BU Research Blog

17 October 2016

The social sciences at BU

BU Challenges, Fusion Investment Fund, Knowledge Exchange, Public engagement, Student Engagement brichards

Earlier this year a Fusion-funded series of public events at BU was organised by Professors Ann Brooks (FHSS), Candida Yates (FMC) and Barry Richards (FMC). For these ‘Dialogues in the Social Sciences’, leading social scientists were invited to speak at BU, along with other figures from outside and inside academia, on topics of current concern. The aim was to offer to BU students and staff, and to members of the local public, opportunities to hear and take part in authoritative and informed discussion of social and political issues.

The first was entitled ‘Increasing inequality? Widening opportunity? Debating higher education reform’ Two leading educationists from the University of London Institute of Education discussed the Higher Education Green Paper. Professor Sir Peter Scott (former editor of THE, and former V-C of Kingston University) and Professor Ann Phoenix, eminent psychosocial researcher, outlined their analysis of the prospects for the sector. BU’s Dr. Mastoureh Fathi (FHSS) and Ellie Mayo-Ward (SUBU V-P) were respondents. Chaired by Professor Iain MacRury of FMC, this event explored some of the risks to the sector in the current proposals.

In the second event (‘Our scandalised society’), criminologist Professor Chris Greer (City University) and Lord Blair (Sir Ian Blair, former Commissioner of the Met) discussed key issues regarding how the British state is responding to scandal proliferation, the implications of scandal for crime control and institutional regulation in the digital age, and the risk of scapegoating as a substitute for understanding and solving, particularly in a 24/7 news environment. Professor Ann Brooks was in the chair for an intriguing examination of the roles of both media and police in this complex intersection of social changes.

Professor Matthew Feldman of Teesside University is an expert on the Far Right; he was joined for the third and final event by Emman el-Badawy of the University of Exeter and the Centre on Religion and Geopolitics, and Dr Usama Hasan of the counter-radicalisation organisation the Quilliam Foundation, both experts on violent jihadism. Under the title of ‘Radicalisation: what is it and what threat does it pose?’, Professor Barry Richards chaired a wide-ranging discussion which both put the current threat of Islamist terror in broader historical contexts and looked closely at some of the debates around the Prevent counter-terrorism programme.

Each one of these events demonstrated that with excellent speakers and a thoughtful audience, a good discussion is guaranteed. All of them involved both students and members of the public, though the challenge of drawing in large numbers for early evening extra-curricular events was also in evidence. As well as their value to participants, these events flagged up internally and externally that BU has a growing base of social-scientific expertise, networked with internationally leading experts and pursuing a clear public engagement mission.

27 September 2016

Last reminder for this Thursday 29th Sept ‘Coping with the new EU Landscape Workshop’

BU Challenges, international Dianne Goodman

Our informative “Coping with the new EU Landscape” 2 workshops will be taking place this Thursday the 29th of September in the Octagon on Talbot Campus at:

10am – 11am (a few spaces available) and then a repeat of the session at 2pm – 3pm.

These introductory sessions will present, the now fairly stable, situation between the UK and the European Commission in respect of H2020; outlining the political and legal positions.

The key message is business as normal but there are many practical aspects that need to be taken into consideration. These will be explained together with strategies and tactics to optimise the bid approach; and even be advantageous in the short/medium term.

Martin Pickard, as WRG Europe Ltd, has had, along with many others, direct input at very senior level into the respective task forces and UK/Commission discussions and negotiations; enabling central insights into the requirements and opportunities to be successful.

There is still time, however don’t delay…. please email Dianne Goodman at dgoodman@bournemouth.ac.uk asap to book into one of these workshops.

20 September 2016

BU at ATLAS annual conference

BU Challenges, conferences lmarques

BU had a strong presence at the ATLAS (Association for Tourism and Leisure Education and Research) annual conference which took place in the historic town of Canterbury, between 13-16 September, on “Tourism, Lifestyles and Locations”.

BU has been a member of the ATLAS network for many years and Dr Lenia Marques was one of the founders of the Special Interest Group on Events back in 2010. The group is very active and has several ongoing projects and collaborations amongst its members.

Several BU academics presented and discussed their research in Canterbury. Dr Hanaa Osman and Dr Lorraine Brown presented a piece of research which touches upon the status of women in tourism and which provoked debate on intercultural issues. Dr Anya Chapman presented her work on piers, which are so important for UK coastal destinations, such as Bournemouth. Dr Jaeyeon Choe presented her research on tourism and quality of life in Macao and we should congratulate her on her first attendance as the ATLAS Asia representative on the board.

Dr Lenia Marques presented her research on events and communities and practice among expats in a panel organised together with the Department of Events and Leisure and the Department of Tourism and Hospitality dedicated to “Lifestyle and communities: sharing in the digital era”. The panel, put together by Dr. Lenia Marques, Juliette Hecquet and Prof. Dimitrios Buhalis, aimed at discussing new trends in the fields of leisure and tourism connected to lifestyle and the sharing economy.

Overall, the discussions at the conference were animated and friendly, raising some of the big issues of our time. Collaborations, projects and further developments will surely continue in the run-up to the next ATLAS annual conference to be held in Viana do Castelo, Portugal (12-16 September 2017) under the theme “Destinations past, present and future”.

14 September 2016

NERC: New public engagement funding call

BU Challenges, Funding opportunities, Knowledge Exchange, Public engagement Genna West

Engaging the UK public with the big issues of environmental science

NERC is inviting proposals under the Planet Earth Pilot programme for public engagement projects costing up to £20k that must be delivered between January and end of March 2017.

This call initiates delivery of NERC’s public engagement strategy through:

engaging members of the UK public with relevant contemporary issues of environmental science through delivery of environmental science public engagement activity
building public engagement capacity in the environmental science research community and providing opportunities for early career researchers and PhD students to develop skills, practice and embed public engagement in their research careers
building partnerships between researchers and publics or public-facing groups, and between research organisations.

Projects will focus on broad, contemporary issues of environmental science, not specific research projects or grants.

An additional budget is available to provide matched funding up to the total value of the proposal (an additional maximum £20k) to provide training and support for the involvement of early-career researchers and PhD students in public engagement projects.

Further details of this call can be found in the Announcement of Opportunity on the NERC website.

The closing date for proposals is 16:00 on 3 November 2016.

RKEO’s Genna West (Engagement and Impact Facilitator) will be attending the information event on Thursday 22 September – please contact her for further details. The aims of the event are to:

introduce the call and give the opportunity to ask the NERC team questions
showcase examples and experiences to spark ideas
provide a forum for networking and forming collaborations.

If you’d like to discuss ideas for an event or need inspiration please contact Genna or Naomi Kay (Public Engagement Officer).

And, as always, please inform the RKEO Funding Development Team as soon as possible if you are interested in this call, so that they can support your bid.

8 September 2016

Save the Date: 19/10/16 – Global Challenges Sandpit

BU Challenges, Funding opportunities emilner

On Wednesday, 19th October 2016, BU’s Global Engagement team (as part of the new Research Knowledge Exchange Development Framework) will be facilitating a Sandpit event on Global Challenges, attended by staff from the DFID and other organisations.

Which means…?

We’re seeking to come up with novel research that could for part of the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitment.

So, who should attend?

We want anyone who thinks they might have something to contribute, and who is available all day on Wednesday 19th October to come along. We will also be inviting relevant external attendees to contribute to the day.

What do I need to prepare in advance? What will the sandpit entail?

Absolutely nothing in advance. During the sandpit, you’ll be guided through a process which results in the development of research ideas. The process facilitates creativity, potentially leading to innovative and interdisciplinary research ideas. These ideas will be explored with other attendees, and further developed based on the feedback received.

What if I don’t have time to think about ideas in advance?

You don’t need to do this. Some inspiring speakers with a range of backgrounds will be coming along to give you ideas…

What about afterwards? Do I need to go away and do loads of work?

Well… that depends! The sandpit will result in some novel research ideas. Some of these may be progressed immediately; others might need more time to think about. You may find common ground with other attendees which you choose to take forward in other ways, such as writing a paper or applying for research funding.

What if my topic area is really specific, such as health?

Your contribution will be very welcome! One of the main benefits of a sandpit event is to bring together individuals with a range of backgrounds and specialisms who are able to see things just that bit differently to one another.

So, is this just networking?

Definitely not! It is a facilitated session with the primary intention of developing innovative research ideas, which also enables the development of networks. It gives you the opportunity to explore research ideas which you may develop over time, together with the chance to find common ground with academics from across BU and beyond.

So, how do I book onto this event?

To take part in this exciting opportunity, all participants should complete the Global Challenges Sandpit Application Form and return this to Dianne Goodman by Friday, 30th September. Places are strictly limited and you will be be contacted to confirm a place place on the sandpit with arrangements nearer the time. The event will be held in Bournemouth.

By applying, you agree to attend for the full duration of the event on 19th October (c. 9:30 – 16:30).

If you have any queries prior to submitting your application, please contact Ehren Milner, RKEO Research Facilitator.

6 July 2016

BREXIT Bombshells at BU: WAN’s emergency Open Meeting

BU Challenges, Women's Academic Network Sara Ashencaen Crabtree

1467635819-e06d061a77a7bde916b8a91163029d41-1038x576 As we know Nigel Farage, the now internationally infamous politician who led the UKIP juggernaut for Brexit is keen to see an ‘Independence Day from the EU’ established in the British calendar once (or if) the button on Article 50 is pushed.

Aptly, if entirely coincidentally, the Women’s Academic Network held an Open To All EGM on the 4^th July (Independence Day in the US, as we know) to invite all academic colleagues, female and male, Faculty staff and PGRs, to an emergency meeting to discuss the many serious concerns that have been raised within in our network as well as heard right across BU since the EU Referendum results.

We were pleased to see that despite the short notice invitations were accepted by a number of colleagues from the Faculties, including UCU representatives together with the current SUBU President, Chloe Schendel-Wilson, PGRs, Nathalie Sherring from Dorset Race Equality Council, James Palfreman-Kaye from the BU DDESG – and of course as ever, some of our regular WAN members, who were among the very first at BU to speak out publicly on this hugely challenging issue.

This was an emotionally charged meeting where much anger, anxiety, sorrow and even fear were expressed. We were sobered to hear of the details of racism and xenophobia experienced at BU, as well as beyond the institutional walls. We heard, for example, how MUSE has become a conduit for anonymous abuse where staff have been personally attacked for their accents, identity, and personal appearance, which has been deeply disturbing and demoralising.

Genuine worry was raised by international colleagues about the security of their jobs at BU given Brexit and the political uncertainty relating to EU migrants. Connected to this other concerns voiced were whether this would also affect BU staff progression and pay promotion if the institution regarded EU academics, for example, as consequently less worthy of investing in.

Other comments were that the current, extremely turbulent and worrying political climate will be decidedly off-putting to both international and home students – particularly given the dominance of the Leave vote regionally and neo-fascist views being expressed with apparent impunity.

Among many comments made and ideas offered there was unanimous support for BU to take an immediate lead in sending out much more robust and more visible messages that are clearly supportive of its ethnically, nationally and religiously diverse staff and student body – and making it unambiguously clear that prejudice will be tackled by the University as absolutely unacceptable.

Discussants also felt that it was important for BU to build a coalition of support involving other high profile stakeholders to show that racist and xenophobic persecution will not be tolerated in this region. Such a coalition could and should incorporate the executive body of Bournemouth Council, the Police Commissioner and Dorset Police, MPs such as Conor Burns, Mayoral representatives, local charities, support groups and other prominent institutions and bodies.

To this end, better alignment between BU and SUBU with the European Association of students is needed to show that students from the EU are very welcome here.

Whatever happens next in this extraordinary socio-political time of turmoil and fragmentation, those of us who attended the meeting sincerely hope that BU is seen to remain a European university in a pan-European context by the international community.

So what next? There were many other excellent points raised in the meeting and we have already begun the process of feeding back the outcomes of the meeting to ULT and HR for their consideration and response. However, if you are personally interested in getting involved in some way on this issue feel free to contact us and we may be able to assist or direct you to others who can.

Finally, many thanks to everyone who congratulated WAN on opening this Pandora’s Box of a topic and offered safety, warmth, inclusivity and respect to our participants in WAN and beyond in discussing these dark post-Brexit Blues.

Sara Ashencaen Crabtree & Natasha Tobin

WAN Co-convenors

8 June 2016

Research*eu: results magazine – always relevant to BU!

BU Challenges, international Emily Cieciura

In the May issue of research*eu, there is plenty of interest to researchers at Bournemouth University:

Special feature:

‘Fish or seafood: feeding humanity while maintaining nature’s balance’

Interviews:

Dr Prof. Alfonso Perez-Rodriguez of the Institute of Marine Research in Norway on ‘A multispecies approach to fish management in the Flemish Cap’
David Villegas Rios of the Institute of Marine Research in Norway on ‘How fisheries impact behavioural evolution in Atlantic cod’
Ferenc Lévai of Aranyponty Zrt in Hungary on ‘Sustainable, faster and more productive aquaculture of catfish’
Dr Tore Kristiansen of the Institute of Marine Research in Norway on ‘Novel methods to evaluate fish response to stress’

Other highlights:

Novel methods to evaluate fish response to stress
STEM resources repository helps improve teaching across Europe
Nature inspired ‘glue’ to fix broken bones
Flexible, cost-effective and efficient LED lighting panels and solar cells
Innovative model for understanding risk trading and global markets
Immigrant populations in focus
Newly published findings show species-diverse forests bring greater ecological benefits
Major scientific breakthrough with the creation of the first biological supercomputer
Enhanced crypography means more secure data
Novel packaging products for a circular economy
Extensive exploration of personalised nutrition as a way to better health

Why not check out this issue, and previous magazines, for projects related to your research interests and who, in your field, is leading the field with European Commission funding. You never know, you might find your next grant partner here.

The next issue will focus on the path to life beyond earth – ensure that you see our next update by signing up to your own BU Research blog alerts.

If you have completed or are close to completing EU-funded project, you could be appearing in a future issue of this magazine – check out how to do this on the back page of the current magazine or contact your Project Delivery Officer.

If you are looking for partners or would like to offer your expertise on a bid, add your profile to CORDIS and to Piirus.

For assistance with your EU and International funding, contact Emily Cieciura, RKEO Research Facilitator: EU & International or your Faculty’s Funding Development Officer.

17 May 2016

Smart Cities Sandpit – One week to go!

BU Challenges, Funding opportunities, Research themes, Training Emily Cieciura

creativity road sign There are still a few places remaining at the RKEO Smart Cities Sandpit on Tuesday, 24 May 2016.

We have a fast-moving and interactive day planned for attendees. Amongst others, we will be joined by Dr Adorkor Bruce-Konuah from Oxford Brooks’ Low Carbon Building Group, who will talk about ERIC – a smart energy system project in Oxford.

So, how do I book onto this event?

To take part in this exciting opportunity, BU staff should complete the Smart-Cities-Sandpit-Application-Form and return this to Dianne Goodman by Thursday, 19th May (extended)

By applying, you agree to attend for the full duration of the event on 24th May (c. 9:30 – 16:30). This event will be held in BU’s Executive Business Centre (EBC).

If you have any queries prior to submitting your application, please contact Emily Cieciura, RKEO Research Facilitator: EU & International.

28 April 2016

24/5/16 – Smart Cities Sandpit

BU Challenges, Funding opportunities, Research themes, Training Emily Cieciura

Just a quick reminder before the long weekend, to sign up for the forthcoming Smart Cities sandpit on Tuesday, 24th May 2016.

To take part in this exciting opportunity, BU staff should complete the Smart-Cities-Sandpit-Application-Form and return this to Dianne Goodman by Tuesday, 17th May (extended to allow for those taking leave around the Bank Holiday). Places are strictly limited.

By applying, you agree to attend for the full duration of the event on 24th May (c. 9:30 – 16:30). This event will be held in BU’s Executive Business Centre (EBC).

If you are one of our external blog subscribers and you are interested in attending or if BU staff have any queries prior to submitting your application, please contact Emily Cieciura, RKEO Research Facilitator: EU & International.

This event is especially pertinent given this announcement from the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership:

£23.3 million will be invested into four major transport schemes to improve access into and around the Port of Poole and help boost economic growth in the area. The funds have been secured by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership as part of the Dorset Growth Deal.

The four schemes will be delivered by the Borough of Poole and include:

A £4.3 million investment into the A349 (the main link road into the Port of Poole and the town centre from the A31) at Gravel Hill:
- Stabilising and strengthening embankments
- Increasing capacity for motor vehicles at the Queen Anne Drive junction
- Improving facilities for pedestrians and cyclists
£2 million junction, pedestrian and cyclist improvements at Darby’s Corner and Dunyeats junction.

New ‘approach spans’ for Poole Bridge i.e. the parts of the bridge that carry traffic from the land to the main section of the bridge (the green copper towers). This £4.2 million superstructure replacement will ensure the bridge continues to offer a vital route into the port:
- Carriageway widened to 6.5 metres
- Conversion of footpath into a 2.5-metre-wide shared footway/cycleway
- Extension of shared footway/cycleway along the lifting spans

£13 million worth of major access improvements to the Port of Poole on the town side of the Backwater Channel and new development sites. Improvement to a number of key junctions including redevelopment of Hunger Hill.

What will these improvements achieve?

These major transport infrastructure projects will improve access into and around the Port of Poole, unlock regeneration sites, create more highly skilled jobs, improve housing and drive local economic growth.

When will work start?

The current work schedule start dates are as follows:

Dunyeats junction – May 2016
Darby’s Corner – 2018
Gravel Hill – July 2016
New approach spans for Poole Bridge – September2016
Townside access improvements – 2017/2018.

What are ‘Growth Deals’?

Growth Deals provide funds to local enterprise partnerships for projects that benefit the local area and economy. A total of £79 million for Dorset has already been successfully bid for by Dorset LEP through the Dorset Growth Deal, which aims to bring together local, national and private sector funding to unlock and unblock key housing and employment sites, create more highly skilled jobs and support economic growth.

£23,310,000 has been allocated to fund transport infrastructure improvements into and around the Port of Poole. This figure includes both Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership’s growth deal funding (90%) and a local contribution from the Borough of Poole (10%).

For more information

For more details about the Port of Poole growth deal visit www.poole.gov.uk/dorsetgrowthdeal

“This multi-million-pound investment into the Port of Poole’s transport infrastructure will not only safeguard important road and bridge routes but will also unlock economic growth into the region.”

Gordon Page, Chairman, Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership

18 April 2016

Save the Date: 24/5/16 – Smart Cities Sandpit

BU Challenges, Funding opportunities, Research themes, Training Emily Cieciura

On Tuesday, 24th May 2016, BU’s Research and Knowledge Exchange Office (RKEO) will be hosting a Sandpit event on Smart Cities, supported and attended by staff from the Borough of Poole and other organisations.

Which means…?

We’re seeking to come up with novel research which addresses how we link and upgrade infrastructures, technologies and services in key urban sectors (transport, buildings, energy, ICT) in a smart way which will improve quality of life, competitiveness and sustainability of our cities and their transformational impact on aspects of community life, cultural experiences, future society and the economy.

So, who should attend?

The sandpit is open to everyone, and we do mean all BU staff and PGRs. It doesn’t matter whether you have a research track record or not. We want anyone who thinks they might have something to contribute (and even those who think they don’t), and who is available all day on Tuesday 24th May to come along. We will also be inviting relevant external attendees to contribute to the day.