In the last episode of 2020 we welcome Head of School at the exemplary University of Birmingham School Rebecca (Bec) Tigue, the Centre’s first recipient of its Character Ambassador Award.

In this conversation Bec reflects on the highlights of her time at the UoB School, the practical lessons she has learned bringing character to life since it opened in 2015, and on the importance of creating a positive holistic culture which encourages all to become role models for young people.

Episode Six of Conversations on Character welcomes one of Britain’s leading educators, contemporary authors and political historians, Sir Anthony Seldon.

Former Master of Wellington College and Vice Chancellor of the University of Buckingham he shares with Dr Tom Harrison his reflections on a life time developing character, encouraging positive education and seeking to understand what motivates us all to make good decisions. 

As he walks the Kentish cliff’s around the village of Deal, he (and the seagulls that accompany him!), reflect on the importance of treating each other with kindness, the expectations we place on and support we provide young people as they enter higher education and his optimism for the next generation.

(This episode contains some language and discussion of themes that may be unsuitable for very young listeners)

In episode five of Conversations on Character we welcome Rt. Hon Baroness Nicky Morgan of Cotes. First elected as MP for Loughborough in 2010 and raised to a life peerage in January 2020, Baroness Morgan severed in the UK Cabinet both as Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities from 2014 to 2016 and then as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport from 2019 to 2020.

In this insightful discussion Nicky shares her reflections on her time in office and how a focus on character shaped her thinking and actions across both ministerial posts, how a national character conversation could help us build back more effectively from the pressures of the pandemic, her ambitions for life in the House of Lords and who it is that for her offers the most compelling exemplars of compassion and courage.

In this next episode of Conversations on Character Dr Tom Harrison talks with Dr Sabena Jameel; GP, Senior Clinical Lecturer and Affiliate PhD candidate at the Jubilee Centre.

Dr Jameel shares her insights in to how we can most effectively train the next generation of Doctors, on the unique challenges of 2020 for health professionals, how we can embed an understanding of character and practical wisdom (phronesis) in the professions (the topic of her PhD), and who it is for her best exemplifies the virtue of compassion.

In the third edition of Conversations on Character, Dr Tom Harrison talks to Dame Julia Clevedon. In an illustrious career spanning numerous prestigious roles in the public, private and third sectors, Dame Julia is rightly considered one of the country’s most formidable and effective campaigners and leading advocate for young people.

As Co-founder of Step up to Serve, Julia has been at the heart #IWill campaign and in this episode shares how she has seen the conversation around youth social action develop throughout the last decade, outlines the importance of recognising the double benefit of service and shares why she believes placing young people at the heart of decision making is essential for a flourishing society.

In episode two of Conversations on Character, Dr Tom Harrison talks to Gary Lewis, Chair of the Association of Character Education, Executive Head Teacher of Kings Langley School and adviser to government on education policy with particular reference to the development of character in schools.

In this discussion, Gary shares his insights in to the challenges and opportunities for education and educators in the face of a national crisis and through the recovery, the need for compassion and the value mistakes can provide in furthering a person's understanding of their sense of self, as well as the importance of wisdom in public life

In this new podcast Conversations On Character brought to you by Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtue and hosted by Dr Tom Harrison, we bring together leading figures from across politics, education and research to reflect on both their personal journeys understating character development and to answer some of the most pressing questions faced by educators and policy makers today.

In this first episode, our guest is former UK Secretary of State for Education (January 2018 - July 2019) and Member of Parliament for East Hampshire the Rt Hon. Damian Hinds MP.

Damian shares his insights in to the opportunities for education in the face of crisis, how he believes we can best prepare and support young people to help them flourish and who it is that inspires him and the virtues they exhibit.