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Academic Development Opportunity – Engagement with a Business Audience

The Knowledge Exchange and Impact Team within the Research and Knowledge Exchange Office have put together a one-day development event for academic colleagues who wish to engage with organisations.

This activity takes place daily across the Institution, however if you are interested in learning about how to engage and communicate with a business audience including developing relationships and networking, this one-day development event will help you.

Lunch is included with refreshments throughout the day.

Venue: Marriott Hotel, Bournemouth

Date: Tuesday 19th July

Time: 9am-4.30pm

For further information and to book your place, please contact Rachel Clarke, Knowledge Exchange Adviser (KTP and Student Projects) on 61347 or email clarker@bournemouth.ac.uk  

Students Who Bounce Back Project

Credit: Gareth Williams (CC BY 2.0)

Credit: Gareth Williams(CC BY 2.0)

Are you a student carer? Do you know a BU student who has caring responsibilities?

BU student carers – those students who provide unpaid support to someone who could not manage without your help – are invited to take part in a photo-diary research project entitled ‘Students who bounce back’, led by Dr Jacqueline Priego, from BU’s Centre for Excellence in Learning.

  • The project seeks to explore the life experience of student carers at BU and the impact of caring in their learning experiences.
  • By taking part, student carers will help us to enhance the academic and pastoral support for student carers at BU in the future.
  • The Student Carer bursary was funded through a pilot scheme in 2015/2016. This research will evaluate the effectiveness of the bursary and inform whether to continue with the bursary in future years. We would like to hear from students who were and were not successful in securing the bursary, and also from those student carers who were not aware of the bursary.

For details about the project, including its reimbursement scheme (up to £50 Amazon voucher + travel expenses), please email jpriego@bournemouth.ac.uk.

A carer is defined as anyone who cares, unpaid, for a family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot cope without their support.

Featured Image Credit: Gareth Williams (CC BY 2.0)

Changes to MRC funding policy

logo_mrcMRC have written to us outlining a recent update to its funding policy to allow the inclusion of a one-page ‘methodology and experimental design’ annex to the case for support.

MRC have stated “The methodological rigour of all applications to the MRC is scrutinised closely during the peer-review process. However, we are increasingly aware that applicants often focus on presenting a compelling scientific rationale at the expense of providing sufficient methodological detail to persuade reviewers that the study will deliver robust and convincing findings. To help address this deficit, and in response to feedback from the community, we are making an important change to our application process; with immediate effect, the MRC is introducing an optional one page annex to the case for support within all research proposals. This will allow applicants to specifically detail the methodology and experimental design aspects of their proposals, and to include figures, tables and/or diagrams relevant to this, where appropriate. Full details can be found in the MRC Guidance for applicants (Sections 2.4.3 and 4.1.4).”

You are strongly encouraged to use the new guidance.  Applications for funding will be rejected outright if they do not provide sufficient detail to convince MRC Research Boards and Panels that the proposed experiments will be carried out appropriately; i.e. in the context of a robust study design; with the necessary statistical power to answer the research question; and with an analysis plan that is fit for purpose.

If you are interested in applying to the MRC then please contact the RKEO Funding Development Team in the first instance.

The Faculty of Science and Technology’s Second Annual PGR Conference 2016

scitech2016

On the 18th of May the Faculty of Science and Technology held its Second Annual PGR Conference. This is a chance for the academic and postgraduate community to showcase the research that is being undertaken in the six departments within the Faculty. A total of 45 students presented their work over the course of the day, with 29 posters and 16 oral presentations.

The SciTech PGR Representatives: Hayley Roberts, Adam Roberts, Sarah Hodge and Paul Evans, would like to thank all who made the SciTech PGR conference such a success. Both Professor Christine Maggs and Professor Matt Bentley commented on how interesting it was to hear about the high quality research that PGRs in SciTech are conducting. We would like to thank both of them for their support.  We were also honoured to have Vice Chancellor, Professor John Vinney who came to open the event and listened to the first session. The day wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Naomi Bailey, Louise Pearson and Natalie Andrade, the chairs, the presenters, the judges and everyone else that helped with the organisation.

Six prizes were awarded to students who demonstrated particularly high standards:

Best poster

Winner:

Jawwad Latif (Design and Engineering)

Experimental Analysis and Modelling of Multi-layer Coating in Large Vehicles

 

Runner-up:

Catherine Collop (Life and Environmental Sciences)

An individual based model of Poole Harbour – is disturbance from human activities limiting wintering bird numbers?

 

Best 15 minute presentation

Winner:

Sarah Jeffery (Psychology)

Self-Compassion & Healthier Lifestyles: A Self-Compassion Based Intervention to Support Health-Promoting Behaviours in Emerging Adults

 

Runner-up:

Oxala Garcia Rodriguez (Life and Environmental Sciences)

Comparative phylogeography of modern humans and other organisms

Best 20 minute presentation

Winner:

Adam Roberts (Design and Engineering)

The potential of using the water hammer effect in small-scale tidal power applications

 

Runner-up:

Monica Knul (Life and Environmental Sciences)

Re-assessing the quality of published radiocarbon dates of the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic in Europe

Congratulations!

scitech

 

 

NIHR Fellowships – Introductory Webinar- 16th June 11-12 – Studland House S203

NIHR will be hosting a live one hour webinar about the NIHR Fellowship Programme on Thursday 16 June 2016 at 11am which may be of interest to you, room booked at Studland House S203

This is a webinar for aspiring NIHR Fellowship award holders ahead of the launch of round 10 of the programme later in the year. The webinar is aimed at clinicians, allied health professionals and health researchers who wish to learn more about personal training awards.

It will be jointly hosted by the NIHR Trainees Coordinating Centre (TCC) and the NIHR Research Design Service (RDS) and will include:

  • An overview of the NIHR Fellowship programmes and eligibility requirements
  • A guide to the scope of research projects that are suitable for Fellowship schemes
  • An overview of the support offered by the NIHR RDS
  • Things to consider before applying for an NIHR Fellowship and designing a research project

The webinar will be presented by Nicola Melody, Senior Programme Manager at NIHR TCC and Jill Carlton, Research Fellow in the Health Economics and Decision Science section of ScHARR (School of Health and Related Research) and Fellowships advisor for NIHR Yorkshire and Humber RDS.

As this is a live webinar, attendees will be able to send questions in to the speakers and we will try to answer as many as possible during the webinar. We encourage you to send your question in advance, please for BU, email Alice Brown: browna@bournemouth.ac.uk with the subject: ‘Fellowship Programme webinar question’.

 

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 15th June 2016

Helping Hands croppedToday is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a day set aside by the United Nations for governments and civil society worldwide to acknowledge the problem of abuse against some of the oldest and most vulnerable groups across the world.

Despite the Toronto Declaration on the Global Prevention of Elder Abuse (2002) which called for a multi-sector and multi-disciplinary approach to tackle the issue, elder abuse continues to be a global problem affecting the health and impacting on the human rights of millions of older people around the world.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) elder abuse is a subject which is often underestimated and ignored by societies globally. As older populat
ions grow globally, elder abuse is an issue that all societies and governments need to acknowledge and tackle in a proactive way. In 2015 there were 901 million people on earth aged 60 or over; and this is projected to rise to 1.4 billion in 2030 (United Nations [UN] 2015). Due to this rapidly ageing global population elder abuse is predicted to increase. Although it is difficult to measure the scale of the problem due to its often hidden nature, it is estimated that around 1 in 10 older people experience abuse every month.

What is it?
Elder abuse can take various forms such as physical, psychological or emotional, sexual and financial abuse. It can also be the result of intentional or unintention
al neglect, and can occur in institutional settings as well as in the home environment. However, in many parts of the world it is an issue which is often hidden from view and seldom recognised, the voices of victims silenced by ageism and indifference. It results from the wider marginalization, disrespect, and exploitation that older people experience in many societies, and ultimately results in de-humanised care and an absence of human rights for older people.

What can we do?
Globally we need to acknowledge elder abuse as a priority. We need to tackle some of the underlying socio-cultural factors which deny older people status and human rights including inherent ageism and the depiction of older people as frail, weak and dependent. This includes developing awareness of how changing socio-demographic patterns contribute to the shifting context of care and support available to older people in society. For example, global and national economic policies may result in funds to provide health and social care to older citizens not being considered a priority, and the creation of a globally mobile workforce resulting in the erosion of bonds between generations of a family where traditionally younger family members would care for older relatives.

We also need to act on demographic changes, celebrate that many of us are living longer, but acknowledge health and life expectancy inequalities across the UK and globally (Wilkinson and Pickett, 2010, Office of National Statistics, 2016) and work to address these. International interest in using well-being as a measure of social progress (http://www.neweconomics.org/issues/entry/well-being) alters perspectives, making us consider that factors which negatively impact on individual well-being, including the abuse of vulnerable members of society, indicate systemic problems which need systemic solutions such as the introduction of the ‘well-being principle’ to social policy.

The well-being principle underpins the Care Act (2014) and seeks to ensure social care support and services in England and Wales, increase well-being, enabling personal dignity and the exercise of choice and control. This represents human rights, person-centred approach which is strengths rather than deficit based. Its relevance reaches beyond social care and by adopting this stance in our interpersonal as well as professional relationships we can start to address some of the negative stereotypes which are linked to old age and ageing, and which can contribute to de-humanised approaches to care.

Elder abuse should be a topic that we all feel we have a stake in, and as such is in all our interests to tackle.

Dr Lee-Ann Fenge and Sally Lee

References

United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2015) World Population Prospects: The 2015 Revision. Available from https://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/publications/files/key_findings_wpp_2015.pdf [Accessed 13/06/16]

Wilkinson, D. and Pickett, 2010. The Spirit Level. London: Penguin.

http://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandlifeexpectancies

Last chance to book! Interdisciplinary Research HE Sector Day on 21st June 2016

IR21616

There is now less than a week to go until our Interdisciplinary Research HE Sector Day on 21st June 2016. This event, which is free and open to academics and research support staff throughout the UK is dedicated to exploring the benefits and challenges of interdisciplinary research.

Places are limited, so book now via Eventbrite.

Presentations include:

Key Note addressDr. Louise Mansfield (Deputy Director of the Brunel Centre for Sport, Health and Wellbeing and member of the What Works Centre for Wellbeing research team)

The Funders’ Perspective – Charlotte Lester (HEFCE), Dan Licari (Innovate UK / KTN Creative, Digital & Design) and Ben Sharman (EU NCP – Inclusive, innovative and reflective societies)

Supporting Interdisciplinary WorkingProf. Alan Lester and Debbie Foy-Everett (Sussex), Jordan Graham and Ehsan Masood (Research Professional) and Christopher Ferguson (Piirus)

The Academics’ PerspectiveProf. Adele Ladkin (BU), Dr. David Hutchinson (Portsmouth) and Dr. Justine McConnell (TORCH, University of Oxford)

Facilitated networking session – How can I contribute?

Please see the Speaker Biographies for further information on our contributors. Please see the finalised Interdisciplinary Research HE Sector Day Progamme for more information. Key to the programme, as well as inspirational speakers, there will be plenty of time to network with colleagues and participate in exploring your own relationship with interdisciplinary research

The event will take place in BU’s Executive Business Centre. It will be opened BU’s Professor Michael Wilmore (Executive Dean – Faculty of Media and Communication) with the closing remarks to be made by BU’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Vinney.

To find out more about BU’s Research, why not register to receive updates from our award winning Research Blog.

Places are limited, so book now via Eventbrite.

 

 

New publication Carol Bond & Osman Ahmed

Bond+AhmedThe week saw the publication of a new book by Elsevier (June 9th) Health Through Social Media which contains a chapter by FHSS staff Drs Carol Bond and Osman Ahmed called ‘Patient Empowerment Through Social Media’.    Carol and Osman have a wide-ranging experience in researching and publishing about e-health, m-health and social media.  They co-authored this topical chapter with a colleague in Australia.

Congratulations!chp Bond Ahmed

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

CMMPH

 

 

 

Will getting a mentor boost your career? Vitae video event on 16/6/16

Vitae logoVitae have asked us to share this with our researcher community:

We would like to invite you and all researchers at your institutions to a free online Q&A entitled: “Will getting a mentor boost your career?” This video event (Google + Hangout) will take place this Thursday (16 June), between 2-3pm (UK time).

Interviews with research and academic leaders revealed having a mentor to be one of the most important forms of support to prepare early career researchers for the challenges of research independence and leadership.

This Q&A aims to explore mentoring and coaching relationships, from the perspectives of being mentored and being a mentor, as well as the support and structures in institutions that can help. Panellists will take audience questions, so this is your opportunity to get expert advice on mentoring and coaching as a valuable personal and professional development tool.

How to join the Google + Hangout?

  1. Create a Google account (to be able to ask questions)
  2. VISIT our Google + event page: http://bit.ly/1VQewIJ
  3. Post questions on Q&A app
  4. BOOKMARK THIS LINK TO WATCH Q&A ON 16 JUNE: http://bit.ly/1VQewIJ

How to join & participate in the Q&A?

Vitae Google+ Hangouts are live online video events of Q&A sessions with a group of expert panellists. As the video is streaming live online you will be able to watch and get involved in the conversation. We will be using the Google Hangout Q&A app for the event which is the easiest and most effective way to submit your questions. The questions will appear on the right side of the screen as the video is being streamed. The App is NOW live, so you can “Ask a new question” before and during the event. We will try to answer as many questions as possible.

Have a look at our previous Q&As: http://bit.ly/1uGaCl0

***Focus on mentoring and coaching for researchers***

The Google Hangout is just one in a series of activities and resources focused around this theme. Visit our brand new Focus on page http://bit.ly/1dZe0BS to find out more about mentoring and coaching in research, including an opportunity to submit an article about your experience of being mentored or mentoring others: http://bit.ly/1OnpMuP

You can also share your views on mentoring by completing our quick online poll:

I’m a mentor

or a coach: http://bit.ly/1UsrziH

(6 questions)

I’m being

mentored/coached: http://bit.ly/1ZOcgRx

(6 questions)

I would like

to be mentored/coached: http://bit.ly/1UxsBpo

(3 questions)

 

 

Opportunity to join the Strategic Programme Advisory Group

NERC is seeking applications to help steer the future of UK environmental science by joining its Strategic Programme Advisory Group (SPAG). SPAG makes recommendations to NERC’s Science Board and the NERC Executive on how to invest NERC’s strategic research funding through highlight topics or strategic programme areas.

Members, will be drawn from a wide range of environmental science disciplines and sectors, including academia, policymakers, business and NGOs. You will be an innovative thinker, an expert in your area of environmental science or profession. You will have the ability to recognise emerging ideas and opportunities across the whole of NERC’s remit. You should also be able to take a visionary perspective and be skilled at making judgements across a range of scientific, strategic and policy issues.

Appointments will be for one year in the first instance, with the possibility of extension for a further two years. It is expected that the role will require six days per year for meetings plus additional preparation time.

If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, you will find further information here.

International Conference “Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine: History vs. Modernity”

Call for Papers for the International Conference “Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine(s): History vs. Modernity”, to be held in Warsaw on 4-5 November 2016. The deadline for submitting abstracts is 30 June 2016. Papers presented at the conference will be published in a collected volume.

The conference keynote speaker is Dr. Joana Almeida (University of London), the author of Towards the camisation of health? The countervailing power of CAM in relation to the Portuguese mainstream healthcare system.


For more information, please visit the conference website at www.tcam.conf.irf-network.org.

NCCPE Engage Competition 2016

The bi-annual NCCPE Engage Competition has launched for 2016, aiming to recognise and reward high quality examples of public engagement with research. The competition first ran in 2014, when 230 entries were received and awarded prizes to some exceptional engagement projects.

This year there are six competition categories, and the winner of each category will receive a prize of £1,500 to go towards further public engagement work at their institution. The winners and runners-up from each category will be celebrated at an awards ceremony as part of Engage 2016, the NCCPE’s annual conference, this year on the 29th and 30th November.

Please follow the link for more de

Centre for Qualitative Research Summer Surgery Sessions

CQR logo

CQR is pleased to announce a series of appointments available to postgrad (Masters or PhD) and academic researchers considering using qualitative methods for their projects.

 The half-hour sessions with Centre for Qualitative Research Director, Dr. Kip Jones, will take place over the summer at Royal London House, Lansdowne. Anyone who is thinking of using qualitative methods and would like more information, support from CQR members, or links to  resources, are welcome to book a half-hour session to discuss their project and get feedback.
Too often research projects jump into using qualitative methods of research such as interviewing, observing, etc. without really having any background in the method or training for it. When it comes time for Vivas or publications, often these projects do not then meet expectations.  What CQR hopes to do is ensure that qualitative projects of any kind carried out at BU are vigorous.  This is the reason behind the surgeries (as well as plans for future Centre for Qualitative Research seminars and masterclasses).
It is easy to book a slot for a session. Simply email Kip (kipworld@gmail.com) stating the date of either a Tuesday (10-12 noon) or a Wednesday (1-3 pm) over the summer when you can be available. You will get an email back with your timeslot for the particular date.

CQR members have expertise in a wide range of methods. We hope through this surgery process to connect you up with a particular resourceful person.
Research as Film/Film as Research
Photo-elicitation
Grounded Theory
Performance Poetry
Ethics
Interviewing
Focus Groups
Ethnography
Participatory Action Research
Autobiography
Auto-ethnography
Biographic Narrative Interpretive Method
Appreciative Inquiry
Arts-based methods
Telephone interviews
Questionnaire design
NVIVO
Performance Poetry
Reflexivity
Performative Social Science

BFI London Film Festival announces 2016 dates and major new filmmakers bursary

The 60th BFI London Film Festival will run 5-16 October 2016 and is launching a major new initiative to support British filmmakers with an annual £50k bursary award.

As the deadline for this is very tight, this coming Friday 17th June, please get in touch with Eva Papadopoulou email: epapadopoulou@bournemouth.ac.uk so you can complete an expression of interest in relation to the Bursary.

full call available at BFI