BU Research Blog

Category / EU

Welcome to the EU section of the blog! Emily Cieciura (BU’s Research Facilitator – EU and International), Jo Garrad (Funding Development Manager) and Dianne Goodman (Funding Development Co-ordinator) together try to take the pain out of finding and applying for EU funding by horizon scanning many sources and placing the most important information on this page.

We blog as often as possible on everything from calls for proposals and partner searches, to networking event opportunities, all the latest on Horizon 2020 and international funding. We also use the blog to disseminate information on EUADS (BU’s EU academic training initiative), how to write brilliant proposals, how to find partners and other top tips!

July 5, 2016

BU academics launch EU Referendum Analysis report within ten days of the vote

BU research, EU, Events, Impact, Knowledge Exchange, Public engagement, Publishing, Research communication, Research news Daniel Jackson

We are very pleased to announce the publication of “EU Referendum Analysis 2016: Media, Voters and the Campaign”, edited by Daniel Jackson, Einar Thorsen (both BU) and Dominic Wring (Loughborough University).

Featuring 80 contributions from 100 leading UK academics, this publication captures the immediate thoughts, reflections and early research insights on the 2016 Referendum on UK Membership of the European Union from the cutting edge of media and politics research.

Published 10 days after the election, these contributions are short and accessible. Authors provide authoritative analysis of the campaign, including research findings or new theoretical insights; to bring readers original ways of understanding the referendum and its consequences. Contributions also bring a rich range of disciplinary influences, from political science to fan studies, journalism studies to advertising.

The publication is available as a downloadable PDF, as a website and as a printed report.

We are hosting an invitation only launch event at the House of Commons (18 July) and an open event on Brexit in Leicester (IAMCR pre-conference, 27 July).

You can register for the conference here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-brexit-campaign-2016-uk-referendum-on-membership-of-european-union-tickets-24771805136

EU Referendum Analysis website:
http://www.referendumanalysis.eu

Direct PDF download:
http://bit.ly/EUReferendumAnalysis2016_Jackson-Thorsen-and-Wring_v1

Thanks to all of our contributors and production staff who helped make the quick turnaround possible. We hope it makes for a vibrant and engaging read!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction: the Brexit campaign (Daniel Jackson, Einar Thorsen and Dominic Wring)

Section 1: Context
1. EEC/EU campaigning in long-term perspective (Jay Blumler)
2. From Super-Market to Orwellian Super-State: the origins and growth of newspaper scepticism (Dominic Wring)
3. Understanding the role of the mass media in the EU Referendum (Mike Berry)
4. Brexit: the destruction of a collective good (Chris Gifford)
5. How the Brexit outcome has changed our understanding of referendums (John Fitzgibbon)
6. The referendum and Britain’s broken immigration politics (Andrew Geddes)
7. The great miscalculation: David Cameron’s renegotiation and the EU Referendum campaign (Andrew Glencross)

Section 2: Politics
8. Rhetoric of excess (James Martin)
9. Myth versus fact: are we living in a post-factual democracy?(Susan Banducci and Dan Stevens)
10. Destroying and building democracy, a German view(Catherine Goetze)
11. Remembrance of Referendums Past: Scotland in the campaign (Michael Higgins)
12. Public personalities in the EU debate: Elites vs. the majority and Bullingdon resurgent(Nathan Farrell)
13. Healthier ever after? The NHS as a campaign issue (Tamara Hervey)
14. Wales, immigration, news media and Brexit (Kerry Moore)
15. The referendum campaign and the public’s constitutional understanding (David Yuratich)
16. The EU referendum and the Country of Origin principle (COO) (Irini Katsirea)
17. Calming the storm: fighting falsehoods, fig leaves and fairy tales (Alan Renwick, Matthew Flinders and Will Jennings)

Section 3: News
18. The press and the Referendum campaign (David Levy, Billur Aslan and Diego Bironzo)
19. The narrow agenda: how the news media covered the Referendum (David Deacon, John Downey, Emily Harmer, James Stanyer and Dominic Wring)
20. Newspapers’ editorial opinions during the referendum campaign (Julie Firmstone)
21. Brexit ‘mansplained’: news coverage of the EU Referendum (Emily Harmer)
22. Scrutinising statistical claims and constructing balance: television news coverage of the 2016 EU Referendum (Stephen Cushion and Justin Lewis)
23. Regulated equivocation: the referendum on radio (Guy Starkey)
24. Referendum night goings on (Stephen Coleman)
25. The view from across the pond: Brexit on American media (Filippo Trevisan)
26. A victory of the nation state: the EU Referendum in the Southern European press (Iñaki Garcia-Blanco)

Section 4: Journalism
27. How our mainstream media failed democracy (Steven Barnett)
28. Divided Britain? We were already divided… (Des Freedman)
29. Deliberation, distortion and dystopia: the news media and the referendum (Charlie Beckett)
30. UK newspapers and the EU Referendum: Brexit or Bremain?(Oliver Daddow)
31. X marks the spot but the Ys have it: Referendum coverage as a boys’ own story (Karen Ross)
32. Mind the gap: the language of prejudice and the press omissions that led a people to the precipice (Paul Rowinski)
33. ‘They don’t understand us’: UK journalists’ challenges of reporting the EU (Anna Wambach)
34. Bending over backwards: the BBC and the Brexit campaign (Ivor Gaber)
35. Bums gone to Iceland: England, Brexit and Euro 2016 (Roger Domeneghetti)
36. It’s the ‘primary definers’, stupid! (Chris Roberts)
37. Brexit: inequality, the media and the democratic deficit (Natalie Fenton)

Section 5: Campaign and Political Communication
38. Why facts did matter in the campaign (Christoph Meyer)
39. Less a soap opera, more a fantasy drama? (John Street)
40. The rhetoric of the EU Referendum campaign (Andrew S. Crines)
41. A (very) brief period of Habermasian bliss (Mick Temple)
42. The toxicity of discourse: reflections on UK political culture following the EU Referendum (Katy Parry)
43. Britishness and Brexit (Frances Smith)
44. Neither tackling lies nor making the case: the Remain side (Kirsty Hughes)
45. Break-point for Brexit? How UKIP’s image of ‘hate’ set race discourse reeling back decades (James Morrison)
46. Referendum campaign broadcasts on television: A generational clash? (Vincent Campbell)
47. Interaction and ‘the floor’ in the televised debates of the EU referendum campaign(Sylvia Shaw)
48. Comedy clubs offered a better quality of debate than the political stage (Sophie Quirk)
49. ‘Project Art’ versus ‘Project Fear’: the art establishment against Brexit (Matt Hills)
50. Notes for editors: what the campaign press releases tell us about Vote Leave and Britain (Paula Keaveney)

Section 6: Parties
51. The triumph and tribulations of Conservative Euroscepticism(Philip Lynch)
52. Celebrity politicians and populist media narratives: the case of Boris Johnson (Mark Wheeler)
53. ‘Tuck your shirt in!’ It’s going to be a bumpy ride: Boris Johnson’s swerve to Brexit (Candida Yates)
54. ‘Conservative party future?’ Party disunity, the media and the EU Referendum (Anthony Ridge-Newman)
55. Cameron and the Europe question: Could it have ended any other way? (Tristan Martin)
56. The Liberal Democrats: the EU Referendum’s invisible party (Andrew Russell)
57. The Durham miners’ role in Labour’s culture wars (Eunice Goes)
58. The immigration debate: Labour versus Leave in the battle to win public trust (Thom Brooks)
59. The age of Nigel: Farage, the media, and Brexit (Neil Ewen)

Section 7: Social Media
60. Leave versus Remain: the digital battle (Andrew Mullen)
61. The results are in and the UK will #Brexit: What did social media tell us about the UK’s EU referendum? (Clare Llewellyn and Laura Cram)
62. Automatic polling using Computational Linguistics: more reliable than traditional polling? (Massimo Poesio, John Bartle, Jacqueline Bechet, Fabio Celli, Carmelo Ferrante, Marc Poch, Hugo Zaragoza and Giuseppe Riccardi)
63. Impact of social media on the outcome of the EU referendum (Vyacheslav Polonski)
64. Talking past each other: the Twitter campaigns (Simon Usherwood and Katharine Wright)
65. Political memes and polemical discourse: the rise of #usepens (Mary Mitchell)
66. E-newsletters, persuasion and the referendum (Nigel Jackson)
67. United by what divides us: 38 Degrees and the EU Referendum (James Dennis)
68. Boris, Brexit or bust (Alec Charles)

Section 8: Voters
69. What explains the failure of ‘Project Fear’? (Jane Green)
70. Workers rights in the EU and out: social class and the trade unions’ contribution to the debate (Jen Birks)
71. ‘I want my country back’: Emotion and Englishness at the Brexit ballotbox (Russell Foster)
72. Mixed feelings: how citizens expressed their attitudes towards the EU (Darren G. Lilleker)
73. ‘We want our country back’ – stop sneering, start listening (Michael Skey)
74. Young people in a changing Europe: British youth and Brexit 2016 (Matt Henn and Darren Sharpe)
75. Bonfires and Brexterity: what’s next for women? (Charlotte O’Brien)
76. The ‘Referendum Bubble’: what can we learn from EU campaign polling? (Louise Thompson)
77. Did the EU Referendum boost youth engagement with politics? (Stuart Fox and Sioned Pearce)
78. Campaign frames in the Brexit referendum (Sofia Vasilopoulou)
79. The emotional politics of the EU Referendum: Bregrexit and beyond (Karin Wahl-Jorgensen)

June 8, 2016

Research*eu: results magazine – always relevant to BU!

BU Challenges, EU, Global engagement, international, Research news Emily Cieciura

In the May issue of research*eu, there is plenty of interest to researchers at Bournemouth University:

Special feature:

‘Fish or seafood: feeding humanity while maintaining nature’s balance’

Interviews:

Dr Prof. Alfonso Perez-Rodriguez of the Institute of Marine Research in Norway on ‘A multispecies approach to fish management in the Flemish Cap’
David Villegas Rios of the Institute of Marine Research in Norway on ‘How fisheries impact behavioural evolution in Atlantic cod’
Ferenc Lévai of Aranyponty Zrt in Hungary on ‘Sustainable, faster and more productive aquaculture of catfish’
Dr Tore Kristiansen of the Institute of Marine Research in Norway on ‘Novel methods to evaluate fish response to stress’

Other highlights:

Novel methods to evaluate fish response to stress
STEM resources repository helps improve teaching across Europe
Nature inspired ‘glue’ to fix broken bones
Flexible, cost-effective and efficient LED lighting panels and solar cells
Innovative model for understanding risk trading and global markets
Immigrant populations in focus
Newly published findings show species-diverse forests bring greater ecological benefits
Major scientific breakthrough with the creation of the first biological supercomputer
Enhanced crypography means more secure data
Novel packaging products for a circular economy
Extensive exploration of personalised nutrition as a way to better health

Why not check out this issue, and previous magazines, for projects related to your research interests and who, in your field, is leading the field with European Commission funding. You never know, you might find your next grant partner here.

The next issue will focus on the path to life beyond earth – ensure that you see our next update by signing up to your own BU Research blog alerts.

If you have completed or are close to completing EU-funded project, you could be appearing in a future issue of this magazine – check out how to do this on the back page of the current magazine or contact your Project Delivery Officer.

If you are looking for partners or would like to offer your expertise on a bid, add your profile to CORDIS and to Piirus.

For assistance with your EU and International funding, contact Emily Cieciura, RKEO Research Facilitator: EU & International or your Faculty’s Funding Development Officer.

May 31, 2016

All scientific papers to be free by 2020 under EU proposals

BU research, EU, open access, Publishing Pengpeng

All publicly funded scientific papers published in Europe could be made free to access by 2020, under a “life-changing” reform ordered by the European Union’s science chief, Carlos Moedas.

The Competitiveness Council, a gathering of ministers of science, innovation, trade and industry, agreed on the target following a two-day meeting in Brussels last week.

The move means publications of the results of research supported by public and public-private funds would be freely available to and reusable by anyone. It could affect the paid-for subscription model used by many scientific journals, and undermine the common practice of releasing reports under embargo.

At present the results of some publicly funded research are not accessible to people outside universities and similar institutions without one-off payments, which means that many teachers, doctors, entrepreneurs and others do not have access to the latest scientific insights. In the UK, funding bodies generally require that researchers publish under open access terms, with open access publishing fees paid from the researcher’s grant.

The council said this data must be made accessible unless there were well-founded reasons for not doing so, such as intellectual property rights or security or privacy issues.

The changes are part of a broader set of recommendations in support of Open Science, a concept that also includes improved storage of and access to research data, Science magazine reports.

Open Science has been heavily lobbied for by the Dutch government, which currently holds the presidency of the Council of the EU, as well as by Moedas, the European commissioner for research and innovation.

Moedas told a press conference: “We probably don’t realise it yet, but what the Dutch presidency has achieved is unique and huge. The commission is totally committed to help move this forward.”

“To achieve that, Europe must be as attractive as possible for researchers and startups to locate here and for companies to invest. That calls for knowledge to be freely shared. The time for talking about open access is now past. With these agreements, we are going to achieve it in practice.”

The League of European Research Universities called the decision “a major boost for the transition towards and Open Science system”.

But while the council has called for immediate open access “without embargoes or with as short as possible embargoes”, some said the 2020 target was unrealistic.

A spokesperson for the council told Science magazine that it “may not be an easy task”, but spoke of the council’s resolve. “This is not a law, but it’s a political orientation for the 28 governments. The important thing is that there is a consensus.”

Original article published here – https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/may/28/eu-ministers-2020-target-free-access-scientific-papers

May 27, 2016

Latest Funding Opportunities

EU, Funding opportunities Eva Papadopoulou

The following funding opportunities have been announced. Please follow the links for more information.

Surrey Archaeological Society, Archaeology and History Grants

Surrey Archaeological Society welcomes applications which will assist archaeological and historical research within the county. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate in what ways the proposed research will further understanding of the County’s archaeology and history. It is anticipated that some form of Project Design will be submitted (as long or short as the occasion demands, but essentially to say what the project is about, why it should be done, how it will be done, by whom, how much it will cost, and when and how it will be archived, written up and the results disseminated.)

Deadline- none

Amount of grant- £2000

Society for the study of Addiction_ Bursary Scheme

The aim of the Bursary scheme is to facilitate training in the addictions field for individuals experiencing difficulty in funding a course of study.

The Society’s Trustees make SSA funds available to individuals who:

have been offered a place on a UK University-validated, UK-based programme in specialist addiction studies;
have a demonstrable commitment to working in the addictions field;
have not participated in a substantial event of this nature in the one year prior to that for which they have applied (unless the latter is a follow-up course for which they cannot obtain funding).

Amount of bursary: £1000 per annum standard award (or less if the fees are below this amount) for an individual course of study in any one financial year; or a maximum of £1,500 when taking courses consisting of more than a single module.

Deadline- none

The Wellcome Trust

This scheme is for small-scale humanities and social science research projects, scoping exercises or meetings in any area of human or animal health, including projects relating to research resources.

The normal maximum that can be applied for is £5,000. If funding is intended for international meetings, or to attract international speakers, up to £10,000 may be requested.

Amount: £5000 and if funding is intended for international meetings: £10000

Deadline: none

Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award

The scheme provides universities with additional support to enable them to recruit or retain respected scientists of outstanding achievement and potential to the UK. It provides a salary enhancement which is paid by the university in addition to the basic salary.

The scheme covers all areas of the life and physical sciences, including engineering, but excluding clinical medicine.

The scheme is jointly funded by the Wolfson Foundation and the Royal Society.

Applicants can be of any nationality and must hold a permanent post at a university in the UK or have received a firm offer to take effect from the start of the award as well as having their basic salary wholly funded by the university.

The eligibility of the application must be discussed between the Vice Chancellor of the university or their elected representative (e.g. Head of Department) and the Royal Society Grants Office before an application can be made.

Interested applicants must let RKEO know at first instance and we will contact the Funder about this scheme, after which a security code can be obtained for the nominated researcher to begin the application on e-GAP.

Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility requirements, which are explained in the scheme notes.

The scheme provides up to 5 years’ funding after which the award holder continues with the permanent post at the host university.

The focus of the award is a salary enhancement, usually in the range of £10,000 to £30,000 per annum.

It is the responsibility of the host university to pay the basic salary. It is also the responsibility of the host university to meet the employer’s contributions towards pensions and National Insurance for both the basic salary and salary enhancement.

Deadline for applications: 4^th July 2016

Innovate UK- Funding competition: manufacturing and materials

Innovate UK is to invest up to £15 million in innovation projects in manufacturing and/or materials. These projects will focus on identified technical or commercial challenges. It will fund projects that aim to lead to increased UK SME productivity, competitiveness and growth.

Projects need to be led by a business and must involve at least one SME. They can be carried out by an SME working alone or in collaboration with other organisations. Projects with costs of £100,000 or more must involve working with other partners

The funder is looking for projects which focus on any of the technical feasibility, industrial research or experimental development research categories.

Projects should last between 6 months and 3 years. They should range from total costs of £50,000 to £2 million.

Deadline for registrations by noon: 6^th July2016

Deadline for applications by noon: 13^th July 2016

Innovate UK_ Connected digital additive manufacturing

Innovate UK is investing up to £4.5 million in collaborative industrial research projects that stimulate innovation in additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing.

The aim of this competition is to help companies overcome barriers to business growth in additive manufacturing. It will also encourage them to explore and develop their wider digital manufacturing capability. This will help them secure a more productive and competitive business proposition in the future.

Projects must range in size from total costs of £500,000 to £1.5 million.

A business must lead this project. You must collaborate with at least one other business. You can invite research organisations to work with you on this project.

Deadline for registrations before noon: 20 July 2016.

Deadline for applications before noon: 27 July 2016.

BBSRC_Foundation Awards for Global Agriculture and Food Systems

The Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) is a new 5-year £1.5Bn resource funding stream, announced as part of the 2015 spending review, to ensure that UK research takes a leading role in addressing the problems faced by developing countries. The GCRF will deploy the UK’s world-class research capability to address the challenges faced by the developing world. The funding is protected science spend and the Research Councils are primary delivery partners. The GCRF is also part of the UK Government’s pledge to allocate 0.7% of Gross National Income to Official Development Assistance, promoting the welfare and economic development of developing countries. With the GCRF focus on global challenges, research investments are expected to span disciplines including the biological sciences, environmental sciences, medicine, engineering and physical sciences, the social sciences and the arts and humanities.

BBSRC, MRC, ESRC, AHRC and NERC are working in a co-funding partnership to support multidisciplinary Foundation Awards for Global Agriculture and Food Systems. Foundation awards aim to be flexible, moderately sized, short to medium-term investments targeted towards novel research objectives – that address the challenges faced by the developing world. Up to £16.3M is available based on the quality of proposals received. BBSRC is leading and manging the call on behalf of the other funders with an anticipated BBSRC budget in the region of £12M and funding support from MRC, ESRC, AHRC and NERC.

This BBSRC-led call complements the MRC-led Foundation Awards strategies in Global Health Science – Beyond Infections, and Global Infections – Vision and Strategy; these other calls are also being co-funded substantially by BBSRC, and also by ESRC, AHRC and NERC.

Applications must be submitted by UK Research Organisations that are eligible to receive funding from BBSRC. Information about eligible organisations is available on the RCUK website (see external links). Non-eligible partners (including those from overseas organisations) may be included, as described in section two of our grants guide, under ‘Collaborative Research Grants’.

There is a two stage application and assessment process: outline and full proposals.

BBSRC is leading on the administration of this call, on behalf of all the funders. Applicants should refer to the BBSRC grants guide and Je-S help text for further information.

Deadline for outline applications via Je-S by 4pm: 22 June 2016

Technical and scientific support in relation to the implementation of the 92/43/EEC Habitats and 2009/147/EC Birds Directives

The Directorate-General for Education and Culture has opened a call for tenders, to provide technical and scientific input to the Commission in 3 areas which are of key importance for the implementation of EU nature legislation (Birds Directive 2009/147/EC and Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC): analysis of legal cases or EU-funded projects and programmes to verify conformity with the requirements of EU nature legislation; drafting of guidance documents and technical notes to promote coherent implementation of the Directives; and evaluation of information submitted by Member States under reporting obligations of the Directives.

The contract is worth €1.8 million over 36 months.

Deadline for receipt of tender 16:00: 22 June 2016.

ESRC_Tackling antimicrobial resistance: behaviour within and beyond the healthcare setting

The ESRC, in partnership with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) are pleased to invite applications for cross disciplinary proposals on the topic of behaviour relating to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

This call will address theme 4 of the cross-Research Council initiative (MRC website) on AMR: ‘Behaviour within and beyond the health care setting’. Through this call, we aim to expand understanding of how the behaviour of public, professionals and organisations impacts on AMR: how it can enhance or control the spread of AMR; how it is affected by social, psychological and organisational context, cultures and history; and how it can be influenced to create different future scenarios.

The funder will accept two types of proposal:

Small scale pump priming grants – maximum of £250,000 at 100 per cent FEC for up to 24 months. These grants will be primarily for research relevant to the needs of Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs).
Large scale collaborative grants – maximum of £2 million at 100 per cent FEC for up to 48 months. These grants will be open to proposals focusing on the UK or global settings.

All proposals should be highly collaborative and have a strong focus on real world impact. Research proposals relevant to humans or animals are welcomed. This call includes a significant proportion of funding from the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). GCRF forms part of the UK’s Official Development Assistance commitment, and will be awarded in a manner that fits with Official ODA guidelines.

Deadlines:

Pump priming proposals: 16.00 on 20 July 2016

Collaborative grants: 16.00 on 8 September 2016

If planning to apply for a large scale collaborative grant submit an expression of interest (EoI), using the short online form by 27 July 2016.

ESRC_GCRF Secondary Data Analysis Initiative highlight notice

Expected to open by the 10^th June, ESRC is planning to announce a Secondary Data Analysis Initiative (SDAI) highlight call as part of its contribution to the new Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). GCRF is a £1.5 billion fund to support cutting-edge research which addresses the challenges faced by developing countries. The fund will address global challenges through disciplinary and interdisciplinary research and will strengthen capability for research and innovation within both UK and developing countries, providing an agile response to emergencies where there is an urgent research need.

The aims of this highlight notice will be to:

utilise existing data resources to produce high-quality, impactful research on developing countries
improve the capacity and methods for secondary data research in and on developing countries
co-produce substantive and innovative data research in readiness for future GCRF calls
provide insight into existing data resources which can be used to conduct research on developing countries
Thematically, the highlight will encourage focus on the five core areas ESRC has initially identified in its GCRF contribution:

Building effective institutions in conflict-affected and fragile states
Migration, mobility and development
Dynamics of inequalities
Innovation and inclusive economic growth
Shocks, security, risks and resilience

All proposals will have to make a clear case for how they comply with Official Development Assistance (ODA) guidelines.

All projects will be required to commence by January 2017. The funder aims to fund around seven projects, with a total budget of £1 million allocated to this call.

Deadline for proposals: 11 July 2016

EC_2016 Call for proposals for LIFE Grants

The LIFE (the Financial Instrument for the Environment) Regulation, which was published on 20 December 2013, sets a budget for the next funding period, 2014–2020, of €3.4 billion in current prices.

Current traditional open calls span from Climate Change Action, Environment and resource Efficiency, Nature and Biodiversity and Environmental Governance and Information.

Deadlines: 7-15 September 2016

May 23, 2016

Erasmus Training in Portugal – new experiences & ideas

EU, Global engagement, international, Uncategorized Chris Shiel

I have recently returned from an Erasmus Training visit, at the Universidade Beira Interior, Portugal. Although most of the visit was in Covilhã, I had the opportunity to shadow my Portuguese colleague, in both Porto and Lisbon.

Collaboration with academics at the receiving university has focused on issues related to: sustainable development; the factors that contribute to green behaviour and; ways to build capacity for sustainable development. This year we were considering environmental management initiatives and green behaviour but also, how the past may be preserved for the future and at the same time, contribute to economic development.

It was particularly interesting to visit the Urban Art project and meet the young couple whose enthusiasm is contributing to change. We visited their ‘cowork’ shop before being taken on a tour of the old town. They have preserved the original shop fittings, developed a co-operative working space and display artefacts from the past and new craft products. Covilhã was once described as ‘the Manchester of Portugal’; their project is based on eliciting the past, for the present and the future. It is generating tourism and contributing to renewal in the old town community, where many buildings have fallen into disrepair. The ‘Urban Art tour’ has developed from the ‘Wool Festival’, which each year, has brought a famous artist to the town to develop an image related to the wool and textiles traditions, on one of the old buildings. The tour was fascinating and informative. I particularly liked ‘Owl Eyes’ – constructed from recycled material, largely car-parts. Their Facebook page shows more https://www.facebook.com/woolfest

Cooperative space with original display cupboards

recycled-owl-sculpture-street-art-owl-eyes-artur-bordalo-7

Owl Eyes – made from recycled material

During my week, I met with colleagues, explored the area and took a number of trips, noting environmental management practices. I visited the former Tuberculosis Sanatorium, which has been regenerated into a luxury hotel – an interesting project but despite the luxury, it still seemed too much like a building to be locked away in! I also went for the first time, to Serra da Estrela Natural Park, which is situated in the largest mountain range in Portugal (the Serra da Estrela), and the source of the rivers Mondego, Zêzere (tributary of the Tagus), and Alva. The park is the largest natural conservation area in Portugal; more than half of its area is located above an altitude of 700 m. We went up to Torre, the highest peak and a ski resort; having climbed from 25 degrees and sunshine, the temperature drop at the top was noticeable, so we did not stay long. On the way back we stopped to view Cântaros and the location of the glacial valley of the Zêzere. It’s a landscape befitting a ‘Game of Thrones’.

Still some snow at the top

Visits to Beira Interior are always rewarding. I am astounded by the beauty of the region and the quality of life. I continue to be amazed that so few British people explore the area, yet some Canadians go there regularly. They also attract a lot of Erasmus students. The hotel, at 34 Euros a night was four star quality; a beer, a coffee and a bottle of water, totalled 1.60 Euros – I am left thinking that something is very wrong with our prices in the UK. With the exception of ‘ovos molhos’ (eggs in sugar, and not to my taste), the food is excellent and cheap. I tasted my first ‘gooseneck barnacle’ (see picture) – Pollicipes cornucopia – they look awful but are actually delicious!

Gooseneck Barnacle

The Erasmus strand of Fusion provides a great opportunity to experience other cultures and try new things. Collaboration with European colleagues enhances personal competence, particularly language ability, and offers insights that can be applied in personal and professional practice, back in the UK. Although the focus of my visit was ‘training’, collaboration will lead to future research publications and professional practice.

May 23, 2016

Scenarios, Murder, Mingling and Twitter

Awarded & submitted bids, conferences, EU, Fusion, Fusion Investment Fund, Global engagement nferdinand

Dr Nicole Ferdinand, Senior Academic in Events Management, recently returned from a week-long Erasmus mobility teaching exchange to BU Erasmus Partner, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences in Porvoo, Finland. She had the opportunity to share some of her department’s cutting edge research and teaching practice. She led a series of workshops on scenario planning, inter-cultural communication and event evaluation using social media. Two of the sessions were based on research she had conducted whilst at BU. The approach used in the scenario planning workshop was based on Carnival Futures: Notting Hill Carnival 2020, a stakeholder-based approach to scenario planning which was funded by the King’s Cultural Institute. The methodology demonstrated in the event evaluation workshop was based on the Festival Impact Monitor (FestIM), which was funded by BU’s Fusion Fund. Nicole was joined for this workshop by her colleague, Dr Nigel Williams, FestIM’s Principal Investigator. As an added bonus, during her exchange she was allowed free entry to the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Spring Mingle, which was being hosted at Haaga-Helia that week.

Haaga-Helia Events Management students joined by their lectuer, Monika Birkle for the Porvoo Events in 2050 workshop

Haaga-Helia Events Management students joined by their lecturer, Monika Birkle for the Porvoo Events in 2050 workshop

Nicole’s week started with a scenario planning workshop entitled, Porvoo Events in 2050, in which students considered the future of events in Porvoo, given the uncertainties of the event and destination marketing skills of the industry and the yet to be formulated event development policy. Her second workshop, Improving Your Communication Skills by Killing the Russian Mafia, proved especially popular and was requested by three of Haaga-Helia’s lecturers for their student groups. Inter-cultural communication was a key skill that many Finnish students found especially challenging to acquire.

Students participating in the inter-cultural communications skills workshop

Students improving their communication skills by “Killing the Mafia”

Nicole was joined by her colleague Dr. Nigel Williams on the fourth day of her visit for the MPI Spring Mingle. Nigel was the event’s keynote speaker. Prior to the MPI event, Nicole and Nigel hosted a workshop for Haaga-Helia’s students who wanted to learn how to use social media data to undertake business and marketing research for events. Nicole also spent some of her remaining time promoting BU as an Erasmus destination and talking to staff and students planning Erasmus visits to BU next year.

Nicole and colleague Nigel meet Haaga-Helia staff and students and participate in the MPI Spring Mingle

Staff or students wishing to find out about going to Haaga-Helia for an Erasmus visit, please feel free to contact Nicole – nferdinand@bournemouth.ac.uk. She is happy to chat with you and has some helpful advice on preparing for a visit to Finland.

May 17, 2016

BU welcomes EU-China Industrial Technology Transfer Centre

EU, innovation, international, Knowledge Exchange Emily Cieciura

Bournemouth University welcomed Mr Peter Huang, Deputy Director of the EU-China Industrial Technology Transfer Centre, when he visited on 5th May 2016.

Mr Huang, a BU alumnus, presented the future EUCITTC vision for engagement with international universities, including those in the UK.

Central to this vision is the development of an international technology canal for transporting R&D, innovation, technology, funds and opportunities for cross-boundary cooperation; opening a new pattern for technology achievements transferring and transforming and facilitating the combination of technology and economy. Meanwhile, by cooperating with many partners, EUCITTC is planning and formulating the system for the technology cooperation between the EU and China, so as to break through the bottleneck of international technology exchange and cooperation.

Find out more about the EUCITTC services and their structure.

May 17, 2016

Smart Cities Sandpit – One week to go!

BU Challenges, BU research, EU, Funding opportunities, Research themes, Research Training, Training Emily Cieciura

creativity road sign There are still a few places remaining at the RKEO Smart Cities Sandpit on Tuesday, 24 May 2016.

We have a fast-moving and interactive day planned for attendees. Amongst others, we will be joined by Dr Adorkor Bruce-Konuah from Oxford Brooks’ Low Carbon Building Group, who will talk about ERIC – a smart energy system project in Oxford.

So, how do I book onto this event?

To take part in this exciting opportunity, BU staff should complete the Smart-Cities-Sandpit-Application-Form and return this to Dianne Goodman by Thursday, 19th May (extended)

By applying, you agree to attend for the full duration of the event on 24th May (c. 9:30 – 16:30). This event will be held in BU’s Executive Business Centre (EBC).

If you have any queries prior to submitting your application, please contact Emily Cieciura, RKEO Research Facilitator: EU & International.

May 11, 2016

EU and International Research Facilitator Surgery – Thursday 14th May 2016

EU, Funding opportunities, international Emily Cieciura

email Emily Cieciura, RKEO’s Research Facilitator for EU and International funding will be available to chat about funding opportunties from 1-2pm on Thursday 12th May 2016, based in the Global Hub room (DG68).

As these sessions have not proved popular with academics, as has been the case with the RKEO Drop-in Sessions, this will be the last one.

If you need support regarding EU or International funding, please contact Emily to arrange a one-to-one meeting.

May 5, 2016

Horizon 2020 – Health – 7th & 8th July 2016, Brussels

conferences, EU, Events, Info Days, Uncategorized Emily Cieciura

Health, Demographic Change & Wellbeing

Challenge in Horizon 2020

Do you intend to prepare a proposal for the 2017 call in Horizon 2020 for Health?

On the 8th of July 2016, the European Commission is organizing an Open Info Day dedicated to “Health, Demographic Change & Wellbeing (SC1)” challenge in Horizon 2020 and focusing on the 2017 call.

One day before, on the 7th of July 2016, Health NCP Net 2.0 and Fit for Health 2.0 are organizing a free of charge Partnering event meant to assist you in finding the right partners for the upcoming 2017 calls. The launch of the 2017 call is planned for the 29th of July 2016, having the first deadline on the 4th of October 2016, therefore this would be a good opportunity for your institution to identify the proper consortium partners.

Priority in participation, on 7th July, will be granted to entrepreneurs and research organizations with identified expertise profiles and project applications initiatives. As participation is limited to 2 persons representing the same department/organization, please contact RKEO so that we can co-ordinate registration on this event.

If you are attending both days, separate registration will be needed As far as we are aware, there is no restriction on numbers from each organisation for the Info Day on 8/7/16.

BROKERAGE EVENT

Find cooperation partners for the upcoming H2020 health calls.

PRESENT YOUR PROJECT

Present your project in a 5 min flash presentation to a highly commited audience

7 July 2016 – Fit for Health 2.0 and Health-NCP-Net 2.0

Horizon 2020 Health Partnering Day

This Partnering event will be dedicated to consortium building. The main part of the day is dedicated to bilateral meetings between persons interested in the same call area.
A surrounding programme will provide information on support measures for Health projects and give researchers and entrepreneurs from the Health and ICT areas a platform to present their project ideas in 5-minute presentations.
Bilateral meetings will be arranged automatically by a sophisticated, user-friendly match-making tool following indication of interests in specific call areas by participants. Additionally, to bilateral meetings among potential project partners, participants will have the option to meet with representatives of support initiatives and members of the organizing projects for personalized support and information.

Focus

This Partnering event will target a wide spectrum of companies, universities and researchers from Europe and beyond interested in sharing new project ideas and finding collaboration partners and will be focused on the following challenge of the Horizon 2020 Health Call.

Main topics

Understanding health, well-being & disease
Preventing disease
Treating and managing diseases
Active ageing and self-management of health
Methods and data
Coordination activities
Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) in health projects
Sustainable food security – health aspects

Why to participate

to facilitate the setup of Horizon 2020 project consortia
to present, discuss and develop new project ideas on Health at an international level
to initiate cross-border contacts

May 5, 2016

EURAXESS – Marie Skłodowska-Curie

EU Emily Cieciura

Please see the following announcement just received from EURAXESS:

Dear researchers,

As you know, the Marie Skłodowska Curie Action-Individual Fellowships (MSCA-IF) call was launched on the 12th April. With the collaboration of SRUK/CERU (Society of Spanish Researchers in the UK), at RUVID we have organised a webinar on Friday 6^th May between 9 am and 11 am to present 12 research groups from our Valencian universities as potential host institutions for young researchers and candidates for this MSCA-IF call.

Each of the 12 researchers will give a ten minute presentation on their research group, main research area(s) and the profile of the candidate they are looking for.

These groups cover different fields: Physics, Life Sciences, Information Science & Engineering, and Social Sciences. Please see the detailed programme of the webinar – Webinar Presentation of Host Institutions inValencia_06-05-2016

This is a unique opportunity for you to find your host institution.

If you have completed your PhD or have 4 years full-time experience as a researcher, this webinar is for you.

Don’t miss it and register at: bit.ly/1Y2NvQN

We are also promoting this event on social media, using the following hastags: #MSCA #IF #MarieCurieFellowship

For more information, feel free to contact Joumana at jsweiss@ruvid.org

May 3, 2016

Cyberparks and I-cities: EU funding in action

BU research, EU, Global engagement, Research news bthomas

I have just returned from a conference at the University of Malta organised by the EU COST Action on Cyberparks which I am participating in. The conference was on the theme of the I-city, enhancing places through technology and featured keynotes reflecting on and critiquing the notion of the ‘Smart City’ from different disciplinary and methodological perspectives and with reference to projects taking place across Europe. Valletta, where the conference took place, is going to the European Capital of Culture in 2018 and one of the presentations was from the Foundation team, offering some interesting insights into how preparations would focus on technologically-driven community regeneration.

Discussion in the parallel sessions which followed was organised around three tracks (Digital Methods and Social Practices; Ethnographic challenges; People, spaces and technology) led by COST Action members. The organisers also organised two field visits for us, looking at how technology is being used for the regeneration of public spaces and historical building in Valletta. Following the conference, I also participated in the working group meetings for the project, where discussion centred on dissemination and networking, and plans for future collaborations between members.

This was the second COST Action meeting I have attended so far and it was good to see how the project and collaborations between members are progressing. I have learned a great deal from working alongside colleagues from a diverse range of disciplines and cultures, and hope I will be able to attend the next meeting, which will be in Skopje in Macedonia in October. As well as myself, FMC Visiting Fellow Sue Thomas is also involved in the Cyberparks project and in addition to being a working group member is also on the project’s Editorial Board.

April 20, 2016

BU Academic appointed as Extraordinary Visiting Professor (AP) at Swedish Defence University

BU research, EU, Global engagement, international, Knowledge Exchange, PG research, Public engagement, REF Subjects, Research communication, Research news, Research themes, staff profile pages sbachmann

Sascha Dov Bachmann, Associate Professor in International Law, FMC, has been made Extraordinary Visiting Professor (AP) in War Studies at the Swedish Defence University (FHS). This appointment recognizes his contribution to the work of the Department of Military Studies at FHS on the subject of Hybrid War and Hybrid Threats. He continues to collaborate with colleagues from Sweden, Germany and NATO on the subject.

April 18, 2016

Save the Date: 24/5/16 – Smart Cities Sandpit

BU Challenges, BU research, EU, Funding opportunities, Research themes, Research Training, Training Emily Cieciura

On Tuesday, 24th May 2016, BU’s Research and Knowledge Exchange Office (RKEO) will be hosting a Sandpit event on Smart Cities, supported and attended by staff from the Borough of Poole and other organisations.

Which means…?

We’re seeking to come up with novel research which addresses how we link and upgrade infrastructures, technologies and services in key urban sectors (transport, buildings, energy, ICT) in a smart way which will improve quality of life, competitiveness and sustainability of our cities and their transformational impact on aspects of community life, cultural experiences, future society and the economy.

So, who should attend?

The sandpit is open to everyone, and we do mean all BU staff and PGRs. It doesn’t matter whether you have a research track record or not. We want anyone who thinks they might have something to contribute (and even those who think they don’t), and who is available all day on Tuesday 24th May to come along. We will also be inviting relevant external attendees to contribute to the day.

What do I need to prepare in advance? What will the sandpit entail?

Absolutely nothing in advance. During the sandpit, you’ll be guided through a process which results in the development of research ideas. The process facilitates creativity, potentially leading to innovative and interdisciplinary research ideas. These ideas will be explored with other attendees, and further developed based on the feedback received.

What if I don’t have time to think about ideas in advance?

You don’t need to do this. Some inspiring speakers with a range of backgrounds will be coming along to give you ideas…

What about afterwards? Do I need to go away and do loads of work?

Well… that depends! The sandpit will result in some novel research ideas. Some of these may be progressed immediately; others might need more time to think about. You may find common ground with other attendees which you choose to take forward in other ways, such as writing a paper or applying for research funding.

What if my topic area is really specific, such as health?

Your contribution will be very welcome! One of the main benefits of a sandpit event is to bring together individuals with a range of backgrounds and specialisms who are able to see things just that bit differently to one another.

So, is this just networking?

Definitely not! It is a facilitated session with the primary intention of developing innovative research ideas, which also enables the development of networks. It gives you the opportunity to explore research ideas which you may develop over time, together with the chance to find common ground with academics from across BU and beyond.

So, how do I book onto this event?

To take part in this exciting opportunity, BU staff should complete the Smart-Cities-Sandpit-Application-Form and return this to Dianne Goodman by Tuesday, 17th May (extended to allow for those taking leave around the Bank Holiday). Places are strictly limited.

By applying, you agree to attend for the full duration of the event on 24th May (c. 9:30 – 16:30). This event will be held in BU’s Executive Business Centre (EBC).

If you have any queries prior to submitting your application, please contact Emily Cieciura, RKEO Research Facilitator: EU & International.

April 18, 2016

MSCA Individual Fellowship 2016 call is now open

EU, Events, Funding opportunities, Global engagement, international, Training, Uncategorized Emily Cieciura

The wait is finally over. You can now start your application for the 2016 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships. This call will close on 14 September 2016, 17:00 (Brussels time).

According to the Participant Portal:

The goal of Individual Fellowships is to enhance the creative and innovative potential of experienced researchers, wishing to diversify their individual competence in terms of skill acquisition through advanced training, international and intersectoral mobility.

Individual Fellowships provide opportunities to acquire and transfer new knowledge and to work on research and innovation in a European context (EU Member States and Associated Countries) or outside Europe. The scheme particularly supports the return and reintegration of researchers from outside Europe who have previously worked here. It also develops or helps to restart the careers of individual researchers that show great potential, considering their experience.

In RKEO, we have a schedule for the 2016 submissions. Once we know that that you are interested in submitting, we will keep you up to date with our activities. Just contact your relevant Faculty Funding Development Officer to let them know that you plan to submit to this call. If you missed the introductory sessions that were held in December, BU staff can access the slides – MSCA 2016 v2. You may also wish to refer to the RKEO Guide to Fellowships.

MSCA To book onto the internal two-day workshop, hosted by Dr Martin Pickard, on 24th and 25th May, please contact Dianne Goodman, Funding Development Team Co-ordinator in RKEO, as soon as possible. Places are limited. You should attend with your potential fellow, if possible. N.B. their travel to BU cannot be funded by RKEO. This workshop is, however, free for BU staff and potential fellows.

There is a European IPR Webinar – IP Management in H2020 with a special focus on Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions – on 4th May 2016 at 09:30 in P402 for c. 75 minutes to include the webinar, Q&A with the presenter and time at the end for informal discussion with your peers. Again, please contact Dianne Goodman, to reserve your place for this event. If you go to the external event page, do not register on this page as RKEO are already registered.

Contact Emily Cieciura, Research Facilitator: EU & International or the relevant Faculty Funding Development Officer for further help and support or if you have any queries or comments.

April 18, 2016

Seminar, Prof Edwin van Teijlingen, ‘Maternal Mortality in Nepal’, Wed 20th April, Royal London House, R303, 13:00-13:50.

BU Challenges, BU research, Centre for Excellence in Learning, conferences, EU, Events, Featured academics, Fusion, Fusion Investment Fund, international, Knowledge Exchange, Knowledge Exchange and Impact Team, Knowledge Transfer, Knowledge Transfer Partnership, REF Subjects, Research assessment, Research communication, Research Ethics, Research Integritiy, Research news, Research themes, Uncategorized Mastoureh Fathi

Maternal Mortality in Nepal
Abstract: The session links various social and political factors that affect maternal mortality. Women dying in pregnancy and childbirth is very much a problem of and in low-income countries. This talk focuses on Nepal, one of the poorer countries of the world, to highlight a range of maternal health issues and wider influencing factors including globalisation and the influence of global organisations such as the World Health Organisation.

For further information regarding the Social Science seminar series, get in touch with Dr Mastoureh Fathi (mfathi@boutnemouth.ac.uk).

April 15, 2016

Invitation to FoodBIZ event – Food@BU 18th May 2016

BU research, Business Engagement, conferences, EU, Events, HEIF cmartins

On behalf of Professor Heather Hartwell and Professor Dimitrios Buhalis.

Dear colleagues,

This is an invitation from Professor Heather Hartwell to attend FoodBiz – the Food Research and Innovation @ BU celebration, on Wednesday 18^th May 2016 at Bournemouth University, Executive Business Centre (7th floor).

This FREE event brings together industry and academic partners to celebrate our Food Research and Innovation in the Department of Tourism and Hospitality at Bournemouth University to share findings from research and to take ideas forward within the health and wellness agenda.

Guest speakers include industry professionals, and an update on the latest research from Bournemouth University.

The event is aimed at businesses and organisations in a range of sectors including food, tourism, hospitality and those associated with nutrition/health operating locally, nationally and internationally.

The programme themes include:

Food Innovation – Chair Professor Heather Hartwell

The research and innovation activities at BU exploit complementary competences and enable the sharing ofknowledge and ideas from research to market (and vice-versa).

Food@BU4U – Chair Dr Sean Beer

How can the university benefit not only the user but also the foodservice industry, creating opportunities for a business to become aligned with a lifestyle product, and as a result corporate health, in a way which is novel, innovative and demonstrates excellence in science?

Food science at work – Chair Crispin Farbrother

Bournemouth University’s research in food is international, broad and multidisciplinary.

We look forward to welcoming you and co-creating the future of Food Research and Innovation.

Please see the agenda and register for FREE here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/foodbiz-tickets-19780427792

For more information please contact: Carmen Martins: cmartins@bournemouth.ac.uk

April 15, 2016

Security Research & Innovation Event 2016

EU, Events, innovation, Knowledge Exchange, Knowledge Exchange and Impact Team jcodling

The 2016 Security Research and Innovation Event will take place at the World Forum in The Hague on 1 and 2 June. The event aims to provide a forum for discussion between European Policy Makers, industry and knowledge institutions on the key security challenges for Europe.

The programme includes the Security Research Event (conference) organised by the European Commission, thematic workshops, an innovation room and a matchmaking programme. The topics for discussion cover:

Cybercrime and Law enforcement technologies
Financial Investigations and Fraud
Space and Security
Forensics
Integrated border management
Terrorism

The event is free of charge to attend but registration is mandatory.

(Source: www.ukro.ac.uk – Sign up to set your own personalised alerts.)

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