Facebook icon Twitter icon Forward icon

PSA Teachers' E-Newsletter: December 2016

Dear Colleagues,

As 2016 comes to end, the PSA would like to take this opportunity to wish all our teacher members a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

2016 has been a momentous year in British and World politics, which will not be forgotten quickly. From the vote to leave the EU in June to the victory for Donald Trump in the American Presidential election in November, the unexpected has become the new normal.

David Cameron was replaced as Prime Minister by Theresa May and is now not even an MP. Jeremy Corbyn is entrenched as Labour Leader having won a second leadership election. And if they can exploit the new faultline between Leave and Remain in UK Politics, the Liberal Democrats may be able to stage a come back as they did in Richmond Park.

We certainly live in interesting times and the work of teachers like yourselves in educating the next generation about Politics has never been more crucial or lively. 

Anyway, we hope that you have an enjoyable and relaxing festive break and wish you all the best for 2017. 

In Conversation: Conservatives and the Environment

This month the PSA brings you a new resource in the form of an 'In Conversation' video on the Conservatives and the Environment. This episodes sees Dr Paul Tobin, Lecturer in Politics at the University of Manchester discuss with one of our teacher members, Alison Hall, contemporary Conservative Party policy on the environment. 

The video can be viewed online here.

If you have suggestions of any particular topics that you would like to be covered in future In Conversation Videos then please contact Josh Niderost.

Examiner Opportunities at Pearson

Pearson currently have exciting opportunities for qualified teachers to join their Assessment Associate Team, as Examiners for their GCE A Level Government and Politics qualification.

If you have any queries regarding the role, please contact the AA Recruitment team on aaresourcing@pearson.com. For more infromation about Examiner opportunities at Pearson please click here

PSA Teachers' Event at the Welsh National Assembly

The PSA's first teachers' event of 2017 will be a discussion on Liberalism at the National Assembly for Wales. 

This will take place at the National Assembly for Wales on Tuesday 17th January 2017 from 18.30-20.00. It will be chaired by Labour's Hefin David AM. The speakers will be Dr Peter Sloman from Churchill College, Cambridge and Eluned Parrott, the former Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for South Wales Central.

The 2015 general election, 2016 Welsh Assembly election and referendum on the EU have seen voters switch from those political parties and opinions advocated by the centre ground of politics and move towards those ideas put forward by those on right. With the centre ground of politics across much of the Western World also reflecting a decline in the fortunes of Liberalism it now seems time to reflect on what future there is for it.

This talk therefore brings together two experts on Liberalism in a UK and Welsh context – Dr Peter Sloman and Eluned Parrott. They will be discussing the historical and contemporary nature of the centre ground of politics with specific reference to Liberalism. Amongst the areas they will examine are:

• What is the centre ground of politics?
• What is historic and contemporary liberalism?
• How did Liberalism lose its appeal?
• Have other parties now taken the centre ground or is it no longer relevant?
• Is there a future for centre-ground politics in Wales?

This talk is sponsored by the Political Studies Association and Cardiff Sixth Form College. It covers A2 WJEC Government and Politics as well as questions on ideologies in other specifications. 

For more information or to outline your attendance please contact Josh Niderost via josh.niderost@psa.ac.uk

CoVi Brexit Watch

CoVi, the UK's first visual think tank, is looking for young people between the ages of 16-30 to sign up to their Brexit Watch project

One of the starkest observations from June's EU referendum was the generational divide in attitudes. CoVi's research has found that many of these generational differences were underscored by how the millennials, or 'Gen Y', view the world and engaged with the public debate.

It doesn't matter whether you voted Remain or Leave, or were too young to vote, if you or someone you know is under 35 and interested in what Brexit means for young people, sign up now.

You will have opportunities to contribute via blogs, video interviews and podcasts, speak at or organise events, or conduct research and consultation work in your communities.

As CoVi say: 'It is vital that younger people have a stake in the Brexit process over the coming months and years. To help achieve this aim, [they] are bringing together young people to help [them] scrutinise the Brexit process according to the priorities that matter to this age group."

News from the PSA Blog

The PSA Blog features contemporary content from academic members of the PSA in response to news or fresh research findings. 

Andrew Crines (Liverpool University) offers a review of the year in 2016: The First Part of a Multi-Part Story

Rebecca Tidy (Exeter University) asks: Why did the Lib Dems win the Richmond Park By-Election?

Parveen Akhtar (Aston University) looks at government policy on integration in light of Dame Louise Casey's recent report on the subject in: An oath to entry – but should all citizens pledge allegiance to British values, not just new migrants?

Finally, Richard Rose (Strathclyde University) provides A Colour Guide for negotiating Brexit.

Keeping up-to-date with the PSA schools' initiatives

Follow the PSA on Twitter or search for the #PSAschools hashtag for real time updates on all our schools' activities, news and campaigns.

As a PSA Teacher Member you have full access to the Schools’ Area of the PSA website.  Here you can find all the latest information about the following initiatives we offer to schools:

•         Free Speakers Programmes for Schools sessions
•         Free professional development resources
•         Free subscriptions to leading publications, including Political Insight
•         Priority registration to PSA schools' events
•         Priority registration for student career workshops

Keeping In Touch...

Don't forget, members can access the Teachers' e-News archive online here.

We're always keen to hear from you, so please keep in touch or let the PSA know how we can serve you better. If you feel any colleagues would be interested in this e-Newsletter, please forward them a copy.

With very best wishes,

Josh Niderost

Programme Development and Outreach Officer

020 7321 2545
PSA Head Office, 113a Jermyn Street, London, SW1Y 6HJ.