BU Research Blog

17 November 2021

Applications now open for public engagement funding!

Funding opportunities, Public engagement Amanda Edwards

We are pleased to announce the first call for our new funding stream for public engagement with research

This call is for researchers at all stages of their careers to support the development and delivery of public engagement with research activities. It is anticipated there will be a second call for applications in March 2022.

Who can apply?

This funding stream is open to all academic staff, including early career researchers, with or without prior experience of public engagement with research.

What we’re looking for

You will need to demonstrate that your proposed activity will involve a two-way interaction between you and your chosen public. The National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE) defines public engagement as “the myriad ways in which the activity and benefits of… research can be shared with the public”.

“Engagement is, by definition, a two-way process, involving interaction and listening, with the goal of generating mutual benefit.” NCCPE

You will also need to show that you understand the importance of mutual benefit. Some of those benefits may include:

learning,
developing new skills,
gaining new insights or ideas,
developing better research,
raising aspirations,
being inspired.

Your application should outline what you want your public engagement to achieve, who you want to involve, and how. You will find plenty of insights, information and inspiration in the NCCPE’s guide to Quality Engagement.

Be bold and imaginative in your ideas for engagement! Activities can be as varied as:

media engagement,
performance and exhibitions,
consultations,
workshops,
broadcasts and social media,
websites,
collaboration.

Applicants are strongly advised to attend the surgery session on applying for internal funding for impact and public engagement on Thursday 18 November and / or book a 1-2-1 session with our Engagement Officer. Find out more about the surgery and book a place here.

Application process

To apply, please first read the policy and applicant guidance.
There is a pdf version of the application form that you may wish to use to prepare your application, but do not use this pdf to submit your application.
Applications must be submitted through the online application form.
Applications must be submitted by Friday 10^th December.
If you have any questions about your application, please email Amanda Edwards.

BU’s Research Principles

Applications to the Public Engagement with Research funding stream are assessed by the Research Impact Fund Panel. To put the Research Impact Fund into strategic context, under BU2025, the following funding panels operate to prioritise applications for funding and make recommendations to the Research Performance and Management Committee (RPMC).

There are eight funding panels:

HEIF Funding Panel
GCRF Funding Panel
Research Impact Funding Panel
Doctoral Studentship Funding Panel
ACORN Funding Panel
Research Fellowships Funding Panel
Charity Support Funding Panel
SIA Funding panel

Please see further announcements regarding each initiative.

These panels align with the BU2025 focus on research, including BU’s Research Principles. Specifically, but not exclusively, regarding the Research Impact Funding Panel, please refer to:

Principle 5 – which sets of the context for such funding panels,
Principle 6 and Outcome 9 – which recognises the need for interdisciplinarity and the importance of social science and humanities (SSH).

14 November 2021

Events coming up this week in the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2021

Public engagement Adam Morris

Free events for the public, organised by BU researchers, taking place online and in person throughout November. Book your places below.

ESRC Festival of Social Science 2021 banner

The ESRC Festival of Social Science 2021

Coming up this week

Connecting with nature: for wellbeing, sustainability and the environment

Monday, 15 November & Wednesday, 17 November
Online

Connecting with nature can have benefits not only for our own wellbeing, but for the environment too. Join BU researchers and local nature organisations for a selection of talks over two days, to learn more about forest bathing, volunteering for nature, sustainable living and other ways to engage with and protect the natural environment.

We’ll also discover what social science research tells us about the sustainable choices people make throughout their life. Set against the backdrop of COP26, this event will explore how the choices we make could address the climate and ecological crises, and how Bournemouth University targets and supports these.

Book now

Spot the greenwashers

Monday, 15 November
Online

How can we tell when companies are lying to us about how environmentally friendly they are? In this workshop, our media experts will explain how you can see through the tricks used to miscommunicate climate science in the media, bust dodgy claims and spot misinformation.

We won’t just deconstruct media techniques either, we’ll also learn how to construct better communication. Using innovative techniques such as storytelling, text adventures and choice-based games, we’ll learn how play can be a powerful tool for creating imaginative stories.

Book now

Demystifying ‘mental capacity’ – what you should know

Tuesday, 16 November
Online

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 is relevant to everyone working with individuals aged 16 or over who have difficulty in making informed decisions. However, many are unsure of how it is used in practice, for example in making ‘best interest’ decisions, or in relation to end of life care and Advance Decisions to Refuse Treatment.

This online event will provide an opportunity for members of the public (including experts by experience) and health and social care practitioners to learn from one another about how to best support vulnerable members of society who lack capacity.

Book now

Collaboration for better outcomes in criminal justice

Thursday, 18 November
Online

Many of the people who offend most frequently are also some of the most vulnerable, who need support from a number of different local agencies. There is huge potential for these criminal justice, health and social care services to work together for better outcomes across the board.

Join us to learn about how integrating these services is done around the world, including Nordic models, and how BU research is improving collaboration between correctional and mental health services.

Book now

Later this month

Nursing in times of crisis: Covid-19 & WW2

Wednesday, 24 November
Bournemouth Gateway Building, Bournemouth University

This event will look at nursing during Covid-19 and during another period of crisis in which nurses played a key role – World War II.

We’ll explore personal stories of nursing during WW2 and from Bournemouth University’s own student nurses who worked during the pandemic, as well as considering what objects and uniforms from these different eras can tell us. This event is also an opportunity to share your own thoughts and experiences.

Book now

The face under the mask: what Covid-19 has taught us about face perception

Thursday, 25 November
Online

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed a great deal about how humans communicate and interact with each other, part of which is the wearing of face masks. But faces are our most important social clues and provide a great amount of information, so what happens when they are partially covered? We’ll discover how masks affect how we perceive faces, but also what this effect can tell us about how face perception works.

Book now

11 November 2021

Environmental events during COP26

Public engagement Adam Morris

Coinciding with COP26, we thought we’d share some of the environment and climate-themed events we have coming up.

ESRC Festival of Social Science 2021

Spot the Greenwashers

Monday, 15 November
Online

How can we tell when companies are lying to us about how environmentally friendly they are? In this workshop, our media experts will explain how you can see through the tricks used to miscommunicate climate science in the media, bust dodgy claims and spot misinformation.

We won’t just deconstruct media techniques either, we’ll also learn how to construct better communication. Using innovative techniques such as storytelling, text adventures and choice-based games, we’ll learn how play can be a powerful tool for creating imaginative stories.

Book now

Connecting with nature: for wellbeing, sustainability and the environment

Monday, 15 November & Wednesday, 17 November
Online

Connecting with nature can have benefits not only for our own wellbeing, but for the environment too. Join BU researchers and local nature organisations for a selection of talks over two days, to learn more about forest bathing, volunteering for nature, sustainable living and other ways to engage with and protect the natural environment.

We’ll also discover what social science research tells us about the sustainable choices people make throughout their life. Set against the backdrop of COP26, this event will explore how the choices we make could address the climate and ecological crises, and how Bournemouth University targets and supports these.

Book now

Café Scientifique

Wildfires and US

Tuesday 7 December
Online

Every year wildfires engulf 3.4 million square kilometres of Earth’s surface – approximately the size of India. These fires have massive economic, social and environmental impacts and, due to climate change, are expected to increase in the future. However, wildfires are also a naturally occurring global phenomenon that many ecosystems depend on.

Join Dr Marin Cvitanovic to discover how scientific research at Bournemouth University could fill in some of the gaps in this complicated relationship between humans and wildfires.

Book now

10 November 2021

Research Impact, Charity Impact and Public Engagement Funds update

Funding opportunities, Public engagement, Training alazar

You can now book onto the information session that accompanies the launch of three internal funds:

Research Impact Fund
Charity Impact Fund
Public Engagement Fund

These funds are to support research-based impact and public engagement activities and we have an information session on 18th November, 14:00-15:00, where you can find out more about the funds, who is eligible, which one to apply for and how to apply.

You can book onto the session here:

How to bid for funding for Impact and Public Engagement

Please contact me for more details.

9 November 2021

We can help promote your public engagement event or activity

Knowledge Exchange, Public engagement ballen

At BU we promote and celebrate the work done to engage public audiences with BU research.

The public engagement with research team in Research Development and Support (RDS) can help promote your event to relevant audiences through our regular newsletter and social media channels. It also helps us to stay informed on the public engagement work being carried out by BU.

Please note: we are keen to promote BU public engagement with research activity wherever possible, but completing this form does not guarantee that we will be able to promote your event. 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. This is due to lead times on producing and sending the newsletter.

Event descriptions may be edited for consistency in style with other content. If you have any questions about this process, please contact us.

8 November 2021

Café Sci – Tuesday 7 December: Wildfires and Us

Knowledge Exchange, Public engagement ballen

At Café Scientifique, you can explore the latest ideas in science and technology in a relaxed online 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 Marin Cvitanovic on Tuesday 7 December from 7.00pm until 8.30pm.

Wildfires and Us

Every year wildfires engulf 3.4 million square kilometres of Earth’s surface – approximately the size of India. These fires have massive economic, social and environmental impacts and, due to climate change, are expected to increase in the future. However, wildfires are also a naturally occurring global phenomenon that many ecosystems depend on.

Join us to discover how scientific research at Bournemouth University could fill in some of the gaps in this complicated relationship between humans and wildfires.

Attendance is free but booking is required

8 November 2021

Save the date! ‘How to Bid for Funding for Impact and Public Engagement’: training on 18th November

Funding opportunities, Public engagement alazar

There will be an RKEDF training session at 2pm on 18th November, which will outline how to bid for three new internal funding streams:

Research Impact Fund

Charity Impact Fund

Public Engagement Fund

The session will outline the difference between the three funds, the eligibility criteria, how to build a good case for funding and how to apply.

If you are interested in applying for any of these funds, please save the date. You can email me for more information.

We will post again when booking is open.

8 November 2021

Events coming up this week in the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2021

Public engagement Adam Morris

Free events for the public, organised by BU researchers, taking place online and in person throughout November. Book your places below.

The ESRC Festival of Social Science 2021

Coming up this week

The science of suicide – addressing myths and misconceptions

Saturday, 13 November
Bournemouth Gateway Building, Bournemouth University

In this talk, Dr Moseley will explore common myths and misunderstandings about suicide, and what contemporary psychological theories about suicide can tell us about why and how people end their own lives.

Through scientific research, we’ll explore themes of loneliness and social connectedness, as well as what research tells us about groups who are especially at risk, such as autistic people. We’ll also consider what we can do, including the language we use, to support people at risk of suicide.

Book now

Later this month

Connecting with nature: for wellbeing, sustainability and the environment

Monday, 15 November & Wednesday, 17 November
Online

Connecting with nature can have benefits not only for our own wellbeing, but for the environment too. Join BU researchers and local nature organisations for a selection of talks over two days, to learn more about forest bathing, volunteering for nature, sustainable living and other ways to engage with and protect the natural environment.

We’ll also discover what social science research tells us about the sustainable choices people make throughout their life. Set against the backdrop of COP26, this event will explore how the choices we make could address the climate and ecological crises, and how Bournemouth University targets and supports these.

Book now

Storytelling for communicating climate science

Monday, 15 November
Online

In a time of information overload, it can be hard to break through the noise to tell evidence-based stories that inform and inspire. In this interactive workshop our team of Science, Health and Data Communications experts will investigate the uses—and misuses of storytelling about climate change.

Through a ‘playable communications’ workshop we will explore how play, in the form of choice-based games and text adventures, can be used for myth-busting and misinformation spotting, as well as for constructing imaginative and inspiring evidence-based narratives.

Book now

Demystifying ‘mental capacity’ – what you should know

Tuesday, 16 November
Online

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 is relevant to everyone working with individuals aged 16 or over who have difficulty in making informed decisions. However, many are unsure of how it is used in practice, for example in making ‘best interest’ decisions, or in relation to end of life care and Advance Decisions to Refuse Treatment.

This online event will provide an opportunity for members of the public (including experts by experience) and health and social care practitioners to learn from one another about how to best support vulnerable members of society who lack capacity.

Book now

Collaboration for better outcomes in criminal justice

Thursday, 18 November
Online

Many of the people who offend most frequently are also some of the most vulnerable, who need support from a number of different local agencies. There is huge potential for these criminal justice, health and social care services to work together for better outcomes across the board.

Join us to learn about how integrating these services is done around the world, including Nordic models, and how BU research is improving collaboration between correctional and mental health services.

Book now

Nursing in times of crisis: Covid-19 & WW2

Wednesday, 24 November
Bournemouth Gateway Building, Bournemouth University

This event will look at nursing during Covid-19 and during another period of crisis in which nurses played a key role – World War II.

We’ll explore personal stories of nursing during WW2 and from Bournemouth University’s own student nurses who worked during the pandemic, as well as considering what objects and uniforms from these different eras can tell us. This event is also an opportunity to share your own thoughts and experiences.

Book now

The face under the mask: what Covid-19 has taught us about face perception

Thursday, 25 November
Online

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed a great deal about how humans communicate and interact with each other, part of which is the wearing of face masks. But faces are our most important social clues and provide a great amount of information, so what happens when they are partially covered? We’ll discover how masks affect how we perceive faces, but also what this effect can tell us about how face perception works.

Book now

Interested in holding your own public event to share research? Join our training session on getting started in public engagement with research. Online, Thursday 4 November 11-12:30.

4 November 2021

Bournemouth University Social Entrepreneurs Forum Welcomes New Advisory Board

BU Challenges, Business Engagement, Centre for Excellence in Learning, Coffee Morning, Festival of Learning, Fusion, Fusion themes, Industry collaboration, innovation, Knowledge Exchange, Knowledge Transfer, Public engagement, Student Engagement, student research, Women's Academic Network Sukanya Ayatakshi

BU Social Entrepreneurs Forum (BUSEF) is proud to announce our newest members of the team, our advisory board consisting of Bournemouth University members of staff- Ian Jones, Head of External Engagement; Lois Betts, Sustainability Manager; Stacy Wall, Senior Lecturer In Digital Advertising And Marketing Communications, Faculty of Medica Communications (FMC). With this stellar team in place, we are humbled to be supporting, through mentorship and other support, BU Eco Entrepreneurs Competition 2022 with Santander.

Lois Betts, Sustainability Manager at BU

Ian Jones, Head of External Engagement, BU

Stacy Wall, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Media Communications, BU

Background

BUSEF was set up in June 2019 by three individuals who are passionate about the power of social entrepreneurs in changing society- Sukanya Ayatakshi-Endow, BU; Gwyn Jones, Association of Sustainability Practitioners and Alun Williams, Rotarian.

Our Vision

To champion social entrepreneurshipin BCP/Dorset.

Aims

Support and develop social entrepreneurship within BCP/Dorset
Encourage businesses generally to consider adopting a social entrepreneurship approach
Promote and encourage social entrepreneurship amongst students

Objectives

Support and develop social entrepreneurship within organisations in Dorset
Encourage businesses generally to consider adopting a social entrepreneurship approach
Promote and encourage social entrepreneurship among students through
Encourage BU students to undertake projects/placements/careers with social entrepreneurs
Establish BUSEF as an independent, sustainable, organisation

Since its inception, BUSEF has explored numerous avenues to support the development and growth of socially focused businesses in the community, including student-led projects at BU; showcase events including the Global Entrepreneurship week events – two in 2019 and two in 2020 on Women’s Entrepreneurship in Covid-19 and Refugee Entrepreneurs and Covid-19; numerous skills-based sessions supporting the specific needs of individuals and businesses who aspire to or identify with social entrepreneurship.

Through numerous student projects at Bournemouth University Business School and Faculty of Media Communications, BUSEF has worked closely with many local small businesses and purpose-led organisations in supporting them with digital and social media marketing outputs; and business model innovation and business planning support. Some of the projects, our students in the final year of their study, have worked on, include Musica; The Poole Powerhouse Project; We Do Ethical; Vita Nova and many more. Kelly Levell, Founder of We Do Ethical, said ” students brought in tremendous value added to our vision and gave us wider perspectives“. Stacy Wall, whose final year students in FMC, who worked with B.O.L.D Lewy Body Dementia project, said , “An exceptional piece of work that was developed by our 2019/20 final year Communication & Media students was the piece that I shared at a BUSEF event that was developed for B.O.L.D. Colour & Sound”. The Poole PowerHouse Team capped it all up by adding , “we are extremely grateful to all the students for their engagement, research and insights into our project. They have all given us useful data, ideas and cause for thought”.

Through the pandemic and its associated lockdown, BUSEF continued supporting social entrepreneurship through knowledge exchange projects via BU courses and other events and workshops. BUSEF was an exemplar in BUBS Small Business Charter Accreditation application (2021) and included in the BU Race Charter Application (2020-21).

With the experiential knowledge and observed impact of BUSEF on social entrepreneurship and on education, BUSEF is now poised to grow and is seeking additional support on numerous levels. With our new advisory board, BUSEF aims to create a lasting impact on social entrepreneurship in the region through meaningful collaborations and projects.

If you are interested in the work of BUSEF and want to know more or get involved, please contact Sukanya Ayatakshi-Endow at the following email address: sayatakshi@bournemouth.ac.uk

BUSEF Facebook Group

4 November 2021

How to make online public engagement a success: sign up now for training

Public engagement, Training Amanda Edwards

If you want to learn how to design and deliver online events to facilitate meaningful engagement with your research, book now for an RKEDF training workshop run by the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE) on Monday 22 November 09:30-12:00.

Meaningful online engagement provides an opportunity to consider if and how to translate public engagement plans to an online context. Looking at purpose, people and process, the course provides an opportunity to think through how to design engagement, top tips on how to ensure attendees get the most out of the engagement, and ideas for how to evaluate it. Participants will have the opportunity to explore some case studies of practice, before considering how to apply the framework to their own work.

You will learn how to:

develop confidence in engaging publics online and be inspired by examples of high-quality online engagement,
consider if and how your engagement can be adapted for an online context, and what the strengths and opportunities of online engagement are,
introduce processes and tools for online engagement, and think about how these can be applied to your own engagement work,
highlight key considerations to make when planning online content – purpose, people, principles, and evaluation.

The NCCPE has an international reputation for inspiring and supporting universities to engage with the public and we are delighted they are able to deliver the following programme of workshops this year for us:

Monday 13 December 10:00-12:30 High Quality Public Engagement

NEW for 2022! Monday 14 March 14:00-16:30 Introduction to Community Engagement

Tuesday 12 April 14:00-16:30 Evaluation: Developing your approach

3 November 2021

RKEDF: Research Training Events in November

Public engagement, Training Theresa

The following events are coming up this month. For everyone’s safety these are all online events.

Wednesday 9th November 14:00 – 15:00 Getting started with research impact

What exactly is research impact? Why is it so important? And how do you ensure that your research has impact? This workshop covers all of these questions.

Please book via the staff intranet.

Monday 22^nd November 09:30 – 12:00 Meaningful Online Engagement

We are delighted to be able to team up with the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE), who will use their experience and expertise to provide an invaluable guide to running online public engagement events. The training session is aimed at people who are thinking about taking their public engagement online and would like guidance about how to do it well. Please book via the staff intranet.

Wednesday 24^th November 16:00 – 17:00 Early Career Researcher Network Meeting

This is an Open Surgery session – an opportunity for you to raise research-related queries and to network with other researchers who are also in an early stage of their research career. You don’t have to be a member of the network to attend.

Please book via the staff intranet.

Monday 13^th December 10:00 – 12:30 High Quality Public Engagement

To find out how high quality public engagement can enrich your research, ensure its relevance to your wider public and build trust with partners and stakeholders, sign up for this session. We are delighted to again team up with the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE), who will use their experience and expertise to provide an invaluable guide to running online public engagement events. The training session is aimed at people who already have some experience of public engagement. Please book via the staff intranet.

In addition to the above, 1-1 sessions on clinical governance can also be arranged. Contact Suzy for more information on swignall@bournemouth.ac.uk

You can see all the Organisational Development and Research Knowledge Development Framework (RKEDF) events in one place on the handy calendar of events.

If you have any queries, please get in touch!

2 November 2021

Public engagement boost for 2021-22: new funding stream, training programme, PER network relaunches

Funding opportunities, Public engagement Amanda Edwards

New funding call for public engagement launching soon

BU is launching a brand new funding stream for public engagement with research (PER) in early November. Researchers at all stages of their careers will be eligible to apply, whether they are new to PER or have already undertaken some public engagement activity.

It is expected that there will be two calls for the current academic year, with the second taking place in March 2022. A smaller fund will be available throughout the year to provide responsive support for ad-hoc PER activity.

The aim of this new funding stream is to embed public engagement with research within BU in order to:

Improve the quality of funding bids.

Support engaged research delivery.

Accelerate the impact of research findings.

Full details of the funding call will follow shortly. In the meantime, researchers interested in applying can read through the resources available on the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement’s (NCCPE) website. For informal enquiries about the fund, please email publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk.

2021-22 programme of PER training starts 4th November

This year’s RKEDF programme of training for public engagement with research begins next week with an introduction for anyone new to PER.

We are delighted to announce that the NCCPE will also be running several training sessions for our researchers, including a new workshop for 2021-22 on community engagement. The full programme of PER training is:

Thursday 4th November: Getting started in public engagement with research
Monday 22nd November: Meaningful online engagement (NCCPE)
Monday 13th December: High quality public engagement (NCCPE)
Monday 14th March: Introduction to community engagement (NCCPE)
Wednesday 30th March 2022: Getting started in public engagement with research
Tuesday 12th April 2022: Evaluation: developing your approach (NCCPE)
April 2022 (TBC): An introduction to public involvement (BU PIER partnership)

Join the PER network at BU

The first meeting this year of BU’s Public Engagement with Research Network will take place on Thursday 25th November. Join researchers from all stages of their careers to share expertise and experience and meet others interested in public engagement with research.

Sign up here to join the network and keep up to date with public engagement network meetings, training, knowledge and external funding opportunities.

1 November 2021

Events coming up this week in the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2021

Public engagement Adam Morris

Free events for the public, organised by BU researchers, taking place online and in person throughout November. Book your places below.

The ESRC Festival of Social Science 2021

Coming up this week

Digital exclusion and inclusion in health and social care

Wednesday, 3 November
Online

This half-day workshop will bring together people working in health, social care and community services to discuss and explore the impact of digital exclusion on the public’s access to services and support. It will focus particularly on the context of West Dorset but with lessons and discussions relevant across the country.

Book now

How can faith-based organisations address climate change?

Saturday, 6 November
LOVECHURCH @ St Swithun’s Bournemouth

Join us to hear different perspectives from faith-based organisations on how faith, religion and organisations might view and address climate change, as well as from researchers working on solutions.

Faith and climate change awareness are both important factors in how many people think and live. However, despite some efforts from faith-based organisations (FBO) such as Christian Aid, Tearfund, there is more that could be done to tackle climate change from a faith perspective.

Book now

Later this month

The science of suicide – addressing myths and misconceptions

Saturday, 13 November
Bournemouth Gateway Building, Bournemouth University

In this talk, Dr Moseley will explore common myths and misunderstandings about suicide, and what contemporary psychological theories about suicide can tell us about why and how people end their own lives.

Through scientific research, we’ll explore themes of loneliness and social connectedness, as well as what research tells us about groups who are especially at risk, such as autistic people. We’ll also consider what we can do, including the language we use, to support people at risk of suicide.

Book now

Connecting with nature: for wellbeing, sustainability and the environment

Monday, 15 November & Wednesday, 17 November
Online

Connecting with nature can have benefits not only for our own wellbeing, but for the environment too. Join BU researchers and local nature organisations for a selection of talks over two days, to learn more about forest bathing, volunteering for nature, sustainable living and other ways to engage with and protect the natural environment.

We’ll also discover what social science research tells us about the sustainable choices people make throughout their life. Set against the backdrop of COP26, this event will explore how the choices we make could address the climate and ecological crises, and how Bournemouth University targets and supports these.

Book now

Storytelling for communicating climate science

Monday, 15 November
Online

In a time of information overload, it can be hard to break through the noise to tell evidence-based stories that inform and inspire. In this interactive workshop our team of Science, Health and Data Communications experts will investigate the uses—and misuses of storytelling about climate change.

Through a ‘playable communications’ workshop we will explore how play, in the form of choice-based games and text adventures, can be used for myth-busting and misinformation spotting, as well as for constructing imaginative and inspiring evidence-based narratives.

Book now

Demystifying ‘mental capacity’ – what you should know

Tuesday, 16 November
Online

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 is relevant to everyone working with individuals aged 16 or over who have difficulty in making informed decisions. However, many are unsure of how it is used in practice, for example in making ‘best interest’ decisions, or in relation to end of life care and Advance Decisions to Refuse Treatment.

This online event will provide an opportunity for members of the public (including experts by experience) and health and social care practitioners to learn from one another about how to best support vulnerable members of society who lack capacity.

Book now

Collaboration for better outcomes in criminal justice

Thursday, 18 November
Online

Many of the people who offend most frequently are also some of the most vulnerable, who need support from a number of different local agencies. There is huge potential for these criminal justice, health and social care services to work together for better outcomes across the board.

Join us to learn about how integrating these services is done around the world, including Nordic models, and how BU research is improving collaboration between correctional and mental health services.

Book now

Nursing in times of crisis: Covid-19 & WW2

Wednesday, 24 November
Bournemouth Gateway Building, Bournemouth University

This event will look at nursing during Covid-19 and during another period of crisis in which nurses played a key role – World War II.

We’ll explore personal stories of nursing during WW2 and from Bournemouth University’s own student nurses who worked during the pandemic, as well as considering what objects and uniforms from these different eras can tell us. This event is also an opportunity to share your own thoughts and experiences.

Book now

The face under the mask: what Covid-19 has taught us about face perception

Thursday, 25 November
Online

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed a great deal about how humans communicate and interact with each other, part of which is the wearing of face masks. But faces are our most important social clues and provide a great amount of information, so what happens when they are partially covered? We’ll discover how masks affect how we perceive faces, but also what this effect can tell us about how face perception works.

Book now

Interested in holding your own public event to share research? Join our training session on getting started in public engagement with research. Online, Thursday 4 November 11-12:30.

1 November 2021

VOICE@BU

Public engagement mhughes

BU PIER and BUCRU are holding a drop in event on 4^th November 10am-3pm, outside BG117.

Come and join us for an informal chat about getting the public involved in your research. (There might be some chocolate too).

Do you have a question you’d like to ask members of the public? An event you’d like them to attend? Come along and sign up to VOICE, a new collaboration and digital platform for coordinating and supporting public involvement in research.

An increasing number of researchers across BU are involving and wanting to involve people with lived experience in shaping and informing research. VOICE@BU brings together the public involvement work of the PIER (Public Involvement in Education and Research) Partnership, BUCRU (BU Clinical Research Unit) and the Dorset and Salisbury office of the NIHR Research Design Service South West (RDS SW) to support and facilitate public involvement in research at BU.

VOICE@BU includes:

Mel Hughes, Pete Atkins and Angela Warren from the BU PIER Partnership

Helen Allen and Louise Ward from BUCRU and the NIHR Research Design Service South West (RDS SW)

Colleagues from the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences based research centres e.g. ADRC

Colleagues from BU Research Development & Support (RDS) Team (for coordinating public engagement)

In May we ran a demonstration of VOICE you can view the recording here

To summarise, researchers can:

Easily and quickly register for VOICE
Submit an opportunity request to involve members of the public in their research
Use the digital tools the platform offers to involve members of the public in research
Promote workshops/focus groups
Facilitate online discussions
Promote opportunities for the public to join steering groups
Online surveys & polls
Set timed challenges and encourage ideas from the community (bring your ideas and questions along and chat through at our drop in)
Set up a closed group to communicate, share documents and support an established public involvement group
Communicate with VOICE members regarding specific opportunities
Access and share support and learning resources to help patient and public involvement and engagement activities

You can register with VOICE and explore what is available and email us: voice@bournemouth.ac.uk to discuss how we can help get the public involved in your research and/or promote an event/opportunity to VOICE members.

Come and see us on Thursday 4^th November 10am-3pm, outside BG117 in the Bournemouth Gateway Building

21 October 2021

Café Sci – Tuesday 2 November: Climate change coastal flooding – relocate before it’s too late?

Knowledge Exchange, Public engagement ballen

At Café Scientifique, you can explore the latest ideas in science and technology in a relaxed online 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 Luciana Esteves on Tuesday 2 November from 7.00pm until 8.30pm.

Climate change and coastal flooding – relocate before it’s too late?

For an increasing number of people, coastal flooding and erosion are a real threat to property, the local economy and, in some cases, life. With the effects of climate change, this threat is quickly growing.

Should coastal communities at risk be relocated before they are forced from their homes? Or could engineering and nature-based solutions provide the defences they need?

Join us to discover the challenges faced by coastal communities in an uncertain climate future, and what society could do to address them.

Attendance is free but booking is required

20 October 2021

Mental Health Awareness Camp in Chiplun, Maharashtra India

Awarded & submitted bids, Knowledge Transfer, Public engagement Shanti

Chiplun, a city in the Ratnagiri district in the state of Maharashtra. This is the hub for our collaboration and a key to providing more mental health support and well-being in the rural area within the region. This week during the Mental Health Awareness day in India – we tailored a camp that addressed some of the core issues the community face.

Severe flooding is a key issue in this region, we trained over 70 Mind Buddies (or Manas Mitra – in Hindi) integrated first-aid training and mental health and well-being aspects. We hope to create support for these people and provide them with more skills training and build the capacity of community volunteers across the region.

This event was supported by the Local team @Drs Shrutika and Sunil Kotkunde, our academic partners @Symbiosis Internation University, Pune, Dr Gayatri Kotbagi and Dr Sandip Ravindra (NGO Sheetal Astitva) in collaboration with Bournemouth University, Professor Edwin van Teijlingen and Dr Shanti Shanker

14 October 2021

New RKEDF training session: involving the public and patients in your research

Public engagement, Training Amanda Edwards

Book your place on this new online interactive workshop now! Tuesday 19th October 11-12.30pm

Workshop title: “What’s in it for us?” An introduction to Public and Patient Involvement from the public’s perspective

Date: Tuesday 19th October, 11-12.30pm

Online

This new interactive RKEDF workshop explores how to develop meaningful engagement with the public. It is co-designed and facilitated by health advocates Rachel Jury and Tim Worner, who have both extensively shared their lived experience to the benefit of research studies, Dr Mel Hughes, academic lead of the BU PIER (Public Involvement in Education and Research) Partnership, and Angela Warren, PIER involvement coordinator.

The workshop provides an opportunity to learn about public involvement from the perspective of experts by experience, and to share and discuss ideas and plans.

You will:

develop knowledge and understanding of different models of public involvement
consider the benefits of public involvement for researchers and research users
identify best practice in designing and conducting public involvement in research.

Researchers at any career stage or level are welcome – whether you are developing a public involvement strategy or just wish to find out more.

Book your place now

12 October 2021

Public Engagement: Online workshop to help develop confidence and skills to promote yourself effectively

Public engagement ballen

Tuesday 12th October is Ada Lovelace Day: an international celebration of women’s achievements in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

In addition to our profiles of women in STEM at BU, running throughout this week, we thought you might be interested in the following workshop.

#IamRemarkable is a Google initiative. The workshops are designed to help to empower women and underrepresented groups to speak openly about accomplishments in the workplace and beyond, breaking modesty norms.

Many of us struggle when it comes to talking about our own accomplishments. Cultural and gender modesty norms, as well as impostor syndrome can prevent anyone from acknowledging their remarkable attributes and expressing their achievements. The goals are to improve the self promotion motivation and skills of women, and underrepresented groups, and challenge the social perception around self promotion.

What does this workshop have to do with public engagement?

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are important and critical for creating the world we all want to live in. Besides being great for underrepresented groups, this is a good workshop to help other groups (“people of majority”) become more aware of the gender and cultural norms that keep certain kinds of people from progressing and having their voices heard.

In this free interactive session, there will be group discussions and exercises to develop the confidence and skills to promote yourself effectively.

The 90 min workshop will include:

sharing data and research regarding self promotion and unconscious bias
an exercise to help you articulate your achievements and practice self promotion
discussion and share take home exercises

Sign up for the free #IamRemarkable workshop

For any questions about this workshop, please contact organiser Ashley Kent.

Category / Public engagement

Applications now open for public engagement funding!

We are pleased to announce the first call for our new funding stream for public engagement with research

“Engagement is, by definition, a two-way process, involving interaction and listening, with the goal of generating mutual benefit.” NCCPE

Research Impact, Charity Impact and Public Engagement Funds update

How to bid for funding for Impact and Public Engagement

We can help promote your public engagement event or activity

Café Sci – Tuesday 7 December: Wildfires and Us

Save the date! ‘How to Bid for Funding for Impact and Public Engagement’: training on 18th November

Bournemouth University Social Entrepreneurs Forum Welcomes New Advisory Board

How to make online public engagement a success: sign up now for training

RKEDF: Research Training Events in November

Wednesday 9th November 14:00 – 15:00 Getting started with research impact

Monday 22^nd November 09:30 – 12:00 Meaningful Online Engagement

Monday 13^th December 10:00 – 12:30 High Quality Public Engagement

Public engagement boost for 2021-22: new funding stream, training programme, PER network relaunches

New funding call for public engagement launching soon

2021-22 programme of PER training starts 4th November

Join the PER network at BU

Café Sci – Tuesday 2 November: Climate change coastal flooding – relocate before it’s too late?

Mental Health Awareness Camp in Chiplun, Maharashtra India

New RKEDF training session: involving the public and patients in your research

Book your place on this new online interactive workshop now! Tuesday 19th October 11-12.30pm

Book your place now

Public Engagement: Online workshop to help develop confidence and skills to promote yourself effectively

Sign up for the free #IamRemarkable workshop

Other services

Don’t miss a post!

Recent posts

Search by Category

Research Information Network

UKRI

Category / Public engagement

We are pleased to announce the first call for our new funding stream for public engagement with research

“Engagement is, by definition, a two-way process, involving interaction and listening, with the goal of generating mutual benefit.” NCCPE

The ESRC Festival of Social Science 2021

Coming up this week

Later this month

ESRC Festival of Social Science 2021

Spot the Greenwashers

Connecting with nature: for wellbeing, sustainability and the environment

Café Scientifique

Wildfires and US

The ESRC Festival of Social Science 2021

Coming up this week

Later this month

Wednesday 9th November 14:00 – 15:00 Getting started with research impact

Monday 22nd November 09:30 – 12:00 Meaningful Online Engagement

Monday 13th December 10:00 – 12:30 High Quality Public Engagement

New funding call for public engagement launching soon

2021-22 programme of PER training starts 4th November

Join the PER network at BU

The ESRC Festival of Social Science 2021

Coming up this week

Later this month

Book your place on this new online interactive workshop now! Tuesday 19th October 11-12.30pm

Other services

Don’t miss a post!

Recent posts

Search by Category

Search by popular post topics

Monday 22^nd November 09:30 – 12:00 Meaningful Online Engagement

Monday 13^th December 10:00 – 12:30 High Quality Public Engagement