14th December 2021Centre News

A Member of Parliament since 2001, Jon Cruddas MP represents Dagenham and Rainham in East London. Between 2012 and 2015 he served as the Labour Party’s Policy Coordinator.

Before entering politics, Professor Cruddas completed a PhD in Industrial and Business Studies at the University of Warwick and since 2016 has been a Visiting Fellow at Nuffield College, University of Oxford and Visiting Professor at the University of Leicester within the Centre for Sustainable Work and Employment Futures.

In his writings and throughout his time as an MP, Jon has championed the importance of civic mindedness, flourishing communities and a strong social fabric. He has maintained a longstanding interest in virtue ethics and the common good, with a particular focus on how work provides citizens with meaning, purpose and belonging. This was showcased in his most recent book, The Dignity of Labour, published by Polity in April 2021.

Through this appointment he will add to the Centre's rich and ongoing work focussed upon the civic virtues and to mark this he will deliver a public lecture in 2022 in Birmingham.

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Character Strengths for the Working World is an essential event for PSHE Leads, Careers Leads, and Character Education Leads within UK educational institutions. Join us on Thursday, 13th July 2023, from 9am to 5pm at the beautiful Botanical Gardens, Birmingham.

 

This one-day conference, organised byThe Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues at the University of Birmingham, aims to provide insights, knowledge, and networking opportunities for professionals committed to enhancing character development and employability skills in their students.

 

Our speakers will share their expertise and perspectives on educational policy and best practices for empowering students to excel in the working world through harnessing their character strengths. The event will include keynote speeches, policy and practitioner panels, interactive sessions, and opportunities to connect with a wide range of professionals and experts in the field.

 

Our line-up of distinguished speakers includes:

• Rt. Hon. Baroness Nicky Morgan (former Secretary of State for Education)

• Bec Tigue (Character Lead at the University of Birmingham School)

• David Harkin (CEO at 8 Billion Ideas)

• Adrian McLean (Character Ambassador and Multi-academy Trust Lead at Severn Academies)

• The Careers and Enterprise Company

 

Food and refreshments:

Morning coffee and pastries, lunch, afternoon tea, and a drinks reception will be provided as part of registration for you to enjoy.

 

Free resources:

There will be multiple free resources available for you to take away at this event. We will be launching a new workbook, based on research funded by the Society for Educational Studies, for use by careers guidance professionals and character educators to help students consider who they are, the character traits they aspire towards, and to align their career choices with this. We will also have multiple other free resources that educators can use within their practice based on over a decade of research at the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues.

 

Attendance is free, but spaces are limited. It is essential to reserve your place in advance to avoid disappointment. Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your institution's approach to character education and student employability. Register now to secure your spot at Character Strengths for the Working World.

 

Register here.