.

We say goodbye to some colleagues and welcome new ones. Change is ever present and the legacy that students and colleagues leave is palpable. Do keep in contact with us and hoping that your year ahead enables you to continue learning and growing.

With good wishes,

Dr Rebecca Lawthom

Professor of Community Psychology

Head of School