BU Research Blog

Ensuring that BU’s knowledge is informed by society, for the benefit of society, is at the core BU’s vision and values. As part of Research Development & Support, the Knowledge Exchange and Impact Team (KEIT) brings this vision alive through corporate level initiatives for knowledge exchange with multiple audiences include the public, industry and undergraduate students. The mechanisms for knowledge exchange are varied and include Public Engagement with Research (PER), Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF), Business Services and Research Communications amongst others. Through dedicated specialist roles, the team also works to understand the value of engagement and evidence the impact of BU’s work for society.

Hybrid working update: We are currently based in Studland House on Tuesdays, and available remotely via MS Teams Mondays and Wednesdays – Fridays.

Genna del Rosa

Engagement and Impact Facilitator

gdelrosa@bournemouth.ac.uk
Available via Teams

As Engagement and Impact Facilitator, I am responsible for supporting BU academics to develop research impact through meaningful engagement with external stakeholders. This includes supporting BU’s major engagement events, working with academic colleagues to develop engagement strategies to enhance funding bids and supporting colleagues to deliver and evidence impact.

This role builds on experience gained as BU’s Knowledge Exchange and Impact Manager, covering maternity leave, and my previous role as the Knowledge Exchange Manager within the ESRC Centre for Population Change, based at the University of Southampton. In this position, I worked closely with policy makers, practitioners, the academic community and members of the public to highlight the relevance of demographic research and facilitate ways that it could be widely used.

I have a degree in Geography and Spanish so outside of work I love to travel, particularly to Spanish-speaking countries.

Amanda Edwards

Impact Advisor

aedwards@bournemouth.ac.uk
impact@bournemouth.ac.uk
Available via Teams

As one of two Impact Advisors, I am responsible for developing a culture of impact throughout BU to ensure excellent research leading to real-world benefits.

Before taking on this role, I covered my colleague Genna del Rosa’s maternity leave as Engagement and Impact Facilitator. Prior to that, my first job at BU was as Impact Officer for the Faculty of Science and Technology, developing and submitting its impact case studies for REF 2021.

Before moving to Bournemouth, I worked variously in journalism and government press offices in London, after studying English Literature at Cambridge University.

In my spare time, I love hiking in remote parts of the UK, and am attempting to train my rescue dog Alfie.

Amanda Lazar

Impact Advisor

alazar@bournemouth.ac.uk
impact@bournemouth.ac.uk

I started at BU in 2018 as an Impact Officer and worked with HSS, preparing impact case studies for REF2021. I subsequently moved to the Computing & Informatics department in SciTech, where I worked as a Placement Coordinator. I am now back in the KEIT team as an Impact Advisor. Together with Amanda Edwards, I will be developing a culture of research impact throughout BU.

My particular interests are networking, training and external engagement, and I will be using these skills to facilitate internal and external collaborations to accelerate impact as well as providing impact training for interested BU staff – whether in academic or professional and support roles.

I have degrees in Theology, Fine Art and a Master’s in Directing Digital Film and Television and a varied career encompassing sales, counselling and video art. I have a lifelong love of learning, which is why I enjoy working with research so much. Please get in touch to tell me about your research – I’d love to hear what you do and explore ways of maximising the impact.

Outside of work I love playing with my Exotic cat (Elvira, Mistress of the Darkitty), hiking, kayaking and going to heavy metal gigs and festivals with my daughter.

Matt Fancy

Knowledge Exchange & Impact Officer

mfancy@bournemouth.ac.uk
Available via Teams

As Knowledge Exchange & Impact Officer, I am responsible for monitoring and administering HEIF funds. This includes drafting calls, liaising between project teams and faculty teams, helping with project management and providing clerk support to the HEIF Funding Panel.

Previously, I worked as Impact Officer for BUBS, overseeing the development and evidencing of research impact case studies in preparation for the REF.

This included providing guidance to academic colleagues, ensuring appropriate evidence of impact was collated, regular reporting on the progress of case studies and enabling the acceleration of research impact.

Prior to this (nearly done by the way…) I worked at BU in M&C as the Corporate Communications Assistant where I worked across the Internal Comms and PR / Comms teams sourcing and writing news stories for the intranet and BU website; organising events and general administration for the team.

Outside of work, my interests include trying to make my tiny baby laugh, reading music biographies, wrestling with alligators and lying in work biographies. I also enjoy drinking beer and am entirely unfussy as to where or with whom this takes place.

Adam Morris

Engagement Officer

amorris2@bournemouth.ac.uk
Available via Teams

As Engagement Officer, I am responsible for organising engagement activities, including the annual Festival of Learning and other events, to maximise knowledge exchange activity and the impact of Bournemouth University’s research.After studying Zoology at Bangor University, I did internships in exhibition development at the Natural History Museum and documentary production at BBC Science Television, followed by a year of travelling and volunteering around Europe. Since then, I have worked at the Royal Society, organising science events and other public engagement initiatives, and most recently at the Human Tissue Authority where, as part of the communications team, I shared information for the public on human tissue regulation.I have only recently moved to Dorset, so I look forward to exploring the area’s landscapes, towns and villages. I also enjoy photography, travel and trying new foods.

Beverley Allen

Events Organiser

ballen@bournemouth.ac.uk
Available via Teams

As the Events Organiser, I am responsible for organising and supporting a range of research events and activities to engage diverse audiences with Bournemouth University’s research. This includes large-scale and BU-wide research events, for example the annual ESRC Festival of Social Science, as well as a regular programme of engagement activities, such as Cafe Scientifique and Public Lecture Days. It is part of my role to ensure the smooth running of events and provide support through the process of planning to delivery.

Previously I have worked in busy ticketing teams at a variety of leading live music venues such as The O2 London, Hammersmith Apollo, Brighton Centre and at the O2 Academy Birmingham. I have also worked at AEG Live and was involved with providing box office support at a range of venues and outdoor events which included Hyde Park, Wembley Stadium, Twickenham Stadium and The Stadium of Light.

Living in Bournemouth, I try to take advantage of the beautiful Dorset coast and countryside and enjoy exploring by bike, foot and kayak!

I enjoy taking photographs to capture the stunning scenery in the area. I am also a keen runner and often take part in local park runs.

Emma Matthews

Research Communications Adviser

ematthews@bournemouth.ac.uk

As Research Communications Adviser, I’m responsible for creating and sharing content around BU’s research across corporate channels and in the media. I manage the research pages of the BU website and Research Blog and can provide advice and support around communicating your research effectively.

I previously worked in BU’s press office, producing a range of multimedia content and securing media coverage. Prior to joining the university, I trained and worked as a journalist – interviewing David Attenborough and helping operate on a dog (thankfully not at the same time!) among other weird and wonderful assignments.

As a native Midlander, I love to take advantage of being so close to the coast with lots of long walks and the occasional sea dip. Having just bought my first house, my weekends are mainly taken up by dodgy DIY but I’m also partial to a pub quiz and a strong G&T!