Södertörns högskolas Publications
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Blockchain solutions for generative AI challenges in journalism
No full textThis study aims to identify and assess AI and blockchain solutions in relation to journalistic authenticity and integrity. Central to our exploration is the role of blockchain technology in verifying content provenance. As a key component of a global Web3 framework, blockchain could offer a foundation for authenticating the origins of content. In this article, we explore how blockchain, with its capacityfor creating immutable and cryptographically signed data records, could be applied by journalists to verify photos, videos and documents. Our analysis identified nine blockchain-based solutions for content verification, with three platforms–Attestiv, OriginStamp, and Fact Protocol–showing particular promise for journalistic workflows. We conclude that while AI and blockchain solutions are currently available to journalists today, they require high-level technical expertise. Many media companies are now venturing into this field as well, thus affecting the professional role of journalists in general. In our study, it is evident that integrating AI and blockchain in journalism is not merely about adopting new tools but also about understanding their broader implications for journalism as a profession and the convergence in society. The focus must remain on enhancing journalistic integrity and public trust to ensure that these technological advances benefit thefield of journalism and, by extension, the democratic processes it supports
3000 Years of past regional and local land-use and land-cover change in the southeastern Swedish coastal area : Early human-induced increases in landscape openness as a potential nutrient source to the Baltic Sea coastal waters
No full textReconstructions of past land use and related land-cover changes at local and regional scales are needed to evaluate the potential long-term impacts of land use on the coastal waters of the Baltic Sea. In this purpose, we selected the Gamleby area at the Swedish Baltic Sea coast for a case study. We use a new, high resolution pollen record from a small lake (Lillsjön) located 3.6 km NNW of the bay Gamlebyviken and detailed analysis of the available archeological data to reconstruct local land-use changes over the last 3000 years. To estimate land-cover change at local (2–3 km radius area) and regional (50 km radius area) scales we use four additional, published pollen records from two small and two large lakes (25–70 km S of Lillsjön) and the Landscape Reconstruction Algorithm, a pollen-vegetation modeling scheme. Results show that regional and local (small lakes Lillsjön and Hyttegöl) land-cover changes are comparable over the last 1500 years (Late Iron Age to present), and that landscape openness was much larger locally than regionally (difference of 20–40% cover over the last 500 years). The periods of largest potential impacts on the Gamlebyviken Bay from regional and local land use are 200–950 CE (Late Iron Age) and 1450 CE to present, and of lowest potential impacts 950–1450 CE. The question on whether the large landscape openness 1150–50 BCE and significant afforestation 50 BCE–200 CE reconstructed for Lillsjön’s area are characteristic of the Gamlebyviken region will require additional pollen records in the catchment area.
The Undead Queer : A queerstudy between Carmilla (1872) and Interview with the Vampire (1976)
No full textIn this essay, the works Interview with the Vampire (1976) by Anne Rice and Carmilla (1872) by Sheridan Le Fanu will be placed together and compared via close reading, and discussed alongside queer theory. The focus is to find similarities and contrast between these two vampiric tales as well as discuss how the queer element is shown. The main questions with this text will be; How is the queerness portrayed in the texts and what is the difference between them? There will also be a discussion about male versus female homosexuality and how this is portrayed in the texts. The point of this study is to show how similar grounds can culminate into different outcomes with the vampiric origin accounted for. The result showed a clear difference between the two texts, but also some similarities. The vampire stays queer in both
Managing multi-functional peri-urban landscapes : Impacts of horse-keeping on water quality
No full textEutrophication assessments in water management to quantify nutrient loads and identify mitigating measures seldom include the contribution from horse facilities. This may be due to lack of appropriate methods, limited resources, or the belief that the impact from horses is insignificant. However, the recreational horse sector is growing, predominantly in multi-functional peri-urban landscapes. We applied an ecosystem management approach to quantify nutrient loads from horse facilities in the Stockholm Region, Sweden. We found that horses increased the total loads with 30-40% P and 20-45% N, with average area-specific loads of 1.2 kg P and 7.6 kg N ha-1 year-1. Identified local risk factors included manure management practices, trampling severity, soil condition and closeness to water. Comparisons of assessment methods showed that literature standard values of area-specific loads and water runoff may be sufficient at the catchment level, but in small and more complex catchments, measurements and local knowledge are needed.This study was enabled by the financial support from the foundation Thureus Forskarhem och Naturminne, BalticSea2020, BalticWaters and Formas.</p
Etik och true crime : En narratologisk analys av nya aktörer på podd-marknaden
No full textDe nya true crime poddarna på den svenska marknaden har under flera år varit under lupp och blivit kritiserade för att de inte förhåller sig till de journalistiska publicitetsreglerna och publicerar innehåll om fall där de anhöriga till offret förekommer i ljudklipp från rättegångsförhandlingarna, utan att ha blivit informerade om sin medverkan innan. Denna studies övergripande syfte är att utifrån en jämförelse mellan en ny aktör inom true crime, och ett mer etablerat mediehus, utröna i vilken mån de faktiskt förhåller sig till publicitetsreglerna , och hur de båda aktörerna använder sig av fiktionella element för att bygga ett narrativ utifrån verkliga händelser. För att göra detta har vi som teoretiskt ramverk använt oss främst av kommersialiseringsteorin och olika begrepp inom narratologi. Den metod som har använts har varit en kvalitativ innehållsanalys med narratologisk ansats. Resultatet visar att det råder stora skillnader i hur de två aktörerna förhåller sig till publicitetsreglerna, och även i hur vid utsträckning de använder sig av narratologiska verktyg, som mixning, klippning, musik och ljudeffekter för att bygga det narrativ som avsnitten utgör
Work-life balance initiatives’ impact on perceived employee performance : A qualitative study of hospitality organizations
No full textWork-life balance (WLB) is becoming a topic of focus for management, employees, HR specialists and wellness coordinators due to its association to the health, wellbeing and performance of employees. In line with this, the aim of the study was partly to study which initiatives exist for a balance between work and private life in hospitality organizations and partly how employees and managers, respectively, experience its impact on performance. Furthermore, the aim was to find out which strategies, according to employees' and managers' perceived experiences, can enable hospitality organizations to achieve improved employee performance from work-life balance initiatives. The study employed qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews as the data collection tool and thematic analysis. Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory of Motivation-Hygiene was used as the theoretical framework to aid in the analysis of the findings. The findings revealed a positive relationship between WLB initiatives and perceived employee performance in hospitality organizations. Moreover, the study indicated that managers had a positive attitude towards WLB implementation as they alluded that WLB help to improve employees’ performance because it helps employees manage their roles in a better way without stress and burnout. These initiatives (such as paid leaves, work breaks, and flexible scheduling) were found to contribute positively to the performance of employees in terms of increasing their productivity as they help employees to manage their roles in a better way without any stress. The study concluded that the hospitality organizations can enhance work-life balance through the creation of various HR policies, flexible scheduling, paid time off for child care, paid maternity leave, fitness centers, counseling, and training sessions as well as implement programs such as workshops and seminars on time management, stress reduction, efficient job management among other things
The stick, the carrot or the sermon : on the conditions to steer for change
No full textThe forest is attributed a key role in a green societal transition. Even though the climate benefits of the forest are already significant, the forest's contribution must further increase according to the Paris Agreement. In the interdisciplinary project Route to Paris, we investigate the potential of Swedish forests to contribute to a climate-neutral society. The research program is based on close collaboration with stakeholders who want to participate in developing innovative concepts that can stimulate climate-smart forestry. This work is intended to provide an initial overview of the research that the project will encompass and lay the groundwork for dialogue among stakeholders
The fragile relationship work : A study of after school teachers’ methods and experiences
No full textThe purpose of this study is to shed light on how school-age educare teachers' reason about their work in order to include all students in after-school education based on students' different conditions and needs. Issues touched upon and discussed in this study are school-age educare teachers' views on inclusion, pedagogical strategies and methods, and challenges that school-age educare teachers identify with inclusion work. This is a qualitative study and we have used semi-structured interviews to collect our data material. We have visited two different schools and interviewed four trained educare teachers with greater responsibility within the operation. We analyzed the collected material through a relational perspective. The results were divided into three different themes that answer our questions. In the result it appeared that the school-age educare teachers agree that it is important to work for and find alternative approaches to include all students in the activities. They also agree on the importance of being a responsive and engaged adult in social contexts and of actively building relationships with the students. When it comes to challenges, the experiences differed, we saw obstacles such as poor cooperation, staff shortages, guardians' resistance to diagnoses and religious reasons, among other things
” Look what I’m saying, teacher!” : Exploring the relationship between aesthetic expression in theater and nonverbal preschool children
No full textI in this study aim to investigate the connection between aesthetic expression in theatre and nonverbal communication among preschool children, grounded in Vygotsky's artefact and mediation theories. Theatre, with its rich visual and performative elements, serves as a medium for artistic expression and imaginative exploration. Within early childhood education, understanding how theatre influences children's nonverbal communication skills is essential for promoting children development and social interaction. Lev Vygotsky’s theories of artefacts and mediation provide a valuable framework for examining the role of theatre in children's socioemotional development. Artefacts, such as costumes, props, and stage settings, serve as cultural tools that scaffold children's learning and cognition. Theatre acts as a mediating artefact that facilitates children's exploration of emotions, roles, and relationships through dramatic play and performance. Theatre can provide an environment where children can experiment with these nonverbal communication skills in a supportive and creative context. I seek to elucidate how exposure to theatrical experiences impacts the nonverbal communication abilities of young children. By examining the perspectives of educators working closely with young children, this research aims to uncover nuanced understandings of how aesthetic experiences in theater contribute to the development and learning of preschoolers
AI Tools in the Classroom: Reforming Teaching or Risking Tradition? : Unveiling English Teachers’ Perspectives on AI Tools in Language Teaching
No full textThis study investigates the growing integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in educational settings, specifically focusing on detecting AI-generated content in students’ English essays. As AI technologies like ChatGPT and Gemini become more prevalent, understanding their impact on education is crucial. This research aims to identify the linguistic features that lead English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers to suspect AI involvement in student work. By conducting semi-structured interviews with eight EFL teachers from lower upper secondary and high schools, the study examines their experiences and perspectives. Using the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK) framework, the study analyzes the crossing of technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge, highlighting the opportunities and challenges AI presents in contemporary education. The findings show the dual role of AI as both a beneficial tool for improving learning and a challenge to maintaining academic integrity. Despite the limitations, such as the evolving nature of AI, the research highlights the need for teachers to balance the benefits of AI with preserving authentic student work. Future research directions include exploring more effective AI detection methods and understanding the long-term impact of AI on students’ critical thinking skills