Category / Public engagement

October 24, 2013

Latest Major Funding Opportunities

Funding opportunities, Public engagement Emily Cieciura

The following opportunities have been announced. Please follow the links for more information:

The AHRC research centre, CMPCP, invites applications for the fifth phase of their Visiting Fellowships, which are available on a competitive basis to musicologists, musicians and those working in cognate fields from the UK and overseas. Award maximum £4,500. Closing date: 02/12/13
The BBSRC Responsive Mode scheme invites applications for investigator-led research. Maximum award £2,000,000. Closing date: 08/01/14
Are you working with a company? Then investigate the BBSRC LINK scheme, which supports collaborative research with at least one company and one science-based partner (projects with SMEs are particularly favoured). Grant not specified. Closing date: 08/01/14
The BBSRC are also offering Industrial Partnership Awards which are science-led, responsive mode grants where an industrial partner contributes in cash at least 10% of the full economic cost of the project. Grant not specified. Closing date: 08/01/14
The BBSRC’s New Investigator Scheme assists early-career researchers – newly employed university lecturers, lecturer level equivalent fellows whose awards were secured in open competition, and researchers in Research Council Institutes at the unified Research Council Band E or its equivalent – to secure their first major element of research funding. Award not specified. Closing date: 08/01/14
The BBSRC Activating Impact competition has been developed to acknowledge, raise awareness of and celebrate the activities of successful Knowledge Exchange and Commercialisation (KEC) teams or individuals that make an essential contribution to delivering impact from excellent bioscience research and capabilities supported by the BBSRC. Maximum award £100,000. Closing date: 06/11/13
The British Academy’s 2014 International Partnership and Mobility Scheme is open. Grants are offered up to a maximum of £10,000 per year for a period of one year or three years. Closing date: 05/02/14
The EPSRC invite you to share your photos to support excellence and promote the benefits of outstanding UK Engineering and Physical Sciences. Award: photographic equipment. Closing date: 16/12/13
The UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Indian Department of Science and Technology (DST) are jointly funding a programme of workshops in applied mathematics organised by the ICMS. Award not specified. No closing date.
ERA-Net ANIHWA invites applications under its Transnational Call for research proposals. This aims to increase cooperation and coordination of national research programmes on animal health and welfare of farm animals, including fish and bees. Grant not specified. Closing date: 19/12/13
The ESRC invites expressions of interest from eligible individuals for an intensive, five-day interactive commissioning workshop (sandpit) from 6-10 January 2014, being held at Cranage Hall in Cheshire concerning Empathy and Trust In Communicating Online (EMoTICON). The closing date for expressions of interest is 11:00 on 11/11/13
Do you have a new and innovative idea that could help drive forward the future of social science research? Then, why not apply to the ESRC’s UK Data Service Innovation Fund 2013/14. Up to £150,000 is available. Closing date: 31/10/13
Phase 2 of the Secondary Data Analysis Initiative (SDAI), supported by the ESRC, is now open for applications. Award not specified. Closing date: 26/11/13
The ESRC in collaboration with the British Army and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is seeking to commission innovative research projects to help inform some of the pressing issues facing the Armed Forces in the process of integrating Regular and Reserve components into a ‘Whole Force’ structure. Proposals for this call are invited. Award maximum £240,000. Closing date: 14/11/13
The Leverhulm Trust invites applications for their Study Abroad Studentships. These support an extended period of advanced study or research at a centre of learning in any overseas country, with the exception of the USA. Award not specified. Closing date: 13/01/14
The Leverhulm Trust’s Research Fellowships are open to experienced researchers, particularly those who are or have been prevented by routine duties from completing a programme of original research. Award maximum £45,000. Closing date: 07/11/13
International Academic Fellowships, from The Leverhulm Trust, provide established researchers with a concentrated period based in one or more research centres outside the UK. Award maximum £30,000. Closing date: 07/11/13
Invitations are also invited for The Leverhulm Trust’s Emeritus Fellowships. These assist senior established researchers to complete a research project and to prepare the results for publication. Maximum award £22,000. Closing date: 06/02/14
NERC are supporting Business, Policy and third sector internships in the Marine Renewable Energy sector. Award maximum not specified. Closing date: 28/11/13
Proposals are invited by NERC for submission to the RAPID-AMOC research programme, which builds upon the previous RAPID-WATCH and RAPID programmes and which will extend the delivery of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) time series until 2020. Grant not specified. Closing date: 20/02/14
The Royal Society invites applications for the Brian Mercer Feasibility Award. The scheme provides initial support of up to £30,000 to test the feasibility of a project, enabling applicants to investigate the technical and economic feasibility of commercialising an aspect of their scientific research, possibly in conjunction with a third party. Award maximum £30,000. No closing date
The TSB are inviting applications for feasibility studies demonstrating innovation in the transportation sector, through their Integrated transport – In-field solutions call. Maximum award is not specified. Closing date for registration is 20/11/13, submitting by 27/11/13
The TSB is investing up to £3.5m in business-led projects to develop innovative tools and services for the UK synthetic biology industry. Award not specified. The call opens on 18/11/13, registration closes on 08/01/14 and the deadline for applications is 15/01/14
Through the Towards zero prototyping call, the TSB and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) are supporting collaborative R&D to develop novel modelling and techniques to reduce the need for physical prototypes. Award not specified. Register by 27/11/13 and submit by 04/12/13
The TSB are inviting applications to their Cross-platform production in digital media – Feasibility study. Maximum grant £120,000. Register by 06/11/13 and submit by 13/11/13
The TSB is investing up to £5m for collaborative research and development to preserve the value of products and/or materials at end-of-life and to extend their use under the call Supply chain innovation towards a circular economy. Maximum award £1,000,000. Register by 11/12/13 and submit by 18/12/1s
Through the Assistive Technology Scheme, the TBS is investing up to £1m for two competitions to improve independence and access for learners with disabilities or learning difficulties. Award not specified. Closing date: 04/11/13
Investment of up to £4m in collaborative R&D to stimulate innovation in the field of energy management for existing buildings is being made by the TSB. Grant not specified. Register by 20/11/13 and submit by 27/11/13
The Wellcome Trust invites applications to their Translation Fund which bridge the funding gap in the commercialisation of new technologies in the biomedical area. Award not specified. Closing date: 04/11/13
Biomedical resource and technology development grants are available from The Wellcome Trust. Award not specified. Closing date: 02/12/13
The Wellcome Trust is providing equipment grants. These are intended to provide support for multi-user items of equipment, including equipment required to create a central resource for a number of disparate scientific programmes. Award maximum £1m. Closing date: 02/12/13
Capital Funding for Public Engagement and Medical History is available. This Wellcome Trust scheme provides capital funding (normally above £200 000) for large-scale projects that support public engagement and/or medical history. Award maximum not specified. Closing date: 23/05/14
Now in their third year, Wellcome Trust Engagement Fellowships aim to support and develop upcoming stars in public engagement with science. Award not specified. Closing date: 21/02/14

Please note that some funders specify a time for submission as well as a date. Please confirm this with your RKE Support Officer.

You can set up your own personalised alerts on ResearchProfessional. If you need help setting these up, just ask your School’s RKE Officer in RKE Operations or see the recent post on this topic

October 21, 2013

Professor Iain MacRury: The Inner World of Doctor Who – Cafe Scientifique! Tuesday, 5 November

Public engagement eloring

For those of you who don’t know, Cafe Scientifique is a place where, for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can come to explore the latest ideas in science and technology. You can enjoy listening to a short talk from a guest speaker before engaging in debate and discussion around the topic. Cafe Scientifique runs every first Tuesday of the month (with the odd exception) from 7.30-9pm with doors open from 6.30pm at the lovely Cafe Boscanova in Boscombe.There is no need to register for Cafe Scientifique events, so just simply come along and enjoy yourself! Although, make sure you do get there early for a good seat though as they fill up fast and there is some excellent food available!

The Cafe Scientifique team continually aim to have a variety of different topics delivered in this interesting and interactive format. To keep up-to-date with the fascinating talks we are hosting you can like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or visit our website. Also, if you would like to join our mailing list please email: cafescientifique@bournemouth.ac.uk

Now.. a bit more about November’s event!

Professor Iain MacRury: The Inner World of Doctor Who.

With the 50th anniversary of the iconic BBC series happening this November, Prof MacRury will discuss the psychology behind the show’s popularity.

•Why is it still, if not more, popular 50 years on?

•What has made it so appealing to people around the world?

•Why does it evoke such rich childhood memories of hiding behind the sofa from monsters?

Come along and help explore these topics in our own celebration of “The Doctor”.

The Cafe Scientifique team and Prof Iain MacRury look forward to seeing you there!

October 17, 2013

The Festival of Learning in 2014: put 9th- 15th June in your diary and get engaging!

Festival of Learning, Public engagement Becca Edwards

The Festival of Learning in 2014: put 9^th– 15^th June in your diary and get engaging!

I have been relatively quiet on the research blog on all things Festival of Learning over the past few months, but that doesn’t mean we’ve not been working on the Festival of Learning. In-fact quite the opposite – since the Festival doors closed back in June, we’ve taken time to reflect, evaluate and consider how the Festival should evolve in 2014.

Looking back

Before I say anything further about our plans for next year, can I take the opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone that was involved in the Festival in 2013. The public reaction has been absolutely fantastic. We had an estimated 4,000 visits to the Festival, an average satisfaction score (from 1,400 evaluation forms) of 5.9 out of 7 (where one equalled very poor, and 7 equalled excellent) and 96% of respondents suggested that they wanted to come to another event. Further to this, the Festival team continued evaluating the Festival through a series of focus groups and interviews which has generated excellent feedback and brilliant ideas of activities to include in 2014. We have also received great feedback from many local key stakeholders stating just how much the Festival is valued.

If you want to re-live the Festival for a few moments, then watch this fantastic video as a reminder of just some of the Festival highlights.

Looking forward – save the date: 9^th-15^th June, 2014

The Festival dates have now been set for 9-15^th June. This year, we are keen to build on our successes and create much more of a Festival atmosphere! So do get these dates in your diary now and your thinking cap on about how you can make a contribution.

How to get involved

We have received lots of feedback on the types of activities that people really enjoyed in 2013, so as a result the Festival team will be inviting people to include events in 2014. However, we are also keen to ensure that everyone within BU that has a brilliant idea has the opportunity to put this forward to the Festival steering group.

If you already have an idea in mind as to what you would like to include as part of the Festival in 2014, please contact me directly by emailing redwards@bournemouth.ac.uk or by completing the FoL 2014 event proposal form and returning it to Rebecca Edwards.

Although June my seem like a long way away as the nights draw in and the temperatures falls, because of the sheer size of the Festival, we need have details of all proposed events by Friday 6th December.

If you don’t have any ideas, but are really keen to get involved in the Festival, do give me a call on 01202 961206 or email me on redwards@bournemouth.ac.uk.

October 16, 2013

Likely path to communication value

Public engagement Tom Watson

The Public Relations Research Group welcomed the leading Canadian practitioner, Fraser Likely, on Wednesday when he presented a lecture on communicating the value of PR departments to top management. It was attended by regional practitioners, students, academics, and Marketing & Communication staff.

Mr Likely, who is an adviser to Canadian banks, corporations and governmental bodies, emphasised the need for senior communication staff to understand their organisation fully, identify the elements of their department’s work that create value and operate in an entrepreneurial manner.

“This presentation was the first of several events in which academic research and practice issues are discussed with practitioners, students and fellow academics”, said Prof Tom Watson of The Media School. “On Wednesday, our speaker was an internationally highly-regarded practitioner and researcher. In others, BU academics will take recent research to practitioners at events in London and locally.”

The Public Relations Research Group is planning short seminars with the Chartered Institute of Public Relations in London and Wessex, as well as with Ketchum, a leading international PR consultancy group.

Simultaneously, the US-based Institute for Public Relations posted Fraser Likely and Tom Watson’s latest Research Conversations blog post on future trends in PR measurement and evaluation. It is based on a recent book chapter in a festschrift to the leading PR theorist, James E. Grunig: http://www.instituteforpr.org/2013/10/future-trends-in-measurement-and-evaluation/

Prof Tom Watson (l) and Canadian speaker Fraser Likely (r)

October 14, 2013

Unmanned Technology:key to success or limiting factor – moral and legal issues arising from the use of UAV drones in Afghanistan

Public engagement sbachmann

Sascha-Dominik Bachmann, Associate Professor, Dep Law, EBC, addressed this year’s NATO JAPCC Joint Air & Space Power Conference 2013 – Air Power Post-Afghanistan.

JAPCC’s annual Conference provided a forum for critical discussion of themes arising from military Air Power and the ramifications of the anticipated 2014 cessation of NATO-led combat operations. The Conference was organized by the Joint Air Power Competence Centre and led by Air Marshal David Walker, RAF (http://www.japcc.de/fileadmin/user_upload/events/Conference/2013/2013-03-25-JAPCC_Conf_2013_Flyer_web.pdf).

Sascha reflected on the legal and moral issues arising from Targeted killing by drones (using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) or Unmanned Combat Aircraft Systems (UCAS) as weapon platforms) which has become an increasingly debated subject. Criticism is not only directed against its overall legality and legitimacy, but also its negative impact on the theatre state as a sovereign state in cases of extraterritorial strikes, a potential lack of efficiency, and a growing uneasiness with its morality. It seems there has been a change in how targeted killing is viewed. Apart from a growing discomfort with civilian ‘collateral’ casualties, there is growing concern about its effectiveness and the acceptance of targeted killing as a new form of warfare. Ben Emmerson, the newly appointed UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counterterrorism, has called for more transparency and accountability when employing this form of warfare. – See more at: http://blog.oup.com/2013/06/drone-targeted-killings-pil/#sthash.Kky1JmWv.dpuf

October 13, 2013

Find out more about the events that BU are hosting as part of Black History Month!

Public engagement eloring

“At the Cross Roads for Freedom and Equality”

This month Bournemouth University is hosting a range of events in aid of Black History Month and are reaching out to students, staff and the public to attend. You can find out more about the events that are happening here, Black History Month 2013.

To register your attendance, please book here.

14th October, 15:00-16:30, S202 Studland House, Lansdowne Campus

Professor Elizabeth Anionwu, “Mary Seacole – Her Relevance in Today’s NHS”

Professor Elizabeth Anionwu (CBE, FRCN) was the first ever UK sickle cell and Thalassemia nurse counsellor. Her focus on multi-ethnic aspects of nursing and midwifery education, practice and research led her to set up The Mary Seacole Centre for Nursing Practice at Thames Valley University, now the University of West London.

Elizabeth will be promoting the life of Mary Seacole, the Jamaican/Scottish Victorian doctress-nurse of the Crimean war, giving you the opportunity to learn about her life, experiences, challenges and recognition. You will also have the opportunity to discuss the relevance in which this has in today’s NHS and nursing.

17th October, 12:00-13:00, BG11, Bournemouth House, Lansdowne Campus

Dr. Farhad Dalal, “Corrupting the Liberal Ideal: Tolerance and discrimination in society and its organisations”

Dr. Farhad Dalal is a psychotherapist and Group Analyst in private practice in Devon.

Since the McPherson report, the law requires organizations to proactively address institutionalized unfair discriminatory practices, which they do through the use of ‘trainings’, proceduralisation, etc. Yet despite these efforts and the rhetoric of tolerance and inclusivity proclaimed in equal opportunity statements, women constituted just 1.6% of the conductors in BBC Proms 2010; out of 14000 professors in the UK, just 50 are Black. Why is this?

Some of the reasons why the equalities project has not progressed as much as it might have are due to the bureaucratisation of the values of Equality. This has allowed the liberal principle of ‘live and let live’ to be perverted and put in the service of fear and control.

Moreover, the Diversity discourse has been hijacked by the libertarians and put in the service of increasing profit, under the guise of inclusivity. But also, the equality movements have themselves contributed to this situation. Particularly the ‘celebrators of diversity’ who being apolitical, have sidetracked the project into promoting the indiscriminate celebration and preservation of cultures, in lieu of challenging the status quo within cultures as much as between them.

21st October, 13:00-14:00, BG14, Bournemouth House, Lansdowne Campus

Louisa Adjoa Parker, “We were here: African American Gls in Dorset”

Louisa Adjoa Parker is a British Ghanaian poet and historian who lives in Dorset. Louisa will be holding an exhibition “1944 We Were Here: African Gls in Dorset” which explores the stories of the black Gls who came to Dorset to train for D-Day. It is a collection of stories, images and craft pieces which were inspired by the research.

24th October, 10:00-12:00, BG11, Bournemouth House, Lansdowne Campus

David Michael, “A positive Voice in a Public Sector Organisation”

David Michael is a former Detective Chief Inspector. At this event David will share the challenges and barriers faced by BME people in large public sector organisations and what steps he took to overcome them to become successful and beneficial to the organisation and the BME members.

Some of David’s professional achievements include:

Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (PLSGCM) from Metropolice Commissioner Sir Paul (now) Lord Condon at a ceremony at the Peel Centre, Hendon in September 1995.

Winner of Windrush Achievements Award 2000 in the Uniformed Services Pioneer category.

Man of Merit at the Executive and Professionals Network (EPN) Men of Merit recognition evening on 24 November 2001. In recognition of contribution to policing in London and supporting colleagues and communities.

24th October, 14:00-16:00, BG11, Bournemouth House, Lansdowne Campus

Clive Clarke, “My Journey”

Clive Clarke is deputy chief executive at Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust. Clive will be telling us about the challenges he’s faced and what it took to overcome them. He will set out his vision for the future success of BME people in a Public Sector organisation as big as the NHS.

1st November, 9:30-11:00, Lees Lecture Theatre, Talbot Campus

BYD.D. Armstrong, “YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE”

You Know What You Are… is a one-act play that explores the theme of racism in football and asks what does it mean to wear club colours.
Winston and Jeff are lifelong supporters of Stamford United, but when their team captain Jason Chapman is accused of racially abusing an opposition player, and the only black member of the team is asked to don a t-shirt saying ‘Innocent Till Proven Guilty’ their friendship is divided over club loyalty and racial responsibility.
Meanwhile… Defender Damion Dixon is the only black player or half black player at Stamford United. A rising star with an international call up on the horizon, his career and professionalism is a called into account, when he is pressured to show support for his teammate.

October 10, 2013

CIPPM/BU Law hosts 8th GikII Conference and receives a write up about it in the New Scientist

Public engagement, Research themes cippm

The Centre for Intellectual Property Policy and Management (CIPPM) together with the Law Department was delighted to host the 8th GikII Conference which was held on 16-17 September 2013. The conference was chaired by Dr. Dinusha Mendis, Co-Director CIPPM and Professor Lilian Edwards, Deputy Director CREATe, University of Glasgow and Professor of Internet Law at University of Strathclyde.

The conference has previously been hosted at the Universities of Edinburgh, Oxford, Amsterdam, London, Gothenborg and East Anglia. This year’s conference dubbed the ‘beach edition’ did not fail to live up to its name – GikII. Invited speakers presented papers focusing on present and future issues in the field of law and technology. The papers included a consideration of the legal issues surrounding rights of robots, cyber security, 3D printing, privacy, genetic testing, autonomous cars, algorithms, fan fiction and a lot more. Full details of the programme can be found here.

A write-up about the conference was published in the New Scientist on 16 September 2013 which further raised the profile of this hugely popular event in the field of law and technology. The article authored by Richard Fisher of the New Scientist and titled ‘Future Law: Can you be slandered by a robot?’ opened up with the statement that “in a world awash with robots, teleports and self-driving cars, you are going to need a good lawyer”!

A glimpse into the discussion which took place over the two days was captured on twitter and published on Storify. The discussion which took place on Day 1 can be found here and the discussion on Day 2 can be accessed here.

A short video about the conference as explained by the Co- organisers Dr. Dinusha Mendis and Professor Lilian Edwards can be accessed here.

October 7, 2013

University to host five events as part of the prestigious ESRC Festival of Social Science!

Public engagement eloring

Major congratulations are in order for our BU academics who have done us #BUproud yet again as we are awarded funding for five different events as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science this year.

About the Festival:

The Festival of Social Science is a national Festival facilitated by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and runs from 2-9^th November 2013. It supports researchers to engage with a new audience, including individuals from business, charities, policy makers, teenagers, pensioners, parents and the general public. Sponsorship to include an event as part of the Festival is competitive, and this year, Bournemouth University has five events included – which is BU’s strongest ever presence as part of the Festival.

This year the Festival has over 170 creative and exciting events aimed at encouraging businesses, charities, government agencies, and schools and college students to discuss, discover and debate topical social science issues. The Festival celebrates some of the country’s leading social science research, giving an exciting opportunity to showcase the valuable work of the UK’s social scientists and demonstrate how their work has an impact on all our lives.

What BU has got planned?

Promoting dignity through understanding narratives of care

2^nd November (10am-4pm) Executive Business Centre, Bournemouth– Convened by Andrew Harding and Lee Ann Fenge

The event will use arts and social science methodologies to explore participants’ experiences of and reflections on dignity and compassion in health and social care. Participants may include users of services and their carers, practitioners and educators. Narrative methods provide a powerful means of engagement and construction for making meaning from experiences.

The participants will be encouraged to review experiences and reflections about the presence or absence of dignity and compassion in health and social care, and to consider if views about dignity and compassion change over time and place. Creative spaces, stimulated by ‘cafe conversations’ and supported activities, will enable participants to create collaborative and individual narratives and stories in a range of formats (e.g. poems, art and performance).

To register for your FREE place, please visit: http://esrc2013.eventbrite.co.uk/

Seen but Seldom Heard. Young people working to change perceptions of disability through poetry and performance.

Sunday 3^rd November (7pm-9pm) Lighthouse, Poole – Convened by Carrie Hodges and Wendy Cutts

‘Seen but Seldom Heard’ is a collaboration between Bournemouth University and Victoria Education Centre and Sports College in Poole. The project uses performance poetry as a way to provide a group of young physically disabled people (14-19 years) with a voice to challenge dominant stereotypes of disability that often serve to marginalise and exclude disabled people in society, by sharing their own personal stories.

The performance is a culmination of work that has been produced from a series of poetry workshops that have taken place over the last 18 months, facilitated by professional performance poets, Jonny Fluffypunk and Liv Torc. The group began by using both the achievements and media portrayals of Paralympic athletes as a focus for individually-written and collectively-authored poetry confronting negative perceptions of disability. As the work progressed, poetry was used as a way for the young people to engage in conversation about issues, policies and practices which affect them and others like them.

The ‘multi-media’ performance will challenge members of the public to think critically about their own perceptions of disability, engaging the audience via ‘warm-up’ poems from the professional poets, a series of short live and pre-recorded individual and group poetry performances from the young people, and a film screening of the ‘Seen but Seldom Heard’ documentary.

More information on the project and examples of the poetry can be found at: http://microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk/seen-but-seldom-heard/

To register for the FREE event, please visit: https://seenbutseldomheard.eventbrite.co.uk/

Finance for SME’S: The role of assessing credit risk

Wednesday 6^th November (12:30-5:30pm) Executive Business Centre, Bournemouth – Convened by Jens Holscher

This unique one-day event, brings together practitioners and academics in order to discuss the most pertinent issues of SMEs’ finance and credit risk with a view to setting a research agenda relevant to lenders and regulators.

Following the recent and continuing credit squeeze, lending to Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) remains at the top of the agenda for governments around the world. With various political and economic incentives introduced to support SMEs, it is important not to overlook the practicalities of credit risk assessment, as access to credit is contingent on meeting the risk standards of credit providers, especially in the environment of prudent lending.

Participants will engage in debate and keynote speakers from academia, government agencies and industry will be invited. Social sciences and social science research will be promoted by drawing on leading researchers and through interaction of speakers and attendees, which will include breakout sessions related to sub-schemes such as micro finance, the role of regional funds and development agencies.

For further information please visit here. To register for this event please visit: financeforsmes.eventbrite.co.uk

Social Media: Make or break your online reputation

Friday 8^th November (11am-5pm) Talbot Campus – Convened by Dimitrios Buhalis

This interactive seminar will engage tourism, hospitality, marketing and technology professionals in a dialogue and will encourage them to consider how they can manage their reputation online. The discussion will focus on monitoring online conversations about brands and executing online strategies to manage the online reputation of organizations. It will include short presentations from research results undertaken at Bournemouth University and digital marketing agencies. An open discussion will be encouraged between researchers and professionals. This event has been chosen as there is a growing research agenda on the impact of social media on organisational reputation for tourism destinations and organisations. Thus researchers recognise the need to engage researchers, marketing and tourism industry professionals in discussion.

Please register for this FREE event, here: http://esrc-tourism-socialmedia.eventbrite.co.uk/

Dementia in Dorset – what does this mean for you?

Saturday 9^th November (1pm-5pm) Littledown Centre Bournemouth, Studio 2 – Convened by Anthea Innes and Sarah Hambidge

BUDI will host a one day community engagement event to showcase a range of their innovative projects which will bring dementia awareness to life through music, movement, interior design, technology, food, stories and marine archaeology. Storytelling, hands-on-activities, food tasting and art will be used to engage visitors to the exhibit with the impacts of dementia identified by social science research.

Dementia affects us all in some way and is currently a very relevant societal issue. The government are focusing on improving the areas that matter most to dementia: awareness, quality care and research. These themes will be brought to life by; exploring dementia through an interactive marine archaeology session, learning the benefits that healthy eating can have for everyone in the fight against dementia through taste, understanding what it’s like to live with dementia through postcard stories, getting the chance to use technology which has the aim of improving the quality of life of those living with dementia and planting seeds to learn about dementia friendly environments, amongst other fun activities.

To find out more about BUDI and the projects they are working on, please visit: http://blogs.bournemouth.ac.uk/dementia-institute/

Please note that there is no need to register for this event, so just come along!

Why not come to some of these events? I can assure you, it’s worth it!

October 3, 2013

Festival of Learning 2013: Poole Park BioBlitz Records now available

Festival of Learning, Public engagement bthornes

On the 8th of June University staff, students and members of the public descended on Poole Park to host a BioBlitz – an intense, yet most importantly fun, period of biological surveying which attempts to record all of the living species within a designated area in 24 hours.

Dr Pippa Gillingham helps identify insects

The event was a huge success with over 230 different species recorded on land, air and water across Poole, Baiter and Whitecliff Parks – so this is a big thank you to all of you who came down and took part and made the event a success.

The records have been collated and are being sent directly to key regional stakeholders. They are also available for download here and you can also find them and much more over on the Poole & Purbeck Portal.

October 2, 2013

Bournemouth University’s School of Tourism Invited to Join the European Tourism Futures Institute

Fusion, Public engagement nferdinand

Nicole Ferdinand and Dr. Katherine King of the Events and Leisure Group in the School of Tourism were invited to attend the third annual meeting of the European Tourism Futures Institute (ETFI), which was held at the European Parliament in Brussels on September 16^th-17^th2013. Among the items raised at the meeting was the Festival Impact Monitor, a successful Bournemouth Fusion Investment Fund bid submitted under the Co-Creation and Co-Production Strand. This project seeks develop an event evaluation approach to overcome the limitations of existing qualitative and quantitative methods. ETFI were contacted prior to the submission of this bid to act as an international partner. Jeroen Oskam, Programme Manager for ETFI was very enthusiastic in supporting this project as it fits in very well with the forward looking orientation of his institution.

For more on the Festival Impact Monitor, please see this link.

October 1, 2013

Patient involvement in research boosts study success!

Public engagement Lisa Andrews

According to a new study by King’s College London, involving patients in the design and implementation of research programmes increases the likelihood of studies recruiting to target. Delays in recruitment are a major reason why some studies fail, so better recruitment means studies are more likely to be successful and run on time and budget. The authors argue that researchers need to involve patients more comprehensively in research.

Published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, the researchers analysed 374 studies registered with the Mental Health Research Network (MHRN). Studies which included collaboration with service users in designing or running the trial were 1.63 times more likely to recruit to target than studies which only consulted service users. Studies which involved more partnerships – a higher level of Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) – were 4.12 times more likely to recruit to target.

More information can be found at http://www.kcl.ac.uk/iop/news/records/2013/September/Patient-involvement-in-research-boosts-study-success.aspx and http://brc.slam.nhs.uk/our-blog/brcu/developing-best-treatments-means-patient-involvement-every-step-of-the-way

Paper reference: Ennis, L. et al. ‘Impact of patient involvement in mental health research: longitudinal study’ British Journal of Psychiatry (Sept 2013) doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.112.119818

October 1, 2013

Tonight is the night for Cafe Scientifique’s one year anniversary! Join us for an exciting talk on – Technobiophilia: How nature calms your wired life.

Public engagement eloring

Why do we adorn our screens with pictures of forests, waterfalls, animals and beaches? Why are there so many nature metaphors in the language of the internet? The answer lies in biophilia, the innate human attraction to life and life-like processes. Sue Thomas believes that nature can soothe our connected minds and offer unexpected benefits – an improved attention span, a rested mind, and enhanced creativity. So there’s no need to choose between technology and well-being – we can have both! This talk is about the best way to make our digital lives integrated, healthy, and mindful.

If you would like to find out more about Sue Thomas, please visit her website: www.suethomas.net

This month we have worked with the Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival, so this is definitely not one to miss. Also, as an extra special treat we have brownie cake to celebrate our one year anniversary – what a great success Cafe Scientfique has been!

Doors open at the wonderful Cafe Boscanova, Boscombe at 6:30pm and Sue Thomas will begin her fascinating talk on Technobiophilia at 7:30pm-9pm. There is no need to register for this event, so just simply come along! There is also some excellent food available (and chocolate brownie – if I hadn’t already mentioned).

The Cafe Scientifique team look forward to seeing you there!

September 30, 2013

Events and Leisure Students Help Create Carnival Futures

Public engagement nferdinand

Bournemouth University students from the Events and Leisure Group in the School of Tourism joined carnival organisations, young professionals, experts, researchers and Notting Hill residents to plan for the future of the Notting Hill Carnival.

Annie Mbagwu, Roxana Nucu, Olivia Wreford and Billy Wright participated in the public workshop held on September 24th 2013, which was organized as part of the Carnival Futures: Notting Hill Carnival 2020 project. The project is being funded by the King’s Cultural Institute which sponsors knowledge exchange projects that seek to test new ideas and stimulate innovation within the cultural and creative sector. It is jointly led by led by Principal Investigator Nicole Ferdinand, PhD researcher with King’s College London’s department of Culture Media and Creative Industries and Kemi Sobers, Director of the London Notting Hill Carnival Enterprises Trust.

Dr. Mary Beth Gouthro, Lecturer in Events Management in the School of Tourism has also been retained as an independent evaluator for the project.

For more information please see this link.

Annie Mbagwu BU Student, working under the watchful eye of Dr. Albert Postma, Professor of Scenario Planning

Roxana Nucu, BU Student (bottom left) with Nicole Ferdinand, Principal Investigator (top left) and Duchess Williams Alonga, Head of the Bahama Host Association (bottom right).

September 27, 2013

Current public engagement funding opportunities – Now you’ve had some inspiration, it’s time to take it to the next step!

Funding opportunities, Public engagement eloring

The Royal Academy of Engineering invites proposals for ingenious public engagement grants.

The Royal Academy of Engineering is supporting innovative ideas which will help engineers to communicate their passion and expertise to a wider audience. The academy is welcoming applications from different types of organisation and if successful funding from £3,000 to £30,000 is available per project.

In order to be successful in your application, the Royal Academy of Engineering is asking you to ensure that your project aims to achieve at least three certain criterions, stated on the funding website.

The closing date for this funding opportunity is the 30^th September 13 and applications need to be in by 5:30pm.

You can find out more about this ingenious grant scheme here: http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/1207065/

The Science and Technology Facilities Council – science-in-society small awards scheme.

The science and Technology Facilities Council are inviting applications for the science-in-society small awards. The aim of the scheme is to fund small, local or pilot projects that promote STFC science and technology. In order for your application to be successful, the project must be relevant to one or more of the STFC science areas, which are listed on the website.

Eligible applicants include STFC research facility users, grant-funded research groups, schools and also museums. Those successful can be awarded between £500 and £10,000 and may cover expenses for materials, salaries, travel and subsistence.

The closing date for applications is 10^th October 13; applications must be in by 4pm.

You are able to find out more about the small awards scheme here: http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/256087/

The Institute of Physics

The Institute of Physics are inviting applications for public engagement grants. The scheme will provide financial support to those individuals and organisations that are running physic-based events and activities throughout the UK and Ireland.

Those eligible applicants include; members of IOP, researchers in academic or industry, schools, museums, community groups, not-for-profit organisations, art groups and libraries, however it is not limited to these!

Successful applicants can win a grant worth up to £1,500.

The closing date for applications is 22^nd October 13; due in by 12 noon.

You can find out more about the Institute of Physics public engagement grants and how to apply here: http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/256904/

The Welcome Trust – People awards.

The welcome trust are also inviting applications for their people awards, which enable individuals to explore the impact of biomedical science on society, its historical roots, effects on different cultures, or the ethical questions that it raises.

The awards aim to support those small-to-medium-sized one-off projects or projects which pilot new ideas with a view to scale up or become sustainable following the grant, or they can part-fund larger projects. The project should aim to achieve at least one of the conditions, which is clearly stated on the website (link to follow).

The scheme is available to a large scale of people, including; mediators and practitioners of science communication, science centre of museum staff, artists, educators, film makers, theatre producers, game developers, health professionals and academics in bioscience, social science, bioethics and history.

For those successful applications, there is up to £30,000 available per project.

The closing date for applications is 25^th October 13; applications are due in by 5pm.

To find out more please visit:http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/246180/

The Welcome Trust – Arts awards for small to medium-sized projects

Again, The Welcome Trust are also inviting applications for their arts awards for small to medium-sized projects which supports imaginative and experimental art projects that investigate biomedical science.

The scheme is available to a large number of people including; artists, scientists, curators, filmmakers, writers, producers, directors, academics, science communicators, teachers, arts workers and education officers.

An award of up to £30,000 is available for projects that last a maximum of 3 years.

The closing date for applications is 01 November 13 and due in by 5pm.

Please find out more here:http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/255353/

Royal Society of Edinburgh – Nominations for its prizes for public engagement

The Royal Society of Edinburgh is inviting nominations for their prizes for public engagement with the aim to recognise and promote excellence in the emerging field of public engagement with research. There are two prizes to be awarded.

The closing date for applications is 13^th January 14.

To find out more, please visit: http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/1019593/

The Arts and Humanities Research Council – follow-on funding for impact and engagement scheme.

The Arts and Humanities Research Council are inviting applications for the following scheme. This scheme provides funding for creative and innovative engagements with new audiences and user communities which stimulate pathways to impact.

Successful applications can be awarded up to £100,000 for a maximum of 12 months and small awards of up to £30,000 can be used for higher risk and shorter activities.

There is NO deadline for applications!

Be sure to find out more! http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/1002695/

If you have any questions or queries relating to the current funding opportunities available, or public engagement in general, please do not hesitate to contact Dr Rebecca Edwards on redwards@bournemouth.ac.uk OR extension number: 61206

September 24, 2013

Congratulations to Dr Genoveva Esteban – recognised by the Society of Biology for excellence in public engagement!

Public engagement Becca Edwards

Congratulations are due to Dr Genoveva Esteban from the School of Applied Sciences, as she has been shortlisted for the prestigious Society of Biology Science Communication Awards for Established Researchers.
The Science Communication Awards reward outreach work carried out by established researchers to inform, enthuse and engage the public. The award is opened to researchers who communicate and represent their own field strongly in the science communication world. Professional science communicators are not eligible. The Society looks for commitment to outreach over a period of time; from talks and articles to hands-on demonstrations. The audiences include school children to the general public, but not scientific audiences above school level.
Genoveva was also nominated to the Fellowship of the Society and she now is a Fellow of the Society of Biology – a learned society for biology: advising Government and influencing policy and engaging and encouraging public interest in the life sciences.

In the last academic year, Genoveva’s public engagement activities have included Microscope Madness (at a range of schools and as part of the Festival of Learning’s Bioblitz) and the development of the Poole and Purbeck Portal. Genoveva also demonstrated her excellent work to fellow colleagues at BU’s celebration of public engagement event, which featured Professor Alice Roberts.

The next Society of Biology week will be 12th-18th October. The Wallace 100 Celebration at Thomas Hardye School will feature Genoveva and is part of the Society of Biology week.

Congratulations from the Research & Knowledge Exchange Office to Genoveva on recognition of her excellent public engagement activities! We see first hand how committed she is, and how she enthusiases all audiences, so it is great to see her work being recognised at this level.

September 24, 2013

Science, Alcohol & Bestival Fun! – by Sharon Docherty

Public engagement eloring

Who says public engagement isn’t fun?

Who says public engagement isn’t fun? For those of you who are not yet convinced that sharing your research with a wider audience than your academic peers is exciting and fulfilling, perhaps you should read on!

As you may have read over the past few days, from 5^th to 8^th September 2013, I (Sharon Docherty, AECC) was part of a team of enthusiastic exhibiters in the Science Tent at Bestival, an end of summer music festival on the Isle of Wight. Facilitated by Rebecca Edwards in the Research and Knowledge Exchange Office, this was the first year that a Bournemouth contingent had been invited to take part and it was a unique opportunity to work with like-minded colleagues from Southampton, Southampton Solent, Portsmouth and Keele universities as well as the National Oceanographic Centre in Southampton. So, we were determined to make the opportunity count. Along with Naomi Capell (BU STEM outreach officer) and a group of BU student and staff volunteers, I think it is fair to say that we did Bournemouth proud… well they’ve asked us back again. Furthermore, it was made even more successful with the superhuman organizational skills of Naomi Kay (she’s the one that managed to stay sane helping to organise the Festival of Learning!).

For my part, I ran a live experiment which tested how accurately people are able to perceive vertical. In return they received a sticker based on their error category, some people were extremely happy to be able to proclaim they were normal. By asking a couple of questions, I was able to compare males and females and also whether or not those who had consumed alcohol that day had errors that were different from those who hadn’t. Although the conditions were hardly rigorously controlled, the results were interesting. Sorry ladies but the guys really are better at hanging pictures but most surprising of all perhaps was that we found people who had not had any alcohol for comparison…at a festival! From the sample tested (see graph, n = 117 but I spoke to about three times as many people), it appears that alcohol does not have an effect on perception of vertical. Could this be that people were in “the zone” that improves the playing of darts and pool? Obviously the question requires further investigation… Now, where to look for funding??

September 23, 2013

Fusing an International Research Network on Tear Gas

Awarded & submitted bids, Fusion, Public engagement afeigenbaum

Over the past 100 years tear gas has been deployed to lure soldiers from hiding, to disperse demonstrations, halt robberies, quell riots, frighten protesters and confront hostage situations. Through these myriad uses, tear gas has grown into a global industry, serving as one of the major defence exports to international conflict zones. Yet while tear gas goes off around the world, its health effects remain undetermined, its death toll ill-defined and its legality, a recurring question.

Responding to the need for more publicly accessible information on tear gas deployments, trade policies and health effects, my Fusion Fund mobility project ‘Fusing an International Research Network on Tear Gas’ is working to bring together researchers, NGOs, journalists and creative workers who address tear gas and related issues around chemical weapons, policing and control agents. Over the 2013-2014 year I will be working to form a research network to promote knowledge exchange between stakeholders and to lay the groundwork for future collaborative bids.

Our major project-in-the-works ‘Visualising Security and Uprising: Data, Democracy and Public Debate,’ will pair up innovative, digital media knowledge sharing techniques with findings derived from clinical trials, on the ground human rights monitoring, and archival data collection to generate publically accessible information on tear gas. The Network’s first presentation takes place in collaboration with Bahrain Watch this Thursday at Birmingham University’s Institute of Advanced Studies workshop event: Responding to Uprising: Urban Security Between Resilience and Resistance.

The Tear Gas Network is a collaborative initiative with a growing team, for more information or if you are interested in getting involved, please be in touch.

September 20, 2013

Science for the community events at the Thomas Hardye School! – Does this inspire you to think about what Public Engagement activities you could do?

Public engagement eloring

Community Lecture Events:

The Thomas Hardye School is pleased to announce that they have secured some fantastic and extraordinary guest speakers for the academic year 2013-2014, including; past TV weather forecaster Michael Fish and presenter of many TV programmes focusing on geological sciences, Iain Stewart.

The community lectures take place in the Thomas Hardye Lecture theatre at 7:00pm. Admission is free and tickets are available to collect from the school from 8.45am on the release date (release date is normally 2 weeks before each lecture). Please note that there is a maximum of 4 tickets per person and that tickets go very quickly and are given out on a first come, first served basis.

Thomas Hardye School Community Lectures Programme.

Science Family Fun Afternoon – Saturday 12 October 1:00-5:00pm

On the afternoon of Saturday 12th October, the Thomas Hardye School science department are running a hands-on family fun day event which will celebrate the life and work of Alfred Russel Wallace, who was the co-developer of the theory of evolution by natural selection. On the day, scientists from different external organisations, including; the Dorset County Museum and the Wildlife Trust will be presenting a range of displays, competitions and interactive activities. The event is suitable for those of all ages, entry is free and there will be light refreshments available!

Wallace 100 – 12th October pdf

Cafe Sci

The Thomas Hardye School also participate in ‘Cafe Scientifique’, which is a series of informal events where people come to discuss hot topics in science with different experts from the scientific world.

Cafe Sci 2013-14

By taking a look at some of the events that The Thomas Hardye School are hosting, perhaps this could inspire you on what public engagement you could do?

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The Festival of Learning in 2014: put 9^th– 15^th June in your diary and get engaging!

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Festival of Learning 2013: Poole Park BioBlitz Records now available

Bournemouth University’s School of Tourism Invited to Join the European Tourism Futures Institute

Patient involvement in research boosts study success!

Tonight is the night for Cafe Scientifique’s one year anniversary! Join us for an exciting talk on – Technobiophilia: How nature calms your wired life.

Events and Leisure Students Help Create Carnival Futures

Current public engagement funding opportunities – Now you’ve had some inspiration, it’s time to take it to the next step!

Congratulations to Dr Genoveva Esteban – recognised by the Society of Biology for excellence in public engagement!

Science, Alcohol & Bestival Fun! – by Sharon Docherty

Fusing an International Research Network on Tear Gas

Science for the community events at the Thomas Hardye School! – Does this inspire you to think about what Public Engagement activities you could do?

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Category / Public engagement

The Festival of Learning in 2014: put 9th– 15th June in your diary and get engaging!

Looking back

Looking forward – save the date: 9th-15th June, 2014

How to get involved

Other services

Don’t miss a post!

Recent posts

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The Festival of Learning in 2014: put 9^th– 15^th June in your diary and get engaging!

Looking forward – save the date: 9^th-15^th June, 2014