3483 research outputs found
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Eighteenth-Century Day Excursions: Finding Authority in the Narration of Brief Visits and “A Diversity of Objects”
Full text linkThis article argues that a focus on the day excursion as a particular form of journey, with its inherent limits in relation to scale, distance, and duration, enables us to bring recent critical thinking on microtravel as a form with “foundations in the depth or intensity of description” into dialogue with scholarship that has given sustained attention to modes of descriptive practice that were specific to eighteenth-century British literature and the narrative representation of interior domestic space. The three English travellers under consideration are John Loveday (1711–1789), Dorothy Richardson (1748–1819), and Caroline Lybbe Powys (1738–1817). All made numerous home tour journeys of different kinds but never published their records of their travelling in their lifetimes. All displayed sustained interest in interior description, whether that was for the purpose of antiquarian research, as was the case with Loveday, and to some extent, Richardson, or as a means of collecting, arranging, and performing domestic aesthetic sensibility, as in the writing of both Richardson and Powys. The small local journeys analysed here speak of privileged leisure: the accounts offer experimentation in the narration of journeys made within limits, but those limits are rarely of opportunity. Yet these young travellers still negotiate authority: in the practice of day excursioning, and in writing up those experiences, we see each traveller utilising this compact form to find opportunities for self-assertion, employing the formulaic structures of antiquarian record and country house catalogue in order to articulate an independent curatorial voice
Dissecting climate adaptation strategies and planning of ports from different theoretical angles
Full text linkAs the key nodes of globalization and international business, ports are exposed to the impacts of climate change, mainly because of their locations, including low-lying areas, coastal zones, and deltas. While there is increasing research on climate adaptation strategies and planning of ports, there is a lack of works that explain how scholars address the topic from different theoretical angles. This paper fills this gap by dissecting climate adaptation strategies and planning of ports from four main perspectives, including institutional systems, path dependence, supply chain risk management, and stakeholder management. It is a germane reminder to port decision-makers that effective climate adaptation is not limited to engineering technicalities but is an ideological issue that requires shifting existing political, economic, and social paradigms. Towards the end, we propose a process of effective adaptation planning to climate change impacts by ports
Assessing vessel pollution risk in Asian areas: A comparative analysis based on data-driven Bayesian Network approach
No full textVessel emission is gradually becoming one of the major sources of environmental pollution in Asian areas such as the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and Southeast Asia (SEA). Accurate identification of vessels with high pollution risks can effectively control their emissions. This research develops data-driven Bayesian network models to assess vessel pollution risk in GBA and SEA regions through a novel machine-learning methodology. A comprehensive analysis based on the newly proposed ‘pollution risk index’ reveals the key variables affecting vessel pollution risk, as well as similarities and differences between two regions. Furthermore, managerial implications are provided to help different coastal authorities better control vessel pollution, i.e., the pre-assessment of vessel risk before onboard inspections and the formulation of specific regulations targeting vessels with high pollution risks. This research provides a good reference for assessing vessel pollution risks, controlling vessel emissions and ensuring environmentally friendly navigational waters in GBA and SEA areas
The Context for Evangelism – Online or in Person? A Discourse Analysis of Young People’s Perspectives about God and Faith
Full text linkAt a time when children and young people are eminently engaged in the online world, it is key to investigate their perceptions and understandings in order to establish the context for evangelism amongst them. This phenomenological study gathered data using focus group discussions with 51 young people aged 7 to 16 years old. Discourse analysis illuminated some key areas of focus for evangelistic strategies to be more informed and hence more effective
Misrecognition or recognition? A critical discussion of care experience as a protected characteristic
Full text linkThe work critically discusses the basis for enshrining care experience as a protected characteristic. Including care experience as a protected characteristic was a recommendation in an independent review, and now several local councils have voted to adopt this as policy. Despite this, there has been little discussion by social workers and academics of the extent to which care experience fulfils the criteria of having a stable definition, evidence of historical and enduring discrimination, and whether such legislative changes have been discussed with the care-experienced population. This research discusses the current evidence base, with reference to academic and grey literature, and finds that there is some fulfilment of the three tenets underpinning the UK Equality Act 2010. Crucially, while this is a means for care-experienced people to be legally recognised, there is a danger that without consultation, this could lead to misrecognition. Recommendations are made to improve the evidence base
A "Different Kind" of Wisdom in Family Matters
Full text linkHave you heard the word ‘antigypsyism’? It refers to a specific form of racism and discrimination directed at Romani and Traveller communities, as well as others who are stigmatised as “Gypsies”.For centuries, antigypsyism has shaped the harmful assumption that there exists a community living outside the mainstream, often unseen, unheard, and reluctant to engage with authorities. It frames these communities as rejecting conventional structures and societal norms; as “self-contained peoples” with their own rules and traditions, often seen as resistant, impenetrable, and fundamentally “other”. Despite persistent efforts to control, integrate or assimilate them, the distinct languages, cultures and traditions of many Romani and Traveller families have endured. It is for this reason that antigypsyism continues to position them as existing outside the accepted social order
Digital Methods
No full textHow do we analyze digital spaces? What methods are appropriate? In part due to ever-evolving digital platforms and geographies the answer to this question is not an easy one. Even more challenging, is the related query: how do geographers intervene into these spaces? In this chapter we suggest feminist political geographers have a lot to offer here. First, we provide an overview of feminist long-standing contributions in this field. We then go on share our co-designed ‘app-annotations’ as a practical method that geographers – especially students – might experiment with and repurpose in their own studies of digital worlds. We show how these tools can be effectively mobilized collectively and in community-oriented ways. Grounded in praxis, we map out a methodological process that aims to be accessible and low-tech to work in a way that foregrounds affective responses and is responsive to ‘digital divides’ (Sieber, 2006)
Enhancing Learning for the Future: A Document Analysis of Serious Child Safeguarding Case Reviews with Romani and Traveller Communities in England
No full textIntegrating document analysis with the core principles of critical social research, this study aims to dig beneath the surface of historically specific social structures of child welfare services. Analysing the descriptive content presented in thirteen Serious Child Safeguarding Case Reviews, reports published after the death or serious injury of a Romani or Traveller child in England, this study shines a light on how the child welfare system worked, including how ideology and the presence of reciprocated feelings of fear and helplessness concealed the processes that contributed to the harm that was experienced. Seeking to extend a detailed analysis of the strengths and weaknesses in policy, procedure and practice, the paper concludes by reflecting on valuable learning points for child protection professionals working with Romani and Traveller children, families, and communities
Wellbeing Matters: Exploring teachers' experiences of wellbeing in UK Further Education
Full text linkThe UK Government has expressed a commitment to the wellbeing of teachers in all sectors of education (Department of Education, 2021) and while teachers themselves have a passion for their profession, they also experience symptoms of significant stress and depression (Health and Safety Executive, 2021). This is of particular note in Further Education where they report high levels of anxiety and the lowest levels of positive wellbeing (Education Policy Institute, 2020). Much attention is paid to the professionalism of teachers and the privileging of institutional management systems and government mandates, such as accountability and performative measures. Less is paid to the working lives and wellbeing of those who often work in challenging circumstances. This study therefore sets out to explore the wellbeing experiences of six teachers in one institution of Further Education (UK)
An Integrated Wireless Video Robotic Aerial System for Emergency Real-Time Monitoring
Full text linkEmergency scenarios are becoming more and more demanding for the National Health Services and for emergency operators such as Police and Fire-Fighters. In this context the rapidity and efficiency of the interventions are mandatory skills. We leverage on current technologies to propose an integrated system where conversational interaction with a Machine Vision System can provide a specific behavior to a mobile vehicle combined with a flying drone in order to execute a specific task such as, for example, having the drone following an operator while intervening in the emergency (i.e. earthquake, fire, flooding, etc.). The paper investigates the use of video object detection using a DJI Mavic Air Drone for real-time applications. The object detection system is provided by CGI Machine Vision, detecting objects and people from live footage. The aim of the proposed architecture is to provide an integrated solution for streaming a live video feed from a camera drone to an edge device running CGI Machine Vision to prove the concept of vehicle-based drones to provide aerial situational awareness to emergency operators and law enforcement officers. The paper presents the design, implementation and testing of the system, as well as the successful proof of concept and real-world demonstration. The research gave positive results and demonstrated the capability, along with recommendations for further refinement and next steps