Development

2010/11 Annual Fund Award Recipients

Start Up Research Grants

Dr Stuart Connop: School of Health and Biosciences

Research Title: Incorporation of invertebrate conservation into urban ecology
and sustainable development

Biography: Dr Connop has an academic background in environmental biology which began with an undergraduate degree at the University of Liverpool. Following on from this, he joined UEL as a postgraduate student within the conservation department. As a direct product
of UEL’s academic nurturing, he achieved a distinction in his Environmental Science MSc. Following a brief spell working for a regeneration charity in East London, Stuart decided to return to UEL to study for his PHD.

"I am very pleased to have been awarded this grant. It will make such a difference to my work. The £2,000 Start-Up Research Grant will be used over several different areas, all of which are directly related to the University-wide strategy and research plans, and will enhance the future of UEL."

Dr Christian van Nieuwerburgh: School of Psychology

Research Title: The impact of coaching on the development and career progression of aspiring school leaders from black and ethnic minority backgrounds

Biography: Christian is a Senior Lecturer with UEL’s School of Psychology. He is a module leader for Coaching and Mentoring in Education on the postgraduate Coaching Psychology programme. He is involved in the delivery of coaching interventions in schools, with school-employed adults, aspiring educational leaders and students. He has recently won a Challenge Fund bid to develop a portfolio or consultancy and professional development on coaching within educational settings. Christian is also co-writing a book on coaching in education. In July 2010, Christian was a keynote speaker at the International Conference on Coaching and Positive Psychology in Education, as well as delivering a workshop at a Leadership Coaching conference at the University of East

"I plan on using the £2,000 Start-Up Research Grant to employ a research assistant. Having this dedicated support will allow me to undertake high-quality research, which will lead to the publication of an academic article in a recognised coaching journal. I am hopeful that the article will strengthen UEL’s case for further external grant funding to develop this area of work."

Elaine Bullock: Royal Docks Business School

Research Title: The Resurgence of Organisational Development (OD) – HR’s added value
Biography: Prior to joining the Royal Docks Business School as a Senior Lecturer in Human Resources Management Elaine worked for a variety of public sector organisations in operational and strategic HR roles. During her last role, for the Metropolitan Police Service, Elaine worked full-time whilst gaining an MSc in Human Resource Management and MCIPD status from King’s College London. Elaine predominantly worked in HR internal consultancy roles advising on the people aspects of major change programmes, including acting as the Engagement and Communication Manager for a large-scale Transforming HR Programme.

"As a new researcher in my first academic role the Start-Up Research Grant will provide the opportunity to focus on developing my research and writing skills. The financial support for transcribing activities will provide valuable time to focus on analysis whilst balancing my other work requirements such as teaching, consultancy and programme management"

Dr Tianjun Wang: School of Health and Biosciences

Research Title: A survey of patients at the University of East London Acupuncture Training Clinic

Biography: Dr Tianjun Wang is a Senior Lecturer and Director of the Acupuncture Clinic in the School of Health and Biosciences. Tianjun graduated from Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine in Nanjing, China and subsequently worked as a medical doctor in a hospital in Nanjing, while a guest lecturer and guest professor in the University of Chinese Medicine in China. From 2001 to 2003 he worked as a lecturer and acupuncture practitioner in the Mediterranean Regional Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine in Malta. In 2008 he completed his PhD in the study of acupuncture treatment for depression. In 2007 Tianjun joined UEL as a full-time lecturer and acupuncture practitioner.

'B.Sc. Acupuncture is a new programme at UEL which has run less than three years. The Acupuncture Training Clinic has been open for two years and my career began at UEL three years ago. As both the programme and I are fairly new to UEL, it is important that research is undertaken to enhance the entire area, and the £2,000 Start-Up Research Grant will help me do just that'

Dr Usman Naeem: School of Computing, Information, Technology and Engineering

Research Title: A hierarchical framework for activity recognition in smart environments

Biography: Usman Naeem is a senior lecturer in the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering. He obtained his PhD from Queen Mary University, London, which was based on activity recognition within a home environment. His research interests include:
• Activity of daily life (ADL) recognition
• Reliable task recognition via object usage data within the home
• RFID sensors
• Intelligent / ambient environments
• Smart homes.

"The £2,000 from the Start-Up Research Grant will allow me to purchase much-needed equipment so I can continue to carry out complex experiments based on activity recognition."

Student Hardship Grants

Toni Chalmers, Psychology, School of Psychology "Combining education with a family life is not easy, and it is also very hard to find work to supplement my student loan at the moment. I will use my Student Hardship Grant towards paying my bills to make sure my family is secure whilst I study. It is a great honour to have been chosen to receive this award. It really will make a world of difference to me."

Olalekam Dahuda Braimoh, Human Resources, Royal Docks Business School "I believe that the Student Hardship Grants are a fantastic initiative. It can be very hard working part-time, studying and looking after my child. My Student Hardship Grant will go towards helping me complete my studies so I can further my career and go on to do what I want to do with my life."

Maria James, Community Development, Cass School of Education and Communities "I currently study Education and Development within the Cass School of Education and Communities at the Stratford Campus. I travel to the University by public transport from quite far away.My Student Hardship Grant will allow for me to buy a travel card, so I can travel to the University every day and make use of the fantastic resources available within the School. I count myself very lucky to have received this grant, and I hope one day I can give something back to the University. Thank you"

Rose Munene, Computer Networks, School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering "As a single mother, I have many responsibilities. The Annual Fund Student Hardship Grant will give me much-needed extra funds which I will put towards paying my rent, buying food, transport and also paying bills. It will take away some of the worry and make it easier for me concentrate on my studies. I am really grateful to have received this grant."

Adnan Hassan, Software Engineering, School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering "I am so happy that I have been chosen to receive a Student Hardship Grant. In my
first year I really struggled to buy text books. Thanks to the Annual Fund Donors, in my second year this will not be the case!"

Be part of the future of our UEL community.

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© 2011