In the latest monthly roundup of research news at the University, the power of play, privacy enhancing technologies and creative writing are in focus, as Winchester experts help shape the future for the better.
"We're not going to grow up today, if that's ok with you"
Richard Cheetham, Senior Fellow in Sports Coaching (left in the photo above), presented at UK Coaching's inaugural coaching research conference at Manchester's Museum of Science and Industry at the end of February.
Shaping the Future of Coaching brought together practitioners and researchers from across the sport and physical activity sector to discuss and debate contemporary issues in coaching research and practice.
Presenting a session called 'I learned to play again' to delegates including UK Coaching Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, Richard explored what we can learn as adults when we play. His 'Impact of Play' intervention study emphasises the importance of incorporating play at all levels of sport participation.
He argued: "Never use play as a reward, or as a warm-up. Use it to lift spirits. Remember it's not about mindless games, it's about enriching that learning experience by using play."
Find out more about the event on the UK Coaching website here.
(Photos above courtesy of UK Coaching)
Never mind the other podcasts, here's Mind the Cakes
Creative Writing at Winchester has launched a new podcast. Mind the Cakes explores the world of creative writing through a unique fusion of entertainment and education.
The latest instalment features interviews with Mary Chamberlain on traditional publishing and the art of books, Professor Neil McCaw on how to read as a writer, tips from PR manager Philip Tutt on how to pursue a career in public relations, and original poetry from third-year student Sophie Edwards.
Listen to Mind the Cakes on iTunes here.
Read Glenn Fosbraey's blog about Mind the Cakes (and how it got its quirky name) here.
University legal expert joins Royal Society Working Group on Privacy Enhancing Technologies
Marion Oswald, Senior Fellow in Law, has been invited to join the newly-formed Royal Society Working Group on Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs).
PETs include software and systems that allow us to protect the privacy of personal information that might reveal our identities to others, such as anonymous web browsers.
The project aims to provide an analysis of the state-of-the-art in PETs and address what governance functions they can currently perform and what they are likely to be able to achieve in the future, over what timescales. The first meeting of the group took place in February.
Other members of the group include Professor Alison Noble (Chair) University of Oxford, Professor Jon Crowcroft, University of Cambridge and Dr Adria Gascon, Turing Institute.
New edition of Centre for Information Rights journal now online
The latest edition of the Centre for Information Rights' journal The Journal of Information Rights Policy and Practice (JIRPP) is now available to read online. This edition includes articles on intelligence and the Prevent agenda, communications data analysis, computer misuse and vulnerability research, autonomous vehicles, profiling and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), open justice and the rights of arrestees not subsequently convicted.
Read the Journal online here.
University experts and expertise in the news
Professor Simon Jobson was interviewed on That's Hampshire TV about our new partnership agreement with Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust. The collaboration aims to increase research and education opportunities for University academic departments and hospital staff. The collaboration recently secured its first Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF) grant, winning £55,000 for a project entitled 'A Digital Infrastructure for Hampshire Health'.
Dr Michael Wood, senior lecturer in Psychology, who researches the psychology of conspiracies published a blog post detailing the common patterns in conspiracy theories that emerge after a mass shooting in the wake of the tragedy at Marjory Stoneham Douglas High School in Florida. In Every mass shooting produces the same conspiracy theories (more or less), on conspiracypsychology.com, he writes: "On the one hand, maybe the conspiracy theories are right, and the Powers That Be, the ones who are really behind the mass shootings, like to use the same playbook over and over again. On the other hand, maybe it's a combination of factors: common behaviours in unusual situations, fishing for connections, and recycled logic from previous incidents."
Visiting professor in religion, history and nature Martin Palmer appeared on In Our Time with Melvin Bragg on BBC Radio 4, discussing St Augustine's Confessions, his account of his conversion to Christianity and his life up to that point. Listen again here.
Emma Nottingham, Lecturer in the Department of Law, was interviewed about the ruling to turn off baby Isaiah Haastrup's life support on the Vanessa Feltz Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 at the end of January. Emma previously offered expert comment around children's rights and ethics during the case of Charlie Gard last year.
Emma has also published a paper with co-author Emma Cave in the Medical Law Review. Who Knows best (Interests)? The Case of Charlie Gard provides a critical analysis of the legal principles surrounding unproven treatment and application of the best interests tests in the different contexts of hospital and court. The paper is available online here.
Back to media centre