Self-isolation tips

From Ellen De Korte

Our researchers, supervisors and partners across Europe are all finding their way through this new reality. Ellen De Korte, based at the University of Bradford, has shared some insight into how she plans to work and live during the lockdown period in the UK.

I start my day with a 15-minute power yoga workout. While we are still able to go outside for an hour, I plan to walk to the nearest park if I can over lunchtimes. In order to maintain a bit of structure and combat loneliness, I make a schedule of whom I speaking to (either on the phone or video-conferencing) on a nice Yorkshire themed calendar

Ellen has also shared a picture of her “home office” set-up.

Ellen De Korte home office set-up

DyViTO Workshop 2019 in Cappadocia

We are beyond grateful to Professor Huseyin Boyaci and his team at the University of Bilkent not just for organising an event to host the consortium but for choosing such a fascinating location like Cappadocia.

Fairy chimneys in Cappadocia

Cappadocia holds wonder everywhere you look. From the carved layers of volcanic tufa, shaped by wind and water that are the fairy chimneys to the beautiful fertile lands of the Pigeon Valley, strewn with orchards and grapevines. Wondering up to Uchisar Castle, imposing and dividing in opinion.

Uchisar Castle in Cappadocia

All the while, Mount Erciyes is looming in the distance, a snow covered giant. All this landscape is mixed within a historical region that was a melting pot of cultures and beliefs, from ancient Hatti culture to Romans and Christians.

Mount Erciyes in the background

All DyViTo members are looking forward to learning more about this beautiful and magical region. Although we have a very busy week with some of the best speakers in the field attending hosted at the Argos Hotel, there is always time for tea.

Turkish tea on the terrace of the Argos Hotel

DyViTo Day 2 - A Day at the Museum

Day 2 saw us being welcomed by the Science and Media Museum, promising a full day of expert training and wondrous science. 

The outside of the Science and Media Museum

As soon as you enter the space you know that you will be in for a day of adventure. The space is expertly renovated to welcome you into the marvelous world of science and media. I say renovated not built because the original building was not conceived as a museum space. The 1960’s the space was envisioned to be a cinema. Even though the museum has undergone many name changes and it looks fairly different now, the cinema areas are still there. They even had the first IMAX cinema in Europe.  

Our day started with a warm welcome from Jo Quinton-Tulloch, Director at National Science and Media Museum. As part of the Science Museum Group, who are DyViTo partners, they are the worlds most significant group devoted to science.

Jo Quinton-Tulloch welcoming the DyViTo team to the Science and Media Museum

Of course, we couldn’t go the Science and Media Museum without spending some time in the Wonderlab. Not enough time, if you ask me, but we had a schedule to keep. We even had the opportunity to observe the museum staff in action: we got to sit in on a school visit at the Wonderlab Studio. Not only was Liz, the presenter-extraordinaire, inspiring and energetic but she was able to keep the children engaged throughout.

Having air canons helped as well.

Some of the DyViTo team learning about air canons in the Wonderlab Studio

Alas, in no time at all we had to leave the Wonderlab. However, the museum staff had one more trick up their sleeve.

We had the privilege of taking a peak at some of the items in the museum storage. From the camera that was used to film the iconic Bohemian Rhapsody intro, to the Daily Herald archives and rows upon rows of classic cameras, everywhere you looked there was something fascinating. Our expert guides made sure we understood the innovative nature and, in some cases, the breakthrough designs that helped shape the world of media and photography we now know.

Three photos including a selection of cameras kept in the storage room, the DyViTo team getting a tour and the camera used to film the into of Bohemian Rhapsody

It was not all fun and games, though. We heard about the work that the museum does in order to engage the community in Bradford. John Darnbrough, Learning Programmes Developer, spoke about the various outreach work that the museum undertakes. The Family Programme alone can have over 30 thousand visitors across the event. 

John Darnbrough talking about the Family Programme at the Science and Media Museum

Robin Dark, Partnership and Learning Projects Manager, spoke about the Bradford Science Festival. Their approach to taking the science outside of the museum to Broadway Shopping Center and Centenary Square means that learning has never been more accessible. As Jo Quinton-Tulloch put it “We don’t lecture, we inform and inspire”.

Robin Dark talking about the Bradford Science Festival

Last, but by no means least, Professor Candy Rowe was kind enough to give a talk about Gender and Diversity in Research. Coming all the way from Newcastle University she was able to start a very spirited conversation around the theme of “Why should we care about equality, diversity and inclusion”. 

Professor Candy Rowe doing a talk on Gender and Diversity in Research

You will agree that Day 2 was intense. There was nothing left to do but blow off some steam with the quintessential yule-tide pastime, Christmas crackers.  The Midland Hotel was kind enough to host us for dinner over a festive menu and cracking crackers. Pardon the pun. 

The DyViTo team at dinner at The Midland Hotel

DyViTo Day 1 - Welcome to the University of Bradford

Our eagerly anticipated week has begun!

Our guests have been coming in from across our network, some have come from Germany while others from Spain and Netherlands. This week marks the first meeting for most of the Early Stage Researchers, their Supervisors and our Partners.  

Having almost everyone from across the DyViTo project in one room really made it clear just what a great team of passionate and driven individuals we have working with us.

It was also the perfect opportunity to put some faces to the email address! 

Even though we have a lot to cover this week, we tried not to overload anyone with information on their very first day. Professor Marina Bloj started the day with a talk about DyViTo while Dr Andrew Logan, 
Lecturer in Optometry, spoke passionately about Open Access.  

Dr Andrew Logan giving a talk about Open Access at the University of Bradford.

Even though Day 1 did set a tone for the rest of the week, which will include training, seminars and talks, we did not forget that this is also an opportunity to introduce everyone to the city of Bradford. Ans this can only mean one thing. Curry!

Bradford is considered by many to be the ‘Curry Capital of Britain‘, a title they have won six times between 2011 and 2016. You cannot come to Bradford and not try a curry. Are you in the mood for a Pakistani or a Kashmiri take? Will it be a tikka masala or a rogan josh? This is one of those moments that may put you in a tailspin. Thankfully, Omar Khans came to the rescue. They were able to organise a banquet menu that introduced us to some of the most famous, an delicious, Asian dishes. Team building and networking is definitely better over expertly prepared curry. And when the table goes quiet, you know that the food is good. 

The DyViTo team having their first taste of the famous Bradford curry at Omar Khan’s

Spotlight - University of Bradford

Picture of the University of Bradford sign and campus

Situated on top of the hill looking over Bradford, the University prides itself on being a world-leading technology institution. With a rich history of cutting-edge research across various disciplines, the DyViTo Project finds its home within the Bradford School of Optometry & Vision Science.

The Bradford School of Optometry & Vision Science research group comprises a cohesive, multi-disciplinary approach to investigating vision and visual perception to address important research questions.

The group continues to build on over 35 years of vision research at the University. Research embraces a broad range of disciplines including; ophthalmology, optics, ocular imaging, machine vision, psychophysics, biomechanics and visual neuroscience. There is a big emphasis on research across all faculties at the University of Bradford, as the below infographic shows.

uob research

Research Output Infographic detailing the amount of papers and citations across all faculties at the University of Bradford

The University of Bradford may have gotten the Royal Charter in 1966, officially establishing it as the institution we know today, but its origins date back to as early as 1832. Currently, University of Bradford has a lot to be proud of. For example, did you know:

  • 96% of research and innovation was deemed internationally significant in the REF 2014
  • The university was recognised for the excellence of our teaching with the award of Silver under the Teaching Excellence Framework in 2017
  • They have been named the 4th greenest campus in the world (2nd in the UK) in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2017
  • The University have been ranked in the UK top 10 for Occupational Therapy,Physiotherapy, Optometry & Ophthalmics, and Medical Technology by The Complete University Guide 2018

More information here

The DyViTo Project at the University of Bradford is comprised of Professor Marina Bloj, Professor of Visual Perception, Dr Andrew Logan , Lecturer in Optometry, Ellen De Korte, Early Stage Researcher and Olga Ovsepyan, Project Manager.