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Reminder For All Consumer Behaviour Researchers … A forum for discussion around CB research.

REF Subjects, Research themes

The study of consumer behaviour has always been a multi-disciplinary endeavour, so perhaps it is not too surprising that there are pockets of related research activity all around BU.  These include consumer related research clusters in the Business School, the Media School, School of Tourism and Psychology.  What is surprising is how little we are aware of each other’s work.

Given this the ICB research cluster are hosting a ‘Hands-on Information Sharing Session’ to provide a forum for discussion around CB research at BU.  The session will provide an opportunity to meet others with similar research interests and learn more about the variety of consumer research being carried out across the University through brief research presentations, followed by discussions over refreshments to look for potential cross-discipline research opportunities.

Wherever you are in BU, if you think that you would like to be part of a forum aimed at developing a stronger research presence in this area please come along to a meeting over coffee and cakes ….

‘CB Hands-on Information Sharing Session’

Wednesday 22nd October at 15:30 in TAG22, Talbot Campus.

Please could those wishing to attend let Juliet Memery know as soon as possible to ascertain likely numbers for catering purposes, and then send three Powerpoint slides (max) that briefly cover your research/interests in issues relating to consumer behaviour research to her by Monday 20th October (email: jmemery@bournemouth.ac.uk ).

All welcome – we look forward to seeing you there!

 

Training opportunity! Introducing the Mass Observation Project (1981-2014) as a data source for researchers

Training

Introducing the Mass Observation Project (1981-2014)

as a data source for researchers

 

We invite you to attend an interactive day-event for researchers and doctoral students.

 

This event will introduce you to the unique resources of the Mass Observation Project (MOP).  It provides the chance to discuss and try-out the opportunities that the MOP presents for qualitative longitudinal and/or mixed-method research.

 

The MOP is a self-selecting citizen’s writing project where individual writers have been answering sets of themed questions/directives on a range of different issues, themes and events between 1981 and present day (http://www.massobs.org.uk/index.htm).

 

At this event you will:

  • Go on a tour of the archive and its resources with staff at the archive.
  • Be ‘introduced’ to MOP writers and the topics they write about.
  • Discuss a case-study example of a longitudinal mixed-methods project at the University of Southampton, which is using MOP writing in combination with the British Household Panel Survey and the British Social Attitudes Survey.
  • Take part in a hands-on workshop where you can examine and analyse the scripts of individual writers across time.

 

This event would be suitable for any researcher – including post-graduate/doctoral researchers from a range of different disciplines (social sciences, humanities, and different science and STEM disciplines) who are considering using qualitative and/or mixed research methods.

 

The event takes place on Monday 27th October at The Keep in Brighton (http://www.thekeep.info/) – 10am to 4.30 pm. (please arrive for registration before 10)

 

The Keep is a fully accessible venue. If you require further information on accessibility, please contact moa@sussex.ac.uk.

 

Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

 

There is a £16 fee to cover the costs of this event. Please book by visiting:  http://go.soton.ac.uk/61a

 

The maximum number of participants for this event is 20.  Booking for this event will close at midnight on 20th October, or when we have reached our maximum number of participants.

 

For enquiries about this event please contact Rose Lindsey tel: 02380 594442 or email: R.Lindsey@soton.ac.uk

Introducing Jenny Roddis – Research Facilitator

Guidance

Hello, I’m Jenny Roddis and I’m one of the Research Facilitators in the Funding Development Team in RKEO. Specifically, I will be working with the Faculty of Science and Technology and the School of Health and Social Care. I’ve been at BU for over ten years, so some of you already know me, but for those who don’t, I’ve previously worked in HSC as Proposal Co-ordinator followed by my role as Senior RKE Officer for all of the Schools and Faculties at various points. The Facilitator post is an exciting new venture for BU, and one I am very pleased to be undertaking.

Together with Emily, Paul and Alex, I will be offering support for bid development, ranging from horizon scanning and identifying the most suitable funder or funding stream for your idea, through to working with you to develop your ideas, identifying potential collaborators and ensuring that applications are of the highest quality. I am also responsible for managing the Grants Academy (new dates coming soon!).

I am currently writing up my Doctorate, which is exploring perspectives on and understanding of life with a long-term condition, specifically thrombophilia and asthma, from the point of view of those affected. The study uses a grounded theory approach and data has been collected through semi-structured interviews. The findings are offering some interesting insights into how people with long-term conditions use information and knowledge about their condition, and other factors which affect life with such a condition.

Obviously the Doctorate leaves little time for relaxing, but my favourite way to procrastinate is to spend time on the beach with my kindle. I’m looking forward to the day I can do this without feeling guilty!

If you’re thinking about developing a bid, and would like some guidance, advice or support, or even just someone to bounce ideas off, please feel free to get in touch.

 

Introducing Harry Gibson: Events Co-ordinator for the Knowledge Exchange and Impact Team

Hello!

I am currently a BU Undergraduate student who is studying Tourism Management and on placement year here at BU. For the next year here I will be working in the Research and Knowledge Exchange Office as the Event Co-ordinator for The Festival of Learning and a variety of other public engagement events. 

 

I am very much looking forward to the year ahead and the challenges I will face in this role, in a city which is now a second home I have grown to love and an industry which I have a passion for and will be aiming to stay in long term. Outside of work, I have a strong interest in most sports, most prominently football, I’ve travelled from a young age, and I try and spend as much time socialising with people in a variety of contexts.

Hello from Matt Bentley: Deputy Dean for Research and Professional Practice in the Faculty of Science & Technology

It is now two weeks since I joined BU. First, I would like to say thank you for the extremely warm welcome I have received from everyone I have met. For me it is both a privilege and pleasure to have become part of such a vibrant team.

As some of you will know, I am a marine scientist and have research interests in reproduction of marine invertebrates and aquatic invasive species. I have joined BU from Newcastle University where I had been Director of the Dove Marine Laboratory and Acting Head of School of Marine Science and Technology.

I have been fortunate to have joined Bournemouth at a time when it is embracing its Fusion agenda and at the beginning of the next REF cycle looking forwards to 2020. This makes us well placed to drive forward our research, alongside delivering excellence in learning and teaching and engagement with business and industry.

As a passionate teacher, I recognise the importance of maintaining a close relationship between research and teaching and will work closely with the other Deputy Dean, Keith Phalp to ensure this happens.

Delivering our research innovation into the wider community, whether to industry, business or society for the benefit of all will see BU grow in reputation both nationally and globally. I look forward to working with you to increase both the volume and quality of our research through strategic research and in discovery science.

I hope to meet more of you in the very near future.

Best wishes, Matt

Emily Cieciura: Research Facilitator – EU and International

Guidance

Hello!

I am Emily Cieciura, new Research Facilitator for EU and International bids, as part of the Funding Development Team. I am part time, but job share with Paul Lynch, so there is help and support available throughout the working week. I am here Monday to Wednesday and Paul is available from Wednesday to Friday.

I have been at BU since 2001, in a number of roles. I started out as an Assistant Librarian, then, taking a change in career direction, relocated to the Business School as Co-ordinator for the Centre for Intellectual Property Policy and Management (CIPPM) and then moved in what is now the Research & Knowledge Exchange Office at the end of 2009. I have supported a number of schools during my time in this team,  but have spent the last two years supporting Knowledge Transfer Partnerships throughout BU. I enjoyed providing dedicated pre and post award support through this scheme and the relationships developed both within and outside BU. Although I  miss this role, I am very keen to make new connections within the world of EU and International funding. As part of our role, Paul and I are reviewing the EUADS scheme and will shortly be contacting schools to set up the fourth cohort for this BU initiative, which has contributed to a significant increase in bidding to EU funding streams.

I am a Chartered Librarian with both a BA (Hons) – First Class – and MLib in Librarianship. I have worked in a number of sectors including industry, further education, law and higher education. I have also undertaken further studies to enhance my professional skills, including the Advanced Certificate of  Marketing (CIM), the Further & Adult Education Teaching Certificate and  BU’s Postgraduate Certificate in HR. I am currently undertaking the Associate of Research Managers and Administrators’ (ARMA) Certificate in Research Management.  I believe that my varied background allows a rounded approach to my current role.

Outside work, I am a member of my local library’s ‘friends’ group, so keep in touch with my original profession through this volunteering. As part of this, I lead one of Kinson Library’s reading groups and participate in their family history group. I have a wide circle of friends throughout the UK, so enjoy making the most of weekend visits. With two children, I also run an excellent taxi service! In discussing my blog post with Jo Garrad, my line manager, she has challenged me to ‘get more of a life’ as my children are now quite grown up and independent. So, within reason and legality, suggestions are gratefully received….

You can find out more about the FDT Team in Jo’s post and from other blog entries from my colleagues.

So, if you have an idea that might have potential for bidding via an EU scheme or working with international funders, please give me or Paul a call. We look forward to supporting you as you develop your funding portfolio.

 

 

Communicate 2014, will you grasp this opportunity?

Funding opportunities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This November 4th and 5th, get down to At-Bristol, located in Bristol city which will play host to this year’s eagerly anticipated Communicate 2014. Communicate is the UK’s leading conference for environmental communicators, bringing together over 150 delegates each year to debate and share the latest challenges and emerging best practice for engaging people with the natural world.

 Communicate can boast of bringing together over 80 organisations, including NGO’s, local and national government, media, academia, visitor attractions and green businesses, providing participants with an excellent opportunity to engage with practitioners. This is an opportunity that cannot be missed as these organisations represent Communicate annually and since 2003, more than 800 delegates from over 300 organisations have attended the conference. The conference is highly stimulating and thought provoking and it is a great opportunity to meet people involved across a wide variety of sectors.

 There is funding available for NERC funded PhD students and early career researchers thanks to the support from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Bursaries will be awarded through a competitive application process. Applications for the second round of bursaries must be received by 9am on Monday 20th October. Click here to start your application. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity.

 Click here to see the latest line-up of some of Britain’s most effective speakers that will be there to make this experience one you will never forget.

Introducing Jason Edwards: Funding Development Officer for HSC

I am the Funding Development Officer for the school of Health and Social Care. My role involves supporting academic colleagues in applying for possible research money. I aim to assist academic colleagues with funder guidance, terms and conditions and with the financial aspects of the bidding process.

In my previous role, I was a Research Assistant/ Hourly Paid Lecturer in Criminology that allowed me to gain experience in writing bids to the Leverhulme Trust and ESRC. I recently have been published in the area of drug misuse with topics relating to mephedrone and violence, non-fatal overdose and the causal connection between drugs and crime.

I have a first class honours degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and I was awarded the Jordan Vincent Allen for the most outstanding student in Criminology from the University of Glamorgan.

Outside of work my interests are are mostly around sport. I used to play a lot of rugby but now I am more focused on squash, rock climbing, mountaineering and snowboarding. I also enjoy playing the guitar and have played in several rock bands.

This is your official invitation to the launch of Destination FeelGood!

Why you should join Destination FeelGood:

By joining us you’ll be a part of a unique network of businesses, working together to explore the potential of health & Wellbeing tourism.

We have three ideas cafés, which will run between 4pm-6pm on the dates:

  • 21st October 2014– Marketing & Product Opportunities in Health & Wellbeing Tourism
  • 20th November 2014– Food Innovation & Legislation
  • 24th February 2015– Healthy Staff, Healthy Profit

Each Ideas Cafés will be held in the Executive Business Centre, 89 Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth, BH8 8EB.

If you would like to attend this event, please click here.

We very much look forward to seeing you there!

PG Researcher Development Workshops – Welcome to the new academic year!

PG research

As the new academic year gets underway, don’t forget that as a PGR you have access to workshops available through the PG Researcher Development Programme.   You’ll find further information via MyBU Graduate School PGR Community, including information about the new online booking system which is now via Eventbrite.

Highlights: We will be welcoming Margaret Collins back to BU for personal development workshops and look out for details of a new academic writing workshop which will be coming soon!

If you have any questions about the Programme, please email pgrskillsdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk.

I look forward to seeing you at future workshops!

 

Sarah Bell
Research Skills Development Officer
Graduate School

 

Have you been involved with an event designed for the external community?

Guidance, Research assessment

Then we want to hear from you! 🙂

The University is currently compiling the data for the annual Higher Education – Business & Community Interaction survey (HE-BCI) due to be submitted to HESA in early December.

We are asked to submit details of social, cultural and community events designed for the external community (to include both free and chargeable events) which took place between 1 August 2013 and 31 July 2014.

Event types that should be returned include, but are not limited to:

  • public lectures
  • performance arts (dance, drama, music, etc)
  • exhibitions
  • museum education
  • events for schools and community groups
  • business breakfasts

We cannot return events such as open days, Student Union activity, commercial conferences, etc.

All events that we ran as part of the Festival of Learning, ESRC Festival of Social Science and Cafe Scientifique series are likely to be eligible for inclusion and we will collate this information on your behalf centrally.

If you have been involved with any other event which could be returned, please could you let your contact (see below) know the event name and date, whether it was free or chargeable, the estimated number of attendees, and an estimate of how much academic time was spent preparing for (but not delivering) the event:

  • SciTech – Norman Stock
  • BS – Corrina Lailla Osborne
  • HSC – Andy Scott
  • MS – Mark Borcklehurst
  • ST – Rob Hydon
  • Professional Service – please contact Julie Northam in RKEO

The data returned is used by HEFCE to allocate the HEIF funding so it is important that we return as accurate a picture as possible.

Call for entries for fifth UK Energy Innovation Awards

Innovators from across the energy industry and SME community are being invited to enter the UK’s leading energy innovation awards which showcase and celebrate outstanding projects, technologies and talent making a real impact in the energy sector.

Now in its fifth year, the UK Energy Innovation Awards 2015, will unite figureheads of the energy industry and the innovation community in a high profile event to celebrate the best innovations across the electricity and gas networks including the renewables sector.

Following an unprecedented number of high calibre entries last year, the awards, organised by the Energy Innovation Centre and supported by leaders from the major energy companies, has been refreshed and extended to include new categories which reflect the diversity of entries in previous years.

These updated categories include:

  • Best Offshore Renewable Energy Innovation sponsored by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult
  • Best Electricity Network Improvement
  • Best Gas Network Improvement
  • Best Innovation Contributing to Quality and Reliability of Electricity Supply
  • Best Innovation Contributing to Quality and Reliability of Gas Supply

Altogether there will be 14 categories with the closing date for entries on Friday, December 12th. A black tie awards ceremony will be held in Manchester on April 30th featuring leaders from across the energy networks. Entries can be made online by visiting www.energyinnovationcentre.com

Chief executives from across the energy industry will be on the judging panel including Northern Gas Network’s chief executive and Energy Innovation Centre chairman Mark Horsley.

Last year, the awards attracted more than 370 guests from the electricity, gas and offshore renewables sectors along with innovators from a wide range of small businesses, start-up companies and academia.

Amongst the winners were Open Grid Systems which won the ‘International Trade Award’ in recognition of strong overseas sales of its tablet application which gives network operators an augmented reality view of assets out in the field, the first tool of its kind. Other technologies recognised included a robotic system which internally repairs leaking cast iron mains, the UK’s first ‘smart grid’ in Orkney and a unique technology to allow keyhole excavations on highways and roads.

Denise Massey, managing director of the Energy Innovation Centre, said: “The UK innovation scene has continued to grow and develop so much since the awards began back in 2010 and we are proud to have been able to contribute to this. With this in mind, we look forward to seeing a diverse and exciting range of entries representing the continued improvements happening in the sector.

 “The Energy Innovation Centre exists to encourage this important collaboration between external innovators and the energy industry by modernising the networks and revolutionising the way electricity and gas is delivered. It’s clear the industry is alive with an incredible number of talented, creative and forward thinking problem solvers, engineers, technologists, and academics so we look forward to seeing the entries.”

The full list of categories includes:

For category sponsorship opportunities, please contact Out There Events on 0161 946 6262 or email ellie@outthereevents.com.

Measuring research impact – report from the Medical Research Council shows the societal reach of research

Measuring research impact beyond academia is becoming a standardised part of research.  Thanks in part to the changes to the REF, more and more emphasis is being placed on the need to demonstrate the value of research more widely.  With that in mind, the latest research outputs, outcomes and impact report from the Medical Research Council (MRC) is a useful tool for demonstrating that impact to a broad audience.  Based on research taken place over the last few years, the report gathers together impact statistics and case studies of key outcomes and explains them in language accessible to all.

It makes for interesting reading, with statistics showing:

  • 46% of MRC-funded research projects attracted further funding from more than 1,000 different funders,
  • Between 2006 and 2013, researchers took part in more than 23,000 public engagement events,
  • One fifth of researchers reported that their work had an impact on local, national or international policy,
  • 12% of awards led to the development of a product or intervention.

Statistics aside, some of the most exciting parts of the report lie in the stories and case studies identified.  For example, research about portion sizes from the MRC’s Human Nutrition Research Group went on to inform a recent ‘Portion Distortion’ campaign from the British Heart Foundation.  Not only did the research support an effective campaign, it was also used to influence public health policy in the Department of Health and prompted major food companies to re-shape their business strategies.

A further example from the MRC Institute of Hearing Research demonstrated how researchers were able to develop a new test to measure listening attention by measuring sound comparison and reaction times.  It looks at how quickly people respond to sounds, how quickly people can pick out changes in relevant information in sound and how well people ignore irrelevant information in sounds.  The test is being used in research training and testing, with versions available for both children and adults.

So what can be learned from this?  The report showcases only a few exciting and inspiring research projects funded by the MRC – clearly there is far more going on than can be reported.  However, it is an excellent example of the research work going on across the country and shows the wide range of impacts and outcomes research can have in areas such as policy, product development and industry collaboration to name but a few.  While research impact is still an emerging area, this latest report from the MRC shows why it is so important to measure it, as the contribution MRC-funded projects are making to society as a whole is clearly substantial.

You can find out more about BU’s research impact work here or by contacting the Knowledge Exchange and Impact Team.

£1 million call for research proposals – affordable space capability

Funding opportunities

 

 

 

 

 

Affordable Space Capability

MOD’s Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) are launching  this competition  to fund exploratory studies and demonstrations to develop concepts and technologies required for delivering a UK space-based military capability. A smaller number of successful projects will be taken forward for further development.

Areas of particular interest include:

  • technologies providing wide-area surveillance combined with ways of detecting small objects of interest
  • technologies providing very frequent or persistent coverage to observe short-lived events
  • methods for detecting concealed objects
  • technologies to provide secure communications using hand-held terminals from hard-to-reach locations
  • secure use of existing commercial space infrastructures

The MOD are also interested in reducing build and operating costs. Cost reduction should be achieved without reducing reliability or assurance of systems. Proposals are particularly welcome which investigate the use of:

  • novel platform technologies, including on-orbit propulsion and power systems, but excluding launch
  • novel payload technologies, including deployable structures

This competition will be briefed at the CDE Innovation Network event on Tuesday 18 November 2014 – registration will open around 6 weeks before the event.

Further details are available via the website.

 

 

 

Horizon 2020 – Innovate UK Webinars

Funding opportunities

The Knowledge Transfer Network invite you to H2020
Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever with nearly €80 billion of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020) – in addition to the private investment that this money will attract. It promises more breakthroughs, discoveries and world-firsts by taking great ideas from the lab to the market. The Knowledge Transfer Network in partnership with Innovate UK, is hosting a series of support workshops and events to assist business in accessing, partnering for, and understanding the opportunities presented by Horizon 2020. 
Webinars Announced…
15th Oct; H2020 Webinar: Energy Efficient Buildings Calls (EeB) 2015
 
21st Oct; H2020 Webinar: 2015 Calls for Proposals for Low Carbon Energy projects including renewable electricity, renewable heat, smart grids and energy storage
22nd Oct; H2020 Webinar: 2015 Calls for Proposals for Energy Efficiency projects
 23rd Oct; H2020 Webinar: 2015 Calls for Proposals for Smart Cities and Communities projects
 
20th-21st Nov, London; Pilot Live event: H2020 International Proposal Exercise on Built Environment Calls (EeB and EE)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Past Events 
European Funding for the Materials & Nanotechnology, Chemistry & Manufacturing Communities – Presentations available here.
Sustainable Value Chains – European funding for innovation in sustainable use and supply of resources – Presentations available here.
Get in Touch 
claire.claessen@ktn-uk.org

 
Support for a wide variety of business applying to H2020
The Knowledge Transfer Network events will provide support to a wide spectrum of businesses through a combination of information, networking, pitching, drop in surgeries & consortia building events.
Dates have been announced for a series of webinars covering Energy Efficient Buildings, Low Carbon Energy, Energy Efficiency and Smart Cities  & Communities. Details can be found below.Get involved

Which EU Internet of Things Large Scale Pilots? Consultation and Invitation for Commitment: This is your chance to influence what goes into the work programme – and show some willing, if you are so inclined. Participate here.
15th October; H2020 Webinar: Energy Efficient Buildings Calls (EeB) 2015
The webinar  will present the current Horizon 2020 Call for Proposals for Energy Efficient Buildings projects. The current Call for Proposals has a budget of 72M€ and includes topics on design tools for refurbishment of buildings, buildings design for new highly energy performing buildings and integrated approaches to retrofitting of residential buildings.
More >>
 21st October; H2020 Webinar: 2015 Calls for Proposals for Low Carbon Energy projects including renewable electricity, renewable heat, smart grids and energy storage
This webinar will highlight the forthcoming opportunities in Horizon 2020 Energy within the Low Carbon Energy Call topics. 
More >>
     
22nd October; H2020 Webinar: 2015 Calls for Proposals for Energy Efficiency projects
This webinar will highlight the forthcoming opportunities in Horizon 2020 Energy within the Energy Efficiency Call topics. 
More >>
     
23rd October; H2020 Webinar: 2015 Calls for Proposals for Smart Cities and Communities projects    
 
This webinar will highlight the forthcoming opportunities in Horizon 2020 Energy within the Smart Cities and Communities Call topics. 
 
More >>
     
20th-21st November, London; H2020 International Proposal Exercise on Built Environment Calls (EeB and EE)
 
The aim of this event is to facilitate the creation of potential consortia and smart proposals for 2015 around the EeB calls (Industrial Leadership) and the EE (societal challenge). The event is open only to 60 delegates with a max of 40 from UK and max of 20 from Europe. Please note that your registration is subject to approval by the Knowledge Transfer Network.
 

More >>
     

For even more information, please go to the KTN website and register on _connect, Innovate UK’s information portal, to receive personal updates relevant to you.

Free money! Free money! Fusion Investment Fund closes soon.

Funding opportunities, Fusion, R & KE Operations

Okay so it’s not exactly free….you will have to do something for it but what if I told you that you will be hailed within BU, and who knows, maybe the world, as a researcher/support staff member extraordinaire! Your peers will bow down in the corridors in your honour, you will be met with applause when you enter the atrium.*

I know what you’re thinking….’This sounds brilliant! Where can I find out more?’ Just point your mouse here, my friend, and all will be revealed.

Applications close at 12pm this Friday 17th October, so don’t delay!

 

*This may not actually happen.

 

Please direct all initial enquiries to the Fusion Investment Fund Co-ordinator, Sue Townrow, at Fusion Fund.

The Fusion Investment Fund is managed by Samantha Leahy-Harland.