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Probation, Technical Compliance and the 'Drowning' of Hope
Full text linkHope and optimism are central to processes of reform. However, in the context of the dramatic restructuring and reorganisations which the probation service in England and Wales has undergone in the past decade, there are questions over the extent to which such hopes are realisable. We seek to explore the of hope in transforming individuals lives away from engagement in crime. Via an analysis of interviews that were co-produced with people with experience of probation and undertaken with practitioners, those who have been supervised and those on ‘the edge’ of the criminal justice system, we find that peoples’ hopes can be categorised as deep or institutional hopes. We argue that many probationer’s and staff members’ ‘deep’ hopes were ‘drowned’ by bureaucratic, managerial and risk-focused cultures. There was evidence that probation staff wanted to instil a sense of hope in those that they supervise but that the current regime does not easily facilitate the creation and fulfilment of such hopes. We conclude by identifying ways in which probation could – given adequate resources and structures – become a more hopeful process for people under supervision
#SeAcabó: How a Mass-Mediated “Social Drama” Made Visible and Confronted (Subjective and Objective) Violence in Women’s Football in Spain
Full text linkThe victory of the Spanish national women’s football team at the 2023 FIFA World Cup was marred by the mass-mediated non-consensual kiss on midfielder, Jennifer Hermoso, by Luis Rubiales, then President of the Royal Spanish Football National Federation. The kiss sparked general outrage worldwide and led to the prosecution of Rubiales for sexual assault and coercion. Drawing on the concepts of “moral shock” and “social drama”, this article explores how this widely disseminated episode of “subjective violence” resulted in a shock capable of mobilising and politicising different agents. It does so through qualitative analysis of official statements and vernacular online discussions. The article makes the case that the unfolding of this social drama enabled more subtle (objective) violence, long endured by female athletes, to be brought into public discourse debate. In so doing, it boosted demands for social change. But such demands were also contested, in that the structured social drama resulted in an online “reactionary moral shock” characterised by anti-feminist and misogynistic discourses. Significantly, our analysis of these discourses reveals a shift in male victimisation narratives and strategies to disempower women and maintain sexual inequality. These include the denial of gender-based violence and the banalisation of sexual abuse
How to build Resilient Community Energy Systems? Lessons from Malawi and Ethiopia
Full text linkThis paper defines the notion of realising Resilient Community Energy Systems (R-CES) through community capital to withstand against unforeseen natural hazards, climate change induced risks and socio-political disruptions. It evaluates the interrelationship between different stages of CES project implementation with development of community’s resilience in the form of social, human, economic, physical and natural capital. This study employs empirical research by carrying out case study analysis of CES projects deployed in risk prone regions of Malawi and Ethiopia. Three CES projects, two in Malawi and one in Ethiopia have been examined through qualitative analysis of data collected through semi-structured interviews with CES project stakeholders. Case studies analysed the role of different stakeholders in planning, installation, and operation of projects and evolution of the community’s resilience during phases of project implementation. In-depth critical analysis of cases demonstrates, how community’s evolved resilience in different forms of community capital enables them to cope with unforeseen shocks/ disruptions encountered over the period of CES operation. Comparative analysis of cases proposed the novel R-CES framework defining seven key components of community capital to realise R-CES in practice. The proposed framework provides recommendations and best practices to CES project developers, managers and community representatives to implement CES projects in a way strengthening community capital to realise a resilient community and sustainable infrastructure
Optimising circular economy practices in construction: a systematic review of material management strategies
Full text linkPurpose Although circular economy (CE) principles are gaining increased attention, systematic understanding of material management strategies for effective CE transition in construction is still lacking. This review addresses this gap by examining global construction practices, focusing on waste reduction and recycled materials. The study identifies key material management strategies for optimizing CE practices, supporting an integrated sustainable approach in construction. Design/methodology/approach A bibliometric analysis of 17,600 papers published from 2015 to 2022 was conducted, leading to an in-depth investigation of 44 relevant articles. Systematic review revealed material management strategies such as on-site sorting, deconstruction planning, modular building, and reverse logistics which were evaluated using quantitative and qualitative comparative analysis. Findings China emerges as a leader in construction material management research, reflecting significant global interest. Key findings indicate that strategies like design for deconstruction (DfD), minimization at design, modular construction, achieve higher waste reduction while Building Information Modelling (BIM) and on-site sorting show lower cost-saving potential. This research uniquely validates the structural feasibility of most common recycled materials through qualitative comparative analysis of studies examined, emphasizing the critical role of CE design principles in sustainable construction. Practical implications The study validates circular design concepts like DfD, minimization of resource use at design, and modularization, which facilitate closed-loop planning. Circular construction systems are technically and economically feasible, underscoring the need for mass implementation. Recommendations on material management and transition strategies are provided for stakeholders based on CE principles. Originality/value This study synthesizes recent research on sustainable material management, uniquely validating recycled materials’ structural viability and comparing material management strategies for optimal waste reduction and cost savings. It emphasizes multi-stakeholder initiatives spanning policy, industry, and academia, providing practical insights to embed circular economy practices in sustainable construction
Stock market reaction to mandatory carbon disclosure announcements: The role of institutional investors
Full text linkWe examine the stock market reaction to mandatory carbon disclosure (MCD) announcements in the UK, the first country to mandate the disclosure of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by listed firms. Our analysis reveals that, while the overall market was not greatly affected, firms with high carbon intensity and substantial institutional ownership experienced negative abnormal stock returns. This effect persists–and even becomes more pronounced–for firms owned by long-term institutional investors and those from countries with strong social norms surrounding climate and sustainability. Additionally, we find that heightened institutional investor attention on announcement days amplified price pressure, leading to more negative stock returns for these firms. Collectively, our findings underscore how mandatory carbon disclosure announcements enhanced the salience of carbon information, prompting institutional investors to incorporate carbon-related considerations into their decision-making processes
Access to Healthy Built and Natural Environments and Physical Activity and Screen Time in New Zealand Adolescents: A Geospatial Cross‐Sectional Study
Full text linkThe built and natural environment can facilitate (un)healthy behaviors in adolescence. However, most previous studies have focused on examining associations between singular aspects of the environment. This study examined the association between the mixture of health‐promoting and health‐constraining environmental features in a Healthy Location Index (HLI) and physical activity and screen time among adolescents. This cross‐sectional study used data from the Built Environment and Active Transport to School (BEATS) Research Program based in Dunedin, New Zealand. Data from 1,162 adolescents with complete demographic, health behavior and spatial records were included in the analysis. The environment was defined using the HLI based on access to health‐promoting (e.g., greenspace, blue space, physical activity facility) and health‐constraining (e.g., fast‐food outlets) features and their mixture. Quantile g‐computation and multilevel mixed effects models, with adolescents nested within schools, examined associations between the environment and the two health behaviors. A positive association existed between meeting physical activity guidelines and access to health‐promoting environments (OR = 1.23 [95% CI 1.03; 1.47]), particularly blue space. In addition, the mixture of health‐promoting and health‐constraining environments was also important (ψ = 1.18 [1.01; 1.37]). However, there was limited evidence of an association between the environment and screen time. We provide evidence of a relationship between health‐promoting environments, the mix of health‐promoting and health‐constraining environments, and physical activity among adolescents. The findings support the hypothesis that the environment has the potential to positively influence healthy behaviors of youth, particularly when it comes to physical activity
Pathways to transform urban food systems: feminist action research from Cape Town and Nairobi
Full text linkThis paper offers a feminist reflection on the findings of an ongoing study of health and wellbeing associated with urban food security in Nairobi and Cape Town. It offers five pathways through which a strengthened informal sector can contribute to transforming urban food systems: identifying stronger entry points for institutionalized collaboration between local governments and community-based organizations; enhancing government capacities to collaborate with grassroots actors; the potential, and challenges, of controlled-environment agriculture; rethinking and shifting the regulatory environment surrounding the informal economy; and responding to detailed new data on the state of food security in South African informal settlements. Conducted in partnerships between the Urban Food Futures program and people who were permanently displaced during the colonial era, the study is informed by an emerging body of analysis that responds to the complex trauma of undernutrition, and approaches health as something far beyond an individual’s own somatic/bodily state of being. Participation in the study enabled communities living in a near-permanent state of precarity and food insecurity, in the absence of culturally appropriate and readily-available supports to mental health, to move beyond an isolated focus on food to explore feelings of psychic safety and security, and also environmental wellbeing, including access to clean air and water, decent and affordable housing, safe and dignified work, and freedom from violence of all forms
Cross-Platform Content Distribution Behavior: A Qualitative Analysis of YouTube Creator's Video Content on the Chinese Video Streaming Service Bilibili
Full text linkThis study investigates the practices of Western YouTube content creators’ cross-posting behavior, i.e., uploading their content on Bilibili—a Chinese video-sharing platform. A qualitative content analysis is employed to analyze videos of 14 popular YouTubers to compare the content of videos posted on both platforms. The findings indicate that the content differs for both platforms, possibly to accommodate Chinese viewers. The results show that Western YouTubers have made multiple changes to their original content before reuploading them to Bilibili, including the addition of Chinese subtitles, cut-out sponsorship content, shorter and translated descriptions, altered thumbnails and exclusive content for Bilibili. The results also show a less frequent uploading schedule on Bilibili than on YouTube. While existing studies have explored content creators’ cross-posting behavior within the same social media ecosystem, the study contributes to advancing our understanding of online creators’ content distribution practices across platforms in different cultural domains, especially in a Chinese-Western context
Comprehensive Analysis of MSpy within covert operations.
Full text linkThe rapid development of mobile technology is creating new opportunities for crime targeting smart devices and wireless networks, posing major challenges to public safety. Law enforcement must skilfully collect and present digital evidence in court to maintain its reliability and accuracy. The main topics of this research are the characteristics, applications, and effects of mobile spyware in law enforcement and intelligence operations. Through in-depth research, we explore the characteristics of mobile spyware and how they affect the integrity and recovery of forensic evidence. This study examines the latest advances in spyware technology and methods for collecting real-time statistics on calls, messages, images, social media interactions, and location data. Previous research shows that sophisticated mobile spyware often evades detection, making it easier to gather evidence. Such sophisticated spyware can challenge established forensic techniques by removing or altering important information. However, this study shows how effective cell phone surveillance and detective programs like mSpy are in tracking crimes and improving the quality of evidence collection. The results show how using the latest tools can lead to better detection and analysis. In addition, the research emphasizes the importance of approaches to solve the growing challenges of mobile devices. The study then provides law enforcement organisations and covert agents with useful information about the effectiveness of mobile spy apps and programs like mSpy in crime prevention. By using this cutting-edge technology, law enforcement agencies can greatly improve the efficiency of their investigations and ensure the integrity of digital evidence used in court
