How can we best help our children grow up into responsible, compassionate, moral citizens? Experts at the University of Birmingham are continuing to set the national agenda for developing character and virtue in society.
To launch the 2020 Character Matters campaign, Professor James Arthur has published an article for the University of Birmingham Perspective series, outlining the importance of a continued commitment to character in the face of uncertainty and crisis.
Read the Perspective
Why does character education matter?
Virtuous individuals
It is important now, more than ever, to live well in a world worth living in. Moral virtues are stable character traits that enable us to live well and respond appropriately to situations that require an ethical response. Practising virtuous behaviour creates habits, which, in turn, form our character and help us to flourish.
The Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues 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, and through its extensive range of research evidence and practical application, contributes to a renewal of character virtues in both individuals and societies.
The Centre has worked with hundreds of schools and teachers nationally and internationally, as well as advised government ministers, businesses and regulators, and celebrated the good character of thousands of young people and adults around the world.
Flourishing existence
Professor James Arthur OBE, Director of the Jubilee Centre, is a world-leading expert on character and virtues education and research. His vision for the Jubilee Centre vision for the Centre is not simply to research past and present attitudes to character and virtues, but shape the future attitudes and behaviours.
Professor James Arthur
Director of the Jubilee Centre
“I created the Jubilee Centre to become a site of excellence in ethical and moral enquiry and research. We hope that our research projects, practical work and community links that have been established so far, will grow over the coming years, and that our influence and reach will continue to grow through the global networks that we have created.”
Director of the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues
Professor of Character Education and Virtue Ethics and Deputy Director of the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues.
Head of School at University of Birmingham School, leading on Character Education and enrichment
Professor of Virtue Theory, School of Education
Learn about our other Birmingham Heroes ➤