/ Full archive

New Social Work text with BU editors

Publishing, Women's Academic Network, writing

Congratulations to Jonathan Parker, Ivan Gray, Andrew Morris and Sally Lee, the editors of the fourth edition of Newly-Qualified Social Workers: A Practice Guide to the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment [1].  This new edition has eleven chapters.  Apart from the various chapters produced or co-produced by the editors, this 2026 text also include a chapter by two further Bournemouth University academics, including Dr. Richard Williams and Dr. Louise Oliver.  The latter contributed ‘Chapter 7: Research and NQSW: Developing yourself as a research minded and critically reflective practitioner’.

Congratulations!

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

Faculty of Health, Environment & Medical Sciences

 

Reference:

  1. Parker, J., Gray, I., Morris, A. and Lee, S. (eds.), Newly-Qualified Social Workers: A Practice Guide to the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (4th edn.), London: Learning Matters, SAGE, 2026.

Beyond Academia: Exploring Career Options for Early Career Researchers – Online Workshop

Training

Enhance your professional growth with this upcoming researcher development and research culture opportunity for ECRs

Beyond Academia: Exploring Career options for ECRs

Wednesday 25 February, 1:30 – 4:30 pm

Online

Facilitated by Margaret Collins from Training for Universities

This engaging, practical 3-hour workshop supports early-career researchers considering their next professional chapter. Whether moving by choice or necessity, many researchers are now seeking meaningful, fulfilling alternatives to the traditional academic path. This session helps participants recognise their transferable skills, explore a wider range of careers options, and build the confidence to take their next steps, both inside and outside academia.

Find out more and register here

For more opportunities, explore the Researcher Development Hub and catch up on our February Newsletter.

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

UKCGE Recognised Research Supervision Programme: Deadline Approaching

Whether you are a seasoned supervisor or just starting out in supervision, professional recognition is a powerful way to validate your expertise and contribute to a thriving research culture at Bournemouth University.

The UK Council for Graduate Education (UKCGE) offers a national accreditation programme that allows you to benchmark your practice against the Good Supervisory Practice Framework.

Why apply?

UK universities are increasingly prioritising supervisor development to enhance research culture and doctoral support. The Research Supervisor Recognition Programme (RSRP) encourages supervisors at all levels to engage in structured self-reflection, using the Good Supervisory Practice Framework to identify strengths and target areas for growth.

Key benefits of RSRP Awards:

  • Structured Self-Reflection: Evaluate your methods and decision-making.
  • Benchmarked Excellence: Map your practice against national standards.
  • Professional Growth: Identify clear pathways for improvement, whether applying for Full or Associate awards.

With over 30 BU supervisors already recognised, now is the perfect time to join their ranks.

Which pathway is right for you?

The Research Supervisor Recognition Programme offers two levels based on your current experience:

Award Level Eligibility
Recognised Supervisor (Full Award) For those who have supported doctoral candidates all the way through to final examination and completion
Recognised Associate Supervisor (Associate Award) For those who haven’t yet seen a candidate through to completion, or who supervise in an informal capacity

Steps to apply

1. Write your reflective account

You will need to write a reflective account of your supervisory practice aligned with the Good Supervisory Practice Framework.

Submit your application using the relevant form:

Recognised Supervisor Reflective Account Form  Word 56.37KB

Recognised Associate Supervisor Reflective Account Form Word 55.72KB

Find out more about structured self-reflection

2. Gather your references and supporting documentation

To authenticate your reflective account, you are required to provide supporting documentation.

For the Full Award, you will need:

  • A reference from a former doctoral candidate.
  • A reference from a colleague who knows about your supervisory practice (e.g., a co-supervisor).

For the Associate Award, you will need:

  • A reference from a colleague who knows about your supervisory practice (e.g., a co-supervisor).
  • A Supervision Observation report.

Forms for Referees:

Personal Reference Form  Word | 51.36KB
Supervision Observation Form (Associate award only) Word | 51.93KB
See further guidance for referees 

3. Seek formal approval

Before your application can move to the final review stage, a formal approval email must be sent from your Associate Dean Research, Innovation and Enterprise directly to researcherdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk 

Key information

Peer-reviewed feedback: Applications are reviewed by a two-person panel. You will receive detailed, actionable feedback regardless of the outcome.

Fully funded: The Doctoral College is covering the full cost of applications for all BU supervisors.

Support for your application: Access the guidance and tips shared during our recent Supervisory Lunchbite workshop here.

FAQs:UKCGE | Frequently Asked Questions

Important Deadlines

Internal BU Deadline: 9am, Monday 16 March 2026

UKCGE Deadline: Friday 20 March 2026

Expected Outcome: June 2026

Complete applications should be submitted to Julia Taylor (Doctoral College) at researcherdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk

High five! New FishE papers support the evidence base for conserving threatened species and habitats

Publishing

Providing the evidence base to support conservation actions that protect species and habitats in aquatic ecosystems is a key task in the Fish Ecology and Conservation Research Cluster (FishE). This week, five articles published or accepted for publication will contribute strongly to this evidence base, with the work co-created with a number of funders and collaborating organisations.

Sotiris Meletiou’s PhD is on the conservation biology and management of the critically endangered European eel in Cyprus – which is at the eastern edge of their range and far away from their spawning grounds in the Sargasso Sea (Atlantic Ocean). Until now, an eel management plan was not required for Cyprus as any eels present were not believed to metamorphose into adult silver eels and not emigrate back to their spawning grounds. Sotiris’ new paper in the Journal of Fish Biology demonstrates that silver eels are indeed present in Cyprus and do attempt to emigrate to sea, and so should drive the formation of a management plan that should result in greater eel protection and conservation in the eastern Mediterranean.

Simone Cittadino’s research is assessing how freshwater fish respond to saline incursion events from the sea into lowland rivers. these events driven by high spring tides, exacerbated by climate change driven rising sea levels and weather events. His new paper in Hydrobiologia assesses the general movements of a key fish species in the Norfolk Broads, the common bream, highlighting the importance of high habitat connectivity for their movements across this large protected wetland. This work will provide a strong basis for the rest of his PhD research.

Phillip Haubrock, a Marie Curie Incoming postdoctoral Fellow, identified how conservation efforts across the world have been affected by research that is limited by political borders and the restricted availability of data. He and his co-authors argue in Conservation Biology that supra-national and better open-data governance should be capable of overcoming this and lead to better conservation outcomes.

Two articles just accepted for publication this week also contribute strongly to the conservation evidence base. Jonas Palder’s first publication from his PhD was accepted in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, which assessed the increased mortality risk for threatened European shads caused by human constructed barriers within rivers. Robert Britton worked with Gabby Valle, one of our School’s 2024/25 MSc Biodiversity Conservation students, to get her research project data published, which was assessing the risk of a biological invasion in Britain by the globally invasive and ecologically damaging common carp. Their manuscript has also just been accepted for publication in the Journal of Fish Biology.

Congratulations to all involved!

Turning research into art

 

“This sculpture tells the untold story of life with a feeding tube — a presence both vital and alien, a lifeline that nourishes while carving its own path through the body. Like ivy, it winds and clings, sometimes tender, sometimes sharp, always there. It does not ask permission. It heals, disrupts, and transforms” (Mahtab Grimshaw).

 

 

 

 

Local artist Mahtab Grimshaw created this striking and thought‑provoking sculpture after meeting with Sue Green and Carolyn Wheatley (Chair of PINNT) to discuss the findings from a recent national survey exploring what people living with home enteral nutrition (HEN), and their carers, really need to feel supported.

The survey

The number of people requiring home enteral nutrition (HEN) is increasing, creating a need for effective support services. This study explored what people with enteral tubes and their carers in the UK want from services to help them manage at home. A questionnaire survey with 243 respondents revealed inadequate pre-discharge training, inconsistent information, variable professional support, and significant impact on daily life. Key needs identified included comprehensive training, consistent advice, regular reviews, emergency support, and psychological care. Findings highlight the need for standardised pathways and quality indicators to ensure equitable, high-quality HEN support across the UK (Green et al., 2025).

Turning research into art

To share these findings we responded to an internal BU call for proposals to collaborate with a local artist through the BU-BEAF ART Co. initiative. Our aim was to transform data and lived experience into something that would resonate with healthcare professionals and those unfamiliar with the realities of enteral feeding.

The result is Graft, the Twining Linb —a powerful sculpture that has already travelled to Wales, appeared at the BAPEN Annual Conference, and even met the Welsh Minister. Later this year, she will be heading to an international conference in Scotland.

Thank-you to the BU organisers (Prof Mel Hughes and Dr Gladys Yinusa) for backing this project, and to Mahtab Grimshaw for bringing this research to life in such an original and impactful way.

Sue Green, School of Health and Care, Faculty of Health, Environmental and Medical Sciences.

SPROUT: From Sustainable Research to Sustainable Research Lives

PG research

BRIAN upgrade and new look

BRIAN

Following a routine upgrade last week, BRIAN is now accessible for use.

Users will notice that the navigation menu has been repositioned from the top of the screen to a new, left-hand sidebar. The heading bar, and the navigation items included in it, have been consolidated into the sidebar to enable quicker access to essential features and content, and help users more effectively locate the information they need.

Old view

New view

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The updated navigation introduces improved interaction patterns, providing a more dynamic and intuitive browsing experience.

  • Hovering over the new left-hand sidebar will expand the first layer of navigation.
  • Within this expanded menu, you’ll find various sections that can be further explored by mousing over them, revealing additional nested layers where applicable.
  • For sub-sections containing more detailed options, these are now presented as nested menus that are collapsed by default, allowing for cleaner navigation while still providing access to lower levels of detail with a simple click.
  • Additionally, you can interact with the logo to trigger the menu to open without needing to maintain a hover state.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition, the new ‘Find a Page’ search box now appears prominently at the top of the sidebar, allowing users to search for and jump directly to any page without navigating through sections.

 

 

 

We hope the new features will improve your BRIAN experience.

For any questions, email BRIAN@bournemouth.ac.uk

A different way of external examining

international, PG research, writing

Last month I had the honour of chairing a committee to review the first three years of the MSc in Midwifery in the Netherlands.  Since all Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in the Netherlands offer this joint degree there is only one in the country.  This national collaboration meant there were very few academics working in the field of midwifery who can claim to be independent.  All midwifery educators/academic midwives are employed by one of the HEIs participating in the joint Master’s degree. Hence, two of the four committee members, including myself came from abroad.

Today’s blog highlights that there is a different way to the UK version of external examining as a form of quality control in Higher Education.  In the UK each undergraduate programme, or year in a programme, or module has its own external examiner, who is appointed typically for three years to act as independent assessor.  External examiners typically reviews all education aspects of the programme/module and discuss their assessment examiners’ meetings held at the host university.  For more details on external examining in the UK, see also:”Acting as External Examiners in the UK: Going Beyond Quality Assurance” [1].

The Netherlands and Flemish-speaking Belgium has a single cross-national organisation which is responsible for assessing the quality of higher education degrees.  This organisation, the NVAO [Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders], has an accreditation system that covers Associate Degree, Bachelor’s, and Master’s programmes in the Netherlands.   First, there is the need for initial accreditation of a new programme, valid for a period of six years.  Secondly, the accreditation of an existing programme, which, following a positive assessment, is valid indefinitely, as long as the programmes passes the six-yearly assessment by a panel of independent experts (peers engaged by the NVAO).  Between these periodic assessments there is no equivalent of the UK’s annual external examiners’ meeting.

Reference:

  1. Poobalan, A., Simkhada, P. & van Teijlingen, E. (2021), “Acting as External Examiners in the UK: Going Beyond Quality Assurance“, In: Sengupta, E., Blessinger, P., Ssemwanga, A. & Cozza, B. (Ed.) The Role of External Examining in Higher Education: Challenges and Best Practices (Innovations in Higher Education Teaching and Learning, Vol. 38), Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp. 13-23. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2055-364120210000038002

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

The Sports Therapy Team advancing rehabilitation

Rehabilitation and performance professionals came together at BU for an evening dedicated to the future of technology‑enhanced rehabilitation, exploring how data‑driven tools are reshaping assessment, treatment and return‑to‑play strategies.

Matt Best, Lecturer in Sports Therapy in the School of Allied Health and Exercise Science, and Sam Chapman, Strength And Conditioning Coach shared their practical approach to criteria‑based rehabilitation, offering insight into the methods they apply daily within both teaching and applied practice at the Physical Performance Hub.

Southampton FC First Team Physiotherapist Luke Thomas delivered a focused deep dive into calf injuries, covering prognosis, structured rehab planning and the testing frameworks that support decision‑making in elite football environments.

The VALD team rounded out the evening with hands‑on demonstrations, giving attendees the chance to experience best‑practice testing workflows and explore how technology can elevate clinical and performance outcomes.

Thank you to all presenters, partners, and attendees for contributing to such a valuable and forward‑thinking event, strengthening our community and reinforcing BU’s civic role in shaping safe and effective practice.

A New Collaboration: Welcoming Dorset CREN as a co-host of the Community Voices Webinar

We’re excited to share that the Dorset Community Research Engagement Network (CREN) has joined The Centre for Seldom Heard Voices and the PIER Partnership as a co-host of our Community Voices Webinar Series! We know this partnership will strengthen our mission to amplify seldom heard voices and support community-led research.

CREN was developed as part of the fourth phase of the ‘I Am More Than…’ partnership, working alongside Community Action Network, The Lantern Trust, The HealthBus, and 11 Founding Members – grassroots charities and community groups committed to shaping inclusive research.

The goal of CREN is to link underserved communities with health and social care research, fostering equitable, two-way partnerships to improve local outcomes, and so working together, we can continue to engage with inspiring community groups, activists, and organisations working to promote inclusion and social justice across our region and beyond.

We have been delighted to hear from many of the founding members of CREN (grassroot charities and community groups committed to shaping inclusive research) in the 2025/2026 webinar series, and we are excited to hear from more in the coming months. We are looking forward to building even stronger connections between researchers and the communities they serve.

Our first webinar as a collaborator will be this Wednesday 11th February, 12-1pm, and another one of our members, Rosa Trout from Bournemouth Walk for Freedom is going to be joining us to share the wonderful work they do!

Walk For Freedom 2024 | A21
#WalkForFreedom an annual global event by A21 to raise awareness of human trafficking & exploitation. One of A21’s strategies in the fight against human trafficking is Reach. Reach focuses on educating and equipping the general public to understand, identify, and reduce the risk of human trafficking through education curriculum, prevention materials, and awareness campaigns.

Come along to find out more!

Find out more about CREN, here: https://can100.org/connecting-communities/i-am-more-than/

Scroll down on our page to watch some of the previous webinars: https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/research/centres-institutes/centre-seldom-heard-voices

Community Voices is a collaboration between BU PIER partnership, the Centre for Seldom Heard Voices and the Community Research Engagement Network (CREN) to provide a platform and a voice to local community activists. 

Seeing the fruits of your labour in Bangladesh

Awarded & submitted bids, international, writing

After several little hiccups in our Sonamoni research project we can now show some of the work.  Sonamoni is a four-year research study led by the University of Bournemouth and the Centre for Injury Prevention Research Bangladesh (CIPRB) with the University of Southampton, the University of the West of England (UWE), the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Design Without Borders (DWB) to develop a number of interventions to prevent drowning in children under the age of 2 years in rural Bangladesh.  After several stages of well-planned research we worked with local communities and stakeholders to propose six interventions with the prospect of been taken further to a full community-based feasibility study.

These six interventions are being piloted in Bangladesh as I am writing this. This pilot phase is made more difficult at the moment as the country is in the ban of the forthcoming national elections.  These elections are particularly challenging for the people in Bangladesh and CIPRB as the local research partner.  The previous national election resulted in violent changes, and the lead up to this election has been, and still is, a difficult period.

We would like to highlight one of the six interventions in a little more detail, as the Human-Centred Design approach, resulted in a neat, simple and low-cost playpen.  The colourful pictures shows the first batch of flatpack playpens in the CIPRB office and some being delivered to rural villages.  However, getting the first sixty developed in Bangladesh turned out more difficult than expected. Our collagues in Bangladesh approached several small to medium-sized companies in the country with the production capabilities to produce a large number of playpens.  In the end only one way interested to try and this company took much longer than agreed to produce enough for our pilot stage.  The good news is that the first stage of the pilot is underway, although now we have the difficulty of forthcoming national election slowing down our research.

This interdisciplinary study is funded through the NIHR Research on Interventions for Global Health Transformation programme (Ref: NIHR203216).  The Bournemouth University team comprises staff from across the university covering all three faculties: Dr. Mavis Bengtsson, Dr. Kyungjoo Cha, Dr. Mehdi Chowdhury, Dr. Yong Hun Lim, Mr. John Powell, and Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen, and Ph.D. student Mr. Md. Shafkat Hossain.  For more information about our ongoing research in Bangladesh, please visit the NIHR website.

Action Women at the BFI

Next Monday(9th February) myself and my co-editor, Frances Pheasant-Kelly of Wolverhampton University will be  presenting our newly published anthology at the BFI’s London  Southbank premises, as part of the Reuben Library ‘New Writing series,  at the BFI’s London  Southbank premises. We will be joined by four of our chapter contributors

Here’s the link, if anyone is in the area: Buy cinema tickets for New Writings: Action Heroines in the 21st Century – Sisters in Arms | BFI Southbank
If not – you can always access a copy of the book in the BU library!

Exploring Embodied Research: Body Map Storytelling Workshop & Research Seminar

PG research

Supported by the PGR Research Culture and Community Grant, Zahra Eskandari (PhD Candidate, Faculty of Business & Law) recently hosted a two-day workshop introducing Body Map Storytelling to the BU research community. This innovative, arts-based method focuses on using creative expression to explore lived experiences, empowering participants to bridge their personal journeys with broader academic practices.

A space for reflection and connection

The interactive session took place at Poole House on Thursday 22 January. Designed specifically for international women PGRs and ECRs, the workshop provided a supportive environment to explore themes of physical activity, wellbeing and belonging. Participants engaged in a hands-on creative process, developing unique body maps that combined visual expression with storytelling.

One participant noted:

“Through this workshop, I realised more about my choices and my engagement.”

Examples of body maps created during the workshop, where participants used colour and symbols to represent their lived experiences and emotional wellbeing.

Examples of body maps created during the workshop, where participants used colour and symbols to represent their lived experiences and emotional wellbeing.

Interdisciplinary learning

The following day, the focus shifted to the Fusion Building for a research seminar led by Dr Anna Smirnova (Creative Health Associate, Edge Hill University). Dr Smirnova shared insights from her PhD research using this method with young people in Kyrgyzstan, providing a deep dive into the ethical and analytical foundations of the approach.

The seminar attracted a diverse group, including five postgraduate researchers and nine lecturers, creating an engaging cross-disciplinary exchange of ideas.

A participating lecturer described it as:

“One of the few events where you could learn something new and hear about the incredible research being carried out elsewhere.”

The PGR community in action: participants at the Body Map Storytelling workshop exploring embodied research methods

Impact

For the organiser, Zahra Eskandari, managing this project was “Empowering, Transformative, and Challenging”. While building Zahra’s project management and budget skills, the project also gave BU researchers new, creative tools for inclusive research. The positive engagement from both the workshop and seminar showed a clear demand for more arts-based sessions at BU in the future.

Apply for the PGR Research Culture and Community Grant

Do you have an idea for an event or initiative that could strengthen the research culture at BU? We invite you to follow in Zahra’s footsteps and apply for funding to bring your project to life.

Find out more and submit your application here: Research Culture and Community Grant PGR Application

Closing date 4pm, Monday 9 March 2026

If you would like to discuss your ideas before submitting your application, please contact Enrica Conrotto, Researcher Development Manager, at pgrskillsdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk.

Marking a Milestone: The Swash Channel Wreck Book Launch

Supported by the ECR Research Culture and Community Grant, Tom Cousins (Faculty of Health, Environment & Medical Sciences) recently organised a public lecture and book launch to celebrate the publication of research on the Swash Channel Wreck. This event served as a major milestone for a project that has spanned Tom’s entire career at Bournemouth University, from his time as an undergraduate and postgraduate student to his current role as a full-time member of the technical staff.

A Celebration of Maritime Archaeology

The Swash Channel Wreck Book

The Swash Channel Wreck Book

The event, held at Talbot Campus on 28 January, featured a well-attended public lecture and celebrated the launch of a new book by Dave Parham and Tom Cousins. The session featured an in-depth presentation on the Swash Channel Wreck, a 17th-century Dutch shipwreck first located in 1990 and rediscovered in 2006. As one of the most complete shipwrecks of its kind outside the Baltic, the site offers rare insights into 17th-century ship construction and life on board.

Combined with a display of archaeological finds, the event showcased years of research to members of the public and the wider BU community, including the University Executive Team and the Vice-Chancellor. The presentation was followed by a wine reception, allowing attendees to view the artifacts first-hand and discuss the findings

Beyond the university, the launch brought together long-term stakeholders from government agencies, harbour authorities, and museums. It was a reminder that the project was a shared effort, involving divers, students, and partners across two countries. Seeing everyone reunite to mark the publication, highlighted the project’s lasting significance for BU’s maritime archaeology and all who contributed to its journey.

Presenting the history of the Swash Channel Wreck during a public lecture, followed by a networking session where researchers, stakeholders, and the public gathered to celebrate the project's milestone.

Presenting the history of the Swash Channel Wreck during a public lecture, followed by a networking session where researchers, stakeholders, and the public gathered to celebrate the project’s milestone.

Supporting the research community

The launch was a collaborative effort that directly supported the development of early-career researchers and postgraduate students. Several PGRs and ECRs assisted in setting up and managing the day, providing them with valuable opportunities to network with members of the public, industry professionals, and senior university leadership.

Tom described the overall experience as “Interesting, welcoming, and collaborative,” noting that the greatest benefit was the opportunity to share this significant research with both the BU community and members of the public.

Apply for the ECR Research Culture and Community Grant

Do you have an idea for an event or initiative that could strengthen the research culture at BU? We invite you to follow in Tom’s footsteps and apply for funding to bring your project to life.

Find out more and submit your application here: Research Culture and Community Grant

Closing date 4pm, Monday 9 March 2026

If you would like to discuss your ideas before submitting your application, please contact Enrica Conrotto, Researcher Development Manager, at researcherdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk

EVENT: Connecting Research and Practice for Age-Friendly Communities

BCP Age Friendly Communities, in partnership with Bournemouth University, are bringing together researchers, practitioners, and community organisations for an event focused on connecting research with real-world practice.

This event offers a valuable opportunity to share, learn, and collaborate around research involving older people.  It will be designed to spark conversation and attendees will have the chance to connect with community organisations and networks supporting older people across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, building relationships that can lead to meaningful collaborations, inclusive involvement opportunities, and future research partnerships.

If you are a researcher, or a practitioner keen to connect with research that reflects lived experience, this is an ideal opportunity to be part of the conversation.

Join us to exchange ideas, build connections, and help shape more age-friendly communities across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole!!

See you there!

Community Pride Podcast: Research Through Storytelling in Action

Community Pride, a new podcast series created by Bournemouth University postdoctoral researcher Dr Kayla Jones, has officially launched as part of Learning from Big Local, a platform showcasing community-led change across England.

The podcast is a creative output of the AHRC-funded StoryArcs project—a practice-based research collaboration between BU and Bath Spa University. The series was produced during Kayla’s time as a postdoctoral researcher under the supervision of Dr Lyle Skains at BU, who led on the funding acquisition and collaborative partnership that made this project within StoryArcs possible.

Each episode of Community Pride dives deep into the lived experiences of residents in communities supported by the Big Local programme, a 15-year initiative managed by Local Trust. Kayla was asked by Local Trust to engage community members whose stories reflect resilience, creativity, and pride in place. She conducted interviews, gathered local perspectives, and took the project from raw audio to fully produced episodes—writing, editing, and sound-designing each one herself.

“It brings together research, resident stories and practical insight into what it really takes for communities to lead change,” says Local Trust’s Lucy Terry. “And how funders, researchers, policymakers and practitioners can enable it.”

This podcast embodies the ethos of practice-based research—fusing academic insight with creative storytelling to reach both scholarly and public audiences. It’s a shining example of how postdoctoral research can extend beyond traditional publishing routes, bringing the voices of underrepresented communities directly into the spotlight.

Listen to the podcast here:

No access to BRIAN 5-6th February

BRIAN, Publishing

A planned upgrade to the Bournemouth Research Information And Networking (BRIAN) system will take place this week on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 February, during which it will be unavailable.

Please plan your BRIAN usage accordingly to take this period into account.

BRIAN is expected to be fully accessible again by Monday 9 February 2026. While the system’s functionality will remain unchanged following the upgrade, users will notice an updated layout and appearance, including a new sidebar navigation.

For any BRIAN-related queries, please contact BRIAN@bournemouth.ac.uk.

ECR Funding Open Call: Research Culture & Community Grant – Apply now

Funding opportunities

Building on the success of our first call, we have reopened grant applications for BU’s ECRs. This is your opportunity to secure the resources you need to innovate, collaborate, and lead.

Whether you’re planning a training workshop or a creative networking event, these grants are designed to empower you to strengthen the BU research environment.

Explore our two dedicated funding streams:

Stream 1: Researcher Development

  • Supports the organisation of skills focused workshops, events, or initiatives.
  • Grants of up to £500 per activity are available.
  • Examples: specific research methods workshops, guest speakers, writing sessions etc.

Stream 2: Research Culture and Community

  • Supports the delivery of research culture and community building, well-being or social activities.
  • Grants of up to £300 per activity are available.
  • Examples: cultural and social events, wellbeing enhancing activities.

Terms

Please review the following terms before submitting your application:

  • No ECR should be the primary organiser of more than one activity.
  • Activities should be engaging and available to the full PGR community.
  • The organisers should be committed to promoting, delivering and evaluating the activity.
  • Activities must take place and be invoiced before 31 July 2026.
  • Activities should not duplicate those already on offer.
  • Contributions from other sources may complement the Doctoral College grant.
  • Funding will not be offered retrospectively.

Apply here by 4pm, Monday 9 March

If you have an idea that you would like to discuss before submitting your application, please contact Enrica Conrotto, Researcher Development Manager, at
researcherdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk

We look forward to seeing your ideas and supporting you in shaping the future of community and development at BU.

The Researcher Development and Culture Team