Category / PG research

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

PGR Development Framework Programme – Additional November workshop

PG research

Additional workshops for November:

Social Media Workshop:  Introduction to Twitter, Blogging and LinkedIn
Outline: This workshop will introduce you to the use of Social Media and answer questions such as “Why Twitter?” and how to use it to engage and grow audiences.  The workshop will include practical exercises such as setting up your profile.  The session will also include a look at LinkedIn and blogging
Date: Wednesday 28 November 2012
Time: 14:00 – 16:00
Room: S102, Studland House – Lansdowne
Facilitator: Paul Hughes
Booking: gsbookings@bournemouth.ac.uk

Two-day Masterclass: Systematic Reviews

PG research, Research news

This masterclass has been designed to suit professionals, academics and postgraduate students who are looking for an introduction to systematic review methods.

About systematic review
Systematic review is a specific research method whereby a structured and rigorous approach is used to provide a critcal synthesis of the available literature on a particular topic.

About the course
Date: 8 – 9 November 2012
Location: BU Executive Business Centre, Holdenhurst Road, Lansdowne Campus

This masterclass will be led by Professor Edwin Van Teijlingen and Professor Vanora Hundley, who both have extensive experience in conducting systematic reviews. You will examine the rationale for systematic reviews of both qualitative and quantitative data, and explore the various elements of a systematic review; selecting electronic databases, literature searching, data extraction, data synthesis, interpretation and reporting.

There will be a mixture of seminars & discussions, Q&A sessions and group activities focusing on:

  • Designing a review protocol
  • Formulating a question
  • Identifying & selecting relevant studies
  • Systematic data extraction and collection
  • Synthesis and analysis of the data
  • Reporting systematic reviews.

Booking information
The fee of £200 (£125 for postgraduate students with further reductions for BU staff and students) includes the full two days, with the course facilitators, all refreshments and course materials. Places are limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please book online by 2 November.

Additional information
This masterclass can also be taken as a stand-alone Master’s level unit of accredited study – contact
Dr Caroline Ellis-Hill for more information.

Find out more and book your place >>

Update: PGR Development Fund – additional competition deadline

BU research, Funding opportunities, PG research, Research news

 In response to feedback from PGRs, there will now be two competitions this year for the Scheme to allow for activities taking place later in the academic year. PGRs wishing to apply must submit an application form (below) to the Graduate School by the scheme deadlines:

  • 2 November 2012 – primarily for activity taking place between October 2012 and March 2013
  • 28 February 2013 – for activity taking place between March 2013 and July 2013.

The Graduate School PGR Development Scheme is open to all BU postgraduate researchers (PGRs) irrespective of the mode of study (full-time / part-time) or funding status (BU studentships / externally funded / self funded).

Individual awards will provide financial support of normally up to £2,000 (and exceptionally £5,000) for research activities related to an individual PGR’s research project or personal development.  It is envisaged that this year approximately 15 awards will be made.

Examples of research activities covered by the Scheme include:

  • Research Activities
    • Conference attendance
    • Additional fieldwork
    • Other activities required to advance research e.g. visiting major libraries, museums, other research institutions (UK, EU or International)
    • Preparation of specialist material or data
    • Research consumables and equipment (providing it is clear these would not normally be purchased by the School as part of the research degree)
  • Developmental Activities
    • Research development e.g. attending external training events specific to research activity
    • Personal development e.g. attending external personal development training events
  • Networking
    • Organisation of an academic conference at BU with external participants
    • Attendance at external networking events leading to advance of the research
    • Publications or dissemination of research

You should also map the proposed activity onto the relevant sub-domains of the Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF):

Knowledge & Intellectual Abilities A1 – Knowledge base A2 – Cognitive abilities A3 – Creativity
Personal Effectiveness B1 – Personal qualities B2 – Self-management B3 – Professional & career development
Research Governance C1 – Professional conduct C2 – Research management C3 – Finance, funding & resources
Engagement, Influence & Impact D1 – Working with others D2 – Communication & dissemination D3 – Engagement & impact

 Awards will only cover direct costs including travel; subsistence; training or development costs and all applications will need to include a precise breakdown of costs.  Applications should be supported by the Supervisory Team and the relevant Deputy Dean (Research & Enterprise) of the relevant Academic School.

 PGRs wishing to apply must submit a completed  GS PGR Development Fund Scheme – Application Form to the Graduate School   (graduateschool@bournemouth.ac.uk) by the following deadlines:

  • 2 November 2012 – primarily for activity taking place between October 2012 and March 2013
  • 28 February 2013 – for activity taking place between March 2013 and July 2013.

Applications to the Scheme will be reviewed independently and all decisions on funding will be made by the Graduate School. 

 For further information please read the GS Researcher Scholarships Scheme – Policy.

PGR Development Framework Programme – Workshops in November and December 2012

PG research

Bookings are now open for November and December workshops

November 2012 Programme:

Peer Mentoring Training – for 2nd/3rd PGRs ONLY
Outline: Specialist training for Peer Mentors
Date: Wednesday 7 November 2012
Time: 09:30 – 11:30
Room: PG22, Poole House – Talbot Campus
Facilitators: Colleen Harding, Prof Tiantian Zhang & Dr Fiona Knight
Booking: GSbookings@bournemouth.ac.uk

Managing your citations using Endnote and Endnote Web
Outline: This workshop will include an introduction to Endnote and Endnote Web, exporting from databases, Cite While You Write Tool
Date: Wednesday 7 November 2012
Time: 14:00 – 15:30
Room: DLG31, Dorset Library – Talbot Campus
Facilitator: Emma Crowley
Booking: GSbookings@bournemouth.ac.uk

Research Governance – there will be a series of talks covering H&S, Ethics, IP and Originality & Plagiarism – Wednesday 14 November 2012
Outline: These sessions aim to equip you with the knowledge of standards, requirements and professionalism to undertake Research
Room: S305, Studland House
Booking: GSbookings@bournemouth.ac.uk

Ensuring Originality & Avoiding Plagiarism
Time: 09:30 – 11:00
Facilitator: Emma Crowley

Intellectual Property – owning and using Research
Time: 11:15 – 12:45
Facilitator: to be confirmed

Health & Safety
Time: 13:30 – 14:30
Facilitator: Prof Tiantian Zhang

Ethics
Time: 14:45 – 17:15
Facilitator: Julia Hastings Taylor

Research Methodologies – there will be a series of talks to look at both qualitative and quantitative research methods and whether there are potential benefits to be gained from combining the two – Wednesday 21 November 2012
Room: PG22, Poole House – Talbot Campus
Booking: GSbookings@bournemouth.ac.uk

Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods
Time: 09:15 – 11:15
Facilitator: Professor Adrian Newton

Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods
Time: 11:30 – 13:30
Facilitator: Dr Caroline Ellis-Hill

Mixed Methods Research
Time: 14:15 – 16:15
Facilitator: Dr Carol Bond

Introduction to the Bournemouth Research Information and Network (BRIAN)
Outline: This workshop aims to provide you with an overview of BRIAN, BU’s publication management system, and show how BRIAN enables your external profile page, which allows you to promote yourself for potential research collaborations, research grants and enterprise opportunities; and how to search BRIAN to see who within BU is carrying out the research that you’re interested in.
Wednesday 28 November 2012
Time: 09:30 – 11:30
Room: S102, Studland House – Lansdowne Campus
Facilitator: Jo Garrad
Booking: GSbookings@bournemouth.ac.uk

December 2012 Programme:

Making your Mark at Conferences, incl. Poster Etiquette
Outline: This workshop aims to provide comprehensive advice and guidance on how to present conference papers with competence and confidence
Date: Wednesday 5 December 2012
Time: 09:30 – 11:30
Room: PG22, Poole House – Talbot Campus
Facilitator: Prof David Osselton
Booking: GSbookings@bournemouth.ac.uk

How to write a Research Proposal
Outline: Writing a research proposal can be a difficult proposition and in this workshop we aim to look at the do’s and don’ts’ of proposal writing and to discuss the important criteria for a good research proposal.  You will also be given an opportunity to work through some practice examples
Date: Wednesday 5 December 2012
Time: 14:00 – 16:00
Room: PG22, Poole House – Talbot Campus
Facilitator: Jenny Roddis
Booking: GSbookings@bournemouth.ac.uk

Conducting Literature Reviews
Outline: This workshop will look at how to undertake a critical review of the literature in your research area
Date: Thursday 6 December 2012
Time: 10:00 – 12:00
Room: P335, Poole House, Talbot Campus
Facilitator: Prof Adele Ladkin
Booking: GSbookings@bournemouth.ac.uk

Academic Writing
Outline: This workshop covers essential good practice in writing, editing techniques and methods of improving organisation. 
Date: Thursday 13 December 2012 – this couse is now full
Time: 09:30 – 17:00
Room: Committee Room, Poole House – Talbot Campus
OR
Date: Friday 14 December 2012
Time: 09:30 – 17:00
Room: EB202, Executive Business Centre – Lansdowne Campus
Facilitator:  Sue Mitchell (external consultant)
NUMBERS ARE LIMITED FOR THE ACADEMIC WRITING WORKSHOPS – so book early to avoid disappointment!
Booking: GSbookings@bournemouth.ac.uk

Other courses (organised by other Professional Services) that might be of interest to you are: 

Introduction to Education Practice: For Postgraduate Research Students
Outline: This 3 day event is designed to prepare Post-Graduate Research students to undertake their teaching responsibilities. Participants will engage in a series of activities focussing on how students learn, assessment issues, planning learning and the role of technology. They will also be given an opportunity to gain feedback from other participants on their teaching approach. Participants are encouraged to bring along to the workshops examples of current or proposed teaching activities . These will be used as a basis for discussion with other colleagues:
Date: 23rd – 25th January 2013
Facilitator: Linda Byles
Booking: email to staffdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk

Introduction to Risk Assessment – Phil Bowtell (Health & Safety Office)
This workshop is organised and facilitated by the University’s Health & Safety Team and is for anyone whose research involves staff, students or members of the public where there may be elements of risk.  The session will cover: What is risk assessment?; Personal Responsibility and Liability; Legal & Legislative Requirements; BU Risk Assessment Policy and Process
Date: 26 October 2012
Time: 13:45 – 15:45
Room: Casterbridge Room, Thomas Hardy Suite – Poole House, Talbot Campus
Booking: pbowtell@bournemouth.ac.uk
OR
Date: 5 December 2012
Time: 13:45 – 15:45
Room: S305, Studland House – Lansdowne Campus
Booking: pbowtell@bournemouth.ac.uk

 

PGR Development Framework Programme – October Workshops

PG research, Training

Introducing the new 2012/2013 PGR Development Framework Programme.  Bookings are now open for October workshops

Time Management
Outline: This workshop will identify major drains on your time or energies and explore different tools to structure your use of time and resources

  • Date: Tuesday 16 October 2012
  • Time: 09:30 – 12:30
  • Room: S219, Studland House – Lansdowne Campus
  • Facilitator: Dr Margaret Collins (External)
  • Booking: GSbookings@bournemouth.ac.uk

There are limited places available for this workshop, so book early to avoid disappointment!

Time Management
Outline: This workshop will identify major drains on your time or energies and explore different tools to structure your use of time and resources

  • Date: Tuesday 16 October 2012
  • Time: 13:30 – 16:30
  • Room: S219, Studland House – Lansdowne Campus
  • Facilitator: Dr Margaret Collins (External)
  • Booking: GSbookings@bournemouth.ac.uk
  • There are limited places available for this workshop, so book early to avoid disappointment!

Managing your Research Project
Outline: This workshop will examine the nature of project management, identifying goals, millstones and assessing risks.  Consideration will also be given on how to organise time and resources to best achieve the project goals.

  • Date: Wednesday 17 October 2012
  • Time: 09:30 – 16:30
  • Room: PG22, Poole House – Talbot Campus
  • Facilitator: Dr Margaret Collins (External)
  • Booking: GSbookings@bournemouth.ac.uk

This workshop is now FULL.  On booking your name will be added to a reserve list for notification should a place become available

Preparing for your First Review
Outline: The aim of the workshop is to familiarise students with the purpose and role of their first review with insights from a current PGR and School Research Administrator

  • Date: Wednesday 24 October 2012
  • Time: 14:00 – 16:00
  • Room: PG22, Poole House – Talbot Campus
  • Facilitators: Dr Fiona Knight, Karen Ward (RA) and James Hawkins (PGR)
  • Booking: GSbookings@bournemouth.ac.uk

Public Engagement
Outline: The workshop will look at What Public Engagement is; Why does it matter?; How to do it; Engagement in practice; Internal support for creating a supportive environment for engagement.

  • Date: Wednesday 31 October 2012
  • Time: 09:30 – 11:30
  • Room: PG22, Poole House – Talbot Campus
  • Facilitator: Dr Rebecca Edwards
  • Booking: GSbookings@bournemouth.ac.uk

Managing working Relationships (Students and Supervisors)
Outline: This workshop aims to provide you with a clear understanding of the working relationship between student and supervisor, roles and responsibilities as well as expectations from both sides

  • Date: Wednesday 31 October 2012
  • Time: 14:00 – 16:00
  • Room: PG22, Poole House – Talbot Campus
  • Facilitator: Dr Heather Hartwell
  • Booking: GSbookings@bournemouth.ac.uk

Details will be published on the BU Research Blog, so subscribe today to keep in touch with current events to avoid the disappointment of missing out!

BU Studentships Competition 2013 – Project Proposal Writing Workshop

BU research, Funding opportunities, PG research, Research news

The 2013 BU Studentships internal competition is open with opportunities for up to 50 matched funded PhD projects.

To support academics in seeking matched funding and in preparation of their project proposals, the Graduate School will be following up on the two workshops run over the summer with a further two one day project proposal writing workshops delivered by John Wakeford, Director of the Missenden Centre

There will be two workshops to help supervisors to develop and strengthen their project proposal applications to the internal competition on:

 

  •  Tuesday 23 October (9:15am – 16:30pm, in Studland House – S217 + S219)
  • Friday 2 November (9:15am – 16:30pm, in Tolpuddle Annexe – TAG20)

 It is an excellent chance to glean some expert advice from John on bid writing in general as well as honing your application for the 2013 Studentships Competition. Participants will be expected to submit a draft proposal to the Graduate School one week in advance of the workshops in order to get bespoke feedback as part of the workshop.

 A provisional programme for both days will be as follows: 

9:15 Coffee and Registration
9:30 Institutional context – information on the studentships and the support of the Graduate School. Questions. Prof Tiantian Zhang – new Head of Graduate SchoolDr Fiona Knight – Graduate School Manager
10:00 Agenda sharing (participant introductions and identifying concerns and priorities to be covered).
10:30 Introduction – National policy and recent developments. Questions and discussion.
10:45 Coffee break
11:00 Reviewing good research bid.  Teams act as reviewers and prepare outline of comments.  Plenary feedback from John Wakeford and teams.
12.00 What to do before applying.
12:30 Lunch. (Groups discuss bidding narrative)
13:15 Plenary discussion of points arising from narrative.
13:30 Advising colleagues on draft applications.  Teams act as critical colleagues and prepare advice on drafts direct at different agencies.  Plenary feedback.     Questions and discussion.
14:30 Coffee break
14:45 Writing a good application.
15:30 Reflecting after having an application turned down.
16:00 Action planning: individual participants draw up plans for progressing own research.  Participants make suggestions to the university to help those bidding for funds.
16:25 Evaluation
16:30 Close

 Similar sessions have been very well attended previously and spaces are limited. To book a place on either session, please email the Graduate School: graduateschool@bournemouth.ac.uk

 

Launching the 2013 PhD Studentship Competition!

BU research, PG research, Research news

We are delighted to announce the launch of the 2013 BU PhD Studentship Competition for projects starting in October 2013, as part of the Fusion Investment Fund.

There will be 50 studentships available across two parallel strands:

(1)   Matched Funded projects

(2)   Fully Funded.

All proposals should match clearly to one of the eight BU Research Themes

Strand 1 – Matched Funded Studentships

  • A total of 45 matched funded studentships are available.
  • Matched-funding – 50% of the studentship costs which is equivalent to £24k (stipend of £7.5K pa plus research costs of £3k) over three years- may come from:
    • Industry/business partners,
    • Government and non-government organisations,
    • Other academic institutions
    • NHS,
    • Research Councils, or
    • Other external bodies. 
  • Priority may be given to applications that involve supervisors from two or more Schools and/or those from early career researchers.
  • Applicants are encouraged to discuss potential applications to this funding strand with Deputy Dean for Research or equivalent within their School.

Strand 2 – Fully-Funded Studentships

  • A total of 5 fully funded studentships are available.
  • These are exceptional awards for highly original, timely and non-applied or “blue-sky” research projects where there is no potential for match funding.  Priority will be given to those areas where there is a clear strategic driver for a particular REF Unit of Assessment and/or the applicant can demonstrate an immense societal impact.
  • Applicants are encouraged to discuss potential applications to this funding strand with Professor Matthew Bennett or Professor Tiantian Zhang in advance.

The studentships will be awarded to supervisory teams on the basis of a competitive process across the whole of BU led by Professor Matthew Bennett (PVC) and managed by the Graduate School.  Applications will be reviewed internally and assessed with awards made by a cross University Panel consisting of the academic members of UET and members of the BU Professoriate. In selecting proposals for funding emphasis will be placed on the excellence of the research and quality of proposal.  Strategic fit with one of the relevant UoA and potential for societal impact are key criteria.

Only the best projects in each strand will be funded and proceed to advert.  Full details and criteria are set out in the policy document BU Studentship Competition 2013 Policy 

Staff are asked to check the eligibility criteria carefully before applying.

To help applicants with their proposals John Wakeford, from the Missenden Centre will be running project proposals writing workshops on Tuesday 23 October and Friday 2 November 2012. Full details can be found here.

Applications on the Studentship Proposal form which can be downloaded here: Studentship Project Proposal 2013 should be submitted to the Dr Fiona Knight (Graduate School Academic Manager) via email to PhDStudentshipCompetition@bournemouth.ac.uk  no later than 5pm on 10 December 2012, who will circulate the proposals to two reviewers for evaluation and subsequently to the judging panel for decision making in early January 2013.

All general enquiries can be addressed to Dr Fiona Knight (Graduate School Academic Manager) via email to PhDStudentshipCompetition@bournemouth.ac.uk

 

Study China Winter Programme 2012!

BU research, Funding opportunities, PG research, Research news

The Study China Programme, managed by The University of Manchester, is currently recruiting 200 students for the Winter 2012/2013 programme!  Study China is financed by the UK government to provide a three week student experience of Chinese language, culture and business. This  unique opportunity allows you to  experience life as a student in this fascinating, diverse country.  There are a number of bursaries available to contribute towards your own costs which are airfare and spending money, all other costs are funded by the UK government. The three partnership universities participating in this programme are :

 1) Beijing Normal University

2) Fudan University ( Shanghai )

Dates:

Arrive   – Sunday 16th December 2012

Depart – Saturday 5th January 2013

 

3) Shanghai University of Finance and Economics

Dates:

Arrive –  Thursday 20th December 2012

Depart – Tuesday 8th January 2012

Eligibility: Open to Undergraduate, Masters (including PhD), Nursing Diploma, Foundation degree and HND students. You must be minimum of 18 years old at commencement of programme and holder of a valid EU/EEA passport.

Deadline: Applications will be processed on a rolling basis, it is anticipated that recruitment for this round will be completed by the end of October 2012 at the latest, so apply ASAP.

Further information & Apply:  Visit the Study China website

Read about previous BU students’ experiences on Study China here

 

Kennedy Scholarships 2013-2014

PG research, Research news

for postgraduate study at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

 Open to: British citizens ordinarily resident in the UK who will have graduated by the time of taking up an award and who have spent two of the last five years studying at a university in the UK.

 Available for Graduate Programmes:

  • Special Student/non-degree
  • Master’s
  • PhD (external finding is welcomed for funded doctoral programmes)
  • Visiting Fellowship – Year of additional research towards UK PhD

 Award offers:

  • Full fees and health insurance
  • Tax free stipend of $2,500
  • Opportunity to be part of a Scholarship Programme valued by the Kennedy family and with distinguished alumni in leading positions in the UK and US.

 Closing date 28 October 2012

www.kennedytrust.org.uk

020 7222 1151

Frank Knox Memorial Fellowships 2013-2014 Harvard University

PG research, Research news

Fellowships are available for five graduates, men or women from the United Kingdom, to study for up to two consecutive years in one of the Faculties of Harvard. The value of each Fellowship is at least $26,000 plus tuition and health service fees.

 Information about the fellowships can be found here

 Details of the competition and an application form can be completed online here

 The competition is open to British citizens at the time of application normally resident in the UK who wish to attend the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard Business School, Graduate School of Design, Harvard Divinity School, Graduate School of Education, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Law School and Harvard School of Public Health and:

  • Are studying for a first or higher degree & will graduate in the academic year 2012-13; OR
  • Are a UK-registered PhD student hoping for an additional year as a Visiting Fellow at Harvard; OR
  • Have completed a first or higher degree and graduated most recently no earlier than 2008.

 Applications close 23.59 on Sunday 28 October 2012.

 Enquiries regarding the Fellowships are welcome. Please call Annie Thomas on 020 7222 1151.

Gamify your PhD

Funding opportunities, PG research

A new way to communicate cutting-edge research

The ‘Gamify Your PhD’ competition is an exciting new project that puts the researcher in the role of games designer.

The Wellcome Trust is looking for researchers in biomedical sciences or medical humanities to send them game ideas based on their PhD work. They’re also inviting game development teams to join them for a couple of days of game-hacking to transform the best ideas into playable video games.

The best game that comes out of the hack session will receive further backing to polish it for release.

For more information, visit the Wellcome Trust web site.

Santander Universidades scheme – congratulations to Sheetal Sharma and Rami Mhanna!

PG research

Posted on behalf of Sheetal Sharma. For further information, please contact Sheetal at ssharma@bournemouth.ac.uk

On Wednesday 4 July 2012, two Bournemouth University PhD students, Sheetal Sharma and Rami Mhanna, attended a lunch reception at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden given by Santander, Mr. Emilio Botín (Executive Chairman of Spain’s Grupo Santander)  and Ms. Ana Patricia Botín  (CEO of Santander UK) where they met British Formula One drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jensen Button. After a morning meeting Santander scholarship students from all over the world, the drivers came in at 11am and spoke after an introduction by Mr. Botín. Lewis Hamilton spoke of his brother Nic who lives with cerebral palsy “I always say my brother is an inspiration to me, when we were doing competitive things together, he would fall over constantly and he’d just get back up and try again. He never ever gave up. And when I was growing up there weren’t many scholarships and opportunities to have a great chance to do something like this in higher education… It was a lot harder” said Hamilton, who is ranked third in the Formula One standings. While Mr. Button said to raucous applause “We are here today because Santander chooses the best, and Santander chose you… This will help you really concentrate on what you want to achieve in the future.” Both students were awarded the Santander Travel Grant of £ 5000 for research purposes.

Miss Sheetal Sharma a PhD student at the School of Health and Social Care has just returned from her visits to Barcelona and Buenos Aires; where she worked with the University of Buenos Aires, Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (Argentina) Barcelona University (Spain) and Bournemouth University (BU). Both belong to theSantander overseas network. Sheetal’sNepal based-research looks to better understand the constraints of care-seeking behaviour in maternal health and will determine the ways to improve wellbeing through decrease in maternal, neonatal and infant mortality rates and diseases relating to reproductive and sexual health practices and assist in attaining the Millennium Development Goal 5.

From the School of Tourism Mr. Rami Mhanna, as part of his PhD research, will do research in mega-sport events. His research focuses on exploring stakeholders’ perceptions of leveraging legacy outcomes of different sized mega sport events. He will use the travel grant to visit the 3 cities that host the forthcoming international sporting events: the London 2012 Summer Olympics, Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and the FIFA World Cup in Brazil 2014.

Ana Patricia Botín, in a follow-on ceremony attended by the UK Minister for Universities and Science Mr. David Willetts and Mr. Eric Thompson, president of Universities UK and 60 UK university chancellors, pledged a further 700 scholarships plus £1.5m in extra funding to UK universities, and of a Santander programme to place graduates from UK universities in 500 internships with small- and medium-sized firms, as graduate unemployment, was “one of the most pressing issues for the UK economy”.

Only 5 Santander bursaries of up to £5000 are awarded per year which aims to reward the most academically gifted students from countries that are supported by the Santander Universidades scheme.

BU Studentships Competition 2013 – Project Proposal Writing Workshop

PG research

The 2013 BU Studentships internal competition will be launched next term with opportunities for up to 40 matched funded PhD projects. As in previous years, the studentships will be awarded to supervisory teams on the basis of a competitive process across the whole of BU. In selecting proposals for funding, emphasis will be placed on the excellence of the research and quality of proposal in the first instance. Strategic fit with REF, societal impact and opportunity for public engagement will also be assessed.

To support academics in seeking matched funding and in preparation of their project proposals, the Graduate School will be running a series of events over the next few months, starting with two project proposal writing workshops facilitated by John Wakeford from the Missenden Centre.

There will be two workshops on Tuesday 24th July (am and pm) to help Supervisors to develop and strengthen their project proposal applications to the internal competition. Peter Delgado (RDU Commercialisation and KTP Officer) will also be available to provide advice and support in securing matched funding.  Participants should have some initial proposal ideas in preparation to focus discussion on the day.

Tuesday 24th July, Morning Session (09:00-13:30) – Venue tbc (Draft Agenda)

09:00 Arrival & Coffee

09:15 Studentship Proposal Writing Workshop (part I) – John Wakeford

  • Agenda sharing (participant introductions and identifying concerns and priorities to be covered).
  • Reviewing good research bid.
  • What to do before applying.
  • Writing a good application.

10:45 Institutional Context (information on the BU PhD Studentship Competition 2013 and the support of the Graduate School) – Professor Tiantian Zhang

11:00 Coffee Break

11:15 Studentship Proposal Writing Workshop (part II) – John Wakeford

  • Advising colleagues on draft applications.
  • Plenary feedback.
  • Questions and discussion.
  • Reflecting after having an application turned down.
  • Action planning: individual participants draw up plans for progressing own research.
  • Participants make suggestions to the university to help those bidding for funds.

12:30 Lunch

13:00 Engaging Matched Funders – Peter Delgado

13:30 Close

 

Tuesday 24th July, Afternoon Session (12:30 – 17:00) – Venue tbc (Draft Agenda)

12:30 Arrival & Lunch

13:00 Engaging Matched Funders – Peter Delgado

13:30 Studentship Context incl 2013 Competition – Professor Tiantian Zhang

13:45 Studentship Proposal Writing Workshop (part I) – John Wakeford

  • Agenda sharing (participant introductions and identifying concerns and priorities to be covered).
  • Reviewing good research bid.
  • What to do before applying.
  • Writing a good application.

15:15 Tea Break

15:30 Studentship Proposal Writing Workshop (part II) – John Wakeford

  • Advising colleagues on draft applications.
  • Plenary feedback.
  • Questions and discussion.
  • Reflecting after having an application turned down.
  • Action planning: individual participants draw up plans for progressing own research.
  • Participants make suggestions to the university to help those bidding for funds.

17:00 Close

Similar sessions have been very well attended previously and spaces are limited. To book a place on either session, please email the Graduate School (graduateschool@bournemouth.ac.uk).

New QAA Chapter on Research Degrees Published

PG research

Following its recent consultation exercise, the QAA has published the UK Quality Code for Higher Education – Chapter B11: Research Degrees.

This Chapter of the UK Quality Code for Higher Education (the Quality Code) sets out the expectation that research degrees are awarded in a research environment that provides a secure academic standard for doing research and learning about research approaches, methods, procedures and protocols. This environment offers students equality of opportunity and the support they need to achieve successful academic, personal and professional outcomes from research degrees. It is informed by a wider context in which UK research degrees are offered, including an environment of continuous improvement and the desire to learn from others’ experiences in research education. It replaces Section 1 of the Code of Practice: Postgraduate research programmes, published in 2004.

The BU Code of Practice for Research Degrees reflects the best practice set out in this Chapter and the version for 2012/13 is currently being updated to reflect the enhanced expectations set out in this new Chapter B11:  Research Degrees.

The chapter includes references to the Vitae Researcher Development Statement/Framework (www.vitae.ac.uk/rdf; www.vitae.ac.uk/rds) and the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers. The Vitae Researcher Development Framework represents a major new approach to researcher development and provides a unique professional development framework for researchers in higher education.  Vitae welcomes the aspects of the Quality Code relating to career and personal development of students undertaking doctoral and research master’s degrees. In particular, the guidance to the following sections makes reference to the Vitae Researcher Development Statement/Framework:

  • The research environment
  • Selection, admission and induction of students
  • Supervision
  • Development of research and other skills

The Graduate School is working closely with Academic Schools to develop a comprehensive framework of generic and subject specific development opportunities for PGR students in 2012/13.

Leverhulme Trust – Study abroad studentships

BU research, Funding opportunities, PG research

Study Abroad Studentships support an extended period of advanced study or research at a centre of learning in any overseas country, with the exception of the USA.

Value

The Studentships comprise: a basic annual maintenance allowance of £17,000; a partner allowance of £6,000 if a Student is accompanied by a dependent partner; a return air fare; and a baggage allowance. Further allowances are payable at the Trust’s discretion, e.g. assistance with overseas tuition fees and essential research costs.

Please ensure that applications do not include any of the ineligible costs listed here.

Duration

Studentships are tenable for between 12 and 24 months, and the current round of awards must commence between 1 June 2012 and 1 May 2013.

Please read the following before submitting and application.

Contact

If your query has not been answered in these pages please contact Bridget Kerr (020 7042 9862).

The RKE Operations team can help you with your application.

Importance of Publishing – and other PGR Researcher Development actvities (June 2012)

PG research

Updated sessions for the BU Researcher Development Programme for June 2012 are below. 

Booking is essential as places are limited – details of how to book are listed under each session.

Importance of Publishing

  • Date: Wednesday 13 June 2012
  • Time: 9.30 am – 13:00 (with lunch provided)
  • Room: TAG02
  • Facilitators: see below
  • Booking: graduateschool@bournemouth.ac.uk
  • Outline:  Publishing is an integral part of a researcher’s professional life and the workshop aims to outline the process of publishing research papers in journals and conference proceedings.  A provisional timetable is detailed below:
    • 09:30 – 10:00 – Introduction to the importance of publishing – Prof. Tiantian Zhang (Graduate School)
    •  10:00 – 10:45 – Publishing in the Sciences – Speaker TBC
    •  10:45 – 11:00 – Break
    •  11:00 – 11:45 – Publishing in the Humanities – Prof. Stuart Allan (Media School)
    •  11: 45 – 13:00 – Publishing’s Perspectives on Publishing – Prof. Tom Watson and Meet the Editors – Prof. Francis Biley and Prof. Edwin Van Teijlingen
    • 13:00 – Lunch will be provided

 Academic Writing Skills Course

  • Outline: This workshop covers essential good practice in writing, editing techniques and methods of improving organisation
  • Date: Monday 18 June 2012
  • Time: 09.30 am – 4.30 pm (lunch will be provided)
  • Room: P401, Poole House, Talbot Campus
  • Facilitator: Sue Mitchell (external visitor)
  • Booking: graduateschool@bournemouth.ac.uk  FULLY BOOKED – places still available for the same workshop on 19 June (see below)

Academic Writing Skills Course

  • Outline: This workshop covers essential good practice in writing, editing techniques and methods of improving organisation
  • Date: Tuesday 19 June 2012
  • Time: 09.30 am – 4.30 pm (lunch will be provided)
  • Room: EBC704, Executive Business Centre, Lansdowne Campus
  • Facilitator: Sue Mitchell (external visitor)
  • Booking: graduateschool@bournemouth.ac.uk There are limited places available for this workshop, so book early to avoid disappointment!

Postgraduate Research Conference

  • Outline: This annual conference is designed to showcase the best of BU’s postgraduate research and to provide a unique opportunity for PGRs to present their work within a learning environment. Our multi-disciplinary conference will allow for cross-school interaction as well as opportunities for collaboration, where appropriate. Full details can be found here
  • Date: Thursday 28 June 2012
  • Time: 09.30 am – 4.30 pm (lunch will be provided)
  • Room: Thomas Hardy Suite
  • Booking: graduateschool@bournemouth.ac.uk  

Details of further workshops coming soon!

Details will be published on the BU Research Blog, so subscribe today to the BU Research Blog to keep in touch with current events to avoid the disappointment of missing out!