Category / PG research

This part of the blog features news and information for postgraduate research students and supervisors

BU recruiting for M.Res. INSIGHT Programme

Awarded & submitted bids, PG research, Training

We are currently recruiting to the INSIGHT MRes Programme for September 2026.  These fully funded M.Res. studentships are available to nurses, midwives and allied health rpofessionals as well as final year nursing, midwifery and allied health students working towards professional registration in the UK.  More information can be found here!
If they would like to speak to someone, they can email: Dr. Leslie Gelling (lgelling@bournemouth.ac.uk) or Prof. Carol Clark (cclark@bournemouth.ac.uk).
The submission deadline is 17:00 on 15th March 2026.

SPROUT: From Sustainable Research to Sustainable Research Lives

PG research

A different way of external examining

international, PG research, writing

Last month I had the honour of chairing a committee to review the first three years of the MSc in Midwifery in the Netherlands.  Since all Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in the Netherlands offer this joint degree there is only one in the country.  This national collaboration meant there were very few academics working in the field of midwifery who can claim to be independent.  All midwifery educators/academic midwives are employed by one of the HEIs participating in the joint Master’s degree. Hence, two of the four committee members, including myself came from abroad.

Today’s blog highlights that there is a different way to the UK version of external examining as a form of quality control in Higher Education.  In the UK each undergraduate programme, or year in a programme, or module has its own external examiner, who is appointed typically for three years to act as independent assessor.  External examiners typically reviews all education aspects of the programme/module and discuss their assessment examiners’ meetings held at the host university.  For more details on external examining in the UK, see also:”Acting as External Examiners in the UK: Going Beyond Quality Assurance” [1].

The Netherlands and Flemish-speaking Belgium has a single cross-national organisation which is responsible for assessing the quality of higher education degrees.  This organisation, the NVAO [Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders], has an accreditation system that covers Associate Degree, Bachelor’s, and Master’s programmes in the Netherlands.   First, there is the need for initial accreditation of a new programme, valid for a period of six years.  Secondly, the accreditation of an existing programme, which, following a positive assessment, is valid indefinitely, as long as the programmes passes the six-yearly assessment by a panel of independent experts (peers engaged by the NVAO).  Between these periodic assessments there is no equivalent of the UK’s annual external examiners’ meeting.

Reference:

  1. Poobalan, A., Simkhada, P. & van Teijlingen, E. (2021), “Acting as External Examiners in the UK: Going Beyond Quality Assurance“, In: Sengupta, E., Blessinger, P., Ssemwanga, A. & Cozza, B. (Ed.) The Role of External Examining in Higher Education: Challenges and Best Practices (Innovations in Higher Education Teaching and Learning, Vol. 38), Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp. 13-23. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2055-364120210000038002

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

Exploring Embodied Research: Body Map Storytelling Workshop & Research Seminar

PG research

Supported by the PGR Research Culture and Community Grant, Zahra Eskandari (PhD Candidate, Faculty of Business & Law) recently hosted a two-day workshop introducing Body Map Storytelling to the BU research community. This innovative, arts-based method focuses on using creative expression to explore lived experiences, empowering participants to bridge their personal journeys with broader academic practices.

A space for reflection and connection

The interactive session took place at Poole House on Thursday 22 January. Designed specifically for international women PGRs and ECRs, the workshop provided a supportive environment to explore themes of physical activity, wellbeing and belonging. Participants engaged in a hands-on creative process, developing unique body maps that combined visual expression with storytelling.

One participant noted:

“Through this workshop, I realised more about my choices and my engagement.”

Examples of body maps created during the workshop, where participants used colour and symbols to represent their lived experiences and emotional wellbeing.

Examples of body maps created during the workshop, where participants used colour and symbols to represent their lived experiences and emotional wellbeing.

Interdisciplinary learning

The following day, the focus shifted to the Fusion Building for a research seminar led by Dr Anna Smirnova (Creative Health Associate, Edge Hill University). Dr Smirnova shared insights from her PhD research using this method with young people in Kyrgyzstan, providing a deep dive into the ethical and analytical foundations of the approach.

The seminar attracted a diverse group, including five postgraduate researchers and nine lecturers, creating an engaging cross-disciplinary exchange of ideas.

A participating lecturer described it as:

“One of the few events where you could learn something new and hear about the incredible research being carried out elsewhere.”

The PGR community in action: participants at the Body Map Storytelling workshop exploring embodied research methods

Impact

For the organiser, Zahra Eskandari, managing this project was “Empowering, Transformative, and Challenging”. While building Zahra’s project management and budget skills, the project also gave BU researchers new, creative tools for inclusive research. The positive engagement from both the workshop and seminar showed a clear demand for more arts-based sessions at BU in the future.

Apply for the PGR Research Culture and Community Grant

Do you have an idea for an event or initiative that could strengthen the research culture at BU? We invite you to follow in Zahra’s footsteps and apply for funding to bring your project to life.

Find out more and submit your application here: Research Culture and Community Grant PGR Application

Closing date 4pm, Monday 9 March 2026

If you would like to discuss your ideas before submitting your application, please contact Enrica Conrotto, Researcher Development Manager, at pgrskillsdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk.

Fourth INRC Symposium: From Clinical Applications to Neuro-Inspired Computation

PG research, REF Subjects, Research themes

We cordially invite you to the 4th Symposium of the BU Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Research Centre: From Clinical Applications to Neuro-Inspired Computation on Friday, the 16th of January 2026, 9:30-15:00 at the Lees Lecture Theatre (Talbot Campus, Poole House -outside).

This symposium encompasses a journey from clinical case studies to new, emerging experimental and computational methodologies that underpin future translational applications. It is an opportunity for informal discussions on grant proposals and to explore shared interests with our external guests from the NHS and collaborating EU universities.

The schedule is as follows:

9:30 Coffee

9:50 Opening and Welcome Address

10:00-10.50 Dr Michalis Doumas (Queen’s University Belfast): Sensory integration for postural control in healthy ageing and in people living with Parkinson’s.

10:50 Coffee break

11:00-11:50 Session I. Ageing and Neurodegenerative Disorders

Dr Ioanna Markostamou: Naming spatial relations in typical and atypical ageing: At the crossroads of language and perception.

Dr Catherine Talbot: Dementia in the digital age: exploring the promise and pitfalls of social technologies.

11:50-12.50 Lunch break (no lunch provided, but Talbot Campus facilities available)

12.50-13.40 Dr Andre Rupp (Online Talk): Auditory pitch perception and clinical applications.

13:40 Coffee break

14:00-14.50 Session II: Neuro-inspired computation

Dr Anna Metzger: Understanding haptic perception of objects’ shape and material via DNN modelling.

Dr Hongchuan Yu: Waa3D: an open-source platform to benchmark performance of algorithms for automated neuro tracing in light microscopy datasets.

Concluding Remarks + Invitation to everybody to become a member of the INRC network

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Ellen Seiss, eseiss@bournemouth.ac.uk or Emili Balaguer-Ballester, eb-ballester@bournemouth.ac.uk.

Thank you very much; we are looking forward to seeing you there.

Kind regards,

Ellen and Emili, on behalf of all of us.

On Christmas Day in the Morning…

open access, PG research, Publishing, Women's Academic Network, writing

On Christmas Day (25 December 2025) the Journal of Mixed Methods Studies published Dr. Orlanda Harvey’s latest paper ‘Using A Range Of Recruitment Strategies To Recruit Those Who Use Anabolic Androgenic Steroids‘ [1]. The Journal of Mixed Methods Studies is an Open Access journal, hence this paper is freely available to anybody with internet access.

Dr. Harvey is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work in the Faculty of Health, Environment & Medical Sciences. This is the latest in a series of publications based on Orlanda’s Ph.D. work at Bournemouth University.  She has published a steady stream of papers over the past six years [2-7].

Congratulations!

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

References:

  1. Harvey, O., van Teijlingen, E., Parrish, M. (2025). Using A Range Of Recruitment Strategies To Recruit Those Who Use Anabolic Androgenic Steroids. Journal of Mixed Methods Studies, 11: 43–60. https://doi.org/10.59455/jomes.42
  2. Harvey, O., van Teijlingen, E., Parrish, M. (2024) Using a range of communication tools to interview a hard-to-reach population, Sociological Research Online 29(1): 221–232 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/13607804221142212
  3. Harvey, O., Keen, S., Parrish, M., van Teijlingen, E. (2019) Support for people who use Anabolic Androgenic Steroids: A Systematic Literature Review into what they want and what they access. BMC Public Health 19: 1024
  4. Harvey, O., Parrish, M., van Teijlingen, E., Trenoweth, S. (2020) Support for non-prescribed Anabolic Androgenic Steroids users: A qualitative exploration of their needs Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy 27:5, 377-386. doi 10.1080/09687637.2019.1705763
  5.  Harvey, O., Parrish, M., van Teijlingen, E, Trenoweth, S. (2022) Libido as a reason to use non-prescribed Anabolic Androgenic Steroids, Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy 29(3):276-288.
  6. Harvey, O., van Teijlingen, E., Parrish, M. (2022) Mixed-methods research on androgen abuse – a review, Current Opinion in Endocrinology & Diabetes 29(6):586-593.
  7. Harvey, O., van Teijlingen, E. (2022) The case for ‘anabolics’ coaches: selflessness versus self-interest? Performance Enhancement & Health 10(3) August, 100230

Bournemouth University Cyber Security Researcher Wins Best Poster Award at HISC 2025

PG research

Bournemouth University (BU) is proud to announce that PhD Cyber Security researcher Serdar Akar, has been awarded Best Poster Winner at this year’s High Integrity Software Conference (HISC) 2025, held in Newport, Wales.

HISC is a leading international forum that brings together software engineers and industry practitioners to exchange knowledge, address critical challenges, and strengthen the foundations of a trustworthy software ecosystem.

Serdar’s winning poster, titled “Towards Productive Cyber Resilience and Safety Analysis in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)”, was showcased in the conference’s Future Zone, which highlights innovative research shaping the future of high-integrity software.

Serdar was also recently named the Winner of our BU’s ‘Business Idea Challenge’, organised by the Students’ Union (SUBU). This award recognises a student-led venture that is not only highly feasible but also carries a strong social impact, aligns with the university’s sustainability priorities, and demonstrates impressive potential for future growth.

Serdar said, “To have my work recognised in both academic and entrepreneurial spheres in such a short time is immensely encouraging. It is a great privilege to be able to contribute to the research and innovation environment here at Bournemouth University.”

Dr Duncan Ki-Aries at Bournemouth University, commented, “These awards reflect the high calibre of research being undertaken at BU. Serdar’s work contributes to advancing cyber resilience and safety in complex systems, and we are delighted to see it recognised on an international stage.”

Prof Huseyin Dogan mentioned, “There are challenges centred on Model Based Systems Engineering in industry, and we are bridging theoretical benefits with practical applications. Serdar’s PhD will contribute to this domain by integrating cyber resilience and safety analysis through software tool support.”

The recognition underscores Bournemouth University’s commitment to pioneering research towards safer, secure, and more resilient digital infrastructures.

If you’re interested in learning more about these impactful projects, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with Prof. Huseyin Dogan and Dr. Duncan Ki-Aries, and others.

Up2U: New BU academic publication

open access, PG research, Publishing, Women's Academic Network, writing

Congratulations to the interdisciplinary BU team on the publication of the paper ‘Up2U: designing and validating a new evidence-based programme for perpetrators of domestic abuse who want to change’ in Frontiers in Psychology [1].   The new paper is part of the series ‘The Dynamics of Emotion Regulation and Aggressiveness in Gender-Based Violence Contexts’, and it appeared in an Open Access journal and is therefore easily accessible.

Domestic abuse is a pervasive issue rooted in patterns of power and control, contributing to a significant number of high-harm offenses both in the UK and internationally. While programmes have been aiming to disrupt abusive cycles through the understanding and recognition of harm, there is widespread disagreement on what effective interventions should look like. This paper addresses this gap.

The authors of this paper include both psychologists and social workers, as well as a student co-author.  The lead author, Terri Cole, is a Principal Academic in Forensic Psychology.

 

Congratulations!

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

 

Reference:

  1. Cole, T., Oliver, L., Harvey, O., Healy, J., Sperryn, A., Barbin, A. (2025) Up2U: designing and validating a new evidence-based programme for perpetrators of domestic abuse who want to change, Frontiers in Psychology, Volume 16 – 28 Nov.2025 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1676490

New BU midwifery paper

PG research, Publishing, student research, writing

Congratulations to HEMS colleagues on their recently published paper in MIDIRS Midwifery Digest. This new qualitative publication focuses on the ‘Barriers to the uptake of healthy eating messages by Black African immigrant pregnant women living in the UK: midwives’ perspectives’ [1].  The paper grew out of Aniebiet Ekong’s PhD research on this topic which was supervised by Drs. Pramod Regmi, Juliet Wood, and Jaqui Hewitt-Taylor.

 

Reference:

  1. Ekong A, Regmi P, Wood J, Hewitt-Taylor J. Barriers to the uptake of healthy eating messages by Black African immigrant
    pregnant women living in the UK: midwives’ perspectives M    IDIRS Midwifery Digest, 35(4):  372–383.

SPROUT: Embedding Sustainability in Doctoral Research Practice

PG research

Join us for the first SPROUT network event of 2025/26 – a collaborative session between Bournemouth, Cardiff, and Durham Universities exploring how sustainability and impact can be embedded in doctoral research practice.

We’re delighted to invite postgraduate researchers and early career researcher to the first SPROUT event of the 2025/26 academic year.

SPROUT the Sustainability and Postgraduate Research Network is a collaboration between Bournemouth University, Cardiff University, and Durham University. The network aims to explore how sustainability and impact can be embedded within our research practices, collaborations, and everyday academic lives.

Event Overview

Date: Wednesday 19 November 2025
Time: 1-2pm
Format: Online (via Microsoft Teams) and in person at INSPIRE, Fusion Building, Talbot Campus, Bournemouth University, Fern Barrow, Poole BH12 5BB
Host University: Bournemouth University
Organisers: BU academic and PGR leads, in collaboration with Cardiff & Durham Universities
Theme: Personal and Institutional Sustainability: Embedding Sustainable Practice in Doctoral Research
Open to: Doctoral and early career researchers across all disciplines

About the Event

Join the SPROUT hybrid event, a new network uniting BU, Durham, and Cardiff Universities to embed sustainability and impact in research collaboration.

This interactive one-hour session explores how sustainability can shape both our research and our daily practices as postgraduate and early career researchers. Together, we’ll consider:

  • What does sustainability mean personally, institutionally, and academically?
  • How can we make our research processes more sustainable and ethical?
  • What practical steps can we take as a community?

Meeting Objectives

  • Reintroduce the SPROUT network for the 2025/26 academic year
  • Explore how sustainability can be understood and practised at personal, institutional, and research levels
  • Create space for doctoral and early career researchers to share experiences and connect
  • Promote opportunities for participation and leadership in future SPROUT events

Why Attend?

If you’re a doctoral or early career researcher interested in embedding sustainability and ethical practice into your research, this session offers:

  • A chance to connect with peers across three UK universities
  • Inspiration on integrating sustainability into your research and everyday academic activities
  • A collaborative space to share experiences, challenges, and ambitions for more sustainable research cultures

How to Join

Participation is free, but registration is required – please sign up via [SPROUT: Embedding Sustainability in Doctoral Research Practice Tickets, Wed 19 Nov 2025 at 13:00 | Eventbrite].
After registering, online attendees will receive a Teams link by email.

For further information, please contact Dr Tahani Mohamed at tmohamed@bournemouth.ac.uk.

We look forward to seeing you at the first SPROUT event of the new academic year and to working together to embed sustainability in doctoral research practice.

MRes student Sarah Clark hosts on the Student Minds All Things Mental Health podcast about her lived-experience research at BU

PG research, student research

MRes student Sarah Clark features in episode five of the Student Minds podcast series, “Life as a Neurodivergent Student,” with her episode titled “Finding Balance as a Neurodivergent Student” launching today (12th November) on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Listen here on Spotify: All Things Mental Health Podcast

The All Things Mental Health podcast shines a light on the experiences of young people and students, bridging the gap between research and lived experience to create space for open, authentic conversations about mental health and neurodivergence. Recently featured in The Guardian, the podcast now ranks in the top 15% of podcasts shared globally, with partners including the University of Oxford, King’s College London, Student Minds, SMaRteN, and U-Belong.

Supervised by Dr Emily Arden-Close (Bournemouth University) and Dr Jessica Eccles (Brighton and Sussex Medical School), Sarah’s MRes research explores how to reduce diagnostic delays for autistic individuals with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) – a complex, multi-systemic connective tissue disorder that remains under-recognised and frequently misdiagnosed.

Sarah’s passion for this research stems from her own lived experience. She was diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in 2020 after years of medical invalidation and misdiagnosis. During her MSc in Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology at BU, a pivotal “lightbulb moment” during the autism lectures led her to realise that autism could explain many of her lifelong experiences – a possibility that had never before been considered. She was subsequently diagnosed as autistic in 2022, an experience that transformed both her own personal understanding and her academic trajectory.

In this podcast episode, Sarah and her peer co-host reflect on what it truly means to be a neurodivergent student — exploring how we define work-life balance, what meaningful support looks like, and how the invisible intersections between neurodivergence and physical health shape learning, wellbeing, and identity. Together, they share stories of diagnostic journeys, self-acceptance, and adapting to challenges while navigating academia with compassion and authenticity.

Sarah also discusses how she manages work–life balance as a lived-experience researcher, highlighting the importance of flexibility, self-awareness, and self-kindness in sustaining both academic success and wellbeing.

Through this open and heartfelt discussion, Sarah and her peer co-host aim to offer insight, validation, and hope to students, researchers, educators, and practitioners striving to better understand and support the neurodivergent experience in higher education.

Join the 17th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference – Wednesday 3 December 2025

Knowledge Exchange, PG research

17th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference: Register now

Register now to attend the 17th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference, hosted by the Doctoral College.

Join us for a day of showcasing some of the excellent research taking place across BU by our postgraduate research community. This event provides a platform for our postgraduate researchers to present their research, share insights, and engage in meaningful discussions with peers, university colleagues, and external partners.

Date & Time: Wednesday 3 December, 9am-4:30pm

Location: Fusion Building, Talbot Campus

This year, the Poster Exhibition will take place in FG04 & FG06, Fusion Building, with viewings taking place in the morning and during the lunch break. Oral presentations hosted in Share Lecture Theatre in the Fusion Building.

Whether you’re a researcher, academic, colleague, or just interested in the cutting-edge work happening at BU find out more and book your place here 

The detailed programme will be available soon.

BU PhD student attending HIV conference on scholarship

conferences, PG research, student research

Congratulations to Tom Weeks, PhD student in the Faculty of Health, Environment & Medical Sciences at Bournemouth University, who has been awarded a scholarship from Gilead Sciences to attend the 2025 British HIV Association (BHIVA) Conference. His PhD research focuses on HIV stigma in the UK.  Tom is supervised by Dr. Pramod Regmi (Principal Academic in International Health) and Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen. The BHIVA conference features key sessions including:

  • What’s happening in HIV in 2025: New guidelines, new data, and new plans
  • Towards zero HIV transmission by 2030: Where are we now and where do we go next?

 Tom is eager to engage with the latest developments in HIV care and contribute to the ongoing dialogue around stigma reduction and equitable access to treatment.

Well done!

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen & Dr. Pramod Regmi

 

New paper by CMWH PhD student

PG research

Congratulations to Joanne Rack, whose paper ‘Developing a Canadian midwifery research priority framework: a Delphi consensus study‘ [1] was published earlier this month.   Joanne is currently doing her Clinical Doctorate in the Centre for Midwifery & Women’s Health (CMWH) focusing on personalised care for women of advanced maternal age.  Her doctoral study is matched-funded by University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust and Bournemouth University [BU].  Her PhD is supervised and supported by Profs. Vanora Hundley and Edwin van Teijlingen in CMWH with support from Prof. Ann Luce at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and Dr. Latha Vinayakarao at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust (UHD).  Last year Joanne published the first paper from her PhD work [2].

 

Prof. Vanora Hundely & Edwin van Teijlingen

Reference:

  1. Murray-Davis, B., Ruby, E., Rack, J. et al. Developing a Canadian midwifery research priority framework: a Delphi consensus study. Health Res Policy Sys 23, 126 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-025-01401-0
  2. Rack, J., Hundley, V., van Teijlingen, E., Luce, A., Vinayakarao. L. (2024) Understanding perceptions and communication of risk in advanced maternal age: a scoping review (protocol) on women’s engagement with health care services, MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, 34(3): 201-204.

We are delighted to re-launch the 2025-26 Researcher Development Programme

PG research

We are delighted to re-launch the 2025-26 Researcher Development Programme.

Bookings for sessions until December are now open via the RDP Brightspace! There are more than 30 different workshops to choose from, with more opening in November!

The programme has been recently reviewed to align with the new Vitae Researcher Development Framework.

Have a look at the 2025-26 brochure (if you would like a printed version, just pop into the Doctoral College).

Not sure whether to attend an RDP session? Feedback across the programme in 2024-25 was again overwhelmingly positive with attendees reporting the following:

  • 96% would recommend a workshop
  • 97% found the workshops relevant and useful
  • 93% found the workshops interesting and engaging
  • 93% reported improved research/personal/professional skills and increased confidence in topics covered

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the exceptional academics and professional staff who facilitated workshops within the Researcher Development Programme. Their expertise and dedication have significantly contributed to the success of the programme, providing immense value to all participants. Their commitment to fostering an enriching learning environment greatly contributes to the academic and professional growth of our research community.

If you have any queries about the programme, please contact: pgrskillsdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk.

BU paper among top 20 most cited papers

BRIAN, PG research, writing

The international journal Sociological Research Online ranked a paper written by Bournemouth University academics in its top twenty most cited papers in the past three years.  The methodological paper ‘Using a range of communication tools to interview a hard-to-reach population’ has as lead author Dr. Orlanda Harvey in the Faculty of Health, Environment & Medical Science.

Reference:

  1. Harvey, O., van Teijlingen, E., Parrish, M. (2024) Using a range of communication tools to interview a hard-to-reach population, Sociological Research Online 29(1): 221–232 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/13607804221142212