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ACORN Fund 2019 – update

Funding opportunities

In response to queries, the ACORN Fund application form and policy have both been updated to provide greater clarity, especially regarding eligibility. See the launch blog post for details. Please replace any previous downloads with the revised versions (Research>Pre-award)

Thank you to those who raised these queries for your help in making the scheme clearer for all.

Mid-Career Academic Research Showcase – Call for Expressions of Interest to Present

Are you a research-active and mid-career academic?

Do you have research findings or research experiences that you wish to share with BU colleagues?

No? Please save the date as you may want to support your colleagues and find out more about BU research. Watch out for further announcements and invitations to attend.

Yes? Read on….

On Wednesday 19th June 2019, you will have the opportunity to present your research to your colleagues at the forthcoming Mid-Career Academic Research Showcase, which is being hosted by Research Development and Support.

To take part, please submit a brief Expression of Interest (EoI) by Friday, 10th May.

The EoI should provide:

  • Your details;
  • A working title for your presentation or table-based showcase;
  • A brief outline of the research being undertaken (no more than 100 words);
  • Any evidence of how your research contributes to Fusion at BU and
  • Confirmation as to if you would like one of the c. 15 minute presentation slots available or if you would like to present your research during the afternoon networking session, by reserving one of the showcase tables. As presentation slots are limited, please also state if you would be happy to reserve a showcase table if all the presentation slots are filled. Every effort will be made to balance faculty representation, where possible.

All EoIs must be submitted via the Research & Knowledge Exchange Development Framework email account, with MCA EoI as the subject line.

Subject to support, it is planned that this will become an annual event for BU’s Mid-Career Academics.

“How could AI shake up Accounting and Reporting?” PwC visit the Accounting, Finance and Economics (AFE) Department of The Business School

Business Engagement

Undergraduates studying on BU’s Accounting and Finance programme were treated to a fascinating insight into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in accounting and financial reporting given by global expert Ruth Preedy who is Director, AI and IFRS Accounting at PwC.  Dr Alan Kirkpatrick, Head of Education and Professional Practice for AFE introduced the session by referring to the research question posed by Alan Turing back in 1950: “Can machines think?”, and he asked if recent technological advances have put questions such as “how well can machines learn?”, “when should we allow machines to take decisions?” and “how will AI affect the roles and required skill sets of future accountants?”, into the frame. There is a deepening discussion in financial services, the professions and wider business community about the expected impact of AI on accounting and financial reporting.

Ruth Preedy explained how AI will have an impact on all sectors.  In particular, healthcare, automotive and financial services sectors “..exhibit huge potential for high touch, high frequency and high value products and services enabled by AI”.  Analyses carried out using PwC’s Computational General Equilibrium Model for AI in 2017 estimate a potential GDP gain of US$15.7 trillion by 2030 with China and North America expected to see the biggest AI gains.  A wide definition of AI as “the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence” really includes activities such as natural language processing, machine learning, deep learning, speech recognition and machine vision.  Ruth Preedy pointed out how AI might be presented at three levels described as: Assisted Intelligence, Augmented Intelligence and Autonomous Intelligence. AI today is more likely to be seen in the form of Assisted Intelligence that is associated with “..automating repetitive, standardised or time-consuming tasks” and is resulting in increased demand for STEM skills to build a ‘new tech ecosystem’. The emerging form of AI is Augmented Intelligence that involves collaboration between humans and machines to make decisions and Ruth Preedy said that “uniquely human traits such as emotional intelligence, creativity, persuasion and innovation will become more valuable”. The highest form of AI is Autonomous Intelligence and this vision of a possible future involves what Ruth Preedy described as “adaptive continuous intelligent systems taking over decision making” that “may question the future of humans at work”.  Examples of discussions in the automotive sector for example indicate the sensitivities of Autonomous Intelligence systems.

AI is often discussed in the context of employment.  Ruth Preedy referred to estimates by PwC that around 30 per cent of jobs overall (across all sectors) could be automated in the early 2020s but the proportion of jobs usually performed by individuals with higher education (graduates) that could be automated is estimated at the much lower figure of 11 per cent.  This pattern is expected to be reflected in the accounting profession with more automation of more routine functions such as basic book-keeping and a continuing or increasing need for activities requiring higher levels of analysis.  AI is being seen in accounting and financial reporting in the form of accounting packages (XBRL), IFRS modelling, auditing, contract review and ‘chatbots’.

Overall the message is that contrary to some of the more hysterical reports there will still be a need in the future for skilled accountants exhibiting knowledge of how to get the best out of AI in performing their critical analysis and decision making functions.

 

Dr Alan Kirkpatrick

 

 

 

 

‘Climate Change – The Facts’: the BBC and David Attenborough should talk about solutions

Rick Stafford, Bournemouth University and Peter JS Jones, UCL

Guardian journalist George Monbiot wrote a damning critique of the BBC and Sir David Attenborough’s wildlife documentaries in late 2018, arguing that they do little to illustrate the huge environmental issues faced by the natural world.

Since then, Attenborough has adopted a much stronger position. He spoke at both the UN Climate Summit and the World Economic Forum in Davos, and used his platform to highlight the threats of climate change.

Embarking on a new collaboration, Attenborough and the BBC are set to confirm their position in a one-off documentary entitled Climate Change – The Facts, airing on April 18. The 90-minute film will explain the effects that climate change has already had and the disasters it might cause in future.

Although it’s crucial to raise awareness among the public about the impacts and threats of climate change, it’s equally important to explain how to fight it. That’s something the BBC has been more quiet about.

Solutions to climate change

The recent series Blue Planet Live featured a segment on the Great Barrier Reef in which it stated that coral bleaching is the result of climate change. That places the BBC in line with the scientific consensus. The same episode later described the “heroic research” effort that is needed to save the world’s reefs from coral bleaching, and covered the capture and transfer of coral spawn to a new location.

However, science has already given the solutions to address this problem. Recent reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Institute for Public Policy Research and some of our own research all clearly indicate that tackling climate change and other environmental issues – including biodiversity loss, soil erosion and even ocean plastic pollution – requires major changes to society.

We need to revise our economic system and its dependence on growth to prevent the unnecessary consumption of the world’s resources. As the youth climate strikes leader, the 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, clearly puts it, we need “system change, not climate change”.

In an era when schoolchildren are striking for climate action and radical proposals for climate action are entering the political mainstream, the BBC’s timidity towards even discussing solutions seems odd.

Covering these arguments is political but goes way beyond party politics and certainly wouldn’t breach impartiality guidelines. Audiences might understand that this isn’t as interesting as coral spawning being captured during a lightning storm, as was shown on Blue Planet Live. But if the BBC don’t address the solutions to climate change, then how can there be an educated public which understands that saving the planet requires more than individual gestures like carrying a reusable coffee cup?

There’s no doubt that Attenborough’s BBC documentaries have inspired millions of people around the world to take environmental issues seriously. His programmes have encouraged many of our students to undertake degrees in environmental sciences.

Their insights into the natural world can present a sense of environmental optimism that promotes action. But failing to address the political and economic solutions necessary to stop climate change means the BBC could fail to respect its own values in education and citizenship. With their new documentary, Attenborough and the BBC should challenge our current economic system – only then can they fulfil their duty to inform the public with accuracy and impartiality.

Click here to subscribe to our climate action newsletter. Climate change is inevitable. Our response to it isn’t.The Conversation

Rick Stafford, Professor of Marine Biology and Conservation, Bournemouth University and Peter JS Jones, Reader in Environmental Governance, UCL

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

There’s a massive cyber security job gap – we should fill it by employing hackers

File 20190404 123395 155dk1m.jpg?ixlib=rb 1.1
Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com

John McAlaney, Bournemouth University and Helen Thackray, University of Portsmouth

Cyber security incidents are gaining an increasingly high profile. In the past, these incidents may have been perceived primarily as a somewhat distant issue for organisations such as banks to deal with. But recent attacks such as the 2017 Wannacry incident, in which a cyber attack disabled the IT systems of many organisations including the NHS, demonstrates the real-life consequences that cyber attacks can have.

These attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using psychological manipulation as well as technology. Examples of this include phishing emails, some of which can be extremely convincing and credible. Such phishing emails have led to cyber security breaches at even the largest of technology companies, including Facebook and Google.

To face these challenges, society needs cyber security professionals who can protect systems and mitigate damage. Yet the demand for qualified cyber security practitioners has quickly outpaced the supply, with three million unfilled cyber security posts worldwide.

So it might come as a surprise that there is already an active population with a strong passion for cyber security – hackers. This is a term with many negative connotations. It evokes the stereotypical image of a teenage boy sat in a dark room, typing furiously as green text flies past on the computer monitor, often with the assumption that some criminal activity is taking place. The idea of including such individuals in helping build and protect cyber systems may seem counter intuitive.

But – as we have highlighted in our recent research – the reality of hacking communities is more complex and nuanced than the stereotypes would suggest. Even the phrase “hacker” is contentious for many individuals who may be labelled hackers. This is because it has lost the original meaning: of someone who uses technology to solve a problem in an innovative manner.

Researching cyber security.
Bournemouth University, Author provided

Hacking today

There are a growing number of online hacking communities – and regular offline meetings and conventions where hackers meet in person. One of the largest of these events is DEFCON, held every year in Las Vegas and attended by up to 20,000 people. These hacking communities and events are an important source of information for young people who are becoming involved in hacking, and may be the first contact they have with other hackers.

On the surface, the conversations that are held on these forums often relate to sharing information. People seek advice on how to overcome different technical barriers in the hacking process. Assistance is given to those who are having difficulties – provided that they firstly demonstrate a willingness to learn. This reflects one of the characteristics of hacking communities, in that there is a culture of individuals demonstrating passion and the desire to overcome barriers.

But such events are about more than sharing practical skills. As individuals, we are strongly influenced by those around us, often to a greater agree that we are aware of. This is especially the case when we are in a new environment and unsure of the social norms of the group. As such, these online and offline hacking communities also provide an important source of social identity to individuals. They learn what is and what is not acceptable behaviour, including the ethics and legality of hacking.

Technological approaches alone cannot prevent cyber attacks.
Bournemouth University, Author provided

Myths and opportunities

It is important to stress here that hacking is not an inherently illegal activity. There are many opportunities to engage in ethical hacking, which refers to attempting to hack systems for the purpose of finding and fixing the flaws that malicious hackers may try to exploit for criminal activity.

Our research demonstrates that the majority of people active within hacking communities have no wish to exploit the flaws they find although they do believe that such flaws should be exposed so that they can be addressed – especially when the organisation concerned is holding public data and have sufficient resources that it is reasonable to feel they should not have any gaps in their cyber security in the first place. Several large and well-known companies actively engage with this culture, by offering hackers “bug bounties” – financial rewards for identifying and reporting previously undiscovered weaknesses in their systems.

Of course criminal hacking does happen – and many of the people we have spoken to acknowledge that they take part in activities that are of questionable legality in order to achieve their goal of finding the flaws in a system. This creates a risk for those people, especially young adults, who are becoming involved in hacking. Through ignorance or through being wilfully misled, they may become involved in activities that result in them gaining a criminal record.

If so, this impacts not only them as an individual but also the cyber security profession. As a result of this culture, many companies are being deprived of individuals who could have helped fill the increasingly urgent gap in cyber security professionals. To address both of these problems, we need to move past unhelpful and negative stereotypes and work with young people and hacking communities to provide an awareness of how their passion and skills can be used to address the cyber security challenges that society faces.The Conversation

John McAlaney, Associate Professor in Psychology, Bournemouth University and Helen Thackray, Senior Research Associate, University of Portsmouth

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Update on Horizon Europe and Brexit

Funding opportunities

Horizon Europe

 According to the Research Professional, Governments in the Council of the EU reached an agreement on the specific programme for Horizon Europe on 15 April. Agreement describes the rules for the structure of new instruments such as the European Innovation Council, areas for R&D missions and the process of “strategic planning” that will produce detailed work programmes for allocating funding.

Much of the content of the specific programme had already been covered by the more overarching partial political agreement on Horizon Europe reached between the Commission, Council and Parliament in March. However, some areas remain to be decided, in particular those setting out the budget for Horizon Europe and the rules of association for non-EU countries.

Brexit

According to the information available on UKRO portal, the UK and the EU have agreed to extend Article 50 until 31 October 2019. During the extension, the UK is an EU Member State, and UK organisations can continue to participate in and submit bids to Horizon 2020 on a Member State basis. This includes requesting the relevant part of the project’s budget as an EU contribution.

If an agreement between the UK and the EU is reached, projects approved during this period will be able to continue with an uninterrupted flow of EU funding. In no-deal scenario, the UK Government has committed to underwrite competitive UK bids to the EU funding submitted before exit, even if they are notified of their success after leaving the EU.

The government is seeking discussions with the European Commission to agree the details of our continued participation in Horizon 2020 as a third country after the exit. BU has informed the UK Government and provided basic data about all on-going Horizon 2020 projects. This will support the continuity of funding flow in case the UK Government’s underwrite mechanism should be implemented.

Please send your questions and other queries related to BU participation in the EU funded grant applications over to Research Development and Support.

 

Women’s Academic Network (WAN) Symposium: Sexual Harassment in Academia

International public campaigns such as the #MeToo movement have meant sexual harassment is receiving increased global media attention. Accompanying this raised awareness is a focus on the harmful consequences of sexual misconduct for staff and students within universities and colleges. The University and College Union (UCU) reports: “Sexual harassment and abuse is overwhelmingly, although not exclusively, experienced by women and contributes to other workplace inequalities faced by female members and students.” (https://www.ucu.org.uk/sexualviolence)

Research indicates that sexual harassment, sexual abuse, sexual misconduct and gender-based violence often go unreported (https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmwomeq/701/70110.htm). The reasons for not reporting are complex, but can include issues surrounding stigma and taboo.

On Wednesday 29 May, the Women’s Academic Network will host a symposium on the topic of sexual harassment in academia. The event will be held on Talbot campus, Fusion building. It will start at 10am with registration and coffee, and finish at 2pm. Lunch will be provided. The symposium will involve speakers presenting their research, and allow for audience discussion/dialogue.

Further details to follow. In the meantime, if you are interested in attending please contact WAN co-convenors: Dr. Lorraine Brown (LBrown@bournemouth.ac.uk) and Dr. Jayne Caudwell (jcaudwell@bournemouth.ac.uk)

 

Setting up NHS / HSC research in the UK– upcoming changes

NHS, Research Ethics

The UK Local Information Pack

A ‘UK Local Information Pack‘ will be introduced on the 5 June 2019 to support the set-up of NHS / HSC research in the UK.

The ‘UK Local Information Pack’ is the set of documents that NHS / HSC organisations use to formally start preparing to deliver the study. You can find more information here, including what comprises the pack. All researchers wishing to set-up their study at an NHS/HSC site from 5 June, will need to be aware of this change.

The Organisation Information Document

Researchers and research teams may be aware of a document called the ‘Statement of Activities’ – this is essentially a document that allows the sponsor to make clear to the research site, what activities will be undertaken locally. The document can also act as the agreement between the sponsor and site. Researchers setting up their study before 5 June should continue to use this document.

From 5 June the Statement of Activities will be replaced by a document called the ‘Organisation Information Document‘. For non-commercially sponsored studies, that are not clinical trials or clinical investigations, the ‘Organisation Information Document’ should be used as the agreement between sponsor and participating NHS / HSC organisation.

A new delegation log template

Another feature of the UK Local Information Pack is the inclusion of a delegation log template, which is intended to be used at participating NHS / HSC organisations. This will allow NHS/HSC organisations to locally record who will be working on the study and who is authorised to undertake study tasks.

Schedule of Events or Schedule and Events Cost Attribution Tool (SoECAT)

For non-commercially sponsored studies studies an IRAS Schedule of Events or a SoECAT will be a part of the IRAS Form submission and is used in the UK Local Information Pack as a way of providing clarity to participating NHS / HSC organisations on the cost attributions associated with a study.

Further help and guidance

Guidance on the use of the UK Local Information Pack has now been published in the Site Specific page of IRAS Help to help applicants get ready for the change.

If you are making an IRAS Form submission or planning to set up research in an NHS / HSC organisation from 5 June 2019 please read the transition guidance so that you prepare the correct materials.

If you have any queries regarding any of the information provided above, or would like some guidance with regard to implementing your research in a healthcare setting – please get in touch with BU’s Research Ethics team.

You can also take a look at the Clinical Governance blog for documents, links and training opportunities.

JSPS London – JSPS-Crick Symposium on Gut Circuits

Info Days

JSPS-Crick Symposium on Gut Circuits

Tuesday 11th June 2019 10am – 8pm

Francis Crick Institute (1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1ST)

The above event is taking place sponsored by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) London Symposium and Seminar Scheme.

The event is free to attend but you will need to register online via eventbrite, please use link below:-

https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eventbrite.co.uk%2Fe%2Fjsps-crick-symposium-on-gut-circuits-tickets-58644719936&data=02%7C01%7Cecieciura%40bournemouth.ac.uk%7C69ff0631c95a463ed94308d6c2a1605d%7Cede29655d09742e4bbb5f38d427fbfb8%7C0%7C0%7C636910395694702381&sdata=OeW8eDCMnukri6fwOtElr%2FWtGe8XfYYPk8YKCJISkIM%3D&reserved=0

For further information please click on the following link:-

https://www.crick.ac.uk/whats-on/jsps-crick-symposium-on-gut-tissue-circuits

Excellent scientific paper by Dr. Alison Taylor

NHS, PG research, Publishing, writing

Congratulations to Dr. Alison Taylor and her Ph.D. supervisors on the acceptance of the paper ‘’Scrutinised, judged and sabotaged’: A qualitative video diary study of first-time breastfeeding mothers’ by Midwifery (published by Elsevier) [1].  This is the second paper from Alison’s extremely interesting Ph.D. research, the first one was accepted late last year.  The first article ‘The therapeutic role of video diaries: A qualitative study involving breastfeeding mothers’ was accepted by the international journal Women & Birth  [2].  Alison is Senior Lecturer in Midwifery in the Centre for Midwifery, Maternal & Perinatal Health (CMMPH) and Infant Feeding Lead in the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences.  Her co-authors are Professor Emerita Jo Alexander, Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen (in CMMPH) and Prof. Kath Ryan based at the University of Reading.

 

 

 

Reference:

  1. Taylor, A.M., van Teijlingen, E., Ryan, K., Alexander, J.,  2019, Scrutinised, judged and sabotaged’: A qualitative video diary study of first-time breastfeeding mothers. Midwifery, 75: 16-23.
  2. Taylor, A.M., van Teijlingen, E., Alexander, J., Ryan, K., 2018, The therapeutic role of video diaries: A qualitative study involving breastfeeding mothers, Women and Birth, (online first) DOI. 10.1016/j.wombi.2018.08.160

 

Congratulations to Fairbairn, Tsofliou & Johnson

Publishing, writing

Congratulations to BU’s Paul Fairbairn, Fotini Tsofliou and Andrew Johnson who together with former BU academic Simon Dyall (now at the University of Roehampton) published their latest paper in the journal Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids . This scientific paper is called: ‘Combining a high DHA multi-nutrient supplement with aerobic exercise: Protocol for a randomised controlled study assessing mobility and cognitive function in older women‘.

Well done.

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

CMMPH

Research in the NHS – HR Good Practice Resource Pack updated

Guidance, NHS, PG research, Research Ethics, student research

Researchers from BU wishing to conduct their research within NHS premises will require the appropriate documentation. There is plenty of guidance available to guide researchers through these processes.

The Human Resources (HR) Good Practice Resource Pack has been reviewed and updated in light of the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which came into force in the UK on 25 May 2018.

The HR Good Practice Resource Pack describes the process for handling HR arrangements for researchers and provides a streamlined approach for confirming details of the pre-engagement checks they have undergone with the NHS.

Changes to the document include:

  1. Inclusion of a transparency notice, which informs and clarifies to the applicant the purpose of collecting their personal data, their rights relating to data processing, as well as fulfilling other GDPR transparency requirements.
  2. The data requested in the Research Passport application form has been minimised following discussion with Data Protection and Information Governance Officers and Human Resource experts.
  3. All references to the Data Protection Act 1998 have been updated to DPA 2018.

You can find all the updated documents here along with the RDS workflow here surrounding staffing and delegation.

Remember that there is guidance available at BU with regard to implementing your research in a healthcare setting. Take a look at the Clinical Governance blog for documents, links and training opportunities. You can also get in touch with BU’s Research Ethics team with any queries.

NIHR RDS Residential Research Retreat – 26-28 November 2019

Funding opportunities, NHS

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 open on 20 May 2019

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.