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British Conference of Undergraduate Research – abstract deadline extended

Student Engagement, student research

The deadline for students to submit abstracts to the British Conference of Undergraduate Research has been extended to Sunday 15 January 2017.

We have already seen a number of entries from Bournemouth University students, but it would be great to encourage more students to apply.  It’s a brilliant opportunity for them to share research that they’re undertaking or have undertaken as part of their dissertation, placement or a Student Research Assistantship, as well as developing their communication and presentation skills which will be helpful in any career.

Further information about BCUR, including guidance for submitting and abstract and how to submit a finished abstract can be found here: www.bournemouth.ac.uk/bcur17.

Stories from students who have taken part in previous undergraduate research conferences can be found here.

New edition qualitative research book

Publishing, writing

hollowaygalvin-2017Congratulations to BU Professor Emerita Immy Holloway and FHSS (Faculty of Health & Social Sciences) Visiting Faculty Professor Kathleen Galvin on the publication of the latest edition of Qualitative Research in Nursing and Healthcare [1].  This new edition offers insights into both the abstract ideas in qualitative research and its practical procedures. Structured into four sections, the new edition looks at the initial stages, methods of data collection, qualitative approaches and analysis of collected data.  Professor Galvin is Professor of Nursing Practice in the College of Life, Health & Physical Sciences, at the University of Brighton.  Both Immy Holloway and Kate Galvin are affiliated with BU’s Centre for Qualitative Research (CQR), the longest running research centre in FHSS.

 

Congratulations!

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

 

Reference:

  1. Holloway I & Galvin K. (2017) Qualitative Research in Nursing and Healthcare. Wiley-Blackwell 4th ed.

 

COST Action Training School attended by FHSS Postgraduate Researcher Preeti Mahato

international, Student Engagement, Training

img_5141Last week I attended COST Action Training School BEYOND BIRTH COHORTS: from study design to data management which was conducted from November 23- 25 in Valencia, Spain. COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is a unique platform where European researchers can jointly develop their ideas and initiatives across all scientific disciplines through trans-European networking of nationally funded research. The specialist training to which I was invited focused conducting longitudinal cohort studies especially birth cohorts.
Various aspects of birth cohort were discussed during the training which included data collection, development of standard operating protocols for analysis of samples, techniques and tools to study biological samples, different methods of data analysis, and data management. Training also included the use of the R-package for data analysis and management. There were presenters from different countries including the UK, Germany, Spain, Malta who were associated with the COST Action.
Overall this training was very helpful and I found it interesting to discover more about the COST Action, their objectives and activities and also about the data on birth cohorts including designing cohort studies and ways to analyse the data. I am sure it will help with my PhD fieldwork which links with the THET-funded project on mental health training for community maternity care providers in Nepal. My fieldwork in Nepal starts in January 2017. I would like to thank the EU for the funding and FHSS for the co-funding of the travel expenses.

One of the presentation from training

Fundraising for the Hearts Milk Bank at BU

PG research, student research

On the 17th of November, The World Prematurity Day, there was a fundraising cake sale for the Hearts Milk Bank.

cake-saleThe amount raised will help to either

– feed 14 babies for a day

–  or feed 3 babies for 5 days, the average time they need donor milk

– or buy enough containers for 55 mums to start donating milk

– or buy almost 3  transportation bags.

The Hearts Milk Bank is therefore 1 step closer to provide donor milk for babies born too soon or too sick!

 

I would like to thank anyone who has made this cake sale possible, the bakers and the buyers, the great people who donated money, SUBU, and the people helping me on the day. You are awesome!

Gillian Weaver, co-founder of the bank contacted me to say “We are so grateful to you Isabell and to everyone who supported your cake sale on World Prematurity Day. You raised a fantastic amount and we will put it to very good use helping to ensure that all premature and sick babies get access to safe and assured supplies of donor milk irrespective of where they are born in the UK. We know that this not only helps to prevent tiny babies from life threatening illnesses but also supports their mothers whilst they build up their own breastmilk supply. The Hearts Milk Bank (the bank with a difference) will also be a biobank of breastmilk samples for much needed research into breast cancer so your support for us is doubly valuable!”

ukamb_logo2If you would like to learn more about donor milk visit the website of the UK Association for Milk Banking.

gkjo6pcssbgobqmecfa6If you would like to learn more about the Hearts Milk Bank or would like to donate, please click here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/hearts-milk-bank-saving-tiny-babies-helping-mums-cancer

 

I learned about donor milk as part of my PhD thesis at BU, focusing on the effects of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the perinatal period. If you are interested in our research please contact me at inessel@bournemouth.ac.uk

Many thanks, Isabell

Presentation to Research Staff Association 30 November 2016

Thanks to Michelle Heward for organising this event for research staff. Ehren Milner and Emily Cieciura (RKEO) gave a short presentation on the new RKE Development Framework illustrating its flexibility for researchers at any stage! The framework is now being run through Organisational Development and details can be found  by clicking on the RKE development framework category link (above) or visiting the OD page on the staff intranet.

BU Clinical Research Unit were also there (in the form of Lisa Gale-Andrews and Sharon Docherty) and provided an overview of the FREE support available to ANYONE interested in health or social care research. For more information on how BUCRU can help you visit the website or drop by and see us on the 5th floor of Royal London House.

Research Professional – all you need to know

Funding opportunities

Research-Professional-logoEvery BU academic has a Research Professional account which delivers weekly emails detailing funding opportunities in their broad subject area. To really make the most of your Research Professional account, you should tailor it further by establishing additional alerts based on your specific area of expertise. The Funding Development Team Officers can assist you with this, if required.

Research Professional have created several guides to help introduce users to ResearchProfessional. These can be downloaded here.

Quick Start Guide: Explains to users their first steps with the website, from creating an account to searching for content and setting up email alerts, all in the space of a single page.

User Guide: More detailed information covering all the key aspects of using ResearchProfessional.

Administrator Guide: A detailed description of the administrator functionality.

In addition to the above, there are a set of 2-3 minute videos online, designed to take a user through all the key features of ResearchProfessional. To access the videos, please use the following link: http://www.youtube.com/researchprofessional

Research Professional are running a series of online training broadcasts aimed at introducing users to the basics of creating and configuring their accounts on ResearchProfessional. They are holding monthly sessions, covering everything you need to get started with ResearchProfessional. The broadcast sessions will run for no more than 60 minutes, with the opportunity to ask questions via text chat. Each session will cover:

  • Self registration and logging in
  • Building searches
  • Setting personalised alerts
  • Saving and bookmarking items
  • Subscribing to news alerts
  • Configuring your personal profile

Each session will run between 10.00am and 11.00am (UK) on the fourth Tuesday of each month. You can register here for your preferred date:

24th January 2017

28th February 2017

28th March 2017

25th April 2017

23rd May 2017

27th June 2017

25th July 2017

22nd August 2017

26th September 2017

24th October 2017

These are free and comprehensive training sessions and so this is a good opportunity to get to grips with how Research Professional can work for you.

BU host MRC regional visit

Funding opportunities

logo_mrcEvent Date: Wednesday the 1st March 2017

Time: 13:30pm – 15:30pm

On Wednesday, 1st March 2017, the Medical Research Council (MRC) will be visiting BU between 1.30pm and 3.30pm. The presentation will provide:

  • tips on writing a good application, including such documents as ‘pathways to impact’;
  • an overview of the peer review process for all types of application
  • how to respond to your reviewer comments
  • an overview of MRC fellowship schemes

The presentation is open to the regional university network, known as the M3 group, which includes: AUB, Bournemouth, Brighton, Portsmouth, Reading, Southampton, Southampton Solent, Surrey, Sussex and Winchester. All academics and research offices are welcome to attend.  If you are interested in applying to any of the research councils then this will be useful to you.

BU will host a pre-event networking lunch for all attendees from 12 noon. This is a great opportunity to learn about the inner workings of the research councils and how you can strengthen your applications for funding. If you would like to attend, then please book through Eventbrite.

About the MRC: The Medical Research Council improves human health through world-class medical research. They fund research across the biomedical spectrum, from fundamental lab-based science to clinical trials, and in all major disease areas. Their research has resulted in life-changing discoveries for over a hundred years. They are the largest research council with a budget expenditure of £927.8m in 2015/16.

For further information on this event please contact: RKEDevFramework@bournemouth.ac.uk

Research Networking Scheme – Funding opportunity

Funding opportunities

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The Research Networking Scheme is intended to support forums for the discussion and exchange of ideas on a specified thematic area, issue or problem. The intention is to facilitate interactions between researchers and stakeholders through, for example, a short-term series of workshops, seminars, networking activities or other events. The aim of these activities is to stimulate new debate across boundaries, for example, disciplinary, conceptual, theoretical, methodological, and/or international. Proposals should explore new areas, be multi-institutional and can include creative or innovative approaches or entrepreneurship. Proposals must justify the approach taken and clearly explain the novelty or added value for bringing the network participants together.

Proposals for full economic costs up to £30,000 for a period of up to two years may be submitted.

This scheme operates without formal deadlines

All applications to this scheme must be submitted via the cross-council Joint Electronic Submission – (JE-S) System. If you need any assistance to use the system, please contact the JE-S helpdesk on 01793 444164 or on JesHelp@rcuk.ac.uk.

For more information click here

Public Engagement Fund – Funding call

Funding opportunities

rfp-image-620x620Wellcome exists is a global charitable foundation, both politically and financially independent. It exists to improve health for everyone by helping great ideas to thrive.

They currently offer number of funding schemes and one of them is public engagement fund.

Public Engagement Fund is for anyone with a great idea for engaging the public in conversations about health-related science and research. It replaces the Society, People, Large Arts, Small Arts, Development, Co-production, Capital and International Engagement Awards. Read more here.

The fund is open to anyone, including those working in:

  • the arts
  • entertainment media
  • museums and heritage
  • leisure, sport and tourism
  • education and informal learning
  • the community, charity and public sectors.

Scheme at a glance

Proposal stage:

Research and development, Production and project delivery, Developing practice and building networks

Where your activity will take place:

UK, Republic of Ireland, Some low- and middle-income countries

Level of funding:

You can apply for anything from £5,000 up to £3 million

Duration of funding:

Up to 5 years

For more information click here.

Engagement Fellowships – Funding call

Funding opportunities

rfp-image-620x620

Wellcome exists is a global charitable foundation, both politically and financially independent. It exists to improve health for everyone by helping great ideas to thrive.

They currently offer number of funding schemes and one of them is engagement fellowships.

 

Engagement Fellowships support and develop the careers of emerging leaders in public engagement.

Engagement Fellowships are open to a wide range of people, including:

  • professional science communicators
  • academics exploring health and wellbeing (eg, biomedical or social scientists and medical historians)
  • clinicians or healthcare professionals
  • professionals working in the arts and creative industries.

Scheme at a glance

Where your audience is:

UK, Republic of Ireland

Level of funding:

Salary and research expenses covered

Duration of funding:

Up to 2 years

For more information and how to apply click here.

Appointment to the AHRC Advisory Board 2017

ahrcThe AHRC funds research and post graduate training across a wide disciplinary remit as well as facilitating opportunities for researchers to engage in international, knowledge exchange, partnerships and public policy activities. It is a non-departmental governing body sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and is governed by the AHRC Council, which is responsible for the overarching strategic direction of the organisation.

The role of the Advisory Board is to advise the AHRC Council and Executive on the development and implementation of strategic approaches to funding which reflect the challenges and opportunities arising for arts and humanities research and those that engage with it.

The Board is particularly looking for high level expertise from the arts and humanities academic and user communities in the following areas:

  • Skills – post graduate/early career and research leadership development.
  • Global – international partnerships and collaborations involvement.
  • Knowledge exchange – impact and engagement.
  • Interdisciplinarity – both within and outside the arts and humanities.

Attached are the Terms of Reference (PDF, 105KB) for the Advisory Board and the Role and Person Specification (PDF, 238KB) which outline the skills and experience the AHRC requires for potential Board members.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Board please complete their Expressions of Interest Application Form.

Please use no more than 500 words in total outlining:

  • a) in section 1 (no more than 300 words) how you meet the criteria required
  • b) in section 2 (no more than 200 words) your senior level expertise.

You will also need to attach a short CV (no longer than 2 sides of A4) and the Equal Opportunities form (which is not seen by the panel) by the deadline of 4pm on 6th January 2017. Please complete the application form here.

It is anticipated that interviews will take place at the Medical Research Council, Kemble St, London in March 2017.

The AHRC will seek to ensure a healthy balance of institutional and regional representation on the Board. The AHRC is committed to openness and transparency of process and to provide equal opportunities to all, irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, transgender and working patterns.

If you have any questions concerning the vacancies or completion of the application form, please contact Rose Easton on 01793 416014 or email r.easton@ahrc.ac.uk.  If you’re interested in applying then the RKEO would be interested to know and, if we can, help in anyway.

BU Research at Global Women`s (GLOW) Conference 2016

glow-conference-2016

 

Research from Bournemouth University was showcased at the Global Women`s (GLOW) conference organised by University of Manchester on 24th November 2016. The GLOW annual conference is designed to provide a platform for academics, policy makers and researchers involved in international maternal, child and reproductive health to share their experiences, build collaborations and inspire upcoming researchers to make a difference.

Under the theme `innovations to accelerate saving lives at birth` researchers were given the opportunity to share their ideas and novelties on improving newborn, child and maternal health. A key message echoed by speakers at the conference was on improving quality of maternity services at health facilities with a call to ensure interventions translate into saving lives along the continuum of care.

PhD student, Alice Ladur presented a poster In mama` shoes. Using board games with men to influence uptake of skilled birth attendants in Uganda. This research is about using educational board games as a means to engage with men to address barriers that hinder pregnant women from accessing skilled care at birth a key factor contributing to high maternal deaths in low income countries. Alice`s PhD project is supervised by Dr Zoe Sheppard and Professor Vanora Hundley.

Key highlights for me from the GLOW conference was receiving feedback on the game that will be tested next year in Uganda and a call for excellence as articulately stated by one of the keynote speakers ` let us all do our part in saving lives at birth and do it well`. It is possible to improve health outcomes for pregnant mothers and babies in resource constrained settings.

If you are interested in finding out more about this research, please contact me at aladur@bournemouth.ac.uk

 

 

Encouraging GPs to engage in self-reflection

Being a reflective doctor is integral to the safe practice of medicine and forms a significant part of the assessment process for General Practitioners in the UK. Reflective practice is integral to Fitness to Practice and Maintaining an ethical approach as identified in the RCGP training curriculum:

As a GP you should aim at understanding and learning to use your own attitudes, strengths and weaknesses, values and beliefs in a partnership with your individual patients. This requires a reflective approach and the development of insight and an awareness of self. Being honest and realistic about your own abilities, strengths, weaknesses and priorities will help you in dealing with your patients and problems; the lack of self awareness will make your job as a GP very difficult. (RCGP Curriculum)

Rutherford (Programme Leader – MA Advertising) and Dr Emer Forde (GP Foundation Programme Director – Centre for General Practice) have been leading a series of workshops with GP trainees which uses photography as a means to encourage meaningful and constructive self-reflection.

01-the-shadow-of-the-photographer-coverIn addition to our snapshots of friends and family, holidays and special events, many of us also make photographs of things… just because we liked the way something looked, but often without knowing why our attention had been attracted to a particular scene. For example, we might photograph two children playing in a park, an old house, or a bicycle lying in the grass – but we don’t know those children, or the people who lived in that house, and that’s not our bicycle. It was suggested that, when we are prompted to record a scene with which we have no conscious or logical connection, it may be that we have intuitively recognised a personally relevant metaphor in the arrangement of elements – and one to which our subconscious is now trying to bring to our attention.

The GP trainees were asked to carry a camera with them wherever they went and to be prepared to photograph those scenes or ‘moments’ that attracted their attention with an intuitive ‘tap on the shoulder’.

After identifying the three or four photographs at which they regularly paused when leafing casually (‘absent mindedly’) through their photographs, the GP trainees were then asked to reflect on the significance of both the individual elements within the frame as well as the ‘story’ depicted in the picture – and to try to identify the aspect(s) of their personal or professional lives the photographs appear to describe allegorically. The GP trainees were required to submit a self-reflective commentary of 500-1000 words explaining what they had learned about themselves as a result of this project – and how the photographs led to these insights.

These workshops have formed the basis of an ongoing research project, leading to three articles for diverse academic journals currently in preparation.

The photographs produced by the GP trainees in these workshops will be exhibited at the Atrium gallery (Talbot campus) in the week of 12 December 2016.