BU Research Blog

Last week during the Easter break close to twenty BU students across all 4 faculties took part in the virtual version of the British Conference for Undergraduate Research (BCUR) hosted by the University of Leeds on April 12-13.  Last year’s event was cancelled so those due to attend last year along with new BU registrations meant that a bigger number of students could take part this year.  It was a very full programme with over 600 participating over the 2 days.  Students presented their research along with taking in keynote addresses, online socials including murder mysteries, a welcome event and PhD info sessions.  Abbie Williams, a BA (Hons) Sports Psychology and Coaching Sciences 2020 graduate who did a presentation on ‘Investigating Coaches’ and Practitioners’ Experiences of Performance Blocks in Sport’ found participating worthwhile: “I learned so much – overall I thought it was great and I really enjoyed presenting as well”.

Will Priddis is a BA (Hons) Film student and did a presentation on ‘Shooting the Stage:  Using filmmaking techniques to enhance the recording of live theatre’.  He shared: “It was really nice to see so many presentations from so many disciplines…I presented about media but had a really fun time attending some great maths and physics presentations too. It was really nice to connect with some like-minded people in that sense”.

SciTech student Morven Smith BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences presented on ‘Assessing Dominance Hierarchies and Food Preferences in Garden Birds’.   She shares these observations: “I had a really really fantastic time at BCUR, I feel like it was such a good experience and definitely made me work on my presentation and public speaking skills. Which is an opportunity I never would’ve had if I hadn’t put myself out my comfort zone a little bit!”

And Amy Preece, BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing presented on ‘What are the Impacts of Drama-based interventions when used in Forensic Settings?’ She provides this feedback: “BCUR was a really positive experience. It further piqued my interest for further education and made me consider future research career options for myself. The format worked well online, although I would have preferred a physical conference to attend.  You’ll get out of it what you put in, and if you go in willing to listen and network you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Finally, we can see in the image here Finlay Brown, a BA (Hons) Politics student has his session captivated with his presentation on ‘To What Extent has the dissemination of an anti-elite syle of populism affected public trust in a Covid-19 vaccination in the UK’.

Presentations and content presented by all BU students taking part can be found in the programme here.    BU Students who get involved in SURE have the opportunity to be considered to take part in BCUR as well.  Special thanks to all staff and faculties who have supported students to get involved in SURE and BCUR.  Future hosts of the national conference include Warwick, Exeter and Newcastle.