Category / BU research

BU carbon pricing research cited in select committee report on the financial sector and the UK’s net zero transition

BU research, Featured, Knowledge Exchange, policy

BU research on the impact of carbon pricing has featured in a House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) report on the role of the financial sector in helping the UK achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

A cross-faculty team comprising Dr Alan Kirkpatrick and Dr Tahani Mohamed of the Business School and Dr Festus Adedoyin of the Faculty of Science and Technology submitted written evidence which has been published as part of the report, titled The financial sector and the UK’s net zero transition. 

Their evidence included recommendations considering the economic welfare implications of carbon emissions pricing at a national and international level, and the need for carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs) that has informed the EAC’s deliberations and subsequent recommendations to the Government.

Carbon pricing systems include carbon taxes and emissions trading systems (ETSs) in which carbon credits may be bought and sold thereby creating a ‘carbon market’ which, theoretically, could help achieve a global price for carbon.

In practice, however, carbon emissions pricing systems may encourage ‘carbon leakage’ – where businesses in countries that have more stringent carbon pricing rules try to save costs by moving production activities to countries with less demanding carbon pricing rules and hence lower costs.

CBAMs are designed to reduce carbon leakage by applying charges to take account of variations in carbon prices ruling in different jurisdictions.

The BU research team discussed the risk that CBAMs might be seen as ‘climate clubs’, reducing the competitiveness of carbon-intensive emerging economies but concluded that CBAMs are necessary to minimise carbon leakage when carbon emissions pricing systems such as the UK’s Emissions Trading Scheme are implemented.

In its report the EAC has recommended that the UK Government should develop a UK CBAM. The BU research team is continuing to analyse the impact of carbon emissions pricing on wider public wellbeing in the UK.

Read the full report – The financial sector and the UK’s net zero transition     

BA ECRN event: ECRs in the Arts, Culture and Creative Economies

BU research, ECR Network, Events

Early Career Researcher Network

This ECR-focused event brings together researchers across disciplines within the Arts, Culture and Creative Economies.

It will feature keynote talks from three inspiring speakers in these fields, a panel discussion, and facilitated networking conversations.

The three speakers are: Dr Verity McIntosh (Virtual and Extended realities); Dr Tarek Virani (urban and urban dynamics as they pertain to culture and the creative and cultural industries); and Ms Sharon Clark (Professional and Creative Writing).

 

Wednesday 28 Feb 2024, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM 

Design West, 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol, BS1 4QA

 

You can book your place via EventBrite,   here.

Please note this is an inperson event for ECRs from the South West Hub only.

If you need more information about this event please contact the event organiser.

New UKRI open access policy for longform publications

BU research, open access, UKRI

From 1 January 2024, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is introducing a new open access policy for monographs, book chapters, and edited collections that arise from UKRI funding.

This is to ensure that longform publications are available to the public under a Creative Commons (CC) licence within 12 months of the date of their publication.

To support the new policy, UKRI will provide a dedicated fund for organisations to support open access publication of in-scope outputs. The maximum contributions from UKRI through the fund will be:

  • £10,000 for entire monographs and edited collections
  • £1,000 for book chapters.

For participation in alternative open access models (often referred to as diamond models, collective models, or subscribe to open models), UKRI will contribute:

  • up to £6,000 for the first output
  • up to £3,000 where there are two or more eligible outputs from the same institution published under the same model.

There will be an initial 9-month bedding in period from January 2024 where UKRI will not monitor for compliance to enable stakeholders to adjust to the new requirements and smooth out processes.

More detail on the new policy can be found here: https://www.ukri.org/manage-your-award/publishing-your-research-findings/open-access-funding-and-reporting/

MaGPIE has taken flight!

Awarded & submitted bids, BU research, humanities, Impact, international, policy, REF Subjects, Research news, UKRI

“There is not one region in the world, not one historical period, that has not seen mass graves”.

(UN Special Rapporteur on extra-judicial summary or arbitrary executions, 2020)

 

Wednesday 13th December marked the launch of MaGPIE, the pioneering £1.6 million ERC selected UKRI funded research project, run out of the Humanities & Law department in the Faculty of Media and Communication.

 

MaGPIE stands for Mass Grave Protection, Investigation and Engagement and asks: how can a comprehensive and universally applicable human rights framework for mass graves can be developed and achieved?

 

To answer such a magnitudinous question, MaGPIE has strategically organised its research into three interconnected pillars:

Pillar 1 asserts that comprehending the scale of global mass graves is paramount to understanding the nature of the problem. Consequently, pillar 1 will result in an open-source map of mass grave sites and ancillary outputs that have the potential to strengthen protection, forensic investigation, justice efforts, commemoration and remembrance for the benefits of survivors.

 

Pillar 2 identifies and seeks to remedy human rights blindspots that persist within present practices surrounding mass graves. These blindspots will be addressed through researching: cultural and Indigenous rights; issues of access, consent and data protection; participatory rights and vulnerabilities due to climate change.

 

Bournemouth Protocol on Mass Grave Protection and Investigation land and sea migratory routes and to what extent they might contain mass graves and hence warrant protection through a concerted human rights framework and policy.

 

The launch of MaGPIE was a momentous occasion for Professor Melanie Klinkner and her growing team. Professor Scott Wright, Deputy Dean for Research and Professional Practice, kindly introduced the MaGPIE team members: Dr David Biggins, project management and data specialist in BUBS; Emily Fisher the Research Assistant and HSS prize winning graduate; Dr Ellie Smith and Dr Ian Hanson Senior Research Fellows, and newly appointed data researchers Diego Nunez and Ellen Donovan. Internal stakeholders were invited to raise a toast—of non-alcoholic mulled wine—not only to celebrate the project’s launch but also to acknowledge the collaborative efforts that brought MaGPIE to the starting line.

If you are interested in following the work of MaGPIE stay updated by following our LinkedIn and Twitter profiles for the latest developments over the coming years.

The 15th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference – Thank You

BU research, conferences, Doctoral College, Events, Featured, Knowledge Exchange, PG research, Postgraduate Research, Research communication

Thank you to all of our presenters, poster exhibitors, session chairs and of course delegates who supported the 15th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference. It is always a highlight on the Doctoral College events calendar and we hope you all enjoyed the day.

We were thrilled with the energy and enthusiasm on the day, and we were delighted to see a strong turnout of PGRs and colleagues showing their support and helping to promote our positive PGR research culture and community across BU.

Last chance to submit your feedback!

If you attended, either as a presenter or delegate, we would love to hear your feedback via this anonymous feedback form.

Your feedback will help us improve future conferences so please let us know your thoughts.

Feedback collection will close soon –  15 December 2023.

Postgraduate Research Showcase

Did you miss the 15th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference? Do not worry you will be able to visit the Atrium Gallery to view the posters that were exhibited on the day!

Half of the posters will be on display from 2 January. These will then be swapped out for the remaining posters, halfway through the exhibition, which will be displayed until 23 February.

We will be holding a celebration event on the 7 February 2024, with more information to follow so watch this space!

A Virtual Exhibition is now available via the BU website.

 

You can see more of the highlights from the day on twitter #BUPGRConf23 and #BUDoctoralCollege. 

I look forward to seeing many of your again next year!

Arabella [Doctoral College Marketing & Events Coordinator]

First research project on the ‘gender wars’ in academia recommences at BU

BU research, research staff

Dr Laura Favaro’s latest research project concerned the disputes around sex and gender that have escalated dramatically since the mid-2010s – often referred to as the ‘gender wars’ – with a particular focus on academia in the form of an ethnography. Data includes field notes, documents, social media content, as well as 50 semi-structured interviews and an online mixed survey, which she collected as part of a postdoctoral research fellowship at City, University of London.  

Initial outputs included a substantial report for the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), an article for Times Higher Education (THE) and a number of invited talks. The final stage of dissemination will primarily consist of academic writings, currently with papers for peer-reviewed journals under preparation. Discussions with publishers for her book project will soon recommence, following the recent transfer of her interview data to BU (see notice below).  

Also forthcoming is the transfer of the anonymised survey responses, which Dr Favaro collected with the support of a British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grant under the title “The ‘Gender Wars’ Survey: A Case Study of Working Life in Academia”.  

Building on the ‘gender wars’ project, as part of her role as Lecturer in Social Science at BU Dr Favaro has been conducting further document reviews to extend her exploration of the impact of queer theory and politics in academia. A forthcoming online essay brings together findings from both research endeavours, drawing – and expanding – on the concept of academentia, a term originally used by the late feminist professor Mary Daly. Dr Favaro’s previous applications of this term in relation to her research findings can be seen in this invited talk for Women’s Declaration International (WDI), or in her published interview with the author of the recent book Cancelled: The Left Way Back from Woke, titled Cancel culture in academia: Umut Özkırımlı in conversation with Laura Favaro. 

Notice for the participants of the ‘Gender Wars in Feminism’ interview study  

The transcripts of the interviews conducted between October 2020 and December 2021 were transferred securely from City, University of London to Bournemouth University on 6th December 2023. This means that BU now acts as an independent controller in respect of the processing of this research data, which will continue to be handled in accordance with the Participant Information Sheet and other assurances previously provided, in addition to BU’s Research Participant privacy notice. 

Legal Services important approval dates over the Xmas period

BU research

We are fast approaching the end of 2023.

BU will be lightly staffed across all Departments from the start of Dec 2023 to mid-Jan 2024, including approvers being on leave over various times within that date range. This range includes BU’s closure period.

For matters that need a Contract Authorisation Form (CAF) from Legal Services and Finance, applications can now only be taken for submissions with a deadline after 19 January 2024.

Bids requiring a CAF are notably tenders and calls by Innovate UK.
A CAF is also required for anything requiring legal commitment at submission stage.

We wish you a very Merry Festive period.

Engaging with the Media for Impact

BU research, Impact, research staff, RKE development framework

Explore how working with the media can help to raise the profile of your work and research and lead to impact.

Take away practical tips on talking to journalists, tracking the impact of media coverage and finding the best ways to reach your target audiences.

This session is open to all academic staff who are interested in engaging with the media, no experience is necessary.

By the end of the session, attendees will:

• Understand the media landscape and how to engage with journalists effectively
• Know how to find their target audiences and how to best to reach them
• Have learnt how to maximise and track the impact of media coverage

Thursday 18th January 2024, 14:00-15:30 Online

Book your place here under ‘Impact Essentials: Engaging with the Media for Impact -18/01/2024’ in the drop-down menu.

 

Facilitated by:Emma Matthews – Research Communications Adviser, ematthews@bournemouth.ac.uk

 

ECR Network Surgery session

BU research, ECR Network, research staff

You are cordially invited to this open session which is aimed at all BU ECRs and PGRs. Come along and discuss any issues around career development, or the ECR experience with the peer network. Share your thoughs and receive advice and guidance from the network’s academic leads.

Wednesday 10th January 2024, 13:00 – 14:00 

This hybrid session will be held at Talbot Campus & via MS Teams

To book onto this session, please complete the Booking Form. under ECRN: Surgeries – 10/01/2024 in the drop-down menu.

For any queries regarding this workshop, please contact RKE Dev Framework

Applications are open for the 2024 – 2026 Parliamentary Thematic Research Leads

BU research, Impact, Knowledge Exchange, parliament

This is a great opportunity to become involved in Parliament, get your research noticed and have policy impact. Parliament’s Knowledge Exchange Unit has opened applications for Parliamentary Research Leads in the following areas:

Key dates

  • Monday 11 December: Parliamentary Thematic Research Leads 2024 – 2026 opportunity opens for applications
  • Wednesday 17 January, 1pm – 2.30 pm: Online Information Session
  • Sunday 3 March: Deadline for applications
  • Second half of April: Interviews
  • May – August: Research Organisation submits request for funding to UKRI, security clearance sought, Fellowship Agreement signed
  • September: Thematic Research Leads take up their positions in UK Parliament
    It is our expectation that the process will follow the timescales above. Should any changes to this be necessary, we will update the Thematic Research Leads webpage with details as soon as possible.We are aware that adjustments of timing may be required for some applicants throughout this process including disabled people, those with caring responsibilities and those observing religious occasions or festivities. If you have any adjustment needs that will impact your participation in the timescales above, please let us know so that we can consider an adjustment for you.

What is a Thematic Research Lead?

This is a prestigious and influential role, the purpose of which is to facilitate and enhance the use of research evidence and expertise in Parliament (in both the House of Commons and House of Lords) through effective knowledge exchange and collaboration. Each TRL leads on a specific policy area.

To achieve this, TRLs conduct three primary activities:

  • strategic support for the production and delivery of research evidence for Parliament, within a broad policy area
  • activities to support the development of a research and innovation landscape that facilitates and encourages knowledge exchange between Parliament and the research community
  • participation in a network of Thematic Research Leads to share intelligence and insights across policy areas.

Who is this opportunity open to?

Applications are open to:

  • all UK-based mid-career university researchers who already have a PhD and are employed on an academic contract, at a university. Exceptionally, they are also open to those who don’t have a PhD but have equivalent experience of a mid-career researcher and are employed in a UK university on an academic contract.
  • those who work in UKRI’s ‘Eligible Independent Research Organisations’ and are active researchers within their organisation. They will either have a PhD or equivalent experience of a mid-career researcher.
  • for the purposes of this call, mid-career researchers are defined as those employed on a contract that actively involves research (including joint teaching and research contracts) up to but not including professorial level.

Why apply to be a TRL?

The position of TRL is a highly influential and prestigious role at the heart of Parliament. As far as we are aware, we are the first parliament globally to have developed such a position, and the first nation to have embedded an academic network in our legislature. In a global landscape, delivering and developing this role therefore provides exciting possibilities.

The role offers an exciting opportunity for you to see first-hand how research feeds into policy, through shaping parliamentary work with your research expertise and participating in the development of parliamentary processes for knowledge exchange.

You will be uniquely placed to build connections with parliamentary and government stakeholders, and this participation will provide you with rich and varied experiences to support you on an upward professional trajectory. Current postholders have reported that the role has contributed to advancement in their careers, including to professorial level.

Where can I get more information?

  • More information is available on their webpage: www.parliament.uk/trls
  • You will also find detailed Guidance Notes on our TRL webpage – please read these before applying!
  • They will be holding an information session on 17 January, 1pm – 2.30pm. This session will be for interested applicants, knowledge mobilisers, professional services teams supporting applicants, or senior management; it’s an opportunity to find out more about the TRL role. The link to register for this will be made available on the TRL webpage and will be circulated in one of our normal weekly round-ups.

Please email impact@bournemouth.ac.uk in the first instance if you are interested in applying for one of these roles.

Using Artificial Intelligence Within Sales: How to get started?

BU research

Work in sales and heard of AI, but don’t know how to use it? Alongside co-authors from Cranfield university, Dr Dayle Childs helped shed some light on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the sales role, published in Velocity Magazine.

AI is currently a popular topic of conversation, with the explosion of generative AI tool Chat GPT sparking a great deal of debate. However, the use of AI goes way beyond this, and can be used for all aspects of a sales role.

Whilst AI has many benefits, we must also be cautious of its risks. The article highlights these in relation to profiling, accounting engagement, forecasting, performance, analytics, coaching, pricing, and servicing accounts. To read the article click here and go to page 47 for the article. For more information, contact Dr Dayle Childs at DChilds@Bournemouth.ac.uk.

 

Food for Thought for Parliament: Presenting Consumer Insights to All Party Parliamentary Group

BU research, Featured, Knowledge Exchange, parliament, policy

Professor in Consumer Behaviour Jeff Bray writes about his experiences presenting his research to an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)… 

Earlier this term I received an unsolicited invitation to attend Parliament and present my research to an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). It was the first time that I received such a request and immediately viewed it with suspicion, imagining that it could be some kind of predatory conference or publication using Parliament logos improperly. But after some online checking, it did appear genuine and interesting, so I accepted the invitation.

I was invited to share my thoughts on ‘Behaviour Change’ to the Food and Health APPG. The brief was as open as that and no further guidance was forthcoming regarding likely group size, expectations or requirements. So, it was with a degree of uncertainty that on Tuesday I travelled to London with my notes, hoping that I had judged the audience and expectations correctly. I share some reflections here in the hope that it could provide others with a little guidance and confidence in similarly delivering such briefings for the first time.

I arrived in good time having been warned that getting through the airport style security could take 45mins +.  I then seemingly had the run of the place and was able to wander freely. I found the public viewing gallery in the House of Lords to be a warm spot to sit for 30mins looking through my notes, but I was distracted by the debate – the second reading of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill, which given my research field was actually quite interesting!

Finding the committee room was straightforward given the number of security guards around to advise. It was quite easy to forget that the room was filled with MP’s, Lords and Baronesses since there was a real collegial tone (despite being cross party) and definitely the discussion was more friendly and less combative than I’ve observed at some academic conferences.

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience but would have done so more, had I have known a bit better what to expect in advance. There are APPGs on a wide range of topics – the most recent register of groups is available here:  APPG register.  If there is a group that is closely linked to your expertise I believe it would be possible to contact the ‘Public enquiry point’ e-mail address and offer to present your work or just attend one of their sessions for interest.