

Reference:
- Regmi, P., Poobalan, A., Simkhada, P., van Teijlingen, E. (2021) PhD supervision in Public Health, Health Prospect: Journal of Public Health 20(1):1-4. https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/HPROSPECT/article/view/32735/28111
Latest research and knowledge exchange news at Bournemouth University
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Please see below for a further update from the HRA on Master’s and undergraduate research. Any queries or concerns please email Suzy Wignall, Clinical Governance Advisor.
Update on student research – new eligibility criteria from 1 September 2021
The HRA and the devolved administrations, supported by the Wessex Institute at the University of Southampton, have reviewed their approach to study approval for student research.
The review aimed to ensure students have the best learning experience of health and social care research, and to reduce the time that the HRA, DAs and NHS Research Ethics Committees (RECs) spend advising on and reviewing student applications.
In March 2020 we paused student research approvals to create capacity for urgent COVID-19 research. Now, from 1 September 2021, we are introducing new eligibility criteria for standalone student research.
New critera
The new criteria mean that some Master’s level students will be able to apply for ethics review and HRA/HCRW Approval or devolved administration equivalent. Standalone research at undergraduate level that requires ethics review and/or HRA/HCRW Approval (or devolved administration equivalent) cannot take place. Arrangements for doctoral research remain unchanged.
Full details are in table one – permitted student research table. We’ve also made it clear when students are able to take the role of Chief Investigator, see table two – which type of students may act as Chief Investigator?
Alternative ways of learning about health and social care research
It is possible for students to learn about health and social care research without completing standalone projects. Looking at other ways to build skills and experience better reflects modern research and emphasises team science. View the video of our event ‘Exploring good practice in Student Research’ to hear from course leaders about how successful these alternative approaches have been (registration is required to view) or read our website for further information and ideas: https://www.hra.nhs.uk/student-research/.
Queries
If you have any queries about the eligibility criteria, please contact queries@hra.nhs.uk.
Did you become a parent last year, or are you an expectant parent? If so, we would like to invite you take part in an online questionnaire about your experiences of perinatal mental health.
The survey is part of the EU-funded PATH project involving 13 partners from France, Belgium the Netherlands and the UK, including Bournemouth University. Professor Wen Tang, an expert in computer science and virtual reality software technologies, is leading BU’s project contribution.
The aim of the project is to enable women, families and healthcare professionals to prevent, diagnose and successfully manage mild to moderate perinatal mental health issues.
If you would like to take part in the survey, please go to http://bit.ly/2JuCEQT.
Congratulations to Prof. Vanora Hundley who co-authored an important commentary ‘WHO next generation partograph: revolutionary steps towards individualised labour care’ in the international journal BJOG [1]. The authors comment on the partograph which is widely used across the globe as part of the assessment of labour progress. It was recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the early 1990s as a routine tool for displaying the progress of labour. Despite its global acceptance, utilization and correct completion rates as low as 31% and 3% respectively, have been reported.
Congratulations!
Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen
CMMPH (Centre for Midwifery, Maternal & Perinatal Health)
Reference:
Hofmeyr, GJ, Bernitz S, Bonet M, Bucagu M, Dao B, Downe S, Galadanci H, Homer CSE, Hundley V, et al. (2021) WHO next generation partograph: revolutionary steps towards individualised labour care (Commentary), BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, First published: 8 March 2021
Tuesday 23rd March 2021, 10.00am – 12.30pm
Do you have a great idea for research in health, social care or public health?
Are you planning to submit a grant application to NIHR?
The popular NIHR seminar continues online and will next take place on Tuesday 23rd March 2021 from 10.00am – 12.30pm. The seminar provides an overview of NIHR funding opportunities and research programme remits, requirements and application processes.
NIHR will give you top tips for your application and answer specific questions with experienced RDS South West advisers.
There are also have a limited number of 20-minute 1-to-1 appointments available after the seminar should you wish to discuss your proposed study with an RDS adviser. Find out more and book a place
The SURE conference was held virtually this year on March 17th with well over 100 participating throughout the afternoon including undergraduates from all faculties, staff and family & friends of students presenting. There was a wide variety of work drawn from that ranged from eg the impacts of drama in forensic settings, how human behavior affects mass outbreaks, newspaper reporting on Communist ideology, and impact of Covid 19 on business conferences. Students were recognized in each faculty for the quality of their work, with Amazon vouchers being awarded to Finlay Brown and Yana Livena (FMC), Natasha Cox and David Cabrini Back (HSS), Fin Underhill and Anne Heim (FST) and Jana Sasstamoinen and Tom Dexter (BUBS). The Sustainability prize was awarded to Jack Sykes of FMC by Eleanor Wills BU Sustainability Support Officer. An overall prize winner of a Masters Fee Waiver was awarded to Tara Walker of FST on her commendable work on how educational professionals personally manage inclusion (see her reaction here). This virtual conference once again highlights the wonderful work BU undergrads are capable of.
Staff from all faculties chipped in to support the students by way of chairing the online channels (streams). Keynotes were delivered by our esteemed colleagues Isa Rega of FMC on digital storytelling and empowerment, and a join presentation from Dean Lois Farquharson and Samreen Ashraf of BUBS on the power of research skills and our adaptation to a changing world. Vice Chancellor John Vinney was also on hand to welcome students and commend their work.
The SURE planning committee for 2021 was made up of Mary Beth Gouthro and Fiona Cownie as co-Chairs, Faculty Reps Miguel Moital, Roya Haratian and Andrew M’manga. A special shout out to Rae Bell, Student Communications officer who was integral to its function and hosting on the day. Some SURE participants have had abstracts accepted for the national BCUR conference hosted by the University of Leeds on April 12-13 where 20 BU students will be showcasing their work from across our faculties.
We have planned three stages: 1) virtual mini workshops, guided discussion/input on academic writing, publishing, journal submission, and review processes ; 2) online workshops where participants present their draft papers/work and receive feedback from peers, mentors, invited speakers/editors and opportunities networking/collaborations (for co-authorship, peer review and peer support); and 3) monthly tutorials (webinars) later in 2021 to provide mentorship and peer support to participants.
This application is third time lucky as two previous applications to The British Academic for Writing Work had not been successful. Over the years the team has build up capacity in academic writing and publishing in Nepal ad hoc. This grant will allow us to offer a more systematic approach to academic writing capacity building in Nepal. It is building on a growing number of paper published by FHSS staff on various aspects of academic writing and publishing. [1-14]
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The curious start of an academic collaboration
Two days ago a group of academic from Bournemouth University (BU) submitted a bid for a research grant to the NIHR (National Institute for Health Research) to help prevent the drowning of toddlers in Bangladesh. The proposed research is a collaboration with the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution), and an other UK university, the University of the West of England (UWE) and a research organisation called CIPRB (Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh). Nothing particularly out of the ordinary there. BU academics submit collaborative bid for research grants all the time, with colleagues at other universities, with large charities (like the RNLI), and with research institutes across the globe. What I find intriguing is the round-about way this particular collaboration came about within BU.
The NIHR called for research proposals in reply to its Global Health Transformation (RIGHT) programme. The RNLI approached CIPRB, an expert in accident prevention from UWE and BU experts in health economics and human-centred design to discuss putting in an intention to bid. The RNLI has a history of working with both CIPRB in Bangladesh on drowning prevention and with BU in various design project (including improved ball bearings for launching lifeboats). The team decided that it needed a sociologist to help study the social and cultural barriers to the introduction of interventions to prevent drowning in very young toddlers (12-14 months). My name was mentioned by our UWE colleague whom I know from her work in Nepal. For example, she and I had spoken at the same trauma conference in Nepal and the lead researcher on her most recent project is one of my former students.
Thus, I was introduced to my BU colleagues in different departments (and faculties) by an outsider from a university miles away. I think it is also interesting that after twelve years at BU I am introduced to fellow researchers at the RNLI, especially since I only need to step out of my house and walk less than five minutes to see the RNLI headquarters in Poole.
Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen
CMMPH (Centre for Midwifery, Maternal & Perinatal Health)
As part of the RKEDF Academics and Researchers can book onto the following sessions, either as a one-to-one meeting or a bespoke team session:
Please contact Suzy Wignall, Clinical Governance Advisor if you are interested in any of these sessions.
Today FHSS Prof. Jonathan Parker published an article (online first) on structural discrimination and abuse associated with COVID-19 in care homes in The Journal of Adult Protection [1]. Whilst Dr. Preeti Mahato, Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen and FHSS Visiting Professor Padam Simkhada had a COVID-19 paper published in the Journal of Midwifery Association of Nepal (JMAN) in late-January 2021 [2], although an electronic copy only reached their email inbox today.
The RDS Funding Development Briefings now occur weekly, on a Wednesday at 12 noon.
Each session covers the latest major funding opportunities, followed by a brief Q&A session. Some sessions also include a spotlight on a particular funding opportunity of strategic importance to BU.
Next Wednesday 10th March, there will be a spotlight on NIHR.
We will cover:
Please note this will be a brief overview of NIHR, with more detailed NIHR sessions planned for later in the year. Support for NIHR applications is available to Bournemouth University staff and people working locally in the NHS through BUCRU, and depending on the support you require, is mostly free of charge. There are no general restrictions on topic area or professional background of the researcher. To discuss your NIHR research please get in touch through bucru@bournemouth.ac.uk.
For those unable to attend, the session will be recorded and shared on the Teams site under the ‘Files’ section, and also saved on the I Drive at I:\RDS\Public\Funding Pipeline\Funding Development Briefings.
Please email RKEDF@bournemouth.ac.uk to receive the Teams invite for these sessions.
The NIHR published a Framework on 21 May 2020 – when the NHS started to restore routine clinical services – to support the restarting of research paused due to COVID-19. Developed in partnership with multiple stakeholders and the devolved nations, the Framework provides a flexible structure for local decision-making.
You can read the latest and final update here.
Today our chapter: Birth Systems across the World: Variations in maternity policy and services across countries was published in the renowned series of books: FIGO Continuous Textbook of Women’s Medicine [1]. This chapter was co-authored by Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen in the Centre for Midwifery, Maternal & Perinatal Health (CMMPH) with Prof. Sirpa Wrede and Doctoral Researcher from the University of Helsinki (Finland) and Dr. from the European University at St. Petersburg (Russia). The chapter includes a set of recommendations for future practice.
Volume 1 is edited by Prof. Jane Sandall from King’s College London. Earlier this year Prof. Sandall was appointed as the first-ever head of midwifery research for England and one of her key focuses will be around ending racial health inequalities in maternity care.
Everything published on The Global Library of Women’s Medicine is available to everyone everywhere for free and there is no requirement to register in order to view it.
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IRAS, the Integrated Research Application System, is changing.
The Health Research Authority wants to hear from people who’ve used the system about how it should look in the future.
A short anonymous survey https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/5B5X95H is available until 24th February 2021.
The Science, Health, and Data Communications Research Group invites you to our Spring-Summer 2021 research series. These talks are open to the public, and encompass topics on representations of women scientists in the media, health inequalities and COVID-19, how comics are used for health messages, and how politics drives decisions around health and science.
Register for events on EventBrite.
SHDC-RG is an emerging interdisciplinary, cross-faculty group seeking to explore the ways in which specialised knowledge and information is communicated to the public, including policy-makers and front-line workers, and how mass communication (such as journalism and entertainment media) conveys and represents these areas to audiences.
“We’re saving rich white guys’ history?”: Women scientists, new and imagined pasts, and narratives of science on screenDate: Wednesday, 24 February 2021, 3-4pm GMT |
COVID-19, Health Inequalities, and the Politics of DataDate: Wednesday, 10 March 2021, 3-4pm GMT |
Utilizing temporal framing as communication strategies to promote health behaviorsDate: Wednesday, 24 March 2021, 3-4pm GMT |
Misinformation about COVID-19 and what to do about itDate: Wednesday, 21 April 2021, 3-4pm GMT |
Visual metaphors of ‘frozen’ time in autobiographical comics about depressionDate: Wednesday, 12 May 2021, 3-4pm GMT |
Exploring cartoonists representations of the coronavirus pandemic: a cross national study of Australia, South Africa, and the UKDate: Thursday, 20 May 2021, 3-4pm GMT |
TBADate: Wednesday, 26 May 2021, 3-4pm GMT |
The cost of ideologically driven political decision making in a pandemicDate: Wednesday, 16 June 2021, 3-4pm GMT |
Congratulations to Dr. Pramod Regmi (Lecturer in International Health) in the Department of Nursing Sciences on today’s publication of ‘The unmet needs for modern family planning methods among postpartum women in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review of the literature’ [1]. The paper in the international peer-reviewed journal Reproductive Health is co-produced with BU MSc Public Health graduate Jumaine Gahungu and Dr. Mariam Vahdaninia who left the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences in mid-2020.
Well done.
Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen
CMMPH
Reference:
Guest Editors: R. Lyle Skains and An Nguyen, Dept. of Communications & Journalism, Bournemouth University
Register your interest and submit abstracts at https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/17893
Keywords: digital narrative, interactive storytelling, health communication, science communication, science education, science journalism
We are seeking papers for a joint issue with Frontiers in Communication (Science and Environmental Communication; Health Communication) and Frontiers in Environmental Science (Science and Environmental Communication) on digital and interactive narratives and science and health education and journalism. This Special Topic aims to investigate how digital media affordances—such as human-machine and human-human interactivity, multimedia capacities, dynamic visual appeal, playfulness, personalization, real-time immersion, multilinear narrative, and so on—have been and can be used to effectively communicate health and science issues. We would like to go beyond the current discourse on fake news, mis/disinformation and online radicalization, which recognizes the malignant effects of digital media on health and science affairs, to refocus on the positive affordances of digital media—both in direct education (e.g., museums, public demonstrations, school settings) and through the media (e.g., news, film, games)—as communication tools and techniques for health and science topics.
The aim of this Research Topic is, therefore, to explore the current state of play, as well as potential future trajectories, of digital narrative and storytelling in the communication of health and science topics. We invite scholarly investigations, including theoretically driven and practice-related research, on any topic relevant to that overall goal. Some potential topics include, but are not limited to:
Types of Manuscripts:
● Empirical Research Papers
● Practice-led research Projects
● Reviews
● Conceptual Analysis
● Brief Research Reports
● Perspectives/Commentaries
Details on manuscript types: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/communication#article-types
Abstract Deadline: 31 March 2021
Full Papers: 30 Sept 2021
The full call is at https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/17893; please register interest using the “Participate” button, and contact Lyle Skains (lskains@bournemouth.ac.uk) with any questions.
Congratulations to Social Work Lecturer Dr. Orlanda Harvey on the acceptance of a paper by the journal Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy. This latest academic paper ‘Libido as a motivator for starting and restarting non-prescribed anabolic androgenic steroid use among men: a mixed-methods study’ [1] is based on her Ph.D. research. Previous papers associated with her thesis covered aspects of non-prescribed anabolic androgenic steroid use [2-3] as well as her wider Ph.D. journey [4].
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