By Kunal Chan Mehta, PR Manager 

From critical thought to community impact, FSB continues to champion research that matters. In a celebration of synergy and scholarship, FSB proudly hosted its Second Annual Research Conference under the theme: “Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Practice.” Held at FSB Croydon (London), the full-day event brought together over 60 students, academic staff and external professionals to explore contemporary challenges through applied research. 

Mr Mohammed Zaidi, FSB’s CEO, described FSB’s Research Centre as “an engine of innovation that brings together research experts to shape our shared future.” He praised the Centre’s alignment of theoretical knowledge with real-world impact across numerous sectors. 

The conference was co-chaired by Katarzyna Czech, Trainee Dean of Learning and Teaching and Moslem Boushehrian, Lecturer in Criminology and Acting Coordinator of FSB’s Research Centre. “It’s been fantastic to see so many people engaging in meaningful research,” said Katarzyna. “The turnout and energy throughout the day show how much potential lies ahead. I’m confident that many more achievements will follow as we continue to grow this annual event.” 

Mr Giedrius Zilionis, FSB Vice Principal, spoke passionately about the importance of research in academia. He highlighted how FSB’s strong research culture encourages both academic and professional progression. “It is always inspiring to see our students and staff contribute to meaningful conversations that link research to real-world practice,” he said. “The achievements of our Research Centre demonstrate FSB’s commitment to academic excellence and societal impact.” 

Mr Zilionis also awarded Certificates of Recognition to all presenters, honouring their contributions to knowledge and practice. 

Dr Ben Abudawood, FSB Croydon Dean, acknowledged the high calibre of presentations. “I am proud of both our academics and students for presenting such unique and insightful topics,” he said. “The discussions and debates have been thoughtful, engaging and reflective of the high standards we set at FSB.” 

Morning Presentations 

The keynote address was delivered by Alison Vincent, CEO of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, whose emotive presentation set a powerful tone. Sharing findings from 2023 on hate crime against members of alternative subcultures, she revealed that 87% of respondents had experienced in-person harassment and 56% had been physically attacked – yet nearly three-quarters had never reported these incidents. Her compelling call underscored the need to bridge the gap between research and societal change through policy advocacy and public education. 

Mr Moslem Boushehrian presented findings from his qualitative study of hate crime perception across 13 ethnic groups in England and Wales. Introducing the Integrated Hate Crime Perception Theory (IHCPT), he explored how social and legal literacy, perception of harm and cultural norms shape the reporting of hate crimes – prompting critical discussion on policy and safety. 

Dr Abolaji Azeez, Trainee Course Co-ordinator at FSB Digbeth, offered a historical analysis of divorce trends in the UK, exploring gendered and legislative dimensions, including insights into both heterosexual and same-sex marriages. His findings indicated that early divorces are particularly prominent among female same-sex couples. 

Paulina Meisel, MSc Digital Marketing student at FSB Digbeth, presented her research on The Impact of Social Media Influencers on Consumer Behaviour. Her engaging delivery sparked debate about digital ethics, generational psychology and evolving marketing strategies.

Jiahuan (Henry) Qian, Academic Support Coordinator at FSB Croydon, presented Students’ Experiences and Perceptions on Different Online Learning Platforms: The Cases of Rain Classroom and Blackboard Learn 2022. His timely research offered insight into how technology, user engagement and academic outcomes interact within the evolving digital pedagogy landscape. 

Afternoon Presentations 

Dr Nahanga Verter, Trainee Lecturer in Business at FSB Croydon, analysed the effects of international trade on agriculture in Nigeria, identifying both potential and peril. He cited policy inconsistencies, infrastructure gaps and the marginalisation of agriculture in favour of oil exports as key developmental challenges.
 

Dr Mahdi Faraji, Trainee Lecturer in Health at FSB Croydon, tackled healthcare staff shortages in high-income countries. His systematic review highlighted workforce burnout, migration and structural inefficiencies, while advocating for political commitment and global collaboration to support a multifaceted intervention strategy.
 

Mr Maher Fattouh, Academic Support Tutor and Librarian at FSB Croydon, shared a study on community-based mental health interventions in Southwest England. Drawing from expert interviews, he identified key barriers such as stigma and access issues and proposed culturally grounded tech-enabled solutions.
 

Ms Lucia Mocofanescu, MSc Digital Marketing student at FSB Digbeth, explored how Big Data and IoT are transforming e-commerce logistics. Her research highlighted their role in building customer trust and operational efficiency while flagging cybersecurity and legacy system challenges. 

Closing Remarks 

In his closing speech, Mr Zilionis, FSB’s Vice Principal, commended the diversity of topics and the depth of discussion. He praised the Research Centre for cultivating a vibrant space where academic excellence meets societal impact. 

It is through events such as this, and under the guiding ethos of its Research Centre, that FSB continues to bridge the academic and professional worlds, empowering its students and staff to become agents of change in an increasingly complex and interconnected global society. 

Editor’s note: We would like to thank Dr Ben Abudawood, FSB Croydon Dean, for helping gather commentary from FSB staff.  

For any questions, please contact the author, Kunal Chan Mehta, at kunal.mehta@fairfield.ac. 

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