Building the Character Virtues of the Young in School

Based in the School of Education at the University of Birmingham, the Jubilee Centre is a pioneering interdisciplinary research centre focussing on character, virtues and values in the interest of human flourishing. The Centre is a leading informant on policy and practice in this area, and has achieved impact and influence with politicians, policymakers, educationalists, and through its extensive range of projects contributes to a renewal of character virtues in both individuals and societies. 

Director of the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, James Arthur is Professor of Education and Civic Engagement at the University of Birmingham. James is the leading academic in the UK on character education, and on policy entrepreneurship in education. He has written widely on the relationship between theory and practice in education, particularly the links between communitarianism, social virtues, citizenship, religion and education. James established the Jubilee Centre in 2012, and the Centre has grown in size, scope, and impact since its launch at the House of Lords in May 2012.

He previously directed the Learning for Life project which completed the largest UK-based study into issues surrounding character development, looking at over 70,000 responses from young people aged 3-25.

In this special guest lecture, Professor Arthur will argue how character education has multiple benefits for individuals and society. That character can be taught and learnt and reinforced – and that it should be put at the heart of education. The virtues which make up character enable us to enjoy rewarding and productive lives, the more people with good character the healthier our society. The talk will provide practical examples to illustrate how it can be taught, and show that people live and learn better with character.