Latest research and knowledge exchange news at Bournemouth University
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, 12th 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.
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 10th and 12th November. This is the UK’s 9th 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:
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
The newly renamed ‘Consumer Research Group’ (formally known as CR@B (Consumer Research @ Bournemouth) … but now rebranded!) held its second meeting last week which again brought together consumer researchers from a wide range of disciplines across the University for lively discussions around the opportunities for cross-disciplinary research (over coffee and mince pies!). The aim of the meeting was to begin to identify themes around which groups or clusters of consumer researchers could discuss potential collaborations and plan activities for the future. From the meeting seven themes were initially proposed (see diagram above), and whilst these may initially remain fluid, they offer great opportunity for further discussion. A notable outcome from this meeting was the variety of consumer research areas being explored at BU, and the number of potential linkages that could be made between different groups, across and between these themes, to develop an even stronger research profile for the CRG.
The next meeting for the ‘Consumer Research Group’ will be 2-4pm on Wednesday 28th January in PG19. Professor John Fletcher – Pro Vice Chancellor – Research and Innovation – will open the meeting.
Anyone who is doing consumer research of any description is welcome to join and contribute to the discussions – and as before there will be coffee and cake to help our consumer thinking along.
If you would like to come along please email any of the other contacts below so that we can get a feel for numbers. If you are unable to make this meeting but are interested in being involved please email us to let us know and we will keep you informed about future events.
Jeff Bray (Tourism; jbray@bournemouth.ac.uk)
Juliet Memery (Business School; jmemery@bournemouth.ac.uk)
Janice Denegri-Knott (Media School; JDKnott@bournemouth.ac.uk)
Siné McDougall (SciTech; smcdougall@bournemouth.ac.uk)
The concept of the green economy has entered mainstream policy debates and been endorsed by the United Nations, other international institutions and forums, such as the G-20. The Rio+20 UN summit specifically draw attention to the green economy approach in the context of sustainable development. The role of tourism sector will continue to be crucial in the post-2015 sustainable development agenda. However, there are ambiguities about how tourism and allied industries can maximize their contribution to human well-being and ensure environmentally sustainability, embracing issues of political economy, geography and business ethics.
In this context, the forthcoming book “Tourism in the Green Economy” (Routledge, 2015) edited in line with BU research themes has been received externally as one of the many examples of our fusion agenda enriching the world. The book received valuable endorsements from key international organisations advancing sustainable development policy and actions worldwide.
“Building on the outcome of Rio+20, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, through its Division for Sustainable Development, has been working closely with the UN system, in particular, the World Tourism Organization and United Nations Environment Programme to advance sustainable tourism in the context of sustainable development and more specifically in national planning processes. In this regard, initiatives by the academic world to help policy makers and practitioners develop a better understanding of the dynamic and concrete linkages between tourism and sustainable development are therefore of great importance. This publication addresses the potential role that tourism could play towards a green economy. It also provides good practices, policy orientations as well as implications for future research in this area. The publication is therefore a timely and important input for tourism and sustainability stakeholders.” – Nikhil Seth, Director, Division for Sustainable Development, United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations Secretariat.
“This publication offers an objective assessment of the challenges faced by green economy and their application to the tourism sector, as well as opportunities for promoting a global and local sustainable tourism through resource efficiency, green jobs and sustainable consumption and production patterns. Tourism stakeholders will find inspiration in this book, from its multiple case studies, in defining and promoting methods and tools for implementing sustainable tourism while valuing local resources and educating the tourist community.” – Dr Arab Hoballah, Chief of the Sustainable Consumption and Production Branch, UNEP.
“We welcome this publication which covers the topic of tourism and in particular the aspect of sustainable tourism with the aim of providing useful insights on how tourism could adapt to green economy, and how to make tourism more sustainable” – Francesca Tudini, Head of Tourism Policy Unit, European Commission.
“This publication brings new insights into the need to green the rapidly-growing tourism industry. The case studies show the challenges and opportunities common to both developed and developing countries, echoing UNESCO’s efforts to build inclusive green societies and sustainable tourism through Biosphere Reserves, World Heritage (including marine) sites, and Geoparks.” – Dr Wendy Watson-Wright, Executive Secretary, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission; and Assistant Director General a.i., Natural Sciences, UNESCO.
The book provides consensus about what the green economy entails, the important role tourism can play in a green economy, responsible business practices from many countries, on-going and emerging research initiatives that will enable tourism’s transition to a green economy. For more details and full list of chapters, please visit: http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415709217/
Being new to the academic world I had naively thought that the only way to disseminate research findings was though conferences and publishing papers. However, my eyes were opened when I attended a production by the Theatrescience Company in October. A play was used as one of the means of sharing research findings of a study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.
Using a range of qualitative methods the research investigated people’s experiences of being physically active in older age. It was seeking to understand ‘what works’ from a group of older adults who were engaging in regular physical activity.
So on a mild autumn evening about 60 people filed into a room at the Knowledge Spa at Treliske Hospital, Cornwall (the home of the University of Exeter Medical School’s European Centre for Environmental and Human Health). After a brief introduction we were treated to a one-off performance of verbatim script of excerpts of those interviewed. It provoked a range of emotions from laugh out loud funny to tear-jerking sadness. The depth of insight was immense and reminded me once again why I am enjoying my new career as a social scientist. Interestingly, my sister (a local doctor in Cornwall) came away with a slightly different perspective. Whilst she found it interesting, she felt it hadn’t equipped her any more in helping her work with patients to see them become more active.
The on-going challenge continues to see how we take these findings and turn them into practical strategies which really work. We also need to consider how we can use different forms of representations (blogs, journal articles, theatre, lay summary documents etc.) so that the reach of our research can be as wide as possible.
What will I take away from this event?
I learnt two things from this production: Firstly, that I need to think bigger when wanting to share my research findings and secondly, remaining physically active as we age is so much more than trying to get people to achieve their 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity per week. Being active is part of our life journey and will fluctuate depending upon seasons in our lives. There is also a lot more research which needs to be done to help us understand physical activity across the life course!
Please see this link below for more of the project details: http://www.ecehh.org/research-projects/moving-stories/
Dr Cassandra Phoenix who led the research, is currently primary investigator for the ESRC Seminar Series ‘More of the same is not enough: New directions for research on ageing and physical activity’. Seminars are being held around the country until 2017. For further information see: http://seminars.ecehh.org
SUREBU is a Fusion funded project aimed at showcasing the best of BU’s undergraduate research. Research is broadly defined and could include work towards an undergraduate essay or dissertation, work carried out as part of a volunteer or work placement, or activities for an academic society. Not only are research skills a central part of undergraduate study and academic life, but they are also vital skills for any future career. By encouraging undergraduate students to think critically and develop their skills, research will help to enhance their student experience and increase their employability upon graduation.
The call for submissions is now open, and all BU undergraduate students – from all schools and courses – are eligible to apply. Examples of research could be anything from preparing for a dissertation or an essay to work carried out during a placement year to volunteering or work with academic societies. The main criteria is that evidence of the student’s own critical thinking can be demonstrated. As well as developing new skills, this is a good opportunity to enhance their CVs through a conference presentation, publication of abstract or even being the winner of awards and prizes.
To get involved, register on SUREBU’s website and submit an abstract. Abstracts should be a maximum of 300 words, with a title no longer than 150 characters. The deadline for submission is 5th January 2015. If you know of a student or recent graduate who would be eligible to submit, do encourage them to apply!
Research by staff from BU’s Clinical Research Unit (BUCRU) and Poole Hospital has been chosen by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) as a case study to illustrate the benefits of patient and public involvement in NIHR trials.
The trial looking at pain relief in labour, compared diamorphine and pethidine and found that on average diamorphine can prolong labour by nearly 1.5 hours but provides slightly better pain relief than pethidine particularly in the first hour after administration.
You can read the case study here and access the full article here.
A new journal dedicated to patient and public engagement in research is being launched next year.
Research Involvement and Engagement is an interdisciplinary, health and social care journal focussing on patient and wider involvement and engagement in research, at all stages. The journal is co-produced by all key stakeholders, including patients, academics, policy makers and service users.
The journal is now accepting submissions. For further information visit http://www.researchinvolvement.com/.
Here’s the new CEMP research bulletin – several projects underway and some new opportunities included.
Usual terms apply, contact Julian or Richard in CEMP or the CEMP Fellow in your group or CEL to chat about anything here.
The third book in Professor Tom Watson’s edited world history of public relations series, Middle Eastern and African Perspectives on the Development of Public Relations: Other Voices, has arrived.
Ten chapters from Turkey to South Africa and the Arab Gulf to Nigeria are covered by 14 authors.
The next book in the series, Latin American and Caribbean Perspectives, is due for online publishing by Palgrave Macmillan in its Pivot series next week. The hard copy will follow in 3-4 weeks’ time.
And the manuscript on Western European Perspectives will be submitted next week, too.
Busy times for PR history scholarship and publishing!
Now available for December, the Digital Business Briefing is compiled by the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) in partnership with Innovate UK, Catapults, Tech City, Nesta, and Horizon2020. The briefing highlights funding, support, events and training relevant to those working in the digital industries.
Sign up to receive regular updates “Join the creative industries community”
The Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Local Authorities, supported by the Public Health team, are very keen to build on the success of the 2012 Olympics in Dorset and have developed a legacy fund to provide a significant resource for investment in innovative and evidence based local projects in Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole.
The aim of the legacy fund is to create a legacy and inspire communities by investing in projects that focus on the particularly vulnerable, marginalised and deprived communities in order to address health inequalities which exist in Dorset.
Projects will:
For more information click here.
(BUDI were successful in round 1 with 2 projects awarded through this fund – Bournemouth Symphony Orchestera and Dorset Fire & Rescue Service. Click here for funded awards to date project reference 36 & 43 – PDF at the bottom of the page.)
The Bournemouth University and Poole Hospital research team who developed a medical device to make epidurals safer and more effective, were celebrating being shortlisted for the THE Awards 2014 in London last night.
The project was nominated for Outstanding ICT initiative of the Year and – although pipped to the post by the Open University – being shortlisted for an award of this calibre is an incredible achievement and honour.
BU’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation Professor John Fletcher was at the ceremony. He said: “Congratulations to the NHS-BU team for being shortlisted. We were very worthy contestants. I felt privileged and proud to share the evening with such a successful team.”
The clinical project was initially proposed by the senior consultant anesthetist at Poole Hospital, Professor Mike Wee. The device was developed by Dr Neil Vaughan for his PhD, supervised by Professor Wee and Dr Venky Dubey. Dr Richard Isaacs – now at Southampton General Hospital – was also part of the research team. All four, pictured here, were at the awards ceremony, along with colleagues from across the university who have supported this innovative and important project.
Comedian Jack Dee hosted proceedings, sharing his unique and entertaining take on the Higher Education sector!
A full list of categories and winners can be viewed on the THE website. The event organisers also took over £9000 in donations for the Institute of International Education’s ‘Scholar Rescue Fund’; a charity that has led global efforts to rescue threatened scholars and students.
Congratulations to all nominees and winners and thank you to THE for such organising such a fabulous evening!
Image: (Top left clockwise) Dr Venky Dubey, Dr Neil Vaughan, Dr Richard Isaacs, Professor Mike Wee.
Position: 2 full-time freelance contracts available for 3 months each
Day rate: £100 plus travel expenses
Location: Dorset
Silicon South is working on behalf of the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership to develop a strategy for boosting the digital creative economy in Dorset. Silicon South has committed to undertake a series of research and feasibility studies which together will inform a full-scale investment strategy setting out how this growth can be achieved.
Silicon South is looking for two freelance full-time researchers to assist in the development of the strategy by undertaking research and analysis on a range of projects related to the creative and digital sector. Working to the Director of Silicon South, you will undertake a combination of primary and secondary data analysis and research on a variety of topics relevant to Silicon South’s strategy.
Informal enquires about the post are welcomed. Please contact Anthony Story on 07702 103872.
Please send a CV and covering letter detailing your experience to: paul.webster@siliconsouth.org.uk
Closing date: Noon, 8 December 2014.
Click here for more information including application details.
The use of video within social media (such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter) is providing researchers with novel ways of disseminating the findings of research. This is inspiring researchers to think outside of traditional academic approaches, and enabling research to extend to new and wide-ranging audiences. This paper focuses on the Living Well with Dementia project, which was designed to utilise video to raise awareness and challenge gaps in perceptions and understanding of dementia. The project involved filming and disseminating a video featuring people with dementia and carers talking about what it means to live well with dementia. Obtaining the views of people with dementia and carers was considered crucial in terms of portraying the real-life experiences of living with dementia, and enabling these often marginalised voices to be heard. Participants were asked ‘what is your experience of living with dementia?’ and in their responses drew upon diagnosis, treatment, lifestyle, social activities and family relationships. The finished video was disseminated through YouTube. After viewing the video, members of the public were invited to complete a short survey to establish whether watching the video challenged their understanding of dementia. This paper showcases the Living Well with Dementia video, as well as exploring the ethical and practical challenges of capturing the experiences of people with dementia on video. Preliminary results from the survey are also presented, in order to explore the role of video within social media as a method to raise awareness and challenge gaps in perceptions and understanding of dementia.
Facilitated by: Dr Michelle Heward & Dr James Palfreman-Kay
Wednesday 10th December 2014 10:00-11:00
Student Hall, Talbot House, Talbot Campus
To book your place, please e-mail Organisational Development od@bournemouth.ac.uk
On the 4th and 5th of November, I represented Bournemouth University Dementia Institute (BUDI) at the Birmingham Care Show with my colleagues Clare Cutler and Dr Rick Fisher. This show attracted over 350 national exhibitors from many sectors of the care industry, including care home providers. This was a fantastic opportunity for BUDI to network and meet a range of potential collaborators. During the event we met over 200 delegates, many were interested in our bespoke educational services and our forthcoming MSc Applied Dementia Studies programme (due to start in September 2015 subject to validation).
The event demonstrated the current focus on making services and products within the care industry ‘dementia friendly’. Many of the displays were heavily influenced by a medical perspective of dementia care, such as medicine compliance aids and monitoring technologies. However, I also noticed small businesses promoting a more psycho-social approach, including one organisation who delivered drama sessions to help carer’s gain an empathetic understanding of what living with dementia is like. The experience was, for me as a PhD student within BUDI, a good opportunity to meet practitioners in the field of dementia care, and to see first-hand the range of products and services on offer to people affected by dementia.
Chris Poyner, PhD student, BUDI
Just over a month ago we held a very successful meeting bringing together consumer researchers from a wide range of disciplines across the University. Our ‘Hands-On Information Sharing Session’ made it clear that there was tremendous potential for cross-disciplinary research and that as a united group we could not only act as a forum for research and ideas but also to provide a platform for interaction with industry.
This is a reminder that our next meeting is going to be held on:-
Wednesday, 3rd December in CG01, Christchurch House between 3-5pm. [Please note the change in venue.]
Anyone who is doing consumer research of any description is welcome (e.g. consumer behaviour, retail, marketing, advertising, psychology, consumer neuroscience …) and there will be coffee and mince pies to help our consumer thinking along.
At this meeting we will be begin to identify groups or clusters of researchers, to discuss potential collaborations, and discuss plans for the future.
So if you think this might be of interest, please do come along next Wednesday. If you are unable to make this meeting but are interested in being involved please email us to let us know and we will keep you informed about future events.
Jeff Bray (Tourism; jbray@bournemouth.ac.uk) Juliet Memery (Business School; jmemery@bournemouth.ac.uk) Janice Denegri-Knott (Media School; JDKnott@bournemouth.ac.uk) Siné McDougall (SciTech; smcdougall@bournemouth.ac.uk)
We would like to invite you to the next research seminar of the Creative Technology Research Centre that will be delivered by Chris Ramsey.
Title: Developing ViRETS – A Virtual Reality Eye-Tracking System
Time: 2:00PM-3:00PM
Date: Wednesday 3rd December 2014
Room: P335, Poole House, Talbot Campus
Abstract:
This research project aims to develop a Virtual Reality Eye-Tracking System (VIRETS), capable of displaying naturalistic viewing conditions with high ecological validity and large field of view (FOV) in order to investigate the effects on human gaze behaviour (including head movement) and how this could be advantageous when looking at methods for visual cognition experiments. Static, lab-based eye trackers (head-mounted or desk-mounted) are accurate and easy to calibrate. However, they have traditionally made use of single screen setups with a FOV which doesn’t provide realistic viewing conditions. Furthermore, the head of a participant often has to be restricted using a chin rest and/or bite bar, or, in the case of head-mounted eye-trackers, restricted to small movements, which prohibits naturalistic head movements.
While mobile eye-trackers bring eye-tracking research to real world scenarios, allowing for naturalistic head and eye movements and allowing for naturalistic viewing conditions, the method presents a number of limitations, such as lower frequencies and the possibility of dropped frames. Although video footage can be layered with gaze behaviour to show saccadic eye-movement in real scenes, data analysis has to be carried out offline and can be time consuming: Specifically, video footage must be inspected frame by frame, labelled and described in order to analyse what objects in the scene participants attend to. Furthermore using real-world scenarios make it difficult to control all the stimuli presented, making the interpretation of cause and effect relationships difficult.
ViRETS aims to address these concerns by combining realistic and immersive VR, head-mounted eye-tracking, motion tracking and the freedom of naturalistic head movement. By these means we’ll investigate how an increased FOV affects gaze behaviour, head movements and performance specifically in the context of visual search and navigation.
We hope to see you there.
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