Category / Events

Dr. Paul Whittington attends Technology and the SEND Reforms Roundtable in the House of Commons

Dr. Paul Whittington was invited to attend the Technology and SEND Reforms Roundtable at the House of Commons on Wednesday 8th July. The event was organised by Policy Connect through the All Party Parliamentary Group for Assistive Technology with the focus on the role of technology in SEND support and SEND teacher training incorporating technology and responsible AI. The session was held in a committee room within the Palace of Westminster and included a panel of experts from CENMAC, University of East London, LEP Academy Trust, TechEdology and Nasen, chaired by Peter Swallow MP.

The Roundtable discussed the recent work undertaken by the Department for Education since the 2019 Education Technology Strategy. This included assessments for assistive technology and meeting digital standards by using AI and teacher training. The Government has committed £200m to provide this training including funding assistive technology lending libraries in local authorities throughout the UK. This is an important area of research for pupils with SEND as suitable assistive technology can reduce barriers and enable more individual needs to be met. The event was also an opportunity for Dr. Paul Whittington to promote the EduAbility research conducted by the Department of Computing and Engineering, involving Professor Huseyin Dogan.

The EduAbility application provides assistive technology recommendations and training for pupils with disabilities as well as teachers, support staff and parents/carers. It is therefore closely related to the SEND Reforms. Following the development of the Android application in 2025, funding was awarded from the department’s Quality Research Fund for the iOS development of EduAbility. Since March 2026, the application has been converted to the Flutter platform that allows EduAbilty to be maintained for both Android and iOS simultaneously using a shared codebase format.

Now that the application is compatible for both Android and iOS, we will be publishing EduAbility on Apple Store and Google Play Store in Autumn 2026. This will initially be as a free application, with future potential to be a paid application to support ongoing development and maintenance. Policy Connect have expressed interest in EduAbility to promote the application through their networks, including the Schools within the EdTech Demonstrator Programme. It is anticipated that Dr. Paul Whittington will attend future events organised by Policy Connect within the domain of education and assistive technology.

Dr. Paul Whittington joins Bett 2026 DfE Assistive Technology Roundtable

In January 2026, Dr. Paul Whittington was invited to be a panellist on the Department for Education (DfE) Assistive Technology roundtable at Bett 2026 in ExCel London, the leading event for education technology. The purpose of the roundtable was for DfE policy colleagues to listen and learn from domain experts in assistive technology to further inform their understanding of the use of assistive technology in mainstream education. There were two focused areas for discussion, ‘barriers and enablers to assistive technology in mainstream settings’ and ‘the existing evidence base’.

The roundtable was chaired by Helen Davies, Assistive Technology Policy Lead at DfE and included panellists from the University of Dundee and CENMAC, a London based advisory service providing assessments of assistive technology. Interesting discussions were held during the one hour panel session where the current challenges of assistive technology in education were highlighted. This included that pupils with disabilities are often unaware of the technologies that can support them with education and that teachers/support staff may not have the required knowledge to guide the individuals. Dr. Paul Whittington emphasised his personal experience of the importance that assistive technology played in his mainstream education, in terms of accessing computers and educational resources. A theme of a discussion was developing recommendation systems for assistive technology and how this could aim to improve awareness of available products, which is aligned closely with the EduAbility application developed by Dr. Paul Whittington and Professor Huseyin Dogan from the Department of Computing and Engineering.

Attending the roundtable was also an opportunity to visit the many exhibitors at Bett 2026 who were showcasing the latest in innovations in assistive technology as well as other products for general educational use. Exhibitors included suppliers of software such as Crick Software, VisionAid and The Williams AV Family of Assistive Communication Solutions. There were also some interesting robotics technologies that have been designed to provide practical support for people with disabilities.

Visiting the exhibitors was an opportunity to introduce EduAbiity as a method for manufacturers to promote their products to potential customers. The British Association for Assistive Technology (BATA) had a stand at the show and discussions were held in relation to Bournemouth University becoming an academic member of the association to further our future research in the domain in terms of conducting evaluations and maximising visibility of our initiatives in line with the BU 2035 research strategy.

Overall, it was a very valuable visit to the Bett 2026 show in terms of contributing to DfE discussions and promoting our assistive technology research. We are currently in the process of developing the EduAbility application for iOS and once this is publicly disseminated through the Apple Store and Google Play Store, there could be potential for Bournemouth University to attend the Bett Show as an exhibitor in the future.

BU Prof Jonathan Parker promoting social work in Malaysia

international, writing

BU Professor Emeritus Jonathan Parker recently discussed his recently published latest edition of the book Newly-Qualified Social Workers: A Practice Guide to the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment to Prof. Denison Jayasooria from Malaysia.  Prof. Parker has a longstanding collaboration with social work researchers in Malaysia, for example in the field of social work education or the inclusion of indigenous people’s voices in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

BU contributions to successful Global Health conference

conferences, international, Publishing, writing

Dr. Pramod Regmi and Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen attended this week’s Global Consortium for Public Health Research (GCPHR) 4th Annual Conference at the University of Huddersfield.  The conference was very well attended with delegates from India, Nepal, Ghana, Finland and the UK.  BU’s contribution included a poster on the recently completed study on kidney disease in Nepalese migrant workers, a study funded by The Colt Foundation.

Prof. Chandra Kala Sharma, President of Nursing Association of Nepal and Dr. Bibha Simkhada, Reader in Nursing at the University of Huddersfield presented on ‘Implementing Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in Nursing in Nepal’.  In this very topical presentation they highlighted the importance of the research conducted in Nepal by UK universities (which included Bournemouth University) in getting the regulations changed in Nepal around CPD.  This effect of research into CPD in Nursing will make a useful REF Impact Case Study.

Both Pramod and Edwin chaired a session on different days of the conference.  Whilst Prof. van Teijlingen gave an invited presentation on the topic of ‘Equitable participation on academic publications’.    He also facilitated a Round Table Discussion with five selected panel members on the final day.

Equitable Partnerships in Global Health Research

conferences, international

Today is the first day of the Global Consortium for Public Health Research (GCPHR) 4th Annual Conference here at the University of Huddersfield.  This two-day Conference (July 6-7) has as its theme ‘Equitable Partnerships in Global Health Research’.  It brings together academics based in Ghana, the UK, Nepal, India, and Finland.  This 4th conference has a mixture of invited speakers, roundtable discussions, poster presentations and keynote speeches.

The conference was originally the brainchild of Prof. Padam Simkhada, who recently moved from the University of Huddersfield to the University of Chester.  The main organisers at the University of Huddersfield are Dr. Rajeeb Kumar Sah, Dr. Bibha Simkhada and Dr. Zoe Darwin.  Bournemouth University is represented in Huddersfield by Dr. Pramod Regmi and Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

Methods of Researching Digital Harms and Cybercrime: An Interdisciplinary Symposium – Wednesday 15 July

Join this upcoming interdisciplinary symposium exploring how researchers safely and effectively study cybercrime, online safety, and digital manipulation in the digital age

Supported by the Research Culture and Community Grant and organised by Dr Mark Berry, the day features insights spanning psychology, AI, criminology, and media ethics.

The symposium is designed for academic staff, early career researchers, and postgraduate researchers working on digital harms, online safety, or cybersecurity who are seeking interdisciplinary collaborations. It is also highly relevant for sector practitioners and stakeholders, including those in policing, digital investigation, victim support, policy, education, and third-sector organisations.

Highlights Include

  • NCA Keynote: Protecting Children from Online Harms – Robert Richardson and DCI Adam Smith on law enforcement challenges and the vital role of academic research.
  • AI & Cyber Communities: Using AI/BERT models to analyse text corpuses from massive hacker forums (Prof. John McAlaney).
  • Policy & Social Media: The absurdist cycle of “ban solutionism” regarding children and social media (Prof. Andy Phippen).
  • Crypto & Fraud: Machine learning models for real-time fraud detection in crypto wallets (Dr Muntadher Sallal).
  • Gaming & Gambling: Mixed-methods approaches to researching digital harms with neurodivergent youth (Dr Emily Arden-Close & Dr Constantina Panourgia).
  • International Insights: A digital anthropology approach to countering child recruitment narratives on social media in Colombia (Juan Pablo Hernández).

Event Details

Wednesday 15 July 15, 9:30am-5pm

The Allsebrook Lecture Theatre, Talbot Campus

Coffee, lunch, and dedicated Q&A networking blocks are included throughout the day.

Find out more and register here

Reminder: Recharge Your Research Routine Next Week for World Wellbeing Week

World Wellbeing Week is just around the corner, and it is the perfect time to step away from your desk, quiet the mental noise, and invest a little time back into yourself.

Between drafting proposals, analysing data, and meeting deadlines, it is incredibly easy for researchers and postgraduate students to put personal health on the back burner. That is why BU has put together a fantastic line-up of free, restorative activities designed specifically for our research community to unwind, connect, and recharge.

If you have been meaning to sign up but have not yet managed to do so, here is a quick look at the events happening next week across Talbot Campus (and online) that you won’t want to miss.

Your World Wellbeing Week Line-up 

Baduanjin and Qigong for Body and Mind

Baduanjin (八段锦) is a traditional Chinese form of qigong consisting of eight slow and beginner-friendly movements. Widely practiced in China, it is especially suitable for anyone who sit for long periods, as it helps ease tension, improve mobility, and reset energy levels in a calm and supportive environment.

For those wishing to learn a little more beforehand, many resources are available online, such as this instructional video.

Attendees are requested to wear comfortable clothing for this slow-paced, easy-to-follow session. No prior experience is needed. Simply come along, take a break from your desk, and enjoy a peaceful summer afternoon with the community.

Monday 22 June, 3-4pm

Student Hall, Talbot House, Talbot Campus

Find out more and register here

Community Garden Volunteering

Established in January 2025 and funded by grants and donations, the Community Garden is managed by the Students’ Union at Bournemouth University (SUBU). The garden is located on Talbot Campus, behind the Poole Gateway Building, with full details available on the SUBU website.

This session offers an opportunity to spend time enjoying nature and volunteering to support the mission of growing food for the community and those in need.

Tuesday 23 June, 12-1pm

BU Community Garden, Talbot Campus

Find out more and register here

Wellbeing Creative Break

Supported by the ECR Research Culture and Community Grant, Alison Woodward and Tara Zaksaite have planned a 3-hour activity, involving creative play activities such as colouring, writing, drawing, playing with sand and lego. This will offer a creative and fun break to increase mindfulness and wellbeing.

You are also welcome to bring your own creative activities such as crafting or knitting.

Tea and coffee will be provided

Wednesday 24 June, 2-5pm

Talbot Campus: Room TBC

Find out more and register here

Motivation, Burnout and Staying Well While Researching

Supported by the PGR Research Culture and Community Grant, Cihan Yesilmen Kilinc will deliver an online session for PGRs and ECRs on motivation, burnout, and maintaining wellbeing.

Slowing down is a normal part of the research journey. For anyone experiencing feelings of being stuck, unmotivated, or overwhelmed, this session offers a non-judgmental space to pause and reflect.

Friday 26 June, 11:45am-12:45pm

Online

Attendees will have a chance to win one of three £50 wellbeing shopping vouchers.

Find out more and register here

Paint and Pause, Art in Nature

An invitation to step away from your desk and gather in the BU Community Garden for a relaxed painting session. This event offers an opportunity to gently slow down, try painting or drawing, and enjoy the calming surroundings of nature, no prior experience is required.

Attendees are welcome to bring a drink, some sweet treats will be provided.

Friday 26 June, 2-4pm

BU Community Garden, Talbot Campus (weather permitting)

Find out more and register here

Boost Your Research Toolkit: Digital Confidence & AI Literacy Workshop – Friday 26 June 10am-12pm

Supported by the ECR Research Culture and Community Grant, researchers are invited to join an upcoming practical session designed to help Postgraduate Researchers and Early Career Researchers navigate the evolving landscape of AI in academia with confidence.

The Digital Confidence and AI Literacy for Researchers: A Practical Skills Workshop for PGRs and ECRs is an interactive event that will explore the practicalities of responsible AI use, digital trust, and how to effectively leverage AI to strengthen research bids and streamline workflows.

What the Session Covers

This workshop focuses on actionable skills that researchers can apply to their work immediately. Attendees will explore the ethical and secure use of AI tools under the framework of digital trust, and discover smart ways to integrate these digital tools into daily research practices. Crucially, the session will also provide practical approaches to strengthening future research bids and grant applications using digital insights.

Featured Speakers & Facilitators

The event brings together a cross-disciplinary panel of experts to share their insights:

  • Dr Ediz Akçay (Business School)
  • Dr Festus Adedoyin (School of Computing and Engineering)
  • Anthony Ashwn (Data Scientist, ROSEN)
  • Facilitated by: Dr Emmanuella Ejime-Okereafor

Event Details

Friday 26 June, 10am – 12pm
F202, Fusion Building, Talbot Campus

How to Register

Register here to book your place

If you have any questions, please email Emmanuella Ejime-Okereafor: eejime@bournemouth.ac.uk

Celebrate World Wellbeing Week This June

Every June, World Wellbeing Week reminds us to pause and check in on our mental, physical, and social health.

To celebrate, a range of activities are available for researchers, designed to help individuals unwind, recharge, and prioritise personal wellbeing.

Baduanjin and Qigong for Body and Mind

Baduanjin (八段锦) is a traditional Chinese form of qigong consisting of eight slow and beginner-friendly movements. Widely practiced in China, it is especially suitable for anyone who sit for long periods, as it helps ease tension, improve mobility, and reset energy levels in a calm and supportive environment.

For those wishing to learn a little more beforehand, many resources are available online, such as this instructional video.

Attendees are requested to wear comfortable clothing for this slow-paced, easy-to-follow session. No prior experience is needed. Simply come along, take a break from your desk, and enjoy a peaceful summer afternoon with the community.

Monday 22 June, 3-4pm

Student Hall, Talbot House, Talbot Campus

Find out more and register here

Community Garden Volunteering

Established in January 2025 and funded by grants and donations, the Community Garden is managed by the Students’ Union at Bournemouth University (SUBU). The garden is located on Talbot Campus, behind the Poole Gateway Building, with full details available on the SUBU website.

This session offers an opportunity to spend time enjoying nature and volunteering to support the mission of growing food for the community and those in need.

Tuesday 23 June, 12-1pm

BU Community Garden, Talbot Campus

Find out more and register here

Wellbeing Creative Break

Supported by the ECR Research Culture and Community Grant, Alison Woodward and Tara Zaksaite have planned a 3-hour activity, involving creative play activities such as colouring, writing, drawing, playing with sand and lego. This will offer a creative and fun break to increase mindfulness and wellbeing.

You are also welcome to bring your own creative activities such as crafting or knitting.

Tea and coffee will be provided

Wednesday 24 June, 2-5pm

Talbot Campus: Room TBC

Find out more and register here

Motivation, Burnout and Staying Well While Researching

Supported by the PGR Research Culture and Community Grant, Cihan Yesilmen Kilinc will deliver an online session for PGRs and ECRs on motivation, burnout, and maintaining wellbeing.

Slowing down is a normal part of the research journey. For anyone experiencing feelings of being stuck, unmotivated, or overwhelmed, this session offers a non-judgmental space to pause and reflect.

Friday 26 June, 11:45am-12:45pm

Online

Attendees will have a chance to win one of three £50 wellbeing shopping vouchers.

Find out more and register here

Paint and Pause, Art in Nature

An invitation to step away from your desk and gather in the BU Community Garden for a relaxed painting session. This event offers an opportunity to gently slow down, try painting or drawing, and enjoy the calming surroundings of nature, no prior experience is required.

Attendees are welcome to bring a drink, some sweet treats will be provided.

Friday 26 June, 2-4pm

BU Community Garden, Talbot Campus (weather permitting)

Find out more and register here 

Take a Break: Join the Creative Wellbeing Event

Supported by the ECR Research Culture and Community Grant, this upcoming interactive session offers BU researchers a dedicated space to pause, connect, and focus on emotional wellbeing.

Being an ECR or PGR can be challenging and stressful and finding time to step away from your desk is tough. Organised by Tara Zaksaite and Alison Woodward, this upcoming session is designed to offer a creative, fun break to increase mindfulness, giving you the space to consider how to weave wellbeing practices back into your usual work routine.

A 3-hour mindfulness session involving creative play activities such as colouring, writing, drawing, playing with sand, and Lego. You are welcome to bring your own crafts or knitting.

Wednesday 24 June, 2-5pm

Spaces are strictly limited to 40

Tea and coffee will be provided

Please register your interest by completing the ECR wellbeing activity booking form by Wednesday 17 June to secure your place.

About the ECR Research Culture and Community Grant

This event highlights how the ECR Research Culture and Community Grant directly empowers early career researchers to lead impactful initiatives. By supporting these researcher-led projects, the grant continues to build a vibrant BU community cantered on wellbeing and professional development.

If you want to explore future ECR funding or get involved in our upcoming research culture initiatives, keep an eye on the Researcher Development Hub. We will be sharing details on exciting new open calls this September.

Strengthening BU’s Research Culture: A Look Inside the Mixed Methods Workshop

Knowledge Exchange

Bridging the Methodological Divide: ECR Led Workshop Explores the Power of Mixed Methods Research

On Wednesday 6 May 2026, Early Career Researchers and academics from across BU came together for an insightful and collaborative workshop: “The Growing Importance of Mixed Methods Research”

Organised by Jiahong Han from the Faculty of Business and Law and supported by the ECR Research Culture and Community Grant, this event was designed to strengthen researchers’ methodological skills by delving into the principles, applications, and challenges of Mixed Methods Research (MMR) within the social sciences.

An Interdisciplinary Gathering

For a specialised, interactive methodological workshop, the event achieved an impressive turnout of 20 researchers. Rather than drawing from a single department, the workshop successfully built a cross-faculty collaboration, attracting Doctoral Researchers, Lecturers, and Senior Lecturers from a diverse range of disciplines:

  • English Literature
  • Clinical Imaging
  • Accounting
  • Business Management

This mix of backgrounds sparked rich discussions, allowing attendees to learn from varied methodological perspectives and experiences. While the workshop was a standalone event, it successfully established new professional connections across BU. Attendees also gained a valuable external contact, with the guest speaker from Sheffield Hallam University sharing her details to facilitate ongoing external collaboration.

Guest speaker from Sheffield Hallam University introduces the principles of Mixed Methods Research to BU researchers

Guest speaker from Sheffield Hallam University introduces the principles of Mixed Methods Research to BU researchers

Inside the Workshop: Theory Meets Practice

The day was split into distinct phases to maximise engagement:

Foundational Theory: The invited guest speaker from Sheffield Hallam University introduced the core principles of MMR, focusing on how qualitative and quantitative data can be meaningfully integrated within research design.

Deconstructing the Designs: A dedicated segment aimed at demystifying the different types of mixed methods frameworks and addressing common pitfalls in social science research.

Hands-On Application: Moving from theory to practice, attendees workshopped their own active research projects, troubleshooting real-world methodological hurdles with peers from different faculties.

Catered Networking Lunch: A working lunch that allowed researchers to connect casually, exchange contact details, and lay the groundwork for future cross-faculty BU collaborations.

Doctoral researchers and senior staff workshopped active research projects together during the practical afternoon session

Doctoral researchers and senior staff workshopped active research projects together during the practical afternoon session

What Attendees Said

The feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive. Participants particularly valued the blend of lecture and practical workshop activities, noting that it made complex concepts highly applicable to their own active projects.

Key takeaways from the attendees highlighted that the event was:

“Informative, engaging, and highly relevant to our research development needs.”

Many noted that the sessions helped them clarify different mixed methods designs and provided a supportive space to discuss real-world methodological challenges with both peers and the guest speaker.

Behind the Scenes

For organiser Jiahong Han, the grant provided an invaluable opportunity for personal and professional growth. Reflecting on the experience of organising an academic event for the first time, from coordinating with external speakers to promotion and logistics, Jiahong described the journey as “collaborative, valuable, and confidence-building.”

“Through organising the event and participating in the discussions, I deepened my own understanding of Mixed Methods Research and its practical applications. It has expanded my professional network both within BU and externally, creating fantastic opportunities for future knowledge exchange.”

About the ECR Research Culture and Community Grant

This event highlights how the ECR Research Culture and Community Grant directly empowers early career researchers to lead impactful initiatives. By supporting these researcher-led projects, the grant continues to build a vibrant BU community cantered on interdisciplinary dialogue, knowledge exchange, and professional development.

If you are inspired by this event and want to explore future ECR funding or get involved in our upcoming research culture initiatives, keep an eye on the Researcher Development Hub.

We will be sharing details on exciting new open calls this September.

If you have any questions, please contact the Researcher Development and Culture Team at researcherdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk

MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 Call Information Webinar

Funding opportunities

The UK National Contact Point for the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) will hold an online information webinar for the MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 call on 18 June 2026, from 10:00 to 12:00.

The event is free of charge, although registration is required. The registration link is available on the webinar information page.

The MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 call has recently opened, and proposals may be submitted until the deadline of 24 November 2026.

Further information is available on the MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 call page, including:

  • topic description;
  • call updates;
  • links to the online proposal submission system;
  • Q&A sections; and
  • topic conditions and supporting documents.

Additional information about the scheme is also available on the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions webpage.

Please note that BU PIs intending to apply for this call will need to obtain informal prior agreement from their faculty regarding a potential tuition fee waiver for PhD candidates should the application be successful.

Apart from support with costing and internal approvals, support from RIS may be limited due to the high volume of Horizon Europe calls closing during the autumn period. If you are considering applying, please submit your ItB by mid-September at the latest so that we can plan workloads efficiently and provide the necessary support in a timely manner.

If you have any questions relating to this call or Horizon Europe more generally, please do not hesitate to contact the Strategic & International Research Facilitator directly.

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) 2026: Register to Support our PGRs

PG research

Following the round of pre-recorded submissions in April, the stage is set for the 2026 BU Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Final.

PGRs face the ultimate academic challenge: condensing complex thesis data into a single, high-impact, three-minute presentation for a general audience.

Why We Need You in the Audience

Our PGRs have worked hard to master the ultimate “elevator pitch.” Having a strong, supportive audience of BU colleagues and peers makes a massive difference to their presentation energy.

By attending, you are not only supporting your faculty’s researchers but also actively contributing to the judging process. Alongside the main panel prizes, attendees will have the opportunity to cast their vote for the coveted People’s Choice Award.

Finalists are competing for national recognition at the National Vitae 3MT competition, alongside top prizes including £150, £100, and £50 vouchers.

Event Details

Wednesday 17 June, 1-3pm

Create Lecture Theatre, Fusion Building, Talbot Campus

Find out more and register here

Spaces are limited. Please secure your seat and support our research community

For further details about the competition framework, please visit the Doctoral College Brightspace page or contact the team at pgrskillsdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk