Why Values Are Not Enough
This article is about practical wisdom, virtue, and the problem with modern advice about living well. We are often told to live by our values. Therapists ask clients to clarify them. Coaches invite people to align with them. Schools display them on walls. Organisations print them in strategic plans, often beside photographs of smiling people […]
Striving for Excellence in the Age of AI
Professor Tom Harrison As with many universities, the motto of the University of Birmingham is in Latin: per ardua ad alta. Adopted as part of the university’s original coat of arms 125 years ago, it remains in use today. While it can be translated in several ways, most commonly ‘through efforts to high things’, I […]
15th Annual Conference: Call for Papers
The Centre is now accepting proposals for its 15th annual conference, ‘Character and Vocation’. The multidisciplinary conference will take place between the 6th – 8th January 2027 at Oriel and Magdalen Colleges, University of Oxford. The broad aim of the conference is to discuss the concept of ‘vocation’, investigate the link to moral or professional […]
Character-based Coaching in Sport Conference
Building on the Centre’s recent work on character and sport, and held in partnership with Birmingham City Football Club Foundation, the Jubilee Centre hosted a conference on Character-based Coaching in Sport at St. Andrew’s @Knighthead Park on 12th March 2026. Around 100 delegates from a range of settings and sports attended. The day included presentations […]
Recent Publications (2026)
Please see a below a list of the recent publications from the Jubilee Centre members from 2026. If you are looking for a 2025 publication, please click here. March 2025 Professor Kristján Kristjánsson was consulted on the content of this recently published article about the science behind children’s moral cultivation available here. Dr. Shane McLoughlin […]
Knowledge, Skills and Character in Universities: Bringing Clarity in a Semantic Minefield
Professor Tom Harrison Before we can determine how to educate effectively in a rapidly changing world, we must first be clear about what it is that those of us working in universities are actually seeking to educate for. At a recent higher education conference on ‘Learning to be Human in the Age of AI’, I […]
Educating Character Through Sport Framework Launched
The Centre has launched the Educating Character Through Sport: Principles and Practices of a Virtues-Based Framework which sets out the place of character in sport and how character might be developed through sport. A central offering of the Framework is that intentional, planned, and positive character development through sport requires coaches of and with character. […]
Global Character Alliance Launched
The Global Character Alliance (GCA) was launched on the 8th January at the Jubilee Centre’s Annual Conference. Funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation and Templeton Religion Trust, the GCA is an international network dedicated to advancing character and values education through collaboration, research, and policy influence. The GCA will operate via a rotating Secretariat […]
Centre Hosts Annual Conference: Character Caught, Taught, and Sought – Theories and Evidence
The Jubilee Centre saw in the new year in its usual fashion, welcoming over 100 attendees from over 20 countries to Oriel College, Oxford, for its annual conference. The theme of 2026’s proceedings was Character Caught, Taught, and Sought – Theories and Evidence. This year’s conference invited over 50 speakers including keynotes from Professor Tyler […]
Conferences and Events 2026
Looking for a 2025 event? Click below. 2025 conferences and events Below are the events that the Centre was involved with in 2026. March Professor James Arthur, Professor Kristján Kristjánsson, Dr. Liz Gulliford Centre events February Professor Kristján Kristjánsson Professor Andrew Peterson January Professor Kristján Kristjánsson Centre events