Category / Doctoral College

Some thoughts about PhD supervision in Public Health

BU research, Doctoral College, Featured academics, international, PG research, Publishing, research integrity, Training, Uncategorized

Recently, Health Prospect: Journal of Public Health published our article on ‘PhD supervision in Public Health’ [1].  The lead author is Dr. Pramod Regmi, with co-authors Prof. Padam Simkhada (FHSS Visiting Faculty) from the University of Huddersfield and Dr. Amudha Poobalan from the University of Aberdeen.  The paper has a strong Aberdeen connection, the fifth oldest university in the UK.  Three of us (Poobalan, van Teijlingen & Simkhada) use to work in the Department of Public Health at the University of Aberdeen (one still does), and three of us (Poobalan, Regmi & van Teijlingen) have a PhD from Aberdeen.

Reference:

  1. Regmi, P., Poobalan, A., Simkhada, P., van Teijlingen, E. (2021) PhD supervision in Public Health, Health Prospect: Journal of Public Health 20(1):1-4. https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/HPROSPECT/article/view/32735/28111

NEW for 2021! PGR Success Stories

BU research, Doctoral College, Featured, PG research, Postgraduate Research

NEW for 2021! Promoting research culture at BU and celebrating postgraduate researcher achievements, the Doctoral College are collating PGR student stories as PGRs complete their PhD, MRes, MPhil, EdD, EngD and DProf studies. These are a few recent inspiring stories, to be updated regularly from across the faculties. If you have a story to share after you receive your award, please get in touch doctoralcollege@bournemouth.ac.uk

Supervising Doctoral Studies: Views on new online Epigeum course wanted

Doctoral College, Featured, PG research, Postgraduate Research, Research Training

We have been given the opportunity to trial a new edition of Epigeum’s Supervising Doctoral Studies. Epigeum provides online courses designed to help universities deliver their core activities. The course for supervisors has been developed in collaboration with a panel of expert advisors, authors, reviewers and partner institutions. Professor Stan Taylor, Honorary Professor of the School of Education at Durham University is one of the Advisory Board, who was instrumental in working with UKCGE on their Good Supervisory Practice Framework.

Epigeum say that their programme aims to offer:

“A comprehensive, flexible and engaging training in the core principles and practices of doctoral supervision to equip new and more experienced supervisors to support doctoral candidates’ development into independent researchers.”

The online programme is modular in approach, and recognises research supervision as a distinct academic practice. It has been designed to enable supervisors to guide a diverse range of PGRs towards successful and timely completion, by providing guidance in the most effective and up-to-date supervisory techniques. It uses video interviews, case studies, and thought-provoking scenarios and activities to highlight best practice and to encourage supervisors to reflect on their own approach.

We wish to get current supervisors’ views on this programme before 2 April 2021. Whatever your level of experience, if you would be interested in taking a look and telling us what you think, please contact Dr Julia Taylor or Dr Fiona Knight in the Doctoral College and we will send you the details on how to access it.

Postgraduate Researchers and Supervisors | Monthly Update for Researcher Development

BU research, Doctoral College, Featured, PG research, Postgraduate Research, Research Training, Training

Postgraduate researchers and supervisors, hopefully you have seen your monthly update for researcher development e-newsletter sent yesterday. If you have missed it, please check your junk email.

The start of the month is a great time to reflect on your upcoming postgraduate researcher development needs and explore what is being delivered this month as part of the Doctoral College Researcher Development Programme and what is available via your Faculty or Department. Remember some sessions only run once per year, so don’t miss out.

I am also in the planning phase for the RDP 2021-22 and need your input to help shape your development support for the next academic year. PGRs, please take some time to complete this researcher development needs survey.

Please also subscribe to your Brightspace announcement notifications for updates when they are posted.

If you have any questions about the Researcher Development Programme, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Natalie (Research Skills & Development Officer)
pgrskillsdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk 

Doctoral College Newsletter | February 2021

BU research, Doctoral College, Featured, PG research, Postgraduate Research

The Doctoral College Newsletter provides termly information and updates to all those involved with postgraduate research at BU. The latest edition is now available to download here. Click on the web-links provided to learn more about the news, events and opportunities that may interest you.

If you would like to make a contribution to future newsletters, please contact the Doctoral College.

Postgraduate Researchers and Supervisors | Monthly Update for Researcher Development

BU research, Doctoral College, Featured, PG research, Postgraduate Research, Research Training, Training

Postgraduate researchers and supervisors, hopefully you have seen your monthly update for researcher development e-newsletter sent earlier this week. If you have missed it, please check your junk email.

The start of the month is a great time to reflect on your upcoming postgraduate researcher development needs and explore what is being delivered this month as part of the Doctoral College Researcher Development Programme and what is available via your Faculty or Department. Remember some sessions only run once per year, so don’t miss out.

Please also subscribe to your Brightspace announcement notifications for updates when they are posted.

If you have any questions about the Researcher Development Programme, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Natalie (Research Skills & Development Officer)
pgrskillsdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk 

Asian Elephant Acoustic Monitoring

BU research, Doctoral College, Postgraduate Research

Wild Sumatran Elephant recorded on BU trail camera. Project by BU PhD student Helen Slater (Pippa Gillingham & Amanda Korstjens), in collaboration with Invisible Flock.

Elephants live in complex societies with a rich array of social interactions and a sophisticated communication system that includes extensive use of audible and infra sounds. Eavesdropping on their long and short-range vocal communication may be a way to help us monitor wellbeing for captive elephants, understand population sizes of wild elephants and even help us monitor the movements of wild elephants approaching human settlements and fields. Our multi-disciplinary team is interested in developing the tools and methods for passive acoustic monitoring of elephants for a range of applications as part of a new collaboration including researchers, technologists, conservationists and artists.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, independent, MRes student to join us to study acoustic communication and behaviour of captive Asian elephants, Elephas maximus. The aim of this one-year research project is to identify whether passive acoustic monitoring can play a role in monitoring captive elephant wellbeing and activity. The project involves studying behaviour and vocalisations of the Asian elephant herd at Whipsnade zoo, Zoological Society London. Preferred course start April 2021 – other options can be discussed.

Project page: https://go-leap.wixsite.com/home/elephantacoustics

We are also happy to discuss a longer-term project at the level of a self-funded MPhil or PhD.

Supervisors

Amanda Korstjens, akorstjens @ bournemouth.ac.uk

Kathy Hodder, khodder @ bournemouth.ac.uk

Lewis Rowden, at ZSL

Alasdair Davies, Arribada at ZSL

Full research team:

Victoria Pratt and Ben Eaton from Invisible Flock

Tom Davis, Bournemouth University

MRes course at Bournemouth University

Doing an MRes degree at Bournemouth University allows you to focus on research, which you write up as a thesis, without completing coursework, although you will also have the benefit of a small number of mandatory skills workshops.

At the start of the project, you will discuss your development goals and requirements with your supervisory team, and we will provide you with relevant training opportunities. This project offers the opportunity to learn skills in animal behaviour data collection and analyses with experts in the field. You will also have the opportunity to learn more about developing low-cost acoustic devices, collecting and analysing sound recordings, and can join in public engagement activities.

You will become a member of the Bournemouth University Postgraduate Researcher group (PhD, MPhil and MRes students), where you fall under the support from our doctoral college. At the university you are part of the Life and Environmental Sciences Department where we have an inclusive welcoming team of scientists working on a wide breadth of research in biological and ecological subjects (LES).

Start Date: April 2021 (preferably)

Contact: please contact Amanda Korstjens if you have any questions about this opportunity. akorstjens @ bournemouth.ac.uk (without the spaces)

Some further information on the work we do:

Elephant research at Bournemouth University: https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/research/research-action/sumatran-elephant-conservation ZSL Research: https://www.zsl.org/science/research

Arribada Initiative: https://arribada.org/

Invisible Flock: Inaudible Science-art collaboration: https://invisibleflock.com/portfolio/inaudible/

You will become a member of the LEAP research group, you can find completed MRes and PhD theses of the LEAP team here: https://go-leap.wixsite.com/home/publications

Details on the MRes scheme and links to how to Apply can be found here:

https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/study/courses/master-research-faculty-science-technology-1

Application page link (please check the general course information pages first).

Funding:

We will provide equipment.

We cannot fund accommodation, fees or stipend.

We will support and train you in preparing external funding bids.

Sumatran Elephant by @AHKorstjens

Sumatran Elephant by @AHKorstjens

(more…)

RDP sessions from January – June 2021 are now open for bookings

BU research, Doctoral College, Events, Featured, PG research, Postgraduate Research, Research Concordat, Research Training, Training

The eagle eyed amongst us would have noticed we have now added dates and booking links for a majority of RDP sessions taking place from January onwards.

Not attended any researcher development sessions yet? See what your fellow PGRs are saying this year via our feedback survey. It’s never too late to start, you can use the Training Needs Analysis template to guide you.

Sessions have now concluded for 2020, however you can still access a growing range of on-demand online resources covering an extensive range of subject areas. I have recently added some additional links which may be of interest in the ‘additional online resources‘ area. Please do consider the range of resources at your disposal.

View the full Researcher Development Programme on Brightspace.

If you have any questions about the programme please get in touch.

PGR Virtual Poster Exhibition | Kevin Davidson

BU research, conferences, Doctoral College, Events, Featured, PG research, Postgraduate Research, Research communication, student research

Poster Exhibition | The 12th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference 

Kevin Davidson, MRes student in the Faculty of Science & Technology with this poster entitled:

Mindful Resilience: supporting young people at risk of gaming and gambling-related harms.

Click the poster below to enlarge.

There is increasing evidence of gambling-type behaviour in young gamers and associated harms to their health and wellbeing. This issue is being addressed by a project to develop the educational resources for healthcare practitioners in this field, with Bournemouth University partnering with the Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM), Betknowmore, the Responsible Gambling Council, and Playtech. Within this project an MRes has been funded to draw upon literature on Mindfulness and Resilience in outlining a working concept of Mindful Resilience. This concept of Mindful Resilience will be applied to digital contexts, such as those where young gamers engage in gambling-type behaviour, to foster digital resilience. This poster will describe and outline a working concept of Mindful Resilience and demonstrate how it applies in the digital context.

 

You can view the full poster exhibition on the conference webpage.

 

If this research has inspired you and you’d like to explore applying for a research degree please visit the postgraduate research web pages or contact our dedicated admissions team.

 

 

PGR Virtual Poster Exhibition | Raksha Thapa

BU research, conferences, Doctoral College, Events, Featured, PG research, Postgraduate Research, Research communication, student research

Poster Exhibition | The 12th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference 

Raksha Thapa, PhD student in the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences with this poster entitled:

Caste exclusion and health discrimination in South Asia: A systematic review

 

Click the poster below to enlarge.

The caste system is a three millennia old social stratification system in the world.  This review investigates caste- based inequity in health care utilisation in South Asia, particularly focusing those at the bottom of the caste hierarchy, the so-called Dalit communities.  A systematic methodology was followed, key databases (including CINAHL, Medline, SocINDEX, PubMed, Nepjol, JSTOR and  ASSIA ) were searched using the PRISMA. Out of 15,109 papers nine selected papers were included in the review. The papers focused on studies in India (n=7) and Nepal (n=2) and using methods including qualitative (n=2), quantitative (n=3) and mixed method (n=4) approaches. The review identified four main themes; stigma, poverty, beliefs/cultures and healthcare. Caste-based inequality impacts upon all aspects of individual’s well-being, violence and people’s opportunities to access education, employment and healthcare. Dalits appear to experience this significantly due to their lower caste and socioeconomic position which also increases their vulnerability to health.

 

You can view the full poster exhibition on the conference webpage.

 

If this research has inspired you and you’d like to explore applying for a research degree please visit the postgraduate research web pages or contact our dedicated admissions team.

 

 

PGR Virtual Poster Exhibition | Bronwyn Sherriff

BU research, conferences, Doctoral College, Events, Featured, PG research, Postgraduate Research, Research communication, student research

Poster Exhibition | The 12th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference 

Bronwyn Sherriff, PhD student in the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences with this poster entitled:

Coping with Covid-19: reflecting on the process of modifying methods midway.

 

Click the poster below to enlarge.

Background: Few PhD students wish to be faced with the task of adapting their research methods, especially midway, when timelines and project plans have been painstakingly prepared, revised, and scrutinised. Following the realisation that Covid-19 was unlikely to be a passing pandemic, this poster summarises the process taken to address the crucial question: Are the proposed methods still feasible considering the change in context? Approach: Although problem-solving and flexibility are important characteristics of any researcher, in the postCovid-19 research milieu, the role of collaboration and stakeholder engagement are likely to become increasingly pivotal. Both represent invaluable tools for (re-)planning and (re-)designing healthcare research by informing essential research decisions. Contribution: The impact of Covid-19 remains an ongoing challenge to student researchers. This poster provides a pragmatic guide, particularly for healthcare research students, by explaining the approach used to modify the initial research design and presenting key considerations which may be useful.

 

You can view the full poster exhibition on the conference webpage.

 

If this research has inspired you and you’d like to explore applying for a research degree please visit the postgraduate research web pages or contact our dedicated admissions team.

 

 

PGR Virtual Poster Exhibition | Mashael Alsufyani

BU research, conferences, Doctoral College, Events, Featured, PG research, Postgraduate Research, Research communication, student research

Poster Exhibition | The 12th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference 

Mashael Alsufyani, PhD student in the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences with this poster entitled:

Exploring the Usage of Social Media by Female Saudi Nursing Students for Personal and Academic Purposes.

 

Click the poster below to enlarge.

The simulation model used while undertaking the Structural Health Management (SHM) task to predict the response of the system/structure(s) to disturbances, got phase-out when the real system/structure material properties changes in non-uniform and complex way. In order to accurately predict future states of a system/ structure, which can change its behaviour to a large degree in response to environmental influences, the existence of precise models of the system and its surroundings is demandable. For this, simulation modelling within DT paradigm concept is proposed, with DT encompassing continuous and automatic model updating framework, reducing the computational (parametric) uncertainties that arises with time in the process and ultimately having a lifetime reliable prognosis tool for the structural behaviour. The solver (algorithm/framework) will be tested with a real-world problem by setting a DT environment integrated with an ultra-high-fidelity simulation model (for eg: cathodic protection (CP) model built for the prediction of the corrosion status of a seastructure).

 

You can view the full poster exhibition on the conference webpage.

 

If this research has inspired you and you’d like to explore applying for a research degree please visit the postgraduate research web pages or contact our dedicated admissions team.

 

 

PGR Virtual Poster Exhibition | Vanessa Bartholomew

BU research, conferences, Doctoral College, Events, Featured, PG research, Postgraduate Research, Research communication, student research

Poster Exhibition | The 12th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference 

Vanessa Bartholomew, PhD student in the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences with this poster entitled:

RETHINK – Can we reduce hospital admission in latent labour?

 

Click the poster below to enlarge.

Background: Women experiencing an uncomplicated pregnancy are at increased risk of obstetric intervention if admitted to hospital during latent labour. Pain and fear are significant factors in early hospital admissions. Pain catastrophising (PC) is a strong predictor of childbirth pain. Studies have yet to consider whether PC influences the timing of hospital admission. Aim: To examine whether PC is a predictor for early hospital admission when in labour and subsequently birth outcomes. Design: A pragmatic, quasi-experimental study. Sample: Primigravid women who are experiencing an uncomplicated pregnancy, will be recruited between 25-33 weeks gestation. Target sample size is 384. Data Collection: Participants will complete two online questionnaires; one antenatal, the second three weeks postnatal. Birth outcomes will also be collected. Analysis: Logistic regression, will be used to assess if PC is a predictor of early hospital admission. Other explanatory factors (e.g. socioeconomic variables) will be considered. Significance level will be p≤0.05.

 

You can view the full poster exhibition on the conference webpage.

 

If this research has inspired you and you’d like to explore applying for a research degree please visit the postgraduate research web pages or contact our dedicated admissions team.

 

 

PGR Virtual Poster Exhibition | Sara Stride

BU research, conferences, Doctoral College, Events, Featured, PG research, Postgraduate Research, Research communication, student research

Poster Exhibition | The 12th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference 

Sara Stride, PhD student in the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences with this poster entitled:

Taking time to explore appropriate methods.

 

Click the poster below to enlarge.

The first phases of my doctorate work used mixed methods to increase my understanding of midwives’ beliefs and attitudes regarding birth trauma. I identified five key themes; one of these was that midwives felt “ashamed” when women sustain severe birth trauma. Methods: Taking time to read and attend workshops this year has clarified the methods that I intend to use to now explore individual midwives’ experiences in more depth. Interviews will be facilitated using an online platform, as face to face contact needs to be minimised during the current Covid-19 Pandemic. Grounded theory will be used, so sampling, collection of data, analysis and theory construction will occur concurrently. Initial Findings: The study will provide data on midwives’ experiences whenwomen sustain severe birth trauma. Contribution to knowledge: Understanding midwives’ experiences will enable me to identify the support midwives need.

You can also listen to an audio recording exploring the poster on zoom (Passcode:66cU#RNB).

 

You can view the full poster exhibition on the conference webpage.

 

If this research has inspired you and you’d like to explore applying for a research degree please visit the postgraduate research web pages or contact our dedicated admissions team.

 

 

PGR Virtual Poster Exhibition | Katie Thompson

BU research, conferences, Doctoral College, Events, Featured, PG research, Postgraduate Research, Research communication, student research

Poster Exhibition | The 12th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference 

Katie Thompson, PhD student in the Faculty of Science & Technology with this poster entitled:

Impacts of African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) on large trees within a small, fenced reserve in South Africa.

 

Click the poster below to enlarge.

African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) can have detrimental impacts on trees due to their feeding habits including debarking, uprooting, and breaking branches off trees. The aim of this study is to assess whether introduced elephants have caused significant damage on various tree species in the small fenced Karongwe Private Game Reserve (KPGR). Thirty-two different tree species were recorded, with 5 species accounting for 80% of the total dataset and used for further analysis. Tree height was not shown to correlate with the overall level of damage. Trees close to the fence line were not more damaged than trees near the centre of the reserve. However, trees in highly used areas had a higher level of damage; these damaged trees showed low levels of recovery. We suggest exclusion areas for Combretum apiculatum and Sclerocarya birrea in high use areas, to reduce damage and enable recovery on these highly damaged species.

 

You can view the full poster exhibition on the conference webpage.

 

If this research has inspired you and you’d like to explore applying for a research degree please visit the postgraduate research web pages or contact our dedicated admissions team.

 

 

PGR Virtual Poster Exhibition | Kelsie Fletcher

BU research, conferences, Doctoral College, Events, Featured, PG research, Postgraduate Research, Research communication, student research

Poster Exhibition | The 12th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference 

Kelsie Fletcher, PhD student in the Faculty of Haealth & Social Sciences with this poster entitled:

The history of disaster nursing: developments from Nightingale to the 21st century.

 

Click the poster below to enlarge.

Background: Nurses have a rich history in performing their duty both domestically and internationally in response to a disaster. Comprising the largest proportion of the healthcare workforce, nurses can inform disaster planning and management. With continuing conflict, humanitarian and natural disasters, epidemics and ongoing threat from covid-19, nurses’ roles and capacity to respond to global health needs is critical. Aims: The aim of this poster is to demonstrate key developments in the field of disaster nursing. Methods: A qualitative historical review was conducted to examine core developments in the history of disaster nursing. Results: A total of 10 articles refer to disaster nursing specifically, of which 4 of these are reports/policy. Conclusions: The complex but rich history of disaster nursing is interwoven throughout the historical literature. Understanding the developments of this newly recognised specialty field can inform future research agendas and this can inform the mitigation, prevention, response and recovery phases of disaster management.

 

You can view the full poster exhibition on the conference webpage.

 

If this research has inspired you and you’d like to explore applying for a research degree please visit the postgraduate research web pages or contact our dedicated admissions team.

 

 

PGR Virtual Poster Exhibition | Madhu Sapkota

BU research, conferences, Doctoral College, Events, Featured, PG research, Postgraduate Research, Research communication, student research

Poster Exhibition | The 12th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference 

Madhu Sapkota, PhD student in the Faculty of Science & Technology with this poster entitled:

Adaptive Simulation Modelling using the Digital Twin Paradigm.

 

Click the poster below to enlarge.

The simulation model used while undertaking the Structural Health Management (SHM) task to predict the response of the system/structure(s) to disturbances, got phase-out when the real system/structure material properties changes in non-uniform and complex way. In order to accurately predict future states of a system/ structure, which can change its behaviour to a large degree in response to environmental influences, the existence of precise models of the system and its surroundings is demandable. For this, simulation modelling within DT paradigm concept is proposed, with DT encompassing continuous and automatic model updating framework, reducing the computational (parametric) uncertainties that arises with time in the process and ultimately having a lifetime reliable prognosis tool for the structural behaviour. The solver (algorithm/framework) will be tested with a real-world problem by setting a DT environment integrated with an ultra-high-fidelity simulation model (for eg: cathodic protection (CP) model built for the prediction of the corrosion status of a seastructure).

 

You can view the full poster exhibition on the conference webpage.

 

If this research has inspired you and you’d like to explore applying for a research degree please visit the postgraduate research web pages or contact our dedicated admissions team.