Educating for a Characterful Society

Responsibility and the public good

In this book, the authors define character and explore character education through a collective lens of research, education, government policy and societal engagement. The book includes inspirational ideas and considers the importance of character education following the COVID-19 pandemic and the work of the public services frontline.

Educating for a Characterful Society is an essential read for parents, teachers, educators and researchers. It is suitable for ‘one concerned with social justice, developing the energy and passion of young people and working towards a better, stronger, fairer society.’

Authors: Professor James Arthur OBE, Dame Julia Cleverdon DCVO CBE, Nicky Morgan, James O'Shaughnessy, Anthony Seldon

Professor James Arthur OBE established the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, served as Director for over 11 years, and is now a Professor in the Centre. He has written widely on the relationship between theory and practice in education, with a focus on the intersection between character, virtues, citizenship, religion, and education.

Dame Julia Cleverdon DCVO CBE is Co-Founder of the #iwill movement which supports young people into social action through volunteering, campaigning and advocacy. Dame Julia has served as a Trustee and Chair on multiple organisations all with a focus on tackle ‘inequality in communities who experience the greatest poverty, disadvantage and discrimination.

Nicky Morgan, Baroness Morgan of Cotes, PC is a qualified solicitor, British politician and an advocate for character education. She has authored several publications about character education and an Honorary Senior Research Fellow of the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues.

Lord James O’Shaughnessy is a British politician and Senior Research Fellow at both the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues and Prosperity Institute. He is Chair of International Positive Education Network, and the Founder and Senior Adviser of Floreat Education. Lord O’Shaughnessy is a passionate advocate of character education and the role it plays in transforming children’s lives.

Sir Anthony Seldon, is the founding director of Wellington College Education and former Vice-Chancellor of The University of Buckingham. A historian, education reformist and political author, he also leads the UK's largest AI-in-education initiative. He believes the true purpose of education is "to make us more human, more ourselves, to deepen our identity.