Category / Research Training

Good Clinical Practice refresher – Wednesday 14th August 2019

BU research, Clinical Governance, data management, NHS, Research Ethics, Research Training, Training

Are you currently undertaking research within the NHS, and your Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training is due to expire? Or has it expired recently?

GCP certification lasts for two years, so if your training is due to expire, has expired, or you want to validate your learning, then take advantage of the upcoming refresher half day session, taking place at Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester on Wednesday 14th August, 9am – 12:30pm.

Spaces are still remaining, so if you’d like to enrol, get in touch with Research Ethics.

An epidemic of invitations

BU research, Featured academics, international, Knowledge Exchange, Publishing, Research Integritiy, research integrity, Research Training, Uncategorized, writing

Once you have submitted you manuscript to a scientific journal, the editor has a (quick) look at it and sends it out for review.  As I remind students and colleagues in training sessions on academic writing and publishing, the editor and the peer reviewers are academics like me and my colleagues who do both the editing and the reviewing, for free and over and above the day job.  Being an editor and a reviewer are part of being any academic’s so-called scholarly activity.  We are expected to do this as part of the wider scientific community for the benefit of our academic discipline(s).

When an academic receives an invitation to peer review, the journal will send you a copy of the paper’s abstract.  On reading this abstract you then decide whether you wish to do the review.  If the paper sounds interesting and it is in your field and you have the time you may volunteer to conduct a review.  Once you have agreed you will get the full paper (or more likely you are send a link to the publisher’s website).  The requirements of the review report varies between disciplines and often between journals. Some follow an informal structure, but others have a more formal approach, sometimes with scoring systems for sections of the paper.

Unfortunately, academics across the globe are experiencing an ‘epidemic’ of invitations to review for scientific journals.  And I am not talking about so-called predatory publishers, i.e. journals and publishers that are only in it for the monetary gain, no I am talking about legitimate journals sending out invitations to review for them.   Especially scholars with a few decent publications receive several emails a week from often high quality scientific journals.  The photo of my email inbox shows three invitations in a row I received in the space of two hours last week (10th July), two are even from different Associate Editors for the same journal!

I would like to stress that doing peer reviews is very important.  It is the backbone of academic publishing.  Reviewing is part of our overall scholarly responsibility so we all do it, although some more than others.  We all have are favourite journals to review for, perhaps because the journal is high quality, or we like to publish in it ourselves, because we know the editor, or our reviewing is recognised on websites like KUDOS.  I would like to urge colleagues who don’t manage to review at least once a month to step up and agree to review a wee bit more often.

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

Centre for Midwifery, Maternal & Perinatal Health

Research Events in July

BU research, Events, REF Subjects, Research assessment, Research Training, writing

Preparing Practice-Based Research Outputs for Assessment (REF 2021)

Wednesday 17th July 11:00 – 15:30 on Talbot Campus

The focus of this session will be on :

  • The information to include in your submission, and how it is presented
  • Looking at worked examples – good and bad practice
  • Providing individual support

By the end of this workshop you will have knowledge of the information which reviewers need in order assess research outputs, and how this should be presented to reviewers. You will also have made progress in developing the supporting information for outputs due to be submitted in future REF Mock exercises.

See here for more details and to book.

Research Outputs Writing Days

The Research Outputs Writing Days are very popular. These aim to give authors time and space with like minded individuals to produce publications , and provide insights and tips into how to manage writing time within daily routine.

The event on Tuesday 16th July is now fully booked, but the next is on Thursday 5th September. See here for to book and for details of other dates.

British Academy Visit – Save the Date!

BU research, ECR Network, Events, Funding opportunities, PG research, pre-award, Research news, Research Training, RKE development framework, Training

September 10th 11:00 – 14:00 Talbot Campus

Members of the British Academy are visiting BU on Tuesday 10th September.

There will be a presentation late morning, looking at their portfolio of funding opportunities and providing useful information on their application and assessment processes, with some handy top tips. This will be followed by a networking lunch.

To book, please contact Theresa McManus.

Please put the date in your diaries!

Enhancing Postgraduate Research Cultures – UKCGE Annual Conference

conferences, Doctoral College, Featured, Knowledge Exchange, PG research, Research Training

The Doctoral College plays a central role in the development of the postgraduate research community, culture and environment here at BU. On 1st & 2nd July 2019, the Doctoral College Research Skills and Development Officer (Natalie Stewart) attended the UK Council for Graduate Education (UKCGE) Annual Conference with this year’s theme ‘enhancing postgraduate research cultures’ hosted at the University of Salford, MediaCity, Manchester.

The conference had a strong focus on how institutions can support positive PGR cultures and communities in which students can realise their potential. We explored the value of PGR education, listened to experiences of PGR students and discussed what a thriving PGR culture looks like. We also heard from Dr Mark Bennett from FindAUniversity who surveyed prospective PGRs on their expectations of a research degree, findings of which could help inform future provisions.

Day 2 was filled with thought-provoking oral presentation and workshops facilitated by colleagues from Heriot-Watt University, Birmingham City University, Imperial College London and University of Bath. They had us discussing and reflecting on our institutional support for PGRs in particular the activities and events we offer and whether these are actually what students want, how we measure event success, how we support PGRs ‘writing up’ and those PGRs approaching their Viva Voce examination. (If you would like to know how the Doctoral College currently supports these areas please get in touch). For further conference highlights you can view the #UKCGE19 twitter feed.

I look forward to working closely with PGRs and colleagues to further enhance the PGR research culture here at BU.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any thoughts or ideas you would like to discuss regarding PGR support. PGRs can freely submit feedback and suggestions via the anonymous RDP Feedback Survey which remains open year round.

Image result for ukcge image

 

 

Impact Case Study Writing Retreat

BU research, ECR Network, Events, PG research, Research communication, Research news, Research Training, RKE development framework

Thursday 4th July 09:30 – 16:00

A whole day REF impact case study writing retreat, consisting of a two hour presentation on case study writing with the rest of the day spent writing. The trainer will be on hand the whole day to provide 1:1 support and guidance. Attendees are required to have an impact case study to write and work on; own laptop is required for the session.

The writing retreat will provide guidance on:

  • How to write and excellent impact case study
  • How to frame the writing
  • What a successful case study looks like
  • Other hints and tips towards successful impact case study writing
  • Guiding individual attendees during the personal writing elements

See here for more details and to book.

Forthcoming RKEDF Training Events

BU research, ECR Network, Events, Research news, Research Training, RKE development framework, Training

We have some great events coming up over the next few weeks to help support you in your research activities. These events are delivered as part of the overarching Research and Knowledge Exchange Development Framework –  RKEDF.

We have also grouped the events around your needs, so if, for example, you are an Early Career Researcher or need to know about external funding, you can click on the link to find a tailored list of all the RKEDF sessions that may assist you. You can also find related events by using the link on each session’s page.

July

Thursday 4th July RKEDF: Impact Case Study Writing Retreat
Wednesday 10th July RKEDF: MSCA IF Bid Writing Retreat
Thursday 11th July RKEDF: MSCA IF Bid Writing Retreat
Tuesday 16th July RKEDF: Research Outputs – Writing Day
Friday 19th July Preparing Practice-Based Research Outputs for Assessment

You can see all the Organisational Development and RKEDF events in one place on the handy calendar of events.

Please note that all sessions are now targeted, so look closely at the event page to ensure that the event is suitable for you. In addition, RKEDF events now require the approval of your Head of Department (or other nominated approver). Please follow the instructions given on the event page and the template email for you to initiate the booking request.

If you have any queries, please get in touch!

Creative Research Methods

BU research, ECR Network, Events, PG research, Research communication, Research Training, RKE development framework, Training

Tuesday 18th June 09:00 – 16:30 Talbot Campus

Let loose your inner creativity!

This workshop explores creative and arts-based research methods, research using technology, mixed methods, transformative research frameworks,  creative data analysis, and will involve designing research and preparing a presentation.

The aim of the workshop is to provide you with an increased awareness of the four pillars of creative research methods;  help you assess which methods may be most appropriate in your research practice; and give you increased confidence in the use of creative research methods .

More information and the link for bookings are on the staff intranet.

Dr. Helen Kara has been an independent research since 1999. She has a background of employment in the private, public, and voluntary sectors, and now undertakes commissioned research and evaluation, mainly for public and voluntary sector organisations and partnerships. Her research areas are social care, health, and the voluntary/third sector.

Ethical Thinking and Decision-making in Practice

BU research, Events, Research Ethics, Research Training

Monday 17th June 09:30 – 16:30 Talbot Campus

An exciting day’s workshop for academics who are new or relatively new to research, who would like to enhance their understanding and confidence in the application of ethical considerations to their research activity.

The aims of the day are to:

  1. Increase your awareness of the need for ethics compliance in research
  2. Develop a good understanding of your responsibilities and when you may need further assistance
  3. Develop your skills in the following key areas, within the context of ethical research:
  • Planning and design
  • Gathering data and data analysis
  • Reporting, including presentation and dissemination
  • Consideration of ethical dilemmas, based on real-world examples and participants’ experience

More information and the link for bookings are on the staff intranet.

Dr. Helen Kara has been an independent research since 1999. She has a background of employment in the private, public, and voluntary sectors, and now undertakes commissioned research and evaluation, mainly for public and voluntary sector organisations and partnerships. Her research areas are social care, health, and the voluntary/third sector.

RKEDF events next week – spaces available

Events, Research communication, Research Ethics, Research Training, RKE development framework

 

There are spaces available at the following events next week:

Day Date Event and booking link Facilitator
Monday 17th June Ethical Decision making in Practice Dr Helen Kara
Tuesday 18th June Using Creative Research Methods Dr Helen Kara
Thursday 20th June Research Communication Day RDS & M&C

Please follow the links to find out more and to book. The workshops with Dr Helen Kara are now also open to PGRs, who do not need line manager approval to attend.

Book now so that appropriate catering can be arranged.

 

Using Creative Research Methods

BU research, Research Training

Tuesday 18th June 09:00 – 16:30 Talbot Campus

The choice of the most appropriate methodology to use is crucial to a project’s success and requires the researcher to have a sound grasp of the alternative approaches available to them. This workshop explores creative and arts-based methods, research using technology, mixed methods, transformative research frameworks,  creative data analysis, and will involve designing research and preparing a presentation.

The aim of the workshop is to provide you with an increased awareness of the four pillars of creative research methods;  help you assess which methods may be most appropriate in your research practice; and give you increased confidence in the use of creative research methods .

More information and the link for bookings are on the staff intranet.

Dr. Helen Kara has been an independent research since 1999. She has a background of employment in the private, public, and voluntary sectors, and now undertakes commissioned research and evaluation, mainly for public and voluntary sector organisations and partnerships. Her research areas are social care, health, and the voluntary/third sector.

Workshop available – Ethical Thinking and Decision-making in Practice

BU research, data management, PG research, Research Ethics, research integrity, Research Training, Training

Are you new or relatively new to research? Are you interested in attending a workshop that will allow you to improve your understanding and confidence in the application of ethical considerations to your research activity? Then take advantage of the following opportunity!

Dr Helen Kara will be delivering a one-day workshop on Monday 17th June, 09:30 – 16:30 on Talbot Campus, entitled Ethical Thinking and Decision-making in Practice.

The aims & objectives of this sessions are to:

  • To increase their awareness of the need for ethics compliance in research and, by the end of the workshop, be aware of their responsibilities and when to seek further assistance
  • To develop their skills in the following key areas, within the context of ethical research:
    a. Planning and design
    b. Gathering data and data analysis
    c. Reporting, including presentation and dissemination
    d. Consideration of ethical dilemmas, based on real-world examples and participants’ experience

If you want to book onto this workshop and take advantage of this great opportunity, then please see the following page for instructions.
If you are a PGR, please email Organisation Development to book your place.

Research & Knowledge Exchange Development Framework – updated flyer!

Research news, Research Training, RKE development framework, Training

Please look out for your copy of the updated Research & Knowledge Exchange Development Framework flyer which will be delivered to you over the next week by your faculty’s Funding Development Officer.

On the staff intranet, the RKEDF is arranged to align with your current situation and researcher development needs:

I am an ECR / new to research 
I want to know more about External funding 
I am new to BU 
I want to fund and build my research team
I need to disseminate my research 
I need to know about the REF 
I need help with BU research systems and polices
I want to increase the impact of my research
I need help with my research career
I want to work internationally
I want to share my research more widely
I need to meet with Research Development and Support staff 

You can see all the Organisational Development and RKEDF events in one place on the handy calendar of events.

Please note that all sessions are now targeted, so look closely at the event page to ensure that the event is suitable for you. In addition, RKEDF events now require the approval of your Head of Department (or other nominated approver). Please follow the instructions given on the event page and the template email for you to initiate the booking request.

If you have any queries, please get in touch!

Impact Case Study Writing Retreat

Knowledge Exchange and Impact Team, Knowledge Transfer, REF Subjects, Research communication, Research Training, writing

Thursday 6th June 09:30 – 16:30

A whole day REF impact case study writing retreat, consisting of a two hour presentation on case study writing with the rest of the day spent writing. The trainer will be on hand the whole day to provide 1:1 support and guidance. Attendees are required to have an impact case study to write and work on; own laptop is required for the session.

The writing retreat will provide guidance on:

  • How to write and excellent impact case study
  • How to frame the writing
  • What a successful case study looks like
  • Other hints and tips towards successful impact case study writing
  • Guiding individual attendees during the personal writing elements

If you can’t make the retreat on 6th June, there is another scheduled for 4th July.

See here for more details and to book.

Writing About Methods

ECR Network, Events, Research Training, RKE development framework, Training, writing

This workshop, delivered by publishing expert Patrick Brindle, aims to give participants a range of practical approaches to writing about methods in your research bids.

He uses a range of exercises. The workshop covers around 20 writing strategies, and provides more clarity and power to the often-difficult challenge of writing about methods. The course also looks at common mistakes and how to avoid them when writing about methods. The focus throughout is on building confidence and increasing your repertoire of writing strategies and skills.

Tuesday June 4th 09:30 – 16:30

See here for more information and to book on.

Please contact Alexandra Pekalski if you have any queries.

NIHR RDS Residential Research Retreat 26-28 November 2019 – Applications open NOW

BU research, Events, Funding opportunities, NHS, pre-award, Research Training

Do you have a great idea for a research project?

Are you planning to apply for research funding?

Do you need a dedicated period of quality time with support to develop your research project?

Dillington House, Somerset. 26 – 28 November 2019.

Applications NOW OPEN

The Residential Research Retreat provides protected time with expert coaching and support for you to develop your research proposal to the standard required to be competitive in seeking high quality research funding.

Register your interest with us by filling in the form here

And don’t forget, your local branch of the NIHR RDS (Research Design Service) is based within the BU Clinical Research Unit (BUCRU) on the 5th floor of Royal London House. Feel free to pop in and see us, call us on 61939 or send us an email.

UK Data Service Events: May – July

Events, PG research, Research communication, Research Training

The UK Data Service provides researchers with trusted, flexible support, training and access to the UK’s largest collection of social, economic and population data. They also organise a wide range of free events. Click on the links below for more information on, and to book for, the following events:

Workshops

Understanding census microdata for research purposes using the Scotland data collection

30 May 2019, 10.00 – 13.00

Administrative Data Research Centre – Scotland

Are you interested in learning more about census microdata and how they can be used in research? Have you considered using census data but are not sure what is available? This free workshop will introduce you to the UK Data Service census microdata collection and the Scottish Longitudinal Study. Although the census microdata collection covers the UK as a whole, this workshop will have a special emphasis on the collection for Scotland.

Webinars

Webinar: Key issues in reusing data

23 May 2019, Online, 15.00 – 16.00 BST

Participants will hear about the key issues in secondary analysis as a method. The introductory session will briefly cover the pros and cons of reusing data and the importance of learning about the origins of your data. Quantitative and qualitative secondary analysis will be discussed with examples and issues of context, sampling and ethics will be raised.

Webinar: Guided walk through ReShare

6 June 2019, Online, 15.00 – 16.00 BST

Are you an ESRC grant holder, whose grant has ended and is required to submit your research data into the ReShare repository? Are you a researcher interested in depositing data into ReShare to make them available for reuse, or as evidence for a published paper? Are you just curious to explore how publishing in ReShare happens in practice? Join our interactive online webinar, where we will ‘ walk’ you through the process of submitting a data collection into the ReShare repository. We will then answer any questions you may have about ReShare and depositing your data with us.

Designing user-centred engagement strategies for online-first surveys – part of the ONS Social Survey Transformation Project

27 June 2019, Online, 15.00 – 16.00 BST

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is transforming the way its surveys collect data. It is introducing an online mode and designing for a web-first approach to mixed-mode collection, which brings challenges and opportunities. This webinar will be presented by Natalia Stutter, a Senior Research Officer at ONS. Natalia will describe how ONS is transforming the respondent communication strategy and user journey to help tackle barriers to opening letters and achieving a good response rate in online-first and mixed mode social surveys.

Developing a user-centred, web-first approach to collecting socio-demographic and household data – part of the ONS Labour Force Survey Transformation Project

1 July 2019, Online, 15.00 – 16.00 BST

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is transforming the way its surveys collect data. It is introducing an online mode, and designing for a web-first approach to mixed-mode collection, which brings challenges and opportunities. This webinar will be presented by Emma Dickinson, a Senior Research Officer at ONS. Emma will describe how ONS is developing a respondent-centric approach to moving survey data collection online, with a specific focus on collecting household and sociodemographic information.

User Conferences

Family Finance Surveys User Conference 2019

19 June 2019, 9.30 – 16.30
Lift, Islington, London

Organised by the UK Data Service in collaboration with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Office for National Statistics. The programme contains a mixture of papers from data producers and researchers, including presentations based on analysis of the UK family finance surveys. The conference will allow users to hear updates from the data producers on the main surveys, including the Family Resources Survey, Living Costs and Food Survey, and the Wealth and Assets Survey.

Health Studies User Conference 2019

10 July 2019
University College London

The annual Health Studies User Conference, organised by the UK Data Service in collaboration with UCL and NatCen Social Research, is a full-day conference and is free to attend. The conference will allow users to hear updates from the data producers on key UK cross-sectional health surveys and key UK longitudinal studies with health-related content.

Other events

Open data dive: Plastic use reduction

6 July 2019

Federation House, Manchester

The UK Data Service and methods@manchester are running an Open Data Dive on plastic use reduction. The data dive will bring together coders, data enthusiasts, graphic designers, project managers and pizza lovers to analyse and visualise open social and economic data about plastic use reduction.

The Challenge: Local to global: The data in plastic, from single use carrier bags to international emissions from plastic manufacture – data strategies for plastic reuse reduction.

We are delighted to be welcoming some special guests including Duncan Millard, Chief Statistician, and Head of the IEA Energy Data Centre to speak about the increasing use of oil for non-energy uses and the wealth of international data relating to plastic manufacture, usage and waste.

Dr. Aryal participated in migration health workshop in Nepal

Events, Research Training

BU’s post-doctoral researcher Dr. Nirmal Aryal from FHSS has recently participated in the workshop ‘engendering research and reframing policy & public debate on migration & health’ in Kathmandu, Nepal (25-28 April). This workshop was part of the Strengthening Policy and Research Capacities (SPARC) on migration, rights and global health initiative, funded by the British Council. There were 22 participants from South Asia, South East Asia, and the UK.

This workshop was aimed at strengthening research capacities and skills and facilitating cross-cultural mentorship of early career researchers from both the UK and South/South East Asia to advance collaborative research agenda on migration, health and intersectional rights. The key speakers were Dr. Anuj Kapilashrami (Queen Mary University of London), Dr. Fatemeh Ahmadi (British Council), Dr. Ganesh Gurung (Nepal Institute of Development Studies), Dr. Jeevan Sharma (University of Edinburgh), Prof Jo Vearey (University of Witwatersrand, South Africa), Dr. Kolitha Wickramage (International Organization for Migration), Professor Emerita Patricia Jeffery (University of Edinburgh), and Dr. Radhika Chopra (University of Delhi). This workshop also provided an opportunity to discuss with participants from the UK and South/South East Asia on further collaboration on migration health research.

A policy forum on migration and health was also organized examining South Asian policyscapes with panelists from International Organization for Migration, Lancet Migration & Health Commissioners, and Ministry of Health, Nepal.

Earlier on mid-April, Dr. Aryal along with BU’s lecturer from FHSS Dr. Pramod Raj Regmi visited Malaysia for consultation meeting with migration health related stakeholders and Nepali migrant workers as Public Patient Involvement (PPI). These meetings were intended to discuss on risk factors for sudden nocturnal deaths and kidney health risk among Nepali migrant workers in Malaysia.

These activities further consolidate BU’s on-going effort on migration health related research, particularly on health issues of low-skilled labour migrants in the countries of Gulf and Malaysia and their left-behinds [1-13].

References:

  1. Aryal, N., Regmi, P.R., van Teijlingen, E., Simkhada, P., Mahat, P. (2019) Adolescents left behind by migrant workers: a call for community-based mental health interventions in Nepal. WHO South East Asia J Public Health 8 (1): 38-41.
  2. Adhikary P, Sheppard Z., Keen S. van Teijlingen E (2018) Health and well-being of Nepalese migrant workers abroad, Int J Migration, Health Social Care 14(1): 96-105.
  3. Simkhada, P.P., van Teijlingen, ER., Gurung, M., Wasti, S. (2018) A study of Health Problems of Nepalese Female Migrants Workers in the Middle-East & Malaysia, BMC Int Health Human Rights18(1):4.
  4. Adhikary P, Sheppard Z, Keen S, van Teijlingen E (2017) Risky work: Accidents among Nepali migrant workers in Malaysia, Qatar & Saudi, Health Prospect 16(2): 3-10
  5. Simkhada P, Regmi, P, van Teijlingen E, Aryal N (2017) Identifying gaps in Nepalese migrant workers’ health & well-being: A review of literature J Travel Med24(4): 1-9
  6. Aryal, N., Regmi, PR., van Teijlingen, E., Simkhada, P., Adhikary, P., Bhatta, YKD., Mann, S. (2016) Injury & Mortality in Young Nepalese Migrant Workers: A Call for Public Health Action. Asian-Pacific J Public Health28(8): 703-705.
  7. Aryal, N., Regmi, PR., van Teijlingen, E., Dhungel, D., Ghale, G., Bhatta, GK. (2016) Knowing is not enough: Migrant workers’ spouses vulnerability to HIV SAARC J Tuberculosis, Lung Diseases  HIV/AIDS 8(1):9-15.
  8. Joshi, S., Prescott, G., Simkhada, P., Sharma, N., Bhurtyal, Y. (2014). Knowledge and Risk Perceptions about HIV/AIDS among Nepalese Migrants in Gulf Countries: a Cross-sectional Study. Health Sci J, 8 (3) pp 350-36
  9. Sapkota, T., Simkhada, P., van Teijlingen, E. (2014) Nepalese health workers’ migration to United Kingdom: A qualitative study. Health Sci J8(1):57-74.
  10. Joshi S, Simkhada, P, Prescott, G (2011) Health problems of Nepalese migrants working in three Gulf countries, BMC Int Health  Human Rights, 2011, 11:3
  11. Adhikary P, Keen S, van Teijlingen E. (2011) Health Issues among Nepalese migrant workers in Middle East. Health Sci J 5: 169-75.
  12. van Teijlingen E, Simkhada, P, Adhikary P. (2009) Alcohol use among the Nepalese in UK. BMJ Rapid Responsewww.bmj.com/cgi/eletters/339/oct20_1/b4028#223451
  13. Adhikary, P., Simkhada, P., van Teijlingen, E., Raja, A. (2008). Health and Lifestyle of Nepalese Migrants in the UK; BMC Int Health Human Rights, 8(6).