Community voices is a collaboration between BU PIER partnership and Centre for Seldom Heard Voices to provide a platform and a voice to local community activists.
Please do join us for this webinar….
Latest research and knowledge exchange news at Bournemouth University
Community voices is a collaboration between BU PIER partnership and Centre for Seldom Heard Voices to provide a platform and a voice to local community activists.
Please do join us for this webinar….
This year’s annual conference of BNAC (Britain-Nepal Academic Council) will be held on April 24-25 at Liverpool John Moores University. Dr. Pramod Regmi, Principal Academic in International Health in the Department of Nursing Sciences, will be a panellist on a Round Table discussion on the topic of ‘The Hidden Burden of Migration: Struggles of Nepalese Labour Migrants from Departure to Return’.
This contribution is inspired by history of BU research into the health and well-being of migrant workers from Nepal by Dr.Regmi, Dr. Nirmal Aryal, Dr. Orlanda Harvey, Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen as well as Bournemouth University PhD students Yagya Adhikari and Anjana Regmi Paudyal. Dr. Regmi’s more recent publications on the topic include papers on: modern slavery [1], kidney disease [2-4], pre-departure training of aspiring migrant workers in Nepal [5], moral panics and societal fear around migrant workers and COVID-19 [6-7], Nepalese migrant workers in Malaysia [8-9], left-behind families of migrant workers [10], migrant workers and the 2022 FIFA male football world cup [11-12], Nepalese migrants in the UK [13] as well as literature review [14].
Bournemouth University is further involved in two presentation originating from the project studying the impact of the introduction of federalisation in Nepal on its health system. Details about our project are on the website Nepal Federal Health System Project. This study was funded by the UK Health Systems Research Initiative [Grant ref. MR/T023554/1] to study the consequences for the health system of Nepal’s move from a centralised political system to a more federal government structure in 2015.
Our interdisciplinary joint project was 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 Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences (in Nepal) and PHASE Nepal. In late 2022 further funding was awarded by the Medical Research Foundation to Prof. Julie Balen, from Canterbury Christ Church University, to disseminate the findings of our UK Health Systems Research Initiative-funded research in Nepal. These two papers will be presented by our collaborators, namely Prof. Julie Balen of Canterbury Christ Church University and Ms. Amshu Dhakal from Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences in Kathmandu, Nepal.
References:
Get inspired at BU’s Research Café – where research comes to life
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 features talks from Bournemouth University postgraduate researchers, all currently working towards their PhDs and eager to share their work with the public.
We are excited to welcome three researchers who will present their work and discuss how their research might address the following questions:
Taking place at BGB Café on Tuesday 6 May, the talks 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
ESRC Festival Info Session Rescheduled to Wednesday 23 April 11am-12pm
Online information session
Join our online information session to enhance your chances of a successful application and learn how to make the most of this exciting opportunity.
BU’s Public Engagement Team will co-host this session with the University of Southampton Impact Funding Team. During the session, you will hear about past festival events at both universities, learn first-hand experiences from previous participants, and gain an understanding of the application process. You will also receive guidance on how to get involved in this year’s festival.
Wednesday 23 April 2025
11am – 12pm
Online (via Teams)
To attend, please register and we will be in touch with further information
Find out more about how you can take part in the 23rd Annual ESRC Festival of Social Science
If you have any questions, please get in touch publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk
Congratulations to Bournemouth University Professor Emeritus Jonathan Parker who published a TransformingSociety blog yesterday (31 March 2025). His blog ‘Sacrificing the poor for the rich: ‘Piacular’ austerity and the need for welfare reform‘ was partly a promotion for his new book Analysing the History of British Social Welfare, which was published by Policy Press in 2024.
Prof. Parker has also been invited to speak at the Bournemouth William Temple Association at their meeting at the Marsham Court Hotel on Monday 7th April. His speech, titled “Sacrificing the Poor on Behalf of the Rich? An Examination of the Rites of Social Welfare,” will explore the relationship between the “haves” and the “have-nots” and it was advertised in the Bournemouth Echo recently.
Well done!
Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen
Faculty of Health & Social Sciences
The ESRC Festival of Social Science (FoSS) is back, running from 18 October to 8 November 2025.
Partnership with the University of Southampton
For the third consecutive year, Bournemouth University is partnering with the University of Southampton (UoS) to deliver a programme of social science events across Dorset and Hampshire. This collaboration enables BU researchers to organise joint events with UoS colleagues and share impactful research with a broader community.
Funding available for your social science event
Apply for up to £1,000 and join the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2025 to showcase your research.
Online information session
Join our online information session to enhance your chances of a successful application and learn how to make the most of this exciting opportunity.
BU’s Public Engagement Team will co-host this session with the UoS Impact Funding Team. During the session, you will hear about past festival events at both universities, learn first-hand experiences from previous participants, and gain an understanding of the application process. You will also receive guidance on how to get involved in this year’s festival.
Wednesday 2 April 2025
11am – 12pm
Online (via Teams)
To attend, please register and we will be in touch with further information
Get inspired about planning your event
The 2025 open call will launch soon. In the meantime, explore these resources from last year to gather ideas and see which events resonated with public audiences while aligning with the festival’s goals:
To help with planning and audience engagement, check out these useful guides from last year’s open call:
If you would like to start discussing your ideas, please get in touch publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk
Your involvement matters – Please share details of BU’s social, community, and cultural events for the annual Higher Education Business & Community Interaction (HE-BCI) survey
Bournemouth University reports on a range of knowledge exchange activities for the HE-BCI survey, collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
Providing a comprehensive view of these activities is crucial, as Research England uses HE-BCI data to allocate the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) annually. For 2024-25, BU received £549,064.
Data collection period
The SharePoint site collects information on all social, community, and cultural engagement events delivered by BU between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025.
Please ensure all event details are uploaded by Friday 17 October 2025.
Find your faculty table
Complete all the columns in your faculty’s table, paying particular attention to the Number of attendees and Academic staff time for delivery.
Please note that this year, we cannot include data solely uploaded to the public engagement records on BRIAN, as they do not capture all the information required by HESA. If you have already added data to BRIAN, you must also upload full details to the SharePoint site to ensure your event is included in the survey.
Further support
For detailed guidance on what to include, please refer to the FAQ’s
Please contact the Public Engagement Team should you have any additional questions publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk
Our new Research Café series launched last week at the BGB Café with a thought-provoking discussion on smart cities and cybersecurity. The event brought together members of the public, researchers, and local businesses to exchange ideas, ask questions, and connect with BU’s research community.
Professor Vasilis Katos speaking at Research Café
Leading the conversation was BU’s Professor Vasilis Katos, who explored how residents, businesses, and policymakers can work together to protect smart city infrastructure from growing cyber threats. Professor Katos highlighted the increasing reliance on digital systems in urban environments and the need for proactive security measures to prevent attacks that could disrupt essential services.
Joining the conversation was Emily Rosenorn-Lanng, PhD student and CEO of BU pre-spin-out Cyber Innovations Ltd, who shed light on the often-overlooked psychological impact of cyberattacks. Emily emphasised how cyber incidents can leave individuals and small businesses feeling vulnerable, highlighting the need for greater awareness, resilience, and support systems.
Professor Vasilis Katos & Emily Rosenorn-Lanng with Research Café attendees
The session sparked a lively discussion, with audience members including local business owners sharing their concerns and experiences. Attendees described the event as “exceptionally engaging,” “eye-opening,” and “a fantastic opportunity to learn from experts.”
Emily Rosenorn-Lanng reflected on the event “Cybersecurity isn’t just about technology – it’s about people. When attacks happen, they don’t just affect data; they impact lives, trust, and livelihoods. Protecting our digital world means understanding the human side of cybersecurity too.”
Next up in our Research Café series
Showcasing Tomorrow’s Researchers – Tuesday 6 May, 6:30-8pm at BGB Café
We are excited to announce the next event in our Research Café series will feature postgraduate researchers from Bournemouth University, who will share insights into their innovative research.
Come along to hear about their work, ask questions, and gain a glimpse into the future of research.
More details coming soon
Contact
If you have any questions about this event or the Research Café series, please contact the Public Engagement with Research Team at publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk
The ESRC Festival of Social Science (FoSS) returns from 18 October to 8 November 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity for researchers to showcase their work in the UK’s largest celebration of social science research.
Partnership with the University of Southampton
For the third consecutive year, Bournemouth University is partnering with the University of Southampton (UoS) to deliver a programme of social science events across Dorset and Hampshire. This collaboration enables BU researchers to organise joint events with UoS colleagues and share impactful research with a broader community.
Why get involved?
Online information session
BU’s Public Engagement Team will co-host an online information session with the Impact Funding Team (Research and Innovation Services, UoS). During the session, you will learn about past FoSS events at both universities and hear first-hand experiences from previous participants. The session will also explain the application process and guide you on how to get involved in this year’s festival.
Wednesday 2 April 2025
11am – 12pm
Online (via Teams)
To attend, please register and we will be in touch with further information.
Thinking about applying?
The call for applications will open soon. In the meantime, if you are considering applying, we recommend reviewing the 2024 festival open call to gain a clear understanding of the expectations and festival criteria. Understanding the ESRC’s guidelines and expectations is key to submitting a strong application.
If you have colleagues at the University of Southampton who might be interested in running a joint event, consider reaching out to explore collaboration opportunities. Joint events can strengthen your application and broaden your impact, so they are strongly encouraged.
Get inspired by past festival events. For ideas and inspiration, take a look at:
These resources can help you better understand the types of events that resonate with public audiences and align with the festival’s goals.
Helpful guides
These guides from last year’s open call are valuable resources to help you understand and support event planning and audience engagement.
Funding and Support
Funding of up to £1,000 per event is available to support your event. BU’s Public Engagement team will offer ongoing advice and guidance at every stage – from application and event development to planning, delivery, and evaluation.
New drop-in surgery for application support
In addition to the information session, the Public Engagement Team will be hosting a drop-in surgery on campus, providing you with the opportunity to meet the team and receive additional support for your application.
This will:
Take advantage of this support to enhance your proposal and perfect your event plans.
If you would like to start discussing your ideas, please get in touch with the team at publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk
At Bournemouth University, we are committed to making our research accessible beyond the university.
If you are organising an event that connects members of the public with BU’s research, we can help promote it to relevant audiences through our monthly newsletters and social media channels.
To be considered for inclusion, your event or activity must be;
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
The call for applications for Being Human Festival 2025 is now open
Being Human is the UK’s national festival of the humanities. Each year researchers and staff from universities and research organisations are invited to take part in the national festival by organising a public engagement event or activity, rooted in humanities research.
This year’s festival will take place 6-15 November with the theme ‘Between the Lines’.
Being Human is a place-based festival that emphasises interaction, collaboration and engaging with communities outside higher education. The festival supports innovative, participatory and creative activities that foster genuine, two-way connections with communities.
You can get an idea of what the festival looks like, and the types of activities they support, in the 2024 highlights film, and by reading the 2024 highlights blog.
There are various ways to participate in the festival:
Funded pathway
Festival Event Grants: up to £4,000 to organise a single event or multiple events. Deadline: Thursday 10 April Being Human 2025 – Festival Event Grant – Further Information.pdf
Please note: only applicants from UK Higher Education Institutions and AHRC-recognised IROs are eligible to receive grants.
Unfunded pathway
Festival Event: organise a festival event that does not require funding from Being Human. Deadline: Friday 4 July
Funding details and support available
Further details about how to apply, and answers to some frequently asked questions, are available here.
Training Programme 2025
The full training programme for 2025, has sessions running from February to October. This year’s programme includes new events on engagement and inclusion and creative engagement, alongside sessions on audiences, partnerships, promoting events and delivering events.
The sessions are led by expert facilitators, alongside members of the Being Human Festival team. Training is primarily aimed at those taking part, or thinking of taking part, in Being Human Festival, but will be of interest to those working in public engagement more broadly.
All sessions are free and take place online, but booking is required. Find out more and book individual sessions.
Toolkits
The Public Engagement Toolkits have recently been updated. These downloadable PDF resources cover subjects including working with partners, delivering inclusive activities and finding the right format. Browse the toolkits
Contact
Should you require advice on public engagement activities or support with your application, please contact BU’s Public Engagement with Research Team: publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk
BU is a key partner in Dorchester’s annual celebration of science during the British Science Week (7-16 March 2025), significantly contributing to its success and educational impact. The Dorchester Science Festival features diverse scientific events, culminating in the Family Science Day on Sunday, March 16th, at the Dorset Museum & Art Gallery.
The university’s involvement brings valuable research expertise and hands-on learning experiences to attendees of the Family Science Day, contributing to the 24 science stalls on offer. BU staff and students actively share their research with children and families, representing various fields including Neuroscience and virtual reality (MINE Research Cluster, Xun He, Fred Charles Charles and Damla Kuleli); Forensic Sciences (Richard Paul and Nikky Jones); Biomedical Sciences (Anna Mantzouratou and Sarah Upson); Biological Sciences (Demetra Andreou); Marine Conservation (Jocelyn Elson-Riggins); Microbial Ecology (Genoveva Esteban).
These presentations offer hands-on activities for visitors of all ages, increasing BU’s visibility in the local community while promoting understanding of scientific issues and encouraging interest in STEM fields. BU’s involvement demonstrates its commitment to widening participation in science and creating positive impact in the community, helping to make the Dorchester Science Festival an engaging and educational event that inspires future generations of scientists and fosters connections between academia and the public.
Professor Genoveva Esteban from the Department of Life and Environmental Sciences (SciTech) co-organises the Dorchester Science Festival and the Family Science Day in collaboration with the Town Council and others. The Dorchester Science Festival has been funded by the Royal Society of Biology, the Institute of Physics, Dorchester Town Council, Market Cross UK LTD and the Dorset Museum & Art Gallery.
Full programme of events can be found on the Festival’s facebook page. For more info, please contact Genoveva Esteban gesteban@bournemouth.ac.uk
Are you a Postgraduate Researcher at Bournemouth University? Do you want to share your research with a public audience in an engaging way and enhance your communication skills? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!
After more than 12 years, our Café Scientifique series has come to an end. Building on its success, we are launching a new Research Café series, which will showcase research from across BU—including arts, humanities, science, health, technology, business, and more.
We are looking for 3–4 Postgraduate Researchers to take part in our first annual PGR session of the Research Café series.
We’re moving away from traditional slide-based presentations to create a more engaging and interactive experience. Instead, this session will feature:
It’s a fun and informal way to share your research with the public while gaining valuable feedback and new perspectives.
We strongly encourage interactive elements to make your talk engaging and accessible.
📅 Date: Tuesday, 6 May
🕡 Time: 6:30–8:00 pm
📍 Venue: Bournemouth University Gateway Building (BGB) Café
If you’re interested in taking part, please complete this form.
🕔 Application deadline: Friday, 14 March, 5:00 pm.
Please note: Completing this form does not guarantee a place in the event. We will be in touch to discuss your interest further.
For any questions, please contact the Public Engagement with Research Team at publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk.
Get inspired at our new Research Café event series where research comes alive. Ask questions, share ideas, and connect with a community of curious minds.
After more than 12 years, our Café Scientifique series has come to an end. Building on its success, this new series will showcase research from all areas at BU including arts and humanities, alongside science, health, technology, business, and more.
Event Details
Your involvement counts – share details of BU’s social, community and cultural events for the annual Higher Education Business & Community Interaction (HE-BCI) survey
BU has to report on a range of knowledge exchange activities for HE-BCI, which is collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
It is crucial we provide as full a picture as possible of these activities as Research England uses the HE-BCI data to help allocate the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) each year.
For 2024-25, BU received £549,064.
The SharePoint site collects details about all the social, community and cultural engagement events BU delivers between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025.
Information about all events delivered during this period need to be uploaded by Friday 17 October 2025.
Find your faculty table
Please ensure you complete all the columns in the individual table for each faculty, especially Number of Attendees and Academic Staff Time for Delivery.
This year, for the first time, we will not be able to include information uploaded to the public engagement records on BRIAN as these do not provide all the data HESA requires.
If you have added data to BRIAN for the relevant time period, please also upload full details here or we will not be able to include your event in the survey.
Further support
For more guidance on what you must include, please refer to the FAQ section.
If you have any questions about the data collection, please contact publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk.
The call for applications for Being Human Festival 2025 is now open
Being Human is the UK’s national festival of the humanities. Each year researchers and staff from universities and research organisations are invited to take part in the national festival by organising a public engagement event or activity, rooted in humanities research.
This year’s festival will take place 6-15 November with the theme ‘Between the Lines’.
Being Human is a place-based festival that emphasises interaction, collaboration and engaging with communities outside higher education. The festival supports innovative, participatory and creative activities that foster genuine, two-way connections with communities.
You can get an idea of what the festival looks like, and the types of activities they support, in the 2024 highlights film, and by reading the 2024 highlights blog.
There are various ways to participate in the festival:
Funded pathway
Festival Event Grants: up to £4,000 to organise a single event or multiple events. Deadline: Thursday 10 April Being Human 2025 – Festival Event Grant – Further Information.pdf
Please note: only applicants from UK Higher Education Institutions and AHRC-recognised IROs are eligible to receive grants.
Unfunded pathway
Festival Event: organise a festival event that does not require funding from Being Human. Deadline: Friday 4 July
Funding details and support available
Further details about how to apply, and answers to some frequently asked questions, are available here.
Apply to Being Human Festival 2025 Webinar
Find out more about applying to the festival at the online information session ‘Applying to Being Human Festival 2025’ taking place on Thursday 27 February 2-3pm. Sign up here.
Training Programme 2025
The full training programme for 2025, has sessions running from February to October. This year’s programme includes new events on engagement and inclusion and creative engagement, alongside sessions on audiences, partnerships, promoting events and delivering events.
The sessions are led by expert facilitators, alongside members of the Being Human Festival team. Training is primarily aimed at those taking part, or thinking of taking part, in Being Human Festival, but will be of interest to those working in public engagement more broadly.
All sessions are free and take place online, but booking is required. Find out more and book individual sessions.
Toolkits
The Public Engagement Toolkits have recently been updated. These downloadable PDF resources cover subjects including working with partners, delivering inclusive activities and finding the right format. Browse the toolkits
Contact
Should you require advice on public engagement activities or support with your application, please contact BU’s Public Engagement with Research Team: publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk