Author: bethjohnson

“Research within the Science Communication Unit focuses on the interface between science and society, whether that’s journalism, science centres, citizen science or the myriad ways that we can bring researchers together with members of the public. We are particularly interested in the way our research makes it into everyday practice and our teaching.”

Dr Emma Weitkamp, Professor in Science Communication and Co-Director of the Science Communications Unit  

Dr Clare Wilkinson, Professor in Science Communication and Co-Director of the Science Communication Unit 

The Science Communication Unit (SCU), a UWE Bristol research centre, focuses on research, teaching and practice. As a research centre, our scope is quite broad, with research interests that span a range of science communication practices, from journalism to citizen science, festivals to co-production, as well as interests in cross cutting themes such as inclusivity, ethics and identity.  Within the SCU, we also have interests that cross many research disciplines, from engineering to environmental science, education and the arts.  

 We also run a Masters in Science Communication. As well as embedding our research within our taught programmes, we are keen to work with science communication practitioners to ensure research is relevant and actionable. And we’re all about how our work makes it into everyday practice, everyday teaching, and embedding it within our training offering.  

Real world relevance

As Emma says ‘Within my own research. I’m really interested in how and where the research I do – the research our unit does – can be taken and applied by people working specifically in science communication, which is often journalists. But it can also be people in policy, museums, public relations or even the arts.  

‘But where I see my greatest impact is in teaching and training. Here, I’m directly taking research to people who can use it. And I’m always thinking about what it really means for someone who’s doing science communication.’ 

A key question for the unit, then is how can we apply research to inform practice and to inspire and empower the next generation? It’s our students who will change society for the better.   

Established and growing

Science communication at UWE Bristol is on the cutting-edge. We have one of oldest science communication programmes in the UK, probably in the world. We have a long track record of leading the way – and we plan to keep leading the way. For some that will mean coming to study with us, but for others it will be considering how they can access our work in different ways.  

Clare said ‘In addition to doing lots of exciting and interesting research it’s important we share it. For some projects that might be through blog posts, or magazines aimed at professional communicators. In other projects we might be conducting webinars or sharing key findings via YouTube. We’re also very proud that the unit has a great track record in publishing its work, be that through articles in the key international journals in our field, or through creating readable and contemporary books and resources that our students can also learn from.’  

We want the Science Communication Unit at UWE Bristol to continue to be the go-to place – whether that’s for students looking for a stimulating, quality postgraduate course, organisations looking for continuing professional development programmes or researchers looking to partner with one of the leading science communication research centres globally to enhance the quality of their work, and ultimately, make a difference to some of the complex issues society faces. As Emma and Clare say, ‘these are the main things that drive us and our work forward’.   

---

Contribution to the UN 2030 sustainable development goals

UWE Bristol is proud to align our research to the UN sustainable development goals. The above research aligns with the following goals:

“I’m motivated by trying to learn from what hasn’t worked and what’s worked really well. This way, we can change the planning process to create and deliver better outcomes for all.”

Hannah Hickman, Associate Professor, Planning Practice   

I’m a town planner by background. I moved into academia in 2017, after 20 years in professional practice. I’m really interested in applying my experience and expertise to better understand how planning unfolds in practice. In real life, in our neighbourhoods and communities. And how we take this understanding and use it to create better outcomes for all involved.   

I guess I see myself as sitting at that interface between practice and research. For me, that’s where I can have the greatest impact. Now, one of the areas of research that I’ve been focused on recently is exploring the space between a scheme getting planning permission and a scheme being built out.   

Promise, delivered   

 I’ve done two major pieces of research: one for a group of local authorities, looking at major housing developments. The other for the National Infrastructure Planning Association, focused on huge infrastructure, like airports, nuclear power stations, offshore wind farms. I want to see if the planning permission as granted, for these two contrasting types of development, hinders or supports delivery. Is the intent of a planning permission what actually ends up being delivered?   

So, while the two are very different – housing and large infrastructure – both research projects have been commissioned by practitioners who want to do something different. They see the need to do something different, to improve or reshape the way the planning system is orchestrated, to deliver better outcomes. And that’s what drives me.    

Critically objective   

I want to be able to better advise interested parties. And I believe that the real power of academic research is its objectivity. Its credible impartiality. And there’s something very privileged about being an academic, in that you’re allowed to  think about these things, and ask the tricky questions, and give your view based on your experience and, crucially, the evidence.   

And our work is more likely to be taken at face value than research that’s been commissioned by a particular sector specific organisation. We’re evidence based. There’s a clear reason and rationale to take it up.   

All in for the right outcome   

For example, alongside another academic from the University of Cambridge, I recently gave evidence to a select committee of the Welsh Parliament. Almost immediately, I could sense that the Welsh parliamentarians were very interested in what we had to say. Because I think they knew that we were there to present our experience and research, not because we represent a particular interest or industry.   

I’m motivated by trying to learn from what hasn’t worked – and what’s worked really well. Often planning permissions are granted, with a great vision of what that development is going to be like. And then, in the process of modifications and amendments, or sometimes simply the failure on the part of the developers to deliver on their commitments, we end  up with a scheme that’s disappointing. For all. So, why is that? How does it happen?  Whose fault is it? Where’s the failure within the system and what can we do to try and ensure better quality outcomes.  

Inspiring next generation of professional planners

I’ve also recently led a project here at UWE Bristol on the motivations and expectations of planning students. What brings them to study planning and what they’re hoping to achieve. Because there’s some dispiriting research, particularly in Europe, about disappointment on reaching practice.   

Students start planning thinking it’s this visionary place making activity. Then they get into practice and there’s a lot of, you know, bureaucracy. They’re bogged down in the minutiae or the politics. So, we’ve been doing this longitudinal study of students and it’s great how motivated they are, particularly around climate. They see planning as offering them an opportunity to change things and that’s great. That’s exactly what we need right now.   

---

Contribution to the UN 2030 sustainable development goals

UWE Bristol is proud to align our research to the UN sustainable development goals. The above research aligns with the following goals:

“Research is a passion. Look at the work we’ve done in developing magnetic detection technology – for home use, doctors’ surgeries and point of care. I love working with ambitious companies to accelerate their innovation to bring real change to people.”

Professor Richard Luxton, Director of the Institute of Biosensing Technology (IBST)   

 I’m Professor Richard Luxton. Back in 2008, with my colleague Professor Janice Kiely, we set up the Institute of Biosensing Technology, IBST for short.   

The IBST is the first of its kind in the UK. Here, industry and academia are working together to develop novel biosensing technologies – for the healthcare, agriculture and food technology sectors. We’re also applying biological principles to develop novel sensors for environmental, security and engineering applications. 

From prototype to point-of-care  

In our labs, we design complex biological tests and incorporate those tests into prototype devices using microfluidics and bespoke electronics. We’re a high-tech one-stop-shop if you like; supporting start-up and scale-up companies to develop innovation and tech by working collaboratively, simultaneously with them on all aspects of a product.   

Personally speaking, I’ve moved from clinical research in the NHS to developing technology here in the university. I have two passions. One’s research. For example, the work we’ve done in developing magnetic detection technology – for home use, doctors’ surgeries and point of care. I also love the interdisciplinary nature of what we do. Working with ambitious companies to accelerate their innovation.   

A community charged   

We’ve a really dynamic environment here. A fantastically dynamic community. We have electronic engineers, software engineers, microbiologists and biochemists here. We’re able to pair the right people with the right companies to develop a particular technology that will positively change lives for the better.   
  
That’s what it’s all about. Creating real world applications that will positively impact real lives. Getting to the right solution. Getting the product to market. We’re developing technology to support medics or patients in their homes.   

This one project we’re working on is to develop a propofol sensor to look at non-gaseous anaesthesia, and how well people are sedated in intensive care. We have another project where we’re working with a company whose vision is to 3D print a heart. So that we can better understand and measure the triggering of heart transplant rejection systems.  

Far-reaching impact   

For me, the most exciting thing is the fact that our work, the work we do with companies, has a direct impact in the real world. It can help people to stay out of hospital and in their own homes. That has a huge impact – not just on individuals but on our NHS, our economy. And as well as helping our students to learn and grow, we’re helping companies to accelerate, evolve and expand too. We have the best of all worlds here at IBST.  

---

Contribution to the UN 2030 sustainable development goals

UWE Bristol is proud to align our research to the UN sustainable development goals. The above research aligns with the following goals:

“I’m excited by putting robots into real life. Already we have seen some amazing results. With children, for example. Social care is also an area where we believe robotics can play an important role.”

Dr Marcela Munera, Associate Professor in Assistive Robotics 

I am a bioengineer by background. My PhD is in biomechanics – how the human body moves and performs. Then, seven or so years ago, I became interested in robotics and humanoids, and how they can help real people in their daily lives.   

Now my work is centred on developing robots and robotics that can help people with disabilities or any other kind of condition or frailty. We are looking at how we can use robotics for assistance and rehabilitation. To help people get back to doing what they used to be able to do.   

Simple beats complex every time   

I am passionate about making things simple. Not over-complicated or over-engineered. Because the simpler we can make these robotic applications, the faster we can get them into real world clinical use.   

That means we can start helping people sooner rather than later. That’s important to me. It’s not about doing things for us, as researchers or academics. It’s about helping individuals to do things for themselves. Say you are getting older, you’ve had a stroke, or you’ve lost a limb, how can robotics help you to regain and restore your independence and confidence?   

Your friendly robot reminder

We’re exploring many kinds of robotics too. For example, how we can use robotics in therapy, for a physical or mental condition. Yes, social robots. Humanoid robots that can give feedback. Say you’re doing rehab exercises, your robot can tell you if you’re doing them well or “Hey, you didn’t exercise today”. Things like that.    

That means AI and robotics that can take information from the environment around them and make decisions based on that information.   

Helping humans, not replacing them

I’m excited by putting robots into real life. Already we have seen some amazing results. With children, for example. Social care is also an area where we believe robotics can play an important role. We don’t have enough carers right now. And many of them are experiencing fatigue and burnout. Or they are moving to other, better paid sectors.   

We will never replace our carers with robots, but they could help them to do their job better and help people who need care to stay in their own homes for longer, and live more independent lives.   

This is why I have a user centred approach. We start with what the user needs, not what we want to do. We begin every project we do with something called contextual inquiry. That’s basically go and see. Find out. Discover. Only then can we develop the robotics to aid people. And that’s always our goal.  

---

Contribution to the UN 2030 sustainable development goals

UWE Bristol is proud to align our research to the UN sustainable development goals. The above research aligns with the following goals:

“No one has to go through dementia alone. Through Living Well with Dementia, we’re bringing patients, partners and families together, so that they can all live fuller, happier lives.”

Dr Emily Dodd, Senior Research Fellow   

Dr Natasha Woodstoke, Research Fellow     

Professor Richard Cheston, Professor of Dementia Research   

While we each have our own specialisms and our different areas of research, we came together through LivDem, which stands for Living Well with Dementia.   

Through LivDem, we want to make sure that people can access and take up the services and support that they – and their partners and families – need.   

Caring and sharing

Rightly, there’s a lot of focus on people getting an early dementia diagnosis. It’s important, so a lot of services are set up around that. But actually, that time after you’re diagnosed can be really scary, upsetting and lonely.

We believe it’s important for people living with dementia to come together and talk. Sharing what it’s like to live with dementia helps people to adjust. By helping people to feel more comfortable having open conversations about this dreadful illness we can challenge the stigma that surrounds it.  Our LivDem group intervention offers this. 

We have also been developing a new LivDem Families intervention. The aim is to help couples and families to be able to talk together about how the illness is affecting them. This helps them to have the best life that they can, together after a diagnosis. 

Reaching everyone affected 

As well as the group sessions themselves, we’re interested in how LivDem is delivered. Historically, it’s been delivered within the NHS by NHS professionals. But we’re looking at how it can be adapted so that, for example, it could be run by voluntary or community organisations. We believe that this would improve access. Because we know that there are certain groups of people that are more likely to engage and take up services that are provided by these types of organisations.   
  
We’re also taking LivDem global. We’ve had a lot of interest from overseas, including Italy, Ireland and Japan. It’s quite exciting to be doing something that people seem to get a lot out of. A lot of the feedback is really encouraging.   

Opening up the conversation   

We’re all very proud that we’re changing real lives through LivDem. We had an email from one of the course facilitators the other day. He was so pleased with how LivDem had facilitated some really good conversation with the people in the room. They were really opening up. He said there was laughter, there were tears. And he finished the email by saying how we’ve created something really special. For the three of us, it really doesn’t get better than that. Knowing that LivDem is making a genuine difference to real lives.   

---

Contribution to the UN 2030 sustainable development goals

UWE Bristol is proud to align our research to the UN sustainable development goals. The above research aligns with the following goals:

“We want to make a positive difference that matters. We’re all about health research that can be actively put into practice for the benefit of as many people as possible.”

Fiona Cramp, Director of the Centre for Health and Clinical Research, and Professor of Long Term Conditions  

Here in the Centre for Health and Clinical Research, we carry out world-class research in neurology and musculoskeletal management, emergency care, supportive and palliative care, and end-of-life care. As a centre, we have cross-cutting themes of Children, Young People and Families, as well as Knowledge Mobilisation  and Evaluation.   

In everything we do, in all our health research activities, we embed patient and public involvement. Simply because the work we do is to help them. We’re here to improve real lives, to improve people’s quality of life.   

Quality of living   

My personal research is in physical activity and the role it can play in helping people with long term conditions. For example, we know that if people can keep physically active, it can help with management of a range of symptoms such as pain and fatigue. And the better that individuals can manage their symptoms, the better their quality of life, particularly for those who are living with long-term conditions.   

Our research is about actually making a difference; doing research that can be actively put into practice.   

Addressing health inequalities   

Right from the word go, when we design any research, we’re thinking about how it will make a difference. Does it have the potential to improve the care of people? Can it help people to better help themselves in relation to their specific health condition?   

As a centre, we’re looking closely at health inequalities too. There’s lots of things we know that work when it comes to helping people manage their own conditions. But we need to do more to make sure that this knowledge, this awareness, is accessible to everybody. Because right now, it isn’t.   

Maybe because you can’t access a physical activity programme because you’re from an ethnic minority background where women wouldn’t traditionally participate in physical activity alongside men. Or maybe it’s because you’re from a socioeconomically deprived background where you maybe don’t have the technology that you need to help you.  Whatever the reason it’s important that we design interventions that meet people’s needs. 

Access for all   

For me, it’s vital that we focus our research efforts on making sure that whatever we’re developing is accessible to everybody – or, at the very least, that it can be adapted to benefit as many people as possible.   

---

Contribution to the UN 2030 sustainable development goals

UWE Bristol is proud to align our research to the UN sustainable development goals. The above research aligns with the following goals:

“As leaders in the psychology of appearance and body image research, we’re on a mission to shatter appearance ideals and stereotypes so young people are not held back by low body confidence.”

Dr Heidi Williamson, Associate Professor  

Dr Phillippa Diedrichs, Professor of Psychology   

We’ve both been at the Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) for over a decade. Together, we co-lead a team of researchers, focusing on the co-creation and testing of body image tools for young people. 

We work alongside the Dove Self-Esteem Project, which is the community impact and social purpose programme for Unilever’s largest brand, Dove.  

Since 2012, we’ve developed and tested tools, policies and strategies that have reached over 100 million young people around the world with partners at UNICEF, Nike, and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

Low body confidence

The majority of young people do not have body confidence. It affects all genders and cultures, with girls, gender diverse people and LGBTIA+ communities being disproportionality affected. Appearance-based stereotypes in relation to skin colour, body size, aging, physical disabilities are also widely prevalent. This has wide-ranging impacts for people’s health and  well-being. For example, 8 in 10 girls opt out of important life activities, like putting their hand up in the classroom, going to the doctor, trying out for a team or club, due to low body confidence.  

See the impact, feel the impact    

For several decades, researchers have been developing programmes to improve body confidence among young people. However, we’ve really struggled to get effective evidence-based interventions out to lots of people in a sustainable way due to a lack of resource and expertise in marketing.  

When we started working with Dove, our goal was to harness the reach and popularity of their brand and work together to deliver evidence-based body confidence education on a global scale.  

Creativity you can measure

We’re now 10 years into our partnership. Over those 10 years we’ve developed more than 20 different body confidence tools. Including the Girls Room, a five-part film series crafted by Emmy Award-winning producer and writer Lena Waithe, Dove, the Centre for Appearance Research and Attn:. 

We’ve also worked with UNICEF, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, Cartoon Network and a range of creative and tech agencies to co-create animations, e-books, school lessons, digital games, social media marketing campaigns, and chatbots. Our most recent project included a world-first collaboration between Nike and Dove to deliver body confidence education to coaches in sporting settings.  

But it’s not just about the creative concepts and wide-reaching platforms we’re using to reach young girls. We rigorously evaluate everything we do through randomised control trials and qualitative research, so that we can be sure of the impact that the these tools are having on young people’s well-being.

Positively improving real lives, over 100 million and counting 

  We’re very proud of our work with Dove. Dove is now the world’s largest provider of evidence-based self-esteem education and the tools we’ve created together have reached over 100 million young people around the world.

We’re always exploring new ways to reach more young people and look forward to continuing our partnership together.

---

Contribution to the UN 2030 sustainable development goals

UWE Bristol is proud to align our research to the UN sustainable development goals. The above research aligns with the following goals: