A recently screened and still available episode of the BBC programme Countryfile http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b079ywf9/countryfile-conservation-compilation features BU PhD student Gitte Kragh’s research on what motivates members of the public and students to volunteer as Citizen Scientists for wildlife conservation. The programme showcases the National Trust’s Cyril Diver project, a nationally important project that has measured how the stunning wildlife of Studland, South Haven Peninsula on Purbeck has changed since it was recorded in detail by Cyril Diver in the 1930’s Gitte’s work has shown that the main motivation for people to participate in projects like the Cyril Diver is that they want to do something they feel is worthwhile, in this case help to protect the environment to ensure it is there for future generations. Another important aspect that draws volunteers to the Cyril Diver project is the opportunity for volunteers to learn more about nature, both through specialist workshops and through training in the field with expert naturalists.
Bournemouth University has been a close partner on the Cyril Diver project resulting in the co-creation of research by three BU PhD students, three MSc students, a dozen UG students and over 40 Student Environment Research Team (SERT) students. This work is informing future wildlife conservation management planning for Studland. BU and the NT are building on the success of the FIF-funded SERT co-creation work to develop our partnership model into a long term project for co-creating research of impact for wildlife conservation management that intergrates student and general public citizen scientists. For more information please contact Dr Anita Diaz adiaz@bournemouth.ac.uk





When applying to become a Research Assistant for this project I expected mostly data collection and being involved in the recruitment of participants. With a background in psychology, and having worked as a voluntary Research Assistant before, I found the aim of my work slightly different. When joining the research team and the Nutrition and Dementia project in January, I got happily surprised of my part in the project. I was greatly welcomed by Dr Jane Murphy RD RNutr, Joanne Holmes RNutr and Cindy Brooks, Research Assistant.








Doing a PhD may appeal to midwives and other NHS health professionals, but it often involves having to make difficult choices. Undertaking a part-time PhD means studying on top of a busy clinical position, but starting full-time study involves stepping away from practice, which may lead to a loss of clinical skills and confidence. The Centre for Midwifery, Maternal & Perinatal Health (CMMPH) at Bournemouth University has come up with a novel solution making it easier for midwives to undertake a doctorate while still maintaining their clinical skills. This approach is highlighted in the latest publication by Dr. Susan Way and colleagues, describing a process where CMMPH collaborate with NHS partners to apply for a match-funded PhD. [1] The first partnership was with Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (PHT), with later partners expanded to cover the Isle of Wight and Southampton. Currently there are negotiations with Dorset Country Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Non NHS organisations have also showed an interest with the Anglo European Chiropractic College (AECC) our likely next collaborator.
of the programme. Applications recently closed and the events management course in the Faculty of Management has some hopeful applications in the mix. The Fastforward15 graduation and instalment of new mentees takes place at the Langham Hotel in London at the end of April.


















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