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BBC South filming of Assistive Technology research

On Friday 30th November 2018, BBC South visited the Faculty of Science & Technology at Talbot Campus, to film the Assistive Technology research being conducted by Dr Paul Whittington, Dr Huseyin Dogan and Professor Keith Phalp.

Assistive Technology has been identified as one of the key strategic investment areas in the BU2025 vision. The filming focused on the use of different technologies for people with reduced physical and cognitive abilities and the use of alternative methods of interaction to control Dr Paul Whittington’s car.

Briony Leyland interviewed Dr Huseyin Dogan who discussing the importance of Assistive Technology research and raising awareness of potential benefits to improve the quality of life for people with reduced abilities. Dr Dogan also demonstrated the different technologies that have been purchased by the Faculty, including smartglasses, an iPad with a Switch Control feature to enable interaction through head movements and EEG headsets.

The SmartATRS system

Following the filming of students working in one of the computing labs, BBC South then proceeded to film outside. Dr Whittington demonstrated SmartATRS (Automated Transport and Retrieval System) to control the motorised driving seat, the automated tailgate and platform lift in the vehicle, as well as the autonomous docking of the powerchair through LiDAR technology. Dr Whittington was then interviewed to discuss his personal experience and motivations behind the research he is conducting at BU, “To transmit my knowledge to help others improve their quality of life and see the benefits that technology can bring.”

South Today Evening News reported on the advantages of using smartphone interface, compared to the original keyfobs that are challenging for people with reduced finger dexterity.

Dr Huseyin Dogan was also interviewed later in the afternoon, by Louisa Hannan, Drivetime Presenter on BBC Radio Solent. Assistive Technology research at BU was discussed further, explaining the future developments and examples of our research.

BBC filming the Faculty of Science & Technology was a great experience and we were very fortunate with the weather as there were clear blue skies and the cameraman commented that it was too sunny! It was an amazing opportunity to highlight and promote the Assistive Technology research being conducted at Bournemouth University.

This publicity coincides with the International Day of Disabled Persons (3rd December) and we are keen to empower persons with reduced abilities to ensure inclusiveness and equality.

If you would like for further information about our assistive technology research or a link to the South Today feature, please contact us:

Dr Paul Whittington (whittingtonp@bournemouth.ac.uk)

Dr Huseyin Dogan (hdogan@bournemouth.ac.uk)

New paper published Viachaslau Filimonau and Delysia A.De Coteau 2019 Food waste management in hospitality operations: A critical review,

New paper published Viachaslau Filimonau and Delysia A.De Coteau 2019 Food waste management in hospitality operations: A critical review, Tourism Management Volume 71, April 2019, Pages 234-245 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2018.10.009
Abstract

Hospitality food waste represents a significant societal challenge. It is however under-researched with most studies approaching the issue from the perspective of sustainable agriculture and environmental, rather than hospitality, management. Given the specificity of hospitality operations, this is a major shortcoming which hampers understanding of the determinants of effective mitigation. This paper provides a critical, analytical account of the literature on hospitality food waste made from the viewpoint of hospitality managers. It reviews the challenges in classifying, quantifying and characterising hospitality food waste, discusses the opportunities and obstacles to its mitigation and, drawing on good business practice examples, derives a framework for managing food waste across the different areas of hospitality operations. The framework is underpinned by such determinants of effective mitigation as: core in-house competencies; training needs; initial investment costs; and potential monetary savings. The feasibility of its broader adoption by managers across the sector is discussed.

RKEO alternative 12 days ‘to’ Christmas – 6 funding panels to join on

On the sixth day to Christmas, my RKEO friend gave to me, six funding panels to join on.

To help us further develop our research capacity in line with BU2025, a new Research Performance and Management Committee (RPMC) has been established to oversee research investment and performance. Under the auspices of the RPMC, funding panels are being established to have oversight of funding allocations, in order further to build the research environment, our external engagement and the quality and impact of research endeavours. Funding panels will demonstrably operate in an academically robust, fair and transparent manner.

We are now seeking expressions of interest (EoIs) from BU staff to be members of six funding panels. Please click here to find out which panels seek members and how to apply.

Sustainability Goals Implementation in the Era of Digitilisation in North African Countries

Sustainability goals implementation in the Era of Digitilisation in North African Countries

3-4 December 2018, Golden Tulip El Mechtel, Tunis

Dr. Kaouther Kooli, Conference Co-Chair

Dr. Kaouther Kooli, Conference Co-Chair, opening ceremony.

Professor Hamida Skandrani, University of Manouba, Chair of the Ligue, Conference Chair

In collaboration with the Interdisciplinary laboratory of University-Enterprise Management (LIGUE-ISCAE), the centre of Research on Retail and Digital -FSA- University of Laval-Canada; the Academy of Marketing B2B SIG au Royaume-Uni, The Association pour la Promotion de l’Innovation et de la Qualité (APIQ) and The University of Manouba, Bournemouth University has organised a fantastic conference on the 3rd and 4th December 2018 at the Golden Tulip El Mechtel in Tunis.

Professor Derrick De Kerkhove brilliantly highlighted the connectedness of nowadays world in the plenary session, and, set the tone for this conference that addresses sustainability, one of the shared global issues strongly supported locally, regionally and internationally. Indeed, North African countries are signatories of the General Agreements on Customs Tariffs and Trade (GATT-WTO), among so many other countries. To comply with the 2030 sustainability agenda and with the expectations of their international partners, these countries have to adopt and integrate the sustainability objectives. However, considering the low level of integration of sustainability and social responsibility in the strategic objectives of the different stakeholders, the arguable diffusion of Information and Communication Technologies, the degree of adequacy of the legal and legal framework (standards, certifications, etc.),  and the recent sociopolitical changes in these countries, it is essential to debate the challenges / obstacles / levers for integrating the 2030 sustainability perspective and to discuss possible routes for the different stakeholders involved in a conference.

Top level keynote speakers have enriched this debate :

 

Professor Derrick De Kerkhove brilliantly highlighted the connectedness of nowadays world in the plenary session, and, set the tone for this conference that addresses sustainability, one of the shared global issues strongly supported locally, regionally and internationally.

Professor Derrick De Kerckhove, Professor of anthropology of communication in Politecnico of Milan (Italy) and council member for smart cities planning in various countries: Italy, Canada, Singapore, Algeria, Austria and Tunisia (Bizerte); 

 

Dr. Julie Robson, Associate Professor of Marketing at Bournemouth University (UK).She is a specialist in Financial Services Marketing, Banking Marketing, Insurance and Islamic Finance and is a member of the Editorial Board of The International Journal of Bank Marketing.

Professor Samir Trabelsi, Professor of Accounting at Brock University (Canada).  His research interests include governance, transparency, financial risk management and social responsibility.

In addition to the British Academy’s indexed conference proceedings, five ABS journals sponsored the conference with special issues: Journal of Customer Behavior; Qualitative Market Research- An International Journal; Cogent Business and Management; Social Business and Transnational Marketing Journal.

More than 140 participants took part in this event. As well as academics from different management science disciplines from the UK, Canada, Egypt, Spain, France, Italy, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia, practitioners operating in various economic sectors (private or public) i.e. educational, social, technological, governmental, Not for Profit, etc. joined the conference to discuss the results of scientific research, professional experiences, challenges, concerns and levers for implementing the sustainability goals. The results consisted in a very fruitful exchanges that were widely appreciated by all attendees and commented on extensively by the media covering the event (TV216, El Janoubia TV, press unit of Universincity of Manouba) and on social media (mainly Facebook).

Friendly ambiance and lots of networking at the El Medina restaurant.

During two intensive days, roundtable discussions on experiences, challenges, prospects for the implementation of the sustainability goals, local government governance, smart cities, the link between trust and sustainable development, the role of the media in achievement of the sustainability goals, water issues as a public issue, networking workshops, meetings with the editors  of the Journal of Customer Behavior, Qualitative Market Research- An International journal, Cogent Business and Management, Social Business and Transnational Marketing Journal; and research paper sessions, provided an opportunity to develop collaborative networks on common issues leading to future collaborative projects. In this regard, several projects were discussed and meetings were held and / or are planned to concretise these collaborations.

Professor Len Tiu Wright, Dr. Julie Robson (BU), Dr. Hazeem Rasheed (College of Management and Technology, Alexandria) and Dr. Kaouther Kooli (BU), presenting on behalf of the editors of :Qualitative Market Research- An International Journal, Transnational Marketing Journal, Cogent Business and Management, Journal of Costumer Behaviour and Social Business

The conference was sponsored by prestigious organisations that were also represented in the conference through contributions to very rich roundtables. These are : PMS Service Company, Societe National de Petrole SNDP Company (AGIL), Tunisair; Biolive, Justech. Ms. Zeineb Attia (HR Expo); Dr. Khaoula Ben Mansour (INLUCC); Ms. Zohra Boussetta (Biolive); Prof. Aysha Karrafi (ATGL, APER); Mr. Nizar Nouiri (Factory 619); Ms. Sana Oueslati (e-Government Unit, Prime Ministry); Ms. Souad Siala (Canadian-Tunisian Chamber of Commerce); Mr. Charfeddine Yakoubi (ATCP); Dr. Slim Mehrezi (Mayor of the la Marsa Council); Mr. Sami Marrouki (President of IRSET) and Mr. Nabil Smida (CEO of SNDP).

Conference main outcomes

  1. Publications for academics from all participant countries i.e. North Africa and beyond in ABS journals bringing new research approaches/methods that are more specific to an under researches part of the world.
  2. Joint projects linking academics from different countries i.e. Dr Cherifa Lakhoua presented a paper on the impact of the socio-political situation, images and intention to visit: how to develop a sustainable image of a country and a destination? Taking the case of Tunisia. She is now collaborating with Dr Hazeem Rasheed from the College of Management and Technology in Egypt, to collect further data from Egypt.
  3. The conference is one of the very few opportunities for North African countries to meet and debate over shared issues.
  4. Joint bids for funding are planned i.e. an application for the following funding (Society for Libyan Studies, GB) is being developed in collaboration between Dr Julie Robson, Professor Adele Ladkin Dr Kaouther Kooli (BU), professor Len Tiu Wright ( De Montfort University) and Professor Hamida Skandrani (The University of Manouba, ISCAE), Dr. Fatma Smaoui (The University of Tunis, ISG)

    Roundtable discussion: Chaired by Professor Derrick de Kerkhove, impressive panel at ‪#colloqueinternationalduLIGUE ‪#B2BSIGConference2018 president of ‪@tunisair_info, minister of finance of Tunisia, various NGOs – all to discuss how Tunisia  acts on UN Sustainability Goals

  5. Collaboration of Dr Kaouther Kooli (BU) with Professor Derrick De Kerkhove (Italy) on the project “I am Bizerte” which is part of a bigger project “Smart Bizerte”.
  6. Collaboration between Bournemouth University and the College of Management and Technology in Alexandria on a future conference. In addition, to initiating a partnership led by Professor Sangeeta Khorana and Dr Kaouther Kooli between both institutions.
  7. Dr. Kaouther Kooli is nominated a mentor for researchers/academics working at the College of Management and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt.
  8. Initiating a partnership between the American University in North Africa AUNA in Tunis and Bournemouth University.

All these outcomes will contribute to BU 2025 Strategic plan:

Build capacity and capability to deliver the BU2025 outcomes through (1) leading thoughts and research looking at an under explored region in the world, (2) through publishing relevant research that touches pertinent issues, hence with strong potential impact on the society, (3) through enhancing BU position as a sustainable organisation that is ahead of the curve in reflecting upon the inclusive environmental impact.

The event contributes also to BU reputation and networks by developing BU network of partners. This is much needed especially if we consider that the UK is going through tremendous changes triggered by Brexit.

Finally, this event contributes to BU strong commitment to ensuring equality and diversity, through collaborating with colleagues in North Africa on key global issues.  During the conference, contributions from academics, practitioners and other stakeholders, have emphasised North Africa as an important player, alongside with other international stakeholders, in achieving the 2030 sustainability agenda. These contributions took different forms i.e. research papers, roundtable discussions.

Closing ceremony picture, Golden Tulip El Mechtel, 4 -12 – 2018

A big thank you for two wonderful ladies: Dr. Julie Robson and Dr. Elvira Bolat for their dedication and contribution before and during the conference.

Finally, I would like to thank Professor Michael Baker, Professor Ibrahim Sirkeci and Dr Andrew Lindridge for supporting the conference with special issues of ABS journals, hence, providing academics in North African countries and others with a huge opportunity for publication.

I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Dr Kaouther Kooli, Conference Co-Chair

BU contributes to leading review on flies for heart research

It may surprise you but your heart is nothing new. Insects that evolved nearly half a billion years ago had already developed beating hearts. Much of the genetic machinery that controls our own heart beat and heart’s contraction has been conserved during evolutionary time – nature has not deemed it necessary to change it much. OK, the scale and shape of our hearts has changed a little since flies evolved but the molecular mechanics underpinning each heart beat haven’t. This means we can use flies and their genetics to understand human hearts. This is especially useful for ageing research when other models are simply too challenging to manipulate. Research work funded both in the UK by the British Heart Foundation and the USA by the National Institutes of Health is now being summarised in this review. The image shows the Drosophila (fruit fly) heart tube (HT) with associated kidney-like cells either side of it (purple) and alary muscles which act like guy ropes, pinning the heart to the fly’s abdomen. Remember this the next time you wash your car’s window-screen – you’re scraping away a lot of very cool biology!

Dr. Paul S. Hartley – your local ‘heart Drosophilist’

2019 Good Clinical Practice training dates

NHS, Research assessment, Research Ethics, Research Integritiy, Training

Good Clinical Practice, or ‘GCP’, is a requirement for those wishing to work on clinical research projects in a healthcare setting.

GCP is the international ethical, scientific and practical standard to which all clinical research is conducted. By undertaking GCP, you’re able to demonstrate the rights, safety and wellbeing of your research participants are protected, and that the data collected are reliable.

The local dates for the 2019 Good Clinical Practice full day and half day refresher training are now on the Clinical Governance blog!

Get in touch with Research Ethics to find out how to book.

RKEO alternative 12 days ‘to’ Christmas – 5 Ethics gold rings

On the fifth day to Christmas, my RKEO friend gave to me, five ethics gold rings.

Bournemouth University (BU) is committed to promoting and upholding the highest quality academic and ethical standards in all its activities. All research undertaken by BU staff and students must have ethical approval. Please ensure you consult the Research Ethics Code of Practice and gain ethical approval before commencing research.

Find out more here, including how to apply for ethical approval, guidance on the ethics checklist, and much more.

Health Research Authority releases eLearning for student researchers

NHS, PG research, Research assessment, Research Ethics, Research Integritiy, student research, Training

The HRA have improved the information provided on their website for student researchers and those who support them, in planning to conduct research within the NHS.

The organisation has provided three bite size eLearning modules with a focus on the following topics:

  • Sponsors’ and supervisors’ role in educational research
  • Applying for HRA and HCRW (Health and Care Research Wales) Approval
  • Setting up research sites in England and Wales.

You can see the update here, and access the modules here.

Remember that support is on offer at BU if you are thinking of introducing your research ideas into the NHS – email the Research Ethics mailbox, and take a look at the Clinical Governance blog.

new article published by Philipp Wassler and Ksenia Kirillova 2018, Hell is other people? An existential-phenomenological analysis of the local gaze in tourism

Philipp Wassler and Ksenia Kirillova 2018, Hell is other people? An existential-phenomenological analysis of the local gaze in tourism, Tourism Management, Volume 71, April 2019, Pages 116-126
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2018.10.005

Abstract

The “Gaze” is a complex and overarching phenomenon comprised of diverse “Gazers” and “Gazees”. This paper adopts an existential-phenomenological perspective to understand tourists’ lived experiences of being gazed upon by local people. Based on thirty experiences collected from interviews with ten participants, we show that experiencing the “Local Gaze” exposes the tourist as Sartrean “Tourist-esque”: an inauthentic experiencer of positivity, discrimination, alienation and self-consciousness. Moments of true human connections are at best ephemeral. Through an existentialist lens, the study questions the possibility of authentic host-guest relationship in tourism and argues that to maintain hopes for an authentic relationship, the concepts of “Gaze” and – perhaps even of “Tourism” – need to be transcended.

Reminder: A Few Places Left for Creative Writing Workshop

PG research

The Creative Writing for Academics Workshop on 11 & 12 January is filling up very quickly!

There are only a few places left. If you can commit to attending both days, email Kip Jones now to hold your place.

Read all about a previous Creative Writing for Academics workshop here: https://goo.gl/3fz2Yu

…then get ready for the next one coming in January! https://blogs.bournemouth.ac.uk/research/2018/12/05/two-day-workshop-in-creative-writing-for-academics-now-open/

VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE (FACEBOOK LIVESTREAM): Digital media and the Syrian Crisis.

international

VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE (FACEBOOK LIVESTREAM):
Digital media and the Syrian Crisis. How development organisations leverage digital technologies to support Syrian refugees & Internally Displaced People.

December 13, 3pm-5pm (GMT)

You are warmly invited to participate to a virtual roundtable/debate on how organisations use digital media to promote peacebuilding, reconciliation and community reconstruction in the Syrian crisis. The following organisations will present their experiences, and discuss challenges and opportunities opened up by digital media for supporting peace-building and reconciliation in the Syrian crisis:

  • Nabil Eid, Strategic Disability Inclusion – Syria
  • Joel Bergner, Artolution.
  • Ali Sheikh and Aida Hussein, Syrian Eyes.
  • Mohammed Al Dbiyat, Salamieh Friends Association.
  • Suha Tutunji, Jusoor Organization.

The event will be live-streamed on the e-Voices: Redressing Marginality facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BUevoices/

The virtual roundtable is part of the AHRC International Network eVoices: Redressing Marginality. To know more about the network please check our website: http://evoices.cemp.ac.uk/

Using drama and storytelling in dementia care: Kick-off meeting for ERASMUS+ 2018 funded project

BU Challenges

Using drama and storytelling in dementia care: Kick-off meeting for ERASMUS+ 2018 funded project

Last week, Dr Ben Hicks, I and the European partners from Greece, Romania, Bulgaria and Ireland began the ERASMUS+ 2018 funded project, exploring drama and storytelling in dementia care. The kick-off meeting was held in Bucharest, Romania, where all partners met to discuss the implementation of the project and establish targets for the next two years.

The morning session began with a discussion regarding the process of producing a booklet “Life in a story: creative arts and storytelling use for Alzheimer’s Disease patients and carers”. This will be based on a systematic review, conducted by Bournemouth University, and interviews with professionals who use drama and storytelling as a mean to engage people with dementia. In the afternoon, representatives from The Gaiety School of Acting, Ireland, introduced us to the use of theatre and storytelling. This was by far the most creative and interesting moment from the meeting, as we passed a ball of string amongst ourselves whilst regaling the proudest moment in our life.

The ball of string went around the table and everyone got a chance to tell their story. At the end, we could tangibly see that although we were all individuals, we each had similar stories that bound us together. The partners from Gaiety School of Acting will be creating a training programme using similar methods that focus of theatre and storytelling to train health and social care professionals to better understand, engage and support people living with dementia and their care partners.

 

As the meeting progressed, we also discussed the preparation of a toolkit for family carers to improve communication with people with dementia as well as the policy recommendations required for creating dementia friendly communities and institutions through the use of creative arts.

The meeting went well, and clear targets and future plans were established for the project. Moving forward, Bournemouth University will now begin conducting a systematic review of the area as well as interviews with dementia practitioners. This phase of the research will conclude in April 2019 and will inform the development of a ‘Train-the-Trainer booklet that will supplement the future drama and storytelling workshops (Phase 2).

My first international meeting as a research assistant exceeded my expectations. We received a very warm welcome, tackled the workload with a lot of heated discussions and achieved positive outcomes from the meeting. It was interesting to learn about cross cultural differences in dementia care and the benefits that the creative arts can offer people with dementia and their care partners. However, it was also upsetting to listen to project partners sharing their experiences of battling their Governments to provide even the most minimal of financial support for those living with dementia. Hopefully, this ERASMUS+ 2018 project will not only bring more dementia awareness across European countries, but also enable a wide variety of people to use drama and storytelling in dementia care to improve understanding of dementia and enhance the support provided to those living with the condition. I really look forward to the practical part of this project, when we receive the training from Gaiety School of Acting.

Blog written by Irma Konovalova (Research Assistant in the ADRC).

 

ADRC launches ageing and dementia friendly environments education workshops to share research and create impact in practice

People with dementia often find it more difficult to understand and navigate built environments. Dementia-friendly environments compensate for impairments to maximise independence and quality of life. During the last week of November Prof Jan Wiener, Dr Michelle Heward, Amanda Adams and Dr Sarah Hambidge from the Ageing and Dementia Research Centre (ADRC) launched the new SustAining residenT NAVigation in care environments (SAT NAV) education programme, running two workshops with 28 local practitioners including care home managers, architects and interior designers.

The aim of the workshops is to enable practitioners to develop strategies to support people with dementia in unfamiliar environments. To facilitate this, practitioners learnt about existing ageing and dementia friendly design principles and audit tools as well as how navigation research can support wayfinding in care environments. This included an overview of the ADRC empirically validated design guidelines, a key output from a two year ESRC grant and over 10 years of research by Prof Jan Wiener, to support effective way finding in people with Alzheimer’s disease in care environments. Design suggestions made by students from the Bournemouth Arts University Graphic Design course led by Alice Stevens were also included to give practitioners ideas for implementing the design guidelines in their own practice.

Feedback from the workshops suggests that the practitioners ‘…have a better understanding about navigation and orientation for people with dementia’ and that the ‘training has given me ideas to take back to workplace’. The team will continue to develop the education workshops and plan to hold several more in 2019. Evaluation of the impact of the workshops in practice will include following up with the practitioners at a later date to explore how they have applied the learning in their own practice.

To register your interest in attending a future workshop please contact Michelle Heward.

RKEO alternative 12 days ‘to’ Christmas – 3 more months in the EU

On the third day to Christmas, my RKEO friend gave to me, 3 more months in the EU.

Or will it be? Who knows with Theresa May quoting The Jam with ‘the public gets what the public wants’ and the rest of her Cabinet quitting.

Assuming it’s all still going ahead, get your Horizon 2020 application in quickly.  Find out what’s on offer here. If you want advice on any of the H2020 calls, please contact Ainar Blaudums for more information. If you don’t know Ainar, see the second day of Christmas blog post to find out all about him.

HE policy update for the w/e 7th December 2018

Student Engagement

Another lively week in HE policy – starting late last Friday night when the Minister resigned..and we had to wait several days for the new one to be appointed.

New Minister

For those watching HE twitter late on a Friday night, the big news was Sam Gyimah’s resignation over Brexit (amid some whispers from the HE conspiracy theorists that fee cuts are nigh and Sam may have been exiting before the blame falls).  The new HE Minister is Chris Skidmore. We’ve compiled a profile on him here.

(more…)

Education Research with Impact: Introducing the 3D Pedagogy Framework

My research, teaching and professional practice have always been centred on equality and social justice, especially in relation to race, ethnicity, culture and gender.

Prior to joining BU in 2014, I established an influential network of intellectuals and scholar-activists committed to the cause of race equality – Black British Academics. A primary consultancy activity we’ve been involved in over the past few years is addressing the lack of ethnic and cultural diversity in the higher education curriculum.

It was from these origins that I developed the final year optional unit in the Faculty of Media and Communication – Media Inequality in 2014/15. The unit centres on critical engagement with historical and contemporary issues around race, ethnicity and culture and their relationship with power across the media and in communications practice. It aims to facilitate the development of cultural competencies that can be applied in a professional context to a range of communication industries.

The unit has run for two academic years in 2016/17 and 2017/18 and during this time I collected quantitative data via an end of unit survey through which students reported high levels of critical consciousness and agency and perception of greater levels of cultural competence. It attracted praise from the external examiner and two SUBU ‘You’re Brilliant’ awards that mention the unit and its focus on social justice. In 2018/19 I won the Academic Excellence Award in the Dorset Ethnic Minority Awards and I was presented with Staff Member of the Year Award by SUBU at their BME Awards last week.

The sector, student and community recognition of my pedagogies around social justice and equality created a strong motivation for me to extend impact beyond my own teaching practice. Over the years I have shared my teaching strategies with the international academic community through education conferences in Hawaii, Washington DC, New York and Austin, Texas, between 2016 and 2018. The positive feedback and engagement I received led me to develop the 3D Pedagogy Framework; an inclusive teaching strategy that aims to decolonize, democratize and diversify the higher education curriculum.

In May of this year I applied for ACORN funding through the Early Career Researcher Network and was successful in gaining a major award. This enabled me to develop and pilot a 3D Pedagogy workshop that I delivered at BU, De Montfort University and the Canada International Conference on Education in Toronto to a total of 27 participants.

The findings from this study documented in a forthcoming journal article suggest 3D Pedagogy is an effective approach to enhance the cultural competencies of educational practitioners and promote critical reflection; important steps towards transforming the curriculum and the student learning experience.

My teaching, research and professional practice on issues around race and equality over the past few years have occurred during an era of increased media and political focus on the curriculum and student outcomes. Proportionally, more students of colour attend university and with increased competition for student recruitment, ignoring longstanding racial disparities in higher education has financial implications for HEIs.

It is within this climate that the Office for Students recently announced plans to publish national data on attainment gaps by institution to incentivise HEIs to develop concrete measures to address ethnic disparities in progression and attainment. Access and Participation Plans require HEIs to demonstrate how disparities in progression and attainment are being tackled and evaluated with documented evidence.

The Access Excellence and Impact Committee (AEIC) was formed in 2017/18 in response to these sector changes to lead education activities, replacing the Fair Access Group.  Membership includes all Executive Deans and relevant Heads of Professional Service, the Head of the Centre of Excellence in Learning (CEL), and SUBU representation.

In July this year the AEIC put out a call for projects aligned with its priority themes of access, success and participation and especially strategies to address gaps in progression and attainment. Having just completed my ACORN project, with preliminary findings of the 3D Pedagogy Workshop being extremely positive; I applied and was successful in gaining an award.

As a result, 3D Pedagogy (which is fully endorsed and supported by SUBU), is to be embedded across BU through delivery of the workshop to all 20 departments, as part of a two-year project. The workshop will be integrated into the PG Cert in Academic Practice offered through CEL and embedded into Academic Quality through future revision to 2B: Programme Structure and Curriculum Design Characteristics. It is being developed as a case study for BU2025 (inclusivity) and will also be promoted through the HEA Fellowship route as an opportunity to develop a case study that meets the UKPSF across Activity (A1, A2), Core Knowledge (K2, K3) and Professional Values (V2, V4).

In addition to a forthcoming paper in the International Journal of Technology & Inclusive Education that documents my pilot study funded by the ACORN award; I have also secured a book contract with Routledge for a forthcoming title that incorporates 3D Pedagogy centred on media education. The book is part of a series on media literacy co-edited by Prof Julian McDougall, Head of the Centre for Excellence in Media Practice (CEMP), of which I am a member and through which I have been developing my education research.

*My AEIC Award provides funding for a research assistant at grade 6 to support the project, working one-day a week for the duration. The role will involve data collection and analysis as well as administration of the project, including assistance in the development of electronic resources. While this post is being advertised externally, internal applications are welcome, ideally from PGRs with an understanding of issues around race, ethnicity and culture in higher education as well as experience of handling quantitative and qualitative data.

I’m pleased to have the opportunity to lead a major project driving changes to education practice at BU, which was facilitated by the ACORN Award, enabling me to pilot the 3D Pedagogy Workshop, and look forward to developing more research in this area.

*Interested parties should contact Dr Deborah Gabriel for further information about the post by email to: dgabriel@bournemouth.ac.uk