Tagged / Research Culture and Community Grant

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

Final Call for ECRs: Apply for the Research Culture & Community Grant by Monday 9 March

Following the success of our first call, applications for the second round of the Research Culture & Community Grant are open until Monday 9 March

This funding for BU’s Early Career Researchers provides the resources needed to innovate, collaborate, and lead. Whether you are planning a training workshop or a creative networking event, use these grants to empower you to strengthen BU’s research environment and turn your vision into reality.

Explore the two dedicated funding streams

Stream 1: Researcher Development (Grants up to £500)

  • Supports the organisation of skills focused workshops, events, or initiatives.
  • Grants of up to £500 per activity are available.
  • Examples: specific research methods workshops, guest speakers, writing sessions etc.

Stream 2: Research Culture and Community (Grants up to £300)

  • Supports the delivery of research culture and community building, well-being or social activities.
  • Grants of up to £300 per activity are available.
  • Examples: cultural and social events, wellbeing enhancing activities.

Submission Guidelines

To ensure your proposal aligns with our criteria, please note the following:

Inclusivity: Activities must be engaging and accessible to the entire ECR community

Timeline: All initiatives must be delivered and invoiced by 31 July 2026

Originality: Proposals should complement, rather than duplicate, existing BU provisions

Accountability: As a primary organiser, you will be responsible for the promotion, delivery, and evaluation of the project. (Note: ECRs may lead only one activity per cycle)

How the Funding is Being Used

Get inspired by how funds have been used to launch high-impact projects and creative research:

Learn how ECR funding supported the Swash Channel Wreck Book Launch, celebrating a major archaeological milestone.

Explore reflections from the SPROUT Network Event, where funding helped facilitate vital conversations on balancing high-quality research with the long-term well-being and sustainability of the researchers themselves.

Discover the impact of the Body Map Storytelling Workshop & Research Seminar, supported by PGR funding, which explored embodied research through creative practice.

Submit Your Application

Take the lead in shaping the future of community and development at BU.

Access the Application Form Here

Final Deadline: 4pm, Monday 9 March

Refining Your Proposal

We welcome the opportunity to discuss your application before you submit. Please contact Enrica Conrotto, Researcher Development Manager, at researcherdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk for guidance.

The Researcher Development and Culture Team

SPROUT: From Sustainable Research to Sustainable Research Lives

PG research

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

ECR Funding Open Call: Research Culture & Community Grant – Apply now

Funding opportunities

Building on the success of our first call, we have reopened grant applications for BU’s ECRs. This is your opportunity to secure the resources you need to innovate, collaborate, and lead.

Whether you’re planning a training workshop or a creative networking event, these grants are designed to empower you to strengthen the BU research environment.

Explore our two dedicated funding streams:

Stream 1: Researcher Development

  • Supports the organisation of skills focused workshops, events, or initiatives.
  • Grants of up to £500 per activity are available.
  • Examples: specific research methods workshops, guest speakers, writing sessions etc.

Stream 2: Research Culture and Community

  • Supports the delivery of research culture and community building, well-being or social activities.
  • Grants of up to £300 per activity are available.
  • Examples: cultural and social events, wellbeing enhancing activities.

Terms

Please review the following terms before submitting your application:

  • No ECR should be the primary organiser of more than one activity.
  • Activities should be engaging and available to the full PGR community.
  • The organisers should be committed to promoting, delivering and evaluating the activity.
  • Activities must take place and be invoiced before 31 July 2026.
  • Activities should not duplicate those already on offer.
  • Contributions from other sources may complement the Doctoral College grant.
  • Funding will not be offered retrospectively.

Apply here by 4pm, Monday 9 March

If you have an idea that you would like to discuss before submitting your application, please contact Enrica Conrotto, Researcher Development Manager, at
researcherdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk

We look forward to seeing your ideas and supporting you in shaping the future of community and development at BU.

The Researcher Development and Culture Team