Approach: Mixed-methods Quantitative: Surveys targeting festival participants. Qualitative: Semi-structured interviews for deeper insights.
Participants: Residents of Riyadh who attended Boulevard City and Boulevard World.
Rationale: This dual approach balances broad trends with detailed personal experiences.
Explains residents' support based on perceived benefits versus costs (Ap, 1997; Alsaloum et al., 2024) . Bottom-Up Spillover Theory (BUST)
Connects satisfaction in specific life domains (e.g., cultural activities) to overall QoL (Kim et al., 2013; Sirgy et al., 2006) .
REFERENCES
Breastfeeding, Birth Trauma and The Lasting Impacts on Perinatal Mental Health –
With The Goal of Enhancing Perinatal Support Services
Abigail Wheeler,1 Shanti Farrington,2 Fay Sweeting,3 Andrew Mayers,4 Amy Brown,5
Introduction to this research:
▪ My research explores mothers' experiences with breastfeeding, birth trauma, and perinatal mental health.
▪ Through qualitative analysis, this research aims to highlight the challenges and support needs of breastfeeding mothers, with the goal of informing healthcare training and improving maternity support services.
▪ Findings so far reveal key areas where healthcare interventions could better address the mental health and well-being of new mothers.
STUDY 1: Perceived Pressures and Mental Health of Breastfeeding Mothers: A Qualitative Descriptive Study – (put the reference here, 2024)
Intro: This research was published in September 2024 using a dataset, which was originally collected in 2021 for my Undergraduate dissertation project. The study highlights the pressures mothers face to, or not to breastfeed and the impacts this has on their wellbeing.
Methods: 501 Participants | Study used Reflexive Thematic Analysis (using Nvivo)
Results:
▪ Mothers received conflicting advice from healthcare professionals, pressures to feed in a certain way from their support networks, as well as internal beliefs.
▪ Perceived pressures negatively impacted maternal mental health vs positive breastfeeding experiences benefitted mental health outcomes.
▪ There is a ‘damned if you do damned if you don’t’ scenario - Mothers pressured both to breastfeed and not to breastfeed at different stages of their feeding journey
STUDY 1b: The Positive Cycle of Breastfeeding - Mental Health Outcomes of Breastfeeding Mothers Following Birth Trauma – (in preparation, Jan 2025)
Intro: This study uses the same dataset as study 1a. By filtering the results to include mothers who shared they had a traumatic experience, we were able to highlight the impacts of this on their mental health and evaluate the role of breastfeeding in supporting wellbeing outcomes.
Methods: 501 Participants | Study used Reflexive Thematic Analysis (using Nvivo)
Results:
▪ Breastfeeding could serve as a treatment for Birth Trauma and enhance mother-infant bonding
▪ Mothers expressed that positive breastfeeding experiences led to improved perinatal mental wellbeing
STUDY 2: The Effects of PTSD Symptoms Following Birth Trauma on Breastfeeding Experiences
Intro: This study explored the link between PTSD symptoms following birth trauma and the impacts on breastfeeding experiences of new mothers.
Methods: 93 Participants | Data using Qualitative Questionnaire + PCL-5 & Reflexive Thematic Analysis using Nvivo
Results: (ongoing analysis):
▪ 76% of participants scored significantly on the PCL-5 for PTSD symptoms
▪ Negative mental health impact - many mothers put off having another child following birth trauma
▪ Breastfeeding either a challenge following birth trauma, or supported mothers emotionally
Study 3: Does the dismissal of breastfeeding have the potential to cause trauma? [Currently working on ethics application]
Intro: This study will focus on breastfeeding as a tool or treatment. This study has built on the idea from Study 1.
Methods: Semi-Structured Interviews planned
Results: TBC
Study 4: What is midwives' perception of self-confidence when supporting women through birth trauma? [Currently working on ethics application]
Intro: Having worked on 3 studies to look at the experience of women giving birth, this final study was designed to understand the perceptions of midwives (in training) who support the process. This study will aim to capture the perceived efficacy of placements and training will be evaluated.
Methods: BU Student Midwives will be recruited (N = 100)
Results: TBC
Abigail Wheeler, Faculty of Science and Technology, Psychology Department, Bournemouth University
Read Study 1a using the QR code!
Bournemouth University
Background
Reducing Free Sugar Intakes: The Role of Sweet Taste
Aleksandra Bielat (PhD Researcher) I Professor KatherineAppleton I Dr Betul Tatar
Funder: The Coca Cola Company, US
PhDAims
Free sugars: All sugars “added to foods and beverages by the manufacturer, cook or consumer, and sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit juice concentrates”(1) .
➢ Health implications: risk factor in dental caries, cardiovascular disease, overweight, and obesity(1) .
➢ Recommended intake: <5% of the total daily energy intake (%TEI)(2) .
Sweet taste reduction: Public health agencies recommend limiting exposure to dietary sweet taste to reduce free sugar intakes(2,4) . Rationale:
Strategy limitations:
➢ Sweet taste is innately liked and habitually consumed(5) .
➢ Not all sweet foods and beverages contain free sugars, e.g., fruit, sweeteners.
➢ Limited support for the sweet taste rationale(6) .
Contact: bielata@bournemouth.ac.uk
Department of Psychology
Faculty of Science and Technology
Overarching aim: Explore the role of sweet taste in free sugar intakes and its possible utilization for reducing public consumption.
Aim 1 (Study 1): Assess the effect of taste-based food substitution instructions for reducing free sugar intakes over 12-weeks on:
➢ Free sugar intakes
➢ Dietary and biopsychosocial outcomes
➢ Taste perceptions, sweet food, and beverage intake
Who do we think we are? Assessing the Skeletal remains, funerary practices and context of the Late Iron Age Durotrigian burials at Weston, on the Island of Portland, Dorset.
Burials
16 inhumations:
• 12 Crouched.
• 1 Flexed.
• 2 Extended.
• 1 Scattered fragmented.
• 12 with pottery.
Weston Site
• Portland is rich in archaeology but remains largely unexplored 1
• Weston found in 2006 by AC Archaeology2. Archive held at BU.
• First Iron Age/ Romano British Durotrigian burial group from Portland excavated under controlled archaeological conditions.
• 16 individuals and associated grave goods.
• Evidence of 2 x 4 post structures, 5 pits and drainage features.
• Dated to Late Iron Age/ Romano -British period based on finds.
Why is this important research?
• Identification of Durotrigian Portland burial practices and understanding of how they have changed over time.
• Limestone slab lids on pots-is this unique to Portland?
Significant burials
• SK 116 Flexed in stone lined cist grave with iron and a rooster. Potential female.
• SK 128 Flexed with pottery covered by limestone lid. Potential male.
• SK70 Crouched in stone lined cist grave with pottery, iron and rooster, pebbles, oyster shell and non-local stone.
• Possibility of extended use of cemetery since Early Iron Age.
• Comparison with Durotrigian burials on mainland.
• Interaction of Island with mainland Britain and Gaul.
• Is Portland a gateway for distribution of European goods?
• Northern France- trade routes, migration and connections with French coastal site of Urville Nacqueville3
• Adding to existing research into lifeways, identity, ethnicity, social structure and status of the Durotrigians.
Unearthing stolen rites:
Mapping cultural and ethical rights surrounding Indigenous mass graves through collaborative photo elicitation methods.
Anna Charlton, PhD Candidate
Advocacy and activism by Indigenous groups across Australia is strong and determined in pursuit of justice for Old Peopleandancestorswhowereburiedin unmarked mass graves throughout the nineteenth and twentieth century as a resultofAustralia’scolonisation.
This research aims to connect with local voices to develop understandings of community priorities, human rights issues and cultural rights surrounding Indigenous mass graves in Australia. The project will centre co-design, strong relationships and look to apply best practice Indigenous ethics, asking: how can non-Indigenous researchers support Indigenous priorities in this area?
in what ways can local voices inform the broader conversation on this issue?
Research
Funded by: UK Research and Innovation
Vision co-designed non-extractive respectful creative useful culturally-safe local voices qualitative
collaborative
AITSIS research ethics framework
“I spent almost all my career, up until recently, believing that if white settlers would just read Indigenous authors, this would move projects of Indigenous sovereignty and land repatriation in meaningful ways. I underestimated how people would read Indigenous ways extractively, for discovery. I underestimated how challenging it would be for settlers to read Indigenous work, after all these years of colonial relations.” indigenous-led
diverse & complex unmarked grave sites across Australia
Suspected sites of mass graves at former institutions housing the Stolen Generations(Aboriginal children forcibly taken from their families).
Contemporary unmarked burial grounds
Massacre sites
Sites of colonial incarceration, such as Wadjemup (Rottnest Island).
Colonial and post-colonial disregard for Aboriginal burial rites is an example of structural violence are ongoing & expectations
Understand culture Be inclusive
“engaging ethically means
Authentic relationships
On country yarns continues across the states today. and racism in Australia. This legacy
deeper memories or more complex knowledge about a place, an object, a person”
knowledge-sharing,
“A way of evoking boundaries, consent, access
Visual artefacts (may be art, photographs, video)
Focus groups, interviews
“While there is legislative requirement for a burial register in non-Aboriginal communities, this has not been a requirement for those within Aboriginal communities.” negotiations and conversations, which evolve and adapt over time through the research journey.4
Establish expectations
Engage early
Introduction
DisorderedEatin----....--. for Women wit
Anna Preece, PhD Student, Health and Social Sciences, Bournemouth University
Supervised by: Dr Chloe Casey, Dr Maddy Greville-Harris, Professor Jane Murphy and Professor Julia Sinclair
Aim
Alcohol dependence and disordered eating behaviour, particularly binging, frequently co-occur (Gadalla, 2007 & Munn-Chernott, 2020) Research suggests that both binge eating and drinking are linked by shared social experiences, a preoccupation with food or alcohol, and excessive consumption despite significant negative consequences (Ferriter, 2011). These consequences impact various domains such as financial, physical and academic. Minhas (2021), Baker (2018) and Ferriter (2011) have identified impulsivity, negative affect and drive for thinness as common contributing factors, with both forms of binging serving as maladaptive coping mechanisms
The physiological vulnerabilities associated with eating disorders and alcohol dependence are well established Malnutrition can compound with poor nutritional absorption, digestion and appetite signalling resulting in poorer diet diversity and nutritional deficiencies (Bode & Bode, 2003; Baj et al., 2020; Schroeder & Higgins, 2017; Kaye, 2013). Research has highlighted the potential benefits of integrated screening and interventions for these comorbidities (Cavicchiolo, 2020; Sutherland, 1993; Ashford 2018; Gregorowski, 2013)
To develop and pilot a nutritional and psychological intervention for women in alcohol recovery with disordered eating behaviours.
Research Objectives
• To understand the current evidence base, including inconsistencies and gaps in the literature, for women undergoing treatment for alcohol dependence with disordered eating behaviours
• To develop through co-production an intervention for women with alcohol dependence and disordered eating, combining the psychological and nutritional interventions
• To pilot the intervention with women in the community with alcohol dependence, utilising a working group of individuals with professional or lived experience to evaluate the process and inform the development of future research.
Enhance our ability to effectively support these professionals, potentially leading to improved retention rates in the field.
Bournemouth University
Why are young adults (18-30 years old) consuming dairy in the UK?
An online questionnaire study to explore reasons for consumption of dairy products.
C. Franzon 1,2, A. Dougkas 2, J. Memery 3, K.M. Appleton 1
Dairy is a category of products that differ from each other in their production, sensory characteristics, and mode of consumption[1-4]. Consuming these foods, particularly soft dairy, i e , milk, yoghurt, fermented dairy, and soft cheese, is associated with benefits for health and the environment [2], yet young adults (18-30 years old) consume less dairy than recommended [3-4].
An online questionnaire has been launched in early 2023, aiming to recruit young adults aged 18-30 years old living in the UK to explore their reasons for soft dairy (non)consumption. They were asked about the frequency of consumption of milk, yoghurt and fermented dairy, hard and soft cheese, and plant-based dairy alternatives (PBDA). They rated from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) statements exploring attitudes towards each category.
Data were analysed on SPSS with multiple regressions. All predictors have been tested for correlation before being added in the models. Results (Table 1; Table 2) showed significant differences at confidence level p<.05, and standardised β
390 young adults living in the UK completed the questionnaire, females n=255; students n=156. Average age 23.3 years old; average BMI 29.6. On average participants lived with 2 adults and 1 child; ate with 2 other people. The average weekly budget was £257.7, of which ~50% spent for food. On average they spent 1 holiday abroad.
1 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University; 2 Institut Lyfe Research & Innovation Center France
3 Department of Marketing, Strategy & Innovation, Bournemouth University Business School, Bournemouth University; E-mail: cfranzon@bournemouth.ac.uk
Sub-theme Statements (examples) Milk
Sensory I consume it because of one or more of its sensory characteristics (taste, smell, appearance, texture)
Ingredients It is too processed
Composition Consuming it boosts my health
Mode of consumption I can consume it on its own, in recipes or in combination with some foods Preferences I like this product
Personal exp Body symptoms occur when I consume this product I have always consumed this product
Knowledge It contributes to a balanced diet
Attitudes and concerns It is environmentally friendly Needs or cravings I consume it when I want
Structure of the meal I would finish a meal with this product
Social norms I consume it because of my family/friends
Use It is unusual to consume this product in my culture
Categorisation It is a totally different category of food from meat/eggs/tofu
Availability I can find it in the shops
Alternative It is a good replacement for other
Results show that predictors may impact dairy consumption positively or negatively, depending on the products. This study was conducted with the perspective of developing strategies to directly address barriers to consumption, to boost healthy dairy intakes.
Executive Functions and Spatial Navigation: Implication of Aging, Hydrocephalus, and Alzheimer's Disease
Bournemouth University
Chinwe Ekwuaju, Tara Zaksaite, Ellen Seiss
Introduction
• Cognitive impairments in aging and neurological disorders, such as hydrocephalus (HC) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), significantly impact daily functioning and independence.
• Both conditions are associated with deficits in executive functions and spatial navigation, but the cognitive markers differentiating HC, AD, and typical aging remain underexplored.
• HC exhibit impairments in memory, spatial abilities, and executive functions (Zaksaite et al., 2023).
• Laczo et al. (2021) found that in mild AD, stronger executive function was associated with better performance in navigational tasks.
Aim/Objectives
• To investigate how executive functions(EF) and spatial navigation (SN) interact in hydrocephalus, Alzheimer’s disease, and typical aging.
• To identify cognitive markers unique to each group.
Experiments
Dementia Screening:
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
Executive Functions Test:
• Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST): Measures cognitive flexibility, the ability to adapt to changing rules.
• Stop Signal Task (SST): Measures inhibitory control, the ability to control prepotent response.
• Trail Making Test (TMT): Assesses processing speed and task switching.
• Digit Span Test: Measures updating of working memory.
Spatial Navigation Task:
• Participants navigate virtual corridors, identifying landmarks (e.g., Santa figurines).
Chinwe Ekwuaju, Science and Technology, Psychology, Bournemouth University ekwuajuc@bournemouth.ac.uk
Key Measures: Accuracy, navigation errors, and time
Study Design
Cross-sectional study involving three groups:
• Study 1: Assess baseline cognitive functioning across groups.
• Study 2: Investigate EF and SN interaction in Hydrocephalus.
• Study 3: Investigate EF and SN interaction in early AD.
Expected Outcomes:
• Identification of EF and SN markers that distinguish HC, AD, and neurotypical aging.
• Enhanced understanding of EF- SN interaction in neurological disorders.
• Evidence-based contributions to diagnostic tools and intervention strategies.
References
Hilton, C Johnson, A , Slattery, T J , Miellet S , & Wiener, J M (2021) The impact of cognitive aging on route learning rate and the acquisition of landmark knowledge Cognition, 207, Article 104524 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition 2020.104524
Laczo, M., Wiener, J. M , Kalinova, J. Matuskova, V., Vyhnalek M., Hort, J., & Laczo, J. (2021). Spatial Navigation and Visuospatial Strategies in Typical and Atypical Aging Brain Sci, 11(11) https://doi org/10 3390/brainsci11111421
Miles, S , Howlett, C A , Berryman, C et al Considerations for using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test to assess cognitive flexibility Behav Res 53, 2083–2091 (2021) https://doi org/10 3758/s13428021-01551-3
Zaksaite, T., Loveday, C., Edginton, T , Spiers, H. J., & Smith, A . D. (2023) Hydrocephalus: A neuropsychological and theoretical primer Cortex, 160, 67-99
https://doi org/10 1016/j cortex 2023 01 001
How do individuals with a dementia diagnosis experience mental capacity assessments completed by social workers?
Bournemouth • • Un1vers1ty
Study Aims
This study is aiming to identify how social workers can complete mental capacity assessments better with individuals experiencing dementia. Research to date focuses more on professional or carer opinions and the voice of the individual appears to not be a main focus in this area. This may be due to research with the group having barriers such as informed consent. This study will centralise the voice of the service user to provide feedback to social workers on how they can support this group better throughout mental capacity processes. Arts-based methods will be used to make the study more engaging for the participants and provide a base to discussions, these include painting and storytelling.
Ethics
Chloe Green
Methods
Painting Storytelling Interviews
Methodology
Interpretivist Epistemology
Psychological distress due to exacerbated dementia symptoms
Decline in function during the study is possible due to dementia progressing. Best interest procedures under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 to be followed accordingly when consent cannot be given.
The topic is also one of a sensitive nature and if a negative experience of mental capacity assessments was had the study could cause some psychological distress in remembering this experience
This study requires both NHS ethics approval and Bournemouth University ethics approval. This is a proves I have found quite difficult due to the amount of detail the NHS ethics board require in the application.
I am also coming up against the obstacle of care homes rejecting allowing my study to be promoted within their homes due to the intrusiveness of the study. I am required to submit locations of the study for the NHS Ethics application; however, at present cannot gain access permissions to do so.
Chloe Green PhD Student, FHSS, Social Work, Bournemouth University cgreen@bournemouth.ac.uk
References: Windle, G., Newman, A., Burholt,V.,Woods, B., O’Brien, D., Baber, M., Hounsome, B., Parkinson, C., and Tischler,V., 2016. Dementia and imagination: A mixed-methods protocol for arts and science research. BMJ Open, 6 (11).
Qualitative
Narrative Approach
Benefits to Participants
Individuals who take part in the study could benefit from contributing towards the advancement of knowledge about mental capacity assessments and dementia. This might help in improving the care, treatment and wellbeing of countless number of people who have dementia or are at risk of developing it sometime in the future and require mental capacity assessments.Whilst dementia is irreversible, involvement in such a study might reduce the participants feelings of helplessness. Literature around using arts with individuals living with dementia also show positive benefits to these individuals such as mental wellbeing improvements, cognitive function and communication (Windle et al. 2016).
Background
Influence of Social Anxiet on Embodied Face Perception during A fective Social Interactions: EEGand Virtual Reality Study
Damla Kuleli
Supervisors: Dr Xun He, Dr Nicola Gregory, Dr Liucheng Guo, Prof Fred Charles, Dr Laura Renshaw-Vuillier, Prof Chang Hong Liu
Aim of the project
• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is characterised by intense fear or avoidance towards social situations (APA, 2013).
• Vigilance towards threatening social cues, tend to rapidly detect faces with negative facial expressions (Rapee & Heimberg ,1997, faces (Schultz & Heimberg, 2008)
Experimental Design
• 3 emotional valence conditions: Positive, negative and neutral
• Participants' responses to three different facial expressions will be analysed
• Establish a biomarker of social anxiety by investigating early face perception of socially anxious individuals during social interaction with a virtual agent (VA) in Virtual Reality (VR) using EEG
Transitional justice is the full range of processes through which a society tries to come to terms with a past of large-scale abuses and human rights violations.
o
TRUTH
o JUSTICE
o NON-RECURRENCE
o COMMEMORATION
MEMORIALIZATION
Why remembering?
Preserving memory
Preventing oblivion
Dignifying victims
Fostering collective healing
Educational value
Challenging impunity
MEASURING THE IMPACT OF PUBLIC POLICIES
Evaluating effectiveness, improving strategies and monitoring the impact of transitional justice measures requires an effective method. Human Rights Indicators are tools that allow us to measure the implementation of human rights in determinate contexts through specific qualitative and quantitative data.
AIM: Measuring the level of implementation of human rights by duty bearers; the level of enjoyment by right holders.
RIGHT TO TRUTH
RIGHT TO JUSTICE
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
However, memorializing is not a fundamental human right. How can we measure the effectiveness of memory policies?
HUMAN DIGNITY
CULTURAL RIGHTS
RIGHT TO EDUCATION
The “right to memorialize” arises from the intersection of other human rights. The realization of this set of human rights establishes the grounds for effective memorialization.
How would a set of human indicators to measure the impact of public policies on memorialization look like?
EXAMPLES
Assesses the existence and quality of state’s legal, institutional, and policy framework for fulfilling its human rights obligations
Assesses the existence and quality of a state's legal, Ratified treaties, constitutional protections, institutions institutional, and policy framework for fulfilling its dedicated to the protection of human rights. human rights obligations.
• IACHR, Principles on Public Policies on Memory in the Americas, 2017.
Measure duty bearers ongoing efforts They are indicators that continuously assess the policies and specific measures taken by the duty bearer to implement its commitments on the ground
Consolidate over time the impact of various underlying processes.
Ratified treaties, constitutional protections, institutions dedicated to the protection of human rights. Was there any official investigation into past human rights violations? Have its results being publicly acknowledged? Is this part of history discussed in the school curriculum?
• OHCHR, Human Rights Indicators. A guide to Measurement and Implementation, (OHCHR, Doc No. HR/PUB/12/5), 2017.
Has the state publicly acknowledged its responsibilities and the victims? Has this translated in a benefit for the victims? Is the result of human rights investigations available for public consult?
• UNGA, Memorialization processes in the context of serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law (UN Doc: A/HRC/45/45), 2020.
• UNGA, International legal standards underpinning the pillars of transitional justice (UN Doc: A/HRC/54/24), 2023.
Diego R. Nunez
Bournemouth
Un1vers1ty
DOES IT HURT?
Does patient sex and/or ethnicity affect pre-hospital analgesia?
Elizabeth Leddy1
Funder NIHR
INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND
Pre-hospital care encompasses the treatment provided to patients in the community, en route to a hospital or whilst treating and discharging on scene, but like many other aspects of healthcare, there are personal and systemic barriers preventing some groups from receiving the care that they need1
WHO Sustainable Goals2
Goal 5: Gender Equality Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities Reduce inequality within and among countries
AIMS
Nearly 50% of people accessing emergency pre-hospital care report pain. Do patient factors affect the analgesia received?
1.To ascertain if there is a relationship between patient characteristics (ethnicity and gender) and analgesia received in the pre-hospital environment
2.To understand the experience of service users with protected characteristics who access the ambulance service for pain
METHODS
1)A literature review exploring the effect of patient gender and race on analgesia received
2)An audit / service evaluation of a single UK ambulance trust’s electronic data looking at primary diagnosis, ethnicity, gender, pain scores and analgesia administered
3) Patient and public involvement an engagement (PPIE) to ensure active involvement from patients who have experienced the ambulance service. This involvement is crucial to ensure lived experience guides research direction and design, and research is undertaken with members of the public rather than on them, thus improving research quality and relevance.
12th
The UK has the 12th biggest gender health gap globally3 ,
In-hospital studies have established racial4,5 and gender6,7,8,9 disparities within the UK health system
Gender and ethnic data gaps exist and are furthered by underrepresentation in research10 .
Women from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, have been shown to fare worse than other groups in maternity care11 , accessing cancer screening and rates of late-stage cancer diagnosis12 , so it is crucial to understand where else these disparities arise.
Effective analgesia can improve quality of life13 , and thus it is vitally important that everyone receives appropriate analgesia, regardless of gender or ethnicity. Nearly half of patients accessing emergency medical care report pain14 , and as we know that ethnicity and gender both affect the amount of post-operative analgesia received15 , it is pertinent to ask whether this also applied to pre-hospital practice, as we know that there are existing disparities in assessment and treatment between groups in the pre-hospital environment16 .
Elizabeth Leddy, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Department of Midwifery and Health Sciences, Bournemouth University eleddy@bournemouth.ac.uk
References
E.E.L Brooks,1
Overview
Background
This study delves into the personal experiences of male prisoners as they engage in a dramabased project to explore and express their stories around substance use. Drama provides an alternative form of communication by removing the expectation to articulate experiences in conventional ways. The project aims to create a space where participants can explore and communicate through action, movement, and presence.
Substance misuse in UK prisons is a critical issue, with overcrowding, escalating drug crisis, and rising drug-related deaths causing significant challenges to prison environments (Ministry of Justice (MOJ) 2022). Prisons face increasing incidents of violence, self-harm, and dependency as substance misuse continues to grow, affecting not only individual prisoners but also the broader prison population and staff safety (MoJ 2019; Corzza & RomanUrrestarazu 2018). Despite these challenges, existing interventions often fall short in addressing the needs of those in prison, particularly those who may find traditional support methods challenging.
Research Aim
To understand and document prisoners' experiences with substance use through a drama project that values embodied expression over verbal communication The PhD research component invites participants to capture their stories in creative formats, helping to lift their narratives out of the prison setting and onto the page for broader understanding and impact.
Study Design
Structure: A five-day drama project developed with a professional theatre company, culminating in a participant-led performance.
Methods: Engages participants through roleplay, improvisation, and embodied exercises, emphasising a body-centred form of storytelling that offers alternatives to verbal communication.
PhD Research Component: An optional layer inviting participants to document their experiences creatively, transforming the drama project’s impact into stories that resonate beyond prison walls.
Contribution to Research
This study highlights drama’s role in offering prisoners a non-verbal outlet for expression, respecting the diverse ways marginalised groups communicate. It addresses the specific impacts of overcrowded, substance-affected prison environments on communication, suggesting that embodied drama can provide insights into otherwise inaccessible personal experiences.
Bournemouth
Female-Led Missing Persons Activism and the Interactions with International Institutions
Emily Fisher
Keywords must be identified within the research remit to locate the necessary literature. The keywords used for this search were selected to advance understanding of case-studies of female-led missing person activism and their experiences generally. For this reason the following keywords were identified:
• "women*" OR "gender" OR "female*" OR "mother*"
• AND: "experience*" OR "ethnography*" OR "case study*" OR "perspective*"
• AND: "missing person*" OR "enforced disappearance*" OR "forced disappearance*"
This search on EBSCO database returned 149 results. When repetitions and irrelevant literature was discarded, there were 21 articles left to analyse.
STRUCTURALINEQUALITIESAND SYSTEMICFAILURES
GENDEREDRESISTANCEANDMATERNAL ACTIVISM
This theme arose due to the gendered dimensions of activism, with a focus on maternal identity as both a tool and a constraint in activist movements and their societal consequences.
• Maternal norms can empower activism by leveraging both societal views of the mother, and propelling these perspectives. However it can also confine activism to accepted patriarchal narratives.
• "Triple victimisation": Activist women are often subject to State neglect (or active discrimination), societal patriarchal norms and the trauma of acts such as being a secondary victim of enforced disappearance.
• "Triple isolation": Women in these movements can face isolation by the State, society, and their families, exacerbating individual vulnerability and necessitating collective action.
• Female-led groups build safety, solidarity and identity beyond the immediate search, challenging sometimes performative processes and marginalisation of their persons and their struggles.
• Women often experience a continuum of violence, pre, during, and post war, uniting their struggle.
This theme proposes that systemic inequalities and institutional shortcomings exist before, during, and after violence, and can be a powerful motivator towards participating in activism.
• Wealth and social capital often dictate whose voices are heard and whose struggles are supported, both locally and internationally. This reflects how structural inequalities can shape participation in activism.
• Reliance on international institutions can inadvertently perpetuate epistemic violence by marginalising local voices and practices.
Silvestre et al. 2022; Adams 2019; Cruz-Santiago2020; Eggert et al. 2024;
COMMUNITYBUILDINGANDRELATIONAL ACTIVISM
This theme seeks to understand the social dimensions of female-led missing persons activism, emphasising its often relational and community centred nature.
• Successful activism hinges on fostering connections between diverse community groups, emphasising solidarity over individual struggles.
• Even after loved-ones are found, activism often persists as the process potentially becomes an act of identity reconstruction and community solidarity.
Kaya2024; Adams 2019; Orozco
INTERACTIONBETWEENLOCALAND INTERNATIONALACTORS
This theme explores the complex interactions between local, national and international actors.
• Female-led activism such as 'The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo' has influenced global movements. However, local context will dictate the reception and impact of such strategies.
• International NGOs and institutions often, for a variety of reasons, focus on high-profile or high-number cases, this can create hierarchies of suffering and reinforce existing inequalities. This can marginalise grass-roots initiatives and separates society.
• States sometimes appropriate activist narratives for political purposes, undermining their purpose.
• Organisations must work collaboratively with local communities to achieve meaningful impact, avoiding top-down impositions that ignore local realities.
• How do structural inequalities, such as access to financial and social capital, influence the participation, creation and outcomes of femaleled movements? By virtue of this, whose activist voices are we not hearing?
• What strategies have proven effective in bridging divides within and across communities to strengthen solidarity in female-led movements?
• Is there a 'life-cycle' to missing persons activism, can similar trajectories be seen cross-culturally? And what influences these trajectories?
• Can potential globalisation of female-led activism inadvertently homogenise tactics and overlook localised mechanisms?
• How do evolving global norms around justice, accountability and memory shape or constrain female led movements at the local level?
•Cybersecurity threats increasingly target young people, emphasising the need for accessible and engaging education (Whitton, 2018).
•Traditional methods, such as lectures, lack the engagement needed to foster behavioural change (Plass et al., 2015).
Research Question
Game-Based Learning in Cybersecurity: Evaluating the Impact of CyGamBIT
Exploring the potential of game-based learning to enhance cybersecurity knowledge, awareness, and behaviours.
Game-Based Learning (GBL):
•GBL leverages interactive, scenario-driven gameplay to teach cybersecurity concepts, improve knowledge retention, and encourage safer online behaviours (Connolly et al., 2012).
•CyGamBIT, funded by Innovate UK Cyber ASAP and backed by Cyber Innovations, addresses these challenges by providing an accessible, immersive learning platform.
Theoretical Framework
Multi-Ontological Approach:
Social Constructivism: Promotes collaborative, context-specific learning by encouraging interaction and shared knowledge creation through multiplayer gameplay and discussions. (Vygotsky, 1978)
•Pragmatism: Emphasizes practical, real-world problem-solving by enabling learners to tackle challenges like phishing attacks, online privacy management, and digital reputation control. (Dewey, 1938)
• Critical Theory: Addresses inequities in digital education by tackling socio-economic barriers and promoting critical digital literacy to empower learners against systemic challenges like misinformation and exclusion. (Giroux, 2004)
Stake’s Case Study Framework:
•Uses mixed methods to evaluate CyGamBIT’s real-world impact, employing reflective narratives and triangulation (Stake, 1995).
Key Findings
Quantitative Results (Wilcoxon signed ranks test):
•Cybersecurity education must consider socio-cultural and socio-economic factors to be truly effective. For example, not all learners have equal access to digital tools, and cultural attitudes towards privacy and security vary widely
•By tailoring interventions like CyGamBIT to diverse audiences, it is possible to bridge the gap between awareness and actionable knowledge, ensuring equitable access to digital safety education. The
Methodology
Design: Mixed-methods study combining quantitative and qualitative data collection.
Quantitative:
•Pre- and post-surveys with over 250 participants.
•Key metrics: Knowledge, confidence, and behaviour changes.
•Analysis: Wilcoxon signed ranks test for Likert-scale data.
Qualitative:
•Focus groups exploring participants’ experiences.
• Reflective narratives on socio-cultural influences.
•Thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) framework.
Discussion
Educational Impact:
• Cyberbullying and Trolling: Scores improved from 7.78 (pre) to 8.48 (post), +7% (Z = -5.983, p < .001).
•Privacy Settings: Scores increased from 7.40 (pre) to 8.23 (post), +8% (Z = -7.019, p < .001).
•Online Relationships: Scores rose from 6.78 (pre) to 8.07 (post), +13% (Z = -7.887, p < .001).
• Personal Well-being Online: Confidence ratings increased from 7.70 (pre) to 8.37 (post),+7% (Z=-5.116, p < .001).
Qualitative Insights:
Participants found CyGamBIT engaging and educational: The game was fun and made cybersecurity concepts easy to understand."
Want to know more?
Parents valued its practical lessons: "It sparked important discussions about online safety."
For collaboration opportunities or to explore CyGamBIT further or discover our other game based innovations, visit cygambit.com, scan the QR Code or contact emily@cyberinnovations.co.uk.
•CyGamBIT demonstrates the effectiveness of GBL in improving knowledge, awareness, and behavioural intentions.
•Scenario-driven gameplay allows learners to apply concepts in realistic contexts.
Challenges:
•Addressing scalability and ensuring inclusivity in digital access.
Future Plans:
•Develop advanced modules targeting older learners and professionals.
•Expand partnerships with schools, corporate sponsors, and government bodies.
•Explore integration into national curricula.
Conclusion
CyGamBIT stands out as a transformative tool in the field of cybersecurity education. By leveraging the principles of GBL, it delivers an engaging and impactful learning experience that goes beyond traditional methods.
The statistically significant improvements in participant knowledge, confidence, and behaviours underscore the platform's effectiveness. These results not only validate the utility of CyGamBIT but also demonstrate the broader potential of GBL in addressing complex educational challenges.
Supported by funding from Innovate UK Cyber ASAP and Cyber Innovations, CyGamBIT continues to evolve with plans to expand its reach to older students, professional audiences, and corporate training environments.
As an innovative approach to digital literacy, CyGamBIT contributes to societal priorities by fostering a more cyber-aware generation equipped to navigate an increasingly digital world.
References
•Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101.
•Connolly, T. M., Boyle, E. A., MacArthur, E., Hainey, T., & Boyle, J. M. (2012). A systematic literature review of empirical evidence on computer games and serious games. Computers & Education, 59(2), 661-686.
•Dewey, J. (1938). Experience and education. Macmillan.
•Giroux, H. A. (2004). Critical pedagogy and the postmodern/modern divide: Towards a pedagogy of democratization. Teacher Education Quarterly, 31(1), 31–47.
•Plass, J. L., Homer, B. D., & Kinzer, C. K. (2015). Foundations of game-based learning. Educational Psychologist, 50(4), 258-283.
•Stake, R. E. (1995). The art of case study research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
•Whitton, N. (2018). Playful learning: Tools, techniques, and tactics. British Journal of Educational Technology, 49(2), 252-264.
•Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.
Emily Rosenorn-Lanng¹
Towards a Collaborative Authoring Tool for Cultural Heritage Applications: Modelling the Development Process between Curators and Developers
Bournemouth University
Introduction
Ethan Southall, Vedad Hulusic, David John, Charlie Hargood, Niall Ó hOisín
Problem
• Museums are used to present cultural heritage to the public [PD]
• Requires a curation process when an exhibition is being designed.
• Virtual museums would also undertake the same process but has the advantage of being less limited by the physical space of the environment [HGLS23].
• It is possible that mixed reality may be beneficial when designing a cultural heritage application.
Methodology
• Where within the pipeline could a mixed reality authoring tool sit?
• What could this tool accomplish?
• What would need to be included in a mixed reality collaborative cultural heritage authoring tool?
• How could cultural institutions and developers use this tool to collaborate?
• Surveys: To collect demographic information regarding the participants and their roles in three of Noho’s previous projects, as well as background information on the projects
• Semi-Structured Interviews: Three interviews per project between the four participants, using OBT techniques to create a flowchart for each project
• Focus Groups: Three participants returned to discuss the derived model and a series of Mixed Reality Collaborative Cultural Heritage Authoring Tool
Results
The final derived model can been in Figure 1 and is representative of Noho’s process for developing a cultural heritage application. Further information can be found in [SHJ*24].
The application concepts (see Figure 2 and Table 1) show how a potential tool could be used by both parties. The tools would allow for:
• Iterative co-development
• Basic environment models and importing custom ones
• In-environment annotation tool
• Exporting the final prototype
Late-stage version viewable in application
Easy to use programming system
Developers visit the MR space to view the developed prototype
Builds within a MR recreation of the Institution space
Institution can view the prototype within the MR environment
Ethan Southall, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Creative Technology, Bournemouth University southalle@bournemouth.ac.uk
Future Work
Further studies will be conducted with museums and developers, with the aim to understand:
• Their thoughts regarding the derived model
• The presented application concepts,
• The use of mixed reality and other technology
• Collaboration and prototyping.
It is hoped that a collaborative mixed reality authoring tool will be defined, which can be then be prototyped and further studied.
Figure 1: Final derived model from the interviews with Noho
Figure 2: Concept for a Mixed Reality Collaborative Cultural Heritage Authoring Tool
Table 1: Description for each authoring tool concept
INTRODUCTION
Faisal Alsubaie CPhDResearcher), Mary Beth Gouthro (Main Supervisor), Hanaa Osman (Co.supervisor), and Nayoung Ahn (Co.supervisor). Business School, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK
Mattila (2019) identifies tightness.looseness as a crucial but overlooked cultural dimension in hospitality and tourism. impacting service formality and flexibility.
Knowledge Gap
The majority of previous studies examined the effect of culture in tourism have mainly used quantitative approach (Xu and Au (2023) and Xu et al. (2024).
RESEARCH AIM
Joo et al. (2018) emphasized the challenge of unravelling how destination culture and tourist behaviours influ. ence each other. similar to a 'chicken and egg' scenario. Shankar (2020) advocate for further research into these interconnected factors in tourist destinations.
App!Ntdl Sani~uucrora:i lnte\i.lro" 'T118l13IicAlW)\lll (r A)
Examining how and if cultural tightness.looseness of KSA affects European tourists' perceived image. destination choice. and intention to re/visit KSA.
To investigate the extent to which the cultural tightness. looseness differences between the culture of European tourists' country and that of the host country (i.e.. KSA>in. fluence their choice of travel destination.
Examining whether cultural tightness.looseness of KSA have changed in recent years and how these changes could affect the European tourists' perception of the KSA's • image.
Determining the key destination's characteristics that are most significant to European tourists when they select KSA as their travel destination.
Developing a framework based on the theory of cultural tightness-looseness to provide policy recommendations for enhancing KSA's appeal as a tourism destination for European tourists.
Tourism research overlooks cultural tightness.looseness CCTL>theory despite its gaining popularity. This study ex. amines European tourists' perceptions of Saudi Arabia's CKSA>cultural changes and their impact on their deci. sions. The study uses W arpPLS to analyse data from 411 Eu. ropean tourists reached through three major travel agen. cies to examine the direct and sequential mediating roles of perceived image CPI>and destination choice CDC>in CTL. The study extends CTL theory by showing that per. ceived cultural tightness.looseness significantly affects Saudi Arabia's image. destination choice. and revisit inten. tions. with simple mediation by perceived image and se. quential mediation by image and destination choice.
Corruption and Financial Constraint Impacts upon SME Firm Productivity in Economic Crisis and Conflict
Fiona Vidler MBA MSc MLIBF PhD BUBS
SUMMARY: Do economic destabilisation factors link to conflict even war? Only now in the explosive mid2020s are finance economists breaking the silence, raising this critical question in the tides of change (2024). Author proposed early 2022, a ‘turning point’ notion of 2019 - thirty years after the Berlin Wall fell, seventy years after NATO formed; pre-covid 2020; before ‘Zeitenwende’ 240222 - seeking missing descriptive and empirical regression evidence beyond speculation for predictive indicators: financial constraint and bribery incidence within financialisation, competitivity and corruption.
Transparency International (TI) - Corruption Perception Index 2019 - Score Clean is 100, Most Corrupt is zero. Pareto Effect Chart.
OUTCOMES: Findings demonstrate significant negative heterogenous effects across 27 Eastern European countries upon SME firm productivity outcomes with cooperative alliances adding business transformation value. Impacts 2020s after turning point 2019, when writing on the wall, shows increased competitivity and clean score (decreasing corruption) improves productivity outcomes and growth Targets relevant decision-makers, SMEs, policy makers, media, publications, reports and collaboration networks, further post-doc research publishing dissemination intended 2025 onwards. *
(excludes Russia) of 10,000
from World Bank, EBRD,
Bournemouth University
Introduction
Grace Ebi Omerigwe-Ogbole Doctoral researcher
▪ The Nigerian diaspora represents a dispersed community of black and minority ethnic (BAME) individuals numbering 312, 000 people in the UK
▪ However, limited research exists on how this community engages with news media during crises, especially in relation to staying informed, managing crises, and maintaining connections.
Aim
To understand their potential challenges and opportunities with mediated crisis communication and to offer strategies to support health and wellbeing of all in view of SDG 3.
Significance
▪ This study aligns with SDG 3 by examining how access to accurate, timely and reliable information impacts on health and wellbeing during crises
▪ Crises introduce significant stress, anxiety, and uncertainties
Methodology
▪ This study investigates how diasporic Nigerians interact with news media, during crises through FGDs and in-depth interviews
▪ Their experiences of crises and the impact of crisis communication on their health and wellbeing
Source: istockphotos com
Grace Ebi Omerigwe-Ogbole, Faculty of Media and Communications, Department of Communication and Journalism, Bournemouth University Email- gogbole@bournemouth.ac.uk
Acknowledgement: This work was made possible by the constructive feedback of my supervisors Prof. Chindu Sreedharan & Dr. Kathryn McDonald and all review panel teams.
Contribution
Insights from the study aim to support public health and emergency systems and media organisations towards more targeted communication in future for this community of diaspora.
References
ONS UK, 2021 Non-British population of the UK by country of birth and nationality Ons gov uk Baugh, S., 2023. Crisis Comm operating model. GCS, UK. https://gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/
Source: pexels com
Source: pexels com
Propose an NHS dental monthly payment plan, similar to that of private dental plans, to Dental Care Professionals and the Local Dental Committee, with the view to increase access to NHS Dentistry, restore equality and assist financing the NHS Dental sector
Bournemouth University
Hannah Dover – Doctoral College
In the United Kingdom, NHS dental services are available to the whole population and NHS dental charges are divided into three bands, with Units of Dental Activity (UDA) assigned to each band. Many have utilised NHS dentistry because NHS charges are significantly cheaper than that of private dental costs and the service is free for children, those with exemptions, for women during pregnancy and one year after a child’s birth.
Background
Historically, NHS dental services have struggled to see half of the population due to contractual limitations and recurrent underfunding. In recent years, Brexit and Covid-19 have both exposed weaknesses in the sector such as staff shortages and a lack of appropriate commissioning, demonstrating poor clinical governance.
The current system is no longer fit for purpose because NHS Dentists are tasked with large amounts of work for few UDAs and little financial gain, NHS patients are unable to book appointments, very few NHS dental practices are accepting new patients, and many dental practices have cancelled their NHS contracts
Dental Therapists are now being sourced and utilised now more than ever to enable patients access to NHS dentistry because their scope of practice allows them to perform some treatments that a Dentist normally provides.
NHS dentistry is and has been discussed numerous times in Westminster. Members of Parliament agreed that not enough was being done, that the sector was chronically underfunded, and the major political parties are advocates for the NHS dental reform. The UK government previously approved £50 million for NHS dental services to enable more dental appointments and increase care capacity.
Methodology
To prevent further compromising NHS dentistry, the UK populations’ dental health and increase financial support for the sector, interviews would be conducted with several dental care professionals (DCPs) and put forward to the local dental committee (LDC) to gain insight as to whether an NHS dental monthly payment plan would be welcomed or rejected.
A qualitative survey of approximately 8-10 questions would be given to the participants, and thematic analysis would be used to identity themes and sub-themes within the data.
Ethical Considerations
• Integrated Research Application System (IRAS)
• Informed Consent
• Data Protection
Local NHS funding could finance the development of the payment plan and pilot the project with the purpose of bettering the NHS dental system and improving patient access, if dental care professionals and the local dental committee agreed pilot the project. The proposed timeframe for the pilot would be the start of the tax year to coincide with the NHS dental charges increase cycle that commonly occurs around April 1st.
NHS regional teams are responsible for financing and supporting local NHS organisations due to varied needs and demands in different geographical areas. The regional team would monitor and report the findings on a quarterly basis to ensure the monthly payment plans were benefiting patients, dental professionals and local NHS dental services.
If a patient was unable to pay but was covered by an exemption, for example Universal credit, the UK government would subside the payments to sustain NHS dentistry.
If the payment plan was to be tested nationally, a greater number of the UK population would be able to access NHS dental services.
Dental associations in collaboration with the UK government would examine NHS dental charges annually and recommend the monthly premium options to reflect the best interests of the patient, dental care professionals and NHS dentistry.
Investigating the relationship between ethics, creative process, and narrative in The Dragon’s Scales: a practice-based study
Julia O’Connor
Introduction
Young Adult (YA) fantasy fiction is more than escapism; it provides a space for ethical exploration, engaging readers with complex moral questions in imaginative settings. My research harnesses this potential by writing a YA fantasy novel, The Dragon's Scales, exploring how narratives foster moral imagination through empathy and embodied character experiences. Additionally, by reflecting on the creative process, I aim to illuminate how authorial choices shape the ethical depth of the narrative.
Aims and Objectives
Aim:To produce a YA fantasy novel that cultivates moral imagination through empathetic and embodied character experiences, while examining the influence of authorial ethics and creative decisions.
Objectives:
Create the Novel: Produce a YA fantasy novel that fosters moral imagination through empathy and embodied character experiences.
Capture the Process: Document and reflect on the writing process, highlighting moments where empathy, embodiment, and ethics shape the narrative.
Examine and Analyse the narrative and reflections to offer insights into fostering moral imagination in narratives.
Provide Guidance: Develop practical recommendations for writers and educators to foster empathy, embodiment, and moral imagination in storytelling.
Methodology
The methodology follows an iterative creative cycle, informed by The Practitioner Model of Creative Cognition (Skains, 2018). This cycle combines drafting, reflective capture, and analysis to explore how moral imagination emerges in the narrative. The steps of this cycle are outlined below:
Creative Writing and Drafting: Draft the narrative to explore ethical themes through empathetic and embodied character experiences.
Refine Writing and Process Capture Approach: Use insights from analysis and literature to refine the writing approach and capture. The iterative cycle of writing, reflection, and analysis shapes both the narrative and the exegesis. As the process continues, captured insights and analyses are woven into a cohesive exegesis, while the narrative is refined to embody ethical complexity.
Engage with Literature: Re-engage with literature guided by findings to inform future work.
Analyse Using Skains' Model: Use Skains' model (Skains, 2018) to analyse draft work and captured data.
Process Capture - InSitu Notes: Capture real-time reflections on empathy and embodiment during writing.
Outputs
1. The YA Fantasy Novel:
The Dragon’s Scales: A narrative artefact that embodies moral imagination through empathetic and embodied character experiences, aiming to bring ethical complexity to life within a young adult fantasy framework.
2. Exegesis:
Reflective Journaling: Reflect outside of drafting sessions using journaling and templates.
A reflective analysis that illuminates how The Dragon’s Scales embodies moral imagination. The exegesis explores the ethical dimensions of the narrative through post-textual analysis, discussing how empathy, embodiment, and authorial choices manifest in the story.
This research demonstrates how moral imagination, empathy, and embodiment come to life within a YA fantasy narrative. The Dragon’s Scales embodies ethical complexity through character experiences, serving as an active exploration of ethical envisioning. The exegesis complements this by analysing how these elements emerge, deepening our understanding of how fiction can serve as a vehicle for ethical exploration.
Bournemouth University
Abstract
Agritourism and residents' quality of life: A narrative literature review
Kamonpa Wangkuanklang1, Marcjanna M. Augustyn, and Dimitrios Buhalis
Methodology
Agritourism integrates agricultural and tourism activities with the primary objective of being a useful tool for rural development. This article conducts a narrative literature review to explore dimensions of quality-of-life improvements from the perspective of local agritourism communities and highlight several emerging themes in the scope of agritourism. The analysis shows that residents can benefit from developing agritourism to enhance their economic, cultural, and environmental quality of life. Agritourism generates higher income and encourages locals to maintain cultural traditions and preserve farm practices. Emerging themes suggest a deeper understanding of agritourism stakeholders, technology implementation, key elements of agritourism development, and quality of life evaluation. In addition to identifying gaps in the literature, this review highlights new areas of knowledge study for future research in this field.
Findings
Agritourism as a tool for rural development
Agritourism integrates agricultural and tourism activities to generate additional revenue (Choenkwan et al., 2016). Farming-related activities in agritourism can serve as a potential revenue generator (Sattaka, 2019; Popescu et al., 2022). Local farmers can market their goods and services by establishing agritourism on their farms (Diareme and Tsiligiridis, 2018). Agritourism activities can be seen in farm and educational tours, crop-picking, farm dining, farm accommodation, feeding animals, and recreational activities (Giaccio et al., 2018).
Emerging themes
Agritourism stakeholders
Developing agritourism in rural areas needs support from diverse groups of people. Different sets of agritourism stakeholders were proposed based on a particular study area (Kachniewska, 2015, Choenkwan et al., 2016, Przezbórska-Skobiej and Eyang, 2024). The cooperation of relevant agritourism stakeholders has yet to be studied to improve local communities' quality of life.
Future research should also identify the main stakeholders driving agritourism development to improve locals' living standards.
Quality of life evaluation
There are diverse factors proposed in the previous literature that provide the quality of life evaluation. Personal benefits (Hai et al., 2023) and personal satisfaction (Tew and Barbieri, 2012; Chase, 2013) focus on the individual level. Community satisfaction relates to community practices (Hai et al., 2023). Quality of life is evaluated through individuals' perceptions of good living conditions, the provision of essential resources, and satisfaction with their lives (Hai et al., 2023). Residents' overall satisfaction with their quality of life directly impacts their support of agritourism development as a significant generator of economic benefits (Hai et al., 2023).
Thus, it is important to study which factors could be included in the quality of life evaluation for agritourism stakeholders and how these people could improve their practice and meet the standard.
This research adopts a systematic literature review process (Paul et al., 2021). To specifically focus on the scope of this research, the keywords covered in the search process include [agritourism OR “agricultural tourism” OR agrotourism AND “quality of life”]. Scopus and Web of Science databases were selected as search engines. The search period was not limited, so the knowledge was retrieved for as many years as possible. The types of peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and reviews were selected as these articles are scholarlyadvanced and peer-reviewed. After excluding duplicated, non-English, irrelevant focus articles, the total number of remaining articles in the final list was 27. These articles were analysed using content analysis, including descriptive analysis and thematic analysis of the existing knowledge in the domain.
Agritourism and economic quality of life
- Promoting local products and services
- Generating additional incomes
- Providing employment and occupations
- Enhancing overall infrastructure
Technology implementation
Agritourism and cultural and environmental quality of life
- Promoting environmental awareness
- Preserving their traditional ways of life
- Promoting interactive education
- Protecting farming practices
Different types of technology are used in agritourism businesses, such as internet connections, digital devices, online banking (Moise et al., 2023), and smart farming (Moise et al., 2023). However, some farmers could not invent these technologies because they could not understand how to implement technology (Sattaka, 2019). So, workshops and training are required for their first-time use and to be repeatedly provided to maintain their knowledge (Sugino et al., 2023).
This finding emphasises the gap where future research could focus on an efficient process or method to encourage farmers to use such technologies.
Key elements of developing agritourism to improve residents' quality of life
The capacity to foster the growth of rural areas relies on enhancing the components that contribute to higher business revenue (Giaccio et al., 2018). Main elements found in existing research include education of farmers (Sattaka, 2019, Sugino et al., 2023), innovation (Moise et al., 2023, Moyo et al., 2024), entrepreneurship (Diareme and Tsiligiridis, 2018, Moyo et al., 2024), community's support (Shen et al., 2022, Hai et al., 2023), and infrastructure (Sattaka, 2019).
There is a potential domain focusing on comprehensive elements required for agritourism stakeholders to improve residents' quality of life.
References CHASE, L., KUHEN, D., AMSDEN, D. 2013. Measuring Quality of Life: A Case Study of Agritourism in the Northeast. The Journal of Extension, 51. CHOENKWAN, S. & FISHER, M. R. 2018. Introduction to the special section: Agrarian transformation in Thailand - Commodities, landscapes, and livelihoods. Forest and Society, 2 112. DIAREME, K. C. & TSILIGIRIDIS, T. 2018. Multi-criteria Optimization Methods Applied in Agricultural Touring. In: BERBEL, J., BOURNARIS, T., MANOS, B., MATSATSINIS, N. & VIAGGI, D. (eds.) Multicriteria Analysis in Agriculture: Current Trends and Recent Applications. Cham: Springer International Publishing. GIACCIO, V., GIANNELLI, A. & MASTRONARDI, L. 2018. Explaining determinants of Agri-tourism income: evidence from Italy. Tourism Review, 73, 216-229. HAI, L. T. D., HUYEN, K. N. & TRINH, N. T. T. 2023. Personal Benefits Impact the Support for Agritourism Development Among the Local Community:
KACHNIEWSKA, M. A. 2015. Tourism development as a determinant of quality of life in rural areas. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 7 500-515. MOISE, G., POPESCU, A., BRATU, I. A., RĂDUCUŢĂ I., NISTOREANU, B. G. & STANCIU, M. 2023. Can We Talk about Smart Tourist Villages in Mărginimea Sibiului Romania? Sustainability, 15 7475.
MOYO, J., CHARI, F., CHABATA, T. V. & WATYOKA, N. 2024. Agritourism as a Tool for Sustainable Development for Rural Zimbabwe. CABI Books 219–235. PAUL, J., LIM, W. M., O’CASS, A., HAO, A. W. & BRESCIANI, S. 2021. Scientific procedures and rationales for systematic literature reviews (SPAR-4-SLR). International Journal of Consumer Studies, 45. POPESCU, G., POPESCU, C. A., IANCU, T., BRAD, I., PEŢ E., ADAMOV, T. & CIOLAC, R. 2022. Sustainability through Rural Tourism in Moieciu Area-Development Analysis and Future Proposals. Sustainability, 14 4221. PRZEZBÓRSKA-SKOBIEJ, L. & EYANG, G. 2024. Economic and Non-Economic Aspects of Agritourism Development: The Evidence from Nigeria. CABI Books 1–20. SATTAKA, P. 2019. Potential development of glutinous rice community towards new agricultural culture tourisms in upper northeastern Thailand. Journal of the International Society for Southeast Asian Agricultural Sciences, 25 92-103. SHEN,
1Kamonpa Wangkuanklang, Business School, Bournemouth University
Email: kwangkuanklang@bournemouth.ac.uk
TikTok Usage in the UK and USA: Investigating
Katy Bailey, MRes | John McAlaney, Reece Bush
Introduction
TikTok is a short-form video-based social media app released by Beijing-based company ByteDance in 2016.1
As of 2022, TikTok is the most popular social media platform, with 71% of users aged 18-34 years, and available in 39 languages across approximately 150 countries.2
While current research emphasises problematic or addictive TikTok use, it is necessary to include the wider TikTok population, such as users over 18 who aren’t in education, and build on current TikTok research supported with Asian-based samples.3
Research Question How do demographic factors, personality traits, and user motivation predict TikTok usage in a UK and USA sample?
Results
Discussion
All demographic factors significantly predicted TikTok use. Younger users, females, and UK participants showed greater TikTok usage.
Among personality traits, openness was the most significant predictor, which was surprising. Traits like extraversion and neuroticism also related to increased usage but with lower impact.
Escapist addiction was the most significant motivator, supporting the argument that users turn to social media to escape reality or responsibilities.
Contrary to past findings, novelty and trendiness were not significant motivators in this study. TikTok’s algorithm and its ability to predict user preferences may reduce users' need to seek out new experiences.
Bournemouth University
demographic factors, personality & user motivation
Method
Participants Three hundred sixty-one adults (74.8% female) between 18 and 68 years old (M = 28.72) of UK or USA nationality.
Recruitment Sona Systems (Bournemouth University) and Prolific. Measures
a. Self-reported TikTok usage from the past week: (1) Number of hours spent and (2) Number of times opened.
b. 10-item Big Five Inventory (BFI-10)4 extracted from the 44-item inventory5 on a 5-point Likert scale.
c. 19-item Motives for TikTok use (e.g. “I use TikTok because everyone else is using it”) on a 5-point Likert scale.6
Block 3: Motives for TikTok Use Socially Rewarding Self-Presentation, Trendiness, Escapist Addiction, Novelty
Outcome Variables
Number of hours spent on TikTok
Number of times TikTok was opened
Theoretical Implications Results expand on U&G theory, showing how personality traits like openness could relate to other motivations for TikTok use not investigated in this study, such as curiosity, selfexpression, or desire for fame.
Cultural Considerations Differences in user motivation between cultures were highlighted. For instance, socially rewarding self-presentation was less significant in the Western sample compared to previous findings in a Chinese sample.
Practical Applications Findings suggest potential for tailored marketing strategies and mental health interventions, emphasizing TikTok's dual role as a tool for escapism and a potential source of stress relief.
Hierarchical Regression Analysis
Six models:
I. Hours spent during day-time
II. Hours spent at night-time
III. Hours spent in the past week (total)
IV. Times opened during day-time
V. Times opened at night-time
VI. Times opened in the past week (total)
Most Significant Predictors
Hours Spent on TikTok
• Age***
• Gender**
• Nationality***
• Extraversion*
• Conscientiousness*
• Neuroticism*
• Openness**
• Escapist Addiction*
Number of Times Opened
• Age***
• Openness*
• Escapist Addiction***
Conclusion
• This study identified the importance of individual differences which contribute to predicting TikTok usage.
• Theoretical applications for U&G theory and recommendations for Western-specific motives for using TikTok.
• Practical applications for mental health support providers; escapism as a significant predictor could possess further insights.
• Future research should consider mixed or longitudinal methods, with a greater sample size to improved generalisability.
References
1. Stokel-Walker, C. (2023). TikTok Boom: The Inside Story of the World’s Favourite App. Canbury Press.
2 Ceci, L. (2023). Global TikTok user age and gender distribution 2022. Statista.com.
3. Deng, T., Lizardo Vargas-Bianchi, & Mensa, M. (2023). Behaviour & Information Technology, 1–13.
4. Rammstedt, B., & John, O. P. (2007). Journal of Research in Personality, 41(1), 203-212.
5. John, O. P., & Srivastava, S. (1999). The Big-Five trait taxonomy. Theory and Research (Vol. 2) (pp. 102–138).
6. Scherr, S., & Wang, K. (2021). Computers in Human Behavior, 124, 106893.
Understanding perceptions of stress in autistic and non-autistic children: an in-depth exploration with a view to improving health across the lifespan
Bo~rnemouth University
Lyndsey Bradley Supervisors: Prof. Julie Gamble-Turner and Dr Rachel Moseley
Background
• Childhood stress can cause poorer physical and mental health outcomes [1]
• Autistic children may be particularly susceptible to stress with a higher risk of depression and a lower life expectancy [2]
• This susceptibility may be explained by autistic characteristics affecting social understanding and sensory processing [2]
• There may be differences in the neurobiological stress response in autistic children, and they might struggle to develop effective coping strategies [1-3]
• Interventions targeting coping with stress are often informed by caregivers reporting on their child by-proxy whereas children can explain stress from as young as six years of age [4-6]
• Additionally, literature suggests child reports are neglected in research [7, 8]
• This research examines how autistic children understand stress in order to inform interventions that reduce the negative effects of stress and improve health and well-being across the lifespan
Methods
Mixed-methods design across three studies.
Study one
- Systematic literature review guided by PRISMA*
- Searching health databases
- Exploring autistic and nonautistic children's stress understanding including potential mediators and moderators of stress
- Sourcing validated tools for study two and three
- Tools informed by PPI*
Study two
- Questionnaire assessment of approximately 84 child and caregiver dyads [9]
- Involving autistic screening, stress-perception, and stress mediators and moderators
- Correlation and regression analyses
- Examining relationships between child/caregivers and mediator/moderator effects
Research Aim:
To systematically examine stress perception in autistic children to better inform interventions and improve health.
Research Objectives:
The aim will be achieved by (i) a synthesis of literature on children's stress perceptions (ii) a questionnaire exploration of stress perceptions in autistic children, and (iii) interviews with child and caregivers
Study three
- Interviews exploring stress understanding
- Approximately 42 child/caregiver dyads identified from study two
- Facilitated by visual tools supporting autistic children and conditions including alexithymia (difficulty describing emotions) [10]
- Thematic Analysis [11]
*PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews; PPI (Public Patient Involvement)
Expected findings
• Extended literature revealing caregiver perceptions of childstress compared to the child's understanding
• Autistic children will self-report increased stress and different stress understanding compared to non-autistic children
• Caregivers will self-report increased child-stress
• Discrepancies found between associations of caregiver/child reported stress levels and stress understanding
• Biological, social and psychological themes revealing autistic children's conceptualisations of stress
Study one
Participants:
- Autistic and nonautistic children
- Aged 8-11 years
- Child's caregiver
Ethics:
- High-risk through Bournemouth University
- Signposting for topic sensitivity
Timeline
Sept 25 – Feb 26: Conduct Systematic Literature Review
Mar – April 25: Write-up
May – June 25: Source study 2/3 tools
Study two
July – Aug 25: Apply for ethics and prepare tools
Sept – Dec 25: Work placement and PPI
Jan 26 – May 26: Recruitment, data collection and analysis
June – July 26: Write-up
Study three
July 26 : Apply for ethics and prepare tools
Aug 26 – Jan 27: Recruitment and data collection
Feb 27 – Sept 27: Data analysis and write-up
Major reviews: Dec 24, Nov 25, June 26, June 27. Submit: Sept 27. Dissemination ongoing
Asocio-legal study on safeguarding for Children on TikTok in England and Wales
1 MacDonaldAmaran,
Abstract: The effects and fears of social media platforms such asTikTok have taken root in parental perceptions causing anxiety in some quarters (Weimann, et. al 2023).
According to Ofcom, half of children used TikTok in 2021. Social media including TikTok is renowned for children engagement. However, this has also been associated with certain harms to children andyoungpeople.Theseharmsrangefrom sexually related, includingpornography, imageextortion,(widelyknownassextortion, whichiscurrentlyrising),tomentalhealth including wellbeing, suicide, anxiety, and peer pressure. This work seeks to interrogate TikTok’s safeguarding measures and though the instrumentality of law and policy framework in relation to safeguarding for children online. Using available detailed research ndings in the UK and across Europe associated with a typology of harmful experiences to children face online, including ndings linked with upsetting behaviours, such as cyberbullying, user generated content related risk, exposure to self-harm practices, personal data and cybersecurity issues, disinformation, cyberhate and exposure toviolentorgorycontent. All these harms imprint on children negative
1. MacdonaldAmaran Faculty, of Media and Communication, Department of Humanities and Law, Bournemouth University
Email: i7443824@bournemouth.ac.uk
experience(Lobeetal2020). These harms are often interconnected and mostly occur when children access social media platforms unsupervised and exposed to unsolicited contents. Researchstudieshavealsoshowna continuedevolutionofthesesocial media harms especially among children. Fears have continued to grow over the possible cognitive impediments that may occur among children because of their continued social media and online activities (Hoegh 2022; Clausius 2022).
Using a combination of legal analysis, this black letter research project aims to understand parental perception of children’s
engagement on TikTok; investigate existing safeguarding measures through highlighting existing typology of harm and proposing a modi cation of said typhlology of harms bridging existing gap(s) of current state legislations and platform regulation; and explore potential educationalopportunitiestoassistparents’ navigation of children’s engagement on theseplatforms.
References:Weimann,G.,&Masri,N.(2023).Researchnote:SpreadinghateonTikTok.Studiesincon ict&terrorism,46(5),752-765. Lobe, B.,Velicu, A., Staksrud, E., Chaudron, S. and Di Gioia, R. (2020), How children (10-18) experienced online risks during the Covid-19 lockdown - Spring 2020, EUR 30584 EN, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2021, ISBN 978-92-76-29763-5, doi:10.2760/562534, JRC124034 Hoegh, T. J., 2022. Chaotic happiness: the psychology of nding yourself in a world that's lost. First American edn. Indianapolis, IN: DK Publishing Pew Research Centre., (2022) Teens, Social Media and Technology [online] August 10, 2022 Accessed through: https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/08/10/teens-social-media-and-technology-2022/Washington,DCUSA(AccessedOctober302024)
Bournemouth University
Exploring closed loop supply chain strategies for single use medical device manufacturers toward developing sustainable and competitive manufacturing processes within the United Kingdom.
Edge, M.; Ghosh, S.; Liang, D.
Current research suggests the UK healthcare system experiences critical and enduring regulatory and budgetary challenges, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic One solution considers reprocessing Single Use Medical Devices (SUMDs), currently performed across US, Europe and Asia to potentially offer cost-savings and environmental sustainability By conducting concurrent systematic and thematic analysis identified literature research gaps thereby leading to the formulation of primary research questions Interviews with OEM logistic specialists discussed and explored potential reprocessing opportunities, challenges, and limitations within their existing supply chains Following primary and secondary research outcomes, a cause-and-effect model attempts to identify causal relationships and issues across social, economic and environmental factors In order to operationalise this model, survey questionnaires are proposed to wider industry with results to be statistically validated This research intends establishing a transferable model for medical device manufacturers and industry for SUMD sustainability, behaviours and approaches potentially implemented in event of change and reprocessing adoption
Between 2020-21, UK healthcare expenditure exceeded £257 6 Billion (ONS, 2021) equating 12% Gross Domestic Product (GDP), up £65 Billion since 1997 (ONS, 2021)
Similarly, Bettley & Burnley (2008) report UK healthcare system consumes large resource volumes, accounting for ≈5% total UK greenhouse gas emissions With regulatory product safety, efficacy and cost-reduction initiatives similarly presenting significant and enduring challenges for UK healthcare establishments, (Naylor et al , 2015), SUMD instrumentation including facemasks, syringes, scissors and swabs, see figure 1, serve single patient procedures before disposal Edward Argar (UK Minister of State, Health and social care, 2019) stated “National Health Service (NHS) medical goods accounts for £5 7 Billion including £41 7 Million for examination gloves and £4 9 Million on disposable aprons”, (Davies, 2019) Can SUMDs intending to benefit and prolong human life be competitively and sustainably maximised by OEMs? Hawks (2006) suggests reverse logistics; transferring SUMDs intended for disposal to recapture value Dingwall & Rowley (2007) identified single-use anaesthesia respirators capable of multiple reprocessing cycles daily while retaining functionality and safety Initial observations suggest OEMs consider reprocessing SUMDs unacceptable; citing reduced safety, performance, effectiveness, and risk exposure SUMD reprocessing presents economic alternatives contrary to traditional forward-flow practices OEM adoption reluctance may experience competition, reduced productivity, marginalisation, and opportunity loss With existing infrastructure, resources and technology, OEMs could reprocess SUMDs to complement existing operations as affordable alternatives
Aims & Objectives
Research aim
To explore closed loop supply chain strategies for SUMD OEMs toward developing sustainable and competitive manufacturing processes
Research objectives
Offer analysis of SUMD closed loop supply chain cycles guided by research objectives incorporating both primary and secondary data including:
1 Explore the relationship between closed loop supply chain management and current supply chain management performance within the medical device industry
2 Discuss current issues and challenges implementing closed loop supply chains
3 Analyse and discuss current supply chain strategies from observed OEM discussions
4 Identify processes and impact for potential SUMD closed loop supply chain implementation within evaluated OEMs
(C) surgical scissors, (D) medicinal syringe
Results
Table 1 results suggest research key themes include; cost (17 04%), production (16 94%), quality (16 25%) within the economic dimension; disciplinary (25 65%), training (20 98%) toward the social dimension; and green processes (33 42%), green competencies (15 22%) within environmental Realisation of the importance of cost, quality and production is pivotal to creating a competitive supply chain advantage and represents a major contributor to literal results analysis This observation is supported by Taghizadeh-Yazdi, Farrokhi and MohammadiBalani, (2020), highlighting the importance of innovation in medical device reverse logistics
Conclusions
In consideration of applicable methodologies for knowledge development, this research explores the proponents and application of narrative inquiry, based upon a critical analysis of medical device sustainable supply chain management complemented with a critical review of available publications and material in which subsequent primary research is applied Emphasis is applied to exploring applicable literature publication relationships, themes and trends between triple bottom line (TBL) sustainable medical device supply chain management themes Semistructured interview studies with OEM logistic specialists offer insight and perspective, contributing to existing theory and justifying action research
Observations suggest demand for SUMDs associated with healthcare modernisation and supply chain innovations, supporting similar observations from Seidiaghilabadi, Seidiaghilabadi & Miralmasi, (2019) offering product life-cycle management, product diversification, sales forecast and product distribution stimulating supply chains innovations Environmental flexibility as additional central theme expresses how OEMs satisfy current needs without compromising ability to maintain the core supply chain process Social acceptance of SUMD reprocessing, technological market concentration and supply chain flexibility also as key contributing themes, particularly identifying large MNOs as pioneers in medical device reprocessing including Philips Medical Systems, General Electric and Siemens Medical, complementing existing portfolios Document control, internal quality audits and the Medical Device Directive (MDD) occupy 0 3% Within social dimension; safety audit (11%), employment practices (5%) and ISO 45001 (0%) achieved no results The environmental dimension considered hazardous material (3%), with green image and reputation offering 1%
Following identification of significant and contributing themes, qualitative results suggest absences and limitations within existing research findings Identification of literature themes proposes participant interview questions categorised within TBL framework for SUMD sustainability to enable responses aligning to research objectives and research question
Table 1. Triple bottom line literature review results.
Figure 1
Illustration of single use medical devices; (A) face mask, (B) nasal swabs,
Bournemouth University
Background:
ECONOMICS OF SMART TOURISM
Nagarjun Ragde (BU Business School)
Supervisory Team: Prof. Dimitrios Buhalis and
Prof.Adam Blake
Research Objectives:
Global geopolitical uncertainty, environmental risks, and economic volatility demand contemporary strategic and holistic approach to be adopted by tourism destinations. Proliferation of information and communication technologies are providing promising solutions in this direction. Smart tourism (ST) emerged by integrating modern technologies and intelligence. More destinations are adopting smartness, making ST the new norm for coming years.
Research Aim: To investigate the economics of smart tourism and evaluate its economic impacts to the destination, through CGE Modelling.
United Nations SGDS 2030
1) To identify economic indicators of Smart tourism.
2) To develop a Smart Tourism Economic Framework (STEF).
3) To compare the economic effects of Smart Tourism in Tourism Destinations.
4) To develop a model to assess the economic impact of Smart Tourism.
Methodology:
Objective 1 & 2:
- Comprehensive Literature review.
- Analysis of multiple case studies of smart tourism destinations.
- In-depth interviews of stakeholders.
- Constructing a framework.
Objective 3:
- Identifying the economic gaps.
- ComparativeAnalysis.
Objective 4:
- Computable General Equilibrium Modelling.
Contribution of the Study:
The development of economic indicators of Smart Tourism will act as foundation tools to measure the economic values and help the destination management organizations (DMOs) in decision and policy making.
The study will showcase how smart tourism helps to improve the economic growth at a particular destination.
For the first time an economy-wide economic model and methodology will be developed to demonstrate the economic impacts of smart tourism.
Smart Tourism Economic Framework (STEF) will provide a holistic framework to those destinations seeking to adopt smartness to maximize their economic goals.
s5653275@bournemouth.ac. uk or nragde@bournemouth.ac.uk
LinkedIn QR code
Bournemouth University
Background
Promoting positive and cohesive research cultures across disciplines
Promoting pos·tive and cohesive research cu tures across discip ines
Natalie Stewart1, Dr Martyn Polkinghorne1, Dr Camila Devis-Rozental2 and Dr Fiona Knight3 BU Business School1, Office of the Vice Chancellor2, Doctoral College3 s4931381@bournemouth.ac.uk
o Over a third of postgraduate researchers express dissatisfaction with their experience of research culture (Neves 2023).
o Postgraduate research is inherently conducted in isolation, this has had a negative impact on this student population who increasingly report poor mental health (Metcalf et al. 2018).
o Nurturing positive research cultures which supports all individuals involved is essential for achieving a thriving community of excellent researchers (UK Research and Innovation 2021).
o Understanding and improving the research culture and environment in which postgraduate researchers undertake their research degree has become increasingly important.
Research Aims
1. How is research culture defined and distinguished in the context of PhD students?
2. What factors influence PhD students experience of their research cultures?
3. What actions can universities take to positively influence PhD students experience of research culture?
Findings
Research Design
Interpretivism
Case study research
Semi-structured interviews - 20 x PhD students
Recursive abstraction
This poster presents part of the findings in support of answering the second research aim, what factors influence positive PhD students experience of their research culture. These findings highlight the central roles PhD students, and their supervisors have in promoting a positive research culture.
Role of PhD students
Inclusive and respectful attitudes towards one and other was viewed as key to motivation and positive cultures.
A vibrant and engaging community of peers, this requires active participation and commitment to ensure longevity.
Spending too much time with fellow PhD students can have a negative impact through increase competition and comparison.
Conversely, guidance and support shared was invaluable in creating a cohesive and collegiate research culture.
Social connection was a key driving factor in reducing isolation and loneliness working towards a more positive research culture.
If they're friendly and welcoming, and I'm friendly and welcoming back, it has a really positive impact.
I started running events now I want to step back. This is a nice community we have, but I’m worried no one will continue.
I feel peer pressure, there are a lot of super confident people doing their PhD.
Without my fellow PGRs, I’d just be very lost. I wouldn't know who to turn to, what to do, who to ask, I would feel quite intimidated.
If I didn't engage with any [fellow PhD students], I would feel really isolated
Role of supervisors
The supervisor-student working relationship significantly influencing research culture.
This includes introducing and embedding their PhD students into their own research and academic networks
PhD student require good quality, timely feedback, and academic debate is an expectation of a positive research culture.
[My supervisors] have the greatest impact [on my research culture] just because you work so closely with them.
Putting you as a PhD student on the radar of colleagues that do similar research even just have to have a chat with them.
We don't always agree but that’s great to debate, and we do that in a very healthy atmosphere.
Supervisor encouragement and engagement with wider researcher development and collaboration opportunities was valued.
Supervisor’s availability and workloads were seen as a barrier to a positive research culture.
Conclusion References
Bring a PGR to do a guest lecture, if you're doing a grant, get them involved, give the exposure now in small bits.
I send them work, they are busy with other work and cannot figure out the time to do work on mine and it becomes frustrating.
PhD students and their supervisors play essential roles in promoting a positive research culture in a variety of ways. However, the wider research ecosystem is made up of many key influencers each of which have a role to contribute to creating a positive and cohesive research culture.
Metcalfe, J., Levecque, K. and Wilson, S., 2018. Exploring Wellbeing and Mental Health and Associated Support Services for Postgraduate Researchers. Cambridge: Vitae. Neves, J., 2023. Postgraduate Research Experience Survey 2023: Sector results report York: AdvanceHE
UK Research and Innovation,
Could modifications made to anaesthetic rooms impact children’s experience of perioperative care?
Bournemouth University
Introduction
Emergence delirium (ED) frequently occurs in children after general anaesthesia and is a temporary condition characterised by confusion, agitation, and psychomotor disturbances (Moore & Anghelescu 2017). In addition to an increased risk of patient harm, ED prolongs recovery time, increases medication use, and requires additional staff resources (Hudek 2009).
Prevention strategies include managing preoperative anxiety, usually with pharmacological methods like premedication and nonpharmacological approaches such as parental presence and distraction techniques (Banchs & Lerman 2014).
While there is evidence that modifying clinical environments can help reduce anxiety in children (Norton-Westwood 2012), limited research has focused specifically on the role of environmental modifications within anaesthetic rooms as a strategy to enhance the perioperative experience for children.
Niamh Curtain¹, Dr Debora Almeida¹ and Dr Duncan Randall¹
Background
Most non-pharmacological interventions aimed at reducing preoperative anxiety in children focus on distraction techniques, such as parental presence, clown doctors, and interactive tools like video games (Manyande at al. 2015). Manyande et al. (2015) highlights these approaches, noting their effectiveness in reducing anxiety and enhancing cooperation during the induction of anaesthesia. However, such high-stimulation methods may not suit all children, as some may respond better to calming, low stimulation environments (Kain et al. 2001). Additionally, while premedication is often used to manage preoperative anxiety, adverse reactions and safety concerns make it a less desirable option when alternatives are available (Heikal & Stuart 2020).
Low stimulation environmental modifications, such as dimmed lighting, soft background music, and minimal interaction during anaesthesia induction, offer an alternative that may foster a more soothing atmosphere (Kain et al. 2001). Kain et al. (2001) explored this approach, finding that modifications reduced anxiety and improved compliance in children. Although promising, this study was conducted in the operating room, leaving a gap in understanding how similar environmental changes might work in anaesthetic rooms, where many children, especially in the United Kingdom (UK) first encounter the perioperative environment (Kursumovic et al. 2023).
Planned Approach
The research will begin with a scoping review of existing literature to identify environmental modifications used to reduce children’s anxiety in clinical settings.
Next a research protocol will be created following the National Health Service’s Health Research Authority (HRA) guidance (HRA 2018). This may involve creating a protocol for a mixed-methods study, designed to evaluate the perioperative experiences of children receiving general anaesthesia in modified environments compared to those who do not.
Finally, the practicality of integrating any identified interventions into routine clinical practice will be explored.
Research Aims
This study aims to:
Identify and evaluate environmental modifications used in clinical settings to reduce anxiety in children.
Design a research protocol for a study that investigates the perioperative experiences of children receiving general anaesthesia in modified anaesthetic environments. Explore the feasibility of implementing low-stimulation environmental modifications in anaesthetic rooms.
Implications for Practice
Exploring the impact of a low-stimulation environment in anaesthetic rooms could provide valuable insights into how these modifications may ease children’s preoperative anxiety and potentially reduce the occurrence of ED. By focusing on environmental adjustments, this research seeks to establish if there is a link between preoperative anxiety management strategies and their role in improving both immediate and subsequent perioperative outcomes. This could offer a targeted approach to enhancing children’s experiences during their care in anaesthetic rooms.
•
Data Privacy and Ethical Implications of AI-Driven Predictive Policing
Student: Nicolae Eduard Ionescu - eionescu@bournemouth.ac.uk Supervisor: Dr. Andrew M'manga ammanga@bournemouth.ac.uk
1. Background & Motivation
Context: The rise of AI-enhanced predictive policing technologies raises significant privacy concerns, particularly with increasing reports of data breaches and misuse of personal information. These systems leverage algorithms to forecast potential criminal activity based on historical data, which can inadvertently reinforce biases and disproportionately affect marginalized communities.
Motivation: This study aims to provide insights that support informed policy-making and promote responsible AI usage in predictive policing while safeguarding data privacy.
Key Issues:
•Challenges in obtaining informed consent from individuals whose data is used.
•Lack of transparency and accountability in algorithmic decision-making.
•Potential bias and discrimination against marginalized groups.
•Regulatory gaps in the current legal frameworks governing predictive policing.
3. Proposed Approach (Data Collection & Analysis)
Data Collection Methods:
•Primary: Surveys to gauge public perception and interviews with policymakers and privacy experts.
•Secondary: Review of case studies related to predictive policing and analysis of UK legal frameworks (Data Protection Act, GDPR).
Planned Analysis:
•Qualitative: Thematic analysis of interview data to identify key concerns and insights.
•Quantitative: Statistical analysis of survey responses to understand public sentiment.
•Case Synthesis: Integrate insights from case studies to provide a comprehensive overview of privacy and ethical challenges in predictive policing.
Department of Computing and Informatics
2. Research Question & Aim
Research Question: What are the data privacy implications of AI-driven predictive policing in the UK, and how effectively do current regulations address these challenges?
Research Aim: To analyze the impact of predictive policing on UK data privacy and assess the strengths and limitations of existing regulatory frameworks.
4. Potential Implications & Recommendations
For Policymakers:
•Develop robust data privacy measures tailored to predictive policing.
•Establish clear standards for transparency and accountability in algorithmic processes. For Technology Developers:
•Implement strategies to mitigate bias in predictive algorithms.
•Create comprehensive guidelines for data handling and privacy protection.
Future Research Directions:
•Investigate the implications of AI transparency and accountability in predictive modeling.
•Explore the societal impacts of predictive policing on community trust and ethical considerations.
Camilleri, H., Ashurst, C., Jaisankar, N., Weller, A. and Zilka, M., 2023. Media Coverage of Predictive Policing: Bias, Police Engagement, and the Future of Transparency. In: Proceedings of the 3rd ACM Conference on Equity and Access in Algorithms, Mechanisms, and Optimization [online]. Presented at the EAAMO ’23: Equity and Access in Algorithms, Mechanisms, and Optimization Boston MA USA, New York, NY, USA: Association for Computing Machinery, 1–19. Available from: https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3617694.3623249 [Accessed 2 Nov 2024].
Grace, J., 2019. ‘Algorithmic Impropriety’ in UK Policing Contexts: A Developing Narrative? [online]. Available from: https://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=3487424 [Accessed 2 Nov 2024].
Richardson, R., Schultz, J. and Crawford, K., 2019. Dirty Data, Bad Predictions: How Civil Rights Violations Impact Police Data, Predictive Policing Systems, and Justice. In: [online]. Available from: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Dirty-Data%2C-Bad-Predictions%3A-How-Civil-Rights-Data%2CRichardson-Schultz/9a43ab4a3d1aab2095bfbba60a1ddb8396d5c084 [Accessed 2 Nov 2024].
Sandhu, A. and Fussey, P., 2021. The ‘uberization of policing’? How police negotiate and operationalise predictive policing technology. Policing and Society [online], 31 (1), 66–81. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/10439463.2020.1803315 [Accessed 1 Nov 2024].
Police City Security, (Pixabay 2024)
AI Generated Camera Cctv, (Pixabay 2024)
AI Ethics, (Pexels 2024)
Bournemouth University
Pham Luu Thuy Linh (Lily) - Supervisors (Dr Dayle Childs and Dr Elvira Bolat)
Background
Background
Expectations for sustainable products are booming in accordance with market needs (Shah 2024).
The concept of "green premium" appears to refer to the added value that consumers pay for sustainable products, which may partially reduce the demand for green shopping (Köveker et al. 2023).
Notably, the luxury sector has been immune to this effect (FashionUnited 2022).
It seems that consumers' eyes are not only focusing on products but also paying more attention to brands that deliver sustainability (Deloitte 2023).
The luxury consumer market is entering an era of conscientious luxury (Danziger 2021).
Primary psychopathy
low empathy, superficial charm, emotional detachment, and a lack of guilt or remorse
Secondary psychopathy
emotional instability, impulsivity, and higher levels of anxiety
Research aim Research aim
Examining how the dark triad traits through luxury brand appeals impact sustainable luxury outcomes in the UK. Explore how luxury brands balance appealing to dark triad traits while maintaining an ethical and authentic stance on sustainability.
Conceptual model Conceptual model
Vulnerable
Altruistic
narcissism
need for admiration, high level of confidence, assertiveness, entitlement, and a lack of empathy
narcissism self-importance, dominance, and a
insecurity, hypersensitivity to criticism, emotional volatility, and a deep need for validation, shy, introverted, and anxious
Method Method
A quantitative method through survey combined with a between-subjects experimental design (visual stimuli), based on deductive reasoning, is applied to this study.
Conducting the experimental test: Participants will be randomly assigned to three experimental conditions after completing the dark triad traits assessment. Each condition has a different message appeal (altruistic, biospheric, and egoistic) presented through a poster of the luxury skincare brand Lamer (example - Figure 2).
Measuredarktriad with separate scale for each trait on a 7-pointLikertscale
Data will be analysed using ANOVA to examine differences between the three message appeal conditions on sustainable luxury outcomes with regression analysis testing moderation effects.
However, this move towards sustainability can impact 'original' customer brand perceptions for luxury brands since luxury brands balance exclusivity and desirability (Lee and Ko 2022).
In specific relation to luxury consumption, consumers are especially susceptible to demonstrating dark traits or heightened levels of dark personalities (Kastanakis et al. 2012).
Personality trait variables help explain luxury consumer's motivations or changes in their perception (Kastanakis et al. 2014; Dhaliwal et al. 2020).
There is little empirical evidence on how to appropriately market to these three personality traits in the context of luxury brands.
Inclusion criteria -The sample will include people who are involved in luxury consumption, have a certain interest in sustainability through online Participant platforms. requirements Language: English (minimum Exclusion criteria - Participants under 18 years . 300 people)
Exhibit no history of luxury purchases within the last 12 months.
Report no interested in luxury skin care products or sustianbility (This helps ensure the validity of the study.)
Potential Contribution Potential Contribution
The appeal of a message represents the promised benefit or value conveyed to the consumer (Matthes et al., 2014). Research on message appeals often focus on broad consumer segments rather than specific collections of personality traits as the Dark Triad.
Sustainability scepticism
Self-brand congruency
Materialism
Theoretical contributions - This study seeks to fill the gap by combining psychological insights with sustainable luxury marketing, providing insights into how dark triad traits respond to sustainable luxury brand appeals. Highlights potential insights into the impact of different appeals (altruistic, biospheric , egoistic) on sustainable luxury outcomes, through a comparison of each appeal.
Practical contributions - Luxury brands might engage in the sustainable trend of differentiating themselves and strengthening their reputation by understanding how to appeal to the complex personalities within their affluent customer base. Provides a framework for guiding sustainable marketing activities, assisting luxury brands (including luxury skincare brands) in creating effective messages to promote environmentally friendly luxury products while balancing the luxury values. Boosting the interest of traditionally less sustainable-minded luxury consumers.
Figure 1: The Dark triad traits (sprouts 2024)
Figure 2: Lamer poster (2024)
PSYCi.;iOPA ThlY MACl--lil,AVELLIANISM
Bournemouth University
Older people's experience of social prescribing: reducing pressures 1n domiciliary care
Author: Rosie Equi, PhD Student. Supervisory Team: Dr Rosie Read, Dr Sam Porter, Prof. Michael Silk
• An ageing population, under-resourced healthcare system, and a crisis in care provision has left domiciliary (home) care services struggling to meet rising demands (Figures: 1& 2).
• ‘Social prescribing’ offers one solution to improve older adult wellbeing and reduce domiciliary care pressures through connecting individuals with community, non-clinical resources.
• Through addressing the wider social determinants of health, social prescribing has demonstrated significant health improvements for older adults (Elston et al. 2019).
• However, engagement for older adults is low and pressures continue to rise for domiciliary care (Sabey et al. 2022), presenting a significant research and knowledge gap as to why.
Question:
• “When, how, and in what contexts can social prescribing for older adults reduce demand for domiciliary care?”
Objectives:
2. Critically explore the wider social forces and realities influencing older adult health and behaviour.
3. Investigate the complex ontological relationship between social prescribing, older adult health, and pressures within the domiciliary care sector. Year 1: Research Design
Timeline:
• Widen contextual knowledge of philosophies underpinning social prescribing and the development of domiciliary care.
Homecare providers stating demand has increased since 2022
Older adults estimated to need domiciliary care by 2038
2021)
Methodology:
(Homecare Association 2023)
• Through immersing myself as the researcher into two group settings (Figure 3), the study shall employ a critical ethnographic, interpretivist research paradigm to observe phenomena as consumed by complex social realities and forces.
Participantobservations
• To observe behaviours, emotions, interactions within the group.
Participant shadowing
• To observe behaviours, emotions, interactions within the support provided.
Unstructured interviews
• To explore the interests and experiences of group members.
Unstructured interviews
• To explore the thoughts and perceptions of workers and older people.
References:
Semi-structured interviews
•To allow participants to expand on specific topics and issues raised.
Semi-structured interviews
• To allow participants to expand on specific topics and issue raised.
• Employ critical ethnographic research methods to explore the experiences, barriers, and facilitators to social prescribing for older adults.
Equi, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bournemouth University Email: requi1@bournemouth.ac.uk
• Produce critical and representative recommendations and guidance for social prescribing and domiciliary care policy developments and debates.
• Elston, J., Gradinger, F., Asthana, S., Lilley-Woolnough, C., Wroe, S., Harman, H., and Byng, R. 2019. Does a social prescribing ‘holistic’ link-worker for older people with complex, multimorbidity improve well-being and frailty and reduce health and social care use and costs? A 12month before-and-after evaluation. Primary Health Care Research & Development [online], (20).
• Homecare Association. 2023. Care Provision and Workforce Survey 2023 [online].
• National Audit Office. 2021. The adult social care market in England [online].
• Sabey A., Seers H., Chatterjee H.J. and., Polley M. 2022. How can social prescribing support older people in poverty? A rapid scoping review of interventions. National Academy for Social Prescribing. Independent Age [online].
(National Audit Office
Community group for older people
prescribing service
Rosie
1. Gain a critical understanding of the comprehensive barriers and facilitators to social prescribing for older adults and service providers.
Construing compassionate nursing care - the perspective of nurses working in primary and community care
Bournemouth University
Sharon Waight, Senior Lecturer
&
PhD Student. Bournemouth University
Supervised by; Dr Steven Trenoweth, Bournemouth University. Prof Dr. Maya Zumstein-Shaha, FAAN, Bern University Applied Sciences Health, Switzerland & Bournemouth University. Professor Steven Ersser, Professor of Nursing and Dermatology Care. Bournemouth University.
Compassionate nursing care can be defined as an ‘intrinsic motion – effect, impelling and empowering a person to acknowledge and act towards alleviating or removing another’s suffering and pain’, (Schantz 2007).
Introduction
Compassion is essential to provide high quality and professional nursing care. It is important to both patients and nurses. Compassion as a central concept for nurses and nursing has been challenged during the recent rise in global suffering and changes to healthcare delivery. A renewed focus on compassion in nursing is necessary to determine new ways of providing it, and to demonstrate its significance for nursing retention and better patient outcomes. This study will provide a deeper understanding of compassion and advance nursing care. A qualitative approach is employed using constructivist grounded theory, NVivo software which is a major step toward theoretical analysis and theory construction. The aim of this study is to explore nurses’ perception of compassion working in primary and community care settings.
Method
The methodology for this study is based on Constructive Grounded Theory, as defined by Charmaz (2004 - 2015). Nurses who have been qualified for 1 year or more, working in primary and community setting were identified and invited to participate in semi structured video mediated audio recorded interviews. The interview schedule comprised four open and expansive questions, to allow participants to talk freely and in depth: Data analysis strategy based upon the 8 stage framework by (Bryant and Charmaz 2019). Line by line coding, focused coding, constant comparative methods at each level and analytic memo writing are some of the key features of this data analysis.
Preliminary observations & themes emerging so far
Givingcarethatispersonalised
BeingInvolved
Recognisingwhenpatientstrustis present
Sharingsomethingofself
Givingthepatientasay
Makingtheexperiencebetterthanbefore
Findingyourwayin
Acceptingthecomplexityoftherelationship Recognisingthedynamicinterplay of I Creatingtherightatmosphere - therelationship
What Next….
What do you think about these preliminary observations & themes so far? What are the challenges about researching compassion in nursing? Please follow my research using the QR code
FHSS Department of Nursing, Bournemouth University Email: swaight@bournemouth.ac.uk
Being !Invested
Preparing to meet the patient
Bei1ngmotiiviated to act
Beiingavailable and contactable
Avoiding dliistractions
0vercom1iingtime pressures
References
Bryant, A. Charmaz, K. eds. 2019. The sage handbook. Current Developments in Grounded Theory. London: SAGE Publications. Charmaz, K. 2014. Constructing grounded theory. 2nd ed. London: SAGE Publications Schantz, M 2007 Compassion a Concept Analysis Nursing Forum Vol 42 N0 2 AprilJune
Investigating the past to inform the future
Bournemouth Universit
PhD project title: Past, present, and future impacts of climate change on historic coastal landscapes: human response and adaptation in Poole Harbour and Purbeck, Dorset
Past: Around 2500 years ago, sea levels in Poole Harbour rose by around 2 m (Edwards 2001), how did this change the area and how did people respond?
Present: Accelerated sea level rise forecast, human response: peat restoration projects, Isle of Purbeck, National Nature Reserve (NNR) (nationaltrust.org.uk; dorset-nl.org.uk)
Future: Analysis of sediments and soils from the past, understand human response, compare with the present and current human response and see how the project findings can inform the future.
PhD aims: Research human response to climate change in the past and investigate how this can inform the future
Core analysis methods: multiproxy approach to analyse the sea level change and its effect
Core M24 sediment description (so far)
Core analysis (in progress)
Geochemical analysis
Botanical Analysis
Zoological Analysis
Sigrid Osborne, BU funded PhD studentship, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Archaeology and Anthropology
From left to right: portable xRay fluorescence (pXRF, chemical elements), pH (acid or alkaline) and EC (conductivity), Loss on Ignition (LOI, organic content) and carbonates (marine skeletons)
From left to right (microscopic plant remains): pollen, phytolith (multicell, inorganic plant remain), diatom (algae)
From left to right (microscopic zoological remains): formaminifera (single celled organism with a shell, chironomid (non-biting midge)
The role of public relations in crisis management at Saudi Aramco company (Analytical study: Aramco's communication efforts to confront the climate change crisis)
By: Siraj Talal Degnah
Abstract:
This study aims to investigate the communication strategies utilized by oil companies in addressing climate change. This researchinvolvesqualitativecontentanalysisusingacasestudy approach. The methodology includes conducting content analysis of Twitters and news coverage of the crisis in UK and KSAnewspapers.Thestudyfollowsadeductiveapproach,which involves testing the data based on the theory defined. CommunicationstrategiesareexaminedaccordingtotheSCCT theoryandtheSMCSmodel.
Aramcowaschosenasthefocusofthisstudybecauseitisone oftheworld'slargestoilcompaniesandthelargestoilproducer, makingitauniqueexampleforunderstandingcrisismanagement communication strategies in the Middle Eastern context. The study is based on a theoretical framework that addresses fundamental concepts of crisis management, crisis communication,mediaframing,andenvironmentalsustainability.
Methodology:
This qualitative content analysis study uses the casestudy method, focusing on Saudi Aramco as a model. It is a deductive study that aims to test and examine the communication strategies used by Aramco on the (X) platform in light of the SCCT theoryandtheSMCSmodel.
Data collection:
Supervisors: Anastasios Theofilou, Tanya Le Roux
Thisstudyaimstoaddressthedearth of research on the utilization of social media platforms in the context ofmanagingmajorcrises,particularly theclimatechangecrisis PhD in
Aim:
Objective:
Research Questions:
RQ1: Towhatextenthavecommunicationstrategiesfrom SCCT and SMCS been utilized to address the climate changecrisis?
RQ2: HowcanSCCTandSMCSbeappliedintheMiddle East context, with a focus on Saudi Aramco as a case study?
First phase: Aramco tweets were collected from AramcoonPlatformX(Twitter)from2013to2024using thetoolNodeXL.Therewere10,380tweets
Second phase: Collect the media coverage from the most popular newspapers in the UK, Metro and The Sunday Times, while in the KSA, the most popular newspapers were Asharq Alawsat and Sabq. The research focused on "oil and climate change, environment and fossil fuel, Aramco." The results showed that Metro had 1,060 news articles, The Guardian had 3,500, the Middle East had 1,422, and the Sabq online newspaper had 1,278 news articles. The tool Nexis Uni will be used to retrieve news articles.
Data analysis:
1- The tweets will be analyzed after developing a coding fram based on the (SCCT)theory and (SMCS)model.
2- The nature of the press publications will be analyzed according to the three-tier classification (positive,neutral,negative). Bournemouth University
1. Evaluating the compatibility of communication strategies used to deal with environmental and sustainability crises and comparing them with SCCT theory and the SMCS model in the MiddleEastcontext.
3.
Exploring the communication strategiesthathavebeenemployedto addresstheclimatechangecrisis.
2. Identifying thefundamentalframeworks employed by the UK and KSA media in addressingtheclimatechangecrisisand theirrelationshipwithoilcompanies.
Conceptual Framework:
RQ3: WhataretheprimaryframeworksemployedbyUK and KSA news outlets in addressing the climate change crisis?
The Gap and Contribution:
1- This study aims to fill the gap in existing literatureregardingusingsocialmediaplatforms in crisis management and addressing climate change
3- The findings may significantly benefit academics and practitioners in public relations and crisis management by offering valuable insightsintocrisismanagementinMiddleEastern countries.
Theoretical framework:
Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT):
According to the theory, a crisis is a harmful event that causes stakeholders to consider crisis responsibility and influences their interactions with organizations (Coombs, 2007; Coombs & Holladay, 2002; Holdsworth, 2014). Coombs (2007) also concluded that when a person's actions are seen as irresponsible, they can be viewed negatively and cause anger.
Situational Model of Communication Strategies Ruler (SMCS):
The Ruler 2004 model is based on the premise that it is difficult to use a single communication strategy in public relations and that there is no optimal strategy, but that the strategy best suited to each contact position or combination of strategies can be usedsimultaneously.
An Exploration of the Interplay between Victim and Offender Behaviours in Sex Offences and its potential in aiding Crime Linkage
Bournemouth University
Premise & Literature Review
Sophie Barrett PhD candidate; BSc, MSc; GMBPsS Supervisors: Dr. Kari Davies, Dr. Terri Cole, Professor Miranda Horvath
As an interpersonal crime where sex offenders perpetrate against victims of varying relationship types it is pertinent to und erstand the relational underpinnings of sex offences. This PhD project looks to understand sex offence behaviours by considering the relational environment in which these behaviours occur. The victim-suspect relationship type is explored to understand offenders and their behaviours. By examining common behaviours across offenders, distinctive behaviours of individual offenders might be observed, highlighting behaviours that deviate from those associated to the relational context. Patterns of behaviour within the relationship context identifies the type of risk associated with specific relational contexts. For serial offenders, patterns of behaviour help to identify specific risk posed by offenders who only perpetrate against victims known to them. For serial offenders who perpetrate against victims unknown to them, consistent and distinctive behaviour aids the investigative tool, crime linkage, a tool which identifies and contributes to their apprehension.
Cognitive Affective Personality System theory (CAPS) found that an individual’s behaviour is consistent and distinctive across similar situations and over time. These behavioural principles are used to analyse serial sex offenders’ behaviours. The majority of studies on behavioural consistency focus on serial stranger offences as the offender’s patterned behaviour can be used to identify offenders not known to the victim. Yet patterns of behaviours can also inform investigations even when the offender is known to the victim. Behavioural information can highlight the type of risk associated with those who offend against a particular relationship type. Furthermore, studies which look to understand sex offender’s behaviours, do so with the assumption that serial offenders perpetrate only against victims of the same relationship type. However, several studies have identified a group of offenders who crossover in their offences by relationship type, a group who have been found to be risker and more variable in the behaviour they exhibit. In addition, studies largely analyse offender behaviours in isolation, excluding the situational context of the victims’ behaviours from analysis. This prevents features of the situational context from being seen, features that would better inform our understanding of offenders’ goals and motivations, as well as their learned behaviour. Taking into consideration that the victim-suspect relationship type has been found to influence offender behaviours, and situational features inform our understanding of behaviour, it is necessary to consider the relational environment when analysing sex offender behaviours. To address current gaps in the literature this project will undertake the following studies:
Study 1
A Relational Context: Observing the breadth of relationship types in sex offences and their categorisation in practice.
Aims
The aim of this study was to view the victim-suspect relationship types in sex offences at an individual level and explore how these relationship types are recorded in police practice.
Research Questions
What types of relationships do sex offenders’ have with their victims? What is the frequencies of relationship types in which offenders perpetrate against victims in sex offences? How are these relationship types coded in police practice?
Method
Descriptive statistics were used to index victim-suspect relationship types from sex offences recorded by 3 UK police forces. Each forces’ categorisation of victim-suspect relationship type was mapped to analyse and compare coding practices.
Findings
72 victim-suspect relationship types from 10,624 cases were identified spanning five relationship type domains of stranger (1 and 2), acquaintance, partner/ex-partner and familial. Differences were found across forces in coding practices in the categorisation and labelling of victim-suspect relationship types, with discrepancies in how relationship types were categorised within and across forces. In addition, a low number of relationship types were found to be coded with only 10,924 out of 40,187 offences recording the victimsuspect relationship.
Implications
Coding of the relationship type between victim and suspect allows for sex offences to be evaluated at a strategic level showing who offenders are targeting. Consistent coding at an individual level allows for greater transparency in the data when analysed informing risk assessment and safeguarding actions. Standardising coding practices in UK forces would allow comparison across geographical regions helping to understand the pervasiveness of this crime.
Study 2
Exploring the victim-suspect relationship type of serial offenders and identifying crossover offenders and examining their transition patterns.
Aims
The aim of the study is to explore the relationship type serial offenders have with their victims and observe those that perpetrate against victims from one relationship type and those that crossover, perpetrating against victims from multiple relationship types. In addition, the study will explore the patterns in transitions in offenders who crossover.
Research Questions
Which victim relationship types do serial offenders perpetrate against? How many serial offenders’ crossover in victim relationship types? Are there patterns in the transition from one relationship type to another in crossover offenders? Are there some transitions that are more likely to occur than others?
Method
Using a large data set of over 40,000 sex offences collected from 3 UK police forces, descriptive statistics will be used to identify offenders who perpetrate against one victim relationship type and those who perpetrate against multiple victim types. A contingency table will be created to show the different relationship type transitions in a series of crossover offenders. Inferential statistics will be used to test the significance of each transition observed.
Implications
The type of risk the offender poses to a victim will differ depending on the relationship they have with the victim. Observing who serial offenders perpetrate against in relation to the victim relationship type will highlight where risk will differ. Exploration into the less researched group of offenders who crossover by victim relationship type will show where the risk they pose may change across their series. Furthermore, exploring the transitions of crossover offenders highlight where behavioural variability may occur in an offence series. Identifying offenders that perpetrate against victims unknown and known may be significant for crime linkage (which only links stranger offences) by highlighting potentially missed linked offences, impacting on the reliability of linking behaviourally similar crimes.
Study 3
Assessing serial offenders’ patterns of behaviour using the 'if…victim then…offender’ paradigm across victim-suspect relationship types
Aims
The aim of the study is to observe behavioural patterns in serial offenders’ offence series within the frame of victimsuspect relationships. It will look to understand offenders’ choice of behaviour in the context of the offender-victim interaction during the offence.
Research Questions
Do serial offenders show relative or absolute consistency in their offence series in relation to victim behaviours? Are some behaviours more consistent than others? Are some offenders more consistent than others? Do offenders in the same victim-suspect relationship category exhibit similar behaviours?
Method
Sequential analysis will be used to measure the relationship between victim and all subsequent offender behaviours at an individual and domain (higher, or group) level. Descriptive and inferential statistics will be undertaken to observe behavioural patterns within and across offenders’ offence series.
Implications
Analysing the effect of situational variation on offender behaviour forms a critical part of understanding how analysts can consider behaviours to be linked, despite variation in offences across series. Analysing victim and offender behaviours together provides the analyst with crucial situational context, determining relative consistency as opposed to absolute consistency in serial offenders’ behaviours which will provide an alternative method at which to observe behavioural consistency and distinctiveness across offences, adding to current crime linkage practices.
E-mail tandrewes@bournemouth.ac.uk
Supervisory team:
Professor Debbie Holley
Dr. Dawn Morley
The realities of using free online learning as continuous professional development in nursing
Tanya Andrewes. PGR student. Department of Nursing Studies. Faculty of Health and Social Sciences
Leading to the grounded theory
References: ARGYRIS, C. & SCHON, D. 1999. On Organizational Learning, Oxford, Blackwell Publishers Ltd. CHARMAZ, K. 2014. Constructing grounded theory, Thousand Oaks CA, SAGE. SCHON, D. A. 1983. The reflective practitioner : how professionals think in action, Aldershot, U.K., Ashgate.
The application of organisational learning theory in the context of continuous professional development through the use of free online learning resources
Current work: Integration of findings with extant literature
• Organisational learning theory; single and double loop learning (Argyris and Schon, 1999)
• Reflective practice for learning in the context of continuous professional development (Schon, 1983)
Validation of the categories and co-creation of theory
• Focus group with 4 participants and 1 individual interview
• Discussion of the theoretical categories
• Participants discussed how the categories felt meaningful and relevant
• Challenges to theoretical categories created further discussion
• Participants shared further examples of their experiences, linked to the theoretical categories
• The examples shared during validation demonstrate a need to change the way that we think about using free online resources as continuous professional development
Theoretical
Professional learning as social endeavour
• Learning with others
• Making learning meaningful
categories
Being swallowed up in practice
• Feeling supported
• Having protected time and space for learning
Data collection and analysis: individual interviews
Theoretical sample of 10 nurses
Purposeful sample of 14 nurses
Understanding the effect of communication medium on small group development
Tom Heyes - BUBS
Background & Relevance
The expediated shift of workforce critical mass to remote working brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic left me contemplating what lasting impact such an immediate and wholesale change could bring to established praxis. As an acting technology management consultant with over a decade of experience in UK government and private sector organisations, I am fascinated by the role technology plays in the enablement of remote working, team development and productivity.
Much of the traditional literature for team development pre-dates both the advent of sophisticated communication technologies and the mass adoption and use of these technologies for day-to-day team interaction. As such, the timing and focus of this research are highly relevant to help practitioners understand the impact of communication mediums on team development.
1. Establish the scholarly relationship between communication medium and team development
2. Understand group members perception of interpersonal relationship development in small groups when using different communication mediums
3. Evaluate the impact of using popular small group remote working communication mediums on team development
From ‘Forming’ to ‘Performing’ in computer mediated settings
Using Tuckmans Model (1965) as a frame of reference for team development and building on Fujishin’s deeper description of the Social Dimension (2007), numerous studies have found that there is a direct correlation between group interpersonal development and task performance (Shaw, 1981; Fisher & Ellis, 1990; Jones et al., 2022).
In a work context, often, the ‘Task’ is the reason for a team’s existence, e.g. project teams.
There is a direct correlation between interpersonal and task realm development.
Small Group Communication Communication Medium
Remote working is part of the new normal
Given the intent of the study and the Research Aims, it would be challenging to quantitatively assess or measure the nature of interpersonal group relationship development, because relationship development and interpersonal intimacy is perceptive and unique to the individual (Reis & Shaver, 1988).
Aligned to the Case Study method (Yin, 2014), mixed methods data collection allows for triangulation between material data and individual perceptions, where there is a philosophical appreciation that the materiality of observed actions may not always mirror the perceptive reality of individuals and vice versa.
A 2023 remote working study showed that in 1965, the year Tuckman’s model was first published, one in two and a half thousand (0.4%) full paid days in the United States of America were worked from home In 2023, with no further legislative need to reduce human contact due to Covid-19, roughly one in four (25%) working days were still conducted remotely (Barrero, Bloom & Davis, 2023).
Communication helps build trust
A key dimension of the Interpersonal Realm is the development of trust, where group communication can influence the development of intra-group trust and relationships. The popularised 55/38/7 formula suggests that 55% of communication is nonverbal, 38% vocal and 7% words only (Mehrabian & Wiener, 1967 and Mehrabian & Ferris, 1967). Further studies indicate that that face-to-face teams develop greater cohesion than chat or video conference teams and highlight importance of interactions such as the ‘after-meeting’, not for the topic of discussion, but for the opportunity to connect with other group members and enhance the social dimension (Hambley et al., 2007; Fujishin, 2007).
There are different levels of communication medium richness
The format of the communication may have differing impacts on verbal and nonverbal interaction (Clark et al. 2010).
A scale of ‘Media Richness’ helps visualise the levels of different communication medium.
How does communication medium effect a small group’s development?
Are employers and employees sacrificing crucial opportunities to build relationships in favour of working remotely?
Are video conferences and team chats suitable replacements for in-person communication?
To triangulate team development in the context of communication medium, the primary study will include:
1) A repeatable, standard task to be completed by a small group (the context)
2) Introduction of different communication mediums to perform the task (the case)
3) A post-participant questionnaire to evaluate the individual's perception of the task and their peers
Small Group Development
Beyond
“excluded exclusions”? Bridging the knowledge gap between policy stakeholders and (forced) migrant women with physical activity in the South West of England
Bournemouth • • Un1vers1ty
Zahra Eskandari, Nicola De Martini Ugolotti, Payam Ansari, Joanne Mayoh
Introduction:
The arrival of forced migrants in Britain has sparked debates about integration and social inclusion in the last two decades While physical activity and sports have been recognised as tools to support migrants' health and integration, most research has centred around male migrants, often overlooking the experiences of (forced) migrant women Additionally, Sport England report highlights disparities in physical activity engagement based on intersecting factors like gender, ethnicity, and religion Moreover, public discourse often racialises migrants, portraying non-white individuals, especially women from "developing" countries, as needing integration
Stereotypes depict (forced) migrant women as passive and uninterested in physical activity, assumptions that shape policies in ways that can further marginalise these women This project addresses this gap by examining the experiences of (forced) migrant women regarding physical activities, Sports and leisure activities in South-West England Using intersectional and postcolonial perspectives, it aims to reveal how overlapping identities influence these women’s experiences, challenging prevailing narratives and informing inclusive policy development
Objectives:
1- To understand existing initiatives and knowledge gaps in interventions to support physical activity and leisure with (forced) migrant women
2- To understand (forced) migrant women experiences, needs and practices through participatory approach
3- To develop a series of recommendations to the stakeholders regarding physical activity and leisure of (forced) migrant women
4- To Identify, support and strengthen platforms of collaboration between research body, policy stakeholders and (forced) migrant women
Backwardness
Theoretical framework: Intersectionality
Research Methodology
social activities Conduct short ethnography with organizations
Contextual physical activity, sports and recreation activities are experienced differently by (forced) migrant women across various intersecting identities, including class, religion, sexuality, racialisation and etc
Moreover, understanding the varied experiences of (forced) migration and resettlement necessitates an analysis of intersecting power structures, including racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, patriarchy, homophobia, and state-sanctioned marginalisation
Postcolonial Theory
understanding “othering” assumptions and perspectives within research and initiatives focused on physical activity for or with (forced) migrant women
it is crucial to recognise the persistence of historically inherited depictions of (forced) migrant particularly those from the Global South as representatives of “disorderly backward societies with violent men and helpless victims, typically women and children Historical depiction of (forced) migrant women
Contribution to new knowledge with (forced) migrant women
visual, auditory,and sensory data Analyze data using multimodal techniques
References
Alemu B T Carlisle, K L & Abate, S N (2021) First-generation Ethiopian immigrants and beliefs about physical activity
International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, 17(2), 196-207
Bartsch F & Rulofs B (2020) Intersections of forced migration and gender in physical education Frontiers in Sociology, 5 539020
Cheung, S Y & Phillimore, J (2017) Gender and refugee integration: A quantitative analysis of integration and social policy outcomes Journal of Social Policy, 46(2), 211-230 Doidge, M Keech M & Finley, S (2005) Arts-based inquiry: Performing revolutionary pedagogy The Sage handbook of qualitative research, 3 681-694
Kionis H 2023 We exist, play sports, and will persist: everyday lives of Palestinian sportswomen through the lens of the ‘politics of invisibility’ In Forced Migration and Sport (pp 170-185) Routledge Mashreghi S 2023 Methodological challenges and opportunities in working within a participatory paradigm in the context of sport, forced migration and settlement: an insider perspective Forced Migration and Sport, pp 68-83 Spaaij, R , Broerse, J , Oxford, S , Luguetti, C , McLachlan, F, McDonald, B , & Pankowiak, A (2019) Sport, refugees, and forced migration:A critical review of the literature Frontiers in sports and active living, 1, 47 https://www sportengland org/research-and-data/research#demographics-17948 Ugolotti, N D M , & Caudwell, J (Eds ) (2021)
