Open Access Journals at Aalborg University
Not a member yet
6616 research outputs found
Sort by
CREATE-ing New Perspectives: A Transformative Learning Approach to Sustainability in First-Year Engineering Education
Get PDFThis paper examines how integrating challenge-based/problem-based learning (CBL/PBL) with creative expression triggers perspective transformation in first-year engineering students' understanding of sustainability. The Crafting Resourceful Engineering and Artistic Transformations for Education (CREATE) project, framed by Mezirow's Transformative Learning Theory, used artistic creation as a disorienting dilemma to challenge preexisting assumptions about engineering's role in sustainability while developing ECSA Graduate Attributes.
Funded by South African Society for Engineering Education (SASEE), the project engaged students with SDGs through four interconnected assessments: individual essays and presentations, group artistic artifacts and TikTok videos. First-year engineering students consulted with a Fine Arts student on project designs, creating interdisciplinary collaborations that challenged traditional engineering paradigms.
Longitudinal survey data revealed evidence of perspective transformation aligned with Mezirow's theory. Students progressed from viewing sustainability as isolated technical problems to understanding it as interconnections between society, technology, and environment. This shift was evident in their enhanced ability to communicate technical concepts while considering broader societal implications—a key indicator of transformative learning in engineering education
Rewiring from Within: Exploring how Participation in Curriculum Development Impacts Engineering Academics Professional and Personal Well-being
Get PDFAddressing complex global challenges requires more than technical solutions; it demands an integrated approach involving economic, environmental, and social dimensions. Engineering education is a driver for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but transformative engineering education requires a ‘shift of consciousness’ and focus on socio-emotional development. Our project developed a process called 'Clear,' rooted in Theory U for systemic transformation in engineering education and applying meta-patterns to support shifts in personal perspectives. The process enables engineering educators to slow down and explore fundamental questions about identity, purpose, and response-ability, which are essential precursors to effective engagement with complexities of developing an engineering curriculum. This approach is particularly relevant for developing innovative engineering curricula in South Africa and in comparable low- and middle income settings transforming away from inequality to justice. The study aims to explore how focusing on intrapersonal transformation, through the 'Clear' process, can facilitate systemic change in engineering higher education. Specifically, it explores personal awareness and development as foundational intrapersonal capacities to enable broader curriculum shifts. Research assistants conducted online interviews with 34 engineering educators engaged in the 'Clear' process. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive thematic analysis to understand the participants' experience during and after the ‘Clear’ process. The analysis revealed themes such as the importance of community, the need for balanced reflective practice, and the interplay between intrinsic and extrinsic motivations for change. Participants highlighted the role of networking and the complexities of building learning communities, with their narratives showing evidence of both professional and personal well-being as a result of participating in the curriculum intervention. These insights suggest that individual transformation is crucial before addressing larger institutional goals, aligning with the principles of the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) framework. This work-in-progress suggests that integrating IDGs, such as “Being” into academic development can create a foundation for innovative, student-centred curricula. Future research will explore how individual attributes - such as career phase, personality, and socio-cultural values - shape engagement with systemic transformation efforts. 
Building Bonds: The Transition from Teamwork to Friendship in Engineering Education and its Influence on the Well-being of Female Students
Get PDFThis paper explores the lived experiences of female students implementing collaborative project/problem- based learning (PBL) within undergraduate engineering programmes at TU Dublin, in Ireland. The paper emphasises the significance of teamwork in promoting meaningful connections among students that can result in gender inclusivity.
Drawing on a longitudinal dataset of 32 interviews with 13 female engineering students, the research adopts a phenomenological approach to investigate how team dynamics evolved over time. The findings reveal that early challenges often led to feelings of exclusion. However, as peer trust developed, many students transitioned from feeling isolated to forming meaningful friendships, especially with other women. These friendships provided emotional support, mutual recognition, and academic motivation.
The findings reveal that developing such friendships helped students feel valued and understood, navigate gendered barriers, and promote persistence in the engineering discipline. Through this lens, we gain insights into the dynamics of teamwork and its interplay in shaping students' emotional well-being.
This study underscores the need for greater institutional efforts to support peer connection and inclusive team environments. Ultimately, this research advocates for a culture of care within engineering education that prioritises inclusivity and emotional well-being as essential components of student success. 
Sources of Dependence and Non-Profit Business Model Trajectory: Evidence from Lyon e-Sport
Get PDFPurpose: This article uses a dynamic approach to analyzing the role of resource dependence on the BM trajectory of a non-profit organization. Non-profit organizations are particularly dependent on access to external resources and advanced partnerships to create, deliver and capture value. Because they have little or no control on these external resources, this dependence may influence the business model orchestration and its evolution over time.
Design/methodology/approach: Based on an in-depth case study of a major French e-sport association, the qualitative methodology relies on 15 semi-structured interviews and a large amount of secondary data covering a period of 12 years (2011-2023).
Findings: This article identify various types and intensities of the sources of dependence that shape the BM trajectory. It specifies this influence on the mechanisms of value creation, proposition, and capture and describes the dynamics of reinforcement or reduction of dependence, according to the strategic actions deployed.
Practical implications: The article encourages non-profit organizations to consider addiction as a positive phenomenon, in order to structure their value logic and acquire a short-term reputation. In the medium term, dependence needs to be controlled and rebalanced as the BM continues to grow.
Originality/value: The originality lies in the use of resource dependency theory to analyze the BM trajectory. Knowing that the BM is theoretically grounded in the resource-based view, this this view of dependence contributes to better understand the internal and external factors influencing a BM's evolution process
Kapacitet i den afkortede cykelsti: Artikel
No full textet nyt studie af Jensen & Sørensen (2025), som er støttet af Cykelpuljen, undersøges, hvordan afkortede cykelstier i signalregulerede kryds påvirker kapaciteten og fremkommeligheden for både bil- og cykeltrafik – især med fokus på at dokumentere, hvordan forskellige faktorer som trafikmængder, ankomstfordeling og vejgeometri påvirker trafikafviklingen og trafikantadfærden. Til studiet er der udvalgt i alt 10 lokaliteter med afkortet cykelsti i Aarhus og København, som er analyseret med video. Med udgangspunkt i analyserne er der udviklet en praktisk model, hvormed der kan beregnes en forventet belastningsgrad i en afkortet cykelsti ud fra bl.a. trafikmængde, grøntid, omløbstid og cykeltrafikkens ankomstfordeling.Overordnet set viser studiet, at cyklister generelt er gode til at tilpasse sig den givne trafiksituation. Når der opstår kø i højresvingsbanen, vælger mange cyklister således at trække ud til venstre i svingbanen eller køre op på fortovet – begge dele for at komme hurtigere frem. Fortovscykling ses især ved høj trafikbelastning, og hvis der er mange tunge køretøjer i svingbanen. Det er vurderingen, at den faktiske fremkommelighed for cyklister kun i mindre omfang forringes i en afkortet cykelsti, idet mange cyklister finder måder til at komme uden om en eventuel bilkø. Omvendt forringes cyklisternes oplevede fremkommelighed, da både øget utryghed og trængsel kan give cyklisterne en følelse af et ringere serviceniveau og sikkerhed.For biltrafikken gælder, at bilernes fremkommelighed i høj grad påvirkes af cykeltrafikken – både i starten af svingbanen, hvor biler og cykler skal flette, og i selve krydsområdet. I flettepunktet kan tæt cykeltrafik dels forhindre biltrafikken i at komme ind i svingbanen, dels øge følgetiden mellem bilerne, hvilket reducerer både hastigheden og kapaciteten. I krydset er et stigende antal cykler og gående ensbetydende med højere følgetid og øget forsinkelse – særligt i starten af grøntiden.I litteraturen vurderes afkortet cykelsti generelt som et trafiksikkerhedsmæssigt godt tiltag, som dog kan føre til øget utryghed samt forringe den oplevede fremkommelighed for cyklister. Med udgangspunkt i nærværende studie vurderes den faktiske fremkommelighed dog at være acceptabel, selv ved høj trafikbelastning – bl.a. fordi cyklister ofte "overhaler" biltrafikken. Samlet set er det vurderingen, at den negative effekt på fremkommeligheden for cyklister ikke er så entydig, som hidtil antaget.Løsningen med afkortet cykelsti har både styrker og svagheder. Det er en trafiksikkerhedsmæssig god løsning, men anvendelsen kræver nøje overvejelser i forhold til cyklisters tryghed og tilfredshed. Valget af krydsløsning for cyklister bør derfor (fortsat) bero på en afvejning mellem de tre parametre: Sikkerhed, tryghed og fremkommelighed – dog nu mest af alt på en vægtning af trafiksikkerhed og tryghed
Trafiksikkerhedsarbejdet i Aarhus Kommune – Praktisk anvendelse og betydning af skadestueregistrerede ulykker: Artikel
No full textAarhus Kommune arbejder løbende med at forbedre trafiksikkerheden i kommunen. Dette omfatter en lang række aktiviteter herunder fysiske forbedringer på kommunens veje og stier. Aarhus Kommune har et særligt fokus på lette trafikanter, hvilket både omhandler at få flere til at gå og cykler, og samtidig at forbedre trafiksikkerheden for disse trafikantgrupper.Aarhus Kommune har i en længere årrække samarbejdet med skadestuen i Aarhus (akutmodtagelsen) om udvidet registrering af trafikskadede, som kommer ind på skadestuen. Det betyder, at Aarhus Kommune udover information om de politiregistrerede ulykker som noget unikt også råder over data om skadeskueregistrerede ulykker i kommunen. Disse skadestueregistrerede ulykker er bl.a. blevet stedfæstet, og findes via Uheldsportalen let tilgængelig sammen med de politiregistrerede ulykker. Dette gør det muligt at lave samlede f.eks. temaanalyser og udpegninger af ulykkesbelastede lokaliteter, som er baseret på både politi- og skadestueregistrerede ulykker. Dette er særligt nyttigt, når analyserne omhandler ulykker med lette trafikanter, som er underrapporteret i den officielle ulykkesstatistik
The Resignalling Challenge: Investigating the Possibilities and Limitations of a New CBTC Signalling System on the Copenhagen Metro : Artikel
Get PDFThis study explores the feasibility and advantages of implementing a Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system on the Copenhagen Metro. As urban rail transit faces increasing passenger demand and the impending obsolescence of its current signalling system, CBTC emerges as a promising solution to enhance operational efficiency. Through microsimulation, the study compares the existing system with CBTC, focusing on key performance indicators such as headway adherence, running time reliability, and delay management. Results demonstrate that CBTC significantly improves service reliability, capacity, energy efficiency, and operational robustness. Additionally, the study identifies Vanløse station as a critical bottleneck in capacity utilization, which can be alleviated through CBTC deployment. This research underscores the potential of CBTC to transform urban rail systems, providing insights into its application in brownfield projects
Drivers of the Sustainability Performance of Induction Stove Conversion Program in Indonesia
Get PDFIn 2022, Indonesia initiated a pilot project to transition from liquid petroleum gas (LPG) stoves to induction stoves, targeting 8.2 million households by 2025. While LPG is considered a clean cooking fuel by the World Health Organization due to its low PM2.5 emissions, this program aims to further reduce CO2 emissions from cooking activities, aligning with Indonesia's clean energy transition and 2060 Net Zero Emission goals. Throughout the program, doubts and criticisms arose among various sectors of society, particularly concerning the sustainability of this program. This research aims to determine and analyze the driving factors that support the sustainability of the induction stove transition program. Five sustainability aspects, namely, economic, social, environmental, technical, and institutional, were analyzed. A total of 315 Indonesian citizens participated as respondents in this research survey. The Partial Least Squares - Structural Equation Model (PLS–SEM) method was utilized as the analytical approach for the study. The results revealed that nine factors significantly influenced program sustainability, with the strongest impacts from technology costs (path coefficient = 0.859), contextual factors (0.803), electrical infrastructure (0.792), and community perception (0.773). Economic sustainability was driven by technology costs and business opportunities (0.643), while environmental sustainability was strongly influenced by electrical infrastructure. Post-installation support (0.307) and financial management (0.391) significantly impacted technical and institutional sustainability respectively. These empirical findings improve previous research on the sustainability of an energy transition program, which provides insights for researchers and stakeholders in the energy management field, especially in developing countries, for policy determination and decision-making
How does the water flow? And does data follow it? Hydrometric data from streams and near-surface groundwater in the same format makes it easier to use digital tools.
No full textKlimatilpasning og effektiv håndtering af oversvømmelser kræver præcise og tilgængelige data om vandstand og vandføring. Danmarks Miljøportal har i samråd med GEUS, KL og Miljøstyrelsen samt de private firmaer WatsonC, DRYP og WSP udviklet et IT-system for vandstand, vandføring og grundvejspejlinger. Systemet gør det muligt at sammenstille data fra forskellige loggere i nær-realtid.
Systemet understøtter myndigheder som DMI og kommuner i deres arbejde med at udarbejde oversvømmelsesvarsler og implementere klimatilpasningsplaner. Det muliggør også en bredere anvendelse af data, som oprindeligt blev indsamlet til specifikke formål, såsom stoftransportberegninger og grødeskæring, og det lukker op for nye løsninger på samfundsplan.
I takt med, at grundvandet stiger og klimatilpasningsproblemerne vokser, er det essentielt at have adgang til integrerede data om både vandløb og grundvandspejlinger. Det nye system understøtter kommunernes og forsyningernes arbejde med disse udfordringer, og gør det muligt at dele data effektivt på tværs af offentlige myndigheder. Derudover åbner systemet for udvikling af kommercielle IT-løsninger, der kan hjælpe med at tackle fremtidens klimatilpasningsudfordringer.Climate adaptation and effective flood management require accurate and accessible data on water levels and water flow. In consultation with the Danish Geological Survey (GEUS), the Danish municipalities association (KL), and the Danish Environmental Protection Agency as well as the private companies WatsonC, DRYP, and WSP, Denmark's Environmental Portal (DMP) has developed an IT system for water levels, water flow and groundwater level measurements. The system makes it possible to compile data from different loggers in near real time.
The system supports authorities such as the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) and municipalities in their work to prepare flood warnings and implement climate adaptation plans. It also enables a broader use of data that was originally collected for specific purposes, such as mass transport calculations and crop cutting, and it opens up new solutions at the societal level.
As groundwater rises and climate adaptation problems grow, it is essential to have access to integrated data on both watercourses and groundwater level measurements. The new system supports the work of municipalities and utilities on these challenges, and makes it possible to share data effectively across public authorities. In addition, the system opens up the development of commercial IT solutions that can help tackle future climate adaptation challenges
Problem-Based Learning (PBL): How Does it Affect the Speaking Skills of Introvert and Extrovert Students?
Get PDFProblem-Based Learning (PBL) fosters student engagement and enhances the learning process through active problem-solving. However, limited research has explored its specific impact on the speaking skills of students with varying personality traits. This study investigates the influence of PBL on the speaking proficiency of introverted and extroverted students at Fatmawati Sukarno State Islamic University, Bengkulu. Using a comparative experimental design, 40 students were categorized as introverts or extroverts based on a validated personality questionnaire. PBL was implemented through structured group activities, including identifying real-world problems, researching solutions, brainstorming ideas, and presenting findings. These tasks targeted critical speaking skills such as fluency, confidence, organization, and clarity. Pre-test and post-test assessments of speaking performance provided quantitative data, analyzed using paired and independent t-tests. Results revealed significant improvements in speaking proficiency for both groups, with extroverted students showing greater gains than their introverted peers. The findings highlight the potential of PBL to improve speaking skills across personality types and underscore the importance of tailoring PBL activities to accommodate diverse learner traits. This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating the adaptability of PBL for optimizing speaking skill development in higher education contexts