BU Research Blog

6 May 2016

BU research on Citizen Science featured on Countryfile

Fusion, Fusion Investment Fund, PG research, Public engagement, student research adiaz

A recently screened and still available episode of the BBC programme Countryfile http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b079ywf9/countryfile-conservation-compilation features BU PhD student Gitte Kragh’s research on what motivates members of the public and students to volunteer as Citizen Scientists for wildlife conservation. The programme showcases the National Trust’s Cyril Diver project, a nationally important project that has measured how the stunning wildlife of Studland, South Haven Peninsula on Purbeck has changed since it was recorded in detail by Cyril Diver in the 1930’s Gitte’s work has shown that the main motivation for people to participate in projects like the Cyril Diver is that they want to do something they feel is worthwhile, in this case help to protect the environment to ensure it is there for future generations. Another important aspect that draws volunteers to the Cyril Diver project is the opportunity for volunteers to learn more about nature, both through specialist workshops and through training in the field with expert naturalists.

Bournemouth University has been a close partner on the Cyril Diver project resulting in the co-creation of research by three BU PhD students, three MSc students, a dozen UG students and over 40 Student Environment Research Team (SERT) students. This work is informing future wildlife conservation management planning for Studland. BU and the NT are building on the success of the FIF-funded SERT co-creation work to develop our partnership model into a long term project for co-creating research of impact for wildlife conservation management that intergrates student and general public citizen scientists. For more information please contact Dr Anita Diaz adiaz@bournemouth.ac.uk

3 May 2016

Our scandalised society

Public engagement Rachel Bowen

Are you interested in scandal?

Most people are. And while scandal of one sort or another has long been a major part of our media diet, in recent years institutional scandals involving corporate immorality, incompetence or cover-up have assumed an increasingly prominent place, involving the banks and other commercial corporations, the churches, police forces, the media, and Parliament, amongst others. If you wonder what this tells us about contemporary society, and how we should respond to it, come to a public event at the Executive Business Centre on Wednesday 11 May at 5pm (refreshments available before the start).

In this open meeting, leading criminologist Professor Chris Greer (City University) and Lord Blair (Sir Ian Blair, former Commissioner of the Met) will discuss key issues including how the British state is responding to scandal proliferation, the implications of scandal for crime control and institutional regulation in the digital age, and the risk of scapegoating as a substitute for understanding and solving, particularly in a 24/7 news environment. Professor Ann Brooks will chair.

For more information, and to book for this free event please visit the Eventbrite booking page.

This is the second in a series of high profile public events at BU, called Dialogues in the Social Sciences. Organised by Professors Ann Brooks, Candida Yates and Barry Richards, their aim is to bring insights from the social sciences to bear on major areas of current concern: higher education, crime and scandal, and violent extremism.

3 May 2016

Our scandalised society

Knowledge Exchange, Public engagement brichards

Are you interested in scandal?

Most people are. And while scandal of one sort or another has long been a major part of our media diet, in recent years institutional scandals involving corporate immorality, incompetence or cover-up have assumed an increasingly prominent place, involving the banks and other commercial corporations, the churches, police forces, the media, and Parliament, amongst others. If you wonder what this tells us about contemporary society, and how we should respond to it, come to a public event at the EBC on Wednesday 11^th May at 5.00 (refreshments available before the start).

In this open meeting, leading criminologist Professor Chris Greer (City University) and Lord Blair (Sir Ian Blair, former Commissioner of the Met) will discuss key issues including how the British state is responding to scandal proliferation, the implications of scandal for crime control and institutional regulation in the digital age, and the risk of scapegoating as a substitute for understanding and solving, particularly in a 24/7 news environment. Professor Ann Brooks will chair.

For more information, and to book for this free event please visit the Eventbrite website:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dialogues-in-the-contemporary-social-sciences-11-may-tickets-24460683563?aff=ebrowse

This is the second in a series of high profile public events at BU, called Dialogues in the Social Sciences. Organised by Profs. Ann Brooks, Candida Yates and Barry Richards, their aim is to bring insights from the social sciences to bear on major areas of current concern: higher education, crime and scandal, and violent extremism.

https://www1.bournemouth.ac.uk/events/dialogues-contemporary-social-sciences-crime-media-institutional-scandal

3 May 2016

14: live – EU, are you in or out?

Public engagement, student research ocooke

14:Live is back, but with a twist! Dr Dan Jackson, whose research includes political communication, how news is constructed and news coverage of politics, will be hosting a debate between two teams of students arguing for and against staying in the European Union.

Join us to find out more about the upcoming European referendum and share your views about whether Britain should be in or out.

14:Live will take place on the 5^th floor of the Student Centre on 17 May at 2pm. Drinks and snacks will be available.

If you have any questions on the topic that you would like answered during the event, can you please send your questions to Oliver Cooke.

If you would like to attend this event, please can you email Oliver Cooke with confirmation that you will be attending.

3 May 2016

BOOK NOW: Research impact events – 23-27 May

Business Engagement, Knowledge Exchange, PG research, Public engagement Genna West

Join us to take a closer look at how research can have an impact beyond academia, and the ways in which this can be achieved.

From Monday 23 – Friday 27 May, we’ll be
exploring the various pathways to achieving
societal and economic impact through a
selection of seminars and workshops.

We will be joined by some fantastic external speakers such as Dr Steve Cross, a public engagement expert, and Bokani Tshidzu, a consultant specialising in impact evidence. At the end of the week, you are invited to take part in a celebration of research impact at Bournemouth University.

Come along to as many events as possible to explore how you can effectively engage with a variety of research users, and to find out more about methods for developing and evidencing impact.

These events are aimed at all academic staff members, early career researchers, postgraduate students and professional services staff who support impact across the university.

Dr Steve Cross

Monday 23 May

What’s in it for me? Impact that makes a difference outside academia and supports your career
Dr Steve Cross, Wellcome Trust Public Engagement Fellow & former Head of Public Engagement at UCL
12.30-14.00 | Talbot campus
Find out more and book now via Eventbrite

H₂H – bringing research to life (Human₂Human). A business networking event on the topic of virtual and augmented reality
Facilitated by Jayne Codling, Rachel Clarke and Charlene Steele
14.30-16.00 | Talbot campus
Find out more and book now via Eventbrite

Tuesday 24 May

Using the media to generate research impact
Nathaniel Hobby, Emma Matthews and Dr Sarah Bate
12.30-14.00 | Lansdowne campus
Find out more and book now via Eventbrite

Smart cities sandpit
Facilitated by RKEO, supported by Borough of Poole
09.30-16.30 | Lansdowne campusFind out more

Wednesday 25 May

Influencing public policy with research
Jane Forster and Emma Bambury-Whitton
13.30-14.30 | Talbot campus
Find out more and book now via Eventbrite

Thursday 26 May

Influencing public policy with research
Jane Forster and Emma Bambury-Whitton
12.30-13.30 | Lansdowne campus
Find out more and book now via Eventbrite

Using the media to generate research impact
Nathaniel Hobby, Emma Matthews and Dr Sarah Bate
13.30-15.00 | Talbot campus
Find out more and book now via Eventbrite

Bokani Tshidzu

Friday 27 May

Collecting evidence of research impact
Bokani Tshidzu, Chief Operating Officer of impact consultancy Vertigo Ventures
12.00-14.00 | Talbot campus
Find out more and book now via Eventbrite

Celebrating research impact at Bournemouth University
Facilitated by Dr Sarah Bate and Dr Zoe Sheppard
14.30-16.00 | Talbot campus
Find out more and book now via Eventbrite

28 April 2016

Preparations are under way……

Festival of Learning, Fusion, Public engagement hcrossen

Image with kind permission of Hampshire Record Office

One of the events at this year’s BU Festival of Learning will highlight the research partnership between BU and the RSPB. For over two years members of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences have been working with Tom Clarke from the RSPB on various projects that explore how accessing the natural environment can improve personal health and wellbeing.
The Festival of Learning event that is being developed in partnership with the RSPB will focus upon one stretch of the River Stour between Muscliff and Throop Mill. An exhibition, at Bournemouth Council’s new Kingfisher Barn Visitor Centre, will show how previous generations have used the area. It is hoped that through this historical narrative members of the public who visit the event will be encouraged to think about how they could enjoy this beautiful rural stretch of the river with family and friends in the future. There will also be cultural heritage activities to try.
At present the project team are gathering information on the cultural heritage of the area. This has involved searching local archives as well as Hampshire Record Office, to find information about those who have lived, worked and had fun in and by the River. The Daily Echo is also supporting the search by including an article asking any members of the public with memories of the area to send them in – and we know there are lots of people with childhood links to the location following a number of Facebook posts to members of the project team. May be colleagues or students at BU have their own memories they’d like to share – we’d love to hear them!

27 April 2016

Last Call – Want to take your research to Glastonbury?

Public engagement Naomi Kay

I’m looking for PGR’s or Academics who would be interested to take their research up to Glastonbury Festival this June as part of an interactive Science tent. The tent is based in the Green Fields so a sustainability theme is preferable for your activity. To find out more drop me an email before midday Thursday 28th April with some brief details of what you’re research is about and the type of activity you might like to run – happy to work with you to develop ideas and there is a small budget available to support this. All expenses will be covered and there is plenty of time in the evenings to explore the excitement of the festival.

Something to note is Glastonbury Festival runs from the 22nd – 26th June and you will likely need to be there from the 21st – 27th June. If you are taking part in the Festival of Learning please check there isn’t a diary clash with your scheduled event.

I have to let other institutions know if we want the space by Thursday or we’ll lose the opportunity.

27 April 2016

Sports Nutrition Live 2016 – A Review

Public engagement jgavin

James Gavin, Lecturer in Exercise Physiology, attended Sports Nutrition Live 2016 on Saturday, which was aimed at sports nutritionists, nutritional therapists, and personal trainers. The day began with a talk on Functional Sports Nutrition, emphasising that we should consider agriculture when thinking about nutrition (i.e., ‘soil to the plate’). Particularly, quality before quantity. Not the author’s area of expertise, this seemed a positive start to a conference in a discipline often shrouded by conflicting evidence and, dare I say it, pseudoscience (or conclusions beyond the evidence).

Next the audience digested Gastrointestinal (GI) Complaints and Exercise by Dr Justin Roberts (Anglia Ruskin University). Tips from this insightful talk: 1) GI complaints most prevalent in cycling (cramped position), 2) avoid eating just prior to above-moderate intensity exercise, and 3) keep hydrated. Taking these suggestions additively: do not cycle home from the pub! Before lunch, the session focused on how many of us are (apparently) ‘nucleotide-deficient’ (important for DNA production). However, the Dr Koeppel forgot to mention the functional consequences of a nucleotide-deficiency. Interestingly, and questionably, results derived from: IBS sufferers, mice and…Atlantic salmon.

Moving on, after lunch we were treated to an delightful session on Nutritional Strategies for Tour de France Cyclists by former professional rider, Eifion Weinzweig. Most interesting was the use of DNA Profiling, and the physiological and psychological demands placed upon professional cyclists. Oh, and you have to drink a lot of water cheat EPO testing! Next up was Dr Graeme Close (Liverpool John Moores University) discussing: Are Carbohydrates Still King When It Comes to Performance. Drawing upon Graeme’s applied experiences in professional rugby, and underpinned by classical studies in physiology, discussion focused upon: the role of carbohydrates in cell signaling, the joys of muscle biopsying, and the importance of carbohydrate for endurance and team-sport performance. All told, a really interesting one-day conference, drawing together speakers from varied backgrounds and industries…and gladly I say it, no pseudoscience. Well, maybe a little.

Sports Nutrition Live 2016 website

Dr James Gavin

Department of Sport & Physical Activity

Faculty of Management

jgavin@bournemouth.ac.uk

25 April 2016

Sascha Dov Bachmann to present at EUCOM/SHAPE International Legal Conference (2016) in Warsaw,Poland

Public engagement sbachmann

Dr Sascha Dov Bachmann, Associate Professor in International Law, FMC, and Extraordinary Associate Professor in War Studies, FHS, will present on Russian Information Operations in Ukraine during NATO’s EUCOM/SHAPE International Legal Conference (2016)
“The Legal Aspects of the National Security Response to Russian Aggression”. The event brings together 100 experts who are to dicsuss the legal aspects of Russia’s aggressive politics in Eastern Europe. Sascha will reflect on his ongoing work on Hybrid Warfare, http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/defence-committee/russia-implications-for-uk-defence-and-security/written/28402.html, http://www.ajol.info/index.php/smsajms/article/view/117421 and https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277953401_RUSSIA’S_HYBRID_WARFARE_IN_THE_EAST_USING_THE_INFORMATION_SPHERE_AS_INTEGRAL_TO_HYBRID_WARFARE?_iepl[viewId]=5SEnEq26z9n23PZ8z1IVu0EN&_iepl[contexts][0]=timeline&_iepl[data][activityData][activityId]=277953401&_iepl[data][activityData][activityType]=Publication&_iepl[data][activityData][activityTimestamp]=1434326400&_iepl[data][viewType]=self&_iepl[interactionType]=publicationClickThrough.

25 April 2016

Research impact events – SAVE THE DATE: 23–27 May

Business Engagement, Knowledge Exchange, PG research, Public engagement Genna West

Impact and innovation are at the heart of BU’s research culture. But what is impact and how do we achieve it?

From Monday 23^rd – Friday 27^th May, a series of seminars and workshops will take place to explore the various pathways to achieving societal and economic impact. Attendees will explore methods for effectively engaging a variety of research users throughout the research process, and develop new ways to plan, deliver and evidence impact.

Events will take place at both Talbot and Lansdowne campuses, on the following topics:

Research, engagement and impact
Engaging with business for research impact
Influencing public policy with research
Using the media to generate research impact
Collecting evidence of impact
Celebrating research impact at Bournemouth University

Who should attend?

These events are aimed at all academic staff members, early career researchers, postgraduate students and professional services staff who support impact across the university.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from external impact specialists, to find out more about the support available at BU and to interact with colleagues wishing to share their experience and expertise.

Exact dates, times and full details of the events and how to book a place will follow soon.

20 April 2016

BU Academic appointed as Extraordinary Visiting Professor (AP) at Swedish Defence University

international, Knowledge Exchange, PG research, Public engagement, REF Subjects, Research themes, staff profile pages sbachmann

Sascha Dov Bachmann, Associate Professor in International Law, FMC, has been made Extraordinary Visiting Professor (AP) in War Studies at the Swedish Defence University (FHS). This appointment recognizes his contribution to the work of the Department of Military Studies at FHS on the subject of Hybrid War and Hybrid Threats. He continues to collaborate with colleagues from Sweden, Germany and NATO on the subject.

18 April 2016

Canadian science museums to provide open access to data

Public engagement Naomi Kay

Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation have just released a statement announcing they will be making their data freely available to both researchers and the public via a new platform called Open Heritage.

Read more via research professional here

To see more of these articles join the institutional public engagement group on Research Professional and receive weekly updates about news and funding for public engagement to your inbox – contact your funding development officer for more details on how to use Research Professional

14 April 2016

BU hosts public debate on the future of universities

innovation, Knowledge Transfer, Public engagement brichards

‘Increasing inequality? Widening opportunity? Debating higher education reforms’

Wednesday 27th April sees the first of a series of high profile public events at BU, called Dialogues in the Social Sciences. Organised by Profs. Ann Brooks, Candida Yates and Barry Richards, their aim is to bring insights from the social sciences to bear on major areas of current concern: higher education, crime, violent extremism, and psychological well-being. In the first, two speakers from the Institute of Education in London offer their views on the Green Paper and where the HE sector may be heading. Professor Sir Peter Scott has been editor of the Times Higher and V-C of Kingston University; he is an authoritative commentator on key issues facing universities today. He is joined in this event by Professor Ann Phoenix, psychologist and leading researcher on education and identity. BU’s Dr Mastoureh Fathi (HSS) and Ellie Mayo-Ward (SUBU V-P) will be discussants. Professor Iain MacRury of FMC will chair what promises to be a highly informative and potentially controversial session, starting at 5.15 in the EBC (EB206). Refreshment available. Book your seat now, here: Eventbrite

14 April 2016

Dr Jane Murphy and Joanne Holmes present at Dementia 2020 Conference, Westminster

Public engagement, Research themes, Training brooksc

On 12^th April, Dr Jane Murphy and Joanne Holmes presented alongside Professor Alistair Burns CBE (National Clinical Director for Dementia, NHS England), Lorraine Jackson (Deputy Director – Dementia Policy, Department of Health) and Andrea Sutcliffe (Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care, Care Quality Commission) at the National Dementia 2020 Conference. Jane and Joanne discussed key findings from the Understanding Nutrition and Dementia research project as well as sharing the recently launched training Workbook and DVD ‘Eating and Drinking Well: Supporting People Living with Dementia’ developed from the project. The presentation was very well received and generated lots of positive response as reflected in the following tweets!

Dementia2020 Shirley Baines with Jane and Joanne

13 April 2016

Festival of Learning goes on tour – Saturday 16 April

Public engagement Naomi Kay

One of several peppers grown from a seedling from last years event!

If you’re looking for something to do with the family next weekend then look no further than the Bournemouth Natural Science Societies Open Day, running at 39 Christchurch Road from 10am – 4pm. Among the many things to do, you’ll also find the Festival of Learning team who will be there with Dr Dorothy Fox of the Faculty of Management, and Jennifer Mark and Paul Evans, PGRs from the Faculty of Science and Technology. We’ll be running several activities to tell people about the impact of our society on soils across the globe, as well as helping children understand what difference soil acidity makes to different plants and giving people the opportunity to plant their own seeds to take away and nurture.

11 April 2016

Festival of Learning 2016: grassroots responses to educational disadvantage

Centre for Excellence in Learning, Festival of Learning, Public engagement Alex Wardrop

LRES 7566 RKEO FoL Dotmailer Banner 4 v3.0

GRASSROOTS RESPONSES TO REGIONAL EDUCATION CHALLENGES: a workshop

Members of the Fair Access Research project will be facilitating a workshop as part of the Festival of Learning in June.

The workshop will be held on Monday 27 June 2016 between 14:00-16:00 in the new FUSION BUILDING, TALBOT CAMPUS [F107].

We are inviting experts working in the field of education and equality to come together and share experiences and skills to find sustainable solutions to the region’s major education challenges.

We want grassroots solutions to grassroots challenges facing the region. This approach will enable targeted and tailored responses that work with the unique challenges of education and social justice in a diverse rural and coastal region.

In this innovative two-hour workshop, led by our Fair Access Researchers, we will work together to find sustainable solutions to the question:

“What are the challenges and opportunities for disadvantaged students to access education in the region?”

This workshop is about active participation by all those involved and collectively growing grassroots solutions. By taking part, you will be helping to build a community to turn challenges and barriers into opportunities and bridges.

We want you to be involved and to shape how our responses! So, please share with your colleagues and networks so that we can have a broad range of participants.

It is through working together and learning with each other that we can help make regional education opportunities more accessible and more sustainable.

To express an interest in participating in the workshop or find out more about the session or BU’s unique Fair Access Research project email Julie Atherton on athertonj@bournemouth.ac.uk

11 April 2016

Public engagement event at the Rotary Club of Boscombe and Southbourne

PG research, Public engagement, student research cfarrance

BALI

Last week saw two BU staff and a PhD student present research around the topic of ‘Physical Activity and Social Engagement’. Professor Janet Dickinson, Associate Professor Carol Clark and Clare Killingback were privileged to attend the lunchtime meeting at the Rotary Club of Boscombe and Southbourne on Thursday 7^th April. This provided a great opportunity for Clare to present the results of three years of doctoral research around older peoples’ adherence to community based group exercise programmes.

After a brief presentation of the research findings a small group discussion was opened up to gain feedback from the Rotary Club members around how BU could work with their organisation in connecting with those at risk of social isolation. This was a valuable meeting and it is hoped there may be opportunities for BU to partner with the Rotary Club in the future.

For more information please feel free to contact Professor Janet Dickinson, Associate Professor Carol Clark and Clare Killingback.

7 April 2016

Hello Haaga Helia

Awarded & submitted bids, Fusion, Fusion Investment Fund, Public engagement nferdinand

Following her successful Erasmus Fusion Investment Fund bid, Dr Nicole Ferdinand, Senior Academic in Events Management will be visiting the Haaga Helia University of Applied Sciences in Finland from May 9^th – 13^th 2016. During her visit Nicole with be showcasing BU’s excellence in research and teaching.

Nicole with Haaga Helia’s Mari Austin, International Coordinator and Kaija Lindroth, Director, Tourism Degree Programmes during a visit to Bournemouth University in November 2015

Professor Buhalis and Dr Inversini (pictured 2nd and 3rd from left) receiving the Second Place Best Journal Paper award from IFITT

Her activities will include demonstrating a new event evaluation methodology to Haaga Helia’s staff and students, as well as, members of the event association, Meeting Professionals International (MPI), who will be hosting its Spring Mingle at Haaga Helia on May 12^th. The research methodology which utilizes social media data was featured in an article Nicole co-authored with BU colleagues, Dr Nigel Williams, Dr Alessandro Inversini and Professor Dimitrios Buhalis, which recently received a best journal paper award from the International Federation for IT and Travel and Tourism (IFITT).

Haaga Helia’s staff and students will also be introduced to BU’s technology enhanced learning. Nicole will be using Xerte learning objects, which were featured in BU’s recently launched Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Toolkit video.

Xerte learning objects developed for Events Management teaching featured in BU’s TEL Toolkit video

Nicole will be hosted by Mrs. Kaija Lindroth, Director of Degree Programmes in Tourism at Haaga Helia’s Porvoo Campus.

Category / Public engagement

BU research on Citizen Science featured on Countryfile

Our scandalised society

14: live – EU, are you in or out?