BU research featured on BBC’s Monkey Planet

Research conducted by Bournemouth University’s Alison Hillyer has been featured on a BBC programme looking at primates.

Monkey Planet, currently showing on BBC1, featured research into the Red Colobus monkey and its interactions with another species, green monkeys, and how their relationship has developed through living in the same habitat.  Specifically, the programme showed how the red colobus monkeys form special multi-species associations that are most likely a way of improving predator detection.

BU’s research at the site is mostly concerned with the conservation status of Temmincki’s red colobus in the region and is aimed at developing an integrated conservation strategy for the region that involves experts in tourism (Vijay Reddy and Feifei Xu) and primatology (Amanda Korstjens and Alison Hillyer) and is conducted in close collaboration with the local authorities.

Alison Hillyer invited the BBC to the site for filming and advised them on the transcript for the sequences.  The research and filming took place in The Gambia, more information about the project can be found on BU’s research pages.

The Temmincki’s red colobus monkeys (not to be confused with the Zanzibar Red Colobus) are in need of protection to avoid their extinction. BU students have been invited back to The Gambia in July 2014 for a new inter-disciplinary project that aims to develop a sustainable long-term strategy to support local development and conservation in The Gambia through eco-tourism business.

The programme can be viewed again on the BBC website for the next seven days.

Dr Miles Russell on BBC 2 Archaeology programme

Dr Miles Russell, Archaeology Lecturer at Bournemouth University recently appeared on the BBC 2 programme ‘Border Country: The Story of Britain’s Lost Middleland’.

Russell discussed how Britain looked before the Romans arrived. “Before the Romans arrived, do you think there would have been a clear dramatic difference between what we now call Scotland and what we now call England? No. There’s now real difference” said Russell.

He went on to say “boundaries are a much more modern concept, the idea of fixed impenetrable borders between one civilisation and another”.

“I think a Roman coming here would see this as primitive because they’re used to lights. They’re used to painted walls and nice solid floors and they would see the mud floor, thatched roofs, the daubed walls and really the tribal nature of society itself as being very backwards”.

You can view the programme again on iPlayer.

Science presenter & chiropractic leader get BU Honorary Doctorates

Scientist and television presenter Professor Alice Roberts and international chiropractic leader Dr Kenneth Vall have received Honorary Doctorates from Bournemouth University.

They both received their awards at the graduation ceremony for students from the School and Health and Social Care.

Alice is anatomist, author and broadcaster, well known for presenting programmes including Coast and Digging for Britain – which have featured BU academics and research.

She said she was pleased to be back at BU and honoured to be receiving the honorary Doctor of Science award.

DSC_7408“It’s an absolute delight and an honour to be receiving an honorary doctorate, and I’m really pleased to be here at Bournemouth University,” she said.

“I’ve made friends with a lot of Bournemouth University academics over the years and I’ve interviewed them for all sorts of different programmes on the BBC, so it was really nice to come here and catch up with those colleagues today.”

She added: “I’m absolutely delighted to be graduating with a lot of students in health disciplines, who are already out there working and helping people and improving people’s lives.”

Also receiving an Honorary Doctorate at the School of Health and School graduation ceremony was Dr Kenneth Vall, an international leader in chiropractic.

Kenneth, who became an honorary Doctor of Education at the ceremony, was Principal of the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic (AECC) from 2004 to 2012 and helped consolidate its reputation as one of Europe’s foremost chiropractic educational institutions – as well as building strong links between the college and BU.

He said receiving the Honorary Doctorate was one of the proudest moments of his life.

“I’ve been involved in education and in caring for patients all my working life and this is the premiere accolade, so I’m delighted. It is one of the proudest moments in my life so far.

1312113730001“I would always advocate Bournemouth University to young people but I think that my institution, which I have now left, will seek a relationship which is long-lasting. There is good synergy, particularly with the School of Health and Social Care, and I think that relationship is extremely valuable.”

His advice to the graduates was to look after themselves, as well as their patients.

“They should obviously care for their patients, and I’m sure they will, but they should also care for themselves and look after their own health.

“Exercise, have a good diet and create good habits that you live through for the rest of your life and the work will be so much more rewarding, because you set an example to your patients.”

More than 5,000 graduates from across Bournemouth University were handed their degree certificates in six different ceremonies at the Bournemouth International Centre.

Professor John Vinney, vice-chancellor of Bournemouth University, said: “Bournemouth University takes great pride in our Honorary Graduates.

“We recognise people who have excelled in their chosen field who will act as inspirational role models, both for our graduates and their families at the awards ceremonies and for our whole student body in the coming years.”