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The Month in Research: June 2024

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The Month in Research

The Month in Research is our monthly round-up sharing research and knowledge exchange successes from across the previous month, showcasing the amazing work taking place across BU.

Your achievements

Thank you to everyone who has used the online form to put forward their achievements, or those of colleagues, this month.

  • Professor John Oliver (Faculty of Media and Communication) delivered a keynote address to the Department for Levelling-up in UK Parliament. The topic focussed on ‘how to manage strategic uncertainty’ during times of organisational uncertainty. The talk was attended by 100+ senior managers and directors responsible for the department’s project portfolio.
  • Dr Sarah Elliott, Jon Milward and Dr Miles Russell (Faculty of Science and Technology) – archaeologists from the Department of Archaeology & Anthropology and the Department of Life and Environmental Sciences shared their latest research at a day conference with the Dorchester Association. (Nominated by Harry Manley)
  • Dr Leslie Gelling, Dr Sue Baron and Cathy Beresford (Faculty of Health and Social Sciences) have had their paper published in Health Expectations, entitled Embedding Public Involvement in a PhD Research Project With People Affected by Advanced Liver Disease. It was co-authored by members of our public involvement group. (Nominated by Cathy Beresford)
  • Professor Zoheir Sabeur (Faculty of Science and Technology) was featured in a Q&A article in the June 2024 edition of the Journal of Ocean Technology (pages 110 -111), answering questions about his career, inspirations and thoughts on Artificial Intelligence.
  • Professor John Oliver (Faculty of Media and Communication) was presented with the European Media Management Association’s highest award for “excellence in media management scholarship and practice” at the annual conference in The Netherlands. The award also recognises Prof. Oliver’s contribution to the development of the association, where he served on the Executive Board for many years and as the President between 2021-23. Prof. Oliver commented that: “Whilst it is an honour to be presented with an individual award, it is also in recognition of the many people that have helped me develop my research and the contribution that many of the association’s members have made over the years.”

Funding

 Congratulations to all those who have had funding for research and knowledge exchange projects and activities awarded in June. Highlights include:

  • Dr Simant Prakoonwit (Faculty of Science and Technology) has been awarded c.£220,000 by Innovate UK for their project Intelligent moderation and assistance for commercial image sharing website
  • Dr Chris Brown (Faculty of Science and Technology) has been awarded c.£42,000 by Leverhulme for their project Probing the distortion of a visual search template

Publications

Congratulations to all those who have had work published across the last month. Below is a selection of publications from throughout June:

Content for The Month in Research has been collected using the research and knowledge exchange database (RED), the Bournemouth University Research Online (BURO) repository and submissions via The Month in Research online form. It is by no means intended to be an exhaustive list. All information is correct as of 28.6.24.

Please use The Month in Research online form to share your highlights and achievements, or those of colleagues, for the next edition. We will take a break over the summer and be back in September with a bumper round-up.

Positionality in qualitative research

international, open access, Publishing, student research, Women's Academic Network, writing

At the online editorial board meeting today [Saturday 29th June] of the Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology I had the pleasure of seeing Bournemouth University’s latest paper ‘The Importance of Positionality for Qualitative Researchers‘ ahead of publication [1].  The lead author of this paper is Hannah Gurr and this methodology paper is part of her M.Res. research project in Social Work.  Hannah is supervised by Dr. Louise Oliver, Dr. Orlanda Harvey and Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen in the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences (FHSS).

Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology is a Gold Open Access journal so when it appears online it will be free to read for anybody across the globe.

 

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

Centre for Midwifery & Women’s Health

Reference:

  1. Gurr, H., Oliver, L., Harvey, O., Subedi, M.van Teijlingen, E. (2024) The Importance of Positionality for Qualitative Researchers, Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology 18 (1): 48-54.

Research Ethics Panel Meetings – Reminder to Staff and Postgraduate Researchers

Research Ethics, Research Ethics Panels

Research Ethics

There are no central Research Ethics Panel (REP) meetings held during August, so if you’re hoping to start data collection activities over the summer and are in the process of completing your research ethics checklist, please keep this in mind when planning your research activities.  Submit your checklist in time for the final REP meetings to be held in July.  Checklists received during August which need to be reviewed by a full Panel will be deferred until September (dates to be advised).

REPs review all staff projects and postgraduate research projects which have been identified as high risk through the online ethics checklist.  Details on what constitutes high risk can be found on the research governance, research ethics & integrity website.

There are two central REPs:

  • Science, Technology & Health (final Panel meeting of 23/24 is 24 July 2024 with deadline for submissions – 16 July 2024)
  • Social Sciences & Humanities (final Panel meeting of 23/24 is 10 July 2024 with deadline for submissions – 2 July 2024)

 

Staff and PGR ‘high risk’ projects will be reviewed by one of the central REPs and Researchers (including PGR Supervisors) will normally be invited to Panel for discussions.

Staff Projects which are ‘low risk’

Reviews for low risk projects will continue as normal during August (via email), although turnaround may take longer than normal due to Reviewer availability during this month.

PGR Projects which are ‘low risk’

There are no changes to the review process for low risk PGR projects and reviews will continues as normal throughout August, again subject to the availability of Supervisor and assigned Ethics Champions.

More details about the review process and REP meeting dates can be found on the governance, research ethics & integrity website.  Email enquiries should be sent to researchethics@bournemouth.ac.uk.

BU Research Conference 2024: Powerful partnerships

The third annual BU research conference event took place on Wednesday. This year’s theme centred around partnership and collaboration in research, exploring some of the opportunities and challenges around working with others.

As well as attendees from across BU, we also greeted guests from other local universities and partner organisations.

Isabella Pereira from the Institute for Community Studies

Isabella Pereira from the Institute for Community Studies

Following the official opening by Professor Sarah Bate, we welcomed keynote speaker Isabella Pereira, Head of the Institute for Community Studies (ICS).

Isabella talked through several case studies of research undertaken by the ICS – from supporting an NHS Trust’s suicide bereavement service to student engagement with marginalised communities and reaching residents as part of a regeneration project.

She also shared her advice on working effectively with communities, including meeting people ‘where they are’ and considering the impact of potential power imbalances and differing values and expectations.

This was followed by a lively panel discussion. Chaired by Professor Lee Miles, the panel (Professor Carol Clark, Professor Sam Goodman, Professor Zoheir Sabeur and Dr Mili Shrivastava) shared their experiences of building and maintaining partnerships and took audience questions on topics including dealing with ‘gatekeepers’ and factoring networking opportunities into workloads.

Key themes emerged around the need to build and develop trust as part of any partnership, building a strong profile to help facilitate opportunities and build networks, and managing different stakeholder interests.

The Building Partnerships Panel Discussion

The Building Partnerships Panel Discussion

A range of workshops offered the opportunity to hear more about the work being undertaken at BU and gain practical tips and strategies for working with different partners.

Topics covered included co-creating research with under-served communities, working with community and voluntary organisations, international research collaboration, working with business, and collaborating for research knowledge exchange in the Ukraine and Sierra Leone.

Following some closing reflections from Andy Scott, Head of RDS, the day concluded with a conference lunch, offering an opportunity to network and continue conversations.

The Research Conference is an annual event organised by the Research Excellence Team in RDS to bring BU’s academic and research community together to learn, share, network and discuss key topics from the world of research.

A big thank you to everyone who supported or attended this year’s conference. If you have any feedback or suggestions of topics for future years, please get in touch at research@bournemouth.ac.uk

ACM SIGCOMM Test of Time Award

 

Happy to share that our paper entitled “Probabilistic in-network caching for information-centric networks” published in ACM ICN 2012 has been identified as one of the top 1% most cited/downloaded papers in the ACM Digital Library from those published between 2012-2014 and was considered for the 2024 ACM SIGCOMM Test of Time Award. The research was part of the work conducted under the EU ICT COMET project.

The paper was co-authored by Wei Chai,  Yiannis Psaras (protocol.ai) and George Pavlou (University College London).

RKEDF: New Generation Thinkers 2025 – AHRC/BBC Radio 4

PG research, Training

RKEDF: New Generation Thinkers 2025 – AHRC/BBC Radio 4 – Thursday 11th July – 11:00-12:30 – F112 – Fusion Building – Talbot Campus

Facilitated by: Professor Richard Berger

This is our annual new generation thinkers’ workshop, where we look at the call, requirements, eligibility and having a panel chair and member’s point of view. For early career researchers and PGRs who want to share their research with the public.

Call information: Develop your media skills with the New Generation Thinkers scheme

New Generation Thinkers is a career development scheme for early career researchers to:

  • develop their communication and media skills
  • get their research in front of the general public

The scheme is a partnership between the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the BBC.

If your application is successful, you’ll learn how to communicate research findings to the widest possible audience.

The scheme gives participants the opportunity to:

  • create programme ideas with experienced BBC producers at workshops
  • work with the team at BBC Radio 4 to get your ideas on air
  • get media training
  • take part in a workshop around engaging policymakers
  • get involved with the AHRC-funded Being Human Festival

New Generation Thinkers has run since 2010. Each year a number of applicants are invited to create ideas with the BBC, of which we select the next cohort of New Generation Thinkers.

You can: read about the scheme’s achievements over the first 10 years – find the currently open New Generation Thinkers funding opportunity on the UKRI funding finder once it’s launched.

Previous winners: see a list of previous winners – listen to content created by previous winners on BBC Sounds (search for New Generation Thinkers) – read New Generation Thinkers magazine

Book your place here – under “New Generation Thinkers 2025″ in the drop-down menu

For any queries regarding this workshop, please contact RKE Development Framework

ADRC gets a shout out on BBC Radio Solent – listen to the interview here

Dr Catherine Talbot was interviewed by Fern Buckley on BBC Radio Solent on Tuesday 11th June. Catherine spoke about the work the ADRC does to enhance the quality of life of older adults and people living with dementia, as well as supporting their families and the professionals who work with them.

She also promoted the “Ageing Well Together!” event which celebrates ageing and brings together members of the public, researchers, service users, carers, and professionals.

Keep up to date with our latest research and other exciting news by following us on @BournemouthADRC or www.bournemouth.ac.uk/adrc

Free Webinar – Research Integrity Office (UKRIO) – Science Communication and Research Integrity

UKRIO LogoUKRIO has announced details of a forthcoming Free Webinar “Science communication and research communication” Wednesday 26 June 2024 10:00 – 11:oo. 

Speakers will discuss how ‘scicomm’ should consider the rigour of the original research and its publication process, including any peer review and principles relevant for scicomm, such as accuracy, transparency and declaration of interests.

Experts Speakers will be:

Mun-Keat Looi, International Features Editor at the BMJ and Journalism Lecturer at Imperial College London, will look ‘outwards’, debating the relation between research results and their eventual career in public media, with especial reference to trust, accuracy and social justice.

Dr Stephen Webster, Senior Lecturer in Science Communication, Imperial College London and Director of The Good Science Project will, by contrast, will look ‘inwards’, discussing the role of communication within the science institution, asking in particular how the objectives of the university, and the objectives of the actual researcher, can be properly aligned.

 

As BU subscribes to UKRIO services, UKRIO webinars are free and open to anyone who may be interested in research integrity and ethics, good research practice and improving research culture and avoiding misconduct.

To register – please click here (takes you to external website).

Free Research Event – Wednesday 26th June – A Celebration of Sustainable Food Related Research

BU Research Centre CSSRC is celebrating its interdisciplinary and intersectoral research around sustainable food on Wednesday 26th June 2024, 4.45-7.00pm.

The Centre for Sustainable & Socially Responsible Consumption (CSSRC) invites you to attend its research event on Wednesday 26th June 2024 to celebrate its interdisciplinary and intersectoral research around sustainable food. After a welcome refreshment this interesting and informative event will comprise of three topical presentation sessions, each lead by a member of CSSRC, as outlined below. Opportunity for discussions and networking over drinks and nibbles after the talks will round off the event.

Session 1: FoodMAPP: Local food supply communicated through a transactional searchable MAP based APPlication

FoodMAPP is a European funded research project that is developing a searchable map-based platform that will enable consumers to search and buy food products directly from local suppliers. Currently within Europe food is transported, on average, 171km from farm to fork. 26 per cent of global carbon emissions come from food and large volumes of food are wasted. The FoodMAPP project aims to address these challenges by enabling consumers to identify and purchase local sources of food in real time to shorten supply chains and reduce food waste, while also providing additional sustainable income to food producers and providers. The project, led by Professor of Consumer Behaviour Jeff Bray, consists of a consortium of European partners, comprising academic partners in Croatia, Hungary, Spain and Belgium and industry partners in France & Austria. In this session Professor Bray will introduce the project and discuss current insights from it.

Session 2: Assessing the impact of food prices on consumption and health

Professor of Economics Tim Lloyd will present this session and introduce this Defra funded project. The overall aim of this project is to develop user-friendly software, underpinned by theory and modelling that will provide Defra with the capacity to assess the potential impacts of external and internal shocks and the outcome of potential policy options, not just on prices but on food consumption more generally, including the health impacts across socio-economic groups, while addressing the resilience of the UK food chain and environmental challenges. The project has Defra Funding for two years and is a collaboration with the University of Exeter, that develops previous work on food price modelling in relation to Brexit that formed the basis of an Impact Case submitted to UoA17 (Business and Management) in REF2021. The current project started in December 2023 and is in its early phase of development. The BU team comprises Tim Lloyd (Professor of Economics) and Adam Witt (ECR) from the Department of Accounting Finance and Economics in BUBS. It is envisioned that the output of the project will augment the government’s analytical capacity in the politically sensitive area of food prices and form an Impact Case Study for REF2029.

Session 3: An exploration of alternative food network practices

The landscape of food systems is evolving, with alternative food networks (AFNs) gaining prominence. AFNs encompass decentralised and locally rooted system that seek to establish direct connections between producers and consumers, often bypassing conventional supply chains e.g. farmers’ markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA), and food cooperatives. As consumer preferences shift towards locally sourced and sustainable food options, it is essential to assess the challenges and opportunities that arise in the context of AFNs. Through exploring AFNs and SFSCs, this project seeks to understand their potential contributions to sustainability, resilience, and community well-being. In this session Dr Anthony Ezenwa will present his BU QR-funded research that explores the nuances of Alternative Food Networks (AFNs) and Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs), using Dorset County, England as a comprehensive case study. Dr Ezenwa will highlight the various typologies and meanings associated with these concepts and discuss how the social and institutional perspectives surrounding the challenges and opportunities within AFNs and SFSCs practices in the region, shedding light on their intricate links.

Provisional Timetable:

4.45-5.00pm – Welcome refreshments

5.00-6.15pm – Presentation sessions

6.15-7.00pm – Discussion, networking and refreshments

This is a free event, but you must register to attend via Eventbrite: A Celebration of Sustainable Food Related Research Tickets, Wed 26 Jun 2024 at 16:45 | Eventbrite

BU Research Conference: Powerful Partnerships – Wednesday 26 June

conferences, Knowledge Exchange, Training

A lightbulb created by interlocking pieces of stringThere’s still time to book your place for the BU Research Conference, which takes place on Wednesday (26 June) in the Fusion Building.

The theme for this year’s conference is powerful partnerships, exploring how working with others can enhance your research.

Speakers include Isabella Pereira, Head of the Institute for Community Studies, and a panel of BU academics sharing their experiences of working with partners regionally, nationally and internationally.

You’ll also have chance to take part in practical workshops covering topics including building international partnerships, co-creating research, and working with business.

The conference runs from 9.30am – 1pm and will be followed by a networking lunch to spark further conversations and collaborations.

We’re hoping it will be an inspiring and informative day, and we’d love to see you there.

Find out more and book your place via Eventbrite

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 – internal deadline approaching

Funding opportunities

A while ago I posted a blog about preparations for MSCA PF 2024 call. The deadline date is  11 September 2024 17:00:00 Brussels time, you can find more information by visiting the EU Funding and Tenders Portal call page.

The ItB submission deadline this year is Monday 15 July, although we encourage you to submit the ItB as soon as you are ready.

With queries related to MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 Call please contact Research Facilitator International. Please note that I have already contacted those on my list of potential applicants. If I have missed any academics considering applying, accept my apologies and remind me about your intention to submit an application this year to send you more details regarding application support.

Free Webinar – Research Integrity Office (UKRIO) – Science Communication and Research Integrity

UKRIO LogoUKRIO has announced details of a forthcoming Free Webinar “Science communication and research communication” Wednesday 26 June 2024 10:00 – 11:oo. 

Speakers will discuss how ‘scicomm’ should consider the rigour of the original research and its publication process, including any peer review and principles relevant for scicomm, such as accuracy, transparency and declaration of interests.

Experts Speakers will be:

Mun-Keat Looi, International Features Editor at the BMJ and Journalism Lecturer at Imperial College London, will look ‘outwards’, debating the relation between research results and their eventual career in public media, with especial reference to trust, accuracy and social justice.

Dr Stephen Webster, Senior Lecturer in Science Communication, Imperial College London and Director of The Good Science Project will, by contrast, will look ‘inwards’, discussing the role of communication within the science institution, asking in particular how the objectives of the university, and the objectives of the actual researcher, can be properly aligned.

 

As BU subscribes to UKRIO services, UKRIO webinars are free and open to anyone who may be interested in research integrity and ethics, good research practice and improving research culture and avoiding misconduct.

To register – please click here (takes you to external website).

Public Involvement in PhD Research – New Paper Published by BU PhD Student

Enhancing Research Quality Through Public Involvement: Insights from a PhD Project with People Affected by Advanced Liver Disease

Public involvement in research is no longer an optional add-on but an essential component of conducting high-quality research. Engaging with people affected by the research can provide invaluable insights and enhance the relevance and impact of the findings. Researchers are encouraged to collaborate closely with those who have lived experience of the issues being studied.

Cathy Beresford has exemplified this approach by co-authoring a peer-reviewed paper with members of her public involvement group. Published in Health Expectations, the paper is titled “Embedding Public Involvement in a PhD Research Project With People Affected by Advanced Liver Disease.” It details her strategy of integrating public involvement (PI) into her research, ensuring that the voices of those affected by liver disease are central to the project’s development and implementation.

By sharing insights from her project, Cathy aims to inspire and guide fellow postgraduate researchers in embedding PI strategies effectively into their own work. Her experience demonstrates that meaningful public involvement can lead to richer, more impactful research outcomes that are deeply informed by the experiences and needs of those directly affected.

For those interested in exploring this approach further, the paper is available here: Embedding Public Involvement in a PhD Research Project With People Affected by Advanced Liver Disease (wiley.com)