Tagged / impact

Deadline Approaching: Submit your Poster for the Research Conference by Monday 27 April

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:

  • Innovative methodologies or interdisciplinary work
  • Tangible impacts on society, policy, or industry

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.

Find out more and apply here

2. Research Centre 

Each Institute or Research Centre is invited to submit one poster presenting:

  • Mission and focus areas
  • Key projects and achievements
  • Opportunities for collaboration
  • Contact information

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:

  • Format: A1 size (594mm x 841mm), landscape or portrait
  • Design: Visual clarity and accessibility are strongly recommended
  • Printing: Our team will handle the printing for you unless you already have a poster ready to use.
  • Display: Posters will be exhibited on the day of the conference from 9am-4pm

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 

  • Monday 27 April: Call for abstracts closes
  • Friday 22 May: Deadline for final presentation version
  • May (TBC): General registration for attendees opens
  • Tuesday 9 June: Conference Day

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

REMINDER: 3MT® Competition – Deadline 9am Monday 20 April

Don’t let your research go unheard. You have until Monday 20 April to submit your three-minute presentation for the 2026 3MT® competition. It is a fantastic way to sharpen your public speaking skills and get your work noticed across the university.

Originally established by the University of Queensland, this globally recognised challenge invites doctoral researchers to condense their entire thesis into a high-impact, three-minute presentation designed for a general audience.

Prepare Your Submission

The first BU round of the competition will take place via pre-recorded presentations.

To participate, you must:

Deadline: Both your online application form and video presentation must be submitted by 9am on Monday 20 April.

Please note: Applications submitted without a presentation will not be considered for Faculty selection.

A Faculty Panel will select a winner for each school. Finalists will be invited to the in-person BU Final on campus on Wednesday 17 June.

To ensure your presentation meets the official criteria and recording standards, please consult these resources

Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible to apply if:

  • You are an active PhD or Professional Doctorate candidate
  • You have successfully passed your Probationary Review

Exclusions: MRes/MPhil students, graduates, and students currently on interruption are not eligible.

Remote & Part-Time Researchers: If you cannot attend the campus final due to your status, a pre-recorded video submission is permitted in accordance with official rules.

Why Join the Challenge?

  • Refine Public Speaking: Master the “elevator pitch” for complex data
  • Boost Your Profile: Gain visibility within the university and the wider research community
  • National Recognition: The winner will represent BU at the National Vitae 3MT competition
  • Earn Prizes: All finalists receive a Doctoral College backpack, plus a chance to win:
    • 1st Prize: £150 voucher
    • 2nd Prize: £100 voucher
    • 3rd Prize: £50 voucher
    • People’s Choice: £50 voucher

Learn More

For more on the history and global impact, visit the official Vitae and 3MT® websites.

Further information is available on Brightspace

Watch the 2025 BU winners here

Registration to attend the final will open in May.

If you have any questions, please contact the team at: pgrskillsdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk

Boost Your Research Profile: Training Sessions with The Conversation

Knowledge Exchange, Training

The Conversation is a premier news and opinion platform featuring content written exclusively by academics, researchers, and PhD candidates

Backed by professional journalists, it offers a high-impact way to share research with the public, build a media profile, and develop confidence in external communication.

BU’s impact on the platform is already significant: over the last year, BU academics have published 32 articles, reaching nearly 1 million page views. To help more staff get involved, two dedicated training sessions led by editors from The Conversation are being offered. These sessions are a perfect opportunity to learn the ropes and discuss specific article ideas. Writing for The Conversation: Interactive Workshop

In this session, attendees will learn how to translate complex research for a general audience and how to structure articles for maximum engagement. Participants will also have the chance to pitch story ideas directly to a Conversation editor.

Wednesday 22 April, 2-4pm

Online

Please note: Spaces are limited to 20 attendees

Find out more and register here

One-to-One Meetings with the Editor

For those with specific projects in mind, the team is offering eight individual appointments (15–20 minutes each). This is a rare chance to get personalised feedback and expert advice on how to take your article ideas forward. 8 individual appointments available.

Wednesday 20 May, 2-4pm

Online

Book your One-to-One slot here

BU Annual Research Conference: Poster Exhibition Call for Applications

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:

  • Innovative methodologies or interdisciplinary work
  • Tangible impacts on society, policy, or industry

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.

Find out more and apply here

2. Research Centre 

Each Institute or Research Centre is invited to submit one poster presenting:

  • Mission and focus areas
  • Key projects and achievements
  • Opportunities for collaboration
  • Contact information

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:

  • Format: A1 size (594mm x 841mm), landscape or portrait
  • Design: Visual clarity and accessibility are strongly recommended
  • Display: Posters will be exhibited on the day of the conference from 9am-4pm

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 

  • Monday 27 April: Call for abstracts closes
  • Friday 22 May: Deadline for final presentation version
  • May (TBC): General registration for attendees opens
  • Tuesday 9 June: Conference Day

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

From Sustainable Research to Sustainable Research Lives: Reflections from the SPROUT Network Event

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:

  1. Sustainability as Practice: Exploring how research is designed and carried out, from initial focus and methodology to eventual impact
  2. Sustainability as Culture: Examining how research environments and institutional structures shape what is possible and what is valued within academia
  3. Sustainability as Research Lives: Focusing on the human element, sustaining the “researcher self” and professional communities over the long term

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.

Professor Emerita Fiona Cownie introducing the 'Sustainability Triangle,' a framework designed to help researchers balance methodology with institutional constraints

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

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

Exploring Embodied Research: Body Map Storytelling Workshop & Research Seminar

PG research

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.

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.

Marking a Milestone: The Swash Channel Wreck Book Launch

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 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.

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

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

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.

Exciting Opportunities for Early Career Researchers

Knowledge Exchange, Training

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.

Find out more and book here

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.

RKEDF June Digest – development opportunities

Training


Book now for RKEDF training in June 2025 

Click on the titles to find further details and book your place 

RKEDF: Principal Investigation – Post Award for RKE 

Wednesday 4th June 13:00-14:30 – in person, Talbot Campus 

This session is aimed at any researcher who is, who plans to be, a Principal Investigator for an externally funded research or knowledge exchange project. By the end of the session, attendees will have a strong foundation of what to expect when being responsible for their awarded projects. Topics covered include:   

  • What is post award? • Roles and responsibilities • Systems
  • Key policies • Starting your awarded project • Making changes to your project and reporting • Hints and tips

Developing Policy Engagement for Impact 

Wednesday 11th June 09:00-13:30 – online 

Are you preparing an impact case study for REF 2029? Do you need expert advice on navigating the policy landscape to ensure your research reaches decision makers? If so, this online workshop is perfect for you.  Carys Davis, a public affairs and policy consultant from The Other Place Public Affairs Ltd., will lead this workshop. RDS’s Impact Team will be present to offer support and guidance.  Gain valuable insights and practical tips to effectively engage with policy makers and highlight your research. 

This workshop is primarily aimed at researchers working on impact case studies for REF 2029, who will be given priority for registration. If you’re unsure whether this is suitable for you, please consult your UOA impact champion.  This workshop will be held online via Zoom. The link will be sent out closer to the date. 

BRIAN drop in surgery 

Tuesday 17th June 13:00-15:00 – in person, BG-315, Lansdowne Campus 

This is an in person, 2 hour drop in surgery for questions or issues relating to BRIAN.  No question is a stupid question so pop in and ask.  No booking required. 

RSA: Getting Started, Securing Funding, and Advancing Your Career 

Thursday 19th June – 10:00 – 14:30 – in person, Talbot Campus 

This in-person event will take place over lunch and is dedicated to providing support, inspiration, and encouraging meaningful connections among research staff across all faculties.  There will be expert advice on getting started and securing funding, along with practical tips from peers who will share case study examples of successful grants and lessons learned. By the end of the session, you’ll have valuable tools to navigate funding opportunities and plan your next steps—whether in academia or beyond. It is also a great opportunity to connect with colleagues and be part of a supportive research community.  Open to all BU research staff, no matter where you are in your research journey. 

Getting your REF impact case study off the ground 

Thursday 26th June – 09:30 – 12:30, in person, Tabot Campus 

This practical workshop gives you the opportunity to plan your impact case study. Starting this process early can help to gain much-needed clarity, both about your impact project(s) and about expectations for the final product for REF2029. In this workshop, Bella Reichard will guide you through creating (1) a narrative arc for your impact case study, and (2) an action plan to progress and evidence your impacts.   

This workshop is for anyone who is considering preparing an impact case study for submission to REF2029. You may have submitted drafts to internal REF mock exercises in 2023 or 2024. You may be new to the process, in which case please let your relevant BU Impact Champion know that you’re interested in preparing a case study.  This workshop is not limited to a single person per potential case study. If several academics are collaborating on a project it can be very useful to attend together. 

Epigeum Research Skills Toolkit 

Do you want to refresh your researcher skills? Have a look at the Epigeum Research Skills Toolkit (on demand online modules).  Further information on how to access Epigeum courses can be found here.
 

Links for further RKE information and support are below: 

RKE SharePoint page: RKE – Home 

RKEDF SharePoint for development opportunities: Research and Knowledge Exchange Development Framework RKEDF – Home 

RKEDF Brightspace: Homepage – Research & Knowledge Exchange Development Framework  

Please help us in avoiding any waste of resources; make sure you can attend or cancel your booking prior to the session. For any further information, please contact RKEDF@bournemouth.ac.uk   

Policy engagement for impact sessions – last chance to book!

Knowledge Exchange, Training

We have a few places available for our policy engagement training sessions, which are now open to any researchers interested in learning how to get their research in front of decision makers.

DATES & TIMES

Friday 30th May, 9.30am-1pm, F306, Fusion Building, Talbot Campus
Developing Policy Engagement for Impact BOOK HERE

Wednesday 11th June, 9.30am-1pm, online via Zoom
Developing Policy Engagement for Impact (same content) BOOK HERE

KEY DETAILS

Developing Policy Engagement for Impact
Facilitated by BU’s policy consultant Carys Davis, this provides expert advice on navigating the policy landscape to ensure your research reaches and informs decision makers. Topics covered:

  • The purpose of influencing, the role of evidence and what it means for you 
  • Writing elevator pitches and key messages 
  • Principles of communicating with policy and decision makers 
  • Effective policy writing 
  • Understanding the policymaking landscape.