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NIHR Global Health Research Academy 2025

international, PG research

The 2025 NIHR Global Health Research Academy Member event will take place on Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th May.  The NIHR recognizes that career progression is a common challenge for early-career researchers. This year the event’s theme is ‘Empowering Early-Career Researchers: Navigating Careers in Global Health’. This two-day online event aims to equip participants from across the globe with the skills and knowledge to navigate and build a career in global health research.

Bournemouth University staff and students participating in the NIHR Research and Innovation for Global Health Transformation Call 4: Drowning Prevention for newly mobile infants under 2 years in Bangladesh programme have been invited.  This NIHR-funded project is called Sonamoni and BU’s student Md. Shafkat Hossain, whose PhD assessed the work in Bangladesh, is one the participants, as is our colleague from Bangladesh Notan Dutta.  In the afternoon BU’s Edwin van Teijlingen who will be chairing a session on ‘Funding & Grant Writing’.

Sonamoni is being coordinated by Bournemouth University in collaboration with the Centre for Injury Prevention and Research (CIPRB) in Bangladesh as well as the University of the West of England, Bristol, the University of Southampton, Design Without Borders (DWB) in Uganda, and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). This project, with Prof. Dr. Aminur Rahman (at CIPRB) as Bangladesh lead,  includes the above mentioned BU-based PhD project.  The interdisciplinary team at Bournemouth University covers three faculties through: Dr. Mavis Bengtsson, Dr. Kyungjoo Cha, Dr. Mehdi Chowdhury, Dr. Yong Hun Lim, Mr. John Powell, and Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen.

Targeted workshops for REF 2029 impact case study teams

REF 2029 impact case studies

Limited places available – sign up now for May and June!

DATES & TIMES

Friday 30th May, 9.30am-1pm, F306, Fusion Building, Talbot Campus
Developing Policy Engagement for Impact BOOK HERE

Wednesday 11th June, 9.30am-1pm, online via Zoom
Developing Policy Engagement for Impact (same content) BOOK HERE

Thursday 26th June, 9.30am-12.30pm, FG04, Fusion Building, Talbot Campus
Getting your REF Impact Case Study off the Ground BOOK HERE

KEY DETAILS

Developing Policy Engagement for Impact
Facilitated by BU’s policy consultant Carys Davis, this provides expert advice on navigating the policy landscape to ensure your research reaches and informs decision makers. Topics covered:

  • The purpose of influencing, the role of evidence and what it means for you 
  • Writing elevator pitches and key messages 
  • Principles of communicating with policy and decision makers 
  • Effective policy writing 
  • Understanding the policymaking landscape. 

Getting your REF Impact Case Study off the Ground
Research impact consultant Bella Reichard delivers this workshop, which she describes as “part training, part retreat” to help provide clarity in developing a polished impact case study for REF 2029. This includes:

  • Creating a narrative arc
  • Guidance writing your own summary of impact
  • Devising an action plan
  • Focus on evaluation and evidence of impact.

Who are these workshops for?

  1. All sessions are aimed primarily at researchers considering, or in the process of, preparing an impact case study for submission to REF 2029.
  2. They are not limited to a single person per potential case study – it can be useful for teams and/or relevant impact champions to attend together.
  3. If you are not sure if they are suitable for you, please contact your UOA impact champion.

SERVED research project: Supporting Evidence-based Research for Veterans Experiencing Dementia

SERVED research project: Supporting Evidence-based Research for Veterans Experiencing Dementia

Dementia is a condition which is increasing amongst the general population, and furthermore, military veterans may experience increased exposure to risk factors for developing dementia, including military-related trauma, traumatic brain injury, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite growing dementia prevalence, significant barriers remain to accessing specialised care meeting veterans’ needs.

Findings from our initial research work last year highlighted struggles with navigating healthcare systems, specialised care and the importance of veteran-specific support. However, an even greater finding was the difficulty accessing veterans with dementia.
We are delighted to now continue this work, funded by Dementia Research UK, exploring potential barriers and enablers to seeking support for dementia or memory-related concerns in the veteran community.
The research will involve two different parts: an online survey and focus groups. Participation is open to all veterans who have previously served at least one day in the military. We would then like to co-create an short animation to demonstrate the feedback we have received and continue to raise awareness for the voices of veterans.
For more information or to find out how to take part in the research, please visit our project page: www.bournemouth.ac.uk/served
Sharing of this work with friends, colleagues or contacts who you think may be interested is warmly welcomed! Postcards and other imagery is available, please contact Becky Dew at rdew@bournemouth.ac.uk

Alzheimer’s Awareness Week – join us in BGB on Tuesday 20th May

Join us in learning more about Alzheimer’s and Dementia!

As part of Alzheimer’s Awareness Week, we are excited to invite you to our event on Tuesday 20th May at Bournemouth Gateway Building (BG115/116), hosted by the ADRC, including a variety of sessions open to public, staff and students all around dementia awareness and current research.
We will be holding various dementia-related sessions and talks between 11:00-14:00 open to all, including research on VR and dementia, working with the veteran community and the Time for Dementia programme.
Following this, we are delighted to host our Insight Dementia resource launch event at 15:00-16:30 (further information available via calendar invite). This resource has been designed as an educational tool for hospital staff and can be used alongside our Insight Dementia virtual reality film to maximise learning opportunities. We will also be demonstrating the Insight Dementia virtual reality film in this session, so we warmly welcome you to come and view via the VR headset for a fully immersive experience.
Please do feel free to share details of this event or forward to any relevant contacts you have and let us know if you are available to join us!
Date: Tuesday 20th May 2025
Time: 11-2pm and 15:00-16:30
Location: Bournemouth Gateway Building, Room BG115/116
This free event is open to staff and students to attend. If you are planning to attend the Insight Dementia session later in the afternoon, please book a free ticket on our Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1355078198369
For more information, please contact Becky Dew rdew@bournemouth.ac.uk

📣📣 Calling all Early Career Researchers (ECRs) at the postdoctoral level! 📣📣

Help us understand the precarious nature of fixed-term contracts.

The Action Research on Research Culture (ARRC) project at the University of Cambridge is conducting an online Discrete Choice Experiment to examine how postdocs and ECRs make career choices. The results from this survey will inform policy recommendations aimed at improving research careers.

With only 10-15 minutes of your time, you can contribute to the conversation about contract precarity in the academic sector and help the understanding of the situation among funders and universities. As a token of our appreciation, we will donate £2 to a charity of your choice for completion of our survey!

You can find the survey here:

https://redcap.link/ECR_job_pref

For further information about our project, please visit our website or email us at arrcproject@admin.cam.ac.uk.

CWLTH Research Seminar

PG research, student research

The next Centre for Wellbeing and Long-Term Health (CWLTH) Research Seminar will be at 13:30-14:30 on Wednesday 4th June in BG-108. Kelsie Fletcher (Lecturer in Nursing at the University of the Sunshine Coast and PhD student at BU) will be speaking about her doctoral research on ‘Becoming leaders of change: adaptive moral navigation and the challenges of international disaster management‘. Kelsie will be submitting her doctoral thesis later this year. Everyone is welcome to join us to learn more about Kelsie’s research.

For more information about the CWLTH please contact cwlth@bournemouth.ac.uk.

Nanocoatings to Bionanocomposites: Sustainable Solutions

innovation, international, Publishing, REF Subjects, Research themes

Coating Innovation for Tough Environments

At Bournemouth University, Professor Zulfiqar Khan and his team at the NanoCorr, Energy & Modelling (NCEM) research group have long been developing innovative nanocoating technologies. These ultra-thin coatings are designed to protect materials from damage caused by high temperatures, pressure, corrosion, and wear.

Their work is especially relevant to industries like energy, transport, and manufacturing—where equipment is pushed to the limit every day. By improving the durability and energy efficiency of such systems, these coatings can reduce costs and environmental impact.

A recent publication by the team, featured on PubMed Central (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9788522/), explores how carefully designed nanocomposite coatings can provide long-term protection while remaining environmentally responsible. The research highlights the team’s expertise in tribology (the science of wear and friction), materials science, and surface engineering.

A New Frontier: Fighting Superbugs with Nanoscience

This strong foundation in coatings and materials research has supported Professor Zulfiqar Khan and his team in addressing one of the biggest global health challenges of our time: antibiotic resistance.

In a separate study published on PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34771863/), the team introduced a novel copper oxide (CuO) bionanocomposite that shows powerful antibacterial properties. What makes this research stand out is its simple, green production method—using CuO nanoparticles derived from bitter melon (Momordica charantia), combined with natural egg yolk phospholipids and glycerol.

This eco-friendly approach avoids the need for toxic chemicals or expensive metals like silver. The result is a stable, affordable, and highly effective material that can kill drug-resistant bacteria, including E. coli and S. aureus, at very low doses (minimum inhibitory concentration of just 62.5 µg/mL).

Recognised on a Global Stage

The fact that this work is published on PubMed—a leading platform hosted by the US National Library of Medicine—shows the international relevance and scientific quality of the research. Only peer-reviewed studies of high standard are included on PubMed, meaning this work by Professor Zulfiqar Khan and his team has been recognised as a significant contribution to global health.

Their findings come at a time when antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it’s one of the top 10 public health risks facing humanity.

What’s Next?

This research opens the door to real-world applications—such as antimicrobial coatings for medical devices, tools for agriculture, or water purification systems. However, further work is needed to identify some of the unknown compounds in the material and to confirm long-term safety in living systems.

From Machines to Medicine

Whether protecting a turbine from corrosion or tackling bacteria that no longer respond to antibiotics, the work of Professor Zulfiqar Khan and his team combines advanced engineering with environmental and public health awareness. Their approach shows how expertise in nanocoatings and materials science can be applied to solve very different—but equally important—global challenges.

AI learning to read emotions from motion….

HEIF

This is Dr Roya Haratian participating in data collection to help develop AI which can read emotions from motion!

This is our Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) project HORSENSE VR. We are developing a game which enables participants to play with horses in a virtual environment to develop calmness and reduce anxiety.

We are working with external partners – our team is Dr Roya Haratian, Prof Fred Charles, Prof Ann Hemingway, Dr Xun He, Harriet Laurie MBE (The HorseCourse) Liucheng Guo (Tg0), Paul Brown.

Building Research Capacity: The key role of PhD students

BU Challenges, Knowledge Exchange, writing

Postgraduate students, especially PhD students dramatically expand a university’s research capacity. They contribute significantly to data collection, analysis, the day-to-day management of research projects, and publications that might otherwise be impossible to sustain. Postgraduate students are central to progressive research-active communities. PhD student also frequently serve as mentors to undergraduate researchers or Masters’ students, creating a cascade of learning that benefits all participants.

Beyond individual projects, postgraduate students help build research infrastructure through their contributions to lab management, protocol development, the exchange of innovative ideas, and so on. These contributions create lasting benefits to staff as well as higher education institutions.  Academic communities with PhD students often promote collaboration, provide emotional and intellectual support, and create spaces where ideas can be tested and analyses refined before wider dissemination.

This expanded capacity allows universities to pursue more ambitious research agendas and respond to complex challenges requiring multidisciplinary approaches. The postgraduate journey requires carefully planned mentorship, giving students increasing autonomy, and ownership of their scholarly contribution. This apprenticeship model has proven remarkably effective in preparing the next generation of academics for centuries.

 

This blog was created as part of the Professional Discourse in the Age of AI: an interactive writing workshop facilitated by Prof. Debbie Holley and Prof. Carol Clark in the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences at Bournemouth University.  Since last week’s workshop was on the topic, we have used the help of AI in the writing of this BU Research Blog!

 

Dr. Kathryn Collins, Prof. Vanora Hundley & Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

Bournemouth University eHealth paper cited 40 times!

open access, Publishing, writing

Yesterday, ResearchGate alerted us that the paper ‘Midwives’ views towards women using mHealth and eHealth to self-monitor their pregnancy: A systematic review of the literature’ [1] had reached 40 citations!  This paper has four Bournemouth University (BU) authors and one author, Prof. Gary Smith, who was FHSS Visiting Professor at the time of publication.  This literature review, published in 2020, sought midwives’ perspectives on women self-monitoring their pregnancy using eHealth and mHealth.

The paper fund that  midwives generally held ambivalent views towards the use of eHealth and mHealth technologies in antenatal care. They acknowledged the potential benefits of such technologies, such as their ability to modernise antenatal care and to help women make more informed decisions about their pregnancy. However, midwives were quick to point out the risks and limitations of these, such as the accuracy of conveyed information, and negative impacts on the patient-professional relationship.

This paper will contribute to our recently awarded NIHR funding to tackle inequalities in UK maternal healthcare as part of the NIHR Challenge Call: Maternity Disparities Consortium.  Profs Vanora Hundley and Edwin van Teijlingen from the Centre for Midwifery and Women’s Health, and Prof. Huseyin Dogan and Dr. Deniz Cetinkaya from the Department of Computing and Informatics collaborate in MIHERC (Maternal & Infant Health Equity Research Centre).   MIHERC is led by Prof. Hora Soltani at Sheffield Hallam University, and it is a partnership with Bournemouth University, the City of Doncaster Council and South Yorkshire Digital Health Hub as well as several charities and voluntary organisations.  Prof. Dogan has recently been appointed  the co-lead for the “Digital, data, monitoring, evaluation and implementation science” work stream of the NIHR Maternity Disparities consortium.

 

Reference:

  1. Vickery, M., van Teijlingen, E., Hundley, V., Smith, G. B., Way, S., Westwood, G. (2020). Midwives’ views towards women using mHealth and eHealth to self-monitor their pregnancy: A systematic review of the literature. European Journal of Midwifery, 4(Sept.), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.18332/ejm/126625

 

Nepal Family Cohort Study meeting in Bournemouth

international, writing

Prof. Om Kurmi who leads the Nepal Family Cohort Study (NeFCoS) joined the Bournemouth University (BU) team today for a research planning meeting in Bournemouth today.  Dr. Om Kurmi, Associate Professor Research in the Centre for Healthcare and Communities at Coventry University.  The BU team comprises Dr. Pramod Regmi (Principal Academic-International Health), Prof. Carol Clark (Professor in Physiotherapy), Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen (Professor of Reproductive Health), Dr. Rebecca Neal (Principal Lecturer in Exercise Physiology) and Dr. Vanora Hundley (Professor of Midwifery).

The Nepal Family Cohort Study (NeFCoS) is a multidisciplinary cohort study into the prevalence, incidence, and determinants of various diseases from childhood to adulthood in children and their parents [1].  NeFCoS has just started to collect date for the first round of follow-up.

Today’s meeting was organised by Dr. Neal and supported by BU’s QR funds.

 

Reference:
  1. Kurmi, O.P., Chaudhary, N., Delanerolle, G., Bolton, C.E., Pant, P.R., Regmi, P., Gautam, S., Satia, I., Simkhada, P., Kyrou, I., Sigdel, T.K., Hundley, V., Dali, P.R., Lokke, A., Hubert Lam, K.B., Bennett, D., Custovic, A., van Teijlingen, E., Gill, P. Randeva, H., O’Byrne, P.M., and Nepal Family Cohort Collaborators Group, Nepal Family Cohort Study: A Study Protocol, BMJ Open 14:e088896. doi:10.1136/ bmjopen-2024-088896

GSW Food Security Academic Summit

Knowledge Exchange, Knowledge Transfer

The Great South West launched its Food Security Position paper in Westminster late last year highlighting the significant contribution this region makes to the UK’s food supply. The launch event drew together policy makers from both the Commons and the Lords, leading industry and academia. The event highlighted the key food security challenges and the critical role that the South West region holds in securing our national food supply. Bournemouth University was represented by Professor Jeff Bray.

Universities across the Great South West region are researching different aspects of Food Security. To develop greater awareness of the region’s research interests and capabilities, an academic Food Security Summit is being convened in June. This event will bring the region’s universities together, showcase respective expertise and enable academic network building thereby stimulating greater collaboration. Themes to be discussed include agri-tech developments, localised supply chains, consumer decision making & economic approaches. A regional academic network will be developed and annual meetings established, reflecting the trajectory and importance of the topic.

This timely and much-needed initiative is led by Jeff Bray from BU and supported by colleagues from all Faculties. If you have a research interest in Food Security and would like to be included in these discussions, then please e-mail Jeff with a brief outline of your research focus by 15th May.

RKEDF May digest

Training

Book now for RKEDF training in May 2025 

Click on the titles to find further details and book your place 

Introduction to RED – The Research & Enterprise Database  

Wednesday 7th May 13:00-13:45 – online 

This session is aimed at all academics to provide an overview of the Research & Enterprise Database.  Including how to access the system, the information available to view, budget management via RED, and how to use RED to identify your supporting pre and post award officers. 

ECR Ethics – Clinical research governance 

Monday 19th May 11:00-12:00 – online 

The processes surrounding implementing clinical research in the NHS can often be quite daunting, however there is plenty of guidance and advice on offer to help guide you in this should you require.  This session will develop your understanding of the governance requirements when carrying out clinical research and help you explore the first steps in seeking approval. 

ECR Ethics: Values, standards and BU process – Q&A 

Monday 19th May 12:00-13:00 – online 

Ethical implications arising from your research design, methodology, conduct, dissemination, archiving, future use and sharing of data produced should all be considered at the before and throughout your research. Careful reflection and planning in relation to research ethics should not only benefit participants but enhance the quality of your research.  This Q&A allows you to discuss your ethical considerations with research ethics panel members to further your insights into this important area of being a researcher. 

Developing Policy Engagement for Impact 

Friday 30th May – 09:30-13:00 – in person 

Are you preparing an impact case study for REF 2029? Do you need expert advice on navigating the policy landscape to ensure your research reaches decision makers? If so, this workshop is perfect for you.   Carys Davis, a public affairs and policy consultant from The Other Place Public Affairs Ltd., will lead this workshop. RDS’s Impact Team will be present to offer support and guidance.  This workshop is primarily aimed at researchers working on impact case studies for REF 2029, who will be given priority for registration. If you’re unsure whether this is suitable for you, please consult your UOA impact champion   

Horizon Europe 2025

The European Commission has announced Horizon Europe 2025 Information Days to help applicants prepare proposals for Horizon Europe 2025 calls. Most events are scheduled to take place in May 2025. Please see further details on the BU Research Blog: BU Research Blog | Horizon Europe info days 2025 | Bournemouth University (the blog post has been recently updated) 

 Epigeum Research Skills Toolkit 

Do you want to refresh your researcher skills? Have a look at the Epigeum Research Skills Toolkit (on demand online modules).  Further information on how to access Epigeum courses can be found here.

Links for further RKE information and support are below: 

RKE SharePoint page: RKE – Home 

RKEDF SharePoint for development opportunities: Research and Knowledge Exchange Development Framework RKEDF – Home 

RKEDF Brightspace: Homepage – Research & Knowledge Exchange Development Framework  

Please help us in avoiding any waste of resources; make sure you can attend or cancel your booking prior to the session. For any further information, please contact RKEDF@bournemouth.ac.uk