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New weight change BU paper

BU research, Featured academics, PG research, Publishing, Research news, Uncategorized, Women's Academic Network, writing

Congratulations to Faculty of Health & Social Sciences (FHSS) PhD student Eirini-Iro Arvanitidou and two FHSS colleagues Dr. Fotini Tsofliou, and Dr. Juliet Wood who published together with Ioulia Tsatsani (Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA) the paper ‘The effectiveness of couples’ lifestyle interventions on weight change: A systematic review and meta-analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials‘.

Iro is a PhD student and this systematic review and meta-analysis is the first to investigate the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions targeting couples on weight loss, compared to interventions focused on individuals or standard care. The findings suggest that interventions aimed at couples lead to greater weight loss, though the results should be interpreted with caution due to the wide heterogeneity among the studies. The authors conclude that further research is needed with evidence-based study designs, targeting younger participants, and incorporating intervention of longer duration, and longer follow-up periods.

Congratulations!
Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen
Reference:
  1. Arvanitidou, E. I., Tsofliou, F., Wood, J., & Tsatsani, I. (2024). The effectiveness of couples’ lifestyle interventions on weight change: A systematic review and meta-analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. Nutrition and health, 2601060241291123. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/02601060241291123

Congratulations to three former BU staff

BU research, Featured academics, Publishing, Research news, writing

Bournemouth University Emeritus Professor, Jonathan Parker, now Health Services University, UK, former BU academic Professor Vanessa Heaslip, now Salford University and Professor Sarah Hean and Pravin Tembjerg from the University of Stavanger, Norway, are pleased to announce the publication of their edited international research collection Rebuilding Family Relations for Children and Youth Separated from Family.  This edited volume is published by Palgrave Macmillan.

This edited volume explores a range of causes for separation of children and young people from family, the impact of these causes, and methods that both professionals and families may employ to build or rebuild these relations. In particular, contributions focus on six high priority crises through which children and young people become either permanently or temporarily separated from their families: removal by child welfare services, migration, family breakdown, placement into institutional care, incarceration and/or the death of a parent. Contributors include scholars in social work, psychology, health, sociology, social policy, and political science and the work develops co-production participatory research methods and tools in addition to empirical research to enhance professional practice.

 

Congratulations!

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

CMWH

MSI (BUBS) Hosts Third Seminar in Monthly Research Connect Series

BU research, Events, PG research, Research news

MSI (Department of Marketing, Strategy and Innovation) in the Business school, recently held the third seminar in its monthly Research Connect series, which provides a valuable platform for academics and PGR’s to share their research.

This month’s seminar featured two speakers. Prof. Jeff Bray presented on the EU-funded research project, FoodMAPP including several sub-projects and papers, with two articles currently under review. Our second presenter, Dr. Hande Turkoglu, who recently passed her PhD viva, shared insights on her PhD thesis titled , Behind the silence: Sexual harassment in hospitality workplaces of and her PhD journey.

The session was well-attended by PGRs and academics, concluding with a productive discussion on these topics and offering meaningful networking opportunities for all attendees. Following the seminar, we headed to Dylan’s for informal networking and continued conversations.

The final Research Connect seminar of 2024 will take place on December 11, from 4-5 p.m. in F108, with sessions continuing in 2025. We encourage you to join us, and if you’re interested in presenting your research at the upcoming sessions, please get in touch with me at sashraf@bournemouth.ac.uk.

See you 🙂

 

 

Journeys Through Research

BU research, Research news

Wednesday 11th December 2024 10:00-14:00 – tea and coffee from 9.45am

Are you curious about the stories behind successful research at BU? Want to hear from our academics about their journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the role the Research Development and Support (RDS) team has played in their success? This is your chance to gain invaluable insights, ask questions, and discover how RDS can support your own research aspirations.

We’re thrilled to introduce a new pilot event with limited tickets, where you’ll hear from 4-5 BU academics who will share their research experiences and discuss how RDS has helped them along the way. Get the inside scoop on top tips, common pitfalls, and how to find funding opportunities, plus what’s coming up in the research landscape. After the talks, there will be a Q&A session where you can ask our speakers and the RDS team any burning questions you have.

To wrap things up, we’ll be hosting a relaxed networking lunch, giving you the chance to meet the RDS team in person, chat with fellow researchers, and connect those final dots in your own research journey.

Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out! If you’re interested, please be sure to book your ticket — and if you can’t make it, kindly let us know so someone else can take your spot.

We can’t wait to see you there!

For further information on this event please contact RKEDF@bournemouth.ac.uk

Book here

ADRC Launches Online Seminar Series

BU research, Events, Research Centres, Research news

We’re thrilled to invite you to the first online seminar in the new ADRC series on Wednesday, December 4th, from 3-4pm. This session will feature Dr. Michele Board from Bournemouth University, presenting on the topic: Veterans and Dementia: A Collaborative Research Project.

The Ageing and Dementia Research Centre (ADRC) at Bournemouth University, with funding from Dementia Research UK, launched a 2023/4 project focused on ex-military veterans—a typically underserved group in dementia research. The project explores veterans’ experiences through collaborative creative workshops, culminating in a documentary-style short film that amplifies their voices and personal stories. During this seminar we will share our film, highlight implications for practice and discuss the next stages of our project.

The seminar is open to all Bournemouth University staff, students, community organisations, and anyone interested in the topic.
Please keep an eye out for upcoming seminars throughout the new year!

Key Details:
• Date: Wednesday 4 December 2024
• Time: 3-4pm
• Topic: Veterans and Dementia: A Collaborative Research Project
• Speaker: Dr. Michele Board, Associate Professor Nursing Older People and Co-Lead Ageing and Dementia Research Centre ADRC
See you there!

Microsoft Teams 
Scan the QR code below or click on this link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZGI0NjE1YTUtNTIzYy00NTljLTk2OTEtYWZiNTc1ZmRjYzUy%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22ede29655-d097-42e4-bbb5-f38d427fbfb8%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22612fce03-de45-44e3-b1e6-8404efc1b742%22%7d
Meeting ID: 364 666 916 013
Passcode: wJyC7U

RKEDF: Introduction to RED – the Research and Enterprise Database

BU research, Research news

This online session on 27 November 2024, 1pm to 1.30pm, is aimed at all academics to provide an overview of the Research & Enterprise Database.

Including how to access the system, the information available to view, budget management via RED, and how to use RED to identify your supporting pre and post award officers.

Book your place here

For any queries regarding this workshop, please contact RKE Development Framework

Using REDCap for data management in the whole research data lifecycle

BU research, Research news, Research Training

Using REDCap for data management in the whole research data lifecycle

9am to 4pm 5 December 2024

Advanced course in person at Bournemouth Gateway Building 12 St Paul’s Lane Bournemouth BH8 8GP

Session 1: 09:00-12:00

Lunch break (lunch will be provided)

Session 2: 13:00 -16:00

Book here

Those with some basic REDCap knowledge* will be led by our external REDCap expert (Will Crocombe) though more in-depth real-world scenarios using REDCap.

Completion of the of basic training ‘REDCap A recommended tool for Data Management in Research Projects’ will enable participants to benefit from this advanced course.

What you will need for this course: Your own laptop and completion of ‘Recommended tools for Data Management in Research Projects’

Topics to be covered:

  • Data management – data workflow, queries and audit trail, site management
  • Simple randomisation – stratified lists
  • Electronic consent – design and setup
  • Longitudinal data collection – events and repeating forms
  • Surveys – patient data collection
  • Mobile data collection – using the REDCap mobile app

Our REDCap expert will do a small presentation on each topic and then arrange participants into small teams to carry out tasks on the topic. Our expert will be on hand to help and guide the teams through the tasks and will summarise the experiences, ‘take-homes’ and key learning at the end. At the end of the course, participants will be able to confidently set-up and use all the features in the training course.Refreshments will be provided

Book here

REDCap Key Features:

  1. Data Collection: REDCap allows users to easily create and manage data collection forms, which can be used for various purposes like surveys, longitudinal studies, or clinical trials.
  2. User-Friendly Interface: It provides an intuitive, web-based interface for project setup and data entry, allowing non-technical users to create complex projects without needing programming skills.
    1. Easy to Design Forms: REDCap provides a user-friendly interface for creating and designing online surveys and databases without needing advanced programming skills.
    2. Drag-and-Drop Interface: Allows for easy form building and question arrangement.
  3. Secure and Compliant: REDCap supports HIPAA compliance and other data security standards as GDPR and FISMA, making it suitable for handling sensitive or protected health information (PHI).
  4. Customisability: Users can customize forms, surveys, and workflows to suit their project needs, and it supports branching logic, validation, and automated alerts.
    1. Flexible Form Design: You can create complex branching logic, calculated fields, and use piping to personalize questions.
    2. Autonomy for Researchers: Users can independently design and manage their projects without needing IT support.
  5. Collaboration: It enables collaboration across institutions, allowing multiple users with different permission levels to work on the same project.
  6. Longitudinal Data Collection: It supports collecting data over time from the same participants, which is important for research projects that involve repeated measurements.
  7. Shared Library: REDCap’s Shared Library allows users to browse and search for data entry forms that other users have uploaded.
  8. Data Export: Data collected in REDCap can be exported to various statistical software formats (e.g., SPSS, SAS, Stata, R) for analysis

Bid-generating Sandpit: Interdisciplinary Research towards Sustainable Development Goals

ECR Network, Research news, research opportunities, RKE development framework

Calling early career researchers (including practice-led) for two days of sparking ideas, discovering new project partners, and developing interdisciplinary funding bids!

26 – 27 March 2025

The British Academy Early Career Researcher Network brings together ECRs across the humanities and social sciences disciplines, regardless of their funding source or background.

Please note that in order to book a ticket to attend this event you must be a member of the British Academy Early Career Researcher Network, unless you have been invited directly by one of the event organisers. To find out if you are eligible to join the Network if you are not already a member, please see our website for more information on eligibility and how to sign up. Any questions, please email ecr_network@thebritishacademy.ac.uk.

For more information and to book see here

To secure your spot in the Sandpit, please complete and submit the following application – note that all participants must commit to attending both full days:

APPLY HERE BY 29 November 2024: https://forms.office.com/e/AQiAsf5Wxn

Logo for the British Academy ECR network

British Academy ECR network

REDCap – Recommended tools for Data Management in Research Projects

Events, research methods, Research news, research staff, Research Training, Training, Uncategorized

Recommended tools for Data Management in Research Projects

4 December 2024, 09:00 -13:00 Book here

Learn about data collection and management best practices in research and why REDCap is better that MS Excel or Qualtrics for almost every type of data collection, either through online surveys or direct entry into a database.

Our REDCap expert (Will Crocombe) will show you why this tool has been used in 2.2 million research projects worldwide to date, and with no prior knowledge, you will learn to use REDCap and be ready to use it in your next investigation at the end of this course.

Attendees on the basic course will learn:

What is REDCap and why is it important?

  • What can REDCap do and who uses it. Data management expectations, data integrity and quality, safety and security.

Data collection forms and data entry – the basics

  • Understand basics of field types and form design, build a simple study and add some data. Review form status and dashboard.

Improving usability

  • Data range checks, action tags, field skipping, option lists, calculated fields.
  • Use of Data Quality Rules, inbuilt and custom, calculations.

Data import and export

  • Data export options and format. Import features and use as data editor.
  • Data Dictionary and metadata.

So why use REDCap?

REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) is a secure, web-based software platform designed for building and managing online surveys and databases. Originally developed at Vanderbilt University, it has become widely used all over the world in academic, non-profit, and government institutions, particularly for research and clinical data management.

REDCap is considered better than Microsoft Excel for data collection and management because it is more secure, offers better data quality, and is easier to use.

Qualtrics and REDCap are both easy to use, but REDCap is more customisable and supports data entry workflows, including multiple user roles and permissions, which are particularly useful in collaborative research teams. Additionally, REDCap supports audit trails for data entries and changes, critical for research reproducibility. Qualtrics can be expensive, especially to access advanced features, while all features in REDCap are free.

For further information on this event please contact RKEDF@bournemouth.ac.uk

Book here

REDCap Key Features:

  1. Data Collection: REDCap allows users to easily create and manage data collection forms, which can be used for various purposes like surveys, longitudinal studies, or clinical trials.
  2. User-Friendly Interface: It provides an intuitive, web-based interface for project setup and data entry, allowing non-technical users to create complex projects without needing programming skills.
    1. Easy to Design Forms: REDCap provides a user-friendly interface for creating and designing online surveys and databases without needing advanced programming skills.
    2. Drag-and-Drop Interface: Allows for easy form building and question arrangement.
  3. Secure and Compliant: REDCap supports HIPAA compliance and other data security standards as GDPR and FISMA, making it suitable for handling sensitive or protected health information (PHI).
  4. Customisability: Users can customize forms, surveys, and workflows to suit their project needs, and it supports branching logic, validation, and automated alerts.
    1. Flexible Form Design: You can create complex branching logic, calculated fields, and use piping to personalize questions.
    2. Autonomy for Researchers: Users can independently design and manage their projects without needing IT support.
  5. Collaboration: It enables collaboration across institutions, allowing multiple users with different permission levels to work on the same project.
  6. Longitudinal Data Collection: It supports collecting data over time from the same participants, which is important for research projects that involve repeated measurements.
  7. Shared Library: REDCap’s Shared Library allows users to browse and search for data entry forms that other users have uploaded.
  8. Data Export: Data collected in REDCap can be exported to various statistical software formats (e.g., SPSS, SAS, Stata, R) for analysis

CfACTs Workshop @ BFX-2024: Advances in Marking Medical Images with Natural Language Processing

BU research, Events, Research news, Uncategorized

On Wednessday 30’th of October, The Centre for Applied Creative Technologies (CfACTs)  arranged a workshop for AI Research Academics as part of the BFX-2024 Festival in Bournemouth.

BFX Festival is an annual conference that takes place in Bournemouth and Hilton Bournemouth through this week and since 28’th of October until 2nd of November.

Among the works presented during that session, the most-recent advances in Natural Language Processing application for marking medical images, presented by Dr. Nicolay Rusnachenko.

The purpose and keypont of the talk were as follows:

✅ Showcase the potentials of NLP appliaction in processing textual narratives ✍ via GenAI ChatGPT and other systems capable for the detailed explanation, necessary for High Quality data collection and further development the domain-oriented LLM. The following figure below showcases the importance on NLP application for processing medical narratives of liver-related MRI/CT scan series, such as one mentioned in "Series Descriptions" of the DICOM metadata.

✅ Propose the concept of the end-to-end solution for uniting automatic series understanding and assessing manually written narratives by novice practitioners ‍⚕️ using the GenAI as the Core Framework. The figure below illustrates the back-end and front-end components of the related system that serve with individual direction of scientific studies dedicated for enhancing domain oriented GenAI framework.

These advances were achieved while at Centre for Applied Creative Technologies CfACTs+ by working on “Marking Medical Image Reports Automatically with Natural Language Processing (NLP-MMI)” project.

Dr. Nicolay Rusnachenko
Research Fellow at Centre For Applied Creative Technologies PLUS (CFACT+)
Bournemouth University

Check out the artwork from the ESRC funded project, Communities of wellbeing: the digital lives of LGBTQ+ young people.

BU research, ESRC, Events, Research Centres, Research news

This year’s ESRC-funded Festival of Social Sciences includes the project: Communities of wellbeing: the digital lives of LGBTQ+ young people. Jayne Caudwell and Frankie Gaunt secured a small amount of funding from ESRC and BU research Centre for Seldon Heard Voices (CSHV) to run workshops, have artwork designed and displayed at the Lighthouse, Poole.

The workshops involved  discussions about on-line spaces that make LGBTQ+ young people feel safe, happy and provide them with a sense of belonging. Three workshops took place in August and October. Six themes emerged from group discussion at the workshops: 

  1. Types of social media, especially social media platforms that allow participants to have control over who sees their content. This made them feel safer, and Snap Chat was the most popular because content is short-term.
  1. Coming Out as LGBTQ+ on social media was seen as positive for people who come out and for people who see someone coming out. This was important for diasporic people who are unable to be openly LGBTQ+ in countries where it is illegal. Coming out on Tik Tok and Snap Chat felt safer compared with other social media sites.
  1. Participants did not like what they called ‘love to hate’ algorithms. It was mentioned that transgender people in the UK experience a lot of hate on social media. However, by being on platforms where they are able to control who sees their content, participants felt they were able to influence algorithms. They said they saw content that was affirming, positive, and joyful.
  1. Away from the popular social media sites, specialised groups were talked about. These groups were referred to as ‘secret groups’ and viewed as trustworthy. To enter these groups involved a long process of screening, but participants understood that this was needed to make the groups safe.
  1. Some social media sites were seen to help educate people about LGBTQ+ issues. For example, terms such as ‘non binary’ are explained by non-binary people in posts on websites. This education aspect was considered very important for people in communities where LGBTQ+ people are silenced and marginalised. Social media can help raise awareness and normalise LGBTQ+ for them. Also, social media can be used to seek advise about LGBTQ+ issues and to learn more about things like transitioning for transgender people.
  1. Workshop participants felt that social media websites can be positive, inspiring, educational, fun, enjoyable and safe because of the posts that are posted not always because of the site. It is the actual posts that are the important thing.

A final point, from the workshops, was that meeting other LGBTQ+ people in-person and doing something together in physical space would be nice.

The above themes were handed over to an artist who composed a series of six picture boards. These picture boards are on display at The Lighthouse in Poole from Friday 25th October to 16th November. The Lighthouse have publicised the project. Go to: Communities of wellbeing: the digital lives of LGBTQ+ young people – Lighthouse

BU Public Engagement have set up ways for people to provide feedback on the exhibition.

The artwork will also be on display at the ESRC event at University of  Southampton on Saturday 9th November as part of Arts and Humanities Day.

RKEDF: Introduction to RED – Research and Enterprise Database

BU research, Research news, Research Training, RKE development framework

Do you need to know about the Research & Enterprise Database? Book now for 13 November!

 

This online session on Wednesday 27 November 2024, 13.00 to 13.30, is aimed at all academics to provide an overview of the Research & Enterprise Database.

Including how to access the system, the information available to view, budget management via RED, and how to use RED to identify your supporting pre and post award officers.

Book your place here

For any queries regarding this workshop, please contact RKE Development Framework

RKEDF: Principal Investigation – Post Award for RKE

BU research, Post-award, Research news, RKE development framework

Are you a Principal Investigator or planning to be one? Then book now for 6 November.

 

This session on Wednesday 6 November 2024 at 13.00 to 14.30 is for researchers who are or plan to be a Principal Investigator for an externally funded research or knowledge exchange project.

Topics covered include:

• What is post award?
• Roles and responsibilities
• Systems
• Key policies
• Starting your awarded project
• Making changes to your project and reporting
• Hints and tips

By the end of the session, attendees will have a strong foundation of what to expect when being responsible for their awarded projects.

Book your place here.

For any queries regarding this workshop, please contact RKE Development Framework