The British Science Association (BSA) is looking for researchers to take part in their Community BuddiesProgramme, connecting with Community Leaders to drive innovative community-led science engagement.
The BSA’s Community Engagement Team has been training, connecting, and working with community organisers for the past eight years. More recently, they furthered their offer with the creation of the Community Buddies Programme, which connects Community Leaders with local researchers.
The programme grew in response to community organisers’ interest to partner with local science role models who can help develop their engagement activities and offer insights into research.
The programme aims to:
Create greater empathy and understanding between researchers and communities
Support researchers and communities to create authentic, mutually beneficial relationships with equal sharing of power
Increase the skills and capabilities of both researchers and communities to engage with each other
If you are interested in getting involved, please get in touch via the expression of interest form. Yetminster would be the nearest local partner.
Advice on completing your application can be found in the Je-S handbook
This funding is subject to the same internal processes as external research funding. Before applying, interested PIs (Principle Investigators) should submit a completed e-ITB form (Intention to Bid) by 4 weeks before each deadline.
Deadline
Applications must be received by Wednesday 20 September 2023 at 4pm.
Please leave enough time for your application to pass through BU’s ‘Intention to Bid’ process (4 weeks before the deadline)
Alternatively, if you would like advice on developing ideas or submitting your application, please contact Adam Morris (Engagement Officer) publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk
BU is compiling data for the annual Higher Education–Business & Community Interaction (HE-BCI) survey. Please tell us about the social, cultural and community events that you have been involved with.
What is HE-BCI?
The HE-BCI survey is a mandatory annual return that the University makes to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Table 5 of the HE-BCI return captures activity in terms of social, community and cultural events intended for the external community. This data is part of the information used to determine the allocation of Higher Education and Innovation Funding (HEIF) for BU.
What activities can be included?
Please include details of any relevant events that you have been involved in which took place between 1 August 2022 – 31 July 2023. Events must have been open to the public or intended for an external (non-academic) group and have included an exchange of knowledge.
Events may take place in the UK or overseas.
Eligible events
Public lectures or talk
Performance arts
Exhibitions
Museum education
Festival activity
Events for school / youth group
Events for other external (non-academic) groups
Media engagement
All events that were part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2022, Online Public Lecture Series and Café Scientifique have been collated on your behalf centrally, so there is no need to add these.
We would encourage you to add your new data regularly throughout the year, while the details are easily recalled.
Further information
The SharePoint site provides details about what data is collected, including calculating attendee numbers, staff time, reporting online activities and multiple related events.
Being Human Festival returns 9–18 November 2023 with the theme Rhyme or Reason.
Being Human is the UK’s national festival of the humanities, a celebration of humanities research through public engagement. Led by the School of Advanced Study at the University of London, the UK’s national centre for the pursuit, support and promotion of research in the humanities. The festival works in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy to support humanities public engagement across the UK.
About the festival
Each November, Being Human Festival presents hundreds of free events across the UK and beyond. Festival events aim to celebrate and demonstrate the ways in which the humanities inspire and enrich our everyday lives, help us to understand ourselves, our relationships with others, and the challenges we face in a changing world
The festival aims to:
demonstrate the value and relevance of humanities research to society in the UK and globally;
encourage, support and create opportunities for researchers to engage with non-specialist audiences;
embed and join together public engagement activities in the humanities across the higher education sector.
Every year, humanities researchers and other staff from universities and research organisations are invited to apply to take part in the festival by organising a public engagement event, activity or project.
A Being Human Café is a simple, off-the-shelf activity that does not require funding from us. Submit your Being Human Café application online by 5pm, Friday 25 August 2023.
This funding is subject to the same internal processes as external research funding. Before applying, interested PIs (Principle Investigators) should submit a completed e-ITB form (Intention to Bid) by 4 weeks before each deadline.
New online application process
All applications must now be submitted via the online system Survey Monkey Apply. Please follow the step-by-step instructions on how to set up your account and submit an application. Application form templates have been provided to assist with preparing answers for submitting online.
Contact
If you have any questions about applying to the festival that are not answered in the FAQs, please contact apply.beinghuman@sas.ac.uk.
If you would like advice on developing ideas or submitting your application, please contact Adam Morris (Engagement Officer) publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk
Have you heard of the Poverty Truth Commission? The model brings together people in positions of power and influence (business and civic commissioners) and people with lived experience of poverty (community commissioners) in commissions across the UK, to connect and understand each others’ worlds. I (Mel Hughes) have been working for the last year with the Poverty Truth Commission for BCP. You can come and hear about this transformational way of working and the exciting ideas that are emerging from the Commission at a celebration event on 6th July at the Life Centre Moordown. Booking essential. Book here through Eventbrite. #povertytruthbcp
I hope to see you there
Mel
Academic lead for public involvement in education and research
Apply for up to £1,000 to deliver your event and take part in a national festival of public engagement with research
What is the ESRC Festival of Social Science?
The ESRC Festival of Social Science is an annual, UK-wide, free celebration of the social sciences. The festival consists of a series of events run each autumn, delivered by ESRC’s ‘festival partners’, higher education institutions from across the UK. Events range from exhibitions, lectures and panel debates through to performances, guided walks and workshops. Bournemouth University has been involved in the Festival of Social Science for over a decade.
When and where will it take place?
The 2023 festival will run from Saturday 21 October to Friday 17 November 2023. Events will take place in the local area, largely off-campus, and online.
Partnership with the University of Southampton
The ESRC have changed their rules this year around which institutions can take part in the festival. As a result, instead of being a standalone contributor to the festival, BU will be collaborating with the University of Southampton (UoS). This is a great opportunity for us to collaborate where relevant, on events, planning, promotion and sharing networks. We will still be selecting, organising and running most events ourselves.
Why should I take part?
The festival is a prestigious initiative by a major research funder, and BU’s continued involvement is justified by the quality of our events and activities. Being part of this festival is an achievement worth citing and celebrating. It is an excellent opportunity to engage people outside of academia with your research and with the benefit of co-ordinated support and promotion from RDS and the ESRC.
You can apply for up to £1,000 to deliver your project.
What if I’ve never done public engagement before?
Everyone has to start somewhere, and this is the ideal place. You’ll have access to support, advice and training throughout. If you’re unsure, seek out a more experienced colleague to collaborate with.
The ESRC says that events must “feature social science (ideally with a social scientist involved in the event)”. If this doesn’t clearly apply to you, consider these options;
Does your research have clear implications for society that could be explored from a social science perspective?
Could you collaborate with a social scientist, combining your resources and creativity to explore the impact of your research? If you’re looking for a collaborator, the Research Blog or BU website are great places to start or contact us for help.
What will I be expected to do?
Familiarise yourself with best practice for public engagement with research. Whether you’re new to this or experienced, there’s always room to improve
Submit an event proposal using the instructions below.
Events will be selected by our internal panel.
Plan, deliver and evaluate your activity or event, working with the public engagement team to shape your project into an impactful, professional and fascinating experience.
Timeline (approximate)
Open call for applications
20 June – 10 July
Application deadline
23:59, 10 July
Decisions shared
by 21 July
Event planning
24 July onwards
Festival period
21 October – 17 November
How will the collaboration with University of Southampton work?
As this is the first year we have collaborated on the festival, we will learn as we progress. However, where possible we will be looking for opportunities to collaborate with UoS on events, sharing networks and promotion. If you collaborate with UoS researchers, this could be a great opportunity to hold an event together.
Is there a theme?
The theme is ‘lifelong wellbeing’, but this is not compulsory. The ESRC want to see at least 25% of events on this theme.
Events can be on any aspect of health and wellbeing.
The theme has been chosen so that you can include events on the 75th anniversary of the NHS if you wish to, but this is not essential.
What support will I get?
Being part of this festival means a higher level of support and reach than we are normally able to provide.
To support your application, we’re holding an online information session on how to apply on Thursday 29 June 11am-12pm
This session will explain more about the festival and how to apply through our open call for proposals. We’ll hear from Dr Maxine Gee who held a successful event as part of last year’s festival and who will share experience and advice. We’ll explain how this year’s collaboration with the University of Southampton will work, and how you might find collaborators for your projects.
(please try a different browser if you are having any issues accessing this link)
Before applying, you’ll have access to:
An information session from BU and UoS, featuring previous event holders.
Advice on request from BU’s Engagement Officer, Adam Morris.
The detailed applicant guidance provided on this page.
When your application is successful, you’ll get:
Funding of up to £1,000 managed by RDS.
Training provided by the ESRC Festival of Social Science.
Continuing advice and support from BU’s public engagement team on all areas of planning, delivering, evaluating your activity.
Wide-scale promotion and marketing of your event by BU, UoS and the ESRC.
How to Apply
Apply to take part in the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2023 by completing the online application form by midnight at the end of Monday 10 July 2023.
If you would like to prepare your application ‘offline’ you can download a copy of the form. This is for planning purposes only, you may not submit it.
At Café Scientifique, you can explore the latest ideas in science and technology in a relaxed setting. Enjoy listening to a short talk before engaging in debate and discussion with our guest speaker and audience.
We’ll be joined by Dr Elena Cantarello on Tuesday 4 July from 6:30 – 8:00pm.
The New Forest is a beautiful and diverse landscape that has been around for centuries. It is home to ancient woodlands, heathlands, wetlands, and a traditional way of life. But it is also under threat from climate change and other factors that are killing its trees.
How can we protect the resilience of the New Forest and other forests around the world?
Join us to hear from Dr Elena Cantarello, who will explain forest resilience, why it matters and how we can measure and improve it. We’ll also explore how protecting forests could be a nature-based solution to tackle climate change.
This event will be held at The Black Cherry in Boscombe, Bournemouth. Although the talk starts at 6:30pm, the café will be open early so we encourage you to arrive early for a drink and a bite to eat before the talk starts.
If you have any questions about this event, or you’re interested in getting involved with a future Café Sci event, please email the Public Engagement with Research Team: publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk
We are holding a conference at BU: Violence Against and Women and Girls: Social Justice in Action Conference – Event Date: 29 June at BGB, Lansdowne.
The Soroptimist International Bournemouth and Bournemouth University are facilitating a conference with the focus upon Violence Against Women and Girls. The aim of the day is to raise awareness of issues relating to violence against women and girls, bringing together diverse professionals, NGOs, charities and interested others to share knowledge, explore limitations and seek solutions to sustain social justice. This event is open to all those who are engaged in working with Violence Against Women and Girls and those who care about reducing this global injustice.
At the event in the lunch room we will be running an automated PowerPoint presentation, where we hope to showcase BU research that is relevant to the professional audience.
This is open to all BU academics and PGRs – and all you need is for your research to be relevant to the intended audience it does not have to be focused on the main conference topic.
If you would like to showcase your work to this audience, please send a PowerPoint slide to Orlanda Harvey by 26th June 2023.
Please do pass this opportunity on to colleagues across the University
Bournemouth University (BU) has collaborated with the University of Cambridge on network wide road traffic prediction. The work, led by Dr. Wei Koong Chai in BU, address the problem of traffic prediction on large-scale road networks and propose a novel deep learning model, Virtual Dynamic Graph Convolution Neural Network and Transformer with Gate and Attention mechanisms (VDGCNeT), to comprehensively extract complex, dynamic and hidden spatial dependencies of road networks for achieving high prediction accuracy. The work advocates the use of a virtual dynamic road graph that captures the dynamic and hidden spatial dependencies of road segments in real road networks instead of purely relying on the physical road connectivity.
The team designed a novel framework based on Graph Convolution Neural Network (GCN) and Transformer to analyse dynamic and hidden spatial–temporal features. The gate mechanism is utilised for concatenating learned spatial and temporal features from Spatial and Temporal Transformers, respectively, while the Attention-based Similarity is used to update dynamic road graph.
Two real-world traffic datasets from large-scale road networks with different properties are used for training and testing the model. VDGCNeT is pitted against nine other well-known models in the literature. The results demonstrate that the proposed VDGCNeT is capable of achieving highly accurate predictions – on average 96.77% and 91.68% accuracy on PEMS-BAY and METR-LA datasets respectively. Overall, our VDGCNeT performs the best when compared against other existing models.
Today received confirmation from Bournemouth University Executive that the proposed name change of the Centre for Midwifery, Maternal & Perinatal Health (CMMPH) to the more inclusive Centre for Midwifery & Women’s Health (CMWH) has been ratified. So we proudly present our new centre with over fifty members. The new centre has four focus areas: (1) ‘Changing the narrative and care in early labour; (2) Infant feeding and postnatal care; (3) Improving care for mothers and babies in low and middle income countries; and (4) Women’s health and other research.
At BU we promote and celebrate the work done to engage public audiences with our research. The Public Engagement with Research team in Research Development and Support can help promote your event to relevant audiences through our monthly newsletters and via our social media channels.
To be considered for inclusion, your event or activity must be;
Focused on BU research, either solely or as part of a wider programme. Events or activities that do not involve BU research, such as marketing or recruitment events, will not be accepted.
Intended for and open to non-academic audiences, either entirely or as a portion of the audience.
Submitted, at the latest, in the first two weeks of the month preceding the event. For example, an event taking place in June should be submitted via the form any time before 14 May.
Event descriptions may be edited for consistency in style with other content.
Learning the basic principles is essential for doing effective public engagement with research, but it can be challenging to apply them to developing your own projects. In this session, we will turn your attention away from your work to explore inspiring examples of public engagement projects that have been successfully planned and delivered.
We will consider what worked well and what did not work in those projects, what the organisers learned and what we might do differently. By analysing these projects, you will gain a better understanding of what makes successful engagement. We will end by reflecting on what inspiration, knowledge, and skills you have gained and how you might apply them to your own work.
This session is for all levels of experience with public engagement. To get the most from this, please familiarise yourself beforehand with the basic principles of public engagement.
Participants will gain:
Useful knowledge into how successful public engagement is planned and delivered
Skills in critically appraising public engagement with research projects
Inspiring ideas to translate to their own work and share with others
Confidence that public engagement is approachable and practical to deliver
To book a place on this workshop please complete the booking form
Would you like to share your research with a public audience? Get involved with our Café Scientifique series for September 2023-July 2024
Café Scientifique is a public event that takes place at The Black Cherry in Boscombe on the first Tuesday of the month (excluding January & August), and is organised centrally by the BU Public Engagement with Research Team (PER Team), part of Research Development and Support.
The format involves delivering a short talk, followed by the opportunity for discussion and questions from a varied public audience. It is a fantastic opportunity for you to gain experience in engaging with the public in a friendly relaxed atmosphere.
We welcome academics at all career stages, although this opportunity is particularly valuable for those getting started in engaging with the public. We encourage collaboration between less experienced and more experienced public speakers to help provide support and a rewarding learning experience.
The PER Team will support you every step of the way. From developing your ideas to engage with a public audience, to setting up and promoting your event. We will also be on hand on the day to help your event run smoothly.
Please note: Completing this form does not guarantee you a space. We will be in touch with you to discuss your interest.
If you have any questions about getting involved with Café Sci, please get in touch with the Public Engagement with Research Team: publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk.
This week we had the luxury of four exchange visitors from Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences (MMIHS) in Nepal who are here on the Erasmus+ scheme. Erasmus+ funds are a great way to build academic networks and gain experience of teaching and learning elsewhere. Global staff mobility, including training and teaching, leads to professional development and networking and brings great value to BU and our students, whilst also offering invaluable international experience for BU staff and postgraduate students in Nepal.
Today Prof. Sujan Marahatta, Dr. Sujata Sapkota and Dr. Sujan Gautam offered a workshop under the title ‘Introducing federalization in Nepal: What are the effects on its health system?’ All three academics are part of the Nepal Federal Health System Project, our major collaborative project examining the consequences for the health system of Nepal’s move to a federal government structure in 2015. This is a joint project (2020-2024) led by the University of Sheffield and it is an collaboration with Bournemouth University, the University of Huddersfield, MMIHS and PHASE Nepal. This longitudinal interdisciplinary study is funded by the UK Health Systems Research Initiative [Grant ref. MR/T023554/1]. After highlighting the difference between ‘federalisation’ and ‘decentralisation’, the Nepalese academics briefly explained the political changes in the Nepal over the past decade or so. Followed by an outline of the project’s research methods and the key preliminary findings. The presenters focused on the data generated through a participatory method called River of Life, and from the policy analysis based on the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Health System Building blocks. This project has resulted in three publications to date [1-3].
Our visitors got involved in a range of teaching activities, for example, Prof. Beenu Bista, Professor of Nursing at MMIHS, taught various groups of BU nursing students earlier this week, whilst Dr. Sujata Sapkota helped supervise and advise one of BU’s M.Sc. Public Health students for her dissertation project.
Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen
Centre for Midwifery & Women’s Health (CMWH)
References:
Sapkota, S., Panday, S., Wasti, S.P., Lee, A., Balen, J., et al. (2022) Health System Strengthening: The Role of Public Health in Federal Nepal, Journal of NepalPublicHealth Association 7 (1): 36-42.
Rushton, S., Pandey, S., van Teijlingen, E., Subedi, M., Balen, J., et al. (2021) An Investigation into the Impact of Decentralization on the Health System of Nepal. Journal of Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences, 7(1): 3–14. https://doi.org/10.3126/jmmihs.v7i1.43146
This workshop is aimed at researchers who would like to learn what an excellent REF impact case study looks like and how to start building your own case study from scratch.
The session will offer a space to discuss this growing issue as well as offer advice, guidance and support on how to manage, avoid and overcome such feelings. At the end of the session attendees will have achieved greater confidence in developing their career and profile.
The BU Research Conference is back for 2023 and this year’s event will explore the concept of ‘failure’ in academia and building the resilience to overcome obstacles that may be in your path
Friday, 23rd June 2023, 08.45 – 16.45 Talbot Campus
This workshop covers strategies for academic writing: writing to prompts, targeting a journal/specific criteria, types of prompt for academic writing, ‘snack writing’, goal-setting for writing, motivation, freewriting, generative writing, analysing academic writing, drafting and revising an abstract/summary, constructing a ‘contribution’ argument, using prompts in series, outlining, productive writing behaviours, wellbeing, writing groups, micro-groups and retreats.
It will cover multiple ‘Common Routes to Influence’, including Government consultations, Select Committees, All Party Parliamentary Groups, think tanks etc. and the best ways to approach them. You will have an opportunity for stakeholder mapping and to plan your approach.
In this practical, engaging, interactive and fun 2-hour online workshop you’ll learn how to utilize the mindset and tactics of the 9 Characteristics of the Productivity Ninja.
Join Faye Watson as she helps you build a toolkit of skills to get started with public engagement. She’ll take you through understanding your audience, to utilise a design process to brainstorm your ideas through to evaluating your events and activities.
A perfect session for any researchers involved with public Engagement or wanting to dip their toes in the water.
Faye is an expert in all things public engagement, having run community outreach programmes, citizen science initiatives and all manner of creative engagement projects.
Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of COMMunity, the research communication network that empowers you to find your voice and amplify your impact.
Monday 22 May 4-5pm
This 1 hour online session is aimed at research staff and students but all are welcome to join.
At Café Scientifique, you can explore the latest ideas in science and technology in a relaxed setting. Enjoy listening to a short talk before engaging in debate and discussion with our guest speaker and audience.
We’ll be joined by Dr Sarah Upson on Tuesday 6 June from 6:30 – 8:00pm.
Many parts of the body cannot effectively renew and repair themselves, for various reasons. This is where tissue engineering and regenerative medicine could step in; to repair, replace or renew tissues in the body.
These techniques may sound futuristic, but they are increasingly being used to change our approach to medicine and aging. New 3D-printed biomaterials can be implanted into the body, enabling tissue re-growth or the complete replacement of damaged tissues. Join Dr Sarah Upson, an expert in biomaterials at Bournemouth University, to discover the latest research and what these new technologies could mean for medicine and society.
This event will be held at The Black Cherry in Boscombe, Bournemouth. Although the talk starts at 6:30pm, the café will be open early so we encourage you to arrive early for a drink and a bite to eat before the talk starts.
If you have any questions about this event, or you’re interested in getting involved with a future Café Sci event, please email the Public Engagement with Research Team: publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk
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What activities can be included?
Pathways 
The New Forest is a beautiful and diverse landscape that has been around for centuries. It is home to ancient woodlands, heathlands, wetlands, and a traditional way of life. But it is also under threat from climate change and other factors that are killing its trees.
The following training events are coming up in June.
Upholding Excellence: The Concordat to Support Research Integrity
Today’s Documentation Will Serve Tomorrow’s Justice
Up2U: New BU academic publication
New BU midwifery paper
BU academic publishes in online newspaper in Nepal
ECR Funding Open Call: Research Culture & Community Grant – Application Deadline Friday 12 December
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025 Call
ERC Advanced Grant 2025 Webinar
Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025 Published
Horizon Europe 2025 Work Programme pre-Published
Update on UKRO services
European research project exploring use of ‘virtual twins’ to better manage metabolic associated fatty liver disease