Category / BU research

BU leading economist Professor received exclusive preview for top new EBRD transition report release and same day launch invite

Business Engagement

BU Economics professor received intriguing email – Read the report then watch the launch of our latest Transition Report live!

Special Invite From: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Watch the launch live online! Navigating Industrial Policy EBRD Transition Report 2024/2025
www.youtube.com/live/jrTqDu9FFAI broadcast from 16.00 – 1730, Canary Wharf, London (26 November) with over 150 participants attending the prestigious launch event live online link up.

The EBRD transition reports are one of the leading rigorous gold standard sources that are well read reporting tools for financial economists, investment market, media, economic departments, universities, researchers and policy makers worldwide.

The launch discussion was moderated by Richard Porter, EBRD Managing Director of Communications, featured:
Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel laureate in economics and Professor at Columbia University. USA link up.
Rana Foroohar, global business columnist and associate editor at the Financial Times
Jeromin Zettelmeyer, Director of Bruegel, the European Union’s economic think tank
Beata Javorcik, EBRD Chief Economist

“In a world of rapid geopolitical and economic shifts, the discussion on industrial policy has never been more critical. This report takes an extensive look at industrial policies in the EBRD regions and beyond. Such policies, which are aimed at changing the sectoral composition of production in an economy, have seen a resurgence in recent years, seeking to address increasingly pressing market failures such as environmental degradation.” EBRD 2024

“Their track record is mixed, with their growing popularity being shaped primarily by domestic political economy considerations and rising geopolitical tensions. While industrial policies are typically employed by higher-income economies, they are also being seen more frequently in economies with less administrative and fiscal capacity to implement them.” EBRD 2024

Other attendance highlights included discussions on: implications of the president-elect Trump of USA and his concerning new tarifs to hike imports into USA from rest of world, with implications for costs, trade wars and economic growth, likely to impact economic growth especially for large exporters to USA such as Canada, China, parts of Europe like UK; that sustainability should include the word environment; furthermore that since GFC 2008/9 majority of special economic zones had seen flattening of exports, FDI and productivity (especially related to manufacturing sector), whereas some areas in south east Europe/Asia borders had seen an upturn and what factors determine achieving this?

Professor Dr Jens Hölscher has published in over 140 academic publications and is a leading economist and spokesperson for Bournemouth University for multi-media, media interviews and broadcasts on Economic and Finance matter e.g. Bank of England comment

Corruption and Financial Constraints, SME Firm Productivity Growth in European Economic Crisis and Conflict by BU EACES PKES Member

BU Challenges, international

To address these topical themes, I am truly proud and feel honoured to be part of BU’s visionary impactful research contributions and I have personally actioned:1A) an abstract poster presentation for the BU Conference [27 November] in person attendance all warmly welcomed, BU Talbot Campus, Fusion FG06 Posters on show viewing and Share theatre (oral presentations), 9-4pm and incorporated into it: 1B) my own very original topical preprint article [12 November] ii) attended (after last year see my RDS Blog ‘BU live with USA, Germany and Kyiv’) the 3rd International IZA/OECD online workshop [21 November] of top international themes alongside 101 zoom participants from USA, UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, France and more.

1A) poster abstract presentation (BU Conference and Researchgate link)

Poster and Abstract – Fiona Vidler

Abstract
Financial Constraints and Bribery Impact upon SME Firm Productivity in Economic Crisis and Conflict
Do economic destabilisation factors link to conflict even war? Only now in the explosive mid2020s are finance economists breaking the silence, raising this critical question. The author proposed early 2022, a ‘turning point’ notion of 2019 – thirty years after the Berlin Wall fell, seventy years after NATO formed; pre-covid 2020; before ‘Zeitenwende’ 240222 – seeking missing descriptive and empirical regression evidence beyond speculation for predictive indicators: financial constraint and bribery incidence within financialisation, competitivity and corruption. Findings demonstrate significant negative heterogenous effects across 27 Eastern European countries upon SME firm productivity outcomes with co-operative alliances adding business transformation value.

1B) Preprint Abstract and Article Download

Preprint Abstract and Article Download – Fiona Vidler

Vidler, Fiona,
Keynes World War, Prophecies And Productivity Growth In Economic Crisis -A Critical Review (November 12, 2024).. A review style paper that links current relevant themes in a novel readable socio-economic scholarly critique relating to a resurgent interest in Keynes’ original work and finishing with elements of the author’s own original research – so debating Keynes’ own predictive words even prophecies with words from a hundred years ago in 1919 to a 2019 proposed ‘turning point,’ leading into consequences for the current 2020s and future. Available at Elsevier SSRN:

https://ssrn.com/abstract=5018719 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5018719

Also available on research gate with poster and abstract files (note preprint article first available 13 November 2024 although categorised 2024 on Researchgate itself). Also, already additionally early listings (featured) so far early days in other more general ejournals- European Economics: Macroeconomics & Monetary Economics eJournal and Development Economics: Microeconomic Issues in Developing Economies eJournal with interest from The Journal of Research Development.

ii) 3rd OECD/IZA Workshop

3rd OECD/IZA International Workshop

Link to IZA/OECD program with group photo shot (BU top right corner of image), where it was a great opportunity to this time, listen participate seek first to understand and find out what the IMF (International Monetary Fund), OECD, ILO United Nations, IZA (Institute of Labour Economics, HQ Germany – with its links to EACES) latest news is and more – where researchers linked face to face with policy makers on the 21 November.
Furthermore, to ask one’s own question related to productivity and received an answer too. A lateral one as hot topics were related to productivity intrinsic factors ‘within firms’; a consideration different but relevant to my own theme considering 10,000 SME firms as entities and their extrinsic productivity outcomes in measures of output per worker in SME firms. Intriguingly, 2019 was also a turning point down turn found by IMF researchers in Europe beyond relative prosperity of 2015-2018.

On the theme of publishing research that makes a difference and gaining inspiration to keep writing further articles (how does one do it one may ask): A leading publications ranked world class esteemed BU Professor (Marketing Strategy Innovation and Tourism), Dimitrios Buhalis, far greater than myself, recently circulated for reflection by colleagues: 'the attributes of distinguished scholars' (McKercher, 2024) where consensus was that inquisitiveness, insights, passion were top criteria, followed by other criteria including: connections, taking a risk with a joined up 'whom, what, how, why' strategy for truly original research with relevant impactful publications that make a difference or reach the target audiences – linking themes of topical current real interest in an intellectual scholarly manner often with practitioner or policy maker relevance, on the leading edge, meeting needs, connections, collaborations, often interdisciplinary considerations to expand thinking – inspiring and enabling memorable research publications as opposed to churning or common mediocre scholarly research which is common.
Making a (real) difference in the world with recognition in many fields is one of BU's themes and forte in the 2020s. I personally find these criteria inspiring for researchers publishing, would also add return on investment or with relevance or benefits with solutions towards solving issues in the economy/economies (from a finance economic perspective of the world is a reality of how we live today, where sustainability the flipside of economic destabilisation is the golden elixir matrix required). So gratitude and thank you so much for reading as always.

So Let us All be NICE = Noteworthy Inspiring Connecting Energising for yourself, others, and the world!

Fiona ‘Stewart’ Vidler MBA MSc MLIBF
Former MIPR (media) and financial advisor, Decision-Making Business Strategy (Corporate and SME Director roles) and Financial Times Business Winner
Corruption and Financial Constraints Impacts upon SME Firm Productivity – European Transition Economies in Crisis (Finance Economics – Advanced Researcher and British Author)

Bournemouth University Business School (BUBS) – Catalyst Growth Fusion 2022-26
MSc Green Economy – Bournemouth University, UK, 2021-2022
MBA Finance Macroeconomics (One of best dissertations 2020 – joint Oxford Magna Carta/New Bucks. Universities)
PLUS Level 7 – Accounting, Auditing, Strategic Financial Management and Investment Strategies
Driver Award – Highest Achiever (Faculty) Cognitive Psychology (RHUL,UK)
Financial Times Business Award Winner
– ‘ROI + media publishing success made us stand out win’
Previously Senior Researcher (over decade experience), RHUL, Defra (as prior MAFF), DSTL (as prior MOD), International Crisis Management Researcher (Burson-Marsteller A-team) and Director Education/ Marketing/ Research /Media/Conference/Round-table programs for professors leading lights networks creation and bidding team budgets writing programs £10K to £3M.

ADRC are presenting a research seminar on Veterans and Dementia: A Collaborative Research Project

We’re thrilled to invite you to the first online seminar in the new ADRC series on Wednesday 4 December, 3pm-4pm. This session will feature Dr. Michele Board from Bournemouth University, presenting on the topic: Veterans and Dementia: A Collaborative Research Project.

The Ageing and Dementia Research Centre (ADRC) at Bournemouth University, with funding from Dementia Research UK, launched a 2023/4 project focused on ex-military veterans—a typically underserved group in dementia research. The project explores veterans’ experiences through collaborative creative workshops, culminating in a documentary-style short film that amplifies their voices and personal stories. During this seminar we will share our film, highlight implications for practice and discuss the next stages of our project.

The seminar is open to all Bournemouth University staff, students, community organisations, and anyone interested in the topic.
Please keep an eye out for upcoming seminars throughout the new year!

Key Details:
• Date: Wednesday 4 December 2024
• Time: 3pm -4pm
• Topic: Veterans and Dementia: A Collaborative Research Project
• Speaker: Dr. Michele Board, Associate Professor Nursing Older People and Co-Lead Ageing and Dementia Research Centre ADRC
See you there!

Microsoft Teams 
Scan the QR code below or click on this link:

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZGI0NjE1YTUtNTIzYy00NTljLTk2OTEtYWZiNTc1ZmRjYzUy%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22ede29655-d097-42e4-bbb5-f38d427fbfb8%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22612fce03-de45-44e3-b1e6-8404efc1b742%22%7d

Meeting ID: 364 666 916 013
Passcode: wJyC7U

 

The 16th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference is approaching!

conferences, PG research

Last chance to register for the 16th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference 2024. We are so excited to welcome you on Wednesday 27 November!

This conference is a celebration of the incredible work being carried out by our postgraduate researchers, and we are proud to provide this platform for sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration and building connections. Whether you are presenting, exhibiting, or attending, this is a wonderful opportunity to network with fellow PGRs, colleagues from across the university and external visitors.

Registrations close at 10:00 Tuesday 26 November, so don’t miss your chance to book! Lunch will be provided.

This conference is open to external participants, please share this invite with companies and organisations you are cooperating with.

Register to attend

Poster and oral presenters do not need to register as their participation has already been confirmed. 

Click here to view the conference brochure

We look forward to meeting you on Wednesday 27 November. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate research and collaboration!

Best wishes,
The PGR Conference Team

Enrica Conrotto – Doctoral College Programme Manager
Arabella Moyse – Doctoral College Marketing & Events Coordinator
Zoe Leonard – Postgraduate Research Administrator

Applications are now open for 2025 ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowships!

Funding opportunities, PG research

The ESRC invites applications for postdoctoral fellowships (PDF) to be based at the SWDTP institutions of University of Bath, University of Bristol, University of Exeter, Plymouth University, University of West of England, Bath Spa University, Bournemouth University and Plymouth Marjon University.

Fellowships are aimed at providing a development opportunity for social science researchers in the immediate postdoctoral stage of their career, to consolidate their PhD through developing publications, their networks, and their research and professional skills.

At Bournemouth University, we run a dual stage application process. Candidates must be aligned to one of the pathways to which BU belong. For BU, this means that we would be able to support applicants in one of three pathways:

In the first instance we ask potential candidates to complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) and an Equal Opportunities form. The deadline for submitting the EOI & Equal Opportunities forms is January 31 2025. Both forms are available from the pathway leads.

Prior to submission of your EOI it is a good idea to have identified a mentor who will support you to develop your application. If you are uncertain on how to identify a mentor, then please contact one of the pathway leads listed above.

Following review of all EOI received, we will nominate successful applicants and support the development of a full application to the ESRC (via the SWDTP). The full application is due on 25 May, 2025. Only nominated applicants are able to complete this second stage.

For further information, please take a look at the SWDTP web pages dedicated to the postdoctoral fellowships award. Note that this includes important Eligibility criteria.

Please also note that you can register for an online information event hosted by the SWDTP. This takes place at 2-3 pm on Wednesday 20 November 2024. Register here. (A recording will be available from 25 November).

 

FoodMapp project holds mid-term meeting

Awarded & submitted bids

 

On 16-17 September 2024, FoodMapp members met for the project mid-term meeting at the Institut Lyfe, Château du Vivier​, Ecully, France​. From Bournemouth University, Prof. Jeff Bray, Prof. Juliet Memery, Prof. Katherine Appleton, and Dr. Roberta Discetti attended the meeting.

Representatives of all project partners were present, including: Universiteit Gent (UGent) Ghent, Belgium; Centre de Recherche de L’Institut Paul Bocuse (IPBR), Écully, France; Ronge & Partner GmbH (RP), Baden, Austria; Centre de Recerca en Economia i Desenvolupament Agroalimentari-UPC-IRTA (CREDA), Barcelona, Spain; Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem (ELTE), Budapest, Hungary; and University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (UZ), Zagreb, Croatia.

The Marie-Curie Staff Exchanges project representative at the European Commission, Dr Gianluca Colucci, attended the meeting online. Dr Colucci chaired the afternoon session, where project secondees had the opportunity to share their secondment experiences. All participants highlighted the positive impact Foodmapp secondments had on their personal and professional lives.

 

Foodmapp is currently in its month 19th, at 40% of completion, with further 29 months to go (60%). Project members have conducted 37 research secondments so far, equalling over 30% of the total of intersectoral and interdisciplinary exchanges among project partners. The project has already produced 8 research outputs between research papers and conference presentations.

Work Package 1 on stakeholder requirements and consumer preferences for the development of the application has been completed.  Activites on Work Package 2 (Information Engineering and Architecture Design) and Work package 3 (User Interface Development) are underway.

FoodMAPP is a European research project that will enable consumers to find and buy local food supplies, reducing waste and supporting sustainable purchases. It will develop a searchable map-based platform that will enable consumers to search and buy food products directly from local suppliers.

The four-year project has been awarded €584,200 from Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, alongside additional funding from UKRI to support BU’s continued inclusion.

 

 

New midwifery publication

NHS, PG research, Publishing, writing

Congratulations to Ph.D. student Joanne Rack on the publication today of her paper ‘Understanding perceptions and communication of risk in advanced maternal age: a scoping review (protocol) on women’s engagement with health care services’  [1].   Joanne is currently doing a Clinical Doctorate in the Centre for Midwifery & Women’s Health (CMWH) focusing on personalised care for women of advanced maternal age.  Her doctoral study is matched-funded by University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust and Bournemouth University [BU].  Her PhD is supervised and supported by Profs. Vanora Hundley, Ann Luce and Edwin van Teijlingen at BU and Dr. Latha Vinayakarao in Poole Maternity Hospital.

Well done!

 

Reference:

  1. Rack, J., Hundley, V., van Teijlingen, E., Luce, A., Vinayakarao. L. (2024) Understanding perceptions and communication of risk in advanced maternal age: a scoping review (protocol) on women’s engagement with health care services, MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, 34(3): 201-204.

Bursaries available to attend the 2024 Vitae Researcher Development Conference

conferences

A number of bursaries are available to enable researchers to attend the Vitae International Researcher Development Conference 2024.

The conference takes place online from 3rd-5th September and in-person in Birmingham on 23rd and 24th September.

It is the flagship annual event of Vitae, a non-profit programme to support the professional development of researchers, and will cover topics around policy and practice in researcher development.

29 bursaries are available in total – covering attendance at both the online and in-person events or the online-only elements.

The bursaries have been sponsored by UKRI, British Academy’s Early Career Researcher Network, and Wellcome – with different criteria for each.

They are available to researchers in the following categories:

  • who are, have been, or are looking to be involved in researcher networks and staff associations or committees (UKRI bursaries)
  • part of the BA Early Career Researcher Network (British Academy bursaries)
  • with an interest in equity, diversity and inclusion within the research environment (Wellcome bursaries)

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 20th August.

For more information and to apply, please visit the Vitae Researcher Development Conference website