Tagged / BU research

British Academy funded capacity-building training in Nepal

Awarded & submitted bids, international, Knowledge Exchange

Yesterday we reached third day of the three-day Fellowship training workshop in Dhulikhel, Nepal on evidence synthesis. This capacity-building project is led by the University of Huddersfield and takes place at Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS). This new Fellowship scheme is an international collaboration led by the University of Huddersfield in the UK, in close collaboration with Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (in Nepal), the Nepal Health Research Council, and several UK universities: Bournemouth University, the University of Sheffield, Canterbury Christ Church University, Keele University and the University of Chester. This unique Fellowship started online in the autumn of 2025 and is part of a larger project on strengthening institutional knowledge and capacity of federal, provincial and local governments for evidence-informed health policymaking in Nepal. This important initiative is funded by The British Academy and supported in the field by Green Tara Nepal [1]. The project involved Bournemouth University’s Dr. Pramod Regmi and Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen both in the Faculty of Health, Environment & Medical Sciences.

Some 28 Fellows have been selected from nearly one hundred applicants to help build capacity in the field of evidence synthesis with overall aim to promote evidence-informed policymaking in Nepal. This is longstanding aim of the researcher as highlighted in previous call for an evidence-based policy centre in Nepal [2].

References:

1. Simkhada P, Vaidyal A, Regmi P, Paudyal P, van Teijlingen E, Dhimal M, Koirala B, Shresthe A, Simkhada B (2025) Strengthening Evidence Synthesis for Health Policymaking in Nepal: A New Fellowship Initiative, Nepal J Epidemiol

2. Simkhada P, Dhimal M, van Teijlingen E, Gyanwali P (2022). Nepal Urgently Needs a National Evidence Synthesis Centre, J Nepal Health Res Council, 20 (3): i-ii.

Writing policy briefs

international, open access, Publishing, writing

This week saw the publication of ‘Bridging Research and Policy: Practical Tips for Writing Policy Briefs‘ co-authored by Bournemouth University’s (BU) Dr. Pramod Regmi and Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen as well as former BU staff Dr. Nirmal Aryal.  An effective policy brief bridges the gap between research findings and policymaking, ensuring that evidence is presented succinctly and in a way that is accessible and usable for policymakers and relevant stakeholders. It is an important step in what is called knowledge mobilisation. However, many researchers find it hard to communicate the findings of their studies to relevant policymakers, whilst policymakers note that the evidence they need is not easily accessible and is often not presented in an accessible format. Producing policy briefs is one of the approaches which academics can use to get their research noticed by policymakers.

This practical paper outlines some of the trials and tribulations of producing policy briefs, based on real-world research. It offers several recommendations to help improve the writing and dissemination of policy briefs.  The paper is published in an Open Access journal hence freely available to anybody across the globe with internet access.

 

References:

  1. van Teijlingen, E., Balen, J., Regmi, P., Rushton, S., Simkhada, P., Aryal, N. (2025). Bridging Research and Policy: Practical Tips for Writing Policy Briefs. Journal of Health Promotion, 13(1),:89–96. https://doi.org/10.3126/jhp.v13i1.87170

 

Upholding Excellence: The Concordat to Support Research Integrity

We are pleased to share developments that reinforce our commitment to the highest standards of rigour, ethics, and transparency in all our research activity: Our updated Research Integrity Statement has been published on the BU Research Integrity page, alongside the adoption of the revised Concordat to Support Research Integrity.

Concordat to Support Research Integrity

The revised Concordat is a vital update for the UK research sector, setting out a clear framework for upholding and strengthening research integrity. This establishes five core commitments for researchers, institutions, and funders, ensuring that our research culture continues to be robust, ethical, and trustworthy.

Our Five Core Commitments:

  1. Maintaining the highest standards of research integrity – the principles: Responsible research is grounded in the principles of honesty, rigour, transparency, care and respect, and accountability.
  2. Maintaining the highest standards of research integrity – expectations and compliance: Research must be conducted according to all appropriate ethical, legal, regulatory, and professional frameworks.
  3. Embedding a culture of research integrity: This focuses on creating a positive research environment by making integrity central to continuing professional development, designing research to embed ethical practice throughout, and collaborating to maintain a supportive research culture.
  4. Questionable research practices and misconduct must be addressed through effective, fair investigation. The research community is responsible for honestly reporting concerns and fully supporting the process. Annex A includes the Concordat’s definitions of questionable research practices and research misconduct. 
  5. Accountability and continuous improvement in research integrity: This is a collective endeavour requiring leadership and accountability to continuously improve responsible practice. It involves upholding trust in UK research and actively seeking opportunities to implement, reward, and share good practices and learning.

You can view the full details of the commitments on the UKRIO website: The Concordat to Support Research Integrity.

For a summary of the key changes introduced in the 2025 version, please consult the official briefing document: UKRIO Briefing doc on 2025 Concordat.

Bournemouth University’s Statement

Our new Research Integrity Statement adopts the principles of the revised Concordat and details the institutional mechanisms, policies, and training we have in place to support our research community. This document reaffirms our dedication to an environment where all researchers can conduct their work responsibly and with confidence.

Read the full statement.

This commitment is central to our mission, as highlighted by Dr Fiona Knight:

“Bournemouth University is committed to embedding research integrity across all aspects of our research. Through our Research Concordat Steering Group and comprehensive training programmes, including guidance on AI and mandatory ethics modules, we support our researchers in conducting responsible and ethical research. Oversight is provided by our Research Ethics Committee and specialist panels, with additional assurance for NHS-related research through our Clinical Research Adviser. Together, these systems promote a positive and transparent research culture.” – Dr Fiona Knight, Head of Research Excellence & Governance

Up2U: New BU academic publication

open access, PG research, Publishing, Women's Academic Network, writing

Congratulations to the interdisciplinary BU team on the publication of the paper ‘Up2U: designing and validating a new evidence-based programme for perpetrators of domestic abuse who want to change’ in Frontiers in Psychology [1].   The new paper is part of the series ‘The Dynamics of Emotion Regulation and Aggressiveness in Gender-Based Violence Contexts’, and it appeared in an Open Access journal and is therefore easily accessible.

Domestic abuse is a pervasive issue rooted in patterns of power and control, contributing to a significant number of high-harm offenses both in the UK and internationally. While programmes have been aiming to disrupt abusive cycles through the understanding and recognition of harm, there is widespread disagreement on what effective interventions should look like. This paper addresses this gap.

The authors of this paper include both psychologists and social workers, as well as a student co-author.  The lead author, Terri Cole, is a Principal Academic in Forensic Psychology.

 

Congratulations!

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

 

Reference:

  1. Cole, T., Oliver, L., Harvey, O., Healy, J., Sperryn, A., Barbin, A. (2025) Up2U: designing and validating a new evidence-based programme for perpetrators of domestic abuse who want to change, Frontiers in Psychology, Volume 16 – 28 Nov.2025 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1676490

New BU midwifery paper

PG research, Publishing, student research, writing

Congratulations to HEMS colleagues on their recently published paper in MIDIRS Midwifery Digest. This new qualitative publication focuses on the ‘Barriers to the uptake of healthy eating messages by Black African immigrant pregnant women living in the UK: midwives’ perspectives’ [1].  The paper grew out of Aniebiet Ekong’s PhD research on this topic which was supervised by Drs. Pramod Regmi, Juliet Wood, and Jaqui Hewitt-Taylor.

 

Reference:

  1. Ekong A, Regmi P, Wood J, Hewitt-Taylor J. Barriers to the uptake of healthy eating messages by Black African immigrant
    pregnant women living in the UK: midwives’ perspectives M    IDIRS Midwifery Digest, 35(4):  372–383.

From Clinical Applications to Neuro-Inspired Computation

REF Subjects, Research themes

We cordially invite you to the 4th Symposium of the BU Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Research Centre: From Clinical Applications to Neuro-Inspired Computation on Friday, the 16th of January 2026, 9:30-15:00 at the Lees Lecture Theatre (Talbot Campus, Poole House -outside).

The symposium consists of a journey from clinical case studies to new, emerging experimental and computational methodologies underpinning future translational applications. It is an opportunity for informal discussions on grant proposals and to explore shared interests with our external guests from the NHS and collaborating EU universities. The provisional schedule is:

9:30. Coffee.

9:50. Welcome Address and Keynote talk: Dr Mihalis Doumas, Queen’s University Belfast.

10.45-11:00. Coffee Break and Networking.

11:00-11:50. Session I. Clinical Neuroscience.

11.50 -12.50. Lunch and Grants Discussion.

12.50-13:45. Keynote talk: Dr Andre Rupp, University of Heidelberg.

13:45-14:00 Coffee Break and Networking.

14:00-14:50. Session II. Neuro-Inspired Computation.

14:50-15:00. Concluding Remarks and Invitation to become a member of the INRC network.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Ellen Seiss, eseiss@bournemouth.ac.uk or Emili Balaguer-Ballester, eb-ballester@bournemouth.ac.uk.

Thank you very much, and we are looking forward to seeing you there.

Kind regards,

Ellen and Emili, on behalf of all of us.

Join the 17th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference – Wednesday 3 December 2025

Knowledge Exchange, PG research

17th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference: Register now

Register now to attend the 17th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference, hosted by the Doctoral College.

Join us for a day of showcasing some of the excellent research taking place across BU by our postgraduate research community. This event provides a platform for our postgraduate researchers to present their research, share insights, and engage in meaningful discussions with peers, university colleagues, and external partners.

Date & Time: Wednesday 3 December, 9am-4:30pm

Location: Fusion Building, Talbot Campus

This year, the Poster Exhibition will take place in FG04 & FG06, Fusion Building, with viewings taking place in the morning and during the lunch break. Oral presentations hosted in Share Lecture Theatre in the Fusion Building.

Whether you’re a researcher, academic, colleague, or just interested in the cutting-edge work happening at BU find out more and book your place here 

The detailed programme will be available soon.

CMWH researcher featured on BBC Woman’s Hour

ChloeDr Chloe Casey, lecturer in Nutrition and Behaviour, was interviewed on BBC Woman’s Hour about her collaborative research called ‘Nourish the New You’.

Chloe’s innovative project supports women in recovery from disordered alcohol use through nutrition education and creative expression. The project is part funded by Wessex Health Partners, the Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.

Working with The Friendly Food Club, the team explored how nutrition education can be meaningfully integrated into community recovery services. They introduced cookery and nutrition classes delivered by The Friendly Food Club alongside creative workshops led by Pauline Ferrick-Squibb from AUB. These sessions provided women with opportunities to explore and express what it means to nourish themselves in recovery.

BU PhD student attending HIV conference on scholarship

conferences, PG research, student research

Congratulations to Tom Weeks, PhD student in the Faculty of Health, Environment & Medical Sciences at Bournemouth University, who has been awarded a scholarship from Gilead Sciences to attend the 2025 British HIV Association (BHIVA) Conference. His PhD research focuses on HIV stigma in the UK.  Tom is supervised by Dr. Pramod Regmi (Principal Academic in International Health) and Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen. The BHIVA conference features key sessions including:

  • What’s happening in HIV in 2025: New guidelines, new data, and new plans
  • Towards zero HIV transmission by 2030: Where are we now and where do we go next?

 Tom is eager to engage with the latest developments in HIV care and contribute to the ongoing dialogue around stigma reduction and equitable access to treatment.

Well done!

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen & Dr. Pramod Regmi

 

CARING AND WORKING: Developing insights into the world of the working carer and disseminating through art

Part 2: Disseminating through art

Background
In the first part of our blog series we described the research we undertook on working carers and how after successfully applying for funding from a collaborative BEAF and BU pilot project, we were matched with artist Adilson Naueji to communicate findings. We now share some reflections from this collaborative project which happened during the summer of 2025.

About the artist

Adilson’s journey as an emerging artist began during the COVID lockdown as a way to relieve the stress of the situation. Drawing and painting allowed him to create powerful works that connected with his community and tell authentic stories.

His artistic practice focuses on human features, and his realist style enables him to explore the relationship between individuals and their surroundings. Through acrylic and oil paintings, he documents daily urban life and shares real histories.

He was attracted to the carer research work due to personal experience and also because it allowed him to focus on a new work that was not only visually appealing but also socially relevant.

The process

We firstly shared our research findings with Adilson – consisting of our original brief for the BEAF project and a cutdown version of an in-progress research article focusing on quotes from working carers. Helping visualise some of the issues that they experienced and perhaps providing some ideas about how they could be represented in an artwork whilst also providing some background on caring and working carers.

During July 2025 I had a very productive meeting with Adilson at the Lighthouse where he was presenting his first solo exhibition – BH5 Boscombe Beyond Your Eyes. He chatted to me about the exhibition and we also sat down over a coffee to discuss the project brief and how he thought he could visualise his initial ideas and thoughts.

After much searching, Adilson was able to locate a carer living in the region who was no longer working due to her caring responsibilities and the family member that they cared for – her husband, who had chronic fatigue and a range of other long-term health conditions – who both agreed to participate in the project.

In August, I had a follow-up meeting with Adilson where we chatted about progress on the project and was lucky enough (with my wife) to be able to view a work in progress at his studio to get a feel for the work itself, the size of the canvas and to chat about the areas of the painting still to be completed. This was very much appreciated, as showing the partially completed artwork to anyone prior to finalising was something that he wouldn’t normally do.

Connecting with the carer and her family and sharing their challenges was difficult emotionally, but Adilson approached this in a very empathetic way which really comes through powerfully in the final piece he produced.

Increasing empathetic understanding through art

Participants in our study (Pulman and Fenge, 2025) felt that it was difficult for some managers and colleagues to fully appreciate working carer experiences unless they had personal experience of a similar situation. This highlights the need for more training for line managers and the wider workforce about the needs and experiences of working carers to promote supportive working environments.

By disseminating findings through art, we wanted to engage with, and communicate to, employers across the region using a visual approach which would help to open a window on the hidden world of the working carer.

To date, we have been able to display the finished artwork at the NIHR ARC Wessex Annual Event in October with Adilson in attendance to discuss his painting with event attendees.

   

This highlighted how impactful, stimulating and thought provoking art can be as opposed to the usual blend of event posters and PowerPoints we, as researchers, quite often utilise to display academic findings – sometimes stopping people in their tracks as I witnessed on the day.

Next Steps

In addition to any forthcoming plans between BU and BEAF to display project outputs, we are also hoping to display the artwork again at an event on Carers Rights Day on 19th November and an exhibition at the Lighthouse in Poole during January 2026.

We are also interested in how we can best help Adilson to move further into the crossover areas of health research and art outputs by looking at potential funding streams (arts council and health funding pathways) which he might be able to access beyond this current project, as this area seems like it has incredible potential in highlighting qualitative data in a visually arresting and reflective way.

Positives of collaborating with local artists

Disseminating research can sometimes be incredibly dry as a subject, where important findings might be hidden digitally behind a journal firewall within reams of text and quotes, or worse, be highlighted in a staid or complex web of slides risking losing key research messages to (sometimes) disinterested attendees.

Art offers a tangible, visually impacting way of connecting an audience to a research message on a deeper level which is likely to stay longer in the memory. Mention of da Vinci’s Mona Lisa or Munch’s The Scream will immediately trigger a direct visual memory in a person in a way that text might not always be able to accomplish.

There might be significant challenges in the process of linking these ideas, but as Adilson notes, these are worth overcoming:

“Dealing with things as the sensitive matters of carers, finding the subject, and short deadlines increases the challenge and probably influenced the final result of the painting. On the other hand, it was the most educational project I ever worked on, and diving into the universe of carers you cannot walk out indifferent. I feel honoured to give face to the research you are doing in this field, and I truly hope the artwork serves the purpose in real life for which it was made; to raise awareness about carers, starting conversations at different levels of our society.”

Looking at more innovative ways of cascading research messages via a long-standing medium like art seems like an incredibly simple and powerful step forward in increasing research impacts and prompting a discussion with an audience in retrospect. So if you are a post-doctoral researcher, seeking a new way of disseminating research evidence, what are you waiting for?

With thanks to:

  • Artist Adilson Naueji.
  • The working carer research project was supported by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Wessex.
  • The artwork created was supported by BEAF Arts Co and Bournemouth University.

More information on our project:

Professor Lee-Ann Fenge – lfenge@bournemouth.ac.uk

Dr Andy Pulman – apulman@bournemouth.ac.uk

https://nccdsw.co.uk/clusters/research/carer-research

https://www.arc-wx.nihr.ac.uk/social-care

Pulman, A. and Fenge, L.-A., 2025. Caring and working: developing insights into the world of the working carer. Health & Social Care in the Community. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/hsc/5541190

https://www.instagram.com/adilson_naueji/

Making “ugly” attractive: Can the way in which imperfect fruit & vegetables are presented reduce “ugly” food waste?

A Presentation of BA Leverhulme Funded Research

Wednesday 29th October 2025, 3.30-5.00pm, DG06

The Centre for Sustainable & Socially Responsible Consumption (CSSRC) invites you to attend its research event on Wednesday 29th October 2025 to enjoy a presentation of BA Leverhulme funded research. After a welcome refreshment this interesting, interactive and informative event will comprise a topical presentation session, led by members of CSSRC and colleague, as outlined below. Opportunity for discussions and networking over drinks and nibbles after the talk will round off the event.

Making “ugly” attractive: Can the way in which imperfect fruit & vegetables are presented reduce “ugly” food waste?

Food waste is one of today’s most pressing sustainability challenges, with consumer rejection of imperfect or “ugly” fruit and vegetables contributing to the problem. Retailers and policymakers alike are searching for strategies that not only increase acceptance of this type of produce but also reduce waste in stores and households.

Questions to address are: How do shoppers actually view “ugly” fruit and vegetables? What selling approaches can help shift perceptions and purchasing behaviour?

This talk will be presented by Dr Guljira Manimont (BU), Dr Jay Kim (University of Strathclyde), and Professor Juliet Memery (BU). Funded by the British Academy, their project explores consumer responses to imperfect produce and offers insights with practical implications for retail practice and sustainability.

Provisional Timetable:

3.30-3.45pm – Welcome refreshments

3.45-4.30pm – Presentation sessions

4.30-5.00pm – Discussion, networking and refreshments

This is a free event, but you must register to attend via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/making-ugly-attractive-reducing-food-waste-tickets-1720479824469?aff=oddtdtcreator

About CSSRC

The Centre for Sustainable & Socially Responsible Consumption (CSSRC) aims to promote and advance the understanding of sustainable consumption and socially responsible consumption through developing and delivering internationally renowned research. It provides a hub to explore and address topics that are currently globally relevant, through utilising a strong interdisciplinary focus. Webpage: https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/research/centres-institutes/centre-sustainable-socially-responsible-consumption

ESRC SWDTP – Applications open for PhD Studentships for September 2026

Bournemouth University is delighted to be part of the Southwest Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP), one of the UK’s largest centres of postgraduate research training for social scientists, including in the fields of Health, Wellbeing & Society, Psychology, Climate Change & Sustainability.

Bournemouth University was successfully awarded 2 PhD studentships in 2024 and 3 PhD Studentship and 1 Post Doc Research Fellow in 2025.

The call for PhD Studentships starting in September 2026 is now live.

Full details can be found here: ESRC Southwest Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) | Bournemouth University

Applicants may apply for an ESRC studentship at Bournemouth University in one of the following pathways:

Studentships cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance stipend for living costs and other additional forms of support and are normally for 3 years 3 months plus 3 months “Research in Practice” (placement). Part-time studentships will be offered pro rata to their full-time equivalent.

Applicants should contact a potential supervisors (listed in each pathway) and submit an applications via myHUB, together with the relevant supporting information:

  • SWDTP Studentship Application Form 2026 Entry (Annex A) (docx 224kb) which includes the research proposal, the name(s) of the potential supervisors
  • Supervisor Supporting Statement Form for 2026 Entry (Annex B) (docx 183kb) which must be completed by the nominated primary supervisor
  • One reference from someone familiar with the applicant’s academic work
  • Verified transcript of the applicant’s highest qualification to date or an interim transcript if they are still studying
  • If the applicant is not a national of a majority English-speaking country, they will need to submit evidence of their proficiency in English.

To find out more, please join us for an online information session:

Monday 27 October 2025 | 14-00 – 15:00 | Online – Microsoft Teams.

To join the meeting, please email swdtp@bournemouth.ac.uk and you will be sent an invite to join the meeting.

Early labour research accepted for ICM 2026 congress

conferences, international, Women's Academic Network

The ICM, the International Confederation of Midwives, holds its congress every three years, and the next one will be in Portugal in summer 2026.  Dr. Dominique Mylod had her abstract accepted with the title ‘Supporting women in early labour: An interdisciplinary, digital approach’, whilst Prof. Vanora Hundley’s ‘Can we identify women who will need additional support in the early (latent) phase of labour?’ abstract was also accepted.  Both Dr. Mylod and Prof. Hundley are based in the Centre for Midwifery & Women’s Health (CMWH) in the Faculty of Health, Environment & Medical Science.

Congratulations!

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

New PhD publication on Nepal’s migrant workers

international, open access, Publishing, student research, writing

Congratulations to BU postgraduate student Yagya Adhikari, who has just been informed by the editor of the Journal of Immigrant & Minority Health that his paper “Parental migration for work and psychosocial problems among left-behind adolescents in Nepal” [1] has been accepted for publication.  Yagya’s PhD is based in the Faculty of Health, Environment & Medical Science.  He is supervised by Dr. Pramod Regmi and Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen with support from Mr. Sudip Khanal, Lecturer in Biostatistics, at Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences (MMIHS) in Kathmandu.  This is the second paper from Yagya’s PhD the first one was published at the start of his PhD studies [2].  Both papers are published in Open Access journals and therefor will be freely available to read by anyone in the world with internet access.

 

References:

  1. Adhikari, Y.R., van Teijlingen, E., Regmi, P.R., Khanal, S., Parental migration for work and psychosocial problems among left-behind adolescents in Nepal, Journal of Immigrant & Minority Health (forthcoming)
  2. Adhikari, Y.R., Regmi, P.R., Devkota, B., van Teijlingen, E.R. (2022) Forgotten health and social care needs of left-behind families of Nepali migrant workers. Journal of Health Promotion, 10(1):1–4. https://doi.org/10.3126/jhp.v10i1.50976