Category / research opportunities

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

Research committee vacancies – help shape research at BU

BU research, R & KE Operations, Research Concordat, Research Ethics Panels, research governance, research opportunities

We are currently seeking expressions of interest from academics at all career stages to be part of several key research and knowledge exchange committees.  

The positions offer the chance to have your voice heard in an institutional committee at an exciting time while we are developing our BU2035 strategy – helping to shape and deliver research and knowledge exchange activity across BU.  

The available positions are:  

Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee 

There are two vacancies, one for an early career Academic and one for a mid-career Academic. 

This committee is responsible for monitoring and enhancing research and knowledge exchange at BU, helping to support the quality, visibility and impact of Research and Knowledge Exchange (RKE) activities. It reports into Senate and normally meets four times per year.  

Research Degrees Committee: Supervisor representative

There is a vacancy for an academic at any grade who is currently supervising Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs). 

The committee takes responsibility for the strategic direction, nature, quality, development and delivery of the university’s research degree provision. It reports into the Education Committee with strong links to the Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee and normally meets five times per year. 

Research and Knowledge Exchange Concordat Steering Group

There are three vacancies for this steering group, a Researcher (typically a Postdoctoral Research Assistant), an early career Academic, and a mid-career Academic.

The steering group is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of a coherent and robust action plan to embed the principles of the Research and Knowledge Exchange Concordats that BU has signed up to. It reports into the Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee and normally meets four times a year.  

Research Ethics Committee

There are two vacancies for this committee, Chair (member of the Professoriate) and Deputy Chair (member of the Professoriate).

The committee is responsible for promoting best ethical practice in relation to research activities, including overseeing the Research Ethics Panels and arbitrating in cases of dispute over ethical best practice and misconduct. It reports into Senate and normally meets four times a year.  

If you are interested in any of the roles, please submit an Expression of Interest (no longer than one page of A4) to research@bournemouth.ac.uk outlining which position you are applying for, why you are interested in the role, and the knowledge, skills and experience you think you could bring. This will be followed by an interview process.  

The Terms of Reference for these committees are available on request by emailing research@bournemouth.ac.uk.

The closing date for submitting Expressions of Interest is Friday 15 November.  

Student Research Opportunity

BU research, Fusion, humanities, Impact, international, Knowledge Exchange, Research Integritiy, research methods, Research news, research opportunities, Student Engagement, student research

As the new academic year begins, so does the recruitment process for a new cohort of Missing Persons Indicator Project researchers. This year, as well as recruiting law students to the project, we are presenting this opportunity to budding researchers across the university. Notably, a new collaboration between the FMC and BUBS has emerged, enhancing the interdisciplinary approach of the project.

 

In collaboration with the International Commission on Missing Persons, students have begun the process of collating indicators to capture the way States engage with, and seek to solve, missing persons cases. These indicators range from understanding contextual factors that could have contributed to a surge of missing persons cases, such as conflict or natural disasters, to international treaty ratification, to domestic legislation.

 

In light of recent headlines concerning conflicts across the globe, students have likely been exposed to stories that highlight the pressing issues of our time, such as missing persons. This voluntary research project offers them a unique opportunity to engage with work that has real-world significance, showing how research can extend beyond the university to make a meaningful impact.

 

Our expectations:

  • Dedicate approximately 8 hours a month to the project (flexible around university commitments).
  • Attend in-person meetings, skills workshops and data collating sessions.
  • Be keen to develop research skills.
  • Work respectfully within a diverse team.

 

 

Student experience:

  • Support into real-world research with lasting impact.
  • Assist in articulating the project into written form to enhance employability.
  • Optional research skills workshops.
  • Inter-disciplinary learning.
  • Feedback opportunities.
  • A well-stocked snack cupboard.

 

If you feel this opportunity would benefit students in your faculty, discipline, or program, please email indicators@bournemouth.ac.uk to request the necessary recruitment paperwork or to arrange a drop-in talk for your students.

 

You are invited to the launch event for the DALLI Toolkit – a resource developed by researchers at the University of Southampton

Events, Research news, research opportunities

Enhancing the identification and response to domestic abuse for people living with a life-limiting illness: The DALLI Toolkit

Date and time: Wed, 9 October 2024, 1300-1400 GMT (lunch from 1230)

Location: AXIS Conference Centre, 3 Venture Road, Chilworth, Southampton SO16 7NP or via MS Teams

This is a reminder to please register if you have not already, there are only a few in person places remaining!

Please click here for more details and to register

You are invited to the launch event for the DALLI Toolkit – a resource developed by researchers at the University of Southampton and NIHR Applied Collaboration Wessex in partnership with health and social care professionals, victim-survivors, and specialist domestic abuse organisations – to provide information and practical suggestions for identifying and responding to domestic abuse experienced by people living with a life-limiting illness.

The Toolkit is designed for those working in hospice and palliative care services, as well as local authorities, the third sector and anyone who provides care or support to those living with a terminal illness and approaching end of life.

The event is an opportunity to find out more about the Toolkit, learn how it can support you in your practice and professional role and hear from a victim-survivor. It is also a chance to see the first screening of the DALLI Toolkit film.

For further information please email: dalli@soton.ac.uk

Please note: the event will contain content describing domestic abuse in the context of life-limiting illness. Hearing about this can be difficult, so please feel free to step away during at any time if you need to.

If you are affected by abuse, you are not alone, and people are ready to listen and help. You can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 anytime. You can also webchat with an advisor Mon-Fri, 3-10pm on https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/en/Chat-to-us-online.

Insights from the Alan Turing Institute Data Study Group

BU research, data management, Doctoral College, Postgraduate Research, research opportunities, Women's Academic Network

Stepping into the world of data science at the Alan Turing Institute (ATI) Data Study Group from September 9-13, 2024 was an exhilarating experience. As the national institute for data science, the ATI’s strong connections to academia and industry set the stage for a week of intensive collaboration and problem-solving.

Joining the Transport for London (TfL) project within the hackathon-style event, I found myself amidst an eclectic team of 11 individuals, each bringing a unique set of skills and backgrounds to the table. The project’s challenge of identifying physical assets on the London Underground from point cloud data presented a thrilling opportunity to apply our collective expertise to a real-world problem.

The task at hand was no small feat – analysing point cloud data to pinpoint key track features along the London Underground network. With collected image data, our goal was to automate the detection and classification of critical track components such as sleepers, rails, signalling equipment, and more. Our team’s approach was multifaceted, involving rigorous preprocessing, segmentation model training, and advanced data analysis techniques. By leveraging tools like U-Net and SAM 2 for image segmentation and employing post-processing methods to extract valuable insights from the predicted masks, we made strides towards achieving our objectives.

As an individual who recently completed a PhD thesis on “Complex Urban Road Networks: Static Structures and Dynamic Processes,” this opportunity to apply my research expertise in a practical setting was both challenging and rewarding. The seamless blend of academic knowledge and hands-on problem-solving during the ATI Data Study Group not only expanded my technical skills but also reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling complex data challenges.

Thanks to The Alan Turing Institute,  especially TuringDSG organisers for an incredible opportunity. I would like to extend my gratitude to my PhD supervisor Dr. Wei Koong Chai for supporting my professional and personal development.

Assemgul Kozhabek (Computing Department, SciTech  )

Bursaries available to attend the 2024 Vitae Researcher Development Conference

BU research, conferences, Doctoral College, research opportunities, Research Training, RKE development framework, Vitae

A number of bursaries are available to enable researchers to attend the Vitae International Researcher Development Conference 2024.

The conference takes place online from 3rd-5th September and in-person in Birmingham on 23rd and 24th September.

It is the flagship annual event of Vitae, a non-profit programme to support the professional development of researchers, and will cover topics around policy and practice in researcher development.

29 bursaries are available in total – covering attendance at both the online and in-person events or the online-only elements.

The bursaries have been sponsored by UKRI, British Academy’s Early Career Researcher Network, and Wellcome – with different criteria for each.

They are available to researchers in the following categories:

  • who are, have been, or are looking to be involved in researcher networks and staff associations or committees (UKRI bursaries)
  • part of the BA Early Career Researcher Network (British Academy bursaries)
  • with an interest in equity, diversity and inclusion within the research environment (Wellcome bursaries)

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 20th August.

For more information and to apply, please visit the Vitae Researcher Development Conference website

BA Small Grants call: Online Guidance session

BU research, pre-award, research opportunities, research staff, RKE development framework

British Academy Small Grants will be opening soon

Join us Online

Wednesday 24 July 2024, 10:00-12:00

 

to review the guidance and discuss your proposal for the upcoming BA/Leverhulme Small grants call.

Slides will be available after the session while the timeline schedule for this call can be found here.

 

Join Teams link here

If you have any queries, please contact Eva Papadopoulou epapadopoulou@bournemouth.ac.uk or your Funding Development Officer.

RKEDF July Digest – Training opportunities for YOU!

BU research, ECR Network, Events, Funding opportunities, Impact, Knowledge Exchange and Impact Team, PG research, Postgraduate Research, Research Centres, Research communication, Research news, research opportunities, research staff, Research Training, RKE development framework, Training

Have you heard the news!!!!!!  

We are excited to share some great RKEDF training opportunities coming up in July 2024!  

 Click on the titles to find further details and book your place!!!!  

 AHRC & ESRC: How to write an application in the new format for the Funding Service 

Thursday, July 4, 11:00 – 13:00 – Online 

The session will cover the requirements for the new UKRI application format. We will discuss the application structure focusing on AHRC and ESRC and the sections and how to complete them. The session will be framed with more general information on the various Research Councils that comprise UKRI and best practice in writing applications for external research funding. 

 Principal Investigation – Post Award for RKE 

Wednesday, July 10, 14:00 – 15:00 – Online 

This session is aimed at any researcher who is, who plans to be, a Principal Investigator for an externally funded research or knowledge exchange project.   

 New Generation Thinkers 2025 – AHRC/BBC Radio 4 

Thursday, July 11, 11:00 – 13:30 – F112 – Fusion Building – Talbot Campus 

This is our annual new generation thinkers’ workshop, where we look at the call, requirements, eligibility and having a panel chair and member’s point of view. For early career researchers and PGRs who want to share their research with the public. 

Call information: Develop your media skills with the New Generation Thinkers scheme. The scheme is a partnership between the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the BBC.  

 Building a Policy Influencing Strategy 

Friday, July 12, 9:30 – 16:30 and Thursday, July 18, 9:00 – 16:00 – Zoom 

A one-day online workshop for up to eight researchers, delivered via Zoom and facilitated by public affairs and policy consultant Carys Davis, from The Other Place.   

The session will enable participants to: 

  • develop key messages, supporting narratives and evidence, identify and map their audience, gain insight into the channels available for influencing. 

 RKEDF: ECRN: Where do you begin with Research funding? 

Friday 12th July – 10:00-12:00 – Online 

The workshop is aimed at researchers from across BU at either postdoctoral or early career stage. It will focus on funders including (but not limited to) the AHRC, UKRI, British Academy, Welcome Trust, and NIHR. 

Are you an Early Career Researcher interested in applying for research funding but unsure where to start? In this BU ERC Network special session, professional bid writing consultant Sally Baggott (PhD) offers her insights in the contemporary funding landscape for ECRs,  

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Please assist us in avoiding any waste of resources; make sure you can attend or cancel your booking prior to the session. 

 For more training opportunities, please visit the ‘SharePoint site’ here. 

 For any further information, please contact: RKEDF@bournemouth.ac.uk  

RKEDF: New Generation Thinkers 2025 – AHRC/BBC Radio 4

BU research, Events, PG research, pre-award, Research Centres, Research news, research opportunities, RKE development framework, Training

RKEDF: New Generation Thinkers 2025 – AHRC/BBC Radio 4 – Thursday 11th July – 11:00-12:30 – F112 – Fusion Building – Talbot Campus

Facilitated by: Professor Richard Berger

This is our annual new generation thinkers’ workshop, where we look at the call, requirements, eligibility and having a panel chair and member’s point of view. For early career researchers and PGRs who want to share their research with the public.

Call information: Develop your media skills with the New Generation Thinkers scheme

New Generation Thinkers is a career development scheme for early career researchers to:

  • develop their communication and media skills
  • get their research in front of the general public

The scheme is a partnership between the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the BBC.

If your application is successful, you’ll learn how to communicate research findings to the widest possible audience.

The scheme gives participants the opportunity to:

  • create programme ideas with experienced BBC producers at workshops
  • work with the team at BBC Radio 4 to get your ideas on air
  • get media training
  • take part in a workshop around engaging policymakers
  • get involved with the AHRC-funded Being Human Festival

New Generation Thinkers has run since 2010. Each year a number of applicants are invited to create ideas with the BBC, of which we select the next cohort of New Generation Thinkers.

You can: read about the scheme’s achievements over the first 10 years – find the currently open New Generation Thinkers funding opportunity on the UKRI funding finder once it’s launched.

Previous winners: see a list of previous winners – listen to content created by previous winners on BBC Sounds (search for New Generation Thinkers) – read New Generation Thinkers magazine

Book your place here – under “New Generation Thinkers 2025″ in the drop-down menu

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

BU Research Conference: Powerful Partnerships – Wednesday 26 June

BU research, conferences, Events, Featured, Knowledge Exchange, Research communication, research opportunities, Research Training, RKE development framework, Training

A lightbulb created by interlocking pieces of stringThere’s still time to book your place for the BU Research Conference, which takes place on Wednesday (26 June) in the Fusion Building.

The theme for this year’s conference is powerful partnerships, exploring how working with others can enhance your research.

Speakers include Isabella Pereira, Head of the Institute for Community Studies, and a panel of BU academics sharing their experiences of working with partners regionally, nationally and internationally.

You’ll also have chance to take part in practical workshops covering topics including building international partnerships, co-creating research, and working with business.

The conference runs from 9.30am – 1pm and will be followed by a networking lunch to spark further conversations and collaborations.

We’re hoping it will be an inspiring and informative day, and we’d love to see you there.

Find out more and book your place via Eventbrite

The Missing Persons Indicator Project: Research Collaboration for Knowledge Exchange

BU research, HEIF, humanities, Impact, Industry collaboration, international, Knowledge Exchange, Knowledge Exchange and Impact Team, Knowledge Transfer, policy, Research communication, Research Integritiy, research methods, Research news, research opportunities, student research

The Missing Persons Indicator Project, initiated several years ago by Professor Melanie Klinkner and Andreas Kleiser from the ICMP, has recently been enhanced by a visit to the ICMP, aimed at optimising knowledge exchange. Its goal is to showcase each state’s relationship with missing persons through comprehensive data analysis. This initiative began as a collaborative effort, with data gathering undertaken by undergraduate students at Bournemouth University, engaging students in real-world research and ensuring the project’s sustainability by welcoming new students each September.

Since its inception, the project has been fortunate to work with many enthusiastic students who have completed the first round of Structural Indicator 1. This indicator demonstrates the commitment of states to international legal instruments. The table below outlines the current indicators involved in our data collection process:

Context Indicator A qualitative assessment as to whether the state has experienced extraordinary events that may be correlated to a rise in missing persons cases.
Structural Indicator 1 The commitment shown by states to international legal instruments is an indicator of their duties and obligation in relation to missing persons.
Structural Indicator 2 Domestic legislation by states as an indicator of their duties and obligation in relation to missing persons.
Structural Indicator 3 Institutional framework(s) established by states as an indicator of their duties, obligation, and enactment of legislation in relation to missing persons.

Thanks to HEIF funding, the Missing Persons Indicator Project recently had the opportunity to employ four student volunteers over the past two weeks. Their task was to accelerate the data collation for these indicators. By working through each indicator on a state-by-state basis, they developed a comprehensive understanding of each state’s unique situation. This method also allowed them to recognise and utilise specific details that might recur across the different indicators.

Every day, a designated “data-checker” reviewed previously inputted data to identify and correct any anomalies. This rigorous review process ensures the data’s accuracy, ethical integrity, and suitability for international dissemination.

Throughout this process, the students have been deeply engaged, asking insightful questions that challenged our perspectives and prompted us to consider aspects we might have overlooked. The atmosphere has been a hub of activity and intellectual growth.

We are extremely grateful for the hard work and dedication of our student researchers. Their contributions have demonstrated that a student ‘data-lab’ is an excellent model for conducting research and achieving meaningful results.

As this term draws to a close, we are keen to alert teaching staff to the potential for their students to join the Missing Person Indicator project in September as we recruit a new cohort for the new academic year. To learn more about the project please visit our website!

NIHR INSIGHT Programme – opportunities

BU research, Research news, research opportunities, research staff

An invitation for those who have project ideas and or would like to supervise research projects.

Inspiring graduates and early career professionals into research. The NIHR INSIGHT programme South West Central Collaboration  – offers opportunities for research engagement. This is a collaboration led by UWE and co-hosted by BU with collaborators and stakeholders across the region.

To find out more about the programme NIHR Insight Programme for South West Central (insight-southwestcentral.net)

Applications for a BU MRes will be through the doctoral college NIHR INSIGHT South West Central Programme | Bournemouth University

 

We are expecting applications to come in shortly for full and part time MRes students as part of the INSIGHT programme starting in September 2024.

  1. Would you like to be a supervisor for an MRes student and or would you like to be part of a supervisory team?
  2. Do you have a research idea that could be undertaken by an MRes student. This might include a literature review + either of the following -(service valuation, audit, analysis of existing data, quality improvement) + Public and Patient involvement and engagement.

 

The fully funded Mres studentships  are available to early career colleagues (within 3 years of registration/work) in health and social care settings (nursing, midwifery, AHP, Social work, public health, pharmacy, chiropractic, osteopath and health care scientists).

 

For further information please contact:

Assoc Prof  Les Gelling – Programme lead BU INSIGHT

Assoc Prof Theo Akudjedu – Innovation and Engagement lead BU INSIGHT

Prof Carol Clark – Host Lead BU INSIGHT