Latest research and knowledge exchange news at Bournemouth University
The National Institute for Health Research have gathered some inspiring stories from people across England, whose lives have been transformed by clinical research. The stories cover a wide range of health conditions.
You can read them here.
Remember that support is on offer at BU if you are thinking of introducing your own research idea into the NHS – email Research Ethics for advice and take a look at the Clinical Governance blog.
Involving patients and/or the public in your clinical research is a great way to ensure that your study is designed and set-up in a way that will be attractive to participants.
This can also help to avoid any setbacks once the project is underway – e.g. scheduling research clinics at 08:30 in the morning at the hospital, when the majority of your participants can’t use their bus pass until 9 o’clock! You may find that recruitment is slow and you will have higher rates of non-compliance.
The Health Research Authority (HRA) released guidance last year to help applicants better identify where they have involved the public in their research applications, and the difference that made to their studies. The guidance sets out how applicants should present their information on public involvement within the Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) in a way that is most useful to Research Ethics Committees (RECs).
Further to this, the HRA have released two blog posts (the 3rd to be released next month) that follow the journey of a Research Fellow at the University of Surrey. Having used this new guidance, the first blog post looks into her thoughts on the advice and how it helped her to achieve success.
The second blog post involves discussion had with two members of the public that the Research Fellow worked with, to find out what it’s like to be involved in research.
Watch this space for the third blog post, and remember that support is on offer at BU if you are thinking of introducing your research ideas into the NHS – email the Research Ethics mailbox, and take a look at the Clinical Governance blog.
Bournemouth University invites expressions of interest from early and mid-career researchers at Bournemouth University, looking to build a research team to tackle a distinctive research problem.
The purpose of this scheme is to support talented scholars who have successfully launched a university career and are now looking to build a research team of sufficient scale to tackle a distinctive research problem. This opportunity will allow for the development and demonstration of research leadership of a modest team, whose research has potential to significantly change the established landscape in a particular field of inquiry.
Institutions are permitted to submit only one application. Applicants should have held a university post for at least two years, but not have developed their research such that the trajectory of their contribution has not been firmly established.
More information about the scheme is available from the Leverhulme Trust. Candidates are advised to check the eligibility criteria very carefully.
Candidates who are interested in making an application to the Leverhulme Research Leadership Award are asked to first submit the following application Leverhulme Research Leadership Awards- EOI 2018-2019 to kerrij@bournemouth.ac.uk no later than 22nd February 2019.
Procedure For applicants
Should you be interested in applying, please note that your expression of interest application will be assessed by the relevant Faculty in the first instance.
If more than one expression of interest is received, a panel will be convened for internal review and one application will be selected. Candidates can expect feedback by 11th March 2019.
The institutional candidate will have the opportunity to work with a research facilitator on their application.
The internal deadline for submitting applications via the Leverhulme Trust’s Grants Management System system will be 5 working days before the external Leverhulme deadline (10th May 2019) – this is to allow time for institutional approval of your application, a requirement by the Leverhulme Trust.
If you have further questions or queries please contact Ehren Milner (emilner@bournemouth.ac.uk) to discuss your suitability for this opportunity.
Academic colleagues from the UK, China, South Africa, Australia and Sweden are working on developing joint answers to global challenges from a dual cultural perspective.
The aim of this research project with the title Global challenges: taking an international approach, is to find holistic approaches to security questions, ecological threats and development challenges. This includes researching diverse topics such as exploring the potential of terrorism litigation as a legal security tool for China’s One Belt Road initiative; investigating the role that river rights play in producing new modes of regulation along China’s trans-boundary rivers; and exploring the symbolic power of International Environmental Law as a force for managing dissent in the South China Sea.
Dr. Kenneth Kang, BU Centre for Conflict, Rule of Law and Society (CROLS) PGR and affiliated with Xiamen University, China International Water Law Research Group, and Yu Dong, a graduate from Peking University and CROLS researcher granted by China Scholarship Council and China’s Department of Education, are preparing under the supervision of Dr. Bachmann two security related themes for the Chinese market.
One current activity is titled ‘Eco threats as security threats and the protection of the environment during hostilities’ and ‘Terrorism litigation as deterrence under international law’ and is based on existing academic work published in the UK by members of CROLS and aims at transferring the findings into the Chinese context. Two publications in leading Chinese journals are planned for 2019.
The study group is led by Dr. Sascha Dov Bachmann, Associate Professor at BU, Reader in War Studies at the Swedish Defence University, and Research Fellow at the Faculty of Military Science at Stellenbosch University, who is the Head of the (CRoLS), Bournemouth University, and Scientific Contributor and Research Fellow (designate) at the Legal Office of NATO, the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). Expressions of interest of becoming involved can be sent directly to sbachmann@bournemouth.ac.uk.
The group aims at fostering research collaborations across the globe and to foster academic dialogue in a non-partisan way among academic and professional practitioners.
MRC talks is a podcast from the Medical Research Council, bringing you stories from inspiring scientists working to improve lives through medical research.
The free podcasts from the career inspirations series will be released monthly and can be found here.
Southern Health Research & Development will be holding the above conference on Wednesday 30th January, at the Hilton, Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
The conference is free and will feature a range of guest speakers focusing on research’s impact on population health and how this can not only improve the health of the population but also reduce health inequalities across diverse population groups. The programme for the day can be found here.
This event is open to everyone within research, business, and voluntary sectors as well as to the public – you can find out more and register through the Eventbrite link here.
Facilitated by Dr Margaret Collins (Training for Universities)
Date: Tuesday 29 January Date: Friday 29 March
Time: 09:30 – 16:30 Time: 09:30 – 16:30
Surveys regularly reveal that public speaking is the most feared business activity and is dreaded even more than death!
Almost every research degree requires you to present your work to colleagues, at meetings, in seminars or at specialist conferences. At conferences, it can also be important to understand how these skills apply to the “business networking” opportunities that present themselves or to have and to use skills to chair a session effectively.
This workshop will begin by exploring the basic components of communication including listening skills, the power of body language, how to make an impact and strategies to hold the attention of your audience.
Participants are invited to deliver a short presentation and to receive coaching and feedback within the supportive workshop environment.
As a result of this workshop participants will:
This workshop will be delivered to meet your specific needs.
To see comments from previous participants please visit: https://trainingforuniversities.com/workshops/presentation-skills.
This workshop is part of the wider Doctoral College: Researcher Development Programme.
Facilitated by Dr Margaret Collins (Training for Universities)
Date: Monday 28 January Date: Thursday 28 March
Time: 13:30 – 16:30 Time: 13:30 – 16:30
Significant keys to success in research include being able to ask the right question, to interpret the data, to see new patterns, to make links between the not-so-obvious associations. These are skills that are developed to provide new and creative answers to your research challenges.
During this workshop we will develop your ability to ask questions, to think outside the box, to see things differently and generate a wider range of possibilities.
We will use a range of techniques including group discussion, group activities and targeted exercises to develop your creative thinking and problem solving skills.
Do come ready to work on your own research ideas, problems or challenges and be prepared to develop some surprising possibilities.
As a result of this workshop participants will
This workshop is part of the wider Doctoral College: Researcher Development Programme.
MONDAY 11th February
A new workshop has been arranged for researchers who are building an impact case and are looking for guidance or reassurance about developing evidence.
Through this workshop researchers will see how expectations regarding evidence relate to their own impact cases, and will improve their understanding of what is needed to make sure the evidence is strong and what activities are required to put in place all the pieces before submission.
The workshop will be held on the Talbot Campus. More details can be found here.
In December 2018 BBC World Service has broadcasted its new documentary titled “When you tire of tech”. The documentary is presented by Ana Matronic who explored dangers associated with tech addiction and what is done currently to minimise our over-reliance on tech.
The documentary features the interview with Dr Elvira Bolat, who comments on intimate relationships tech users have with their devices and social media. This interview is underpinned by various studies Dr Bolat has carried out to understand the usage of mobile tech and social media by consumers and businesses. It is also reflecting on the latest research discoveries around social media influencing and the dark side of relationships between social media leaders and followers – work co-authored with Dr Parisa Gilani and BA (Hons) Business Studies with Marketing graduate, Cladia Wilkin.
Do listen to the podcast and tune in to discover what Dr Bolat has said [12:35].
Huge congratulations to our colleagues at neighbouring NHS Trusts, who have been shortlisted for a CRN Wessex Award!
The Wessex Awards comprises seven categories which celebrate those who have made outstanding contributions to the delivery of NIHR CRN portfolio studies. The categories are:
– Rising star
– Excellence in the delivery of commercial research studies
– Outstanding research professional
– Excellence in patient & public involvement & engagement
– Outstanding collaborative working
– Outstanding clinical trial support
– Outstanding research leaders
You can see the shortlist here.
Great to see those we work with closely being appreciated for their hard work. Congratulations again!
There is a huge amount of research being conducted across the county by our neighbouring NHS Trusts – you can follow them all on Twitter on the links below.
It’s a great way to keep up to date with developments, news and upcoming events. as well as interesting articles related to healthcare research:
Follow Dorset County Hospital Research & Innovation’s page here;
Follow Royal Bournemouth Hospital’s Research page here:
Follow Dorset HealthCare Research & Development’s page here;
Follow Poole Hospital’s page here.
Happy tweeting!
Remember that support is on offer at BU if you are thinking of introducing your research ideas into the NHS – email the Research Ethics mailbox, and take a look at the Clinical Governance blog.
Are you interested in running your own research project within the NHS? Good Clinical Practice, or ‘GCP’, is a requirement for those wishing to work on clinical research projects in a healthcare setting.
GCP is the international ethical, scientific and practical standard to which all clinical research is conducted. By undertaking GCP, you’re able to demonstrate the rights, safety and wellbeing of your research participants are protected, and that the data collected are reliable.
The next GCP full day session is scheduled for Thursday 17th January, at Bournemouth University, Lansdowne Campus (Executive Business Centre) – 8:45am – 4:30pm.
The day will comprise of the following sessions:
If you’re interested in booking a place, please contact Research Ethics.
Remember that support is on offer at BU if you are thinking of introducing your research ideas into the NHS – email the Research Ethics mailbox, and take a look at the Clinical Governance blog.
Having had the pleasure of announcing the last BU publication yesterday, today we received an email that our paper ‘Design errors in vital sign charts used in consultant-led maternity units in the United Kingdom’ has been accepted by the International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia. This paper is led by FHSS Visiting Faculty Gary Smith and Richard Isaac and has as co-authors Vanora Hundley, Lisa Gale-Andrews and Edwin van Teijlingen as well as two further BU Visiting Professors: Mike Wee and Debra Bick.
CHAIN is an online mutual support network for people working in health and social care. It gives people a simple and informal way of contacting each other to exchange ideas and share knowledge.
Members use CHAIN in all sorts of ways, from highly proactive networking to more passive ‘horizon-scanning’.
CHAIN also provides a simple mechanism for ideas which emerge in one context to be shared with fellow-members across boundaries of organisations, professions, and territories which makes the network unique.
Joining is free, and open to anyone working in these areas. You can see recent examples of feedback here, as well as a snapshot report here, of the network’s reach.
Follow CHAIN updates on Twitter; @CHAIN_Network ; Find them on Facebook; Connect with CHAIN on LinkedIn.
Congratulations to Dr. Vahdaninia in FHSS on the publication of her PhD paper ‘ω-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy and risk of allergic outcomes or sensitisation in offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis’ which has been accepted by the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. This journal is published by Elsevier and has an Impact factor of 2.6.
This paper addresses the increasing global trend in allergic diseases over the past last two decades with children suffering the highest burden. The increasing burden of allergic conditions is an important public health concern and understanding how to prevent the development of allergic diseases is a vital area of research. In this paper, the authors have assessed the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids in randomised controlled trials that have supplemented pregnant women during pregnancy for prevention of allergic diseases in children. Their results have shown that intake of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy can reduce the risk of sensitisation to egg and peanut in children. These findings have important implications in research since food allergies are common in children and are a key risk factor for developing sensitisation to aero-allergens and allergic respiratory diseases later in life.
The publication is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2018.12.008
Congratulations!
Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen
The HRA recently carried out a survey which aimed to establish some of the current obstacles to transparency, and to identify future opportunities to improve practices.
The survey was advertised to researchers, researcher managers, sponsors and funders in order to collate views surrounding research transparency.
You can see the results here on the HRA website.
It’s vital that research participants are informed about the results of research, and in the beginning they are told about the research and implications, in a transparent fashion.
BU has access to the ClinicalTrials.gov system so get in touch if you would like access. This is a great opportunity to register your study and study results in the public domain.
Despite the name, the system may be used for other clinical research projects.
BU staff can login below:
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024
Research Information Network
Upcoming opportunities for PGRs – collaborate externally
BU involved in new MRF dissemination grant
New COVID-19 publication
Horizon Europe News – December 2023