BU Research Blog

March 18, 2021

SURE 2021 highlights undergrad research excellence at BU

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The SURE conference was held virtually this year on March 17^th 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.

March 6, 2018

SURE conference today – Student case study (Georgina Polius)

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Georgina Polius is in her second year of BA Sociology and Anthropology in the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, and is one of the students who has decided to participate in this year’s upcoming Showcasing Undergraduate Research Excellence (SURE) conference.

Georgina was encouraged to apply by her lecturer, Dr Rosie Read, who informed the entire class to participate in the SURE conference. “Initially, the word abstract scared me a bit because I would have to condense my work into a few lines but after further discussion with my family, I decided to go for it.”

Her assignment research looks at the underlying problem of food poverty within modern British society which was carried out within a foodbank in Bournemouth, working among the volunteers. “Having grown up in a volunteering culture, it has become for me a way of life,” says Georgina. “More specifically, my interest in the foodbank area was sparked by one of my course units I studied last semester where we were sent into the Bournemouth foodbanks to research the personal reasons behind the seemingly household phenomenon of volunteering.”

“I do believe that SURE is a good way to showcase our work as we, as students, have been given the opportunity for various academics and other students to see our work and receive unbiased feedback, which will help us to improve for the future. It also gives us a place to highlight real world issues.”

“I hope to use this exposure from SURE to improve my self-confidence and assertiveness in public speaking which would be an asset to me as I continue with my university studies and eventually into the world of research,” she says. “Most students would perhaps only get to publish their work or experience this type of exposure if they continued to a Master’s programme.”

The Showcasing Undergraduate Research Excellence conference will taking place on 7 March 2018. Many undergraduate students from across the university will be presenting their research throughout the conference in a variety of different ways, from presentations to posters and art installations. Please register via the Eventbrite page if you would like to attend.

For more details, visit the SURE website or email the SURE team.

March 4, 2018

Upcoming SURE conference – Student case study (Scott Wilkes)

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Scott Wilkes is a Sport Development and Coaching Sciences student (Faculty of Management) in his 4th final year at Bournemouth University. He is one of many undergraduate students who will be participating in this year’s Showcasing Undergraduate Research Excellence conference this Wednesday, 7 March 2018.

“SURE was first mentioned to me by my dissertation tutor and I thought to myself ‘What have I got to lose?’.” Scott’s dissertation research looks at the relationship between stammering and sports participation. “Having a stammer myself and a passion for sport, it seemed like the obvious choice to undertake this research,” he says.

“I spent my placement year at a preparatory school where I chose to deliver a school assembly about stammering, how to manage it and how to react to those who have one. It was very well received from pupils, teachers and parents which also inspired me to conduct further research into the area.”

“Now that I have gained control of my speech through years of work with the McGuire programme, I want to help children who are currently experiencing the same feelings that I felt at their age. I am keen to share my work with other academics and students at SURE, particularly because there appears to be a lack of knowledge and research about stammering in the sporting context, and I feel it is vital to improving the wellbeing of those who stammer.”

“SURE is my first opportunity to present my work in an academic environment. Plus, I thought it would be nice to achieve something like this before I leave university! The workshops before the event have helped with what needs to be included and how to set my work out for the audience to understand. Also, the McGuire Programme has taught me how to enjoy public speaking so I am looking forward to the event!”

The Showcasing Undergraduate Research Excellence conference will taking place on 7 March 2018. Many undergraduate students from across the university will be presenting their research throughout the conference in a variety of different ways, from presentations to posters and art installations. Please register via the Eventbrite page if you would like to attend.

For more details, visit the SURE website or email the SURE team.

March 1, 2018

Upcoming SURE conference – Student case study (Abigail Cox)

BU research, conferences, Featured, Public engagement, Research communication, Student Engagement, student research sgardener

Abigail Cox is in her final year of Television Production in the Faculty of Media and Communication and is participating in the upcoming Showcasing Undergraduate Research Excellence (SURE) conference on 7 March 2018.

“I was inspired to submit an abstract to SURE as it looked like a great opportunity to showcase my research and also to develop my public speaking and communication skills,” says Abigail.

Her research explores the representation of refugee in contemporary documentary and current affairs reporting. “I have always followed the refugee crisis in the news. It is an incredibly important issue within humanity today, which is often not helped by negative media representation of the refugees themselves.”

Abigail was inspired by the BBC 2 series Exodus: Our Journey to Europe, “After watching this TV series, I knew that I had to use it as a case study,” she says. “I wanted to explore the key reoccurring representational themes within contemporary documentary and current affairs broadcasts which highlight the refugee crisis. This series offers new modes of documentary filmmaking which challenge the existing perceptions of refugees.”

“Overall, I think SURE is a great way to showcase work, especially to a wide variety of people. SURE offers students a chance to discuss their research with people outside of their faculty or programme, which is perhaps an opportunity we would not normally have.”

The Showcasing Undergraduate Research Excellence conference will taking place on 7 March 2018. Many undergraduate students from across the university will be presenting their research throughout the conference in a variety of different ways, from presentations to posters and art installations. Please register via the Eventbrite page if you would like to attend.

For more details, visit the SURE website or email the SURE team.

November 5, 2017

Calling all undergraduates… SURE 2018 is now open for abstract submissions!

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Bournemouth University’s annual undergraduate research conference – Showcasing Undergraduate Research Excellence (SURE) – returns for a third year in March 2018

As well as giving students a supportive platform to showcase the quality of work they do, it gives others at BU an insight into the excellent research undertaken by our undergraduates. Not only is it a unique opportunity to further develop skills, prizes will also be available which include a fee waiver for a Master’s course at BU for the best overall contributor.

All undergraduate students at BU are eligible to apply, as are recent graduates. Examples of research could be anything from preparing for a dissertation or an essay to work carried out during a placement year to volunteering or work with academic societies. The key criteria is to be able to evidence critical thinking through the work. Please do encourage your students to apply.

How to apply

To apply to present at SURE 2018, students will need to submit an application form, which includes a 250 word abstract, to sure@bournemouth.ac.uk. Please read our ‘how to apply’ guidance first.

Abstracts will be accepted for oral or poster presentations. If a student would like to present your research through another medium – a film, art exhibition or performance – please contact sure@bournemouth.ac.uk initially.

The deadline for submitting abstracts has been extended Friday 12 January 2018.

Prizes

Best overall contribution – a fee waiver to any BU Master’s

Best original research via oral presentation – 4 x £350 funding (1 per Faculty) for students to attend and present their research at the British Conference of Undergraduate Research

Best poster, demonstration or art installation: 4 x £25 Amazon voucher (1 per Faculty)

Conference attendance

SURE 2018 will take place on Wednesday 7 March 2018. Registration for the conference will open in January 2018.

Staff and students from across BU are encouraged and welcome to attend.

For any queries, please contact sure@bournemouth.ac.uk or visit www.bournemouth.ac.uk/SURE2018.

Tagged / Showcasing Undergraduate Research Excellence

Upcoming SURE conference – Student case study (Scott Wilkes)

Upcoming SURE conference – Student case study (Abigail Cox)

Abigail Cox is in her final year of Television Production in the Faculty of Media and Communication and is participating in the upcoming Showcasing Undergraduate Research Excellence (SURE) conference on 7 March 2018.

Calling all undergraduates… SURE 2018 is now open for abstract submissions!

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Tagged / Showcasing Undergraduate Research Excellence

Georgina Polius is in her second year of BA Sociology and Anthropology in the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, and is one of the students who has decided to participate in this year’s upcoming Showcasing Undergraduate Research Excellence (SURE) conference.

Abigail Cox is in her final year of Television Production in the Faculty of Media and Communication and is participating in the upcoming Showcasing Undergraduate Research Excellence (SURE) conference on 7 March 2018.

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Conference attendance

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