Category / BU research

Compelling narratives for funding success

Training

Struggling to effectively communicate the potential impact of your research in funding applications? This training session on Tuesday, 28 January 2025 from 10am to 12noon, will equip you with the practical tools and knowledge to develop effective plans of impact, articulate these in proposals and increase your success rates.

 

This session is intended for academics working on a proposal at the time of the session. It could be an early-stage idea, or a specific proposal for a funder. Please bring your proposal with you to the session to work on.

 

Key benefits:

  • Maximise your impact: Learn how to identify, measure, and communicate the real-world significance of your research in funding proposals
  • Write more competitive proposals: Master the art of crafting compelling impact plans that resonate with funding panels.
  • Save time and effort: Discover efficient strategies to integrate impact considerations into your research process and proposals
  • Gain actionable insights: Apply your newfound knowledge to your current or future funding bids.

Where: Fusion building. In-person only, not hybrid.

Book here

Last chance to book for ‘Journeys through Research’

Training

Journeys through Research

Last chance to book the final place for a one-off event

Are you curious about the stories behind successful research at BU? Want to hear from our academics about their journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the role the Research Development and Support (RDS) team has played in their success? This is your chance to gain invaluable insights, ask questions, and discover how RDS can support your own research aspirations.

Chaired by Jeff Bray, our speakers include Tom Wainwright, Jane Henriksen Bulmer and Alain Simons who will share their research experiences and discuss how RDS has helped them along the way. Get the inside scoop on top tips, common pitfalls, and how to find funding opportunities, plus what’s coming up in the research landscape.

To wrap things up, we’ll be hosting a relaxed networking lunch, giving you the chance to meet the RDS team in person, chat with fellow researchers, and connect those final dots in your own research journey.

Book here

Wednesday 11th December 2024 09:45-14:00

Tea and coffee from 9:45am, event starts at 10:00.

RKEDF: ECRN – Work/Life balance for ECRs and PGRs

This in-person session on Wednesday 12 February 2025, 1pm to 2pm, is aimed at Academics, Researchers and PGRs with an interest in discussing work/life balance within Academic roles and careers.

The session aims to discuss approaches to setting and maintaining healthy work/life balance whilst also managing the demands of their role. It will follow an open, discursive model and invite responses from ECRs with input from the Academic leads.

By the end of the session, attendees will have acquired knowledge of models and techniques to healthy professional practice with regards to time management, wellbeing and working practices, and have had the opportunity to discuss their specific circumstances with peers and experienced Academic mentors.

Book here

For further information on this event please contact RKEDF@bournemouth.ac.uk

Successful first session in the ADRC seminar series

We were thrilled to host the first of our new ADRC seminar series last Wednesday and welcomed a range of attendees including academics, practitioners, students and community members.

Dr Michele Board begun the seminar by outlining the project and subject area, its aims and key findings for risk factors for dementia in military veterans. Following this, Rebecca Dew presented the collaborative literature review being carried out by the project team, which also was a great opportunity to hear valuable contributions from project team members. We were then pleased to present the project work undertaken with veterans living dementia and their carers during our creative workshops series which aimed to explore the research priorities for veterans living with dementia. During the seminar session, our documentary film was also presented, and we were thrilled to take part in engaging discussion with attendees around current research for veterans living with dementia, next steps for our upcoming work and the session finished with a thought-provoking Q&A section.
We look forward to welcoming both new and previous attendees to our next session on Wednesday 29th January 3-4pm!

Leverhulme Visit- 4th December

Last Wednesday we had the pleasure of hosting the Director of Leverhulme at Bournemouth.

Professor Anna Vignoles talked to us about the small but mighty team she leads (one of the most responsive funder teams), the Trust’s approach to funding and all the various funds they offer, gave us valuable insights and tips on making our cases heard at the applications and left us all inspired to think big.

Really important to hear from Funding leaders such as Anna during these difficult times for the sector and the high number of attendance made that very clear as well.

Please get in touch with the Research office if you have any ideas you wish to discuss, no matter how much out there your idea might be, you will get a sympathetic ear from us and support to find the most fitting funder.

Thanks to Anna and those who attended our session,

Eva

Dr Julia Round awarded 2024 Comics Education Kinnard Award

Dr Julia Round of the Faculty of Media and Communication has been awarded a 2024 Comics Education Kinnard Award for outstanding work with comics and education. 

The Kinnard Awards are named in honour of pioneering queer cartoonist Rupert Kinnard. The brown, yellow and red represent Rupert’s iconic character the Brown Bomber. The awards were founded in 2022 and are presented by Laneha House, a family run small press from Breena Nuñez and Lawrence Lindell. Laneha House is built on the foundation of family, love of comics, zines and coffee. Projects include comics, graphic novels, art books, zines, music and cartoons.

The Kinnard Awards are an annual celebration of the community who make, contribute to and love comics. Each category honors 5 awardees. Dr Round was nominated for her work in comics education alongside international scholars such as Professor Charles Hatfield, Ana Merino, Lauren McCubbin and Paul Karasik.

The 16th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference – Thank You

conferences, PG research

Thank you to all of our presenters, poster exhibitors, session chairs and of course delegates who supported the 16th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference. It is always a highlight on the Doctoral College events calendar and we hope you all enjoyed the day.

We were thrilled with the energy and enthusiasm on the day, and we were delighted to see a strong turnout of PGRs and colleagues showing their support and helping to promote a positive research culture and community across BU.

 

Here is some of the feedback received:

“Always an uplifting and inspiring event. I highly recommend attending in any capacity – as a guest or contributor.”

“Loved the atmosphere”

“I enjoyed it all. I gained confidence in exhibiting my poster and enjoyed networking with others.”

 

If you attended, either as a presenter or delegate, we would love to hear your feedback via this anonymous feedback form.

Your feedback will help us improve future conferences so please let us know your thoughts, or just let us know what you liked most!

Feedback collection will close soon – 11 December 2024.

 

You can see some highlights of the day on LinkedIn #BUPGRConf24 and a video here.

 

Virtual Exhibition and Postgraduate Research Showcase

Did you miss the conference? Do not worry, you can visit our Virtual Exhibition on the BU website and in February you will be able to visit the Atrium Gallery to view a selection of the conference posters.

We will be holding a celebration event on Wednesday 5 February 2025, with more information to follow so watch this space!

 

The Conference Team

The Doctoral College Outstanding Contribution Award

PG research

The Doctoral College team have been delighted with the large number of nominations that have come in recently for the ‘Doctoral College Outstanding Contribution Awards’. We wish to extend our congratulations to all recipients who have received their award certificate.

Here are some of the wonderful nominations we have received:

“Elizabeth’s support is instrumental in advertising our suite of studentships, including the ESRC SW DTP. This is critical to supporting the recruitment of high quality PGRs and increasing our PGR numbers. Thank you :)”

“Thank you, Abier, for all of your support with organisation of the 2nd HSS PGR Conference. Your support for this event has had a positive impact on the sense of PGR community and connection that we have in HSS. Thank you.”

“Tash has supported the Doctoral College with the promotion of studentships for several years. Her quick response has been invaluable in the recruitment of high quality PGRs and in turn helping to grow the PGR numbers. I know Tash has moved on to a new role so wish her luck with that! Thank you.”

Why not make someone’s day and take five minutes and nominate a PGR, academic or professional staff member for a Doctoral College Outstanding Contribution Award to say thanks and give recognition for their hard work?

These awards recognise the outstanding contributions to postgraduate research degrees at BU by any PGR, academic or professional staff member. They can be nominated throughout the year by any member of the postgraduate research community to anyone that they feel is exceptional, has exceeded expectations, and has had a positive impact on the postgraduate research culture at BU.

Eligibility

You can nominate anyone involved in postgraduate research at Bournemouth University to receive an award certificate. There are no award criteria, as long as the submission falls within the guidelines, whoever you’ve selected will receive a Doctoral College Outstanding Contribution Award!

How to nominate

We’ve made it really easy for you to nominate someone for a Doctoral College Outstanding Contribution Award – it’s just a short online nomination form!

 

Race Equity Month: Disparities in maternity care

NHS, open access, Women's Academic Network, writing

Race Equity Month – Can the UK finally tackle health disparities in maternity care?

Last week Prof. Hora Sultani, who leads the joint bid submitted by Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) and Bournemouth University (BU) in reply to the ‘NIHR Challenge: Maternity Inequalities funding call’, wrote an article on the website of the Council of Deans for Health.  This piece with the title ‘Race Equity Month – Can the UK finally tackle health disparities in maternity care?‘ can be freely accessed (click here!).  One of Prof. Soltani’s key arguments is that it is vital that national policy makers and service providers collaborate with researchers and communities to co-design and provide practical solutions for such important maternity challenges in UK society.

Prof. Soltani was writing on behalf of  the UK Network of Professors in Midwifery and Maternal and Newborn Health, an organisation to which both Profs Hundley and van Teijlingen belong.

Methods or Methodology paper: 300+ reads

BRIAN, international, Publishing, writing

Last month ResearchGate informed us that our paper ‘Methods or Methodology: Terms That Are Too Often Confused’ has been read 300 times [1].  This paper started as a discussion among the authors about how many students, researchers, and authors of academic papers do not seem to know the difference between methodology and methods. This is true in many academic disciplines.

In simple terms, the term methods refers to the research tools and techniques; for example, in the qualitative field, interviews are a tool to collect data, and in the quantitative field, a questionnaire-based survey is an example of a data collection tool. Methodology is a broader concept as it refers to the overall approach to the research, includes a justification for this approach, and links to research philosophy, i.e., how we produce knowledge. This methodological note aims to explain the confusion, drawing on examples from the published literature in education research and beyond. It also considers the complexities and crossovers. The final section ends with key advice to researchers and authors on key mistakes to avoid regarding the difference between methods and methodology, including covering this in early supervision discussions.

 

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

Reference:

  1. Harvey, O., Regmi, P.R., Mahato, P., Dhakal Adhikari, S., Dhital, R., van Teijlingen E. (2023) Methods or Methodology: Terms That Are Too Often Confused. Journal of Education & Research, 13(2): 94-105. https://doi.org/10.51474/jer.v13i2.716

Keynote Talk at the international conference on “DUI innovation policy”, held at Gottingen University, 21-22 November 2024

Davide Parrilli, Professor of Regional Economic Development at BUBS, was invited as Keynote Speaker at the International Conference on “DUI Innovation Policy” in Gottingen University, Germany, on November 21-22. The keynote talk was on “DUI innovation policy in catching-up regions”. The audience was formed by a group of well-known professors and academics specialised in innovation studies and regional economic development from Germany, Canada, Norway, the UK, among others, as well as government officials from the federal government of Germany that is funding this project. It represents a very good opportunity to develop an effective knowledge exchange on successful regional innovation and competitiveness experiences across advanced and catching-up economies, and a possible avenue for joint RKE projects.

Round Table on “The regional growth strategy of the UK government”, British Academy, London, 18 November 2024

Davide Parrilli, Professor in Regional Economic Development, was recently invited to an exclusive round table discussion to help shape regional growth strategies for the UK. The event, hosted by the British Academy at Carlton House in London, was organised in collaboration with the Canadian Research Institute (CAFAR).
The round table brought together leading experts in regional economic growth, with academics from universities including the University of Manchester, University of Birmingham, London School of Economics, Cardiff University, Newcastle University, Aston University, University of Reading, and Bournemouth University. Senior officials of the UK Government, representing departments for Business, Skills and Innovation, International Development, and Trade, also participated in this pivotal discussion.
The conversation centred on the regional growth strategy for the new UK government, aiming to provide direct contributions to policy-making. Further sessions are planned to continue these impactful discussions. 
We are proud to see our Business School represented in this important initiative, contributing to the future of regional economic development in the UK

Professor Dimitrios Buhalis Chairs THE MEDITERRANEAN TOURISM KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE POLICY CONFERENCE in Malta

Professor Dimitrios Buhalis Chaired THE MEDITERRANEAN TOURISM KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE & POLICY CONFERENCE https://mediterraneantourismresearch.com/  followed by the 9th Mediterranean Tourism Forum https://mediterraneantourismforum.com/

The event was organised by the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation (MTF) an independent international organisation dedicated to fostering public-private cooperation in the tourism sector. MTF aims to enhance sustainable tourism across the Mediterranean, transforming the region into one of peace, cooperation, and prosperity through collaborative efforts and impactful projects. The conference, now in its second edition, has demonstrated significant growth and evolution, marking a pivotal step forward in advancing critical discussions and innovative research in the field of tourism. The maturity it has achieved in such a short time is evident in the depth and diversity of topics addressed, the quality of the presentations, and the global representation of experts and practitioners. Building on the foundations laid during its inaugural edition, the conference has expanded its scope to encompass emerging themes such as the integration of advanced technologies like AI and VR, sustainable tourism strategies, and inclusive policymaking. The wide array of interdisciplinary contributions reflects its commitment to addressing the complex and interconnected challenges facing the tourism industry today. This progression offers a compelling vision for the future, as the conference continues to serve as a collaborative platform for knowledge exchange and thought leadership. By fostering dialogue among academics, industry leaders, and policymakers, it sets the stage for actionable insights and innovative solutions that can shape the trajectory of tourism in the coming years. This conference’s success and growing impact give us great confidence that it will continue to influence and inspire sustainable and transformative developments in the field.

Her Excellency, L-E. T. Myriam Spiteri Debono, the President of Malta invited Professor Buhalis and Mediterranean Tourism Foundation Senators for lunch at the Saint Anton Palace,  the official residence of the President of Malta since 1974.

Bournemouth University International Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Research Tourism and Hospitality team members Professor Dimitrios Buhalis, Dr Arkadiusz Tomczyk, Dr Mariana Consoni Rubio and Dr Hande Turkoglu met the Hon Clayton Bartolo Malta’s Minister for Tourism and Public Cleanliness as well as Mediterranean Tourism Foundation President Tony Zahra.

Professor Dimitrios Buhalis also met Shadow Tourism Minister Hon. Mario de Marco after 14 years. In 2010 Professor Buhalis facilitated The Advance Programme for Developing Leaders for Change and Innovation in Tourism Programme when Hon. Mario de Marco was Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, the Environment and Culture. This great programme trained more than 1380! Tourism and Hospitality professionals in Malta, many of whom in leading positions today.

Conference Chair Professor Dimitrios Buhalis synthesised the 2024 conference and the meetings happening during the MTF and concluded a range of Key Trends Shaping Mediterranean Tourism and a Future-Focused Perspective driving impactful research effort for the future. The Mediterranean, as a cradle of civilization, art and way of living is a globally sought-after tourism region. Mediterranean Tourism is undergoing significant transformation, driven by innovation, technology revolution, sustainability, and inclusivity. Emerging trends in Mediterranean tourism reflect a shift toward regenerative practices that balance economic growth, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship.

Technology Driving Mediterranean Tourism Innovation requires the adoption of advanced technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) is enhancing the Mediterranean’s rich cultural heritage. By improving accessibility to underwater archaeological sites, historical landmarks, and museums, these tools enable immersive storytelling that brings history to life. AI and machine learning are increasingly used in Mediterranean tourism to personalize visitor experiences, optimize booking systems, and enhance marketing strategies, ensuring destinations remain competitive in a tech-driven global market. Marketing and Branding with the Mediterranean Appeal lies in its unique blend of culture, history, and natural beauty and the authenticity of the experiences cocreated. AI-driven marketing strategies and data analytics are enhancing destination branding by tailoring campaigns to diverse l preferences. Younger generations, such as Gen Z, are drawn to destinations promoting authenticity, cultural diversity, and immersive experiences. Cross-cultural marketing, celebrating Mediterranean heritage, is becoming a key strategy for building strong, recognizable destination brands.

Sustainability is a Priority and at the core of Mediterranean tourism strategies, with coastal and island destinations leading the way in green travel initiatives, waste management, and eco-friendly accommodations. Destinations like Malta, the Azores, and Croatia are implementing sustainable tourism indicators to balance environmental protection with the demands of increasing visitor numbers. Rural and island tourism, combined with agri-tourism, is emerging as a solution to combat tourism related pressures while preserving the unique landscapes and biodiversity of the region.

 

Inclusivity and Community Engagement is shaping Mediterranean tourism, with growing efforts to improve accessibility and empower marginalized groups. Small islands like Gozo in Malta are exemplifying community-driven tourism models that prioritize resident well-being alongside visitor satisfaction. Efforts to preserve cultural landscapes and avoid overdevelopment reflect the region’s commitment to balancing modern tourism needs with its rich heritage. Policy and Governance for Responsible Tourism Growth need to drive Mediterranean tourism policies that are increasingly focused on combating negative impacts in cities like Venice and Barcelona while supporting sustainable regional development. Initiatives such as tourism clusters and collaborative governance models aim to empower local communities, diversify tourism offerings, and manage visitor flows. Breaking path dependency by adopting innovative tourism frameworks is becoming critical for ensuring long-term resilience and competitiveness.

 

A Vision for Mediterranean Tourism is evolving into a hub of sustainable, inclusive, and tech-driven tourism. By leveraging its unparalleled cultural heritage, embracing innovative technologies, and prioritizing regenerative practices, the region is positioning itself as a model for global tourism. These trends are paving the way for a resilient future where the Mediterranean remains a vibrant and responsible tourism destination. Collaborative Business Ecosystems require collaboration among governments, non-governmental organizations, and local businesses is driving innovation in Mediterranean tourism. Smart tourism initiatives are being developed to connect residents and visitors through data-driven insights, improving service delivery and fostering meaningful interactions. For example, Portugal and Greece are utilizing such systems to bridge gaps in communication and create seamless visitor experiences.

Creative Health Nepal

international, writing

Wednesday saw the opening of the exhibition ‘Creative Health Nepal’ in Kathmandu.  Creative Health Nepal reflects our interdisciplinary public health work, for the website click here!  Our work on alcohol in Nepal’s society, which resulted in the paper ‘Participatory asset mapping and photovoice interviews to scope cultural and community resources to reduce alcohol harm in Chitwan, Nepal’ was represented in the exhibition.

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

Reference:

Dhital R, Yoeli H, Adhikari A, et al. Participatory asset mapping and photovoice interviews to scope cultural and community resources to reduce alcohol harm in Chitwan, Nepal. Perspectives in Public Health. 2024;144(5):312-323. doi:10.1177/17579139231180744

December Digest

Training

Book now for RKEDF training in December 2024

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

RKEDF: ECRN – Surgery 

For one final time in 2024, join this drop-in session 1pm-2pm on Wednesday 4 December, online. This is an open session for all BU ECRs and PGRs, to discuss any issues around career development, or the ECR experience with the peer network, and receive advice and guidance from the network’s academic leads.

The Leverhulme Trust

Meet The Leverhulme Trust, at 1pm on Wednesday 4 December (online). The Trust has been funding research for almost 100 years supporting fundamental and higher-risk research.  You will hear from the Director of Leverhulme about the funding schemes they offer, advice for applicants, Strategy and Looking into the future. Please send Eva Papadopoulou your questions in advance.

REDCap basic training – Book here 

On 4 December, 9am until 1pm, in person at BGB – learn from REDCap expert, Will Crocombe, about data collection and management best practices in research and why REDCap is better that MS Excel or Qualtrics for almost every type of data collection, either through online surveys or direct entry into a database.

Advanced REDCap training Book here 

On 5 December, 9am until 4pm, in person at BGB – this advanced, one-day, course for those with some REDCap knowledge will be led by our external REDCap expert, Will Crocombe, and will cover:

  • Data management – data workflow, queries and audit trail, site management
  • Simple randomisation – stratified lists
  • Electronic consent – design and setup
  • Longitudinal data collection – events and repeating forms
  • Surveys – patient data collection
  • Mobile data collection – using the REDCap mobile app

Journeys through Research Book here 

On Wednesday 11 December 2024,10:00-14:00, in person at Talbot campus –  hear from BU academics about their journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome and the role the Research Development and Support (RDS) team has played in their success. Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out! If you’re interested, please be sure to book your ticket — and if you can’t make it, kindly let us know so someone else can take your spot. For further information on this event please contact RKEDF@bournemouth.ac.uk

KTP Development – Strategic planning: Aligning & communicating ambition 

This Knowledge Transfer Partnership development session is in person, at Talbot campus, on Wednesday,18 December at 1pm.  It will cover the tools needed to ensure systematic design capture, to encourage engagement and promote co-formulation of the project.

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