BU Research Blog

Category / Global engagement

July 4, 2021

Unsatisfactory conference attendance?

BU research, conferences, COVID-19, Events, Global engagement, international, Research communication, Research news, Training, Uncategorized Edwin van Teijlingen

Over the 15 months many academics have learnt to use online tools to communicate with colleagues, students, the media, politicians and the general public. The COVID-19 pandemics forced us to introduce (more) virtual classrooms, internet-based tutorials, online marking, Zoom and Teams meetings (and other platforms!) as well as online conferences and workshops, albeit each with their own limitations. In general, we often marvel about the internet and online conference technology as well as value the reduction of our carbon foot print, reaching global audiences and so on.

The past three weeks I attended three international conferences in three countries without leaving my living room, including the postponed 2020 ICM (International Confederation of Midwives) conference. Perhaps there is an element of online-working fatigue, but I am beginning to see more and more disadvantages of online conferences. First, the contact with fellow presenters, chairs and the audience is more superficial than at a physical conference. At a conference held in person you meet people over lunch or coffee or people simply stop you in the corridors of the conference centre to discuss or challenge your paper or express their ideas for future studies.

Secondly, many conferences seem to use two online systems and have different ways of running online conferences, at one of the recent conferences the presenters and the audience were in different cyber spaces, so as a presenter you had no idea how many people attended or how the audience reacted to what you have just said. Moreover, in one conference any questions people in the audience had written in the chat box were invisible to the speakers. These questions had to be read out by the chair, who was tasked with linking the two cyber spaces, that of speakers and that of the audience. At another conference the chair largely let the speakers deal with questions in the chat without any direction or guidance, as a consequence I was still answering questions in the chat long after the next speaker had started.

Thirdly, because I was not physically away I didn’t attend as many of the sessions at any of the three recent conferences as I would have liked to. This issue is similar in nature as the ‘old’ problem of attending a face-to-face conference at your own institution. Since you are not away your students, colleagues, etc. manage to find you and expect you to do something else instead of attending the conference. Fourthly, you don’t meet up in person with international colleagues, therefore, you don’t get a chance to discuss long-term ideas, plans, problems over a meal and a beer.

I am still positive about online conferences, but perhaps not as enthusiastic as I was in a BU Research Blog in April last year! In this blog I pointed out that Donald Nicolson in his book Academic Conferences as Neoliberal Commodities raised the question about return of investment of a conference [1-2] not just for the conference organisers (and funders) but also for individual academics. Internet-based conferences are cheaper than face-to-face conferences although often not free, two of my three international conferences had a registration fee, moreover there is the opportunity cost for the academic in attending a conference, especially if one does not receive the traditional benefits of meeting like-minded people in person.

Some thought for Sunday morning.

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

CMMPH

References:

Nicolson. D.J. (2017) Academic Conferences as Neoliberal Commodities, Palgrave Macmillan.
Nicolson. D.J. (2018) Guest post by Donald Nicolson: The problem of thinking about conferences and Return on Investment (ROI)

June 14, 2021

ReSpace Symposium: On Place, Memory and Histories – International Artist Talks

Awarded & submitted bids, conferences, ECR Network, Fusion, Global engagement, international, Knowledge Exchange pcallus

The ReSpace Symposium will take place this week at the InsideOut & OutsideIn – international AHRC-GCRF festival on arts-based, participatory learning. The international festival focuses on arts-based, participatory pedagogies aimed at dealing with difficult, silenced or contested pasts and presents; and for imagining new futures. It is co-organized by Nita Luci and Linda Gusia, University of Prishtina, and Stephanie Schwandner-Sievers, Bournemouth University, PIs on the the four-year multi-disciplinary AHRC-GCRF project ‘Changing the Story’. Registration is free; the full programme and registration link available here: https://changingthestory.leeds.ac.uk/.

The ReSpace Symposium sets out to present a discussion on how art and architecture engages with place and history and how we can use these methods to encourage young people to explore cultural heritage.

Chaired by Dr. Oliver Gingrich, post-doctoral researcher at the National Centre for Computer Animation, this symposium offers a chance to hear from a range of different stakeholders across Rwanda, Kosovo and the UK involved in the ReSpace project about their work.

This panel is structured into two parts and features artists and researchers who recontextualize space, place and memory in their practice: Bekim Raku recently featured his project Prishtina Public Archipelago at the Venice Biennale and will present this project at the ReSpace symposium here. Ayọ̀ Akínwándé is an artist, activist, researcher, curator and writer who will be presenting his projects Face-Me-I-Face-You, Ogoni Cleanup and Sacred Grove; Dr. Paula Callus, the ReSpace project lead, will provide an introduction of the ReSpace project, followed by Ntigulirwa Marie Amelie and the esteemed sociologist Assumpta Mugiraneza, who will discuss aspects of the ReSpace project in the context of architecture. The artists Susan Sloan and Alfred Muchilwa will discuss their creative practice working with students across three countries.

https://respace.bournemouth.ac.uk/events/

The international festival focuses on arts-based, participatory pedagogies aimed at dealing with difficult, silenced or contested pasts and presents; and for imagining new futures. Registration is free; the full programme and registration link available here: https://changingthestory.leeds.ac.uk/.

Students and project leaders at University of Prishtina, together with their global colleagues in Bournemouth, Rwanda and elsewhere, co-created, and experimented with innovative, arts- and research-based methods of learning, including animation, architecture, music, video, and poetry. The festival brings together project participants to explore some of the mutual learning and reflect on questions such as, why, and how, arts-based methods can enhance civic education and critical thinking.

Changing-the-Story is a four-year international, multi-disciplinary project which supports the building of inclusive civil societies with, and for, young people in post-conflict settings, now coming to its completion. It was a collaborative project between universities, INGOs, artists, grassroots civil society organisations and young people across the world. It asked ‘how the arts, heritage, and human rights education can support youth-centred approaches to civil society building in post-conflict settings across the world.’

June 9, 2021

DRIVE project Stories and Toolkit

Awarded & submitted bids, EPSRC bthomas

The DRIVE project (Digital Reading for Inclusivity, Versatility and Engagement) was funded by the UKRI under its Digital Innovation for Development in Africa (DIDA) strand. Full details of the project can be found here. The second phase of this funding has been withdrawn following the UK Government’s revision of its ODA budget.

The project was led by BU Professor Bronwen Thomas, and Jess Ruddock (a PGR from FMC) was appointed as a Research Assistant from January onwards.

The project had to be substantially revised due to the COVID crisis. This meant all project meetings had to be held online but perhaps the biggest impact was on the digital storytelling part of the project. Initially, the plan was for DigiTales, a participatory media company based in the UK and Portugal to deliver a workshop in Nairobi, with 10-12 participants. Instead, we redesigned this part of the project, providing training for three Kenyan based facilitators to deliver the workshops in three different regions of Kenya – Nairobi, Chavakali (close to the Ugandan border) and Loita (home to Maasai tribespeople). Jess Ruddock also took part in the training. Following this we held three workshops in the different locations, producing 13 stories in total. The stories can be viewed on the project website. They represent a wide range of experiences, from Alan’s account of the stigma he suffered as a child in literature classrooms because of his visual impairment, to Faith’s account of the impact that the book Blossoms of the Savannah had on her as a young Maasai girl facing the prospect of female circumcision. In addition to learning how to create and produce digital stories, the participants were also given training on accessibility tools for the iPads that they received

Nalotwesha and Faith on a zoom call in Loita

Blog posts from one of the Nairobi participants, Alan Hebert, and from the Chavakali facilitator can also be found on the website, along with Jess Ruddock’s account of the training.

The Chavakali team

In addition to the digital stories, the project team produced a Toolkit for remote delivery of digital storytelling, co-authored by Kelvin Gwuma, Joseph Odhiambo and Scola Leuka, the three newly-trained facilitators. The Toolkit is available to view or download from the project website here along with video case studies produced by the facilitators. The website also features a preliminary project evaluation reflecting on the main findings and impact of the project so far, and how we managed to meet our objectives despite all the obstacles we faced.

June 8, 2021

Mass Grave Policy Briefing for the Canadian Institute for Research on Public Policy

Awarded & submitted bids, BU research, Global engagement, humanities, Impact mklinkner

Following the discovery of the unmarked graves of 215 children in Kamloops (British Columbia, Canada) sees BU expertise on mass grave policies published: Overarching principles ought to be applied in Kamloops for a careful, considerate, culturally appropriate investigation into the unmarked graves of 215 children

Mass graves are a worldwide phenomenon that exists on a shocking scale, but they are usually identified with conflict and gross human rights violations, typically in countries ravaged by poverty and inequality. Yet the discovery of the unmarked graves of 215 children in Kamloops, British Columbia has made global headlines, triggering a variety of emotions, reactions and questions.

Amidst the outpouring of grief and mourning, there are calls for prompt and thorough investigations into the shocking legacy of government-funded residential schools that operated for more than a century and were designed to systematically assimilate Indigenous children and destroy Indigenous cultures and languages.

But there is also the immediate question of how best to protect and deal with the discovered graves and the human remains at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. Mass graves contain evidence that is essential to the realization of truth, justice and accountability goals for victims and their families, the affected communities – in the present case represented by Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation – but also the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and, generally, the government of Canada.

Overarching principles for protection and investigation efforts

Although mass graves vary enormously, the consequences of not protecting and investigating mass graves are significant. Relatives continue to suffer because they do not know what happened to their loved ones (in itself a form of inhumane and degrading treatment), and evidence essential to identification, documentation and, where relevant, prosecution efforts may be contaminated, disturbed or lost. The careful, considerate, culturally appropriate yet legally compliant and scientifically robust protection and investigation of mass graves is therefore paramount, and has been the subject of significant research and deliberation, as evidenced by the 2020 publication of the Bournemouth Protocol on Mass Grave Protection and Investigation (also available in French).

As further details and information emerge on the discovery in Kamloops, it seems apt to reflect on the overarching principles that ought to apply during grave protection and investigation efforts in this particular context.

From the outset, the complexity of mass grave investigations should not be underestimated. Such investigations are lengthy and expensive processes, requiring significant planning, co-ordination, resources, official authorization and, at times, political will. All this means that there will be a wide range of individual, collective and societal interests and needs that must be considered but may not all be compatible or readily reconcilable. In addition – and this may sound distressing – in situations of significant scale or absence of the relevant data from relatives, it may not be possible to identify and return all victims from a mass grave. It is therefore vital that, despite the inevitable pressure of a highly charged emotional context, expectations are carefully managed.

A simulated mass grave, May 13, 2021, at Trigon Estate in rural Dorset, England, where forensic excavations are performed by Bournemouth University MSc Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology students of the Faculty of Science and Technology. Photo courtesy of the author.

A do no harm approach in these circumstances will actively seek to avoid undermining existing structures and relationships that are essential for community cohesion. It is important to avoid creating inequalities or perceptions of bias or to entrench existing inequalities. It will include a clear respect for and, where possible, adherence to cultural sensitivities, beliefs and norms of victims and/or their families to the extent they do not adversely affect the achievement of an effective investigation.

The physical and emotional safety of all involved, the relatives and the investigation team alike, are paramount. In the context of mass graves, safety, dignity, privacy and well-being of victims and their families should be a key concern for all actors without distinction. While the actual grave may have been created decades ago when the Kamloops Indian Residential School was in operation, initiatives to support physical and psychological safety should be in place.

Investigations must be independent and impartial

That an investigation should be independent and impartial is a rather obvious point to make. And yet, since the investigation will relate to an era of systematic state-instigated discrimination, it is poignant and relevant: without a non-discriminatory and impartial approach to the grave protection and investigation process, the legitimacy of the work may be questioned by the affected community. To enhance public trust, investigations must be independent and impartial and must be seen to be so.

For mass grave investigations to result in identification, it will be critical to acquire personal details and other identifying data, and confidentiality, consistent with national legislation, has to be assured. Investigative processes often entail the need for data sharing but any data sharing should be limited only to those individuals and bodies necessary to ensure the achievement of the objectives of the exhumation process and to the extent agreed by the individuals concerned. Similarly, at all stages of the process (the preliminary investigation, the actual excavation, identification and return of human remains) transparency of processes is key.

Clear and ongoing communication will help provide the platform for transparency. Communication strategies should ideally envisage and accommodate a two-way flow of information between the investigative team and the families, and incorporate regular updates.

Commitments to families must be kept

Finally, all parties involved in the protection and investigation of the mass grave should avoid making commitments to families that they may be unable to keep.

In addition to these overarching principles that ought to apply to all phases of mass grave protection and investigation, careful planning for the actual physical investigation is essential. Meticulous planning, particularly in relation to the actual excavation is critical for all subsequent phases of the process, including identification efforts, return of human remains and continued community liaison.

But in the long term beyond the investigative phase, there are also justice and commemorative aspects to consider from a policy perspective. Alongside potential accountability processes and claims for remedies, a further question arises: What will happen to the original site at the school? An excavated mass grave may become a memorial site in its own right, deserving of that recognition and potentially long-term legal protection. Conversely, a newly created burial site or place for commemoration will hold great significance for individual and/or collective commemoration and may also constitute a form of reparation.

Mass graves are a stark reminder of recent history and memory; they may form part of educational materials and national discourse on the past; they may also become a site for community support. These graves in particular may symbolize the start of more searches into unknown graves and resting places. As reported in the media, many more children died in residential schools with few bodies returned home.

Co-ordination and collaboration required

Since it is predicted that more such graves are to be found, their resolution and investigation will require the co-ordination and collaboration of a multitude of experts to implement early protection measures, facilitate, where possible, the investigation and exhumation of the grave for identification purposes and the return of human remains to family members. All this, in turn, must be overseen by relevant authorities, with due regard for the applicable law.

If there is suspicion of more such graves, the establishment of a mass grave management role or office that assumes overall responsibility for the operational management of mass graves including adherence to standard operating procedures; maintenance of community liaison, health, safety and well-being on-site; implementation of reporting structures and communication strategy; and co-ordination of the identification and return of human remains process might be beneficial.

In short, mass graves are incredibly complex features placing investigative duties on the state. This in turn requires extensive practitioner engagement, resources and careful consideration of individual and societal needs to ultimately advance their rights to truth and justice.

By Dr Melanie Klinkner

June 3, 2021

Global Challenges STEAMLab 6th of July 2021

BU Challenges, BU research, BU2025, Global engagement, Knowledge Exchange emilner

On Tuesday, 6th July 2021, 9-11 AM, Bournemouth University will host a virtual STEAMLab event on Global Challenges, attended by staff from the Northeastern University (NEU) in China.

Which means…?

We’re seeking to come up with novel research that relates to UN Sustainable Development Goals, which underpin BU2025 strategy and much of the technological research at NEU.

So, who should attend?

We want anyone who thinks they might have something to contribute, to come along. We will also be inviting relevant external attendees to contribute to the day. We welcome academics, NGO/business/government representatives who wish to contribute to having a positive impact through addressing the world’s global challenges.

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

Absolutely nothing in advance. During the STEAMLab, 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 STEAMLab 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. Support will be available to progress project ideas after the day.

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

Your contribution will be very welcome! One of the main benefits of a STEAMlab 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, all participants should complete the Global-challenges-STEAMLab-Application-Form_2021 and return this to GlobalBU@bournemouth.ac.uk. Places are strictly limited and you will be be contacted to confirm a place place on the STEAMLab with arrangements and meeting invitations nearer the time.

If you have any queries prior to submitting your application, please contact Dr. Sarah Price.

May 28, 2021

Qualitative methods training in Nepal

Awarded & submitted bids, BU research, Featured academics, Global engagement, international, Research news, Research Training, writing Edwin van Teijlingen

The national health ethics organisation in Nepal, the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC), invited Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen to be part of its week long training programme next week. Edwin will be running a session on Focus Groups as qualitative on Bank Holiday Monday (31 May) and a session on Publishing Qualitative Research on Friday 4th June. As part of BU’s International Partnerships our staff help build research capacity in a number of low- and middle-income countries, such as Nepal.

The invitation came through Prof Madhusudan Subedi, one of his Nepali collaborators on a research project on ‘The impact of federalisation on Nepal’s health system: a longitudinal analysis’. The project, funded under the DFID/ESRC/MRC/Wellcome Health Systems Research Initiative, examines the consequences for the health system of Nepal’s move to a federal government structure. The PIs for the project, Dr. Simon Rushton and Dr. Julie Balan , are based at the University of Sheffield, further collaborators include: Prof. Padam Simkhada (BU Visiting Faculty) who is based at the University of Huddersfield, Dr. Pratik Adhikary (BU Visiting Faculty & BU PhD graduate) who is based at PHASE Nepal and Prof. Sujan Marahatta, who is based at Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences in Kathmandu (MMIHS). BU has a further collaboration with MMIHS as we currently have an Erasmus+ student & staff exchange.

May 25, 2021

Welcome to BU’s Research Staff Association

BRIAN, BU research, BU2025, Centre for Excellence in Learning, Coffee Morning, COVID-19, Doctoral College, ECR Network, Featured academics, Funding opportunities, Fusion, Fusion themes, Global engagement, HEIF, humanities, Impact, innovation, Knowledge Exchange, Knowledge Exchange and Impact Team, Knowledge Transfer, Knowledge Transfer Partnership, Postgraduate Research, Public engagement, REF Subjects, Research assessment, Research Centres, Research communication, Research Concordat, Research Ethics, Research Integritiy, research integrity, Research news, research staff, Research Supervision, Research Training, RKE development framework gingricho

Welcome to the Bournemouth University Research Staff Association (RSA).

What is it?

An association run by BU researchers from all faculties who want to make BU a great place to work and do research. We aim to ensure that researchers are supported to realise their full potential and to develop and produce research of the highest quality. (There are Research Staff Associations throughout UK universities and one of our BU RSA representatives is also a member of the UK RSA).

Who is it for?

Almost everyone! Postdoctoral researchers, research fellows, research assistants as well as anyone else who is actively engaged in research (or planning to be): postgraduate researchers; staff on teaching and research, or teaching contracts; clinicians; professional support staff; technicians.

What are our aims?

To help make BU a great place for researchers to work and progress in their careers.

To support BU researchers to produce excellent research by enabling them to thrive, personally and professionally through informal peer support / friendship with other researchers and encouraging BU to provide

a well-designed induction
a caring and helpful mentor
support to develop research and professional skills
increased job security
a university culture of inclusion, kindness, care, and support
opportunities to network, collaborate, share, and learn

How do we do that?

We support researchers through:

Signposting you to the BU teams or individuals who can help you with issues such as: employment and contracts, work conditions, fairness and equity, discrimination, unions, professional development, careers advice, support for mental health and well-being.

Offering peer support – opportunities to meet, socialise, network, share ideas, and collaborate with researchers from different faculties. We run informal online get-togethers and coffee mornings in faculties. We are also developing a series of university-wide events (in partnership with the Early Career Network) on topics such as career progression, funding, wellbeing.

Representing you – raising concerns, lobbying, and advocating for researchers at the:

Research Concordat Steering Group. This group is responsible for helping BU translate the ideals of the Researcher Development Concordat (that BU has signed) into improved researcher career development and effective policies. The steering group can then highlight responsibilities across university departments from line managers and HR to the Vice Chancellor and the Executive Team.

Faculty Research & Professional Practice Committees (FRPPC) – where we can highlight specific initiatives and the vital role that line managers and senior academics play in facilitating the development of researchers in their department.

University Research & Professional Practice Committee (URPPC) where we can share the combined voice and experiences of research staff to shape the development of University wide research-based policy and procedures.

What do we need to succeed?

You! We need to know what the important issues, concerns, challenges, and aspirations of BU researchers are. We can then try to provide informative sessions which address the issues that are important to you, advocate for change – as well as letting BU know when they are getting it right! We would also like to get to know you and learn from your experiences – doing research can be lonely and being in contact with other researchers enriches our day.

When does the RSA meet?

The RSA meets regularly throughout the year. Everyone is welcome to attend or share issues that you would like raised with your faculty rep

How do I get involved/get in touch with the RSA representative for my faculty?

Come and meet us and tell us how the RSA could support you at:

Research Staff Coffee Breaks

27th May 10-11am

10th June 3-4pm

Zoom links:

27th May 10-11

https://bournemouth-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/88099877963?pwd=bzVtam5DZnlqOVQrV3BWSGZJYlZBZz09

10th June 3-4

https://bournemouth-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/88210829448?pwd=ellFYjEvUXpPUW5WUUxnR3JnTktVQT09

Your current reps are:

University Research Staff Reps:

Michelle Heward mheward@bournemouth.ac.uk

Ashok Patnaik apatnaik@bournemouth.ac.uk

Faculty of Health & Social Science

Preeti Mahato pmahato@bournemouth.ac.uk

Rachel Arnold rarnold@bournemouth.ac.uk

BU Business School:

Rafaelle Nicholson rnicholson@bournemouth.ac.uk

Ashok Patnaik apatnaik@bournemouth.ac.uk

Faculty of Media & Communications

Oliver Gingrich gingricho@bournemouth.ac.uk

Ethzaz Chaudhry echaudhry@bournemouth.ac.uk

Faculty of Science & Technology

Kimberley Davies daviesk@bournemouth.ac.uk

Looking forward to seeing you at the RSA Coffee breaks over the coming weeks!

May 24, 2021

Wellness Circles (Spandan) for Indian Communities

Awarded & submitted bids, BU research, BU2025, Public engagement sshanker

As part of a 4-year Global Challenge Research Fund (GCRF, Bournemouth University & Research England ) Project Output (supporting mental health and wellbeing in India) Edwin van Teijlingen and Dr Shanti Shanker have supported the creation of an Indian Charity (also known as a Non-Govt. Organisation (NGO) in India) called Sheetal Astitva

On Sunday 22nd May 2021, we hosted the first Circle of Emotions or Well-being which we refer to as Spandan. This was hosted by Dr Gayatri Kotbagi (the PDRA on this project), Dr Sandip Ravindra &

This circle of emotions offers a safe non-judgemental space for people to be in. How does it work? We host a free call (frequency dependent on the people interested to participate). Individuals are invited to walk in share some of your stories – some share their difficulties around the uncertainty, feelings of guilt, and hopelessness associated with the Covid-19, while some resonated with others’ experience and also shared some stories of resilience. As part of the first group, we had 10 participants who joined the circle and at the end did mention that it was useful.

Spandan (in Devanagari: स्पन्दन) is a word with Sanskrit origin, which literally means pulsation, or a quick movement and motion.

If you are interested in learning more please email sshanker@bournemouth.ac.uk or find us at Sheetal Asitiva Website (which is being developed and updated regularly).

May 19, 2021

Chancellor Kate Adie voices introduction for Bournemouth Protocol

Awarded & submitted bids, BU research, BU2025, Global engagement, humanities, international, Knowledge Exchange, Knowledge Exchange and Impact Team mklinkner

Kate Adie, broadcaster, author and the University’s fifth Chancellor is familiar with sites of conflict and destruction. In her introduction to the Bournemouth Protocol on Mass Grave Protection and Investigation she reflects on her experience:

“Mass graves are not lone incidents in human history; they exist across the globe and as a journalist I have witnessed and reported on them. But despite their diverse nature, mass graves are likely to have something in common: a family anxious to know what happened, next of kin needing to offer a dignified burial to their loved one, survivors longing to mourn the dead and a community wishing to pay respect.”

The Chancellor recognises the importance of meeting those needs and with it the aim of the Bournemouth Protocol.

“Mass graves from their discovery through to commemoration efforts deserve protection and investigation. Such efforts involve extensive engagement: From the legal, investigative and scientific disciplines to community liaison and family support, each with their own rules and standards of professional practice, they all have to come together for respectful, indiscriminate and dignified handling of mass graves and human remains.”

Bournemouth University has been instrumental in collaborative research to shape mass grave investigative practice and has been training the next generation of Forensic Archaeologists and Anthropologists, through simulation exercises at Trigon Estate, Wareham for many years. The Bournemouth Protocol, led by Dr Melanie Klinkner, are another important milestone through providing clarity on international norms and standards.

It is a great honour and privilege to have Kate Adie voice the introduction of the audio version of the Bournemouth Protocol. Special thanks go to Alastair Danson, radio and screen actor, for voicing the remainig text of the Protocol; Alex Wegman, demonstrator in film and television at Bournemouth University for his expert recording; and Rudy Noriega, freelance radio producer and Lecturer in Journalism at Bournemouth University for producing the audio version of the Bournemouth Protocol. The Audio and Protocol can be found here.

May 18, 2021

Bournemouth Research on mass grave protection and investigation presented to Iraqi authorities

Awarded & submitted bids, BU research, BU2025, Global engagement, Impact, Industry collaboration, international, Knowledge Exchange, Knowledge Exchange and Impact Team mklinkner

To commemorate Mass Graves Day in Iraq, the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) presented the recently published Bournemouth Protocol on Mass Grave Investigation and Protection to Iraqi authorities involved in efforts to account for missing persons.

In 2007, the Iraqi Council of Ministers designated 16 May as the National Day of Mass Graves to draw attention to the fate of individuals who were killed and disappeared during decades of conflict and human rights abuse and buried in mass graves. Iraqi authorities estimate that between 250.000 and 1 million persons have gone missing in the country.

To commemorate Mass Graves Day, ICMP presented to Iraqi stakeholders Arabic- and Kurdish-language copies of The Bournemouth Protocol on Mass Grave Protection and Investigation, a joint product of Bournemotuh University research led by Dr Klinkner and the ICMP that defines legal and practical standards of the protection and investigation of mass graves. Recipients include the Mass Graves Directorate, the Ministry of Health’s Medico-Legal Directorate and the National Coordination Committee in Federal Iraq as well as the Ministry of Martyrs and Anfal Affairs in the Kurdistan Region.

“Properly protecting and investigating mass graves are key steps in Iraq’s work to find the high number of missing persons and secure the rights of their families,” said Alexander Hug, head of ICMP’s Iraq Program. “The Bournemouth Protocol is an important tool that benefits the various Iraqi institutions involved in the missing persons process.”

April 29, 2021

IMSET presents: Reasons for Hope with Dr Jane Goodall DBE

Events, Global engagement, Strategic Investment Areas fcoward

Jane and Fifi. Image credit Michael Neugebauer

Ask a sample of natural scientists and conservation workers – especially female ones – why they became interested in the natural world, and one name comes up time and time again: Dr Jane Goodall. Dr Goodall’s incredible trail-blazing work with the chimpanzees of Gombe – flying in the face of expected gender roles and established academic and scientific practice in the field at the time – led directly to the game-changing discovery that chimpanzees used tools, kickstarting a revolution in the way that we think about our closest living relatives and ourselves. This was a change in thinking that goes much deeper than simply ‘learning new things’ about another species; the extremely close evolutionary relationship between us and chimpanzees and the many shared behavioural and cognitive characteristics that Jane Goodall was among the first to document in the 1960s changed the way we think about animals and about ourselves, and how we perceive the relationship between us and the other animals with which we share the world. Dr Goodall’s work has been central to re-imagining that relationship, moving from the entitled assumption of a stark divide between ourselves and the natural world – there to be exploited by our own evolutionarily unprecedented species – to the realisation that despite all our much-vaunted intelligence, our lives are still fundamentally entwined with those of other species, and indeed to the natural world more generally. Perhaps it is no surprise, then, that Dr Goodall’s pioneering primatological and ethnological work has evolved to include developing community conservation programmes in many African countries (TACARE), launching the Jane Goodall Institute’s global environmental and humanitarian programme Roots & Shoots which empowers young people to become involved in hands-on programmes for the community, animals and the environment, and her appointment as a UN Messenger of Peace.

Certainly Dr Goodall has been an inspiration for all of us here at IMSET, and her family roots in Bournemouth are simply the icing on the cake as far as we’re concerned, so we’re incredibly excited to announce that in conjunction with the Jane Goodall Institute UK, IMSET is delighted to host (albeit virtually!) ‘Reasons for Hope with Dr Jane Goodall DBE’. After this year, we can probably all use some reasons for hope, and if anything can provide them it will be hearing Dr Goodall speak about her inspiring work, her belief that our daily actions make a difference, and that it is up to us the kind of difference we want to make. Interested in the natural world, in understanding what makes us human, in working with young people from all cultures and societies to inspire and build a better future? Register for free on Eventbrite now and come along on Thursday 27 May 4-5pm (BST): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reasons-for-hope-with-dr-jane-goodall-dbe-tickets-147675793273.

April 23, 2021

BU’s THET project showcased by WHO Collaborating Centre

BU research, Events, Featured, Featured academics, Global engagement, international, Publishing, Research news, Training, Uncategorized, writing Edwin van Teijlingen

The THET (Tropical Health & Education Trust)-funded project ‘Mental Health Training for Rural Community-based Maternity Care Workers in Nepal‘ [1], led by Bournemouth University, has been showcased on the webpages of Public Health England (PHE). PHE hosts the WHO (World Health Organization) Collaborating Centre for Public Health Nursing and Midwifery. A WHO collaborating centre is an institution designated by the Director-General of the WHO to form part of an international collaborative network set up by WHO in support of its programme at the country, intercountry, regional, interregional and global levels. In line with the WHO policy and strategy of technical cooperation, a WHO collaborating centre also participates in the strengthening of country resources, in terms of information, services, research and training, in support of national health development.

This THET project was organised by Tribhuvan University in collaboration with Bournemouth University and Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU). Mental health is high on the global agenda and this project raised the importance of the issue in Nepal. The three universities collaborated on an education intervention training Auxiliary Nurse Midwives in Nawalparasi on mental health issues and mental health promotion. The project was supported by Green Tara Nepal, an Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) with whom BU has been working for over a decade. More details on this exciting project can be found in previous BU Research Blogs written in 2016 (see here) and 2017 (see here) and 2018 (see here)! The project has resulted in several academic publications including Dr. Preeti Mahato in the Centre for Midwifery, Maternal & Perinatal Health (CMMPH), Dr. Catherine Angell (CMMPH), Dr. Bibha Simkhada (formerly BU lecturer in Nursing) and FHSS Visiting Faculty Prof. Padam Simkhada and Jillian Ireland. Jillian is Professional Midwifery Advocate at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust. [2-6].

References:

Mackay, S. (2021) Maternal mental health training in rural Nepal, World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre – Evidence Based Public Health Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions into Practice, Public Health England
Simkhada, B., Sharma, G., Pradhan, S., van Teijlingen, E., Ireland, J., Simkhada, P., Devkota, B. & the THET team. (2016) Needs assessment of mental health training for Auxiliary Nurse Midwives: a cross-sectional survey, Journal of Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences 2(1): 20-26. http://www.nepjol.info/index.php/JMMIHS/article/view/15793/12738
Simkhada, P., van Teijlingen E., Winter, R.C., Fanning, C., Dhungel, A., Marahatta S.B. (2015) Why are so many Nepali women killing themselves? A review of key issues Journal of Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences 1(4): 43-49. http://www.nepjol.info/index.php/JMMIHS/article/view/12001
van Teijlingen, E., Simkhada, P., Devkota, B., Fanning, P., Ireland, J., Simkhada, B., Sherchan, L., Silwal, R.C., Pradhan, S., Maharjan, S.K., Maharjan, R.K. (2015) Mental health issues in pregnant women in Nepal. Nepal Journal of Epidemiology 5(3): 499-501. http://www.nepjol.info/index.php/NJE/article/view/13607/11007
Mahato, P., van Teijlingen, E., Simkhada, P., Angell, C., Ireland, J. on behalf of THET team (2018) Qualitative evaluation of mental health training of Auxiliary Nurse Midwives in rural Nepal. Nurse Education Today 66: 44-50. http://www.nurseeducationtoday.com/article/S0260-6917(18)30150-3/abstract
Ireland, J., Havelock, D., Lawrie, A., Ghimire, S. (2021) Facilitating Learning for Auxiliary Nurse Midwives around Maternal Mental Health in Southern Nepal, Journal of Midwifery Association of Nepal (JMAN) 2(1): 105-108.

April 21, 2021

Focus on Fellowships – Global Visiting Fellowship scheme

BU research, Global engagement Jo Garrad

In 2019, BU launched the Global Visiting Fellowship (GVF) Scheme, with the aim of attracting global talent from our international priority partner institutes to contribute to the internationalisation of BU in the SIA areas.

The scheme allows for a small research grant over a three year period to work on research related activities with BU. Each Fellowship is offered for a three year period to support the development of a collaborative partnership between the Fellow and their BU host member of staff. Funding is available to support a range of activities that promote research collaboration between individuals and groups at both institutions. During their Fellowship tenure each Fellow will spend a minimum of one month at BU.

The GVF funding panel and current projects

The GVF scheme is overseen by a BU internal funding panel, Chaired by Professor Darren Lilleker and Deputy Chaired by Dr Fiona Cownie. The full panel membership can be found here. Prof. Lilleker has added that “The scheme represents an excellent opportunity to strengthen and deepen research partnerships through a program of meeting and events involving the Fellow coming to BU and working with research teams and Centres to develop long-term collaboration”. Two rounds have been advertised to date, and these resulted in five awards. Details of these awards is as follows:

Prof. Yonggang Meng, Tsinghua University with Prof. Zulfiqar Khan, FST.

Joint research in tribology, nano-coating and tribo-chemistry to lead to external funding, publications and impacts in low carbon technology. Fellowship will strengthen existing links between BU and Tsinghua and lead to new opportunities for staff and ECRs, with a view to expanding current collaboration to other areas of interest.

Please see the ‘benefits’ section below for insights from Prof. Khan on the impact of the scheme.

Prof. Li Dangguo, Tsinghua University with Prof. Zulfiqar Khan, FST.

Joint research in corrosion, corrosion condition monitoring and advanced materials (nano-coating) to develop synergistic understating of failures within marine, petrochemical and process industry applications. Develop new collaborative links between outstanding researchers, effectively expanding research ideas. It will allow BU staff, ECRs, PDRAs/PGRs the opportunity to engage in new multidisciplinary areas and will benefit from world-leading expertise and resources within THU.

Prof. Junjun Pan, Beihang University with Dr Xiaosong Yang, FMC.

Xiaosong Yang

Develop patient specific VR surgery simulation and planning, which can effectively shorten the treatment and lower the surgery risk for real patients. Fellowship will further strengthen the international collaboration between two institutions on medical simulation research, establishing a long-term partnership leading to societal impact and joint public engagement. Also, promote the technology transfer and commercialisation in the field of digital health.

Dr Tatiana Silva, Deputy Director of the Institute of Geosciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, with Dr Luciana Esteves, FST

Joint research to review models and identify pathways for the implementation of Ecological-Economic Zoning approaches in support of sustainable coastal adaptation to climate change, focusing on developing countries. The research integrates social and natural sciences and will collate examples from the literature and experts views obtained through workshops. We hope to involve ECRs and established researchers in new internal and external cross-discipline collaborations. Currently, the collaboration involves co-supervision of PGRs and PGTs and we are progressing with the creation of a BU-UFRGS MoU.

Dr Nazmul Ahsan, University of Tokyo, with Dr Mehdi Chowdhury, BUBS

Mehdi Chowdhury

Collaborative research to analyse the economic impacts of low carbon technologies on vertical farming. The low carbon technologies include solar energy harvesting using concurrent and emerging technologies, rainwater harvesting, recycling, and sanitation with appropriate UV-LED and artificial photosynthesis with visible LED. Data collected will aim to analyse the economic impacts and development of a sustainable vertical agricultural method to be utilised in dense rural and urban locations of developing countries. ECRs will participate and the wider community will benefit from the multidisciplinary approach of this research.

Benefits of the GVF scheme

The Covid-19 pandemic has made it challenging for all to progress their research aims and planned visits to BU have had to be postponed to date. However, collaborative work has continued despite this. There have been a number of seminars held, co-supervision of PhD and MSc students, several papers and conference proceedings published, and joint applications for external funding. Whilst the achievements have been limited, they have still contributed to BU2025’s research principles of building external and international engagement, which has led to building our research environment and the quality and impact of BU’s research. Deputy Chair of the GVF panel, Dr Cownie, has added: “We are delighted that our academic partnerships have been sustained during the past challenging year. For round three of the GVF scheme, we particularly welcome applications from female academics“.

Prof. Zulfiqar Khan talks about the benefits of this scheme and the impact it has had on his research and that of his Global Visiting Fellows:

“BU and Tsinghua University have established longstanding collaborations in terms of joint publications, joint international conference contributions, research exchange visits between BU and Tsinghua University. Prof. Yonggang Meng has been a BU visiting professor and has been actively engaged in collaborative research which has led to Global Visiting Fellowships between Prof. Khan and Prof. Meng, and Prof. Khan and Dr Dangguo. These fellowships have led to further work in tribology, nanocoating and corrosion. Research collaborations between BU-Tsinghua have been contributing to cutting-edge knowledge in tribology [1, 2]. Tsinghua University is 20th in THE world ranking. The Global Visiting Fellowship scheme has been key in sustaining this high profile, impactful and strategic collaboration.”

Future funding calls

Due to the ongoing restrictions of the pandemic, BU will not launch a call with a closing date in this academic year. Instead, a third call for applications is likely to be launched at the end of this year with a closing date in March 2022.

April 19, 2021

GCRF Funding Panel

BU research Ainar

Research is a priority, it matters, and it is everyone’s responsibility here at BU. In April, we focus our stories on BU internal funding panels. This post shares the information about the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) funding panel and awarded projects.

GCRF funding enables BU academics to undertake research in partnership with organisations in developing countries. Projects are aimed to help build collaborations with researchers, policymakers and practitioners, ensuring that the research provides tangible outcomes and impacts for people in those countries.

The GCRF panel is led by the Chair, Professor Lee Miles, and Vice-Chair, Luciana Esteves.

Travel restrictions introduced due to the pandemic have sometimes been a challenge for academics, however, everyone has demonstrated flexibility in adjusting project plans to minimise their impact on project delivery. This has even delivered some benefits, for example, encouraging greater partnership working and ensuring that projects are efficiently implemented by in-country organisations.

Funded projects

There have been quite a few previous posts on BU Research Blog related to GCRF funded projects; you can read more about such projects as ‘Rohingya refugee crisis’ (Bangladesh), ‘Indigenous people’s voices’ (Costa Rica and Malaysia), ‘Child soldiers’ (Colombia) and ‘Driving African Capacity-Building in Disaster Management’ (Sierra Leone, Senegal and Cameroon). In total, 22 GCRF applications have received funding.

One of the internally funded GCRF projects – ‘Enhancing Livelihood Resilience of Protracted Internally Displaced Persons (ELIED)’ – is led by Dr Henry Bang. The PI kindly provided a brief overview of the project and the work done so far.

‘The project was conceived against the backdrop of Cameroon’s Anglophone Crisis (AC). The AC is rooted in the country’s troubled colonial history that eventually gave birth to its dual bi-lingual heritage (French and English official languages). The ongoing conflict started in 2016 as peaceful street demonstrations by lawyers and teachers’ trade unions against the obligatory use of French language in the educational and legal systems in Cameroon’s two Anglophone Regions. The government’s harsh response eventually gave rise to secessionist groups in the Anglophone region that have led to armed confrontation with government security forces. The four-year conflict has led to more than 63,000 refugees and 679,000 internally displaced persons.

These persons are suffering several vulnerabilities associated with separation from the nurturing environments of their original/home communities. Notably, are deprivation from basic necessities like regular access to food and other essentials such as education and easy access to health care. This is mainly because they rely heavily on food aid and assistance from well-wishers and donors. Living such unsustainable lives requires targeted attention. Hence, this GCRF project aims to improve and enhance the welfare and build livelihood resilience for the internally displaced persons who are scattered around Cameroon’s 10 regions. A strategic objective is to shape the livelihood opportunities of the population to be non-aid dependent.

The project is moving at an endurable pace, adjusted in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions to achieve the project objectives by the deadline of July 31st, 2021. The PI, with in-country collaborators, have engaged multiple NGOs and research assistants to collect data from the internally displaced persons’ (pictures here are taken by in-country collaborators and illustrate data collection by NGOs).

This project involves many challenges, considering the constrained budget and the scope of work involved, especially in securing a representative sample from around the country. Data collection from the NGOs is in progress after initial meetings and focus group discussions that led to the identification of key themes for further investigation.

According to the PI, ‘The challenge, though, is getting insights from the government, which is invaluable considering government’s expected dominant role in safe guiding the lives/livelihoods of the internally displaced persons. Plans are in place to achieve this objective with the appropriate budget as initially planned. In-dept analysis based on triangulation of data from the four data sets would enhance the validity, credibility, and generalization of the research.’

‘There is optimism that ELIED will achieve its aims/objectives with desirable outcomes that would have a huge academic/research and practical impact on sustainable livelihoods/development in Cameroon’ Dr Bang concludes.

The panel Chair suggested that at least two more projects with a high impact have to be mentioned in this short blog post – ‘Aftershock Nepal’ project and the MAAR (Media Action Against Rape) project addressing rape prevention in India. Both projects are led by Professor Einar Thorsen and Dr Chindu Sreedharan. It’s important to mention that the latter led to follow-on joint initiatives.

Future of GCRF funding

UK universities have received formal notifications from UKRI and Research England that there will be no further QR GCRF funding after July 2021. So, for the remaining period we need to ensure that the projects are successfully completed by the end of this financial year. Another important task will be reporting back to Research England in autumn.

The next post, coming up tomorrow, will be about the ACORN internal funding panel.

April 18, 2021

BNAC Study Days 2021

BU research, conferences, Featured academics, Global engagement, international, Research news, Uncategorized Edwin van Teijlingen

This coming Thursday and Friday BNAC (British Nepal Academic Council) will be organising its annual Study Days. This year these will be held largely online. Bournemouth University is well represented in several papers as well as running a workshop for Early Career Researchers. On Thursday there will be two presentations based on the MRC-funded study on the impact of the federalisation process on health policies in Nepal:

The provincial health policies in Nepal: Opportunities and challenges for an effective implementation, Sharada P Wasti & Padam Simkhada, University of Huddersfield; Edwin van Teijlingen, Bournemouth University; Simon Rushton & Julie Balen, University of Sheffield
Federalization and health system in Nepal: A systematic review of the literature, Pratik Adhikary, PHASE Nepal; Sujata Sapkota, Sujan Gautam & Sujan Marahatta (Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences); Sarita Panday, Andrew Lee, Julie Balen & Simon Rushton, (University of Sheffield); Edwin van Teijlingen, Bournemouth University ; Padam Simkhada & Sharada P Wasti (University of Huddersfield); Madhusudan Subedi (Patan Academy of Health Sciences).

On Friday there will be four presentation with links to Bournemouth University:

Are GBV response and rehabilitation services provided through OneStop Crisis Management Centers in Nepal inclusive of needs of women and girls with disability? Sapana Basnet Bista, Liverpool John Moores University; Padam Simkhada, University of Huddersfield; Edwin van Teijlingen, Bournemouth University, Shaurabh Sharma, Humanity & Inclusion
Impacts of men’s migration on non-migrating spouse’s health and the implications for Nepal: A systematic literature review, Shraddha Manandhar, Philip Brown & Padam Simkhada, University of Huddersfield; Edwin van Teijlingen, Bournemouth University
Maternal and neonatal health services in Jumla, Nepal: A health facility survey, Pasang D Tamang, Padam Simkhada & Paul Bissel, University of Huddersfield; Edwin van Teijlingen, University of Bournemouth and Rose Khatri, Liverpool John Moores University
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices amongst the literate cohorts of Nepal about COVID-19, Mohan Kumar Sharma, Shanti Prasad Khanal, and Ramesh Adhikari, Tribhuvan University; Jib Acharya, ANC, Premium Services Ltd./Bournemouth University PhD Graduate

At Thursday lunchtime there will be a mentoring session for Early Career Researchers which will be coordinated by Premila van Ommen from the University of the Arts, London, and facilitated by Edwin van Teijlingen, University of Bournemouth.

April 17, 2021

COVID – a reflective account, an engineering perspective.

COVID-19, Events Zulfiqar Khan

There have always been challenges and opportunities. Some might say that challenges could be over and an opportunity could be lost, really?

There are several key subjects in mechanical engineering, majority attempt to bridge the gap between theory and practice and simultaneously present a simplified solution such as engineering maths, machine design, theory of machines and power plants etc. there are two core subjects which are more challenging in terms of the nature of problems we are asked to solve – such as thermodynamics and thermofluids which in turn are multidisciplinary subjects and do incorporate elements of functional analysis, linear and nonlinear relationships, physics, energy and flow.

Mechanical engineering itself is an interdisciplinary subject which is underpinned by mathematics and physics. To simplify physical analyses, like the recent landfall in Dorset, although it is a geological event, lets for the time being ignore this element. Two categories, in physics have been defined in terms of whether a body is in motion or at rest, are referred to as dynamics and statics. There is a major mechanism which is called erosion, just before the landfall, the state is static, during the landfall the state is dynamic. Let’s consider, if a body is in motion and there is an element of power, not the power we associate with the words like, politics or megalomaniac, but say heat energy, for example recent Icelandic volcanic eruption, although generally speaking this would fall under volcanology, let’s assume we are not discussing this, there is an element of heat energy in motion which is called thermodynamics.

If we have understood what thermodynamics is, then let’s move to statics. Anything in stationary state, not moving, will come under statics. A coffee table in our lounge, a parked car, a bookshelf etc. in turn the analysis is relatively easy and simple. Are these stationary? is the motion zero? think again.

We talk about destination(s). What is ‘the destination’?

Locally (lounge, car park, library /study) the motion is zero, and we have a zero value. Globally the motion is not zero as the earth is spinning and orbiting. Therefore, universal motion cannot be zero. In turn there is no absolute zero.

Fridge and freezer in our kitchens run on a thermodynamic cycle, there are four distinct processes in a thermodynamic cycle: compression in the compressor, evaporation in the evaporator, condensation in the condenser and expansion in the throttle (expansion) valve. We keep our food and drinks cold in the fridge or food frozen in the freezer. Although in terms of the objective, a lower and controlled temperature is desired, is it destination? thermodynamic cycle is composed of processes and there is no final stage, unless the fridge or freezer stop working. Initial point of a process is connected to the final point of preceding process, and final point of a process is connected to the initial point of proceeding process – all processes are interconnected, it is a ‘cycle’ where is the destination? in turn a destination would mean no motion, static, this is not desired.

What happens after the destination?

We have sources of energy, finite (fossil fuel) to infinite (sun). The energy which is responsible for making chemical reactions happen is called Gibbs Free Energy (GFE). When GFE runs out chemical reactions will cease to occur. For example, by pouring hot water, providing energy, on washing soda, a reaction will happen, a good old recipe to unclog drains. The reaction will stop when that energy runs out.

All sources of energy lead to thermodynamics behaviour which is called Entropy. Let’s take a carboard box, put a few green tennis balls on one side, and a few red tennis balls on the other side, this is a state of order. Now shake the box, green and red balls will mix – this is a state of disorder, if heat energy was involved in this process, then this was Entropy. For example, climate change, rising sea levels, volcanic eruptions and landfalls are all examples of Entropy.

We know that there is no absolute zero, therefore the Entropy has to increase or at its best remain constant, but only locally, for example the landfall in Dorset may not be happening now, it does not mean that erosion elsewhere is not taking place, rising sea level is not the same everywhere. Entropy must increase or could remain constant – disorder must increase or could remain constant.

Let’s go back to March 2020. I was getting out of our staff kitchen on my office floor with a cup of coffee, a work colleague was coming from the opposite side. My colleague told me that, they are planning to go to superstore for shopping to stockpile provisions and utilities. To justify this, my colleague added, we would go to lockdown soon following France.

Lockdown? is it static or dynamic? is it increasing or keeping the Entropy constant?

Stockpile? is it static or dynamic? is it increasing or keeping the Entropy constant?

Soon the Government issued a statement that “people ‘must’ stay at home and certain businesses must close”. A state of zero Entropy?

Wait a minute, do you recall if anyone mentioned anything about flatulence, diarrhoea or indigestion etc, remember stockpiling toilet rolls?

There are economic and psychological aspects to this, “In Auckland, New Zealand, supermarket spending shot up by 40% comparing to the same day the previous year”.

“It is rational to prepare for something bad that looks like it is likely to occur,” says David Savage, associate professor of behavioural and microeconomics.

Ben Oppenheim, senior director at San Francisco-based infectious disease research firm Metabiota, agrees. “It’s probably true that panic buying is ultimately a psychological mechanism to deal with our fear and uncertainty; a way to assert some control over the situation by taking an action.”

Physical disorder continued, “Evidence to the Commons EFRA Committee from the British Retail Consortium stated that the main difficulty in meeting the rapid increase in retail demand was the logistics of moving food through the supply chain quickly enough, with deliveries to stores increasing by 30%.” [Source]. “News of empty supermarket shelves and other disruptions in the food supply chain in countries already affected by COVID-19 influenced UK consumer behaviour and led to relatively short lived ‘stock piling’ buying behaviour to prepare for a worst case scenario.” [Source].

A state of lockdown meant zero Entropy, carbon emissions fall down by more than a third, should it continue, there is a chance of Entropy is going in the reverse direction, thermodynamically it is not possible. Stockpiling added to Entropy.

When the lockdown was eased, eat out to help out, we went to several local restaurants to make our contributions to local economy.

We also went to Stonehenge, it was a gorgeous day and outdoor coffee was a bonus, what? Stonehenge is static, I am a dynamist.

When will the Entropy stop and what would the scenario look like?

There is always a gradient therefore change in pressures and temperatures, flow of water, heat flow: boiling or freezing water will continue to take place. No flow means equilibrium, it is a local phenomenon, a lake. And for example, mechanical equilibrium, a seesaw should be dynamic (interesting) when both persons on either end change their loading configuration, seesaw will move up and down. If the load (person on each side) is equal then seesaw would not move, it is static, it is local equilibrium (limited to seesaw), it doesn’t mean that temperature is not changing or the tides are not going out or coming in. I did not stockpile anything because the flow must happen. Stockpiling meant excessive gradient, must be followed by accelerated supply and production – increased Entropy.

Destination is static; the uncertainty associated with destination distracts from the process, the journey. The destination is a state of absolute zero, I will let you interpret this. Challenges will not go away and opportunities will never be lost – absolute zero cannot be reached, Entropy will always increase or if we are very lucky then it could remain constant. Globally Entropy must increase, journey must continue, challenges will be there and opportunities will cross our path.

Each end of a process is a destination, but that is also the final point of a process, so the process hence the journey must continue to connect to the next initial point of another process in the cycle. Presence in the process and enjoying the journey will lead to impactful outcomes.

COVID is just a process within a cycle, and we are on its final point.

March 23, 2021

Congratulations to Prof. Vanora Hundley

BU research, Featured academics, Global engagement, international, Publishing, Research news, Uncategorized, writing Edwin van Teijlingen

Congratulations to Prof. Vanora Hundley who co-authored an important commentary ‘WHO next generation partograph: revolutionary steps towards individualised labour care’ in the international journal BJOG [1]. The authors comment on the partograph which is widely used across the globe as part of the assessment of labour progress. It was recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the early 1990s as a routine tool for displaying the progress of labour. Despite its global acceptance, utilization and correct completion rates as low as 31% and 3% respectively, have been reported.

Congratulations!

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

CMMPH (Centre for Midwifery, Maternal & Perinatal Health)

Reference:

Hofmeyr, GJ, Bernitz S, Bonet M, Bucagu M, Dao B, Downe S, Galadanci H, Homer CSE, Hundley V, et al. (2021) WHO next generation partograph: revolutionary steps towards individualised labour care (Commentary), BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, First published: 8 March 2021

March 23, 2021

Future 2021 STEAMLabs- how to join

BU research, BU2025, Business Engagement, ECR Network, Events, Funding opportunities, Fusion themes, Global engagement emilner

There were 31 participants who attended a virtual STEAMLab for Animation, Simulation and Visualisation on 24/2/21. For some, it was an opportunity to meet new colleagues or members from other industries. For others, they are now working together on research funding applications.

The dates for the future planned STEAMLabs for 2021 are being finalised with key stakeholders and keynote speakers.

In order to make it easier to attend these events, the application process will be opened well in advance of the STEAMLabs. The schedule for the application opening of each themed STEAMLab event is below:

Assistive Technology – (applications open April 15^th)

Medical Science – (applications open April 22^nd)

Industrial Challenges –(applications open May 4^th)

Global Challenges– (applications open May 12^th)

Sustainability, Low Carbon Technology and Materials Science – (applications open June 1^st)

A further post will follow for each event, with event timings, links to the application and other relevant information.

So…….what is a STEAMlab?

The STEAMLabs offer the opportunity to meet new people from all disciplines and sectors, and to spend dedicated time developing novel ideas for research projects.

We will also be inviting relevant external attendees to contribute to the day. We welcome academics, NGO/business/government representatives who wish to contribute to having a positive impact through addressing the world’s global challenges.

Who should attend?

STEAMLabs cover broad themes to ensure that they are open to everyone from all disciplines. So if you think you have something to contribute then come along. If you think that they don’t include you then please have a conversation with your RDS Facilitator who can explain how your research could make a vital contribution to new ideas and approaches. In order to encourage wider partnerships, each STEAMLab will include academics from other universities, as well as representatives from industry and other sectors.

If you have any queries about the STEAMLab programme, please contact Ehren Milner (emilner@bournemouth.ac.uk).

Category / Global engagement

ReSpace Symposium: On Place, Memory and Histories – International Artist Talks

DRIVE project Stories and Toolkit

Mass Grave Policy Briefing for the Canadian Institute for Research on Public Policy

Global Challenges STEAMLab 6th of July 2021

Welcome to BU’s Research Staff Association

Chancellor Kate Adie voices introduction for Bournemouth Protocol

Bournemouth Research on mass grave protection and investigation presented to Iraqi authorities

IMSET presents: Reasons for Hope with Dr Jane Goodall DBE

BU’s THET project showcased by WHO Collaborating Centre

Focus on Fellowships – Global Visiting Fellowship scheme

The GVF funding panel and current projects

Benefits of the GVF scheme

Future funding calls

GCRF Funding Panel

COVID – a reflective account, an engineering perspective.

Congratulations to Prof. Vanora Hundley

Future 2021 STEAMLabs- how to join

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