Appointment Announcement

The Charlotte Mason Institute is pleased to announce the five-year appointments of three new Visiting Research Fellows in Charlotte Mason Studies as part of a new agreement with the University of Cumbria at Ambleside.

Since being reignited by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay’s For the Children’s Sake in 1984, worldwide interest in the theories and practices of educationalist Charlotte Mason has grown exponentially, with the Charlotte Mason Institute playing a significant part.  The Charlotte Mason Institute has joined with the University of Cumbria to form a partnership to continue and enhance the research and study of Mason’s design for education.

“This is a considerable step forward for the ideas of Charlotte Mason given their merit for ongoing scholarly and practical consideration in today’s field of education,” stated Kelli Christenberry, Board Chair of the Charlotte Mason Institute. 

As part of the partnership, the University has granted five-year appointments to three scholars affiliated with the Charlotte Mason Institute–Dr. Carroll Smith, Dr. Jennifer Spencer, and Dr. Deani Van Pelt–as Visiting Research Fellows in Charlotte Mason Studies.

“The Visiting Research Fellows will contribute to the University of Cumbria’s three pillars of people, place, and partnerships at the Ambleside Campus,” said Professor Lois Mansfield, Director of Ambleside Campus, University of Cumbria. “They will lead and participate in internationally collaborative research, writing, and convening that connect Charlotte Mason’s legacy with education today.”

The activities of the Visiting Research Fellows will include more than reading and writing, and all three are delighted that their plans include building relationships with university students and faculty, local schools, and the community of Ambleside. All three Fellows agree that it is a privilege to contribute to the University of Cumbria’s embrace and exploration of its heritage as the original seat of Mason’s House of Education.

For more on this exciting partnership:

University of Cumbria’s News Release: https://www.cumbria.ac.uk/about/news/articles/articles/lakes-focus-on-internationally-renowned-victorian-icon.html

BBC story: https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/c50znx8v4xet/university-of-cumbria