Yearly Archives / 2016

Pedro Zamora, Sexuality and AIDS Education

Fusion

After researching the life of AIDS activist Pedro Zamora for some time (since my Phd in 2005 in fact), and having the opportunity more recently to work on an ‘educational biography’ of his life, partly funded by the Fusion Project a couple of years ago, I am delighted that the book is now coming out on 1 June, 2016.  Pedro’s life story is inspiring, he was an immigrant from Cuba arriving in the United States in 1980, aged 8.  He found out that he was HIV positive aged 17, and went on to become possibly the most well known HIV/AIDS educator who was able to reach youth audiences through his appearance on the reality television series The Real World: San Francisco in 1994.  He died not long after the series was broadcast at aged 22, but he reached so many people, and his message is still so relevant, when we consider that HIV/AIDS is more than ever a worldwide concern, devastating in many places.  Pedro’s message touches us deeply, and his message is not lost. I must sincerely thank not only John M Clum (Professor Emeritus of Theater Studies and English at Duke University) and Toni Tan at Cambria Press for commissioning the book, when I found it difficult to find anyone interested in an ‘educational biography’,  but also to Bill Nichols and Christine Holmlund for such endorsements of the book.

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Showcase YOUR research at the RSA Festival of Learning Event

We are looking for researchers from across BU to take part in the BU Research Staff Association (RSA) Festival of Learning event ‘RSA – Research with impact’ on 28th June 2016 between 4 -7pm.

During this event researchers from across BU will have an oppoortunity to showcase their research to the public in innovative ways (e.g. through Lego, artefacts,  or talking around an exhibited poster or object etc). Please note that we have a small budget to help researchers pay for posters and other artefacts.

If you would like an opportunity to showcase your research to wider audiences then please email Michelle Heward mheward@bournemouth.ac.uk for an expression of interest form (expressions of interest to be received by 27th May 2016).

Kind regards, Michelle Heward and Marcellus Mbah

BU Research Staff Association

Touch Gesture for Smartphone

PG research

We would like to invite you to the latest research seminar of the Creative Technology Research Centre.Gestures

 

Title: Touch Gesture for Smartphone

 

Speaker: Chi Zhang (Bournemouth University PhD student)

 

Time: 2:00PM-3:00PM

Date: Wednesday 18th May 2016

Room: P302 LT, Poole House, Talbot Campus

 

Abstract:

The number of smart device users is over one-quarter of the global population for the first time in 2015 and there will be 2 billion smart device users over the world by 2016. Increasingly the number of intelligent apps available to access is also one reason for its popularity. However, as a result it becomes challenging to locate and launch an app easily and quickly. In this seminar Chi Zhang will talk about her research on how a user defined gesture may enhance user’s experience on locating an app. The talk will present the results of an initial experiment. Participants are first asked to create a gesture for 15 often used apps (such as Chrome, Gmail, Facebook, etc.), based on apps’ function, and their icons’ textural or visual information. Then the next day the participants tried recalling their defined gestures and use a gesture to locate and launch the corresponding app. The experiment aims to find out what information the user applies to create a gesture and how it’s related to the recalling of the gesture.

 

We hope to see you there.

Committee inquiries: open calls for evidence

Below is a list of committee inquiries with current open calls for evidence. Please contact Emma Bambury-Whitton if you would like to discuss submitting evidence.

Commons Select Committee inquiries

Joint Committee inquiries

 

HE Policy Update

UCU

UCU has confirmed that staff will strike on Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 May, adding that if no agreement is reached in the coming weeks “members have agreed to target further strike action in June and July”. There is concern that the strikes will affect students over the exam period. University strike could threaten exams. (BBC News).

DHLE Consultation

HESA has released its consultation on the future of DLHE. The consultation is looking for feedback on high level principles regarding what information needs to be gathered about post study outcomes for those leaving higher education in future. It will focus on four key themes: future-proofing, efficiency, fit for purpose and supporting legislation. BU will be coordinating a response to the consultation.

 Resolution Foundation

The Resolution Foundation has published a report looking into improving career pathways for non-graduate careers. The report highlights that previous analysis and policy has focused on two groups – boosting high-level skills and improving the employment prospects of the least educated, whereas individuals in between those groups have been overlooked. You can view the report here.

 HEPI

HEPI has published a new report looking into why fewer men go to university than women, and why those who do attend, do not perform as well at university. The report makes several recommendations, including the suggestion of adopting a ‘Take Our Sons To University Day’ modelled on ‘Take Your Daughter To Work Day’. You can view the report here.

OFFA

OFFA has published their annual report on the outcomes of its access agreements in 2014/15. The report notes that while headway has been made to address under-representation among some groups, including students with a disability, more limited progress has been made in relation to part-time and mature students. You can view the report here.

NUS

Newcastle University Students’ Union has joined Lincoln in voting to disaffiliate from NUS. As at Lincoln, turnout was low, but the result was far more comprehensive in Newcastle with 67% voting to leave. Newcastle cut ties with the National Union of Students. (The Telegraph).

 HE White Paper

We are expecting the HE White Paper early next week. Wonkhe has published a blog outlining the ‘hopes and fears’ of the white paper which you can see here. The blog includes a comment from Jane Forster.

HEFCE

HEFCE has announced its preferred bidders for the new operating model for quality assessment in higher education in England.

  • Gateway into the higher education system (Lot 1): the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
  • Verification of a provider’s approach to its own review processes (Lot 2): the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
  • Support for governing bodies (Lot 3): the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education.
  • Unsatisfactory quality investigations (Lot 4): the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
  • Degree standards (Lot 5): the Higher Education Academy.
  • International activities (Lot 6): the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.

John Maddox Prize

Nominations are now open for the 2016 John Maddox Prize for Standing up for Science. Now in its fifth year, this unique international prize recognises the work of an individual who promotes sound science and evidence on a matter of public interest, facing difficulty or hostility in doing so.

Could you help spread the word and share this with your networks? (#MaddoxPrize on Twitter) And it would be great if you could start thinking about who you might nominate for the award. The deadline for entries is 1st August 2016.

John Maddox was a founding trustee of Sense about Science, and an inspirational figure to many. A passionate and tireless communicator and defender of science, Maddox engaged with difficult debates, inspiring others to do the same.

To nominate someone for the prize or find out more, please visit http://bit.ly/Maddox2016.

For more info on Sense about Science, see  http://www.senseaboutscience.org/

Pitch at the Pitch Challenge

If you’ve got a great business idea or consider yourself a budding entrepreneur, you’re invited to present your pitch to a panel of five or six enthusiastic local business people at the AFC Bournemouth Vitality Stadium in June.

The panel will be made up of passionate local business people including, Lucy Cooper, Dorset Growth Hub and Nick Hixon, from Hixsons Business Advisors. Each pitch will be expected to last around 15 minutes, followed by 10 minutes for questions from the panel. There are five prizes of £1000 to be won which will be awarded at 4pm on the day.

To get involved, send a brief summary (no more than one side of A4) of your idea to careers@bournemouth.ac.uk by midday on Friday 20 May, with the subject line “Pitch at the pitch”.

Ten finalists will be invited to present their pitches at AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium and successful applicants will be contacted on Friday 27 May.

For the full entry terms and conditions, please login to MyCareerHub using your BU login details.

The challenge is open to all levels and all years of BU students – so, why not get the ball rolling!

The pitch at the pitch challenge is brought you by Santander in conjunction with BU and hosted by AFC Bournemouth.

EU and International Research Facilitator Surgery – Thursday 14th May 2016

Funding opportunities, international

emailEmily Cieciura, RKEO’s Research Facilitator for EU and International funding will be available to chat about funding opportunties from 1-2pm on Thursday 12th May 2016, based in the Global Hub room (DG68).

As these sessions have not proved popular with academics, as has been the case with the RKEO Drop-in Sessions, this will be the last one.

If you need support regarding EU or International funding, please contact Emily to arrange a one-to-one meeting.

Freshwater advanced training course open to PhD students

PG research

Professor Genoveva Esteban and Dr Daniel Franklin, Faculty of Science and Technology, are running a Freshwater Taxonomy and Field Identification skills short course for PhD students, in collaboration with the Freshwater Biological Association.

The course has been funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and has a maximum of 20 funded places available for UK-based applicants. It is based in Dorset and will run for five days from 27 June – 1 July 2016.

To find out more and to apply visit the Freshwater Biological Association website. The deadline for applications is Sunday 15 May 2016.

Introducing the Research and Knowledge Exchange Development Framework!

Knowledge Exchange, Training

We are delighted to announce that the Research and Knowledge Exchange (RKE) development framework will launch in October 2016! launching soon pic

The RKE development framework will offer a new range of opportunities for BU academics  to develop their skills, knowledge and capabilities in relation to research and knowledge exchange.

Consultation with academic colleagues has been key to its development, to ensure that the opportunities to be made available match their needs and wishes. We have created an agile and flexible Framework which we trust will appeal to colleagues undertaking research and knowledge exchange activities across the University.

Look out for more information coming each week on the research blog.

 

 

The Concordat to Support Research Integrity

Research Integritiy

The Concordat to Support Research Integrity provides a comprehensive national framework for good research conduct and its governance. It outlines five commitments which the University must be compliant with as recipients of HEFCE funding.

HEFCE’s letter to all the heads of HEFCE-funded higher education institutions explains the requirement for institutions to comply with the Concordat to Support Research Integrity. It sets out HEFCE’s view of compliance with the Concordat, and provides advice for institutions on finding further information. The five commitments are:

  1. Maintain the highest standards of rigour and integrity in all aspects of research;
  2. Ensure that research is conducted according to appropriate ethical, legal and professional frameworks, obligations and standards;
  3. Support a research environment that is underpinned by a culture of integrity and based on good governance, best practice and support for the development of researchers;
  4. Use transparent, robust and fair processes to deal with allegations of research misconduct should they arise;
  5. Work together to strengthen the integrity of research and to review process regularly and openly.

Each commitment outlines the responsibilities of the researcher, the employers of researchers and the funders of research.

Bournemouth University is committed to ensuring that the research conducted at the Univeristy follows appropriate ethical, legal and professional frameworks and obligations.

A link to the Concordat can be found here:

http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/highereducation/Documents/2012/TheConcordatToSupportResearchIntegrity.pdf

Innovate UK launches £15m manufacturing call

Business Engagement, Funding opportunities, innovation, Knowledge Exchange

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Innovate UK has opened a £15-million competition to support the development of novel technologies or production processes across the manufacturing industry.

Projects need to focus on identified technical or commercial challenges. Innovate UK will fund projects that aim to lead to increased UK SME productivity, competitiveness and growth.

Projects need to be led by a business and must involve at least one SME. They can be carried out by an SME working alone or in collaboration with other organisations. Projects with costs of £100,000 or more must involve working with other partners

Innovate UK are looking for projects which focus on any of the technical feasibility, industrial research or experimental development research categories.

Projects should last between 6 months and 3 years. They should range from total costs of £50,000 to £2 million.

Competition brief in full.

Competition guidance.

If you are interested in submitting to any of the above calls you must contact your  RKEO Funding Development Officer with adequate notice before the deadline.

For more funding opportunities that are most relevant to you, you can set up your own personalised alerts on Research Professional. If you need help setting these up, just ask your School’s/Faculty’s Funding Development Officer in  RKEO or view the recent blog post here.

If thinking of applying, why not add notification of your interest on Research Professional’s record of the bid so that BU colleagues can see your intention to bid and contact you to collaborate.

Rewilding Dorset

conferences

A very successful meeting with 140 delegates from was held in May 2016 at Charlton Down Village Hall, near Dorchester to discuss and explore the application of rewilding concepts to Dorset co-hosted by Bournemouth University and the Dorset Wildlife Trust.

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In recent years, rewilding has become a major theme in conservation, stimulated by publications such as George Monbiot’s Feral and the launch of rewilding organisations both in the UK and at the European scale. While a number of rewilding initiatives have been launched in the UK, most of these are predominantly located in upland areas in the north and west of the country. Elsewhere in Europe, many rewilding initiatives are seeking to encourage ecological recovery on agricultural land that has been abandoned. This raises the question of whether rewilding concepts are applicable to intensive agricultural landscapes such as Dorset, and if so, how they might best be implemented.

We were delighted to be able to welcome a number of speakers who presented at the meeting, including leading researchers with expertise in rewilding, and practitioners with experience in implementing rewilding projects. The meeting also involved representatives from a number of conservation organisations in Dorset.

Speakers included:

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Dr Paul Jepson, Oxford University – “Rewilding policy: risk and opportunities”

 

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Dr Christopher Sandom, University of Sussex – “Putting rewilding into practice”

 

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Dr Matthew Heard, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology – “Ecological impacts of rewilding using extensive grazing: the case of Knepp Estate”

 

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Fiona Bowles, Poole Harbour Catchment Initiative – “Is there space for Dorset Rivers to run wild?”

 

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Helen Meech, Rewilding Britain – “Why Rewild Britain?”

 

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Professor Richard Brazier, Exeter University – “Quantifying the ecohydrological impacts of reintroducing Eurasian Beaver to intensively managed, lowland agricultural landscapes”

 

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Alison Turnock, Dorset AONB – “The Wild Purbeck Nature Improvement Area – towards bigger, better, more, joined”

 

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The day was rounded off with a lively and positive discussion with  Jonathan Spencer (Forestry Commission), Ian Alexander (Natural England), Mark Robbins (RSPB), David Brown (National Trust), Imogen Davenport (Dorset Wildlife Trust) and chaired by Prof. James Bullock (Centre for Ecology & Hydrology).

 

This meeting was held as part of the Modelling Natural Capital in Dorset Project (funded under the Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF) initiative). Any questions can be addressed to Research Assistant Arjan Gosal.

Interdisciplinary Research HE Sector Day 21st June 2016 – more speakers confirmed

Please see all the details of BU’s Interdisciplinary Research HE Sector Day on 21st June 2016, dedicated to exploring the benefits and challenges of interdisciplinary research.

With the majority of speakers now confirmed, this is shaping up to be a busy and inspirational day.

Don’t miss out – book now via Eventbrite.