Category / BU research

First publication for two CMWH PhD students

NHS, Publishing, Women's Academic Network, writing

Congratulations to CMWH doctoral student Jennah Evans who has published the first paper from her PhD in the Journal of Human Lactation. The scoping review protocol outlines a transparent and reproducible method for investigating the relationship between stress and the human milk ejection reflex, addressing a significant knowledge gap in the literature.  Jennah and her supervisors (including CMWH member Dr Dominique Mylod) are also aiming to improve understanding of D-MER, a challenging condition associated with intense negative emotions during breastfeeding.

Congratulations are also due a second  CMWH doctoral student Louise Barton, whose paper ‘Southampton’s approach to smoking cessation has been accepted by MIDIRS Midwifery Digest and the paper will be pubished its June issue.  Smoking during pregnancy is the leading yet preventable causes a whole range of illnesses.  Louise’s PhD is an assessment of Southampton’s Midwifery-led Integrated Antenatal Care Pathway.  Her PhD is supervised by CMWH academics Dr. Daisy Wiggins and Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen.
References:
Evans, J.M., Paul, R., Wezyk, A.B., Mylod, D. (2026) Exploring the Association Between Stress and the Experience of the Milk Ejection Reflex: A Scoping Review Protocol. Journal of Human Lactation Online First https://doi.org/10.1177/08903344261433846

Barton, L., van Teijlingen, E., Wiggins, D., Loader, R.-A., White, A. (2026) Southampton’s approach to smoking cessation, MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, 36(2): 145–151.

Another CMWH publication

Congratulations to CMWH doctoral student Jennah Evans who has published the first paper from her PhD in the Journal of Human Lactation. The scoping review protocol outlines a transparent and reproducible method for investigating the relationship between stress and the human milk ejection reflex, addressing a significant knowledge gap in the literature.

Jennah and her supervisors (including CMWH member Dr Dominique Mylod) are also aiming to improve understanding of D-MER, a challenging condition associated with intense negative emotions during breastfeeding.

 

Congratulations to the team.

Evans JM, Paul R, and Mylod D (2026) Exploring the Association Between Stress and the Experience of the Milk Ejection Reflex: A Scoping Review Protocol. Journal of Human Lactation https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334426143384

Opportunities to support our REF preparations

Research assessment

We are recruiting to a number of Unit of Assessment (UoA) roles to help support preparation for our next REF submission. The roles are recruited through an open and transparent process, which gives all academic staff the opportunity to put themselves forward. Applications from underrepresented groups are particularly welcome.

We are currently preparing submissions to ten UoAs. Each UoA has a leadership team with at least one leader, an output and impact champion. The leadership team are supported by a panel of reviewers who assess the research from the unit. This includes a diverse range of research outputs (including journal articles, books and chapters, films, digital artefacts etc) and impact case studies.

 

 

 

 

 

We currently have vacancies in the following roles:

UOA 3: Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

  • Co-lead
  • Output Champion
  • Impact Champion
  • Internal review panel

UOA 4: Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience

  • Co-lead
  • Impact Champion
  • Internal review panel

UOA 11: Computer Science and Informatics

  • Impact Champion

UOA 14: Geography and Environmental Studies

  • Output Champion
  • Impact Champion

UOA18: Law

  • Output Champion

UOA 32: Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

  • Co-lead (Impact focused)
  • Internal review panel

UOA 34: Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management

  • Co-lead
  • Output Champion (practice-based)

All roles require a level of commitment which is recognised accordingly with time to review, attend meetings, and take responsibility for tasks.

Undertaking a UOA role can be enjoyable and rewarding as two of our current champions testify:

“As UOA Outputs Champion you develop a detailed knowledge of all the great work that colleagues are doing related to the subject, and the different outlets used for disseminating their work.  As an outputs committee member, you also get to know what research is going on across BU, and it’s interesting to see the differences between disciplines.  It’s a good way develop your knowledge of the bigger picture of BU’s research, and also to understand the importance of REF and how it works in practice.  You do spend quite a bit of time chasing colleagues to put their outputs on BRIAN for REF compliance but hopefully they forgive you!”

Professor Adele Ladkin – UOA 24 Output Champion

“As a UoA 17 impact champion, I work closely with the UoA 17 impact team to encourage the development of a culture of impact across BUBS. I try to pop into Department / research group meetings when I can to discuss impact, and I’ve enjoyed meeting people with a whole range of research interests. Sometimes it can be tough to engage people with impact – understandably; everyone is busy – so it’s important to be enthusiastic about the need for our BU research to reach the public. Overall, the role is about planting the seeds to get researchers thinking about the impact their work might have in the future (as well as the impact they have already had, sometimes without realising!)”

Dr Rafaelle Nicholson – UOA 17 Impact Champion

 How to apply

All those interested should put forward a short case (one paragraph) as to why they are interested in the role and what they think they could bring to it. These should be clearly marked with the relevant UoA and role and emailed to ref@bournemouth.ac.uk by noon Thursday 28th May 2026.

Further detail on the roles, the process of recruitment and selection criteria can be found here:

UoA Lead Output Champion Output Champion (practice-based) Impact Champion Internal panel reviewer
Role Descriptor Role Descriptor Role Descriptor Role Descriptor  Role Descriptor
Process and criteria for selection Process and criteria for selection Process and criteria for selection Process and criteria for selection Process and criteria for selection

For further information please contact ref@bournemouth.ac.uk or a member of the current UOA Team with queries.

SPROUT Returns: Designing Sustainability in Research Practice – Wednesday 20 May 12-2pm

The SPROUT (Sustainable Research Practice and Cultures) initiative returns this May, inviting colleagues, PGRs, and ECRs to join a growing cross-university movement led by Bournemouth University.

This third SPROUT event of the academic year continues to build momentum around sustainability in research practice and culture. Supported by the Research Culture and Community Grant, the initiative brings together colleagues from Bournemouth University, Cardiff University, Durham University, and the University of Southampton.

Focus and Keynotes

This session moves beyond high-level discussion to focus on the practical, real-world decisions researchers make, from research design and travel to food choices and daily habits.

The event features two keynote speakers presenting in person:

Professor Denise Baden, University of Southampton: Embedding Sustainability in Research: Decisions, Trade-offs and Impact

Peter Jeff, PGR: Sustainable Eating in Research: Practical Food Choices to Make

The session also includes an interactive discussion, providing space for participants to reflect, share experiences, and identify practical actions within their own research contexts. This is a valuable opportunity for PGRs, ECRs, supervisors, and research staff to engage in interdisciplinary dialogue and contribute to shaping a more sustainable research culture.

Event Details

Wednesday 20 May, 12-2pm

Hybrid

In person: Allsebrook Lecture Theatre, Talbot Campus (Refreshments provided)

Online: Joining details to follow

Find out more and register here

Innovative Approaches to Doctoral Supervision: Selected Case Studies

PG research

If you are thinking about applying for  UKCGE Recognised Research Supervision status a new book has been published – and is available in the Bournemouth University Library.

Innovative Approaches to Doctoral Supervision: Selected Case Studies is a valuable resource for new and experienced doctoral supervisors interested in improving their practice or applying for the UKCGE recognised supervisor award.

This comprehensive book is also beneficial for universities providing staff development training in doctoral supervision. It provides key guidance for supervisors as they prepare doctoral students for their studies and subsequent professional careers. It introduces the UK Council for Graduate Education’s (UKCGE) Good Supervisory Practice Framework as a best practice guide to enhance supervisory standards.

Edited by Martyn Polkinghorne, Julia Taylor and Fiona Knight, it draws on practical case studies from contributors which illustrate the complexities of doctoral supervision, emphasising the need for adaptability, empathy and structured support. The book outlines the perspectives of experienced practitioners, presenting a blend of practical tools, critical reflection and aspirational vision to ensure high-quality supervision for the growing number of doctoral students across the globe. It highlights how investing in effective doctoral guidance not only benefits students, but also the wider academic community, ensuring the continued advancement of knowledge and professional development within higher education.

Thanks to all BU supervisors who contributed to the book.

‘This book provides a veritable treasure trove of outstanding practice in doctoral supervision. The editors and contributors are to be congratulated on producing what will undoubtedly become an absolutely essential resource for those new to supervision and for experienced supervisors looking for ideas to develop their practice.’
– Professor Stan Taylor, Durham University

‘I am delighted to see the case studies in this book made publicly available and congratulate the authors and editors for their achievements. Their collective endeavours bring the UKCGE’s Recognition Scheme from the hypothetical into the tangible and, in so doing, embed its original aims and principles into day-to-day practice.’
– Doug Cleaver, Sheffield Hallam University

https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/innovative-approaches-to-doctoral-supervision-9781035340279.html?s…

 

3C Event: Research Culture, Community & Canapés-Tuesday 19 May 1-2pm

Behind every successful grant and impact case study is a dedicated team of experts, and now is your chance to connect with them over a few bites.

Successful research thrives on collaboration, so we are bringing the Research & Innovation Services staff directly to you for an informal mixer. We are hosting representatives from both the Research Grant Team and the Research Ethics Team, who will be on hand to answer questions and chat about your upcoming projects.

Experience the same 3C atmosphere you love, now enhanced with direct access to specialist expertise. This isn’t a lecture or a series of appointments; it’s a low-pressure opportunity to:

  • Meet the experts: Get to know the people behind the support services designed to help you succeed
  • Ask anything: Discuss your next project or navigate the research journey in a relaxed setting
  • Network: Connect with colleagues from across the BU Research Community
  • Enjoy: Sample some great canapés while you chat

Tuesday 19 May, 1-2pm

Room BG-407, Bournemouth Gateway Building, Lansdowne Campus

All members of the BU Research Community are welcome

Navigating your research journey shouldn’t be daunting. Come along, grab a canapé, and find the support you need.

Find out more and register here

New chapters published in maternity book on risk

international, PG research, Publishing, Women's Academic Network, writing

A few days ago Palgrave Macmillen published Risk and Uncertainty in Maternity Care: Putting Risk in Its Place.  This edited book examines the way risk is defined and employed in maternity care across the world.  The 25 chapters reflect in different ways on how the management of risk shapes the organization and experience of maternity services. Drawing from investigations of the way risk operates in contemporary society, the authors challenge taken-for-granted understandings of risk in maternity care and early parenting, showing how risk is not simply a value-free assessment of potential harms but is, in fact, a complex social and political way of seeing, knowing about, and performing pregnancy and birth.

This edited volume contains two chapters which have co-authors associated with BU.  Chapter 15 ‘Communicating Maternity Risks Using Social Media in England and Australia‘ is written by Sheena Byrom, Mandie Scamell, Hannah Dahlen, Joanne Rack.  This chapter addresses childbirth in the digital age. Over the last two decades, social media—a group of internet-based applications that facilitate the development and sharing of information—revolutionised the way we connect and communicate. These new media are now an ever-present part of our daily lives. The authors explore how social media shapes the way risk is understood by all of those involved in pregnancy, labour, and birth.Sheena Byrom holds an honourary doctorate from Bournemouth University, and Joanne Rack is doing her for-year Clinical Doctorate in the Centre for Midwifery & Women’s Health (CMWH) specialising in personalised care for women of advanced maternal age. This PhD study is matched-funded by University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) NHS Foundation Trust and Bournemouth University.

Whilst chapter 16 From Uncertainty to Risk: How Mass Media in the UK and the US Generate Fear of Childbirth is co-authored by professors Hundley and van Teijlingen who are co-leads of the CMWH.  This chapter addresses the growing intolerance for the uncertainties associated with childbirth. While research has yet to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between media representations of pregnancy and birth and societal views of the childbirth experience, analysis of mass media accounts of childbirth can help explain why those involved in childbirth—maternity service users and providers alike—increasingly define birth as a site of risk. Existing studies of the representation of birth in mass media allow us to examine how the complex interaction between media, culture, and birth amplifies perceptions of risk. The authors illustrate the ways mass media influence, not just attitudes towards birth, but the way birth is managed.

 

References:

  1. Byrom, S., Scamell, M., Dahlen, H., Rack, J. (2026)  Communicating Maternity Risks Using Social Media in England and Australia [Chapter 15], In: Scamell, M., De Vries, R, Coxon, K. (eds) Critical Studies of Risk and Uncertainty in Maternity Care : Perspectives from Australia, Europe, and the United States, Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 309-326.
  2. van Teijlingen, E., Hundley, V., De Vries R. (2026) From uncertainty to risk: how mass media in the UK and the US generate fear of childbirth [Chapter 16], In: Scamell, M., De Vries, R, Coxon, K. (eds) Critical Studies of Risk and Uncertainty in Maternity Care : Perspectives from Australia, Europe, and the United States, Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 327-346.

The British Academy European Research Council Grant Support Sessions

As part of its European Research and Collaboration Programme, The British Academy is hosting targeted sessions for UK-based researchers in the humanities and social sciences.

These sessions are designed for those seeking European Research Council (ERC) grants and are led by British Academy Fellows with first-hand experience as ERC grantees and panel members. Offering a deep dive into the nuances of proposal development, providing strategic clarity on the evaluation process, proposal costing, and the critical themes required to secure high-level funding.

ERC Reading Day 2026

UK-based social science and humanities researchers preparing ERC Starting or Consolidator Grant applications are invited to the British Academy for a dedicated Reading Day. This event provides a rare opportunity to study 50 successful “gold standard” proposals, offering vital insights into effective structuring, research narratives, and project positioning.

The session is designed for individual, in-person study at the British Academy in London. During a two-hour window, participants can compare up to three different successful applications to help refine their own drafting process. To support attendees, the British Academy will reimburse standard rail travel.

To protect intellectual property, strict confidentiality is enforced. All attendees must sign a non-disclosure agreement; photography and recording devices are prohibited. Laptops are permitted for note-taking, provided cameras are covered with supplied stickers. This session is intended for those already familiar with ERC schemes and actively drafting a proposal.

ERC Reading Day 2026 | The British Academy

Event Details

Monday 1 June, 9am-5pm

You will be able to select one of the following timeslots during registration:

  • 9:30-11:30am
  • 12-2pm
  • 2:30-4:30pm

To attend, please register here by Wednesday 20 May. Please use your institutional email address to sign up. As places are limited, please only book if you can attend, or cancel early to allow a colleague to take your spot.

If you have any questions, please contact: Barbora Krasova b.krasova@thebritishacademy.ac.uk

Webinar: ERC Advanced Grants

The British Academy is hosting a specialised webinar for UK-based researchers preparing for the ERC Advanced Grants 2026 Call. Led by Professor Patrick Haggard FBA and a panel of experienced Fellows, the session provides an in-depth look at the evaluation format and the strategic requirements for planning, writing, and costing a successful proposal. A unique feature of this session is the opportunity for a live B1 draft proposal review. Selected drafts will be anonymised and critiqued by the panel to provide practical, real-time feedback. While not every submission can be reviewed, the collective insights are designed to benefit all participants. Please note that as this is an interactive session, the webinar will not be recorded.

ERC Grants Webinars | The British Academy

Event Details

Friday 19 June, 10:30am – 12pm

To attend, please register here by Thursday 18 June, 12pm

If you wish to submit a B1 draft for consideration, you must register your interest and email your proposal to Barbora Krasova b.krasova@thebritishacademy.ac.uk by Thursday 4 June, 12pm

Grant Writing Workshops: Master the Art of the Winning Proposal

Training

Master the art of the winning proposal with expert-led workshops tailored for every career stage, from ECRs to experienced leads.

Join Dr Chris Pull and Dr Nicholas Burger from Scriptoria for interactive sessions that turn your research vision into fundable reality.

Getting Funded: Writing Better Grant Applications 

Boost your chances of success by learning how to pitch compelling ideas and write proposals that resonate with reviewers. Facilitators: Dr Chris Pull and  Dr Nicholas Burger

Designed for early career researchers, this course teaches you how to transition from an initial idea to a high-quality, fundable proposal. Whether you are aiming for your first fellowship or the next level of funding, you’ll gain “insider knowledge” from trainers who have served on grant panels and helped donors design funding calls.

Key Learning Outcomes

  • Understand the proposal review process and the reviewing audience
  • Understand the requirements for each section of a proposal
  • Write a convincing research vision that links to feasible impact
  • Organise a logical project approach that conveys clear methods and concrete outputs
  • Highlight their value and expertise through a narrative CV
  • Draft a compelling and concise proposal abstract and text

This is not a passive webinar. Expect an engaging mix of live presentations, group discussions and breakout exercises

Thursday 4 June, 9:30am-12:30pm

Online

Find out more and register here

Grant Writing Masterclass for Experienced Researchers 

Strengthen the competitiveness of your funding applications and refine how your proposals are assessed with this interactive online session. Facilitators: Dr Chris Pull and  Dr Nicholas Burge

This masterclass is designed for experienced researchers looking to elevate their existing grant writing skills. Whether you are leading a complex collaborative bid, targeting a familiar funder, or aiming for larger-scale grants, you will gain practical strategies to demonstrate research leadership and craft winning applications.

Key Learning Outcomes

  • Delve deeper into how funding proposals are reviewed and assessed
  • Write a convincing research vision that links clearly to feasible impact
  • Demonstrate leadership, experience and expertise through a strong narrative CV
  • Plan and manage a collaborative proposal writing process with confidence

This session provides a supportive space for reflection and strategy, featuring interactive presentations, group discussions and participant-led breakout exercises.

Thursday 4 June, 1:30-4:30pm

Online

Find out more and register here

UKCGE Recognised Research Supervision Programme: New Application Window

A new submission window is now open for academic staff to seek national recognition for their doctoral supervision

Whether you are just starting out in supervision or already experienced, you can apply for national recognition of your doctoral supervision through the UK Council for Graduate Education (UKCGE).

Levels of Recognition

  • Recognised Supervisor (Full Award): For those who have supported doctoral candidates through to final examination and completion.
  • Recognised Associate Supervisor: For those who have not yet supervised candidates to completion and/or who contribute to supervision in an informal capacity.

Why Apply

UK universities are increasingly prioritising supervisor development to enhance research culture and doctoral support. The Research Supervisor Recognition Programme (RSRP) encourages supervisors at all levels to engage in structured self- reflection, using the Good Supervisory Practice Framework to identify strengths and target areas for growth.

Key Benefits

  • Structured Self-Reflection: Evaluate your methods and decision-making
  • Benchmarked Excellence: Map your practice against national standards
  • Professional Growth: Identify clear pathways for improvement, whether applying for Full or Associate awards
  • BU already has over 30 recognised research supervisors, and you could be next

How to Apply

Write a reflective account of your supervisory practice aligned with the Good Supervisory Practice Framework.

Submit your Application using the Relevant Form

Recognised Supervisor Reflective Account Form

Recognised Associate Supervisor Reflective Account Form

Your application will be peer-reviewed by a two-person panel. Whatever the outcome, you will receive detailed feedback.

UKCGE | Frequently Asked Questions

To complete your application, please ensure we receive a formal approval email sent directly from your Associate Dean Research, Innovation and Enterprise to researcherdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk. This confirmation is required before the application can move to the final review stage.

For more information, to register your interest, or to discuss your application, please email Julia Taylor (Doctoral College) at researcherdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk

Please note: The Doctoral College will cover the cost of applications submitted by BU supervisors.

Application Deadlines

BU Window Closes: Monday 15 June, 9am

UKCGE Window Closes: Friday 19 June

Expected Outcome: September 2026

Complete applications should be submitted to Julia Taylor (Doctoral College) at researcherdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk by the above deadlines.

Help us capture Bournemouth University’s knowledge exchange activity – HE-BCI survey 2025–26

Knowledge Exchange, Knowledge Transfer

Have you taken part in a local festival, run a community workshop, volunteered at a cultural event, or used your BU expertise to support a community group?

Bournemouth University is required to report a wide range of knowledge exchange and external engagement activities as part of the annual Higher Education Business and Community Interaction (HE-BCI) survey, collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). The data submitted through this survey helps inform the allocation of the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) and demonstrates the value of our work with external partners and communities. 

We are currently collecting information on details of all social, community and cultural engagement activities that took place between 1 August 2025 and 31 July 2026. 

If you have been involved in knowledge exchange, public engagement, community collaboration, consultancy, professional training, or partnership work during this period, please take a few minutes to complete the short form below. 

Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far. If you haven’t recorded your involvement yet, it only takes a few minutes. Your input ensures that Bournemouth University’s contribution is accurately represented and supports future funding and strategic planning.

Please complete the HE-BCI activity form by 31 July 2026: Higher Education Business & Community Interaction (HE-BCI) survey 1 Aug ’25- 31 July ’26 – Fill in form  

If you are unsure whether your activity should be included, please contact researchengagementandimpact@bournemouth.ac.uk for advice. 

BU academics publish in Nepal national newspaper

Delicious links, international

Dr. Pramod Regmi and prof. Edwin van Teijlingen had a long article published today related to their work on migrant workers in Nepal.  The article ‘Nepal’s migrant workers: Data the new government can’t ignore’ appeared in both the print edition and the online version of The Kathmandu Post, which is one of the three English-language national papers in Nepal.  Both academics are based in the Faculty of Health, Environment & Medical Sciences.
https://kathmandupost.com/columns/2026/04/15/working-abroad-comes-at-a-cost-to-migrant-workers-health

New BU Physiology paper

BRIAN, PG research, writing

Congratulations to HEMS’s Dr. Malika Felton, Dr. Vikram Mohan and Prof. Vanora Hundley on the recent publication of their academic paper ‘Acute cardiovascular responses to slow and deep breathing in normotensive men and women‘ [1].  The BU authors outline that there differences in cardiovascular responses to different methods of slow and deep breathing (SDB) delivery.  They query whether utilising a multi-parametric approach to measuring cardiovascular variables reveal new/different responses.  Their key findings are that all SDB conditions elicited similar cardiovascular responses to each other when compared with spontaneous breathing. However, lower breathing frequencies elicit greater blood pressure oscillations, and higher breathing frequencies (∼8 breaths min−1) may not fully optimise cardiovascular responses. This has implications on the practice of SDB for management of hypertension.

Well done!

Prof.Edwin van Teijlingen

Reference:

  1. Felton, M., Mohan, V., & Hundley, V. A. (2026). Acute cardiovascular responses to slow and deep breathing in normotensive men and women. Experimental Physiology, 01–24. https://doi.org/10.1113/EP093086

Gender and street names

Delicious links, international, Publishing, Women's Academic Network, writing

Last week I was contacted by a Dutch journalist, Els Knaapen, about the live and work of Francijntje de Kadt.  The latter was the first chair of the Dutch Midwifery Association and I had come across her 30 years ago as part of my own PhD research.  Els was interested in the contribution Francijntje had made in the town of Enkhuizen after her retirement as a midwife.  As part of a radio programma called ‘Meer Vrouw op Straat’, refering to the fact that too few women have been given streetnames to honour their contributions to society.  Els was calling for the Enkhuizen town council to name a straat after Francijntje, just like the town of Vlaardingen had done a decade ago.
Some 15 years ago I proposed to the city of Vlaardingen argueing that Francijntje de Kadt deserved a street name, as highlighted in an earlier BU Research Blog. With my recommendation I sent the ‘Street Name Committee’ in Vlaardingen my Dutch-language publications on the work of Francijntje de Kadt [1-3]. A few months later the secretary to the Street Name Committee wrote to say that my proposal had been accepted and that her name would be given to a street in a new development of the former local hospital grounds.
Yesterday the radio programme, which is part of a progressive station BNNVARA, was aired in which Els Knaapen justified why Enkhuizen needs to honour its former citizen.  In Enkhuizen Francijntje was active in maternity care education and she was a member of the Assocation for Women’s Votes.  All this after she retited from being the town’s midwife of Vlaardingen.
Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen
References:
  1. van Teijlingen, E. (2002) Ondergang eerste pensioenfonds voor vroedvrouwen (in Dutch: Decline of the first pension fund for midwives), Tijdschrift voor Verloskundigen (in Dutch: Journal for Midwives), 27(12): 684.
  2. van Teijlingen, E.R. (2003a) Berichten – Francijntje de Kadt (1858-1929), Tijdschrift voor Verloskundigen (in Dutch: Journal for Midwives), 28(12): 630-633.
  3. van Teijlingen, E.R. (2003b) Francijntje de Kadt (1858-1929). Vroedvrouw te Vlaardingen en eerste voorzitter van de Nederlandsche vroedvrouwenvereeniging, Tijd-schrift (in Dutch: Time-Magazine) 88: 14-23.

Help Shape the Future of Research at BU: Postgraduate Research Experience Survey 2026 Now Open

PG research

Today marks the launch of the 2026 national Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES). This is your chance to tell us what being a postgraduate researcher at BU is really like. Your feedback helps us build a better research community for everyone.

The survey is a national initiative led by AdvanceHE and managed at BU by the Doctoral College. Your honest feedback is vital, it helps us benchmark our performance against other universities and, more importantly, tells us exactly where we need to improve our research culture, resources, and support systems.

Key Objectives for 2026:

  • Participation: We are targeting a minimum response rate of 40%.
  • Focus Areas: Feedback covers supervision, resources, research culture, assessment, professional development, and wellbeing.

Last year, our researchers ranked us above the sector average in 9 out of 10 categories, with an impressive 87% overall satisfaction rate. This feedback directly drives improvements in supervision, research culture, and wellbeing.

What we want to hear about

The survey covers every angle of your journey, including:

  • Supervision quality and Progress/Assessment.
  • Resources, Research Culture, and Community.
  • Professional Development and Wellbeing.
  • Your primary motivations for pursuing a research degree.

How to take part

Check your inbox: If you are eligible, you will receive an email today (Monday 13 April) from doctoralcollege@bournemouth.ac.uk with your unique survey link.

Your responses are completely confidential and will be used to drive enhancements at both the Faculty and University-wide levels.

Deadline: Please submit your feedback by Friday 15 May 2026.

What’s in it for you?

We know your time is valuable. To say thank you for the 15–20 minutes it takes to complete the survey:

  • Lunch meal option on us: Once finished, head over to the Doctoral College (DLG08, Talbot Campus) to collect a £4.25 voucher for any BU Chartwells outlet.
  • You can also opt-in to a prize draw for a chance to win one of three £50 shopping vouchers T&C’s apply

Find out more

Check out the PRES webpage and the PRES 2026 privacy notice

If you believe you are eligible but have not received a link, please reach out to the team at doctoralcollege@bournemouth.ac.uk

We look forward to hearing your thoughts on what we are doing well and where we can do better.

3C Event: Research Culture, Community & Cherry Blossom – Tuesday 14 April

Join BU’s Research Community for an hour of reflection and connection at the next 3C event

Inspired by Hanami, the Japanese tradition of cherry blossom season which focuses on reflecting on growth, change. and the beauty of fleeting moments.

Breakthroughs in research, much like cherry blossoms, can be brief but they are always worth celebrating.

The 3C Event offers a relaxed, informal space to recharge and share experiences alongside your colleagues.

What to Expect

  • Creative Crafting: Get involved with paper blossom making and origami
  • Meaningful Connection: A relaxed forum to exchange ideas and discuss your research journey
  • Refreshments: Enjoy a selection of treats while you chat

All members of the BU Research Community welcome

Tuesday 14 April, 4-5pm

SUBU 5th Floor Space, Talbot Campus

Find out more and register here