About Open Book:

Open Book is an organisation working largely within Goldsmiths, but with other partner universities to enable access to higher education for students who have experienced multiple profound disadvantage such as mental health problems, homelessness, imprisonment, inadequate or interrupted early education etc. We run informal classes here and at other sites across London, and are developing education projects within local prisons.

More information: http://www.gold.ac.uk/open-book/

About the project:

We are looking for students to participate in a series of ten-week prison education projects, following our successful pilot in HMP Isis, Thamesmead.

The project involves taking part as a “co-learner” in classes at prison sites in the south London area. We run ten-week modules in a variety of humanities and social science subjects, engaging prisoners in higher level education, to encourage them to expand their horizons and consider the possibility of University study during and after their sentence.

Your role will be to participate actively in the classes, and encourage and support learners to develop and use critical and analytical skills, and to experience a taste of university education practices. We will ask you to complete a short reading before each class, and sometimes to contribute to some on line research between classes. You will also keep short journal entries about your experience, and use these to contribute to an evaluation survey at the end of the module.

What do previous students say about the project?

“I had the opportunity to be part of some passionate and open discussions, not just limited to topics of education, and heard perspectives that often surprised and interested me. It isn’t all upbeat, life changing, inspiring words. But sometimes it is enough to see that students, both inside and outside learners, face similar discouragements and challenges, though of course, from different sources.”

“I was able to follow and learn about an area of study that was completely foreign to me. Being in the prison also allows for one to see and hear what is going on behind all that the media has fed us and perceived opinions.”

“A unique experience that introduced me to great friends and helped eliminate prejudices I had previously held. If you’re interested in gaining an insight into a world beyond your own while also studying relevant and interesting topics then Open Book is for you.”

Responsibilities:

• Regular participation in weekly workshops, with some limited “homework” following up research questions which arise in the class. You will be asked to read something before coming to class and we will then discuss the reading in class. You will be asked to keep a field diary while on the project, recording your thoughts about what you have learned.
• You will contribute small sections to the final project evaluation, and may be asked to attend an interview with our evaluation researcher after the end of the module.

What do I get out of it?

You will learn critical and analytical social science and humanities related skills that will benefit your own studies and make you think. You will meet a diverse range of people who will challenge your preconceptions. You will have a lot of fun, and build personal skills, as well as making a great contribution to your CV, and to your HEAR record.

Person specification:

• Current Goldsmiths student
• Available and committed to attend half a day a week for 10 weeks from mid June 2017
• Available to attend compulsory briefing session at Goldsmiths in early May (we will work around the exam timetable)
• Open minded, interested in challenging your own perceptions and learning in an open and egalitarian way

Application process:

Please submit a short (2 page maximum) CV with a 250 word application communicating why you are interested in the role. It will be an advantage in applying if you have relevant prior life experience. The deadline for applications are April 25th 2017

Applications and CVs should be sent Sarah Lambert at s.lambert@gold.ac.uk.  After an initial sifting, potential participants will be invited to one of two briefing session in early May, which will also serve as the final selection process. Successful applicants will be notified within a week of the briefing.