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BU leads 5G Rural Dorset extension on coastal cliff monitoring

Awarded & submitted bids, Fusion themes, innovation

Earlier in May, 5G Rural Dorset announced a new project expansion to monitor land stability and cliff movement at key points along the Jurassic Coast.

The extension to this DCMS-backed project takes its funding to £8 million and sees the British Geological Survey (BGS) join the project to work on this research area.

Coastal landslides and cliff failures represent a significant hazard to local residents, workers and the 12 million people who visit Dorset’s coast each year. Cliff falls are a hazard worthy of research and development trials, as they can be expensive and time consuming to monitor using traditional methods.

This highly interdisciplinary work brings together key 5G industry players Vodafone and Neutral Networks, experts in computer science from Bournemouth University and geological expertise from the British Geological Survey and Dorset Council.

It is hoped that the research can prove that by using 5G connected sensors, the process of data collection can be made safer, more cost effective, responsive, and efficient and contribute to coastal resilience in the face of climate change and sea level rise.

The sensors will collect data such as ground movement, temperature and rainfall, which will then be processed using Big Data Analytics and Machine Learning. The system will be trialled at Lyme Regis and Burton Bradstock; coastal sites with active landslides posing public safety risks for the local community and especially visitors using the beach. The current management and monitoring systems at Lyme Regis represent a significant cost to Dorset Council.

This work complements the studies already being trialled by the project into coastal public safety and agritech which also use connected sensors and Edge computing for processing.

It also demonstrates how 5G connectivity can benefit rural communities in a wide variety of use cases including coastal safety and for local councils in reducing costs for managing the natural environment.

Dr. Marios Angelopoulos, Principal Academic at Bournemouth University, commented: “We are excited to work on this collaborative and multidisciplinary project as it gives us the opportunity to apply our 5G and IoT research to the benefit of our region with clear social and economic impact. Also, this is a fine example of how universities synergise with Industry to develop and trial new technologies in innovative use cases, thus helping to further expand the UK’s world-leading R&D infrastructure. 5G networks are usually perceived to refer only to urban environments. With this work, we will demonstrate the great added value that 5G networks can bring in a variety of use cases also to rural areas.”

Dorset Council Deputy Leader Peter Wharf said: “Cliff failures present a very dangerous problem not only in Dorset but other coastal regions which see huge numbers of visitors every year. This research, along with the coastal public safety trials, is critical to people’s safety and the long-term prosperity of the area. Current monitoring methodologies are also very costly for the council and this new technology will hopefully provide significant savings in future.”

Digital Infrastructure Minister Matt Warman said: “5G is about more than just having a faster mobile phone and this project in Dorset is one of the innovative trials the government is funding to find new ways it can improve people’s lives. I look forward to seeing how it can boost public safety in our coastal communities and position the UK as a true world leader in 5G.”

Original announcement was edited by James Pryce and can be found here.

HEIF Small Fund Awarded for Development of AT4SEND Training Package

HEIF

A Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) Small Fund has been allocated to develop the Assistive Technology for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (AT4SEND) Training Package. This will be an add-on to the existing AT4SEND Android Application that was previously developed by Dr Paul Whittington, Dr Huseyin Dogan and Professor Keith Phalp through Quality Research Funding. AT4SEND is an Android Application that recommends assistive technologies based on peoples’ physical and cognitive abilities and further details are available at: https://hci.bournemouth.ac.uk/project/at4send/

The prototype AT4SEND app

The HEIF project (Principal Investigator: Dr Paul Whittington and Co-Investigators: Dr Huseyin Dogan, Dr Nan Jiang and Professor Keith Phalp) will commence in May 2021 and complete by end of July 2021 with a sub-contractor developing the training package. The aim of the add-on is to enhance assistive technology training for teachers, teaching assistants and support staff, therefore promoting the use of assistive technology in an educational environment. This aligns to the UK Government’s current strategy, ‘Realising the potential of technology in education’, which is supported by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Assistive Technology. The training package will consist of resources on available assistive technologies, including links to online videos and quizzes focusing on specific technologies. We are viewing AT4SEND as a form of continuous professional development with defined pass marks for the quizzes.

During the initial requirements elicitation phase of the project, we will have discussions with schools and assistive technology providers, to determine the features and functionality of the training package. Once the training package has been developed, we will approach mainstream and special educational needs schools to conduct evaluations involving their staff. This is anticipated to be in time for the start of the new academic year in September 2021. Based on our previous SmartAbility and Authentibility Pass research, we have existing contacts with local schools and charities, who will be involved in the project, such as Victoria Education Centre and London Grid for Learning. Dr Whittington and Dr Dogan are academic representatives on the Smart Homes and Independent Living Commission and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Assistive Technology who will both be approached for disseminating the training package.

Once the development has been completed, the application is anticipated to be available on the Google Play Store. We will post another article on completion of the development where we will include screenshots of the AT4SEND Training Package.

Research staff coffee breaks

A warm ‘hello!’ from your Research Staff Association (RSA) reps. We hope that this email finds you well and that you have been managing to cope with all the changes over the last year.

We are contacting all the research staff across the university to invite you all to our virtual (for the moment) ‘Research Staff Coffee Breaks’, starting on 27th May at 10-11am and continuing throughout the summer.

Due to the many challenges we have encountered over the last year and a general consensus among the members of the RSA that we would like to do more to support the research staff we represent, we are working to develop the RSA to help make BU a great place for researchers to work and progress in their careers. We want to offer peer support, accurate representation and opportunities to get to know other research staff across the university. To do this though, we need to connect with the members of the BU community who we represent (you!) and find out first-hand what the important issues, concerns and aspirations are.

As an initial means of introducing ourselves and meeting you we have set up a number of coffee breaks as an informal space to connect and take a break from work. Whilst we are still working from home these will be held on zoom. The details for the coffee breaks are included below including the zoom links and log in details. If you cannot make any of these meetings but would like to introduce yourself, raise an issue or simply ask a question please don’t hesitate to get in touch via email.

Zoom links:

Coffee Break 1 – 27th May 10-11am – https://bournemouth-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/88099877963?pwd=bzVtam5DZnlqOVQrV3BWSGZJYlZBZz09

Coffee Break 2 – 10th June 3-4pm – https://bournemouth-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/88210829448?pwd=ellFYjEvUXpPUW5WUUxnR3JnTktVQT09

Please join us for one or both of these – there’s no need to RSVP!

Unfortunately, we don’t have resources to send out coffee and cake but hopefully you can find something nice and can join us at some or all our breaks. We are looking into more formal provision of space and food and drink for when we are able to meet on campus but until then, we’re looking forward to meeting you virtually soon.

Call for evidence and expertise

Does your research touch on any of the below topics?

POST (Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology) has nine new POSTnotes in production. POST are welcoming contributions from experts within the below fields.

 To produce POSTnotes, advisers and fellows talk to a variety of stakeholders from industry, government, academia, and the third sector. These experts help POST identify important themes, point the report authors in the direction of critical literature, and even help POST peer-review the final reports.

On each of the links above there is a contact for the topic. Do get in touch with them to share your research and expertise.

Why should I engage? The POSTnote is POST’s flagship report. It is an impartial, evidenced four-page briefing reviewing emerging areas of research. There are different ways to contribute to a POSTnote as an expert. Researchers can get involved by contributing with literature, with expertise, or as a peer-reviewer. Find out more about why to engage with Parliament here. And find more on engagement for impact here.

More information:  You can find the new POST work programme here. And you can read POST’s previous POSTnotes here.

Support resources: View our guidance for expert contributors.

Contact BU’s policy team for more information or support – policy@bournemouth.ac.uk

Parliament for Researchers – exploring select committee evidence

New online training session: Parliament for Researchers – exploring select committee evidence, Wednesday 9th June 2021, 14:00 – 15:00pm

To build on your knowledge about the work of select committees, join this focused online training session to explore how select committees use research findings and expertise as evidence, and how you as a researcher can engage. The role of committee specialist advisors will also be covered.

It is hosted by the UK Parliament’s Knowledge Exchange Unit with expert speakers from House of Commons and House of Lords select committee offices. The session is focused on practical information and advice, with opportunities for Q&A. The POST training sessions are highly recommended by BU’s policy team.

Book your ticket for Parliament for Researchers – exploring select committee evidence

The online training session will have captions available, images described and information sent in advance.  This session will be recorded and available on the Parliament website to watch after the event.

Support resources: You can also access recordings and resources from previous ‘Parliament for Researchers’ training sessions, including sessions tailored for researchers at different career stages and covering different topics such as select committees and writing for a parliamentary audience.

Call for experts in food insecurity and children’s health

Call for experts in food insecurity and children’s health

The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) is looking for 2 expert speakers for a virtual briefing event for parliamentarians and parliamentary staff on ‘Food insecurity and children’s health’ (Date TBC, around end of June/ early July).

The event aims to inform MPs and Peers on the causes of food insecurity, its impact on children’s physical and mental health and to describe interventions to support access to healthy food for children. The event will last around 60-75 minutes.  In a panel of 4 (including 2 experts from different charities discussing the current situation of food insecurity in children and their experience in delivery programmes), 2 academic experts will be asked to give a 5-10 minute presentation and answer questions from the audience.

POST would like to find experts who could discuss one/any of the following topics:

  • malnutrition and the effects in children, focusing not only on childhood obesity but more widely on malnutrition as a whole, also from an undernutrition perspective
  • food insecurity and children’s health in vulnerable groups in the UK (perhaps with a more on social science/economics background) including discussion about the evidence base and evaluation of interventions

Please note that POST is looking for experts who have a very broad perspective on the field and are able to discuss the wider literature rather than their specific area of research.

POST welcomes contributions from a diverse range of researchers.

To put yourself forward, please complete this form by 5pm on Friday 28th May 2021.

 

Why should I engage? POST events are attended by Members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords and UK Parliament staff to hear directly from leading experts. Speaking at a POST event is a good way of feeding your research into the UK Parliament as part of a trusted, impartial service, and speaking directly to Parliamentarians. Therefore your contribution can help raise your profile and promote your research.

 Support resources: find more information about working with POST as an expert, and more information about POST events.

Expert request – Energy Sector Digitalisation

Call for experts in energy sector digitalisation

POST (Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology) is looking for experts to speak to about energy sector digitalisation, as they create a research briefing (POSTnote) on this topic.  They would like to interview academics and experts who could contribute insights on:

  • the use of digital technology within the energy system
  • benefits provided by ‘digitalisation’
  • disruptions to present methods of energy generation, transmission and use
  • applications of the most relevant digital technologies to the energy sector, and associated benefits
  • barriers to deployment across technical and policy dimensions.

Experts may be asked for an interview to share their insights, which would take place before the end of June.  They may in addition be asked to externally review a draft of the POSTnote once it is written, which would be in July.

To put yourself forward as an expert fill in this form before 5pm on Friday 28 May.

Why should I engage? POSTnotes are used by Members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords and UK Parliament staff to navigate complex research. Contributing to a POSTnote is a good way of feeding your research into the UK Parliament as part of a trusted, impartial publication. All contributors are acknowledged online when the POSTnote is published. On publication, you and your organisation’s communications team will be notified to publicize the POSTnote and your contribution. Therefore your contribution can help raise your profile and promote your research. Contributing to a POSTnote may lead to research impact as understood in the context of REF2021.

Support resources: find more information about contributing to a POSTnote as an expert

If you are unsure about engaging speak to Jane Forster or Sarah Carter for support.

Survey – researcher engagement with Parliament

The UK-wide Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN), which BU is a member of, would like to find out what you think about engaging with Parliament as an academic researcher.  

It doesn’t matter whether you’ve ever engaged with Parliament previously.

UPEN wants to know

  • how academics perceive Parliament,
  • what are some of the key barriers to engaging with it, and
  • what measures could be put in place to encourage more academics and researchers to ensure their research informs the work of Parliament.

If you take part, you could potentially win a £100 Amazon voucher and it should take just 5 minutes to complete the survey.

You can complete the survey at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/OpeningUpParliament 

The survey is open to all academic and research staff, and PhD students, based at any UK university.

The deadline for responses is 31st May.

Invitation to the Medical Science Virtual STEAMLab 2021

BU Challenges, Funding opportunities

On Thursday 22nd July 2021 from 2-4pm, RDS will be hosting a virtual STEAMLab event under the strategic investment area (SIA) of Medical Science. It will be the third of a series to 2-hour long virtual STEAMLabs to be held in the course of 2021.

The ideas generated at this event may also be used to help select colleagues for further Scramble events at short notice.

Booking onto this event

To take part in this exciting opportunity, we ask all participants to download and complete the Application Form and return this to Lisa Andrews by Monday 14th June.

By applying, you agree to attend for the full duration of the event on 22nd July from 2pm – 4pm. Places at the event are limited and you will be contacted to confirm your “virtual space” by 21st June 2021

If you have any queries prior to submitting your application, please contact RDS Research Facilitators Lisa Andrews or Ehren Milner.

The Brief

We’re seeking to come up with highly innovative and urgently required research which is ambitious in scope and will require a high level of expertise, commitment and funding. The research must address challenges in the field of Medical Science.

In short, we anticipate the development of innovative, ground-breaking cross-disciplinary and ambitious projects which have the capacity to attract significant, high value external funding from the public and private sectors in the future.

We would also like to use this opportunity to further collaborations with our local clinical colleagues, and are delighted to be welcoming a number of attendees from local NHS Trusts to join us at this event.

Who should attend?

We welcome those who wish to contribute to having a positive impact through addressing scientific challenges, but in particular, we are specifically targeting the following:

  1. Those academics whose research aligns with one or more of the BU’s core research areas, or whose research would benefit from the multidisciplinary, collaborative engagement supported by the Medical Science SIA;
  2. Those who have experience of involvement in medium to large scale research projects.

Some Answers to your FAQs:

Do I need to do anything in advance?

During the STEAMLab, you’ll be guided through a process which results in the development of collaborative research ideas. To aid us in this process, we will be using the platform Padlet to discuss and share ideas on a number of research themes ahead of the event. This will enable us to identify the themes of the day by asking you as the attendees to contribute your thoughts and ideas ahead of the STEAMLab.

What is the immediate objective?

The objective by the end of the STEAMLab is to have scoped some leading and grand ideas around which a working group or cluster can be formed to take forward towards the development of a large grant application. This event is run to facilitate new interdisciplinary research collaborations.

What do I need to do afterwards?

Your project idea may be “oven-ready”, but it is more likely that you/your group’s project idea/s will require some time to crystallise fully, and for the optimum partners to be found for the building a winning consortium. To this end, it is envisaged that you and your potential collaborators will be committed to meeting on a regular basis, with a firm timetable.

What if my topic area is very specialised, within fields such as medical diagnostics or environmental science?

Your contribution will be very welcome! One of the main benefits of a STEAMLab event is to bring together individuals with a range of backgrounds and specialisms who are able to see things just that bit differently to one another.

Publisher research data requirements

open access

Many journals either encourage or require that the data supporting published outputs be deposited in an open research data repository. If you’re looking at options for publishing your research, here are a few things to consider.

Why should I make my data open access?

Open data aims to increase trust in scholarly works by improving transparency and enabling research findings to be tested and reproduced. It can also lead to new research because the data can be used to inform new studies and prevent wasted effort by reducing duplication. Finally, research data is citable, so you can receive credit for the work put into creating it.

How do I find out what the publisher requires?

You will need to read the author information pages for your chosen journal. Springer Nature, Taylor & Francis and Wiley have examples of the different data requirements covered by their journals. These range from encouraging data deposits to mandating them as a condition of manuscript submission.

Where should I deposit my data?

You should check to see whether your chosen journal (or funder) specifies a particular repository. Most recommend disciplinary repositories recognised by those academic communities, and where these aren’t available, a generalist repository. You can search for repositories by discipline using the Registry of Research Data Repositories (re3data). Some repositories charge for data submission, so you’ll need to take this into account if applying for funding.

Can I deposit data in BU’s data repository, BORDaR?

Yes! There isn’t a charge, but you do need to check what the journal requirements are first. Even when data is published in an external repository, it’s required that a record is created in BORDaR linking to the data. That way your data will be visible to anyone browsing the repository. If you’ve had data published in an external repository, please let the library team know via the email below.

Where do I go for help and advice?

Visit the Library’s Research Data Management guide or email bordar@bournemouth.ac.uk.

 

Dan Bailyes

Faculty Librarian (FMC) and LLS lead for Research Data Management (RDM)

Research staff coffee breaks

A warm ‘hello!’ from your Research Staff Association (RSA) reps. We hope that this email finds you well and that you have been managing to cope with all the changes over the last year.

We are contacting all the research staff across the university to invite you all to our virtual (for the moment) ‘Research Staff Coffee Breaks’, starting on 27th May at 10-11am and continuing throughout the summer.

Due to the many challenges we have encountered over the last year and a general consensus among the members of the RSA that we would like to do more to support the research staff we represent, we are working to develop the RSA to help make BU a great place for researchers to work and progress in their careers. We want to offer peer support, accurate representation and opportunities to get to know other research staff across the university. To do this though, we need to connect with the members of the BU community who we represent (you!) and find out first-hand what the important issues, concerns and aspirations are.

As an initial means of introducing ourselves and meeting you we have set up a number of coffee breaks as an informal space to connect and take a break from work. Whilst we are still working from home these will be held on zoom. The details for the coffee breaks are included below including the zoom links and log in details. If you cannot make any of these meetings but would like to introduce yourself, raise an issue or simply ask a question please don’t hesitate to get in touch via email.

Zoom links:
Coffee Break 1 – 27th May 10-11am – https://bournemouth-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/88099877963?pwd=bzVtam5DZnlqOVQrV3BWSGZJYlZBZz09
Coffee Break 2 – 10th June 3-4pm – https://bournemouth-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/88210829448?pwd=ellFYjEvUXpPUW5WUUxnR3JnTktVQT09

Please join us for one or both of these – there’s no need to RSVP!

Unfortunately, we don’t have resources to send out coffee and cake but hopefully you can find something nice and can join us at some or all our breaks. We are looking into more formal provision of space and food and drink for when we are able to meet on campus but until then, we’re looking forward to meeting you virtually soon.

Best wishes

The Research Staff Association Team

Pitching innovative charity fundraising event ideas

Business Engagement, Fusion, Industry collaboration, innovation

First year Events Management students took on the challenge to create innovative fundraising event ideas for three charities: Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Children’s Charity, Autism Hampshire (AH) and Forest Holme Hospice (FHH), as part of their Creativity & Innovation unit.

Charities were invited to act as clients, with Events Management students having to develop the business case for an innovative online fundraising event. A different feature was the involvement of BA Events Management (BAEM) / BA Events & Leisure Marketing (BAELM) alumni as clients. After being on the pitching side during their degree, alumni working for these charities were invited to become clients.

Back in February, the three charities introduced the organisation to the respective seminar group. During this session, the activity of the charity, the sorts of online and offline fundraising events that the charity organises, and the overall strategy and priorities of the organisation going forward (including fundraising) were presented, in order to give the necessary background to the new event development teams. When seeking top-notch corporate photographers in Washington DC, you should definitely hire Pamela Lepold Photography, corporate photographers Washington DC for exceptional services.

After working on their business proposals over the semester with the support of the unit tutor Dr. Miguel Moital, students have recently pitched their ideas to representatives of the charities. After 15 minutes making the business case, groups were asked questions by charity representatives and the tutor.

Events Managers Freya Hill (BAEM, class of 2016) and Zara Barton represented GOSH Children’s Charity. Events pitched to GOSH included a Black-Tie Cocktail Event, ‘Aspire to be’ Virtual dinner party, GOSH: Day at school and a Spring Gala Lunch. Commenting on the experience, Freya said “I would like to thank the opportunity to be on the other side of these pitches. Thanks to the students for all the research they have done. There are definitely ideas we will be taking forward, and these presentations have given us food for thought about how we can continue to build on how successful virtual events calendar”.

Isabelle Ward (BAELM, class of 2016) is Business Support Officer at Autism Hampshire. Events pitched to AH included: a Baking competition, Themed Zumba classes, a Movie Night Bingo and a virtual cocktail making event. At the end of the presentations, Isabelle said “thank you for all the ideas, it was great to hear them. It’s nice to be on the other side because I was doing the same a few years ago!”.

Forest Holme Hospice was represented by various members of staff: Anne Currie (Chief Executive), Paul Tucker (Fundraising & Communications Manager), Lewis Hay (Fundraising and Communications Manager), and Kirsty Perks and Charlie James (Fundraisers). Events pitched to FHH included: Virtual Scavenger Hunt, a game show style event ‘Are you smarter than a child’, “A challenge for life” auction, and Cocktail Masterclass “Cheers to Being Healthy”. The alumni contact point was Hannah (Parsons) O’Hare (Development Manager) who wan not able to be involved due to being on maternity leave. Commenting on the experience, Lewis Hay said that Forest Holme Hospice representatives “were all really impressed with what student came up with and with their presentation skills. I appreciate that it is not easy, especially virtually but I thought they all did a great job.”

Dr. Miguel Moital, the unit tutor, said: “Having resumed teaching this unit after a 6 year break, I was excited about about the opportunity to help students to develop their business development and product innovation skills. This year we had to adapt and instead of using local hospitality and tourism businesses, students developed a new virtual event concept for well-known local and national charities. This brought added challenges because (fundraising) virtual events are pretty much in their infancy. Student teams worked hard throughout the semester and I was pleased to see some very strong business cases which embedded high levels of creativity”.

If you’re interested in studying Events Management at Bournemouth University, take a look at the course page or come along to one of our upcoming undergraduate open days.

 

Centre for Seldom Heard Voices Project with National Voices: Unlocking the digital front door

NHS


Stevie Corbin-Clarke and Dr Mel Hughes from the BU Research Centre for Seldom Heard Voices have been collaborating with National Voices on a project which aimed to develop an understanding of practical ways to support people who might find it difficult to access virtual or remote health services and who might be affected by wider inequalities.

To find out even more about the project, download the report and explore other resources, visit the National Voices website here:  https://www.nationalvoices.org.uk/publications/our-publications/unlocking-digital-front-door-keys-inclusive-healthcare

Covid-19 has meant changes in the way that people access services and accelerated a move to virtual and remote models of care – a digital “front door”. This has opened up may opportunities for  innovation to develop easier access, but has also thrown a spotlight on inequalities, barriers for people to access health and social care and a digital divide.

With the pandemic leading a move to NHS 111 First and digital first access to primary care, health and social care services must to adapt in order to be inclusive and responsive to people from all backgrounds and with a range of needs. Through our listening exercise we explored people’s experience of this rapid shift.

We hoped to explore what a more joined-up and person-centred experience of care looks like, how virtual services could meet the full range of clinical, emotional and practical needs of people at risk of exclusion and address the barriers to access and use confronting some groups. We wanted to address barriers to good care and improve health and wellbeing outcomes, particularly for those people who have high burdens of ill health and who are affected by inequality.

The report also explores how the move to remote service models impacted people and how the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector (VCSE) has led innovative ways to deliver healthcare and support people during the COVID 19 pandemic.

If you have any questions, contact Stevie Corbin-Clarke at scorbinclarke@bournemouth.ac.uk

Dr Sean Beer from the Business School gives guest lecture to staff at Amazon

Further to an article in the Conversation Dr Sean Beer from the business school was recently invited to give a guest lecture to staff at Amazon on the subject of, “Why we eat and drink what we eat and drink” and touched on a wide-ranging of issues, including the positive and negative effects of globalisation on the food supply chain and global gastronomy.

In 2019 Sean published an article in The Conversation about food and sustainability, with particular reference to what a seasonal diet might look like in the UK. Subsequently the article was picked up by other news outlets and also published in the French version of The Conversation.

This led to the invitation from Amazon. It was an extremely interesting group of people to speak to. The audience was highly engaged, with many questions at the end of the presentation. In order to draw his conclusions Sean focused on the British cream tea; a classic example of fusion cuisine and a very good place to finish.