Open Access Journals at Aalborg University
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Improving the sustainability and durability of performance swimwear through consumer knowledge and usage habits
Get PDFAs with any sport, the desire to progress in swimming by any means is unending. There are constant advancements being made in the textile technology of performance fabrics, with most technologic developments being focused on synthetic fabrics. Synthetic fibres, such as polyester can take from 20 up to 200 years to degrade and can release a range of chemicals having a detrimental effect on the planet (Uren, 2024). This paper explores performance swimwear's environmental impact and proposes solutions for both industry and users. Key issues include the reliance on synthetic fibres, fabric deterioration, and insufficient consumer knowledge about reducing environmental impact and extending garment longevity.
The study begins with a comprehensive literature review, which dissects the issues at hand and begins to deliberate possible solutions. Gaps in knowledge were identified and addressed through a series of qualitative interviews to gain first-hand insight from consumers and users of performance swimwear. The findings suggest that consumer knowledge around aftercare is insufficient. There is a lack of communication from brands on this subject, as well as a reluctancy from consumers to seek out this information. Thus, the common areas of wear and lack of knowledge on aftercare result in premature disposal of swimwear. The suggestion of designing for emotional durability presents a potential solution to increasing the longevity of swimwear. In addition to this, implementing upcycling schemes could reduce environmental impact and improvements in aftercare, such as improved communication and access to information is recommended.  
Not Just Luck: Uncovering the Secret Skills and Expertise of Second-hand Shoppers
Get PDFIn this paper, we study second-hand shopping as an expertise that can be practiced. While second-hand markets are rapidly growing, consumers still find it difficult and challenging to purchase second-hand, as the shopping experience is messier, complex and unpredictable. We investigate the process of skill acquisition to understand the skill development of shopping second-hand. Based on 14 interviews, this research illustrates a progression in second-hand shopping behaviors as individuals gain experience. This study categorises second-hand shopping expertise into six levels, highlighting distinct behaviors and strategies. We find: 1) Novices are overwhelmed, lack confidence, and rely entirely on others to assess quality and price. 2) Initiates show a narrow focus on specific products and apply external expertise but struggle to broaden their scope. 3) Apprentices use structured strategies, targeting pre-researched items and avoiding unstructured second-hand environments. 4) Journeymen demonstrate proficiency within selected product categories, researching brands and quality indicators to compare items with nuanced criteria. 5) Experts possess deep but abstract knowledge of product quality and durability, allowing them to identify high-resale potential items without prior research while maintaining frequent, informed engagement with second-hand markets. 6) Masters showcase comprehensive expertise, relying on intuition, ingrained knowledge, and fast-browsing techniques to navigate diverse product categories effortlessly. These findings offer a framework for improving second-hand shopping skills across expertise levels. 
Behavioural rebound effects and secondary benefits of sustainability-oriented design: Two sides of the same coin?
Get PDFDespite the growing body of research on the role of rebound effects (RE) in offsetting potential environmental gains, understanding of secondary benefits (SB) remains limited. SB are induced behavioural or systemic changes triggered by sustainability-oriented design that strengthen, rather than offset, potential environmental gains. To address this gap, this study aims to uncover the underlying behavioural mechanisms with the aid of a systematic literature review. A total of 59 relevant articles has been selected, resulting in the identification of 17 behavioural SB mechanisms. The mechanisms are clustered into five categories: identity, consistency, efficacy, goals, and motivation. For each mechanism, a definition, explanatory quote, moderator list, and source overview is provided. Although each mechanism is unique, similarities in mediators and moderators suggest an interconnected rather than isolated nature. An evaluation of the research trends indicates an increased number of examined interventions. Nevertheless, limitations regarding the diversity of interventions, the intention-behaviour gap, and self-report bias remain. After interpreting the results, potential connections between SB and RE mechanisms are addressed. This study concludes with three recommendations for research to develop a comprehensive understanding of SB mechanisms. Ultimately, this understanding could contribute to achieving the full environmental potential of sustainability-oriented design and preventing RE
From time waster to time saver - AI in everyday life: Ways to more efficiently manage tasks with AI
No full textKunstig intelligens er ikke længere fremtid – det er nutid. Vi undersøger, hvordan AI kan spare tid, øge effektiviteten og gøre avancerede analyser tilgængelige for flere. Med cases fra vores Geonote Opgavestyringssystem præsenteres konkrete værktøjer som "opgave-Tinder", gruppering og fletning af opgaver, og en analytisk AI-assistent. Samtidig diskuteres de etiske og lovgivningsmæssige udfordringer ved brugen af borgerdata og AI med fokus på at sikre ansvarlig brug og skabe værdi for både brugere og borgere.Artificial intelligence is no longer the future – it is the present. We explore how AI can save time, increase efficiency and make advanced analytics accessible to more people. With cases from our Geonote Task Management System, specific tools such as "Task Tinder", grouping and merging of tasks, and an analytical AI assistant are presented. At the same time, the ethical and regulatory challenges of the use of citizen data and AI are discussed with a focus on ensuring responsible use and creating value for both users and citizens
Strand 1: Pedagogy and Design: The Relationship Between Educational Theory & Research and Networked Learning Practice
No full textWith the recent national initiatives around lifelong learning, particularly the National Grid for Learning, we are seeing in the United Kingdom the opening up of a broad consultation around educational change in which we can begin to draw on the experiences of the many networked learning pilot programmes scattered across various sectors of education and training
Accelerating Solar Power Generation to Achieve India's Net-Zero Goals: A Factor-Based Study
Get PDFThe commitment of India towards net-zero emissions, as announced at COP26, has led to remarkable transformations in its power sector. Despite being rich in diverse energy resources, India holds substantial potential for solar power generation, which is believed to play a crucial role in its journey toward net-zero emissions. Even though some states of India have achieved great milestones in the solar energy generation, still the progress seems insufficient and there exist regional imbalances. This shortage and imbalance may be attributed to various factors including fiscal, geographical and political elements. From the panel data analysis to identify the most influencing factors of solar power generation across 15 states, the cost of solar modules and the land availability were found to be the major drivers. Hence, through further investigation, the study suggests altering the existing scheme, especially PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana to ensure real monetary benefits for individuals through rooftop solar systems; progressive subsidy rates; zero-tax for solar modules; and introduction of district-level green land banks tailored for solar energy projects
Reconstruction in Dance Somaesthetics
Get PDFThis essay considers the relationship between contemporary concert dance, somaesthetics and dance studies. It begins by discussing the original somaesthetics disciplinary proposal, focusing on how the methodology outlined therein pertains to work in dance studies. The second section briefly surveys existing literature on dance somaesthetics, and the third discusses two strategies that will help make such work more conversant with contemporary dance and related scholarship
Desire and Eroticism on the Stage of Pal Frenak
Get PDFAbstract: Since 2018, I have been a philosophical consultant for the Compagnie Pál Frenák, and recently a dramaturg (Cage[1], Spid_er[2], Fig_Ht[3], Secret_Off Man, Crazy Runners – Parad_IS_e[4]). Simultaneously with my research on somaesthetics, I became familiar with Frenák's unique organic movement system, which developed from the sign system of the deaf and hard of hearing, and became a completely individual means of expression over decades. Since Frenák, the best-known choreographer of Hungarian contemporary dance, thinks of Deleuze's philosophy as a point of alignment, the Abécédaire of Deleuze and the aesthetics of Shusterman both played a role in my 2022 book about him (Horvath 2022). However, Frenák is an autonomous creator who never uses the books he reads as a concrete reference, rather he just extracts the essence of what he reads and takes inspiration from them by placing them in a totally different context.
Anyone familiar with Frenák's works knows that his central theme is the libidinal energy that controls people—he researches how to express erotic radiance, repressed desire or the resonance that exists or never develops between people. Frenák opens something up to audiences, and they are either drawn in or pushed away. Frenák's native language is sign language, due to his deaf mother. In the world of the deaf and hard of hearing, only continuous and intense attention can be natural - perfect knowledge of this medium and communication system adds the most special plus to Frenák's somatic style. Frenák's work is special because since childhood he has been experimenting with a language of movement unique to him, with which generations of dancers have been able to identify in joint productions over the decades. But his art is much more than that. He was able to do what very few people do: he constantly builds and enriches the unique world in which certain themes, motifs, and emotions regularly appear.
It is only the harmony between the body and the soul that is capable of representing the homogenous artistic style that has characterized Frenák’s style for decades. Maybe that is partly why we feel that his pieces are the various manifestations of a homogeneous whole and are not isolated choreographies despite their fragmented nature.
In my study, I examine how Frenák digs into the depths of human nature. How does it touch on the myth of marriage or love triangles? How can such a feeling be realized on stage, when two figures are not even touching, yet we know, we feel in our guts, that they belong together. Frenák is not satisfied with portraying superficial relationships, and he does not care about patterns and norms. He is a diver delving into the depths of the soul frightened of itself, a soul that has to grapple with itself to overcome its fears and its own shadows. During the investigation, the question arises whether it is possible to put into words the erotic experience that art can only partially show? “The philosopher can speak of everything he feels. Erotic experience will commit us to silence” says Bataille in Eroticism (Bataille, 1962, p. 252.). That is the advantage that art has and that is why the feeling that the protracted saying of the word “Silence” in Frenák’s pieces (e.g., in The Hidden Men) may convey. Philosophy is unable to free itself of language and, what Bataille considers the most important, “it uses language in such a way that silence never follows”, the silence of that last moment where consciousness forsakes you (Ibid, p274.). The atmosphere of Frenák's plays can reproduce exactly those states of mind in which awareness fails, where there is nothing left but silence or madness. The question is therefore given, how to grasp passion rendered with artistic corporality from the perspective of somaesthetics.
[1] trailer: https://hu.frenak.hu/cage
[2] trailer: https://hu.frenak.hu/spider
[3] trailer: https://hu.frenak.hu/fight
[4] trailer: https://hu.frenak.hu/crazyrunner
Playful Somaesthetic Technology Practices.: Characteristics, Conditions, and Frameworks across Arts, Games, and Augmentation.
Get PDFThis paper explores playful instances of somaesthetic technology practices. Based on a multiple case study strategy, a preliminary framework will be provided for playfulness in technology practices which are focused on somaesthetic experience, appreciation, and transformation. To illustrate the understanding of playful somaesthetic technology practices, three selected cases are introduced (Alternative Game Controllers, Medical Performance Art, Human Tail Augmentations), their playful features defined, and their conditions of practice analysed
Teaching Gender Equality through Serial Drama: A Case Study of Irish Education
Get PDFIn Ireland, there is increasing and well-founded concern about how media could be negatively shaping young people’s attitudes towards gender equality, especially the role of social media in propagating an anti-gender backlash among young males. If today people live ‘in’ rather than ‘with’ media, it is important to address gender issues through and in media. This article presents findings from secondary school teacher interviews and student focus groups conducted in Ireland as part of the GEMINI research project to explore the possibilities of teaching gender issues through television serial drama. Teachers report challenges like curriculum limitations, a lack of teacher training, a fear of anti-gender backlash, and poor media literacy development. Furthermore, while some media literacy education was taught, teaching of serial drama is virtually non-existent in Irish secondary schools. Overall, the student’s interest in serial drama rarely extended to Irish shows, with Normal People, The Young Offenders and Derry Girls being the exceptions. These three Irish serial dramas provide rich and varied material for teaching issues such as youth sexuality, gender stereotypes and queer representation to students. Finally, drawing from GEMINI’s online toolkit of teaching resources, the project’s “GMN Triangle” will be used as a visual paradigm to illustrate how key sequences from the series Normal People can be analysed by focusing on the three core teaching modes of media literacy, narrative devices, and gender issues