If you can’t make Friday, the event will continue throughout the rest of the weekend, so there will be other opportunities to view the exhibition and take part in the activities on offer.
Latest research and knowledge exchange news at Bournemouth University
If you can’t make Friday, the event will continue throughout the rest of the weekend, so there will be other opportunities to view the exhibition and take part in the activities on offer.
The SPROUT (Sustainable Research Practice and Cultures) initiative returns this May, inviting colleagues, PGRs, and ECRs to join a growing cross-university movement led by Bournemouth University.
This third SPROUT event of the academic year continues to build momentum around sustainability in research practice and culture. Supported by the Research Culture and Community Grant, the initiative brings together colleagues from Bournemouth University, Cardiff University, Durham University, and the University of Southampton.
Focus and Keynotes
This session moves beyond high-level discussion to focus on the practical, real-world decisions researchers make, from research design and travel to food choices and daily habits.
The event features two keynote speakers presenting in person:
Professor Denise Baden, University of Southampton: Embedding Sustainability in Research: Decisions, Trade-offs and Impact
Peter Jeff, PGR: Sustainable Eating in Research: Practical Food Choices to Make
The session also includes an interactive discussion, providing space for participants to reflect, share experiences, and identify practical actions within their own research contexts. This is a valuable opportunity for PGRs, ECRs, supervisors, and research staff to engage in interdisciplinary dialogue and contribute to shaping a more sustainable research culture.

Event Details
Wednesday 20 May, 12-2pm
Hybrid
In person: Allsebrook Lecture Theatre, Talbot Campus (Refreshments provided)
Online: Joining details to follow
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the inaugural BU Annual Research Conference on Tuesday 9 June 2026. Research & Innovation Services is accepting poster submissions until 5pm on Monday 27 April.
This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your work as we celebrate our Research Excellence and progress together toward BU2035.

How to Participate: Poster Exhibition
The poster exhibition features two distinct categories:
1. Research Excellence
All researchers from PGRs to Senior Academics are invited to submit posters or table presentations highlighting:
To apply, please complete and submit an application form by 5pm on Monday 27 April.
As this is a multidisciplinary conference, please ensure your content is accessible to a broad academic audience.
2. Research Centre
Each Institute or Research Centre is invited to submit one poster presenting:
No application needed. The Head of each centre has been contacted, please get in touch directly with them to share your ideas about a poster submission.
Submission Process & Guidelines
Abstracts should be strictly no longer than 200 words and include an overview of your research, your approach, and your contribution to the field (references are not required). Submissions will be shortlisted by your Faculty Associate Dean (Research, Innovation & Enterprise), and you will be advised of the outcome following the closing date. We may also consider arranging live table presentations, provided a minimum number of applications are received.
Poster Guidance:
Why Get Involved?
Participating in the conference allows you the opportunity to increase the visibility of your work within the BU community, help shape the future of the university’s research priorities, and build new interdisciplinary partnerships.
Key Dates
Provisional Programme
9-9:30am: Registration & Coffee
9:30-11am: Poster Exhibition (FG04 & FG06)
11-11:20am: Opening Remarks & Welcome – Andy Scott & Professor Niamh Downing (Share Lecture Theatre)
11:20am-12:45pm: Symposium: Research Excellence & BU2035 – Chair: Professor Einar Thorsen (Share Lecture Theatre)
12:45-1:30pm: Lunch & Poster Viewings (FG04 & FG06)
1:30-3:45pm: BU Research & Future Challenges – Oral Presentations (FG04 & FG06)
3:45-4pm: Closing Remarks
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact the Researcher Development and Culture Team: researcherdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk
Join BU’s Research Community for an hour of reflection and connection at the next 3C event

Inspired by Hanami, the Japanese tradition of cherry blossom season which focuses on reflecting on growth, change. and the beauty of fleeting moments.
Breakthroughs in research, much like cherry blossoms, can be brief but they are always worth celebrating.
The 3C Event offers a relaxed, informal space to recharge and share experiences alongside your colleagues.
What to Expect
All members of the BU Research Community welcome
Tuesday 14 April, 4-5pm
SUBU 5th Floor Space, Talbot Campus
Research & Innovation Services invite submissions for the poster exhibition at the inaugural BU Annual Research Conference, taking place on Tuesday 9 June 2026. This event is a landmark celebration of our Research Excellence and a key step in our collective journey toward BU2035
How to Participate: Poster Exhibition
The poster exhibition features two distinct categories:
1. Research Excellence
All researchers from PGRs to Senior Academics are invited to submit posters or table presentations highlighting:
To apply, please complete and submit an application form by 5pm on Monday 27 April.
As this is a multidisciplinary conference, please ensure your content is accessible to a broad academic audience.
2. Research Centre
Each Institute or Research Centre is invited to submit one poster presenting:
No application needed. The Head of each centre will be contacted, please get in touch directly with them to share your ideas about a poster submission.
Submission Process & Guidelines
Abstracts should be strictly no longer than 200 words and include an overview of your research, your approach, and your contribution to the field (references are not required). Submissions will be shortlisted by your Faculty Associate Dean (Research, Innovation & Enterprise), and you will be advised of the outcome following the closing date. We may also consider arranging live table presentations, provided a minimum number of applications are received.
Poster Guidance:
Why Get Involved?
Participating in the conference allows you the opportunity to increase the visibility of your work within the BU community, help shape the future of the university’s research priorities, and build new interdisciplinary partnerships.
Key Dates
Provisional Programme
9-9:30am: Registration & Coffee
9:30-11am: Poster Exhibition (FG04 & FG06)
11-11:20am: Opening Remarks & Welcome – Andy Scott & Professor Niamh Downing (Share Lecture Theatre)
11:20am-12:45pm: Symposium: Research Excellence & BU2035 – Chair: Professor Einar Thorsen (Share Lecture Theatre)
12:45-1:30pm: Lunch & Poster Viewings (FG04 & FG06)
1:30-3:45pm: BU Research & Future Challenges – Oral Presentations (FG04 & FG06)
3:45-4pm: Closing Remarks
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact the Researcher Development and Culture Team: researcherdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk
Supported by the ECR Research Culture and Community Grant, the SPROUT Network hosted its second collaborative hybrid event at BU’s Fusion Building on Tuesday 17 February 2026. What does it mean to be a “sustainable” researcher? Does it refer to the topics being studied, or the way researchers live their lives while conducting that work? The session brought together PGRs, ECRs, and supervisors from Bournemouth, Cardiff, and Durham Universities to tackle these very questions.
Building Momentum: The Three Pillars
Following the foundation laid during the network’s inaugural session in November, this second event moved the conversation forward. Shifting the focus from what is researched to how researchers work and sustain themselves.
The organisers structured the day around three core pillars:
Keynote Insights: Practice and Resilience
The network was honoured to welcome two keynote speakers who offered unique, complementary perspectives.
Professor Fiona Cownie framed sustainability as an active choice enacted through doctoral work. Introducing the “Sustainability Triangle,” challenging researchers to balance their Choices (topics and methods) against external Constraints (time and resources) and the necessity of Compromise without losing professional integrity.

Keynote speaker Professor Fiona Cownie discussing the vital role of sustainability in doctoral research practice during the SPROUT Network hybrid event
Professor Sara Ashencaen Crabtree then explored the human realities of academic work, arguing that sustainable research depends on sustainable research lives. Sharing a moving reminder from poet William Stafford: “There’s a thread you follow… While you hold it you can’t get lost,” emphasising the need for a stabilising sense of purpose to navigate the pressures of contemporary research culture.

Professor Sara Ashencaen Crabtree sharing reflections on care, resilience, and the ‘researcher self’ during her keynote session
A Milestone for Organisers: Leadership and Growth
For the SPROUT team, coordinating a multi-institutional, hybrid event was a significant milestone in professional development.
The session was led by a dedicated team:
PGR/ECR Leads: Mosopefoluwa Akinrinmade, Ibrahim Awawdeh, and Kasongo Shutsha.
Academic Leads: Dr Tahani Mohamed (Bournemouth), Dr Julie Gwilliam (Cardiff), and Rosalind Beaumont (Durham).
Reflecting on the impact of the grant, Dr Tahani Mohamed noted:
“The funding enabled the network to deliver a high-impact event that moved beyond ‘business as usual.’ It allowed the team to create a generous and thoughtful space where ECRs and PGRs felt safe to discuss the structural and personal factors that shape their careers. Facilitating these ‘deep conversations’ has significantly increased our confidence in leading research culture initiatives.”
Managing the grant funds and coordinating across three universities provided the leads with invaluable experience in leadership, multi-site logistics, and cross-university advocacy.
Impact and Future Growth
The event demonstrated a clear interest for community-based research culture initiatives. Feedback from the community highlighted the importance of this space:
“I am so thankful for such a group existing within BU… which focuses on sustainability in research. The meeting was really valuable and the two speakers were inspirational.”
The SPROUT community continues to grow because researchers find value in returning. Future sessions are already being planned to cover sustainable funding strategies, research methods, and interdisciplinary collaboration. 
Stay Connected
To join the SPROUT mailing list or Teams group, please contact sprout@bournemouth.ac.uk or reach out to Dr Tahani Mohamed at tmohamed@bournemouth.ac.uk
Apply for the ECR Research Culture and Community Grant
Do you have an idea for an event or initiative that could strengthen the research culture at BU? We invite you to follow in the Sprout Team’s footsteps and apply for funding to bring your project to life.
Find out more and submit your application here: Research Culture and Community Grant
Closing Date 4pm, Monday 9 March 2026
If you would like to discuss your ideas before submitting your application, please contact Enrica Conrotto, Researcher Development Manager, at researcherdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk
Supported by the PGR Research Culture and Community Grant, Zahra Eskandari (PhD Candidate, Faculty of Business & Law) recently hosted a two-day workshop introducing Body Map Storytelling to the BU research community. This innovative, arts-based method focuses on using creative expression to explore lived experiences, empowering participants to bridge their personal journeys with broader academic practices.
A Space for Reflection and Connection
The interactive session took place at Poole House on Thursday 22 January. Designed specifically for international women PGRs and ECRs, the workshop provided a supportive environment to explore themes of physical activity, wellbeing and belonging. Participants engaged in a hands-on creative process, developing unique body maps that combined visual expression with storytelling.
One participant noted:
“Through this workshop, I realised more about my choices and my engagement.”

Examples of body maps created during the workshop, where participants used colour and symbols to represent their lived experiences and emotional wellbeing.
Interdisciplinary Learning
The following day, the focus shifted to the Fusion Building for a research seminar led by Dr Anna Smirnova (Creative Health Associate, Edge Hill University). Dr Smirnova shared insights from her PhD research using this method with young people in Kyrgyzstan, providing a deep dive into the ethical and analytical foundations of the approach.
The seminar attracted a diverse group, including five postgraduate researchers and nine lecturers, creating an engaging cross-disciplinary exchange of ideas.
A participating lecturer described it as:
“One of the few events where you could learn something new and hear about the incredible research being carried out elsewhere.”

The PGR community in action: participants at the Body Map Storytelling workshop exploring embodied research methods
Impact
For the organiser, Zahra Eskandari, managing this project was “Empowering, Transformative, and Challenging”. While building Zahra’s project management and budget skills, the project also gave BU researchers new, creative tools for inclusive research. The positive engagement from both the workshop and seminar showed a clear demand for more arts-based sessions at BU in the future.
Apply for the PGR Research Culture and Community Grant
Do you have an idea for an event or initiative that could strengthen the research culture at BU? We invite you to follow in Zahra’s footsteps and apply for funding to bring your project to life.
Find out more and submit your application here: Research Culture and Community Grant PGR Application
Closing date 4pm, Monday 9 March 2026
If you would like to discuss your ideas before submitting your application, please contact Enrica Conrotto, Researcher Development Manager, at pgrskillsdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk.
Supported by the ECR Research Culture and Community Grant, Tom Cousins (Faculty of Health, Environment & Medical Sciences) recently organised a public lecture and book launch to celebrate the publication of research on the Swash Channel Wreck. This event served as a major milestone for a project that has spanned Tom’s entire career at Bournemouth University, from his time as an undergraduate and postgraduate student to his current role as a full-time member of the technical staff.
A Celebration of Maritime Archaeology

The Swash Channel Wreck Book
The event, held at Talbot Campus on 28 January 2026, featured a well-attended public lecture and celebrated the launch of a new book by Dave Parham and Tom Cousins. The session featured an in-depth presentation on the Swash Channel Wreck, a 17th-century Dutch shipwreck first located in 1990 and rediscovered in 2006. As one of the most complete shipwrecks of its kind outside the Baltic, the site offers rare insights into 17th-century ship construction and life on board.
Combined with a display of archaeological finds, the event showcased years of research to members of the public and the wider BU community, including the University Executive Team and the Vice-Chancellor. The presentation was followed by a wine reception, allowing attendees to view the artifacts first-hand and discuss the findings
Beyond the university, the launch brought together long-term stakeholders from government agencies, harbour authorities, and museums. It was a reminder that the project was a shared effort, involving divers, students, and partners across two countries. Seeing everyone reunite to mark the publication, highlighted the project’s lasting significance for BU’s maritime archaeology and all who contributed to its journey.

Presenting the history of the Swash Channel Wreck during a public lecture, followed by a networking session where researchers, stakeholders, and the public gathered to celebrate the project’s milestone.
Supporting the Research Community
The launch was a collaborative effort that directly supported the development of early-career researchers and postgraduate students. Several PGRs and ECRs assisted in setting up and managing the day, providing them with valuable opportunities to network with members of the public, industry professionals, and senior university leadership.
Tom described the overall experience as “Interesting, welcoming, and collaborative,” noting that the greatest benefit was the opportunity to share this significant research with both the BU community and members of the public.
Apply for the ECR Research Culture and Community Grant
Do you have an idea for an event or initiative that could strengthen the research culture at BU? We invite you to follow in Tom’s footsteps and apply for funding to bring your project to life.
Find out more and submit your application here: Research Culture and Community Grant
Closing date 4pm, Monday 9 March 2026
If you would like to discuss your ideas before submitting your application, please contact Enrica Conrotto, Researcher Development Manager, at researcherdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk
The Doctoral College invites the BU community to the Postgraduate Research Showcase, hosted in the Atrium Gallery from Tuesday 3 February to Thursday 26 February 2026.
This exhibition features a curated selection of posters from our 17th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference. It is a fantastic opportunity to explore the diverse research being driven by our Postgraduate Researchers. The selected posters will remain on display throughout the duration of the showcase, allowing you plenty of time to visit and engage with the work.
Join us for the Launch Event
To kick off the exhibition, we are hosting a celebratory launch event. This is a chance to network with fellow researchers, meet academics, and show your support for the PGR community.
Register your place via Eventbrite here
Please note there will be no virtual exhibition this year, so make sure to stop by the Atrium Gallery in person to experience the showcase. If you would like a taste of the energy from our recent conference, you can catch highlights and images from the event on YouTube.
We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating the incredible contributions of our Postgraduate Researchers
Behind every successful grant and impact case study, is a dedicated support team. Join us at our next 3C event to meet the Research & Innovation Services staff in person. Discover the specialised support available to help you navigate and succeed on your research journey.
No slides, just support
Grab a coffee and a cookie, and have an informal chat with the Research and Innovation Services Team. No appointments, no formal presentations, just a chance to connect with the people behind your research support services. The same friendly 3C atmosphere you love, now with added expertise.
Who’s joining us?
The following RIS staff members will be joining us to answer your questions or simply say hello:
Event Details
Date: Tuesday 13 January
Time: 10-11am
Location: Room K103, Kimmeridge House, Talbot Campus
How to join: Find out more and register here
We’re looking forward to seeing you there!
If you have any questions about the event, please do get in touch with the Research Development & Culture Team: researcherdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk
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.
We are delighted to share upcoming events from the British Academy Early Career Researcher Network (BA ECRN) Southwest & South Wales cluster. These are fantastic opportunities for networking, skill development, and engaging with key topics relevant to ECRs in the humanities, arts, and social sciences.
SWSW Connect Online Community Meeting: Research Culture and Excellence Frameworks
Date & Time: Tuesday 11 November, 12-1pm
This is a monthly online meeting for ECRs in the humanities and social sciences. It is a space to network, share knowledge, and support each other across the region. November’s session will focus on how ECR research can contribute to the research culture environment and to key UK frameworks: Research Excellence (REF), Knowledge Exchange (KEF), and Teaching Excellence (TEF).
Register on the BA ECRN Portal to find out more and book
Reaching Out: Forming Interdisciplinary Connections
Date: Tuesday 18 November, 10am-4pm
Location: University of Exeter
This in-person workshop is for ECRs who want to work together on research projects that cross different disciplines. The goal is to teach ECRs how to find partners, start these interdisciplinary projects, and gain better insights and funding advice from experienced researchers.
Register on the BA ECRN Portal to find out more and book
Development Fund Workshop: The Impact of the ‘Impact Agenda’
Date & Time: Thursday 27 November, 10:30am-5:30pm
Location: The British Academy, London
This workshop will examine the effect of the ‘impact agenda’ on the professional development and career paths of ECRs in the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. It will bring together ECRs, senior academics, and policy actors to develop practical recommendations for improving impact training and career progression.
Register on the BA ECRN Portal to find out more and book
SWSW Webinar Series
The SWSW Webinar Series brings monthly knowledge and skill-based content from engaging expert speakers.
Knowledge Exchange and Commercialisation
Date & Time: Thursday 4 December, 11am-12pm
Directors of the University of Exeter’s SHArD 3D Lab will present an overview of successful Knowledge Exchange initiatives. They provide specialised training, workshops, and research solutions for the heritage and emergency services sectors. The presentation highlights insights from their experience in departmental business engagement and impact leadership.
Register on the BA ECRN Portal to find out more and book
Research Impact Culture: AHRC and ESRC Impact Accelerator Accounts
Date & Time: Friday 5 December, 10am-12pm
This workshop introduces Impact Accelerator Accounts (IAA): research council funds provided to universities to develop a research impact culture. The session will cover the concept of research impact, examples of IAA-supported projects, and the aims of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) IAA programmes. Participants will learn about available internal IAA support and funding to help researchers translate their work into real-world impact.
Stay Connected
We encourage all Early Career Researchers to join the BA ECRN Portal and ECRN platform for continuous updates on events, funding opportunities, and other resources relevant to your career development.
Our Researcher Development Hub is now available as your dedicated space to easily find resources and development opportunities for your research career stage.
Don’t miss our researcher social taking place on Wednesday 12 November from 3-4 pm.
The Doctoral College is excited to invite all members of BU’s Research Community for this informal social. If you are looking for a relaxed, easy way to meet new people and chat about your work, this is it.
This is a fantastic opportunity for all researchers to connect, exchange ideas, or even start a new collaboration.
Why you should join us:
This informal forum is the perfect place to:
Event details
Find out more and register here
We look forward to seeing you there.
If you have any questions about the event, please do get in touch with the Research Development & Culture Team: researcherdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk
Join Our Researcher Social!
The Doctoral College is excited to invite all members of the BU Research Community to our informal social event.
This is a fantastic opportunity for all researchers to connect and exchange ideas over refreshments.
It is a relaxed forum where you can:
We’d love to see you there!
Event Details
Find out more and register here
If you have any questions about the event, please do get in touch with the Research Development & Culture Team: researcherdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk
Next month on July 25th Bournemouth University will join in with the world-wide celebrations of World Drowning Prevention Day 2025. The first achievement to highlight is Dr. Jill Nash interesting piece recently published in The Conversation, in which she highlights Five ways to keep teenagers safe by the water [1]. It is also worthwhile to read last year’s contribution to World Drowning Prevention Day by Jill on the dangers of being near water and the role emotions play in making safer decisions [2].
The second major piece of research related to drowning prevention at Bournemouth University is the Sonamoni Project. The Sonamoni Project is working with communities in rural Bangladesh utilizing human-centered design (HCD) techniques. The research project is identifying solutions to reduce the number of drowning deaths in newly mobile children (6-24 months), developing prototype, and assessing the acceptability and usability of potential interventions.
Sonamoni is coordinated by Bournemouth University in collaboration with the University of the West of England (Bristol), the University of Southampton, and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Design Without Border (DWB) in Uganda and Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh (CIPRB). The interdisciplinary team at Bournemouth University covers three faculties and six academics: Dr. Mavis Bengtsson, Dr. Kyungjoo Cha, Dr. Mehdi Chowdhury, Dr. Yong Hun Lim, Mr. John Powell, and Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen.
This international project funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) through its Research and Innovation for Global Health Transformation programme, also includes a BU-based PhD student, Mr. Md. Shafkat Hossein. He recently published the first article related to drowning prevention in Nepal [3].
References:
Have you taken part in a local festival, run a community workshop, volunteered at a cultural event, or used your BU expertise to support a community group? BU is required to report on a range of knowledge exchange activities for the HE-BCI survey, collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Research England uses this data to inform the annual allocation of the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF).
For 2024–25, BU received £549,064.
We are collecting details of all social, community and cultural engagement activities delivered between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025. Entries must be submitted by Friday 17 October 2025.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far. If you haven’t recorded your involvement yet, it only takes a few minutes. Every entry helps us show BU’s wider impact.
We have now moved to a single central table for collecting entries. If you have already submitted your activity to your faculty’s table, we will transfer this over for you.
This year, we can’t include information uploaded to the public engagement section of BRIAN, as it doesn’t capture all the data HESA requires. If you have added entries to BRIAN for this period, please upload the full details to the central table as well, or your activity won’t be included in the survey.
For guidance on what to include, see the FAQ section.
Please complete the central table
If you have any questions, contact us at publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk
If you’re running an event or activity that is open to non-academic audiences and showcases BU research, the Public Engagement with Research team in RDS can help spread the word.
We can help you promote public engagement with research events through our monthly newsletter and social media channels.
To be included, your event must:
Please note: we may edit event descriptions to align with our other communications.
Ready to share your event?
If you have any questions, get in touch with the team at publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk
Get inspired at BU’s Research Café
Join a community of curious minds to ask questions, share ideas, and explore research at Bournemouth University. Enjoy thought-provoking talks followed by lively discussions, where you can engage directly with guest speakers and fellow attendees.

Our next event will explore the Sonamoni Project, an international collaboration focused on preventing drowning among children in rural Bangladesh.
Join us on Tuesday 1 July, from 6:30 to 8pm, for a short talk and open discussion with researchers from Bournemouth University. They will share insights from the Sonamoni Project, which is funded by the National Institute for Health Research.
In many Bangladeshi communities, child safety has a direct impact on whether women are able to work. This talk will also look at how community-led safety initiatives not only protect children but also support women’s livelihoods.
The research team brings together experts from three UK universities, the RNLI, the Centre for Injury Prevention and Research in Bangladesh, and Design without Borders in Uganda. The evening will also include an interactive virtual reality experience that brings the research to life.
Taking place at the BGB Café, the event will begin at 6:30pm. The café opens at 6pm, so arrive early to buy a drink and a bite to eat before the event begins.
If you have any questions about this event, please email the Public Engagement with Research Team: publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk