BU Research Blog

15 January 2024

Research methods capacity building in Nepal

international, PG research, Public engagement Edwin van Teijlingen

Yesterday, Sunday 14th January, I was invited by Bournemouth University’s former PhD student Dr. Pratik Adhikary to run a three-hour methods session on semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions at the Nepal Injury Research Centre (NIRC). The workshop was based on work normally presented as part of BU’s Doctoral College Researcher Development Programme.

The audience comprised PhD students based at NIRC, as well as at Kathmandu Medical College (KMC), and Nepal’s oldest and largest university, Tribhuvan University. Participants were involved in research into many different research questions, ranging from road traffic accidents to sexual health and the well-being of migrant workers. NIRC was established with funding from the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Global Health Research Programme and it is a partnership between KMC and the University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE).

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

Centre for Midwifery & Women’s Health (CMWH)

15 January 2024

TV interview in Nepal

international, Public engagement Edwin van Teijlingen

Two days ago Professor Edwin van Teijlingen from BU’s Faculty of Health & Social Sciences was interviewed by the national television channel News24 in Kathmandu, Nepal. His interview covered some more personal questions, including the question how Edwin became involved in research in Nepal two decades ago, followed questions about recent research projects. The latter involved questions about the nearly completed project “The Impact of Federalisation on Nepal’s Health System: A longitudinal Analysis’. This project, launched in 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, is led by the University of Sheffield, in collaboration with BU, the University of Huddersfield, Canterbury Christ Church University, PHASE Nepal and MMIHS (Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences). This nearly four-year project is UK-funded by the MRC (Medical Research Council), the Wellcome Trust and DFID (now called the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office [FCDO]) under the Health Systems Research Initiative.

There were also questions about the health and well-being of Nepal’s migrant workers, partly related to a recently finished study on kidney health of migrant workers funded by The Colt Foundation and a new project led by La Isla Network in the United States of America (USA). La Isla Network, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health (in the USA) , Nepal Development Society and Bournemouth University are leading the first-ever international effort to research and address trafficking among Nepalese labour migrants. The work is funded by a $4 million cooperative agreement awarded by the U.S. Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, International Programs.

The television company has already put the half-hour interview on YouTube, to watch it click here!

12 January 2024

Labour migration: desperation & exploitation

international, Publishing Edwin van Teijlingen

On my latest trip to Nepal I noticed a number of related newspaper stories about those wanting to migrate abroad for work. Yesterday there was an article with the headline ‘Three held for defrauding unemployed youths’ (The Himalayan Times, January 11, page 2), which could be seen as story about crime, just like the one next to it on the same page with was headed ‘Vehicle stolen’ (The Himalayan Times, January 11, page 2) . Both fit under the category of people suffering from crime committed by naughty people. However, having studied labour migration as a sociologist for over a decade it also speaks of the desperation of young people to leave Nepal. In that sense, the ‘Three held for defrauding unemployed youths’ story, is more like the story the day before ‘Family of Nepali who joined Russian Army worried after hearing about his death’ (The Himalayan Times, January 10, page 1).

In the latter story of a tragic death of a Nepalese mercenary, the most unexpected element I found was that Nepalese victim had paid Rs. 500,000 to criminals, who acted as brokers. I would have expected that Putin’s agents operating in the Middle East were paying large amounts of money to potential army recruits to fight in the invasion of Ukraine. To my great surprise, the payment was the other way round, where Nepalese migrant workers are desperate enough to pay the country at war. When people are desperate to work abroad unscrupulous brokers see opportunities to make money.

Whilst at the end of December 2023 two Nepalese men were killed when Korean language test candidates were staging demonstrations in Kathmandu demanding that they be allowed to appear for language tests for jobs in the manufacturing sector in South Korea. When the Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport stopped to intervene, he sparked a riot and his car was set on fire. The police opened fire and killed two protesters in a very un-Nepalese way of dealing with protest. Again to me the underlying issue to note is how desperate these men are to go abroad and get to work in South Korea.

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

CMWH (Centre for Midwifery & Women’s Health)

10 January 2024

Knowledge Exchange in Research

Knowledge Exchange Katerina Kakaounaki

The Knowledge exchange in Research session, is aimed primarily at those in academic leadership roles including Deputy Deans and Heads of Department.

It is open for academics and researchers who want to explore ways of making the most from their research outcomes.

Consultancy and contract research
Enterprise
External engagement
CPD and Specialist Facilities

Prof Kate Welham will share their experience on knowledge exchange in research.

Wednesday 31st January, 13.30-15.00 at Talbot Campus

To book onto this session, please complete the Booking form under “Introducing Knowledge Exchange in Research – 31/01/2024” in the drop-down menu.

For further information about the content of the session please contact Wendelin Morrison, KE Manager, RDS wsmorrison@bournemouth.ac.uk

10 January 2024

Newspaper coverage in Nepal

international, Public engagement, Publishing Edwin van Teijlingen

One print daily English-language newspaper The Annapurna Express and one online newspaper Gazzabkoo Magazine published articles this week on our project on strengthening the health system in Nepal. The latter used the title ‘Strengthening Health Systems for Better Health‘ and the former opted for the headline ‘Forum on health system strengthening’.

Our interdisciplinary study ‘The impact of federalisation on Nepal’s health system: a longitudinal analysis’ is funded by the UK Health Systems Research Initiative [Grant ref. MR/T023554/1]. In this Nepal Federal Health System Project we study the consequences for the health system of Nepal’s move in 2015 from a centralised political system to a more federal structure of government . This joint project is led by the University of Sheffield in collaboration with Bournemouth University, the University of Huddersfield, Canterbury Christ Church University and two institutions in Nepal, namely MMIHS (Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences) and PHASE Nepal.

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

CMWH (Centre for Midwifery & Women’s Health)

10 January 2024

Latest paper from Federalisation & Health System in Nepal

international, open access, Publishing, writing Edwin van Teijlingen

The sixth paper from our interdisciplinary research team focuses on the effective way we applied participatory policy analysis in a study on the effects on the health system in Nepal. In the research we used a methodological approach using the River of Life which we describe in this paper ‘Participatory policy analysis in health policy and systems research: reflections from a study in Nepal’ [1]. The Lead author is Dr. Sujata Sapkota from Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences (MMIHS) in Kathmandu.

This study was funded by the UK Health Systems Research Initiative [Grant ref. MR/T023554/1]. In this larger Nepal Federal Health System Project we study the consequences for the health system of Nepal’s move from a centralised political system to a more federal government structure in 2015. This joint project is led by the University of Sheffield in collaboration with Bournemouth University, the University of Huddersfield, Canter Bury Christ Church University and two institutions in Nepal, namely MMIHS and PHASE Nepal. We have managed to publish five papers from this project prior to today’s one reflecting on the methodology [2-6].

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

CMWH (Centre for Midwifery & Women’s Health)

References:

Sapkota, S., Rushton, S., van Teijlingen, E., Subedi, M., Balen, J., Gautam, S., Adhikary, P., Simkhada, P., Wasti, S.P., Karki, J.K., Panday, S., Karki, A., Rijal, B., Joshi, S., Basnet, S., Marahatta, S.B. (2024) Participatory policy analysis in health policy and systems research: reflections from a study in Nepal. Health Research & Policy Systems, 22 (No.7) https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-023-01092-5 .
Wasti, S.P., van Teijlingen, E., Rushton, S., et al. (2023) Overcoming the Challenges Facing Nepal’s Health System During Federalisation: An Analysis of Health System Building Blocks, Health Research Policy & Systems 21(117) https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-023-01033-2
Sapkota, S., Dhakal, A., Rushton S., et al. (2023) The impact of decentralisation on health systems: a systematic review of reviews. BMJ Global Health 8:e013317. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013317.
Sapkota, S., Panday, S., Wasti, S.P., et al. (2022) Health System Strengthening: The Role of Public Health in Federal Nepal, Journal of the Nepal Public Health Association 7(1):36-42.
Adhikary, P., Balen, J., Gautam, S., et al. (2020) The COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal: Emerging evidence on the effectiveness of action by, and cooperation between, different levels of government in a federal system, Journal of Karnali Academy of Health Sciences 3 (3): 1-11.
Rushton, S., Pandey, S., van Teijlingen, E., et al. (2021) An Investigation into the Impact of Decentralization on the Health System of Nepal. Journal of Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences, 7(1): 3–14. https://doi.org/10.3126/jmmihs.v7i1.43146

9 January 2024

ECR Public Engagement Opportunity: Share your research with the public at Café Scientifique

Knowledge Exchange, Public engagement ballen

Are you an Early Career Researcher looking to gain experience in Public Engagement? Would you like to share your research with a public audience? Get involved with our Café Scientifique series

Café Scientifique is a public event that takes place at The Black Cherry in Boscombe on the first Tuesday evening of the month (excluding January & August), and is organised centrally by the BU Public Engagement with Research Team, part of Research Development and Support.

The format involves delivering a short talk, followed by the opportunity for discussion and questions from a varied public audience. It is a fantastic opportunity for you to gain experience in engaging with the public in a friendly relaxed atmosphere.

We welcome academics at all career stages, although this opportunity is particularly valuable for those getting started in engaging with the public. We encourage collaboration between less experienced and more experienced public speakers to help provide support and gain a rewarding learning experience.

The team will support you every step of the way. From developing your ideas to engage with a public audience, to setting up and promoting your event. We will also be on hand on the day to help your event run smoothly.

Complete our form to Register your interest

Please note: Completing this form does not guarantee you a space. We will be in touch with you to discuss your interest.

If you have any questions about getting involved with Café Sci, please get in touch with the Public Engagement with Research Team: publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk.

9 January 2024

Forum on Post-Federalisation Health System Strengthening

Fusion themes, international, Training, writing Edwin van Teijlingen

Today and tomorrow our research team is engaged in discussions with those responsible for running the health system at different levels of the new federal system in Nepal. The aim today and tomorrow of this participatory research project is bring together stakeholders from all levels of government (local, provincial and federal), to develop solutions, practical actions and recommendations for different levels of the political system to address some of the five areas our research identified as possible priorities. Nepal changed from a centralised political system of government to a federal system in 2015. It is easy to see how such change in the political system might affect the organisation, funding, governance, human resources, etc. of all sub-systems in society, such as the education system, the police, and in the area of our particular interest, the health system.

This interdisciplinary study started just before COVID-19 in 2020 and is now coming to a conclusion. The multi-national research team includes researchers from Nepal: MMIHS (Manmohan Memorial Institute of Sciences) in Kathmandu, and PHASE Nepal (Bhaktapur), the University of Sheffield, Bournemouth University, and the University of Huddersfield (the original UK applicants), and researchers currently based at three further UK universities: the University of Greenwich, the University of Essex and Canterbury Christ Church University. This exciting research is funded by the Health System Research Initiative, a UK collaboration between three funders: the MRC (Medical Research Council), the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and the Welcome Trust.

8 January 2024

New Scientist Live 2024: Call for Speakers and Exhibitors

Knowledge Exchange, Public engagement ballen

New Scientist Live is a three-day science festival and exhibition that combines the best of in-person and virtual events. Connecting a global online audience with face-to-face visitors, speakers and dozens of exhibitors for talks, discussions and hands-on demonstrations.

New Scientist Live will take place from 12-14 October 2024 at ExCeL London.

The organisers are looking for new voices and ideas to inform, inspire and surprise audiences. If you’ve got an idea for a talk at New Scientist Live, please complete this Nomination Form with your ideas. There is no limit on the number of nominations.

Nominations close at 23:59 on Wednesday 31 January 2024

They are also looking for new and exciting exhibitors for their show floor. Do you have an idea for an interactive stand, where visitors to the show can get hands-on with leading-edge science, and talk to researchers forging the future? If you are interested in engaging with a diverse audience, ranging from school children to retirees and everyone in between, please email jacqui.mccarron@newscientist.com for more information.

8 January 2024

Ref 2021/ Report analysing impact case studies

REF Subjects ngkounta

This is an interesting report from the British Society of Gerontology analysing impact case studies from REF 2021. This includes work from Bournemouth University amongst various other centres.

Please find below the links to the report and presentation about “The impact of Ageing Research within the Research Excellence Framework 2021: an evaluation” as a useful reading in terms of the range and scope of age-related research.

BSG REF 2021 evaluation report

Presentation REF state of Ageing 131123

8 January 2024

Do you have an idea to engage public audiences with science & research? British Science Festival 2024 Open Call – Deadline Tuesday 16 January

Knowledge Exchange, Public engagement ballen

Do you have an idea to engage public audiences with science and research?

Event proposals for the British Science Festival 2024 are open.

The British Science Festival will take place in East London from Wednesday 11 – Sunday 15 September 2024, and will be hosted by the University of East London.

The programme showcases cutting-edge science, technology, and ideas that challenge, inspire and excite audiences. Each year, thousands of people come together to celebrate the latest developments in research and engage in open discussion about issues affecting our culture and society.

Anyone can propose an event and the festival celebrates science in its broadest sense. The British Science Festival are looking for proposals from individuals, researchers, industry professionals, artists, writers, organisations, charities, academic institutions, and more. They aim to programme a range of formats from talks to drop-in activities and creative content that challenges perceptions of what science is and can be.

The festival is free and open to all, but content should be appropriate for an adult (16+ audience).

More information, including how to submit a proposal, can be found here: British Science Festival 2024 Open Call

Before developing and submitting your proposal, please read the FAQs

To submit a proposal for an event please complete the proposal form

Deadline for proposals: 23.59 on Tuesday 16 January 2024.

If you have any questions, or if you would like to discuss your proposal, please email festival@britishscienceassociation.org.

Alternatively, should you wish to discuss your application with the Public Engagement with Research team, please email publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk

8 January 2024

Partnership planning meeting in Kathmandu

international Edwin van Teijlingen

This afternoon Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen attended a partnership meeting with colleagues from Nepal’s Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences (MMIHS) in Yak & Yeti Hotel in Kathmandu. The discussion highlighted the longstanding partnership and collaboration between MMIHS and BU. The meeting was part of a wider collaboration around between MMIHS, BU and the University of Huddersfield, The University of Sheffield and Canterbury Christ Church University. The latter universities have been working together for over fours years in an interdisciplinary study ‘The impact of federalisation on Nepal’s health system: a longitudinal analysis’. This project has been funded by the Health System Research Initiative, a UK collaboration between three funding bodies: the MRC (Medical Research Council), the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and the Welcome Trust.

The BU-MMIHS collaboration has included successful ERASMUS+ staff and student exchanges as well as student exchanges from BU to Kathmandu as part of the Turing Scheme. Currently various BU academics are also involved a co-supervisors on MSc projects conducted by MMIHS postgraduate students.

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

Centre for Midwifery & Women’s Health (CMWH)

6 January 2024

New migration paper related to Nepal

international, open access, PG research, Publishing, student research, Women's Academic Network, writing Edwin van Teijlingen

On the last day of 2023 the Journal of Health Promotion published the paper ‘Sexual Harassment Among Nepali Non-Migrating Female Partners of International Labor Migrant Men’ [1]. This paper, in an Open Access journal, addresses one of the consequences of male labour migrants leaving their family members behind in Nepal. While non-migrating spouses often receive financial support in the form of remittances, their husbands’ migration also creates numerous social and personal problems. This qualitative study explored non-migrating spouses’ experience of sexual harassment/abuse and its impact on their mental health. Fourteen in-depth interviews were conducted and women reported experiencing harassment by men they knew, including their teachers and colleagues, who knew their husbands were abroad. But none of the women reported taking any action against their perpetrators, indicating a lack of power in this study population in still predominantly patriarchal society.

The lead author of the paper is Assistant Prof. Kalpana Gyawali from Tribhuvan University, Nepal’s largest and oldest university paper. Her co-authors are: Padam Simkhada, Visiting Professor in BU’s Faculty of Health & Social Sciences as well as Professor in Global Health at the University of Huddersfield, Edwin van Teijlingen in Bournemouth University’s Centre for Midwifery & Women’s Health, Ms. Shraddha Manandhar, PhD. student at the University of Huddersfield, and Mr. Ram Chandra Silwal the Country Director of Green Tara Nepal, the charity we have been working with for nearly twenty years.

References:

Gyawali, K., Simkhada, P., van Teijlingen, E.R., Manandhar, S., Silwal, R.C. (2023). Sexual Harassment Among Nepali Non-Migrating Female Partners of International Labor Migrant Men. Journal of Health Promotion, 11(1): 22–31. https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/jhp/article/view/61198

5 January 2024

We can help promote your public engagement event or activity

Knowledge Exchange, Public engagement ballen

At BU we promote and celebrate the work done to engage public audiences with our research. The Public Engagement with Research team in Research Development and Support can help promote your event to relevant audiences through our monthly newsletters and via our social media channels.

To be considered for inclusion, your event or activity must be;

Focused on BU research, either solely or as part of a wider programme. Events or activities that do not involve BU research, such as marketing or recruitment events, will not be accepted.
Intended for and open to non-academic audiences, either entirely or as a portion of the audience.
Submitted, at the latest, in the first two weeks of the month preceding the event. For example, an event taking place in June should be submitted via the form any time before 14 May.

Event descriptions may be edited for consistency in style with other content.

Share your upcoming public event or activity

If you have any questions, please contact the team publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk

5 January 2024

Public Engagement Opportunity: Share your research with the public at Café Scientifique

Knowledge Exchange, PG research, Public engagement ballen

Would you like to share your research with a public audience? Get involved with our Café Scientifique series

Café Scientifique is a public event that takes place at The Black Cherry in Boscombe on the first Tuesday evening of the month (excluding January & August), and is organised centrally by the BU Public Engagement with Research Team, part of Research Development and Support.

The format involves delivering a short talk, followed by the opportunity for discussion and questions from a varied public audience. It is a fantastic opportunity for you to gain experience in engaging with the public in a friendly relaxed atmosphere.

We welcome academics at all career stages, although this opportunity is particularly valuable for those getting started in engaging with the public. We encourage collaboration between less experienced and more experienced public speakers to help provide support and gain a rewarding learning experience.

The team will support you every step of the way. From developing your ideas to engage with a public audience, to setting up and promoting your event. We will also be on hand on the day to help your event run smoothly.

Complete our form to Register your interest

Please note: Completing this form does not guarantee you a space. We will be in touch with you to discuss your interest.

If you have any questions about getting involved with Café Sci, please get in touch with the Public Engagement with Research Team: publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk.

5 January 2024

Café Scientifique Tuesday 6 February 2024 – The Sun and the Moon and the Stars: Ancient Britons and their skyscapes

Knowledge Exchange, PG research, Public engagement ballen

At Café Scientifique, you can explore the latest ideas in science and technology in a relaxed setting. Enjoy listening to a short talk before engaging in debate and discussion with our guest speaker and audience

We’ll be joined by Pamela Armstrong on Tuesday 6 February from 6:30 – 8:00pm.

The first monuments ever built on our landscapes were mounds known as barrows. These communal places made of earth and stone were designed to house the dead. There are those who say the people who built these huge structures deliberately oriented them to the sun, the moon and the stars.

Join Pamela Armstrong, Skyscape Archaeologist from Bournemouth University to explore the old stones, the old ways and the old skies.

This event will be held at The Black Cherry in Boscombe, Bournemouth. Although the talks start at 6:30pm, the café will be open early so we encourage you to arrive early for a drink and a bite to eat before the talk starts.

If you have any questions about this event, or if you’re interested in getting involved with a future Café Sci event, please email the Public Engagement with Research Team: publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk

5 January 2024

ECRN events programme 2024

Katerina Kakaounaki

Support and skills development for early career researchers at BU

The BU Early Career Researcher (ECR) Network is designed to support early career researchers and PGRs at BU, offering general advice and support as well as tailored workshops for skills training and career development.

It is open to all who identify as being in the early stages of their research career – whether you’re a Postgraduate Researcher, newly-appointed academic, or you’re returning to research.

The first ECR Network event of this year takes place on Wednesday 10 January, 13:00 – 14:00 with a an open ‘surgery’ session in which ECRs can raise issues, or ask questions relevant to them and receive advice and guidance from peers and the network’s academic leads, Prof. Ann Hemingway and Prof. Sam Goodman.

To book onto this session, please complete the Booking Form under ECRN: Surgeries-10/01/2024 in the drop-down menu.

All ECRN sessions are planned to take place hybrid (Talbot Campus – MS Teams). You can find the ECRN 2024 events programme below and book your place by clicking on the topic that might interest you.

Workshop theme Date/Time

Surgery 10/01/2024 13:00-14:00

ECRN – Work Life Balance 07/02/2024 13:00-14:00

Surgery 13/03/2024 13:00-14:00

ECRN Pay and Promotion 03/04/2024 13:00-14:00

Surgery 08/05/2024 13:00-14:00

New to research 12/06/2024 13:00-14:00

For any queries regarding these sessions, please contact RKE Dev Framework

4 January 2024

Postgraduate Research Showcase

PG research amoyse

Did you miss the the latest PGR Conference? Do not worry you can now visit the Atrium Gallery on Talbot Campus to view a selection of the posters that were exhibited on the day as part of the Postgraduate Research Showcase.

Half of the posters are now on display. These will then be swapped out for the remaining posters halfway through the exhibition, which will be displayed until Friday 23 February. Just visit the Atrium when it suits you to see some of the amazing research that is taking place at BU.

To mark the occasion, on Wednesday 7 February 15:00-16:00, we will be hosting the Showcase Celebration! This is a social event and is a great opportunity to support the PGR community, with cheese and wine on offer. Check out the Doctoral College Brightspace for more information and to book.

A Virtual Exhibition of the posters is also available via the BU website.

Any questions please email: pgconference@bournemouth.ac.uk

Best wishes,

The Doctoral College

Tagged / BU research

Knowledge Exchange in Research

ECR Public Engagement Opportunity: Share your research with the public at Café Scientifique

Complete our form to Register your interest

New Scientist Live 2024: Call for Speakers and Exhibitors

Ref 2021/ Report analysing impact case studies

Do you have an idea to engage public audiences with science & research? British Science Festival 2024 Open Call – Deadline Tuesday 16 January

Partnership planning meeting in Kathmandu

We can help promote your public engagement event or activity

Public Engagement Opportunity: Share your research with the public at Café Scientifique

Complete our form to Register your interest

Café Scientifique Tuesday 6 February 2024 – The Sun and the Moon and the Stars: Ancient Britons and their skyscapes

ECRN events programme 2024

Postgraduate Research Showcase

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