BU Research Blog

The KEIT team have been working hard this December and have had a very busy and productive month where some team highlights, projects and updates have included:

KTP’s – there are changes brewing within Innovate UK in a bid to make KTP more competitive and innovative. Changes are due to start being implemented from the second quarter of 2016, with communications being provided early 2016 from Innovate UK
Undergraduate Research Assistants – we received an overwhelming 52 applications for the 2016 URA scheme. All awarded positions are currently recruiting for students to work on the projects in spring.
Student Project Bank – the project is currently recruiting for a Project Co-coordinator with a project launch date of early 2016

Business Engagement

HEIF – project activity for the last 12 months forms part of the latest return sent to HEFCE. This includes commentary and financial information on all projects in addition to a case study. “BUG” was selected for this purpose. Click here for more details on the project.

The first quarterly report and committee meeting for the current 12 live projects has taken place. All projects are progressing well. External media coverage has already featured the project led by Sarah Bate:” Superior Face Recognition: Generating KE with the Police Force with coverage in The New Scientist and The Independent. With interest also shown by ITV and the BBC.

There was a great turn out at the BRAD event on business engagement and networking that included presentations from internal and external speakers. With good feedback there is certainly an appetite to engage more with the business community as well as fellow academics. We are looking at how these opportunities can be developed so keep an eye out for more information on the research blog and other staff communication channels.

Public Engagement

The ESRC Festival of social sciences was a huge success last month with a great turn out of people and some really positive feedback! Thank you to those that came along or participated in running an event.
The call for proposals for the Festival of learning is now open with a January 31^st It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase the wonderful research coming out of BU to the public. If you’re interested in running an event then click here for details on how to submit a proposal.
KEIT ran a public lecture day for the University of the 3rd Age which proved to be a great hit with two really interesting topics from around the restoration of the Epping – Ongar heritage railway and our local environments rich marine history.
The next Café Scientifique is happening on Tuesday 2^nd February where we will be joined by Martin Graff for a valentine’s themed topic around the function of nonverbal behaviour in Human Courtship. Please do feel free to come along to this free event at Café Boscanova in Boscombe at 7.30pm. Click here for more details.
Genna West, Katie Breadmore and Naomi Kay from team KEIT had a great time at the NCCPE Engage conference in Bristol to discover the latest trends and updates in all things public engagement.
The interdisciplinary Research week kicks off in January with a number of different topics being covered running. Click here for details on some great free events!
Student engagement co-ordinator Oliver Cooke is still busy collecting all of your Research Photography Competition entries – The deadline is 13^th Click here for details on how to submit a photograph.

That’s it for KEIT this month – we’re all looking forward to a spot of mince pie eating and mulled wine drinking. Merry Christmas to you all and see you in the New Year!

Team KEIT (RKEO)

If you’re feeling inspired by this blog post and would like to get involved with some of our projects then feel free to get in touch:

Genna West – Knowledge Exchange and Impact Manager

Rachel Bowen – Research Communications Manager

Rachel Clarke – Knowledge Exchange Adviser (KTP)

Jayne Codling – Knowledge Exchange Adviser

Naomi Kay – Public Engagement Officer

Katie Breadmore – Public Engagement Event’s Organiser

Oliver Cooke – Student Engagement Coordinator

To find out more about us and what we do, take a look at our team page.