Follow the thoughts and reflections of the guest editorial team through our special issue blog series. The special issue of the British Journal of Social Work: Voice and Influence of people with lived experience is written, edited and reviewed by people with lived experience of social work. To date we have received 140 submissions across the three categories of academic papers, reflective pieces and creative artefacts. Follow our progress as we work toward publication in Spring 2023 via our blog series here
Category / Knowledge Exchange and Impact Team
Invitation to the BCP Poverty Truth Commission launch
We would like to invite you to the Bournemouth, Christchurch ad Poole Poverty Truth Commission launch on Thursday 14th July 10-12.
The project so far
14 inspirational Community Commissioners (CCs) – those with lived experience of poverty locally – have agreed to become part of the Commission. They have been meeting together fortnightly since April to get to know each other, better understand the process, and tease out key themes common to their stories such as housing, mental health, rising costs, benefits. They have told the commission they already feel “less alone”, “really listened to” and “inspired”. They are now working together with the commission to design and prepare for the public launch event (10-12 on 14 July) where similar numbers of local leaders including myself (Mel Hughes) in my role as Academic lead for the BU PIER partnership will join them as Civic/Business Commissioners (CBCs) to work together to tackle the root causes of poverty over the coming year.
To book a place at the launch please register here
If you would like to discuss, please contact me directly mhughes@bournemouth.ac.uk
Parliamentary Knowledge Exchange Opportunity: Thematic Research Leads
Thematic Research Leads: Climate/Environment; International Affairs/Defence; Parliament, Public Administration and Constitution | 1 August 2022
Some very exciting news from Parliament – the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), POST and Parliament’s Knowledge Exchange Unit have launched new (paid!) roles for researchers keen to be involved in policy. The new Thematic Research Leads (TRLs) are aimed at mid-career university researchers who will work for three days per week (0.6 FTE) to place research evidence at the heart of UK Parliament through a pilot thematic policy hub of parliamentary staff. Colleagues undertake this role whilst retaining their substantive academic post for the remaining two days per week.
Thematic Research Leads will work alongside POST, library and select committee staff at UK Parliament to help ensure the best available research evidence feeds into scrutiny, legislation and debate. They will also strengthen and diversify connections between Parliament and the research community. The roles are funded by ESRC, appointees are expected to commence their role in January 2023. Details:
- Thematic Research Lead on Climate and Environment.
- Thematic Research Lead on International Affairs and Defence.
- Thematic Research Lead on Parliament, Public Administration and Constitution.
This webpage contains more information on the Thematic Research Lead Call, the shared ambitions of POST and the ESRC for this activity, and information on how to apply.
POST state: We really encourage applications from everyone regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, marital status or whether or not they have a disability.
Colleagues who would need flexibility or hybrid working are encouraged to apply – POST are a flexible employee, are committed to support diversity and their employees, and will consider a range of requests to support colleagues to take up a post. Deadline: 1 August 2022
BU process for this opportunity
Because this is a funded position, RDS will need to treat your application in the way we normally would for any grant bid. With a submission deadline of 1 August, we look forward to receiving the completed e-ITBs by 4 July (for the costing request please attach an outline of how often you would want to travel, as this attachment is required).
You will need your Head of Department to agree in principle that you are able to commit 0.6FTE of your time if the application is successful and that we can arrange teaching replacement and funding, so please approach them as a first step. Full internal approvals will need to be completed by 26 July.
For guidance on the process please contact Beth Steiner and for any queries relating to the positions please contact Sarah Carter.
Finally the KEU outline why you should apply for this role:
“These roles, if proven, could become highly influential prestigious roles at the heart of Parliament, somewhat akin to the Government’s Chief Scientific Advisers, but shaped for a parliamentary context. 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 core parliamentary processes. You will be uniquely placed to build connections with parliamentary and government stakeholders to take forward through your career, and participation will provide you with rich and varied experiences to support you on an upward professional trajectory.”
Workshop ‘Sensitive Pasts and Difficult Presents: working with young people through participatory arts’ – 27th June, 2022
Some of you might be interested in this workshop, titled ‘Sensitive Pasts and Difficult Presents: working with young people through participatory arts‘, taking place this upcoming Monday, 27th June 2022, at BU (Talbot Campus). The workshop aims to bring together colleagues from across BU’s research centres, exploring how working with and for young people in sensitive contexts, both, locally and across the world, can be informed by interdisciplinary approaches (including Social Sciences, the Arts, and arts-based technologies).
Several colleagues will provide short presentations and thought pieces based on their research and experiences in the application of participatory arts-based methods in such contexts. Including a ‘world café’, the workshop aims to provide a forum to compare and exchange our experiences, learning and research outcomes rather than a classic, entirely lecture-based format.
This event is organised by the Centre for Seldom Heard Voices (Stephanie Schwandner-Sievers; RA Emily Fisher). The workshop includes colleagues from CEMP, CESJ, EMERGE, and further members are warmly invited to attend. We hope this event will be of particular interest to colleagues working in and through the participatory arts, specifically with vulnerable or marginalised groups, internationally or closer to home.
Reminder: Workshop on including impact in grant applications
Impact and Funding Applications Training: Thursday 30 June 2pm-3pm Online
How to write about impact in your funding bids
Writing about impact in a grant application can be challenging. However, a strong description of the benefits you hope your project will have on society and the economy, and the means you will take to get there, can make all the difference between getting funded or not.
Book your place now on the online training session Impact and Funding Bids on 30 June at 2pm and we will help you understand what you need to include for the best chance of success, and look at the different ways impact may be considered within each call.
Although the session will include a brief look at definitions of impact, if you are new to this area it is advised that you watch the 10-minute introduction to impact video on Brightspace beforehand to get the most out of the training.
Book your place.
Maximise the success of your public engagement with free, expert training on evaluation
Evaluation is important for measuring success, reporting to funders, assessing impact and improving your work. Join this training session to learn how.
Evaluation is about proving and improving. It can help you better understand your audience and ensure that you are making a difference.
We’ve organised an interactive session with industry leaders the NCCPE, to look at why evaluation is important, ways to get started, exploring different techniques, and to consider what evaluation can tell you, your organisation and funder.
We’ll also focus on how to conduct evaluation, participating in practical activities and discussion to demystify evaluation and find the fun in revealing the effectiveness of your work.
These sessions are aimed at people with some experience or awareness of public engagement with research; however, the session will be open to all experience levels.
This session will take place online Tuesday 28th June 09:30 – 12:00.
Sign up now
New training – Using social media to engage the public with your research
Social media offers the opportunity to get your research seen by millions, gain valuable insights and facilitate real involvement. However, there are also challenges and dangers.
Sign up for our new training session for BU researchers, part of the RKEDF, ‘Using social media to engage the public with your research‘, to learn how navigate the rapidly changing online world of social media for the best results.
Workshop | Date | Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Using social media to engage the public with your research | Tuesday, 21st June 2022 | 14:00 – 15:00 | Online |
In this session, you’ll learn:
- The key social media platforms you should know about, and how to use them
- What social media could do for you and your research
- Best practice – and common pitfalls – when communicating online
- How to find your ‘voice’ and to portray the right image on social media
- How social media can enable genuine two-way engagement and collaboration with the public
- How to define, measure and evaluate the success of your social media engagement.
This session is aimed at academics at any level.
How to sign up
In the workshop booking form, select the session ‘Using social media to engage the public with your research‘ from the dropdown list, enter your details and you’ll get an invitation by email.
Project Management Knowledge Exchange Opportunity
Project management and project delivery experts – take part in knowledge exchange within Parliament
The UK Parliament Project Delivery Community of Practice (CoP) is currently seeking experts in the following topic/s to share knowledge, expertise, insights and tools for their project delivery professionals. They hope that to find experts as soon as possible as the CoP working group has already been set-up.
This is a brilliant opportunity to work closely with project delivery professionals, make a range of contacts at Parliament, share research findings and contribute to shaping the project management community in UK Parliament.
The topics which they are seeking expertise on are:
- Project/programme management and delivery
- Leadership, management and performance
- Change management, communications and engagement
- Lessons and knowledge management
- Sustainable business practices and behavioural insight
- Centres of excellence, communities and social networks
If you would like to submit expertise, the you can find the form here, and do let our Policy and Public Affairs team know by emailing Sarah so that we are aware of your contribution. The deadline for recommendations is 12:00 midday on Thursday 23 June 2022, and be aware that you may not always get a response.
Maximise the success of your public engagement with free, expert training on evaluation
Evaluation is important for measuring success, reporting to funders, assessing impact and improving your work. Join this training session to learn how.
Evaluation is about proving and improving. It can help you better understand your audience and ensure that you are making a difference.
We’ve organised an interactive session with industry leaders the NCCPE, to look at why evaluation is important, ways to get started, exploring different techniques, and to consider what evaluation can tell you, your organisation and funder.
We’ll also focus on how to conduct evaluation, participating in practical activities and discussion to demystify evaluation and find the fun in revealing the effectiveness of your work.
These sessions are aimed at people with some experience or awareness of public engagement with research; however, the session will be open to all experience levels.
This session will take place online Tuesday 28th June 09:30 – 12:00.
Sign up now
Raise the profile of your research in the media – join the next Public Engagement with Research Network meeting
We’re pleased to announce our first in-person meeting of the network for over two years! Come along to enjoy refreshments and meet colleagues also interested in public engagement.
The Public Engagement with Research (PER) Network is a place for BU staff to learn, network, share best practice and collaborate. In this meeting we’ll look at how you can engage with the media to boost the profile, reach and impact of your research.
We’ll hear from Nathaniel Hobby (BU PR And Corporate Communications Manager) on how to attract media coverage for your research, and how to handle the media to ensure they understand your key messages.
You’ll have the opportunity for questions and discussion. The room is open for half an hour both before and after the meeting, for refreshments and networking.
This meeting will be held in F310, Fusion Building, Talbot Campus at 2-3pm on 22 June.
The meeting is open for anyone to turn up, but for catering purposes it’s really useful if you register ahead, just sign up in two clicks below and you’ll be invited to the meeting. You can also join the network.
Online impact workshops: 8 – 9 June
If you can’t join us for the upcoming BU Research Conference, but you still want to learn about ways to share your research and build impact, then you can book onto our online sessions instead.
We’re repeating the conference workshops online later in the week for anyone who can’t make it on the day or wants to take part in more of them.
The full online schedule can be found below – you can sign up for the online workshops through the BU Research Conference Eventbrite – just make sure you click the online option when booking your workshop.
Wednesday 8 June
Anatomy of a case study – 2 – 3pm
(Amanda Lazar and Beth Steiner, Impact Advisors)
This workshop will use examples of impact case studies from previous REFs to investigate what an excellent case study looks like and give attendees the opportunity to start building their own case studies from scratch.
Thursday 9 June
Impress the press: Engaging with the media for impact – 10am – 11am, Thursday 9 June
(Nathaniel Hobby, PR and Corporate Communications Manager and Emma Matthews, Research Communications Adviser)
Explore how working with the media can raise the profile of your research and lead to impact. Take away practical tips on talking to journalists, tracking the impact of media coverage and writing for The Conversation
Easing into policy impact – 1.30pm – 2.30pm
(Professor John Oliver, Professor of Media Management)
Professor John Oliver has a successful track record of delivering instrumental impact from his research, including the UK government’s ‘Build Back Better’ strategy and influencing UK communications policy and regulatory decisions.
This session will provide an outline of how to produce evidence that establishes the policy impact of your research. In particular, it will provide examples of recent policy impacts with both the UK communications regulator Ofcom and UK Parliament.
Make an impact with public engagement – 2.30pm – 3.30pm
(Amanda Edwards, Engagement and Impact Facilitator and Adam Morris, Engagement Officer)
Discover how public engagement can lead to research that achieves real change. We’ll explore what high-quality engagement looks like, provide real–life examples and help you apply it to your own research.
New Impact Accelerator Programme for ESS
Impact Acceleration Programme: InterAct
This programme will help researchers to enhance their ability to generate impact and provide funding to help them turn their research into more accessible outputs.
InterAct are looking for researchers from the Economic and Social Science (ESS) community or other disciplines that can capture human insights into the adoption of digital technologies and accelerate the digitisation of manufacturing to apply for up to £18,000 to turn results into outputs which are more accessible to policy makers, manufacturers, and Industrial Digital Technology providers.
The funding is available for academics whose research is ready for translation activity, not for further research, and results should already have been achieved but can be at an early stage and pre-publication.
Find out more about InterAct and this funding opportunity here, and if you intend to apply please complete the online ItB here.
If you have any questions about applying for funding please contact your Funding Development Officer, and for advice on impact acceleration plans or how to gather and evaluate evidence of impact please email impact@bournemouth.ac.uk
Participatory Research Workshops
Participatory Research: Doing research inclusively, doing research well
July 11 & 12 1.30-3.30pm
This course comprises two 2-hour workshop sessions for 12-30 people (optimum 20) plus recordings and additional materials. Both sessions will be in person, and we encourage academics from all faculties to sign up for both workshops.
Participants will gain clear insight into the multiple agendas driving participatory research. Together we will develop know-how in addition to know-what needed for participatory research. The group will work collaboratively to develop their own ideas stimulated by shared examples and real life conundrums.
Programme
Day 1: The why of participatory research – Adding value
- Researching with not on: The changing dynamics of research and rationale behind the democratisation of research
- Making the most of lived experience to add value to research
- Participatory research designs and methods – different ways of knowing
- 5 practical changes we can make and why
Day 2: The how of participatory research – How to enhance research participation and quality
- Co-producing research proposals and project designs
- Participatory ways of working – getting ideas from successful projects
- This is my truth – tell me yours – co-producing findings and outputs
- 5 steps to doing research inclusively and doing research well.
This training is delivered by Professor Melanie Nind, author of What is Inclusive Research? Melanie is Director of the Centre for Research in Inclusion at University of Southampton, Deputy Director of the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership and Co-director of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods. She has expertise in the areas of education, disability studies and methodology and has extensive experience supporting the development of participatory/inclusive research locally and internationally.
Reminder – Research Impact Basics training this week
A reminder that we still have space on our training session Getting started with research impact: what is it? this Thursday 12 May at 2pm, to book via OD please click here.
This session will also be repeated on 12 October at 2pm, and we have several other RKEDF impact-related workshops coming up over the next couple of months; please use the links below to book onto them via OD:
Evidencing Impact 14 June, 2pm (repeated on 12 October, 2pm)
Impact and Funding Applications 30 June, 2pm
As part of the newly announced Research Conference: Building Impact on 7 June we will also be holding live sessions on the Anatomy of a Case Study, investigating what an excellent case study looks like. This will be repeated online the following day (8 June, 2pm) for those who can’t make it so do look out for booking links for this too.
If you have any questions, please contact the Impact Advisors – Amanda Lazar or Beth Steiner.
Policy Influencing training sessions
Time is often a barrier stopping colleagues from using their research to influence policy. These training sessions are designed with the ‘doing’ built into the training day. Each programme will help you move onto the next step and produce some of the key materials to influence policy with your research. So when you get back to your desk we aim for you to feel ready to push the ‘send’ button! There’s a choice of half day, full day and multi session programmes and all sessions will be delivered online by Carys Davis, Director of The Other Place Public Affairs.
We particularly urge colleagues who do not have a ‘ready to go’ policy brief for their research to attend a session.
Email Sarah to book a session (state the name of the training course in the subject line of the email).
See here for the full details of each training course. Brief details below:
Policy into practice: from academia to influence – NOW POSTPONED, UPDATES COMING SOON (DO EMAIL TO EXPRESS INTEREST)
This is our flagship multi-session programme aiming to inform and support colleagues to produce content ready to share their research with policy makers and wider audiences. You’ll create three outputs – a policy brief, an elevator pitch and a set of recommendations based on your research. During the mentoring you’ll work with the expert trainer to ensure your content is ideal for political audiences. More details here.
*There are limited spaces available on this training session because it is an intensive support model including bespoke mentoring.*
Session 1 (full day) – Tuesday 10 May, 10-16:30; session 2 is a 1:2:1 mentoring session (choice of dates/times); session 3 is a half day on Tuesday 7 June 09:15-12:45. Colleagues must be able to commit to all three sessions.
Introduction to Parliament and Policy Influencing – Wed 8 June
A full day training session which covers the knowledge and skills to begin policy influencing. More details here.
Wed 8 June, 10:00-16:30
International Researchers – Introduction to Parliament and Policy Influencing – Mon 13 June
A full day session specifically for international colleagues. This introduction covers the need-to-know essentials and will fill in gaps for colleagues less familiar with the British political system. While the training will cover more background knowledge it is still focussed on getting colleagues started with policy influencing. More details here.
Monday 13 June, 10:00 – 16:30
Moving from academic form to effective policy writing – Fri 10 June (morning)
A half-day session: Friday 10 June, 09:30-13:00
Changing from academic form to policy writing can be challenging and may need a different approach. This session introduces colleagues to short form policy style and provides templates to get you started. This training also includes expert feedback after the session on your final policy piece. More details here.
Effective policy presentations – Tue 21 June (afternoon)
A half day session: Tuesday 21 June, 13:00-16:30
What do policy makers want from a research presentation? How do colleagues grab interest, open dialogue and establish relationships? More details here. Again there is expert feedback after the session on your final output.
Email Sarah to book your place.
BU Research Conference: Building Impact – conference schedule
The first annual BU research conference will take place on Tuesday 7 June.
This year’s theme is building impact, celebrating our REF 2021 submission and exploring practical ways to create impact and share your research.
Our keynote speaker will be Professor Simon Hettrick from the University of Southampton. He is Chair of the Hidden REF, which aims to recognise all research outputs and every role that makes research possible. He will be talking about the Hidden REF and its role in campaigning for a fairer approach to research assessment.
We’ll also have quick-fire presentations sharing some of our research impact and a panel discussion around the role of impact in research assessment.
Several practical sessions will provide tips and advice around building impact and sharing your research. These will explore working with the media and policymakers, public engagement, commercialisation of research, and how to write an impact case study.
These sessions will also be repeated online later in the week for anyone who cannot make it on the day.
The half-day conference will take place in the Fusion Building on Talbot Campus from 1pm – 5pm on Tuesday 7 June. Sessions will also be streamed online for those who can’t make it in-person. The conference is open to all BU staff and postgraduate researchers.
Light refreshments will be provided, and the conference will be followed by a drinks reception from 5pm to celebrate BU’s REF submission.
You can find out more and book your place via Eventbrite.
Upcoming Research Impact Workshops
We have several RKEDF impact-related workshops coming up over the next couple of months; please use the links below to book onto them via OD:
Getting started with research impact: what is it? 12 May, 2pm (repeated on 16th September, 10am)
Evidencing Impact 14 June, 2pm (repeated on 12 October, 2pm)
Impact and Funding Applications 30 June, 2pm
As part of the newly announced Research Conference: Building Impact on 7 June we will also be holding live sessions on the Anatomy of a Case Study, investigating what an excellent case study looks like. This will be repeated online the following day (8 June, 2pm) for those who can’t make it so do look out for booking links for this too.
If you have any questions, please contact the Impact Advisors – Amanda Lazar or Beth Steiner.
Take part in the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2022: Deadline for applications – Friday 29 April
ESRC Festival Open Call: Deadline for applications Friday 29 April. Funding of up to £1,000 is available to deliver your event or activity
ESRC Festival of Social Science is an annual, UK-wide, free celebration of the social sciences, planned to take place from 22 October – 13 November 2022. BU have been involved in the festival for over a decade, running our own internal selection process and delivering up to ten activities per year.
ESRC Festival 2022 Theme
The theme set by the ESRC for this year’s festival is ‘my local area’’ and the ESRC wants to see at least a quarter of festival events based on this. This could be an exploration of Dorset’s social and economic history, the future of Bournemouth High Street, issues around deprivation in coastal towns or rural isolation. The theme is linked to the place-based agenda, which is a priority area for ESRC and UKRI. We encourage you to think broadly around this and we are happy for you to decide how far away you consider ‘local’ to be.
Who can apply?
The festival aims to encourage, support and create opportunities for social science researchers to engage with non-academic audiences. It is a prestigious initiative by a major research funder, and BU’s continued involvement is justified by the quality of events and activities. Being part of this festival is an achievement worth citing and celebrating.
It is an excellent opportunity to engage people outside of academia with your research and with the benefit of co-ordinated support and promotion from RDS and the ESRC.
Events must “feature social science (ideally with a social scientist involved in the event)”. If this doesn’t clearly apply to you, consider these options;
- Does your research have clear implications for society that could be explored from a social science perspective?
- Could you collaborate with a social scientist, combining your resources and creativity to explore the impact of your research? If you’re looking for a collaborator, the Research Blog or BU website are great places to start or contact us for help.
What support is available?
Before applying, you will have access to:
- Bookable one-on-one advice slots with BU’s Engagement Officer
- Detailed applicant guidance to help you apply
When your application is successful, you will receive:
- A half-day training session from an expert external public engagement trainer
- Continuing advice and support from BU’s public engagement team on all areas of planning, promoting delivering, evaluating your activity
- The promotional boost from being part of a huge national festival.
How to apply
- Read the application guidance to support you in completing an effective application.
- Submit your application using the online form. You can save your progress and return later, though it’s advisable to keep a backup elsewhere. There is a pdf version of the whole form for drafting purposes only.
Find out more about the resources available to help plan and support your application
If you have any questions, please email the public engagement team.