Latest research and knowledge exchange news at Bournemouth University
Meet fellow researchers and academics at the Postgraduate Research Showcase Celebration. Support your PGR community and celebrate some of the amazing research that is taking place at BU!
Any questions please contact pgconference@bournemouth.ac.uk
These one hour sessions are aimed at all academic staff who are new to, or experienced at, supervising research degree students and are interested in expanding their knowledge of a specific aspect or process in doctoral supervision. Each session will be led by a senior academic or a service representative who will introduce and facilitate the topic. Staff will benefit from discussions aimed at sharing best practice.
Wellbeing Support for PGRs at BU
Ensuring the wellbeing of PGRs and supervisors can be challenging and this session will look at the support available for PGRs at BU. This discussion will be led by Dr Chloe Casey, FHSS.
Staff attending this session will:
Date: Tuesday 30 January 2024
Time: 12:00 – 13:00 (online)
For further details and to book visit the Doctoral College Supervisory Development staff intranet pages.
Sessions coming up in January, March and May 2024.
Whether you are a new supervisor, you plan to be one, or you have experience but are new to Bournemouth University, this development workshop is for you. (If you have already booked, your place is confirmed).
The workshop, which is mandatory for new supervisors, offers the necessary knowledge to supervise Postgraduate Research students by placing this knowledge within both the internal and external regulatory framework.
This workshop will cover the following key areas:
Book your place onto one of the Doctoral Supervision: New Supervisors Development workshops below. Further details about this workshop can also be found on the staff intranet.
| Date | Time | Location | Booking (via Eventbrite) |
| Wednesday 31 January 2024 | 10:00 – 15:15 | Online | Book |
| Tuesday 5 March 2024 | 10:00 – 15:15 | Talbot Campus (in person) | Book |
| Wednesday 15 May 2024 | 10:00 – 15:15 | Lansdowne Campus (in person) | Book |
Free sessions from Fast Track Impact on preparing for REF2029, scoping an ethics of engagement and impact, integrating impact into your next funding bid and influencing policy. Book soon as some of these events only have a few spaces left.
Date: 5 February, 2024
Time: 10:00 – 13:00
This session will help you monitor, evaluate and evidence your impact.
Date: 26 February, 2024
Time: 13:00 – 14:00
Date: 20 May, 2024
Time: 10:00 – 12:00
Learn how to increase your success rates and integrate impact into your next research proposal
Date: 2 September, 2024
Time: 10:00 – 13:00
This session is based on research by Prof Reed and the latest evidence on how to get research evidence into policy.
Date: 2 December, 2024
Time: 10:00 – 13:00
Find out how you can become significantly more productive as a researcher in a fraction of your current working day.
Yesterday, Sunday 14th January, I was invited by Bournemouth University’s former PhD student Dr. Pratik Adhikary to run a three-hour methods session on semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions at the Nepal Injury Research Centre (NIRC). The workshop was based on work normally presented as part of BU’s Doctoral College Researcher Development Programme.
The audience comprised PhD students based at NIRC, as well as at Kathmandu Medical College (KMC), and Nepal’s oldest and largest university, Tribhuvan University. Participants were involved in research into many different research questions, ranging from road traffic accidents to sexual health and the well-being of migrant workers. NIRC was established with funding from the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Global Health Research Programme and it is a partnership between KMC and the University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE).
Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen
Centre for Midwifery & Women’s Health (CMWH)
Did you miss the the latest PGR Conference? Do not worry you can now visit the Atrium Gallery on Talbot Campus to view a selection of the posters that were exhibited on the day as part of the Postgraduate Research Showcase.
Half of the posters are now on display. These will then be swapped out for the remaining posters halfway through the exhibition, which will be displayed until Friday 23 February. Just visit the Atrium when it suits you to see some of the amazing research that is taking place at BU.
To mark the occasion, on Wednesday 7 February 15:00-16:00, we will be hosting the Showcase Celebration! This is a social event and is a great opportunity to support the PGR community, with cheese and wine on offer. Check out the Doctoral College Brightspace for more information and to book.
A Virtual Exhibition of the posters is also available via the BU website.
Any questions please email: pgconference@bournemouth.ac.uk
Best wishes,
The Doctoral College
Bournemouth University is working with University of Newcastle and University of Cardiff to provide opportunities for Postgraduate Research (PGR) students to connect with each other and learn about how sustainability can enhance their doctoral research.
Our mission is to connect and nurture PGRs, aspiring PGRs (perhaps currently studying their master’s degree) and Early Career Researchers who are interested in developing their understanding about how sustainability can enhance the rationale for and impact of their research.
We launch the network in February 2024 and would love you to encourage your PGRs to join. We will be holding a programme of monthly online events with the following aims:
The network is a legacy of SustainaWHAT?! a series of events held during 2023 which connected PGRs to the sustainability agenda and sought to facilitate a cross-institution PGR network for ongoing support and inspiration of SDG-informed research.
Want to know more? Then email Professor Fiona Cownie (fjcownie@bournemouth.ac.uk) or PGR lead Jack Olley (jolley@bournemouth.ac.uk)
We’d love to welcome your PGRs to SPROUT.
Prof Fiona Cownie and Jack Olley
Bournemouth University Network Leads
Thank you to all of our presenters, poster exhibitors, session chairs and of course delegates who supported the 15th 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 our positive PGR research culture and community across BU.
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.
Feedback collection will close soon – 15 December 2023.
Did you miss the 15th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference? Do not worry you will be able to visit the Atrium Gallery to view the posters that were exhibited on the day!
Half of the posters will be on display from 2 January. These will then be swapped out for the remaining posters, halfway through the exhibition, which will be displayed until 23 February.
We will be holding a celebration event on the 7 February 2024, with more information to follow so watch this space!
A Virtual Exhibition is now available via the BU website.
You can see more of the highlights from the day on twitter #BUPGRConf23 and #BUDoctoralCollege.
I look forward to seeing many of your again next year!
Arabella [Doctoral College Marketing & Events Coordinator]
These one hour sessions are aimed at all academic staff who are new to, or experienced at, supervising research degree students and are interested in expanding their knowledge of a specific aspect or process in doctoral supervision. Each session will be led by a senior academic or a service representative who will introduce and facilitate the topic. Staff will benefit from discussions aimed at sharing best practice.
Milestone Panel Member: What’s my Role? This discussion will be led by Dr Ian Jones, BU Business School. This session is focused on expanding individuals’ knowledge on the processes and responsibilities involved in being a panel member for a Probationary or Major Review. Staff attending this session will have gained additional knowledge of the role of panel members and be aware of the relevant sections of the Code of Practice for Research Degrees.
Update: This session is to be rescheduled
Administrative Checks for Examiners of Vivas: Right to Work Checks and Other Challenges (UKCGE Event)
Date: Wednesday 6 December 2023
Time: 13:00 – 14:00
For further details and to book visit the Doctoral College Supervisory Development staff intranet pages.
The UK Council for Graduate Education (UKCGE) is the representative body for postgraduate education and research. As BU is a member of the UKCGE, staff can attend online events free of charge.
See below for details on next week’s online event:
| Session | Details | Date, Time & Book |
| What is the impact of doctoral research in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences? | This online discussion, run in collaboration with The British Academy, will examine the impact of doctoral research in the arts, humanities and social sciences. | 6 December
13:00 – 14:00 |
This event may be of interest to research degree supervisors and academic and professional staff who support our PGRs.
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has announced new investment in 15 doctoral training partnerships (DTPs) spanning 89 institutions over the next five years, providing professional development and training opportunities to enhance the capabilities of doctoral candidates.
BU was part of a successful £15.3m bid which now enables colleagues to bid for prestigious ESRC-funded doctoral studentships.
We have partnered with the University of Bristol, University of Bath, Bath Spa University, University of Exeter, University of Plymouth, University of St Mark and St John (Marjon), and University of the West of England as part of the South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP).
The partnership will cover the breadth of social sciences, as well as areas of interdisciplinary research. The ESRC awards cover five years of PhD studentships, with the first intake beginning in October 2024. The ESRC aims to support 500 students a year nationwide across the partnerships.
The DTPs will also develop tailored training programmes for students and staff and support a wide variety of collaborative activities, including events and placement opportunities.
Professor Mike Silk, Institutional Lead for BU and a member of the SWDTP Management Board, said: “This is a prestigious award which will fund over 170 studentships across the consortium of SWDTP partners and provides us with an exciting opportunity to further elevate our postgraduate provision in both disciplinary and interdisciplinary pathways aligned with the ESRC.
“It allows BU staff and students to benefit from the leadership and research knowledge across all eight institutions and for BU to enhance and extend its research environment, promote and support excellent, innovative, diverse and interdisciplinary research, and foster transferable research skills and the career development of our postgraduate researchers.”
He added that the partnership will also bring additional benefits, with all registered postgraduate research students at BU now having access to opportunities for additional training across partner institutions, sharing best practice, resources and academic knowledge, placements, and funding for staff projects and events.
Fiona Knight, Head of The Doctoral College at BU, said: “The Doctoral College is excited to be collaborating with our partners in the SWDTP and the opportunity to share best practice, resources and academic knowledge.
“This partnership will strengthen our support for all of our social science postgraduate researchers and enable access to a network of social scientists across the DTP.”
The funding means that BU will now be able to bid for ESRC-funded doctoral studentships across several areas of excellence that align to the ESRC’s funding priorities – including Health, Wellbeing, and Society; Psychology; and Climate change, Sustainability, and Society.
Stian Westlake, ESRC Executive Chair, said: “Our vision for postgraduate training is that it will develop globally competitive social science researchers who can operate in interdisciplinary, collaborative, and challenge-led environments across a range of sectors and who have a diversity of backgrounds and experiences.
“This redesigned and expanded doctoral training opportunity will enhance the experience for PhD students and boost the UK’s capability.”
Find out more about BU studentships and opportunities through the SWDTP
The Doctoral College are delighted to launch the Supervisory Development Lunchbite Sessions for 2023/2024. More sessions will be added soon.
These one hour sessions are aimed at all academic staff who are new to, or experienced at, supervising research degree students and are interested in expanding their knowledge of a specific aspect or process in doctoral supervision. Session details and to book your place are available using the link below.
Each session will be led by a senior academic or service representative who will introduce and facilitate the topic. Staff will benefit from discussions aimed at sharing best practice.
Booking is via Eventbrite for Doctoral College sessions. Sessions also include UKCGE events. Bournemouth University is a member of UKCGE and the events listed are free to BU staff.
Please use your BU email address when booking.
Click here for further details and to book your place. For enquiries, please email doctoralcollege@bournemouth.ac.uk.
| Event | Date | Time | Location |
| Administrative Milestones to Support On-Time Completion | 15 November 2023 |
13:00-14:00 |
Online (UKCGE) |
| Administrative Checks for Examiners of Vivas: Right to Work Checks & Challenges |
22 November 2023 |
13:00-14:00 |
Online (UKCGE) |
| Chairing Viva Voces: What’s my Role? | 22 November 2023 | 12:00 – 13:00 | Online |
| What is the impact of Doctoral Research in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences | 6 December 2023 | 13:00-14:00 | Online (UKCGE) |
| Milestone Panel Member: What’s my Role? | 6 December 2023 | 12:00 – 13:00 | Online |
| Wellbeing Support for PGRs at BU | 30 January 2024 | 12:00 – 13:00 | Online |
| Managing Difficult Students | 6 February 2024 | 12:00 – 13:00 | Online |
| Supporting International PGRs: Key Factors | 14 February 2024 | 12:00 – 13:00 | Online |
| UKCGE Recognised Research Supervisor Scheme | 15 February 2024 | 12:00 – 13:00 | Online |
| Supporting PGRs Requiring ALS | 21 February 2024 | 12:00 – 13:00 | Online |
| A Practice Led Thesis: The Supervisors Guide | 19 March 2024 | 12:00 – 13:00 | Online |
| AI and the Research Degree | 20 March 2024 | 12:00 – 13:00 | Online |
The UK Council for Graduate Education (UKCGE) is the representative body for postgraduate education and research. As BU is a member of the UKCGE, staff can attend online events free of charge.
See below for details on next week’s online event and an upcoming event in December:
| Session | Details | Date, Time & Book |
| Administrative Checks for Examiners of Vivas: Right to Work Checks and Other Challenges | This online discussion will examine some of the administrative issues faced by institutions in ensuring that examiners of vivas are appointed in an appropriate manner. For example a number of institutions have reported challenges with right to work checks for viva examiners. This discussion, led by the University of Westminster and held under the Chatham House rule, will allow colleagues from across the sector to share and discuss their own, and other institutions’, approaches in this area. | 22 Nov 2023
13:00 – 14:00 |
| What is the impact of doctoral research in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences? | This online discussion, run in collaboration with The British Academy, will examine the impact of doctoral research in the arts, humanities and social sciences. | 6 December
13:00 – 14:00 |
These events may be of interest to research degree supervisors and academic and professional staff who support our PGRs.
The UK Council for Graduate Education (UKCGE) is the representative body for postgraduate education and research. As BU is a member of the UKCGE, staff can attend online events free of charge.
See below for details on next week’s online event:
| Session | Details | Date, Time & Book |
| Administrative Milestones to Support On-Time Completion | This online Town Hall discussion will focus on ways to improve completion rates amongst PGRs. Using a new initiative at the University of Sheffield as a starting point, attendees will have to opportunity to discuss & share challenges & successes in instigating administrative processes to support PGRs & their supervisors to completion. | 15 Nov 2023
13:00 – 14:00 |
A reminder the following online events are coming up and may be of interest to research degree supervisors and academic and professional staff who support our PGRs:
| Session | Details | Date, Time & Book |
| Administrative Checks for Examiners of Vivas: Right to Work Checks and Other Challenges | This online discussion will examine some of the administrative issues faced by institutions in ensuring that examiners of vivas are appointed in an appropriate manner. For example a number of institutions have reported challenges with right to work checks for viva examiners. This discussion, led by the University of Westminster and held under the Chatham House rule, will allow colleagues from across the sector to share and discuss their own, and other institutions’, approaches in this area. | 22 Nov 2023
13:00 – 14:00 |
| What is the impact of doctoral research in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences? | This online discussion, run in collaboration with The British Academy, will examine the impact of doctoral research in the arts, humanities and social sciences. | 6 December
13:00 – 14:00 |
Whether you are a new supervisor, you plan to be one, or you have experience but are new to Bournemouth University, this development workshop is for you.
The workshop, which is mandatory for new supervisors, offers the necessary knowledge to supervise Postgraduate Research students by placing this knowledge within both the internal and external regulatory framework.
This workshop will cover the following key areas:
Book your place onto one of the Doctoral Supervision: New Supervisors Development workshops below. Further details about this workshop can also be found on the staff intranet.
| Date | Time | Location | Booking (via Eventbrite) |
| Thursday 16 November 2023 | 10:00 – 15:15 | Talbot Campus (in person) | Book |
| Wednesday 31 January 2024 | 10:00 – 15:15 | Online | Book |
| Tuesday 5 March 2024 | 10:00 – 15:15 | Talbot Campus (in person) | Book |
| Wednesday 15 May 2024 | 10:00 – 15:15 | Lansdowne Campus (in person) | Book |
The UK Council for Graduate Education (UKCGE) is the representative body for postgraduate education and research. As BU is a member of the UKCGE, staff can attend online events free of charge.
See below for details on tomorrow’s online event:
| Session | Details | Date, Time & Book |
| Supporting Neurodivergent PGRs | The online discussion session will examine issues surround how best to support neurodivergent PGRs. Attendees will also have opportunity to share and discuss challenges & successes in supporting neurodivergent PGRs in their own institutions. | 26 Oct 2023
13:00 – 14:00 |
A reminder the following online events are coming up and may be of interest to research degree supervisors and academic and professional staff who support our PGRs:
| Session | Details | Date, Time & Book |
| Administrative Milestones to Support On-Time Completion | This online Town Hall discussion will focus on ways to improve completion rates amongst PGRs. Using a new initiative at the University of Sheffield as a starting point, attendees will have to opportunity to discuss & share challenges & successes in instigating administrative processes to support PGRs & their supervisors to completion. | 15 Nov 2023
13:00 – 14:00 |
| Administrative Checks for Examiners of Vivas: Right to Work Checks and Other Challenges | This online discussion will examine some of the administrative issues faced by institutions in ensuring that examiners of vivas are appointed in an appropriate manner. For example a number of institutions have reported challenges with right to work checks for viva examiners. This discussion, led by the University of Westminster and held under the Chatham House rule, will allow colleagues from across the sector to share and discuss their own, and other institutions’, approaches in this area. | 22 Nov 2023
13:00 – 14:00 |
| What is the impact of doctoral research in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences? | This online discussion, run in collaboration with The British Academy, will examine the impact of doctoral research in the arts, humanities and social sciences. | 6 December
13:00 – 14:00 |
Bournemouth University is committed to continue supporting the growth of our postgraduate researchers (PGRs) through the BU match-funded studentship scheme. As such, we are delighted to announce the launch of the allocative process for projects due to start during 2024-2025 academic year.
There are up to 10 match-funded studentship projects available, with a focus on supporting the BU research themes. There are no fully-funded studentships on offer. Match-funded studentships will only be offered in conjunction with guaranteed external match-funding.
The allocative process will be overseen by the BU Studentships Funding Panel and administered by the Doctoral College.
Full details, including the allocative process and other documentation can be found on the Doctoral College Staff Intranet.
Applications must be completed fully and submitted, by the lead supervisor, to the Doctoral College via email: phdstudentshipcompetition@bournemouth.ac.uk.
The deadline for submission of applications is 5pm on Monday 11 December 2023.
If you have any questions about your application, please speak with your Deputy Dean for Research and Professional Practice (DDRPP) or the Heads of the Doctoral College: Dr Fiona Knight (for FST or FHSS enquiries) or Dr Julia Taylor (for BUBS or FMC enquiries).
The conference will take place on Wednesday 29 November. This is a great opportunity for postgraduate researchers to showcase and promote their research to the BU community whether they have just started or are approaching the end of their journey at BU.
Attending the conference is a great opportunity to engage and network with the postgraduate research community and find out more about the exciting and fascinating research that is happening across BU.
Abstracts are invited from postgraduate researchers to present via oral or poster presentation.
For full details on how to apply please visit the Doctoral College Conference Brightspace.
Closing date 09:00 Monday 23 October 2023.
Registration to attend will open in November, all members of BU are welcome!
For any questions, please email pgconference@bournemouth.ac.uk and a member of the Doctoral College conference team will get back to you.
BU staff can login below:
MSCA Staff Exchanges 2024 Call – internal deadline
BU Professor has been invited to a series of plenary and invited lectures.
An Interview of BU-lead EU H2020 FIRST project published in “Horizon”, the EU Research & Innovation Magazine
Update on Horizon Europe Guarantee Horizon Europe Update – January 2023
Research Information Network
Two new BU midwifery publications
New publications Dr. Pramod Regmi
The Year in Research 2024
First publication FHSS postgraduate student Anjana Paudyal