Empowering Decision-Making in Midwifery A Global Perspective

Janet Kelly Claire Marshall, Catriona Jones & Julie Jomeen have contributed to a new book which is co-edited by Julie Jomeen:

Elaine Jefford, Julie Jomeen (2019) Decision-Making in Midwifery A Global Perspective Routledge, London

Global Challenges Research Funded Project in Bujumbura, Burundi: ‘Trauma in East Africa – engaging street children in addressing sexual, gender based violence and child abuse through participatory theatre education’

Day 1 – 14 June 19

This collaborative project in Burundi, East Africa took place between 14/06/19 and 21/06/19 the event was in English, Kirundi, French and Swahili. The project commenced with Dr Karin Cooper (University of Hull, England), supported by in-country partners Bienvenu Munyerere (Social Action for Development (S.A.D) - NGO, Burundi) and Mubakilay Yannick (A.N.T.S - NGO – Democratic Republic of the Congo), training volunteer mentors in participatory theatre techniques. We would like to offer special thanks to Serges Nzisabira (S.A.D – NGO Child Protection lead) for his support in translation throughout the project.

The participatory theatre activities with S.A.D organisation mentors included group work and games such as sculpting, rhythm and movement and sharing narratives; These mentors will go on to set up clubs across 11 neighbourhoods in Buterere, Bujumbura in Burundi. Mentors will use this methodology to work with street children, as representatives of Social Action for Development - NGO, supported by Bienvenu Munyerere (S.A.D – NGO) and Mubakilay Yannick (A.N.T.S – NGO).

Day 2 – 17 June 19 – GCRF Networking Event Burundi

Bienvenu Munyerere (S.A.D – NGO, Burundi) led the project team GCRF funded Networking Event.  This event created a space for dissemination of our collaborative project and for NGOs, charities, Universities and Mrs Iradukunda Rosine, representative of the Department of Child and Family under the Minister of Human Rights, Social Affairs and Gender, to engage in dialogue about innovative projects taking place across Burundi.  This networking event was broadcast across Burundian television.

Days 3 to 6 - 18 June 19 to 21 June 19 – GCRF Project - Forum Theatre and Final Event

Dr Karin Cooper (University of Hull) led 3 ½ days of participatory theatre techniques in partnership with in-country partners Bienvenu Munyerere (S.A.D – NGO, Burundi), Mubakilay Yannick (A.N.T.S – NGO the DRC) alongside our 10 mentors, Leah Omari (Institute of Social Work, Tanzania) and 20 street children. We had an amazing time engaged in theatre games and activities, developing the skills and confidence of our mentors and providing an opportunity for children and young people to share their lived experiences through Forum Theatre methodology.

These sculpted images provide a flavour of the dedication, creativity, sensitivity and thoughtful approach taken by the mentors and children in addressing challenging topics and sharing their narratives and experience.

 The event culminated in a forum theatre piece entitled ‘Where is my Sweet Potato’ which participants performed to an audience of parents. This piece featured some of the key themes emerging from their narratives including; family conflict, gender based violence, abuse, poverty and life on the garbage dumps.

During the performance the audience members became ‘spect-actors’ and replaced mentors and children to change an image, engage in discussion, or, act out a solution to a problem they had observed.

Picture of parents spontaneous performance 

Following the final performance the parents spontaneously performed for us, sharing their lived experience of poverty in Bujumbura. The forum event was thought-provoking, challenging and enjoyed by all. 

Mentors have two preparation days in July to work towards development of their own clubs in the neighbourhoods of Buterere – the project team wish them well. Special thanks to the mentors, children, young people and their families for their time and participation in this GCRF project. 

A complete set of pictures is shown below:

Improving Digital Inclusion Through Training

Kate Cunnah, Rosie Dunn, David Howe, Rebecca Platt, Jonathan Thorpe, Caroline White, Kevin Paulson, Emma Wolverson have produced:

Improving digital inclusion through training

Training people living with dementia/cognitive impairment and their carers in the use of digital technologies: a practical guide for group facilitators

Erasmus student MSc success

Ms Stephanie Jordaens successfully completed her MSc in Biochemistry and Biotechnology as an Erasmus Student, with Dr Barbara Guinn in Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Hull as her first supervisor (promoter) and Professor Viggo Van Tendeloo in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Antwerp as her second supervisor (co-promoter). Her thesis was titled ‘Identification and characterization of novel antigens in patients with adult B-acute lymphoblastic leukaemia’. Stephanie’s hard work has significantly contributed to the completion of a manuscript, which is now ready for submission for peer-review. Barbara travelled to Antwerp to support Stephanie during her defense on 27thJune, giving Barbara a wonderful opportunity to catch up with long-term collaborators in Belgium. Stephanie now hopes to undertake a PhD studentship in Antwerp having enjoyed her time in Hull.

Presentations by Deborah Rpbinson

Deborah Robinson Faculty Director of

Professional External Engagement, presented at the Bridlington Medical, Health and Social Care Academy award at East Riding College awards ceremony on Tuesday 2 July 2019. The Academy is about to enter in to its third year and is a joint venture between East Riding College, Headlands School, NHS and Social Care partners and the University of Hull. Pupils compete to gain a place in the Academy where they come together once a month to take part in activities that will inform, drive their interest and help them secure places at university in their chosen medical, health or social care fields. In September Bridlington School pupils will join the academy; increasing its numbers from 20 to 30 pupils. With the aim that these young people will become the future workforce in Bridlington area.

As chair of the Academy it was a great honour to recognise the efforts of pupils in the Academy; awards went to:

Academy Engagement Award-Isabelle Marshall- Headlands School

Isabelle has secured two offers to study medicine and hopes to join HYMS in September

Academy Engagement Award- Daisy Gunning- East Riding College

Academy Outstanding Achievement Award- Daisy Gunning- East Riding College

Daisy has accepted a place to study Mental Health Nursing at the University of Hull in September.

I wish them and the rest of the Academy pupils good luck for the 15 August (A level results day) and for the rest of their careers.

On Wednesday 3 July 2019 Deborah was invited to present at the ‘Partnership College Careers Information Day (Progression Conference)’ at the University of Hull, this was a great opportunity to provide update on the Faculty of Health Sciences portfolio for 19/20 and 20/21, our fantastic facilities, what a good programme looks like and how to make a successful application to University.

Using collaborative working to improve student attainment

Lisa Jennison, Paramedical, Perioperative and Advanced Practice along with Paul Chin, Library Skills Team; and Soolmaz Lashgary, Student presented at the University Learning and Teaching Conference held on Wednesday 26 June and delivered in a 30 minute workshop; Fiona Ware (Library Skills Team) and Benita Wilson (Lecturer in nursing) were instrumental in the teamwork required to achieve the results outlined within the abstract:

The aim of this workshop is to share an example of collaborative working, which resulted in targeted interventions designed to improve the students’ academic attainment. The workshop will include feedback from a student, with academic and skills team staff contributions. It will explore use of leadership and collaboration skills to:

• apply student feedback to enhance teaching and learning practices

• foster students self- management, critical and independent thinking skills

• enhance digital literacy and knowledge management.

With a cohort of 300 nursing degree students, this is a large module and students were not performing well in terms of attainment. Issues included negative student feedback on the assignment task and a significantly high number of summative assessment referrals (fails) of 52/282 final submissions.

Module data were reviewed from these sources: Module and External Examiner’s report, AMREP, MEQs, Mentimeter, PASS (Peer Assisted Student Service). The module leader was able to identify compounding issues including an overall problem with basic study skills. The module assignment consisted of a 4000-word essay. Students experienced difficulty in achieving the word count and meeting all of the assessment criteria. Population data shows a significant number of students are from the local culturally diverse area and some do not speak English as their first language.

In consultation with Fiona Ware (library skills team) 2 lectures were introduced, focusing on searching and referencing skills, with a formative Canvas quiz using multiple choice questions (MCQs) to underpin lecture content. Utilising Benita Wilson’s (lecturer) expertise, 2 workshops on academic writing were added to the timetable. The assessment was modified to a 3000 word assignment, with amended criteria based on PASS and MEQ student feedback. The ‘Mentimeter’ online tool facilitated student engagement and timely feedback.

Assessment results demonstrated that referrals/fails rates have been reduced from 18.4% to 13.2%. Grades within the 50-59% mark have increased from 36 to 71 submissions. Students reported positively on the addition of online module resources. It would appear that measures taken have improved both summative and formative student experiences, related to the assignment task. This is evident from both quantitative and qualitative data sources. Other programmes of study could potentially benefit from taking similar approaches to those outlined here.

Themes:

1. Exploring effective assessment and feedback practices that serve the following University of Hull Graduate Attributes;

a) Critical and independent thinking

b) Leadership and collaboration

c) Digital literacy and knowledge management

d) Communication

e) Self-management

2. Exploring the effective and productive use of student feedback in the enhancement of teaching and learning practices.

Twitter chat: Working to prevent suicide: the role of nurses and other healthcare professionals

Kirsty Fishburn writes:

This week’s EBN Twitter Chat is on Wednesday 3rdJuly (8-9 pm UK time) and will explore healthcare professionals’ roles and responsibilities in the prevention of suicide. For more details see this link.