#BUProud: BU undergrads present work in Parliament

Earlier this month, on 7 March, two BU undergradaute students, Matthew Dray and Mimi Simpson presented their research in Parliament, to parliamentarians, policy makers and fellow undergraduates at the annual ‘Posters in Parliament’ 2019 event.

BU has participated in this event since it started six years ago, allowing MPs and policy makers to learn more about the innovative undergraduate research being undertaken in various disciplines. This year’s event showcased more than 50 undergraduate students from around the UK, including: University of Aberdeen, London School of Economics, UCL, King’s College London, Newcastle University, Nottingham Trent University, University of Exeter, University of Plymouth, University of Sheffield, University of Reading and University of Portsmouth.

Matthew Dray, BSc (Hons) Computing student, presented his research on IoT (The Internet of Things)-Enabled Landslide Monitoring System. Under the guidance of his tutor Dr Marios Angelopoulos, Matt offers up an innovative landslide monitoring system that combines state-of-the art IoT and data analytics and an intuitive front-end interface, with the main emphasis of his work on the latter. In collaboration with Bournemouth Borough Council, a pilot of the system has been deployed at the site of the East Cliff landslide. Matt says: "the system was able to provide local authorities with a new means of efficient and remote monitoring, whilst also being a cost effective solution".  Speaking about taking part in Posters in Parliament, Matt said: "It was an amazing experience to be part of and an honour to co-represent BU, even more so to be shortlisted for an award".

"It was great to see the other research being done around the country and to hear from other passionate students, as well as talk to other students and MP’s about my own project and get their thoughts". Matt found the experience to be an beneficial one: "I found it both educational and beneficial to me, and allowed me to develop key skills both professionally and personally".

Mimi Simpson, BA (Hons) Advertising student, shared her research on how Generation Y mothers participate in online mothering communities (OMCs) as a platform for breastfeeding information and support.

"My research was developed as a result of UNICEF declaring that improving breastfeeding rates was a national priority. As an advertising student, I was interested in the influence that Facebook communities have on supporting and advising breastfeeding mothers. My research concluded that participating mothers have a more successful breastfeeding experience when supported by life-experienced mothers in social media communities". 

Mimi also expressed the benefit of taking part in the event on the day: "Speaking to other academics at Posters in Parliament helped me in considering future lines of research, specifically in the role social media communities play in supporting other medical areas and needs".

Matt and Mimi will be presenting their research again at the upcoming SURE 2019 conference in Fusion Building on Wednesday 20 March. Find out more about the conference on the SURE website and book your free ticket on Eventbrite.

Posters in Parliament is the prescursor event to the national BCUR 2019 conference on 15-16 April, this year being held at University of South Wales, where a number of BU students across all faculties are due to present and share their leading research.