BU Research Blog

15 December 2014

Research Council success rates published! Exciting news!

The Research Councils have published their success rates for the period April 2013 to March 2014. The key message is that their demand management measures are working; most Councils have seem a decline in the number of applications submitted and the success rates stabilising, despite a decrease in the amount of funding allocated.

In 2012-13 BU’s success rate with Research Councils was 8%, despite 12 applications being submitted. This year we have submitted the same number of applications (12) and our success rate has increased to 33% – which is excellent news! This is against a sector average of 30%. The successful awards were:

AHRC – Cultural and Scientificat Perceptions of Human-Chicken Interactions (Prof Mark Maltby)
AHRC – Music Publishing (Prof Ruth Towse)
AHRC – Research Network: Researching Readers Online (Dr Bronwen Thomas)
NERC – Dynamics and Thresholds of Ecosystem Services in Wooden Landscapes (Prof Adrian Newton)

BU has had more grants awarded from the Research Councils over the past year, however the stats only show against the lead institution so successful bids where BU is the collaborating institution are not shown against BU in the data.

BU is especially keen to reduce the number of bids submitted to Research Councils whilst significantly increasing the quality of those which are submitted. BU initiatives, such as the internal peer review scheme and the Grants Academy, have been specifically established to support you to design, write and structure competitive, fundable research proposals and to maximise your chances of being awarded funding.

Read more about the demand management measures that the Research Councils have put in place here: Demand Management

AHRC – Cultural and Scientific Perceptions of Human-Chicken Interactions (Mark Maltby)

AHRC – Music Publishing (Ruth Towse)

AHRC – Research Network Researching Readers Online (Bronwen Thomas)

NERC – BESS Grant (Adrian Newton)

14 December 2014

Wanted: Book reviewers

PG research, Publishing, student research Edwin van Teijlingen

Sociological Research Online one of the four BSA journals is constantly looking for new reviewers of books for its section on book reviews. Every issue of Sociological Research Online lists the recently received books from a range of publishers. Please spread this message to (junior) sociology colleagues and Ph.D. students in the discipline. For many social science postgraduate students a book review can be a nice first publication, with the added benefit that reading the book can be helpful in their Ph.D. journey. For the budding book reviewer we have written a short ‘how-to-do-a-book-review piece’ which can be found on the Sociological Research Online webpages: http://www.socresonline.org.uk/info/bookreviews.html

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

CMMPH, Bournemouth University

Book review editor Sociological Research Online

13 December 2014

Masterclass Systematic Reviewing

Edwin van Teijlingen

We a happy to announce a two-day Masterclass on Systematic Reviewing at Bournemouth University led by Professors Hundley and van Teijlingen. One way of collating and assessing the best possible evidence is through a method called ‘systematic reviewing’. Systematic reviewing is a specific research method whereby a structured, rigorous, and objective approach is used to provide a critical synthesis of the available evidence on a particular topic. This masterclass will examine the rationale for systematic reviews and take participants through the various elements of a systematic review: selecting (electronic) databases; literature searching; data extraction; data synthesis; interpretation and reporting.

The Masterclass will be held in the Executive Business Centre, Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth on 9-10 February 2015.

Booking price and information:

The price of £200 includes lunch and refreshments and all class materials. Accommodation and travel costs are not included. Book your place online by 1 February 2015.

Find out more and book your place here >>

For more information call 01202 962184 or email us.

Professors Vanora Hundley & Edwin van Teijlingen

Centre for Midwifery, Maternal & Perinatal Health

13 December 2014

BU collaborates in International Symposium in Nepal on Mixed-Methods Research

Training Edwin van Teijlingen

This international symposium introduces researchers and academics in Nepal to the basics of mixed-methods research. The symposium will be held on 3^rd January 2015 at Manipal Medical College in Pokhara, Nepal.

The symposium is jointly organised by Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal, Liverpool John Moores University, UK, Bournemouth University, UK & CEA (Confederation of Epidemiological Associations). Bournemouth University will be represented in Nepal by Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen. Prof. van Teijlingen is a medical sociologist in the Centre for Midwifery, Maternal & Perinatal Health. He has conducted mixed-methods research for over two decades and he has published more than 200 papers and book chapters. Many of his publications are based on research that uses mixed-methods. Two of the other four symposium presenters at the symposium are Visiting Faculty at Bournemouth University (Prof. Padam Simkhada based at Liverpool John Moores University and Dr. Bibha Simkhada).

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

Centre for Midwifery, Maternal & Perinatal Health
Faculty of Health & Social Sciences

12 December 2014

The Marginalised Mainstream: Literature, Culture and Popularity – Conference Report.

sgoodman

The Marginalised Mainstream: Literature, Culture and Popularity is an annual event held at the Institute of English Studies in Senate House, University of London, co-organised by Sam Goodman (BU), Emma Grundy-Haigh and Brittain Bright (Goldsmiths). The aim of the initiative is to focus on those areas of popular culture that are critically and academically marginalised, or once popular authors or works that have since fallen into obscurity.

This year’s event took place on the 28^th-29^th November and featured BU’s Bronwen Thomas (Media School) and Naomi Braithwaite (Nottingham Trent) as its keynote speakers, delivering talks on online fan culture and the social performativity of shoes respectively. The theme of this year’s conference was Disguise, which led to a particularly varied and creative set of submissions, covering topics as diverse as showgirls and burlesque, spy fiction, Ice Road Truckers, confessional poetry, Game of Thrones, Indonesian superheroes, and Raffles the Gentleman Thief. There were also a selection of plenary panels featuring Len Platt (Goldsmiths) on musical theatre of the 1920s, Mariadele Boccardi (UWE) on neo-Victorian novels and science, and Andrew Harvey (Birkbeck) on sport and literature.

Marginalised Mainstream is supported by the Narrative Research Group within the Centre for Journalism and Communication at BU, and regularly attracts speakers and attendees from across the globe; this year’s event featured delegates from North America, India, Australia, China, and Russia, as well as from the UK and Europe. There is an emphasis on attracting early career and PGR delegates as well as established academics, and the delegates reflected a wide spectrum of career stages.

Details of the next event (scheduled for September 2015) will soon be released on the website: www.marginalisedmainstream.com. The theme of next year’s conference will be ‘Play & Performance’, and we welcome any informal enquiries at marginalisedmainstream@gmail.com.

12 December 2014

WREN at BU

Fusion kskoog

Academics, researchers and professionals from the Women’s Radio in Europe Network (WREN) came together at Bournemouth University for a two day workshop, on November 14-15. There were thirteen of us, representing the Netherlands, Denmark, Britain, Turkey, Australia and Portugal.

WREN is an international academic research network investigating the history and role of women’s radio in Europe (and beyond). We were joined by Maria Williams, an award-winning radio producer, podcast-maker and media trainer – and the founder of Sound Women (http://www.soundwomen.co.uk/). Sound Women aims to encourage, promote and support women in today’s UK radio industry, and it was generally acknowledged by all participants how important history is for the current debates around women in the media.

The first day started with short presentations where participants presented current research and interests, and ideas and thoughts for future collaborative research. In the afternoon students and staff were invited to join ‘In Conversation with WREN’, a discussion about WREN research and women’s contribution to radio. Our panel of speakers included Maria Williams (Sound Women), Caroline Mitchell (University of Sunderland), Nazan Haydari (Istanbul Bilgi University) and Carolyn Birdsall (University of Amsterdam). The second day focused on the network’s plans to secure future research funding and how to develop the work of WREN further.

This workshop was made possible through the Fusion Investment Fund (the Staff Mobility and Networking Strand) which supported this first stand-alone meeting of the network. We are delighted to report that the workshop was overall a success, and WREN has now made some concrete plans for the future, so watch this space!

Dr Kristin Skoog (PI) – Lecturer in Media (Broadcasting History) – The Media School

Dr Kate Murphy (CI) – Senior Lecturer in Radio Production – The Media School

11 December 2014

EUADS: 1 week left to apply!

Funding opportunities, Training gashton

The EU Academic Development Scheme (EUADS) is a unique scheme developed to kick start your career in EU research, and is open to all BU academic staff. The scheme will help you work towards making a submission by providing unlimited 1-2-1 support from an expert EU bid writer, group mentoring and unlimited assistance in actually writing your application over a 12 month period. In addition to the training, the EUADS scheme also includes an individual fund. Each successful participant will have access to grants up to £3ooo to spend on activities supporting bid development, such as:
• Travel with the intent of networking
• Conference attendance with the intent of networking
• Pilot research work
• Fieldwork
• Attendance at external networking events leading to collaborative research proposals
• Meetings with external organisations to establish collaborations
• Preparation of specialist material or data
• Replacement teaching

You can read more on this scheme in the EUADS Policy Document and make a submission using the EUADS Application Form.

The deadline for applications is Friday 19th December 2014. Applications and any questions should be submitted to the Funding Development Coordinator, Giles Ashton, gashton@bournemouth.ac.uk

11 December 2014

Festival of Learning 2015 – what could you do? A FACT OR FICTION style event?

Festival of Learning, Public engagement eloring

Do you remember the programme ‘Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction’ or today’s ‘Fact or Fiction’?

These two very popular television programmes challenged the audiences and members of the public to identify which one was true, and which one was false. This used to be quite a thought-provoking activity, challenging people’s perceptions and beliefs.

Is your research challenging and inspiring? Will it stimulate debate and discussion on ‘what’s right?’ and ‘what’s wrong?’

A ‘Fact or Fiction’ themed event will not only be enjoyable and insightful for the event organisers, but also for the members of the public who will be a part of this exciting and educational activity. Theming your event and encouraging attendees to participate will help them to learn and remember this one-of-a-kind experience.

Here are some examples for inspiration from other Festivals (including the British Science Festival 2012 and 2013) of ‘Fact or Fiction’ styled events:

Cyber Pearl Harbour: Fact or Fiction? – Organised by Northumbria University

The picture painted by the US Defense Secretary of successful cyber attacks is one of doom and destruction. Is this a picture of cold harsh realities or political hype?

Food Addiction: Fact or Fiction? – Organised by Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen and University of Essen, Germany

There are many complex factors which lead to people being overweight or obese, but the basic question is why do some people eat too much? Are they addicted to food? Join our international panel of psychiatrists and scientists to explore whether eating food can be so rewarding that it leads to a state of addiction similar to that seen with alcohol and drugs.

CSI: Fact or Fiction? – Organised by Robert Gordon University

Internationally renowned forensic scientist David Barclay has over 30 years’ experience and has worked on some of the highest profile cases in the UK and abroad. Discover how science played a key part in investigating these crimes and how scientific evidence is evaluated in the overall context of the investigation. Supplementary workshops at RGU will allow you to see first-hand some of the forensic techniques used.

Will you participate in the Festival of Learning: Fact or Fiction?

If you would like to get involved in the Festival of Learning 2014 by hosting an event like ‘Fact or Fiction‘ and/or have some exciting ideas for any other type of public engagement activity, please register your interest with either myself, Naomi Kay: or my colleague Harry Gibson

And do remember the proposal deadline is the 19th December

11 December 2014

Festival of Learning 2014 not ‘finished’ yet!

Festival of Learning, Publishing Edwin van Teijlingen

Whilst the call for 2015 Festival of Learning activities is already out, some of us are still busy with the 2014 one. This past year Prof. Vanora Hundley (Faculty of Health & Social Sciences) led a debate about the impact of the mass media on women’s view of childbirth. The debate was centred around The media is responsible for creating fear in childbirth.

Elizabeth Duff from the NCT and BU Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen affiliated with the Centre for Midwifery, Maternal & Perinatal Health argued in favour of the motion and Joanne Dewberry independent blogger, journalist and successful business woman and Dr. Ann Luce from BU’s Journalism and Communication Academic Group argued against.

The audience were given the opportunity to vote on the motion before and after the debate. The interesting and wide-ranging debate has been written up and it now published in MIDIRS under the title ‘Fear in childbirth: are the media responsible?’

The full reference is: Hundley, V., Duff, E., Dewberry, J., Luce, A., van Teijlingen, E. (2014) Fear in childbirth: are the media responsible? MIDIRS Midwifery Digest 24(4): 444-447.

Professors Edwin van Teijlingen & Vanora Hundley

Centre for Midwifery, Maternal & Perinatal Health

Faculty of Health & Social Sciences

10 December 2014

BUDI Orchestra Christmas Concert

lreynolds

Join us as we celebrate this festive season with classics such as ‘White Christmas’ and ‘Jingle Bells’ performed by members of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, and local people with dementia and their carers.

When? Friday, 12^th December 2014, 11am – 12noon.

Where? The Atrium (by Starbucks), Poole House, Talbot Campus.

We’d love to see you there!

For more information about this event, please contact: lreynolds@bournemouth.ac.uk.

The BUDI Orchestra during their final rehearsal.

10 December 2014

Festival of Learning 2015 – what could you do? An ‘adventure’ styled event? Or a ‘treasure’ hunt?

Festival of Learning, Public engagement eloring

It is really important to hold events at the Festival of Learning that not only satisfy and engage the adult community but also the children of our community too. Teaching, inspiring and sharing our knowledge with those of a younger age will hopefully encourage them, to also be researchers in the future.

So, why not hold an ‘adventure’ or ‘treasure hunt’ style event at the Festival of Learning? This will encourage children and families to participate and create exciting new memories.

Children and young adults are engaged by events that involves them participating in a hands-on activity where they can either create or discover something. These are just some ideas off the top of my head, but if you have research interests in ancient history, history of the World, archaeology, dinosaurs, time travel and space – an adventure or treasure hunt style event would work extremely well in sharing your research with the younger generation in an exciting and engaging way.

Here are some inspiring examples of this type of event:

The Dinosaur Museum, Dorset regularly holds an event named the Great Dinosaur Hunt. This is where children search for hints and clues in order to solve a dinosaur mystery. Those that crack the code and solve the mystery win a special certificate.

At BU, our forensic experts could run an event which would enable attendees to solve a mystery and learn how ‘mystery solving’ is done. This would appeal to both the younger and elder community. Or perhaps if you have research in ancient history, you could do an event on ‘solving the murder of … in ancient times’.

Passport to the past was an event held at the Cambridge Festival of Ideas this year. This event allowed children to attend a drop-in session where they could design their own ‘passport to the past before taking a journey round the ancient world to learn more about our casts?’ Perhaps if you have a research interest in space you could host an event similar to this like, ‘Passport to space’ or ‘Your time travel ticket’, where children could be educated on space and time travel.

….

If you would like to get involved in the Festival of Learning 2014 by hosting an event like ‘Fact or Fiction‘ and/or have some exciting ideas for any other type of public engagement activity, please register your interest with either myself, Naomi kay or my colleague Rebecca Edwards.

10 December 2014

National Contact Points: Kerry Young and Helen Fairclough

Guidance gashton

National Contact Points (NCPs) provide impartial advice regarding EU Funding within their specialist area of Horizon 2020. The advice is free and confidential and tailored to your needs. This is an excellent service for drawing on the experience and knowledge of someone who deals exclusively with a particular scheme or work programme. If you are interested in testing out project ideas, checking scheme eligibility, discussing the direction of travel of a particular funding stream or just asking some questions on the practicalities of applications they are a great source of help.

This week we would like to introduce you to Helen Fairclough and Kerry Young, who are the NCPs for Energy. Follow the link for further details on NCPs and Horizon 2020.

9 December 2014

BU’s ‘Science Stands’ on campus

Public engagement ssquelch

Following on from the success of the ‘Science Stands’ last week on the 4^th December, the second run of this on the 9^th December in the atrium had a lot to live up too. We had a huge number of students who were excited to engage with some of our PhD students and academics research, proving to be another succesful day.

Yesterday we had some amazing work showcased on TV screens by cyber-security which students could not get enough of, a really eye catching display on the TV screens streaming a live hacking attack map across the globe!

The psychological activities really did prove to be fun and humorous, taste testing tasks and psychological reasoning tasks showed to be a very great experience, seeing the shock on students faces when they were told that the juice they were drinking was in fact a simple cup of apple juice rather than the 101 different flavours they told us it was!

If you didn’t drop by on the 4^th or 9^th December, then do not panic! On the 16^th and 17^th March we are bringing BU’s ‘Science Tent’ to the courtyard which will be another opportunity to participate in some of the tasks seen at the ‘Science Stands’ and more that you regrettably missed out on, so get your fluffy wig and long white jacket at the ready, because March is going to be a big one!

If you gained some inspiration from these activities hosted yesterday, then why not run your own public engagement activity? The deadline to submit an event at next year’s Festival of Learning is coming up on the 19^th December so make sure you do not miss out on this fabulous opportunity.

9 December 2014

Festival of Learning 2015 – What could you do? Limited time but wanting to share?

Festival of Learning gibsonh

The Festival of Learning 2015 is a fantastic way to engage public audiences in your research. Sometimes it’s difficult putting together an event that lasts several hours, so how about an hour lecture on your research?

To engage your audience, could your event be interactive or spark a short debate? Could it be linked to ideologies within a film that an audience could relate to? Or perhaps a topical discussion that has had national coverage? If you have an event idea, think about the intended audience and what would appeal to them.

A lecture, seminar, interactive laboratory to name a few could all be run within an hour session, why not try it?

The next Festival of Learning will be held during 11^th – 17^th July 2015. If you would like to hold an event as part of this Festival, please complete a proposal form. The deadline for proposals is midday on Friday 19^th December.

If you have an idea for a Festival of Learning event that you would like to discuss or for general enquiries, please contact Naomi Kay on 61342.

9 December 2014

Micheal Faraday Prize-For excellence in communicating science to UK Audiences.

Funding opportunities gibsonh

The Royal Society’s medals, awards and prize lectureships provide an opportunity to celebrate outstanding achievement.

Nominations for the Michael Faraday Prize are now open. This prize lecture is given by a scientist or engineer whose expertise in communicating scientific ideas in lay terms is exemplary.

Previous winners have included Professor Brian Cox and Professor Frank Close.

The winner will receive a medal, a personal prize of £2,500 and will get to deliver a lecture at the Royal Society.

Nominate a colleague for this lecture

http://newsletters.royalsociety.org/c/1wsN2iY4pgb1Mw1dXQQtUS

To download the nomination form and for further details please see http://newsletters.royalsociety.org/c/1wsN8cZLuyexEmSoM7ZKWT

The deadline for nominations is Friday 30 January 2015.

To contact us for further information please email awards@royalsociety.org

For more information on our many other awards available for nomination please visit http://newsletters.royalsociety.org/c/1wsNe71szQi3wdJzAp91YU

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9 December 2014

Could you develop a BBC radio programme about your research?

Public engagement Rachel Bowen

New Generation Thinkers is a pioneering scheme designed to support the next generation of academics to bring the best of current university research to the general public, through BBC radio. The collaboration between the Arts and Humanities Research Council and BBC Radio 3 has been running for five years, and is now looking for applicants for the 2015 programme.

Applicants are invited to submit their ideas for an engaging radio programme, based on their research. 60 successful applicants will then be invited to attend a workshop with BBC producers to discuss their ideas. Of these, up to ten will become BBC 3’s resident New Generational Thinkers. They will have the unique opportunity to develop their own radio programmes for BBC Radio 3 and the chance to regularly appear on air.

Applicants do not have to be AHRC funded, but do need to be early career researchers based in either a higher education institution or an independent research organisation. A wide range of research areas will be considered, including arts and humanities, social sciences and medical sciences.

The application deadline is 15th December. You can find more details here.

9 December 2014

UK Dementia Congress 10th – 14th November 2014

Public engagement, Research themes mobrien

Dr Michelle Heward, Ben Hicks and Sophie Bushell represented the Bournemouth University Dementia Institute (BUDI) at this year’s National Dementia Congress in Brighton between the 10^th and 12^th November. This is the UK’s 9^th Dementia Congress, organised and hosted by the Journal of Dementia Care. The Congress attracted professionals from a vast array of backgrounds from artists and architects to nurses and social care commissioners with over 200 individuals presenting their work during the event. Highlights amongst the spoken presentations included a fantastic and very moving presentation by people living with dementia and their carers from the Dementia Engagement and Empowerment (DEEP) group and Carers Call to Action and the keynote address by Dr Stephen Judd entitled ‘Making Change Happen’.

For BUDI, additional highlights were the two presentations delivered by our very own Dr Michelle Heward who reported on two of her most recent projects:

The Dorset Dementia Friendly Communities (DFC) Project Evaluation – reporting on the findings of an evaluation of the first year of activity in the seven localities of the Dorset DFC initiative and exploring how far the Dorset DFC project was able to contribute towards assisting people with dementia to be able to feel supported within their community, and have choice and control of their lives. Click here for the full evaluation report.
The Social Care and Support Needs of Adults with Concurrent Dementia and Visual Impairment – the aim of the project was to investigate how best to provide care and support for adults living with both conditions in a range of housing settings, and develop evidence-based practice guidance to improve social care and support. Click here for more information about this project.

In addition to the speakers there were numerous stands with information about products and services designed to support people to live well with dementia, poster presentations and additional attractions. The most popular of these appeared to be a cookery demonstration by Peter Morgan-Jones demonstrating a technique to improve nutrition and enjoyment of food for people who have difficulties swallowing.

Two of the most delightful things about this Congress were the number and variety of individuals who were clearly passionate about making positive impact upon the lives of people with dementia and those who care for them and the breadth of innovative interventions designed to achieve this. For more information about this event please click here.

Sophie Bushell, PhD student, BUDI

9 December 2014

Festival of Learning 2015 – what could you do? TV programme + Research = A new way of engaging!

Festival of Learning, Public engagement eloring

Does your research have a connection to popular TV programmes? Or can you link your research to a popular TV programme? If yes, why not present your research in a way that the public will find entertaining and appealing?

A few research topics that spring to mind are: space, food, genetics/superhero, law, CSI and sport.

Organising an event in this engaging format is bound to bring the members of the public into our University! Statistics show that 97% of UK households own a television, and in 2012 the UK population was estimated at 63.7million. This shows that apart from a small 3%, all UK citizens watch the television.

Here is our own BU example:

In November, Professor Iain MacRury gave a very insightful and engaging presentation at Café Scientifique which stimulated a ‘hot’ discussion and debate. Prof. MacRury’s talk was on the Inner World of Doctor Who, which looked at the psychology behind the show’s popularity.

Whether you structure your event the same way as a television programme, for example; QI or if it is somehow related to the programme, for example; a space lecture could be related to Star-trek or Star Wars, the members of the public will always remember what they have learnt from this event because it is memorable, fun, engaging and interesting.

Please remember that the open call for proposals closes on 19th December! If you wish to put forward an idea, please contact me (Naomi Kay) as soon as possible!

/ Full archive

Research Council success rates published! Exciting news!

Masterclass Systematic Reviewing

BU collaborates in International Symposium in Nepal on Mixed-Methods Research

The Marginalised Mainstream: Literature, Culture and Popularity – Conference Report.

WREN at BU

EUADS: 1 week left to apply!

Festival of Learning 2015 – what could you do? A FACT OR FICTION style event?

BUDI Orchestra Christmas Concert

Festival of Learning 2015 – what could you do? An ‘adventure’ styled event? Or a ‘treasure’ hunt?

National Contact Points: Kerry Young and Helen Fairclough

BU’s ‘Science Stands’ on campus

Festival of Learning 2015 – What could you do? Limited time but wanting to share?

Micheal Faraday Prize-For excellence in communicating science to UK Audiences.

Could you develop a BBC radio programme about your research?

UK Dementia Congress 10th – 14th November 2014

Festival of Learning 2015 – what could you do? TV programme + Research = A new way of engaging!

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