Author Archives: nhobby

About nhobby

Status: ACTIVE. PR Officer

BU in the Independent on Sunday and The i Paper

Posted on by

Emma Kavanagh, a lecturer in sport psychology and coaching sciences at BU, gave her comment in an article in The i Paper about the shift towards masters-level study in the sports science field.

Kavanagh said “there is definitely a shift towards masters-level study. Sport Science accreditation for example, relies upon completing a master’s programme, and increasing the numbers of performance coaching roles requires a higher level qualification”.

She goes on to add that growing specialisation in the sport and exercise industry is driving a demand for postgraduates in fields such as sport psychology, physiology, biomechanics and strength and conditioning.

The industry is rapidly expanding reflected by the rise in people studying for higher level qualifications and trying to stand out.

In an article in the Independent on Sunday, Yasmin Sekhon, Director of MBA’s at BU, offered advice to students who may be thinking of studying MBA’s in the future.

Speaking to journalist Russ Thorne, Yasmin said, “Students gain first-hand experience of juggling more than one task, listening where required and also having to work more intensely when approaching deadlines and submissions.”

By Peter Blackhall
2nd Year Student at Bournemouth University, BA Public Relations

Anthea Innes talks to BBC Radio Solent about carers

Posted on by

The Director of the Bournemouth University Dementia Institute Professor Anthea Innes discussed on the Steve Harris show on BBC Radio Solent, the issue of overstretched carers providing 15 minute visits to patients.

Innes suggested 15 minutes would not even provide enough communication and social contact time between carers and patients and by doing so people’s basic care needs are not being taken into account.

Steve Harris highlighted the increasing drive for people to be treated at home. Innes replied saying “most people would rather stay in their own homes for as long as possible which is still a cheaper option than hospital or nursing home treatments.”

Innes implied change is needed by describing the situation as “a square peg in a round hole. There isn’t the supply of carers to give people what they want and need”.

By Peter Blackhall
2nd Year Student at Bournemouth University, BA Public Relations

Archaeology project nominated for Dorset Archaeological Awards

Featured

Posted on by

Bournemouth University’s M.A.D. About the Wreck project has been nominated for the Dorset Archaeological Awards.

The Maritime Archaeological Days (M.A.D.) About the Wreck project, promotes maritime archaeology to a wider audience through the Swash Channel Wreck, a 17th Century wreckage at the bottom of Poole Harbour.

The project gives those who would not normally being involved in the appreciation of marine heritage the chance to get close to being actively involved and learn about the heritage, the artefacts and life in the past and understand more about our history with the sea. A number of innovative and highly creative activities are designed to be accessible to all – where age, skills and geographical distance are not considered as barriers. In fact, part of the outreach approach is the work that the team is doing with Prisons, Care Homes and some minority groups. Amongst other activities, the project include a ‘human fish tank’, hands-on and interactive public participation.

M.A.D. About the Wreck is in collaboration with Poole Museum and was made possible thanks to a £140,200 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The Dorset Archaeological Awards ceremony will be held on Friday 11th October 2013 and the awards will be presented by celebrated archaeologist Prof Sir Barry Cunliffe.

Project leader Paola Palma, Programme Leader MSc Maritime Archaeology at Bournemouth University, said, “‘I am thrilled that MAD About the Wreck is nominated for this prestigious award! Hopefully this will attract even more enthusiasm and community involvement around our heritage. It is a real pleasure to be able to manage this project and work with such a variety of different and amazing people.  I can see my passion for this work reflected in their interest. I believe that, given a chance and the right tools, everybody could become as passionate as me about the past”.

Share this story on Twitter.

Three BU students up for Institute of Directors Award

Posted on by

Three Bournemouth University students have been shortlisted for the Student of the Year prize at this years Institute of Directors’ Director of the Year Awards.

The student award category celebrates the success of student members of the Institute of Directors and this year, three of the six nominees in the category are current BU students.

The awards ceremony takes place on 11 October 2013 and details of the three BU students shortlisted for the Award can be found below.

The Institute of Directors is the UK’s largest and oldest membership organisation predominantly for directors and professional leaders, which includes a student membership category.

For more information about the awards you can visit the Institute of Directors’ Director of the Year web page.

BU’s shortlisted students:

Lyton Chithambo

Lyton studied a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance at the University of Malawi, became a qualified Chartered Accountant in 2006 and was recognised as a top performing employee in the Supervision division. Lyton won the Beit Trust scholarship to study a Master’s Degree in Finance and Risk at Bournemouth University, and is now reading for a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Accounting and Finance. His plan is to set up a consultancy firm majoring in governance and risk management.

Tom Heyes

Tom is in his final year studying Business Studies at Bournemouth University. Tom was a finalist for the Target jobs Undergraduate of the Year in Commercial Excellence in 2013, and participates in the Dorset Youth Council. After graduating from University, Tom sees himself spending some time working in an overseas location and in five years he would like to be working for an international organisation as a client or delivery executive.

Dan Hunter

Dan is studying Software Engineering at Bournemouth University.  He has been involved with the strategic planning and opening of a brand new Elite Sports and Stage & Screen Studio School in Bournemouth that offers revolutionary education and training for students aged 14-19. Dan is currently on a placement year with JP Morgan and is working as a consultant with LeAF Studio School. Dan competed in the London 2012 Olympics and would never rule out the possibility of targeting a future Olympics as well!

BU supporting the inaugural Bournemouth Marathon Festival

Posted on by

This weekend sees the inaugural Bournemouth Marathon Festival taking place on the shores of Bournemouth & Poole with over 9,000 runners signed up. sportBU are supporting event organisers GSI Events on the delivery of all marshal training, local operations meetings as well as leading on managing a key sector of the course.

Over 30 BU students and staff will be marshalling this weekend in Sector 3 (next to Boscombe Pier) ensuring runners and spectators alike have a safe, memorable race weekend.

Any BU staff members and students wishing to support the event and spectate on the day should go to Boscombe Pier Roundabout, where you will find a hub of entertainment and BU presence will be on the Sunday for the 1/2 and full Marathon starting at 8am and 10am respectively.

As well as supporting the delivery of the event, a number of staff members and students will be taking part in the races.

For further information about BU’s involvement in the marathon, please contact Barry Squires, Head of Sport Development on 01202 965789.

Mental Health Week taking place at BU

Posted on by

The aim of Mental Health Week at BU is to encourage staff, students and the public to start talking openly about mental health issues.

Between Monday 7 and Friday 11 October 2013 there are a huge range of events taking place both on and off campus, including:

  • It’s time to talk: 3 short films about personal recovery from mental health issues
  • My own personal narrative of recovery and living with bipolar disorder
  • Tea and Talk workshops
  • Drink, Drugs and Mental Health – the Highs and the Lows
  • Eating Disorders Myths and Truths
  • Representation of mental health within the media: my own personal perspective
  • I Told You I Was Ill: Spike Milligan and the Media
  • Screening of ‘The Life and Legacy of Spike Milligan’

For more information on the campaign World Mental Health Week 2013 view the programme of events.

BFX Festival highlighted twice in the Bournemouth Echo

Posted on by

Bournemouth’s visual effects and animation festival, the BFX Festival, was held at Bournemouth University recently, giving students a behind the scenes look into the digital effects used in some of Hollywood’s biggest movies. The Festival’s success was highlighted during two articles in the Bournemouth Echo.

Peter Truckel, director of the VFX hub at Bournemouth University, told a gathering of industry experts and students how 50 per cent of graduates entering special effects and animation jobs in London’s Soho come from BU.

The Dean of the Media School, Stephen Jukes was hoping to “inspire and foster talent” by trying to bring higher education and the industry together. He said in the Echo, “We want to celebrate and promote Bournemouth and the conurbation and it’s growing role in the industry. A lot of the industry is beginning to setup here”.

The team Poseiden, made up of Bournemouth University students, won the best film prize at the event sponsored by Total Film magazine. In addition The Blonde Rangers team, a collaboration between Bournemouth University, Arts University Bournemouth, and Edinburgh University students, took four awards.

Willi Geiger, the digital supervisor for some of George Lucus’ most iconic movies, said to the Bournemouth Echo, “I’m blown away with what they have achieved”.

By Peter Blackhall
2nd year student at Bournemouth University, BA Public Relations

BU students in The Guardian on deciding where to study

Posted on by

A Bournemouth University student suggested in The Guardian that people need to go and visit their prospective universities in person, before they make the final decision on where they will study.

Charlotte Humphrey, 20, who has just finished her second year at Bournemouth University said, “Pictures can’t show the Uni vibe. I remember going to the Bournemouth open day and thinking, wow! I loved the atmosphere, the hustle and bustle, the canteens, the coffee shops. And seeing the halls is definitely better in person than in the pictures, which will make them look better than they really are.” 

The article titled ‘Get a taste of your new home’, discusses the importance of students making the trip to see as many institutions as possible. This is because getting the feeling a university is right for someone cannot be found by only looking on university websites and browsing the internet.

This is highlighted further in a second Guardian in the article titled ‘Online opinion; Get insider knowledge on your uni choices via Facebook and Twitter’, where a comparison is made between choosing a university and buying a holiday. The article states “when you book a holiday, you don’t just look on the hotels website, so why do the same when looking for a university course”. The article goes on to say how social media sites are a great way of finding out about universities from a student perspective.  

Patricia Obawole, in her second year of a Law degree at Bournemouth University added to the article by recommending The Student Room (thestudentroom.co.uk). “It’s a forum that allows you to ask any question, from things about specific universities and being a student, to how everyone else found the exam you took. I’d advise you use it to check out the accommodation.” 

By Peter Blackhall
2nd Year Student at Bournemouth University, BA Public Relations

BFX Festival opens in Bournemouth

Featured

Posted on by

The BFX Festival, a festival that celebrates the visual effects industry in the UK, has opened in Bournemouth.

The four day Festival includes talks and workshops by industry professionals as well as demonstrations of visual effects tools and a showing of the film Rush at Empire Cinema in Poole. It is being hosted by Bournemouth University, the Arts University Bournemouth and a number of other partners.

Opening the Festival, Alex Hope, Managing Director and Co-Founder of British visual effects company Double Negative, was quick to praise Bournemouth University for providing an exceptional quality of education in visual effects to prepare graduates to contribute and work in the industry.

Alex Hope said, “15 per cent of staff currently working at Double Negative are Bournemouth University graduates, this works out at 140 or 150 members of staff.” Alex also pointed out that current Double Negative staff member Alex Lockley, who was awarded an Oscar in 2011 for visual effects work on the film Inception, was also a Bournemouth University graduate.

The Festival runs from 25th – 29th September 2013 and more information is available on the BFX Festival website.

New research project to uncover the history of chickens

Featured

Posted on by

A new research project looking at the history of chickens is hoping to shed light on how the relationship between people and chickens has developed over the last 8,000 years.

The project will see researchers dive into archaeological records to investigate the history of the world’s most widely established livestock species, which is descended from the wild jungle fowl of South East Asia.

Researchers from Bournemouth University, as well as the Universities of Durham, Nottingham, Leicester, Roehampton and York, will be examining when and how rapidly domesticated chickens spread across Europe and the history of their exploitation for meat and eggs. The project will also investigate the ancient and modern cultural significance of the birds in, for example religious rituals. Research will include metrical and DNA analysis of modern and ancient chicken bones to trace the development of different breeds.

Principal Investigator for the project, Bournemouth University’s Dr Mark Maltby said, “This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a team of high international esteem drawn from a wide range of disciplines that includes genetics, cultural anthropology, history and archaeological science. We are united by our mutual research interests in how chickens and people have interacted in the past and the present.”

The results of the research will form the basis a series of exhibitions in museums and other venues throughout the UK making up ‘The Chicken Trail’ that will tell the story of the chicken’s domestication in Europe and there are also plans to display some of the research findings in butchers shops.

The project, entitled “Cultural and Scientific Perceptions of Human-Chicken Interactions”, was made possible with the help of a £1.94 million grant from the AHRC under the Science In Culture Awards Large Grants call.  The project will also involve collaboration with academic colleagues across Europe and with poultry breeders and other interested members of the public.

Work is due to begin in January 2014 and the research will be completed in 2017 – coinciding with The Chinese Year of the Rooster.  The work is supported by an interactive research network “The Chicken Coop” and the latest information and breaking news about the research can be found at www.chickenco-op.net.