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RKEO alternative 12 days ‘to’ Christmas – 10 funders funding

On the tenth day to Christmas, my RKEO friend gave to me, 10 funders funding.

I’m going to be lazy here and list seven that are all research councils, although you may see this as one as they all come under the banner of UKRI (with Innovate UK and Research England thrown in for good measure).

There are seven research councils who receive funding from the Government’s science budget. These are AHRC, BBSRC, EPSRC, ESRC, MRC, NERC and STFC. The research councils fund high quality research that has an impact on the growth, prosperity and wellbeing of the UK. Some projects may include international partners. Their focus tends to be on more theoretical rather than applied research. In addition to research project funding, money may also be available to hold seminar series and support training and career development of researchers.

You can find links to all seven, plus their funding opportunities, strategy, delivery plan, funding guidance, impact reports, and much more in the one place here.

You’re getting more than you bargained for here (takes the tally to 11) with the many charities that BU submits funding applications to. The four main ones are British Academy, Leverhulme Trust, Wellcome Trust and the Royal Society. Click here for more information on all of these.

And going back to the third day of Christmas, find out all you need to know about Horizon 2020 here.European Union - Horizon 2020

 

UPDATED: HE Policy update for the w/e 21st December 2018

Student Engagement

Grade Inflation

New report on Grade inflation by the Office for Students

The report has already been criticised for the obvious reason – it describes as “unexplained” all improvements in student degree outcomes that are not linked to prior attainment or student background.  The UUK/QAA report last month said improvement was “unexplained” if it wasn’t attributable (according to their methodology) by improvements in SSR, expenditure as well as UCAS scores.  And they are running a consultation.

The language used by the OfS is also reflective of the mood music at the moment – it’s “spiralling” grade inflation.  Nothing to do with hard work improving outcomes, particularly for those from backgrounds that haven’t always had straightforward access or a straightforward road to success university. (more…)

Deadline today: Research funding panels – call for Chairs and Deputy Chairs

Today (Wednesday 19 December at 5pm) is the deadline for expressions of interest from the professoriate to act as Chairs / Deputy Chairs for the new Funding Panels:

  • Acorn Funding Panel
  • Charity Impact Funding Panel
  • Doctoral Studentship Funding Panel
  • GCRF Funding Panel
  • HEIF Funding Panel
  • Research Impact Funding Panel

In line with our organisational value of inclusivity, we particularly welcome female applicants and those from an ethnic minority, as they are often under-represented within BU management committees.

Full details are available on the Staff Intranet – https://staffintranet.bournemouth.ac.uk/news/news/thismonth/researchfundingpanelscallformembers.php

 

Congratulations to Dr. Mariam Vahdaninia

NHS, Publishing, writing

Congratulations to Dr. Vahdaninia in FHSS on the publication of her PhD paper ‘ω-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy and risk of allergic outcomes or sensitisation in offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis’ which has been accepted by the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. This journal is published by Elsevier and has an Impact factor of 2.6.

This paper addresses the increasing global trend in allergic diseases over the past last two decades with children suffering the highest burden. The increasing burden of allergic conditions is an important public health concern and understanding how to prevent the development of allergic diseases is a vital area of research. In this paper, the authors have assessed the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids in randomised controlled trials that have supplemented pregnant women during pregnancy for prevention of allergic diseases in children. Their results have shown that intake of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy can reduce the risk of sensitisation to egg and peanut in children. These findings have important implications in research since food allergies are common in children and are a key risk factor for developing sensitisation to aero-allergens and allergic respiratory diseases later in life.

The publication is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2018.12.008

Congratulations!

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

Create: Share: Inspire: working with our students in global contexts

conferences

Professor Debbie Holley addresses an international audience at the World Education Conference (hosted by London International Education Conference) in Cambridge on 12th December. Invited to keynote, her talk covers the possibilities and affordances offered by global collaborations. Drawing on the extensive knowledge of working with the ‘digital’ to engage staff, student and communities, Debbie covers the pleasures and pinchpoints of scaling up innovation, and suggest design based learning as a possible framework for exploring and sharing concepts.

Abstract:

How can we break down barriers and encourage and inspire our students to communicate, collaborate and create together? At time when the ‘global’ is offering ever more affordances to learners, how can we as educators respond to the challenges posed by a fast moving technology sector, yet ensuring that we are delivering robust, evidence based teaching? At Bournemouth University we are exploring some of the opportunities and challenges and this talk will offer some insights as what may be possible, and some strategies for overcoming the barriers we face to make the possible happen in our own classrooms.

(more…)

Documenting scenes & events that did not exist: Rutherford’s photographic projects

Rutherford’s practice-based research explores the ability of photography to document scenes and events that did not exist ‘out there’ in the world – but were created by the act of photographing them.

*  *  *

In my previous photographic projects (1982- to present), I have explored the various ways in which the medium can be invited to provide an ‘unanticipatable’ contribution to the resulting artwork. I have done this mostly through photography, but an earlier project (Word processing as an act of collaboration) explored the use of word processing software to generate texts.

My current photographic project explores the ability of the camera to document scenes and events that did not exist ‘out there’ in the world – but were created by the act of photographing them.  The works in this series are all ‘straight’ photographs.  While in some cases, I have adjusted the brightness and contrast of the original files, these images have not been otherwise manipulated or ‘Photoshopped’.  This project developed through three phases:

The first phase Submarines exploited the combination of two factors: i) the reflective-refractive properties of water and ii) the way in which the monocular view of the camera interprets and renders the effect of these reflective-refractive properties on the appearance of those who agreed to undergo the ordeal of posing for me. As a consequence of the constant motion of the water and the ‘delay’ in the release of the shutter of the digital camera, it was not possible to determine the composition of the frame or to anticipate or choose with intent the ‘moments’ recorded, these photographs were the result of an active (an act of) collaboration between photographer and the medium of photography.

In the second phase of the project Supermarines, I held a waterproof camera below the surface and pointed it upwards (diagonally) through the surface of the water towards figures whose heads and torsos were above the surface of the water.

In addition to the factors of the previous Submarines series (in which the camera position, the constant changes in the surface texture of the water and the delay in the release of the shutter made it impossible to determine the composition of the frame or choose with intent how the figures would be rendered or depicted), as a result of holding the camera underwater, I was unable even to predict with any certainty what elements might be in the frame when, following the delay, the shutter released.

In the most recent phase, Technical Images of Flux, my starting point was the observation by Flusser:

The world reflects the sun’s and other rays which are captured by means of optical, chemical and mechanical [digital] devices on sensitive surfaces and as a result produce technical images, i.e. they appear to be on the same level of reality as their significance. […] This apparently non-symbolic, objective character of technical images leads whoever looks at them to see them not as images but as windows. Wilém Flusser. Towards a Philosophy of Photography. (Flusser, 1983)

As argued in my article Is This Photograph Taken?, the assumptions which follow from the widely accepted conception of photographs as “windows” which provide an “accurate and objective record” (Genoni 2002: 137) and “a truthful account” (Fosdick and Fahmy, 2007: 1) of the world ‘out there’ hinder our ability to imagine the possibility of an active (or, an act of) collaboration between the medium and photographer.

In an effort to reduce further my conscious control over the final result, rather than photograph those people willing to pose for me, I began to point the camera (which was still underwater) in the general direction of people I passed in the water, as well as nearby buildings, clouds and other features.

In an effort to reduce further my conscious control over the final result, rather than photograph those people willing to pose for me, I began to point the camera (which was still underwater) in the general direction of people I passed in the water, as well as nearby buildings, clouds and other features.

 

For more information, please contact Rutherford (Programme Leader – MA Advertising, Faculty of Media and Communication).

Previous projects and articles can be found on Rutherford’s website: http://www.theshadowofthephotographer.co.uk/

RKEO alternative 12 days ‘to’ Christmas – 8 Outputs a milking

On the eighth day to Christmas, my RKEO friend gave to me, 8 Outputs a milking (apologies that this sounds really odd).

The University recognises that research publications, as one of the main outputs of research, are a key asset. Click here to find out more about how RKEO can support you with your outputs. This includes the Writing Academy, Open Access, BRIAN, and much more.

HE Policy update for the w/e 14th December 2018

Industry collaboration, international, Knowledge Exchange, open access, Student Engagement

A busy week in politics, and for policy too.  Not looking any quieter as we approach the end of the year, either.  We will do a short update next week because the ONS report on student loan accounting is due and there are likely to be interesting reflections on that through the week.

Student loans and accounting

Ahead of the big ONS announcement on Monday about accounting for student loans, there is a House of Commons library report: Student loans and the Government’s deficit

Following concerns from parliamentary committees, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is re-examining how student loans are recorded in the Government’s deficit (which is the difference between the Government’s spending and its revenues from tax receipts and other sources). The ONS will announce its decision on 17 December 2018. (more…)

Kidney Research UK continues to support BU research.

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in the UK. In collaboration with the University of Bristol, BU is in receipt of (another) three year grant that ultimately, we hope, will lead to the discovery of new treatments to prevent kidney failure developing in patients with diabetes.

The work, using patient data and BU’s Drosophila (fruit fly) kidney model, will look at how preventing the disruption of energy within kidney filtration cells called podocytes might slow or prevent kidney failure. The image shows the surface of a podocyte-like cell within a fruit fly, with linear arrays of filtration slits covering its surface. These minute structures are common to both human and fly cells and become damaged when energy is depleted in the cells – leading to loss of cell function. Flies allows us to understand the molecular basis of how this leads to kidney failure in humans – and guides us as to which molecules to target in the patients.

Dr. Paul S. Hartley.

Transparency in research: Health Research Authority survey results

NHS, open access, Research assessment, Research Ethics, Research Integritiy

The HRA recently carried out a survey which aimed to establish some of the current obstacles to transparency, and to identify future opportunities to improve practices.
The survey was advertised to researchers, researcher managers, sponsors and funders in order to collate views surrounding research transparency.

You can see the results here on the HRA website.

It’s vital that research participants are informed about the results of research, and in the beginning they are told about the research and implications, in a transparent fashion.

BU has access to the ClinicalTrials.gov system so get in touch if you would like access. This is a great opportunity to register your study and study results in the public domain.
Despite the name, the system may be used for other clinical research projects.

BU composer’s music in concert in Bangor, Brussels and Beijing

This autumn I have been fortunate to have had my music played in international concerts and festivals in Bangor, Brussels, and Beijing.

My composition ‘Traces of Play’ featured in the Musicacoustica Festival, Beijing, on 26th October, and was peer reviewed and selected by the British Electroacoustic Network to represent the UK at this international festival. Musicacoustica is run by CIME (International Confederation for Electroacoustic Music), and it was an honour to be selected and included in this concert.

On Wednesday 24th October the same composition was a finalist in the Métamorphoses International Acousmatic Music Composition competition, which is part of the L’Espace du Son festival run by Musiques et Recherches, Belgium. This is one of the most esteemed competitions in the field, so it was amazing to be selected as a finalist and to be able to attend the festival.

And on Tuesday 20th November my music featured in the Electroacoustic WALES concert at Theatre Bryn Terfel, Pontio, Bangor, Wales, alongside works by esteemed composers Prof David Berezan and Prof Andrew Lewis. Again, it was an honour to be involved and invited to perform, and we look forward to welcoming David Berezan for a concert here at BU on 27th March 2019.

RKEO alternative 12 days ‘to’ Christmas – 7 Development options to swim in

On the seventh day to Christmas, my RKEO friend gave to me, 7 development options to swim in.

Some of the verses aren’t quite flowing but you get the idea.

The RKEDF provides a whole host of opportunities for academic development. Here’s seven ways to find out what’s on offer for you:

BBC South filming of Assistive Technology research

On Friday 30th November 2018, BBC South visited the Faculty of Science & Technology at Talbot Campus, to film the Assistive Technology research being conducted by Dr Paul Whittington, Dr Huseyin Dogan and Professor Keith Phalp.

Assistive Technology has been identified as one of the key strategic investment areas in the BU2025 vision. The filming focused on the use of different technologies for people with reduced physical and cognitive abilities and the use of alternative methods of interaction to control Dr Paul Whittington’s car.

Briony Leyland interviewed Dr Huseyin Dogan who discussing the importance of Assistive Technology research and raising awareness of potential benefits to improve the quality of life for people with reduced abilities. Dr Dogan also demonstrated the different technologies that have been purchased by the Faculty, including smartglasses, an iPad with a Switch Control feature to enable interaction through head movements and EEG headsets.

The SmartATRS system

Following the filming of students working in one of the computing labs, BBC South then proceeded to film outside. Dr Whittington demonstrated SmartATRS (Automated Transport and Retrieval System) to control the motorised driving seat, the automated tailgate and platform lift in the vehicle, as well as the autonomous docking of the powerchair through LiDAR technology. Dr Whittington was then interviewed to discuss his personal experience and motivations behind the research he is conducting at BU, “To transmit my knowledge to help others improve their quality of life and see the benefits that technology can bring.”

South Today Evening News reported on the advantages of using smartphone interface, compared to the original keyfobs that are challenging for people with reduced finger dexterity.

Dr Huseyin Dogan was also interviewed later in the afternoon, by Louisa Hannan, Drivetime Presenter on BBC Radio Solent. Assistive Technology research at BU was discussed further, explaining the future developments and examples of our research.

BBC filming the Faculty of Science & Technology was a great experience and we were very fortunate with the weather as there were clear blue skies and the cameraman commented that it was too sunny! It was an amazing opportunity to highlight and promote the Assistive Technology research being conducted at Bournemouth University.

This publicity coincides with the International Day of Disabled Persons (3rd December) and we are keen to empower persons with reduced abilities to ensure inclusiveness and equality.

If you would like for further information about our assistive technology research or a link to the South Today feature, please contact us:

Dr Paul Whittington (whittingtonp@bournemouth.ac.uk)

Dr Huseyin Dogan (hdogan@bournemouth.ac.uk)

New paper published Viachaslau Filimonau and Delysia A.De Coteau 2019 Food waste management in hospitality operations: A critical review,

New paper published Viachaslau Filimonau and Delysia A.De Coteau 2019 Food waste management in hospitality operations: A critical review, Tourism Management Volume 71, April 2019, Pages 234-245 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2018.10.009
Abstract

Hospitality food waste represents a significant societal challenge. It is however under-researched with most studies approaching the issue from the perspective of sustainable agriculture and environmental, rather than hospitality, management. Given the specificity of hospitality operations, this is a major shortcoming which hampers understanding of the determinants of effective mitigation. This paper provides a critical, analytical account of the literature on hospitality food waste made from the viewpoint of hospitality managers. It reviews the challenges in classifying, quantifying and characterising hospitality food waste, discusses the opportunities and obstacles to its mitigation and, drawing on good business practice examples, derives a framework for managing food waste across the different areas of hospitality operations. The framework is underpinned by such determinants of effective mitigation as: core in-house competencies; training needs; initial investment costs; and potential monetary savings. The feasibility of its broader adoption by managers across the sector is discussed.

RKEO alternative 12 days ‘to’ Christmas – 6 funding panels to join on

On the sixth day to Christmas, my RKEO friend gave to me, six funding panels to join on.

To help us further develop our research capacity in line with BU2025, a new Research Performance and Management Committee (RPMC) has been established to oversee research investment and performance. Under the auspices of the RPMC, funding panels are being established to have oversight of funding allocations, in order further to build the research environment, our external engagement and the quality and impact of research endeavours. Funding panels will demonstrably operate in an academically robust, fair and transparent manner.

We are now seeking expressions of interest (EoIs) from BU staff to be members of six funding panels. Please click here to find out which panels seek members and how to apply.

Sustainability Goals Implementation in the Era of Digitilisation in North African Countries

Sustainability goals implementation in the Era of Digitilisation in North African Countries

3-4 December 2018, Golden Tulip El Mechtel, Tunis

Dr. Kaouther Kooli, Conference Co-Chair

Dr. Kaouther Kooli, Conference Co-Chair, opening ceremony.

Professor Hamida Skandrani, University of Manouba, Chair of the Ligue, Conference Chair

In collaboration with the Interdisciplinary laboratory of University-Enterprise Management (LIGUE-ISCAE), the centre of Research on Retail and Digital -FSA- University of Laval-Canada; the Academy of Marketing B2B SIG au Royaume-Uni, The Association pour la Promotion de l’Innovation et de la Qualité (APIQ) and The University of Manouba, Bournemouth University has organised a fantastic conference on the 3rd and 4th December 2018 at the Golden Tulip El Mechtel in Tunis.

Professor Derrick De Kerkhove brilliantly highlighted the connectedness of nowadays world in the plenary session, and, set the tone for this conference that addresses sustainability, one of the shared global issues strongly supported locally, regionally and internationally. Indeed, North African countries are signatories of the General Agreements on Customs Tariffs and Trade (GATT-WTO), among so many other countries. To comply with the 2030 sustainability agenda and with the expectations of their international partners, these countries have to adopt and integrate the sustainability objectives. However, considering the low level of integration of sustainability and social responsibility in the strategic objectives of the different stakeholders, the arguable diffusion of Information and Communication Technologies, the degree of adequacy of the legal and legal framework (standards, certifications, etc.),  and the recent sociopolitical changes in these countries, it is essential to debate the challenges / obstacles / levers for integrating the 2030 sustainability perspective and to discuss possible routes for the different stakeholders involved in a conference.

Top level keynote speakers have enriched this debate :

 

Professor Derrick De Kerkhove brilliantly highlighted the connectedness of nowadays world in the plenary session, and, set the tone for this conference that addresses sustainability, one of the shared global issues strongly supported locally, regionally and internationally.

Professor Derrick De Kerckhove, Professor of anthropology of communication in Politecnico of Milan (Italy) and council member for smart cities planning in various countries: Italy, Canada, Singapore, Algeria, Austria and Tunisia (Bizerte); 

 

Dr. Julie Robson, Associate Professor of Marketing at Bournemouth University (UK).She is a specialist in Financial Services Marketing, Banking Marketing, Insurance and Islamic Finance and is a member of the Editorial Board of The International Journal of Bank Marketing.

Professor Samir Trabelsi, Professor of Accounting at Brock University (Canada).  His research interests include governance, transparency, financial risk management and social responsibility.

In addition to the British Academy’s indexed conference proceedings, five ABS journals sponsored the conference with special issues: Journal of Customer Behavior; Qualitative Market Research- An International Journal; Cogent Business and Management; Social Business and Transnational Marketing Journal.

More than 140 participants took part in this event. As well as academics from different management science disciplines from the UK, Canada, Egypt, Spain, France, Italy, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia, practitioners operating in various economic sectors (private or public) i.e. educational, social, technological, governmental, Not for Profit, etc. joined the conference to discuss the results of scientific research, professional experiences, challenges, concerns and levers for implementing the sustainability goals. The results consisted in a very fruitful exchanges that were widely appreciated by all attendees and commented on extensively by the media covering the event (TV216, El Janoubia TV, press unit of Universincity of Manouba) and on social media (mainly Facebook).

Friendly ambiance and lots of networking at the El Medina restaurant.

During two intensive days, roundtable discussions on experiences, challenges, prospects for the implementation of the sustainability goals, local government governance, smart cities, the link between trust and sustainable development, the role of the media in achievement of the sustainability goals, water issues as a public issue, networking workshops, meetings with the editors  of the Journal of Customer Behavior, Qualitative Market Research- An International journal, Cogent Business and Management, Social Business and Transnational Marketing Journal; and research paper sessions, provided an opportunity to develop collaborative networks on common issues leading to future collaborative projects. In this regard, several projects were discussed and meetings were held and / or are planned to concretise these collaborations.

Professor Len Tiu Wright, Dr. Julie Robson (BU), Dr. Hazeem Rasheed (College of Management and Technology, Alexandria) and Dr. Kaouther Kooli (BU), presenting on behalf of the editors of :Qualitative Market Research- An International Journal, Transnational Marketing Journal, Cogent Business and Management, Journal of Costumer Behaviour and Social Business

The conference was sponsored by prestigious organisations that were also represented in the conference through contributions to very rich roundtables. These are : PMS Service Company, Societe National de Petrole SNDP Company (AGIL), Tunisair; Biolive, Justech. Ms. Zeineb Attia (HR Expo); Dr. Khaoula Ben Mansour (INLUCC); Ms. Zohra Boussetta (Biolive); Prof. Aysha Karrafi (ATGL, APER); Mr. Nizar Nouiri (Factory 619); Ms. Sana Oueslati (e-Government Unit, Prime Ministry); Ms. Souad Siala (Canadian-Tunisian Chamber of Commerce); Mr. Charfeddine Yakoubi (ATCP); Dr. Slim Mehrezi (Mayor of the la Marsa Council); Mr. Sami Marrouki (President of IRSET) and Mr. Nabil Smida (CEO of SNDP).

Conference main outcomes

  1. Publications for academics from all participant countries i.e. North Africa and beyond in ABS journals bringing new research approaches/methods that are more specific to an under researches part of the world.
  2. Joint projects linking academics from different countries i.e. Dr Cherifa Lakhoua presented a paper on the impact of the socio-political situation, images and intention to visit: how to develop a sustainable image of a country and a destination? Taking the case of Tunisia. She is now collaborating with Dr Hazeem Rasheed from the College of Management and Technology in Egypt, to collect further data from Egypt.
  3. The conference is one of the very few opportunities for North African countries to meet and debate over shared issues.
  4. Joint bids for funding are planned i.e. an application for the following funding (Society for Libyan Studies, GB) is being developed in collaboration between Dr Julie Robson, Professor Adele Ladkin Dr Kaouther Kooli (BU), professor Len Tiu Wright ( De Montfort University) and Professor Hamida Skandrani (The University of Manouba, ISCAE), Dr. Fatma Smaoui (The University of Tunis, ISG)

    Roundtable discussion: Chaired by Professor Derrick de Kerkhove, impressive panel at ‪#colloqueinternationalduLIGUE ‪#B2BSIGConference2018 president of ‪@tunisair_info, minister of finance of Tunisia, various NGOs – all to discuss how Tunisia  acts on UN Sustainability Goals

  5. Collaboration of Dr Kaouther Kooli (BU) with Professor Derrick De Kerkhove (Italy) on the project “I am Bizerte” which is part of a bigger project “Smart Bizerte”.
  6. Collaboration between Bournemouth University and the College of Management and Technology in Alexandria on a future conference. In addition, to initiating a partnership led by Professor Sangeeta Khorana and Dr Kaouther Kooli between both institutions.
  7. Dr. Kaouther Kooli is nominated a mentor for researchers/academics working at the College of Management and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt.
  8. Initiating a partnership between the American University in North Africa AUNA in Tunis and Bournemouth University.

All these outcomes will contribute to BU 2025 Strategic plan:

Build capacity and capability to deliver the BU2025 outcomes through (1) leading thoughts and research looking at an under explored region in the world, (2) through publishing relevant research that touches pertinent issues, hence with strong potential impact on the society, (3) through enhancing BU position as a sustainable organisation that is ahead of the curve in reflecting upon the inclusive environmental impact.

The event contributes also to BU reputation and networks by developing BU network of partners. This is much needed especially if we consider that the UK is going through tremendous changes triggered by Brexit.

Finally, this event contributes to BU strong commitment to ensuring equality and diversity, through collaborating with colleagues in North Africa on key global issues.  During the conference, contributions from academics, practitioners and other stakeholders, have emphasised North Africa as an important player, alongside with other international stakeholders, in achieving the 2030 sustainability agenda. These contributions took different forms i.e. research papers, roundtable discussions.

Closing ceremony picture, Golden Tulip El Mechtel, 4 -12 – 2018

A big thank you for two wonderful ladies: Dr. Julie Robson and Dr. Elvira Bolat for their dedication and contribution before and during the conference.

Finally, I would like to thank Professor Michael Baker, Professor Ibrahim Sirkeci and Dr Andrew Lindridge for supporting the conference with special issues of ABS journals, hence, providing academics in North African countries and others with a huge opportunity for publication.

I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Dr Kaouther Kooli, Conference Co-Chair