Being part of a wider community enriches our department and is an important part of our ethos. Our students and staff co-create public engagement opportunities with a range of external organisations. Here you can learn about our projects focused on co-creating science and on the Wessex Portal you can find out about many more.
Using the dropdown menus available below, you can sort through the available projects that have been uploaded. You can mix different search terms in order to narrow your criteria.
Dorset Unlocked is a community engagement project led by volunteer staff and students at Bournemouth University. We are pleased to collaborate with the National Trust, BCP at Hengistbury Head and everyone in Dorset who wishes to contribute to our interactive map. Our aim is to share why we think Dorset is special and to encourage us all to explore, enjoy and value the benefits of connecting with nature and heritage. We welcome you to join in with co-creating the Dorset Unlocked map - made by everyone for everyone in Dorset
Biological Sciences, Ecology & Wildlife Conservation, Environmental Science, Geography, Other, Sustainability & Green Economy
2020
BSc
anita diaz, kathy hodder, damian evans, emma jenkins, benjamin wooster, lauren maccrimmon, sam deakin, samuel levy, siggy osbourne
Encouraging more people to gain the well-being benefits of engaging with nature and heritage in Dorset
Anita Diaz
adiaz@bournemouth.ac.ukMouse over images to see student bio
Britain is home to around 20% of the worlds lowland heath. Our lowland heaths are popular for recreation and are home to many archaeological features as well as to wildlife up that leaves nowhere else. This exhibition displayed how these landscapes have changed over time and how tey might be best preserved for future generations.
Ecology & Wildlife Conservation, Environmental Science, Geography
2017
BSc
pippa gillingham, alex lovegrove, mark brisbane, anita diaz
Mouse over images to see student bio
The rainforests of Madagascar are filled with special species. At this Festival of Learning stall we showcased posters, images and sounds of some of the wonderful wildlife we found. We also had interactive puzzles and games for younger visitors.
Ecology & Wildlife Conservation
2017
BSc
anita diaz, dale coleman, imogen van zyl, ashley leftwich
Mouse over images to see student bio
The Purbeck Wildlife Student Environment Research Team (SERT) was part of a research maze engaging families at the BU Festival of Learning. Charles King, the SERT student leader talked to visitors about what the team had discovered about the benefits of grazing for heathland wildlife.
Ecology & Wildlife Conservation, Environmental Science, Geography
2017
BSc
charles king, anita diaz, liz franklin
Communicating research on the wildlife of heathlands helps people to understand why they are special places and why they need to be managed to stay as heathlands.
Anita Diaz
adiaz@bournemouth.ac.ukMouse over images to see student bio
I was fortunate enough to have been team leader during this Purbeck Heaths and Mires Wildlife SERT 2017. Working in collaboration with the National Trust and collecting data as a team on behalf of them and Bournemouth University has instilled a great sense of pride. Being made aware of the significance of this data has made me realise how important the protection and management of Heathland habitat is. I have learnt skills that have put me and the team in great stead for the future. As an environmentalist/ecologist my knowledge has been greatly broadened.
I had a fantastic and interesting time working in a small research group from Bournemouth University with the National Trust in Purbeck. During this period I worked with various different people, surveying the heathland and mires habitat at Godlingston and Studland, using different methods of surveying. Not only has it deeply aided with expanding my experience with surveying and data entry, but it also feels worthwhile knowing that the data we all collected will really make the difference and help the National Trust with their conservation work.
Taking part in this project has greatly improved many of my fieldwork techniques, from species identification to sampling quadrats in an efficient, yet in-depth, way. It was also very useful to work with the National Trust, as it provided experience working with a conservation organisation as well as giving a sense of achievement for aiding their survey work. Finally it gave me to opportunity to visit many beautiful and biodiverse sites and encounter many animals I had not seen before such as Nightjars, Heath tiger beetles and a Grass snake.
During my time as a member on the Purbeck heathland SERT I collected valuable data to do with the local heathlands for Bournemouth University and The National Trust using two surveying methods. This improved many skills of mine including field work, communication, data entry and analysis as well as introducing me to plant species identification.
This partnered project with Bournemouth University and The National Trust has meant we have collected important field survey data on the Heathlands within the area. Which will then be used to create management plans to ultimately reconnect these habitats in the future; so collecting this data is a major importance to both figures. During my experience on the SERT I have gained major experience in field research which can only benefit me with the future of my degree and into my career. I have learnt a lot on this SERT with my identification skills of plants definitely having a major improvement.
Delivering public outreach events at BU’s festival of learning and at the National Botanic Garden of Wales in collaboration with the Faculty of Media and Communication. We introduce our work at these outreach events using the concept of “The DNA Detective” and a series of interactive narratives. Students from the Faculty of Science and Technology help run the events and Media school students help promote the events.
Biological Sciences, Ecology & Wildlife Conservation, Sustainability & Green Economy
2017
BSc
liz franklin, jan chwalek, abigail shearer, danielle horsley, jordan hazell, zoe franklin
The main impact of this project will to be to inspire those considering a future in science and share our knowledge to a wide audience.
"Thank you to you and your students for Sunday. Really professional, enthusiastic and clearly messaged. Making science accessible is a real skill and you’ve clearly got it. I must say I was delighted, and surprised, to see my own DNA in the test tube." Bruce Langridge – Head of interpretation National Botanic Garden of Wales
Elizabeth Franklin
efranklin@bournemouth.ac.ukMouse over images to see student bio
I have experience in tutoring young children, but not in sciences, so I am looking forward to sharing my enthusiasm for science with the public. I will be working behind the scenes and helping with the hands on activities for the Festival of Learning and DNA Detectives outreach event.
Students from the Bournemouth University Wildlife Conservation Society and Anita Diaz contributed a guided plant and pollinators walk to this event organised by Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre. Bioblitzs are national events that enable members of the public to join wildlife experts to record as many species as possible in 24 hours. The event recorded over 500 species including plants,beetles, butterflies, birds and mammals.
Ecology & Wildlife Conservation, Environmental Science, Geography, Other
2016
BSc
wildlife, conservation, anita diaz, emily ford, arron mallory, chim
The event provides an opportunity for people to directly support wildlife by collecting information that will inform management planning at Hengistbury Head.
"THANK YOU for coming to help at the BioBlitz at the weekend – everyone who went out with you had a really good time and enjoyed your enthusiasm" Brian Heppenstall, Hengistbury Head
Anita Diaz
adiaz@bournemouth.ac.ukMouse over images to see student bio
I acted as a transcriber for expert guests noting down which species were found as well as helping to identify some of the shoreline species found, i also helped to input data into living records. on this day i learnt a range of ID skills as well as how to best use identification guides so as to confirm the identity of several species and how to input data to diffrent locations on living records.