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Collaborative penetration testing suite for emerging generative AI algorithms
Get PDFGenerative artificial intelligence systems remain vulnerable to sophisticated cyber threats and the emerging challenges posed by quantum computing. This study proposes and evaluates a new penetration testing suite to address quantum security concerns. The suite integrates dynamic and static application security testing (DAST and SAST) using OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite, SonarQube, and Fortify to detect and resolve vulnerabilities across application lifecycles. Real-time monitoring through interactive application security testing (IAST) with Contrast Assess near-real-time analysis facilitates pre-emptive remediation and remediation of insecure data handling and encryption flaws. Blockchain-enhanced logging, implemented via Hyperledger Fabric, provides tamper-proof and auditable records of all security activities. Furthermore, quantum-resistant cryptographic protocols, including lattice-based cryptography and RLWE, safeguard against quantum decryption threats, validated through simulated quantum attack scenarios. AI-driven red team simulations emulate adversarial and quantum-assisted attacks, uncovering vulnerabilities overlooked by traditional methods. Key results include the identification and remediation of over 300 vulnerabilities, a 70% reduction in high-severity issues within two weeks of testing, and a 90% resolution efficiency for blockchain-logged vulnerabilities. Quantum-resistant protocols exhibited strong resilience under adversarial conditions against simulated quantum attacks, achieving secure API encryption and data transmission. This research establishes a new protocol for securing generative AI systems, combining advanced tools, methodologies, and industry-tested methods
Just a tick box exercise? The perceived role of personality assessments in recruitment and selection
No full textThis qualitative study investigated the perceived role of personality assessments in recruitment and selection from both candidate and hiring manager perspectives, with a focus on comparing the United Kingdom (UK) and Turkey to explore any differences between the two unique cultural contexts. The study also examined any challenges associated with translation and/or interpretation, as well as the potential impact, if any, of personality assessments on selection decisions. We conducted semi-structured interviews with eight participants, comprising three from Turkey and five from the UK, with a 50/50 split between candidates and hiring managers. Reflexive thematic analysis was the appropriate approach for data analysis, and we generated four themes: (1) "It's not personal": it can be an emotive process and feel impersonal for candidates, (2) Overthinking happens: for both candidates and managers, especially in a competitive recruitment environment, and could impact decision making, (3) The "dangers" of interpretation: success depends on the interpreter's capability, feedback quality, and how the results are used, and (4) Communication is crucial: it can make or break the candidate experience and perceived fairness, with a consensus amongst participants that personality assessments could be perceived as "just a tick box exercise". Suggestions for future research and practical contributions are discussed, along with the study's limitations
The pressure to be 'fair and lovely': Exploring the contributing factors to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating among South Asian women and girls in the UK
Get PDFLittle is known about culturally relevant factors contributing to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating among British South Asians, despite data indicating a high prevalence of eating disorders in this population. This study explored contributing factors to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating among young British South Asian women (n = 15). One focus group (n = 3) and semi-structured interviews (n = 12) were conducted online with South Asian women aged between 18 and 29 (Mage = 21.6 years). Participants were recruited through charity social media channels and community groups as well as via an eating disorder treatment pathway at a London NHS Trust. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we generated themes reflecting risk factors which were then situated on a macro-level (e.g. colourism, targeted public health campaigns), meso-level (e.g. cultural meanings of food, religion), and micro-level (e.g. pubertal timings and PCOS) framework. Based on our findings, we identified ways to develop more culturally sensitive body image interventions and eating disorder prevention strategies and provide insights to support eating disorder treatment modifications for South Asian women in the UK. Further, we highlight a need for community-based initiatives to raise awareness and overcome stigma associated with body dissatisfaction and disordered eating within South Asan communities. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.
Behind the badge: Addressing organizational and operational stress in policing mental health
Get PDFPolice officers in the UK and Ireland experience comparable mental health challenges, largely due to workplace culture and repeated exposure to trauma. Poor management, bullying, and lack of organizational support contribute as much to mental health challenges—if not more—than traumatic incidents themselves. Police forces must prioritize structural and cultural changes, not just individual interventions, to better support the mental health of their members
Big data innovation and implementation in projects teams: Towards a SEM approach to conflict prevention
Get PDFPurpose: Despite an enormous body of literature on conflict management, intra-group conflicts vis-à-vis team performance, there is currently no study investigating the conflict prevention approach to handling innovation-induced conflicts that may hinder smooth implementation of big data technology in project teams. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses constructs from conflict theory, and team power relations to develop an explanatory framework. The study proceeded to formulate theoretical hypotheses from task-conflict, process-conflict, relationship and team power conflict. The hypotheses were tested using Partial Least Square Structural EquationModel (PLS-SEM) to understand key preventive measures that can encourage conflict prevention in project teams when implementing big data technology. Findings: Results from the structural model validated six out of seven theoretical hypotheses and identified Relationship Conflict Prevention as the most important factor for promoting smooth implementation of Big Data Analytics technology in project teams. This is followed by power-conflict prevention, prevention of task disputes and prevention of Process conflicts respectively. Results also show that relationship and power conflicts interact on the one hand, while task and relationship conflict prevention also interact on the other hand, thus, suggesting the prevention of one of the conflicts could minimise the outbreak of the other. Research limitations/implications: The study has been conducted within the context of big data adoption in a project-based work environment and the need to prevent innovation-induced conflicts in teams. Similarly, the research participants examined are stakeholders within UK projected-based organisations. Practical implications: The study urges organisations wishing to embrace big data innovation to evolve a multipronged approach for facilitating smooth implementation through prevention of conflicts among project frontlines. This study urges organisations to anticipate both subtle and overt frictions that can undermine relationships and team dynamics, effective task performance, derail processes and create unhealthy rivalry that undermines cooperation and collaboration in the team. Social implications: The study also addresses the uncertainty and disruption that big data technology presents to employees in teams and explore conflict prevention measure which can be used to mitigate such in project teams. Originality/value: The study proposes a Structural Model for establishing conflict prevention strategies in project teams through a multidimensional framework that combines constructs like team power conflict, process, relationship and task conflicts; to encourage Big Data implementation
Creative hub impact report: A live testbed for community-led high street renewal
No full textThis impact report documents Co Lab, a community-led “meanwhile use” activation of the vacant former Wilko unit on Leighton Buzzard high street, developed by Culture Co:LB and South Side Studios CIC as a live testbed for arts-, culture- and enterprise-led regeneration. Set against a UK policy environment increasingly supportive of temporary high-street occupation (including recent planning reforms and the introduction of High Street Rental Auctions), the study positions Co Lab as a practical prototype for how vacant retail assets can be converted into civic infrastructure that builds belonging, supports local enterprise, and generates evidence to inform local place strategy. The research covers June–August 2025, comprising six weeks of set-up followed by six weeks of activity. Using a mixed-method, place-based design co-authored with the community, the study triangulates engagement metrics, financial and in-kind contributions, participant surveys, interviews with key stakeholders (including councillors, an MP, founders and volunteers), and operational documentation (e.g., visitor books, forms, social media diaries). The central evaluation questions assess: participant value and experience; the breadth of activity enabled; enabling conditions; barriers; and what is now needed to sustain and scale the model. Findings indicate substantial social and economic value generated in a short timeframe. Over the first six weeks of programming, 1,863 people participated, 694 volunteer hours were contributed, and 11,000 sq ft of high-street space was brought into active use. The programme hosted 51 activities spanning 17 activity types (from workshops and early-years sessions to heritage displays, arts studios, digital production and large-scale community events), with evidence of new cultural outputs and collaborations emerging through co-location. Survey results suggest strong repeat intent and social connectivity outcomes: 98% of respondents would visit again, 81% met new people, and participants reported reduced isolation and increased belonging. Social value was estimated at £74,566.86 using National TOMs 2022 proxy values, reflecting outcomes linked to healthier, safer and more resilient communities. Economically, Co Lab leveraged £68.6k of combined in-kind and financial investment, including c. £59.9k in-kind support, alongside earned and grant income (c. £5.8k in earned income, £3k grants, and cash donations), while spending c. £5.9k locally on set-up and running costs and building a £2.8k reserve. Reported spillovers include increased footfall and higher sales for nearby businesses during high-attendance events, and evidence that 85% of surveyed respondents supported local businesses during their visit. The report attributes delivery success to cross-sector collaboration (community organisations, local businesses, a private landlord, and Central Bedfordshire Council), including the council’s waiver of business rates for the CIC and the development of a council “Meanwhile Provision Process” to streamline future temporary-use decisions. Key constraints are also identified: short-term tenure that limits forward booking and income stability; administrative and regulatory friction; lack of rapid prototype funding; and reliance on sustained unpaid labour. Recommendations focus on: formalising integrated cross-sector frameworks; improving transparent access to vacant assets; reforming local regulation (notably around rates and short-term social value uses); and creating rapid seed-funding mechanisms to enable early-stage activation and evaluation at pace
Sarah Whitehouse creative teaching and learning history topics: Is it time to ditch the old favourites?
No full textThis article considers alternatives to favourite topics such as the Great Fire of London and Florence Nightingale at Key Stage 1. The concept of significance is explored and Partington's criteria will be applied to a number of key individuals and events. The use of challenging primary sources will be discussed and then linked to how they can be used to explore significant individuals and events who represent the changing shape of society in the United Kingdom
The impact of a rising wage floor on labour mobility across firms
No full textIn April 2016, the National Living Wage (NLW) raised the statutory wage floor for employees in the United Kingdom aged 25 and above by 50 pence per hour. This uprating was almost double any in the previous decade and expanded the share of jobs covered by the wage floor by around 50%. Using a difference‐in‐differences approach with linked employer–employee data from the UK's Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, we examine how the introduction and uprating of the NLW affected the likelihood of minimum‐wage employees changing firms. We find some evidence that the NLW reduced the rate of job‐to‐job transitions among such workers, consistent with predictions that an increase in the wage floor discourages job search. However, we find no evidence that the NLW affected differences in job mobility between minimum wage workers and their co‐workers in the same firm. Together, these findings suggest that the increased wage floor made quits less attractive to minimum‐wage workers in firms with limited opportunities for progression
Current understanding and uncertainties associated with climate change and the impact on slope stability: A systematic literature review
Get PDFThis study provides a systematic literature review on the current understanding and uncertainties related toclimate change and its impact on slope stability, a critical issue in civil engineering and disaster management.Climate change disrupts precipitation patterns, increases soil saturation, and alters vegetation dynamics, significantly affecting slope stability. The review, supported by bibliometric analysis, offers a comprehensive overviewof existing knowledge, highlighting key uncertainties and their implications for slope stability.A detailed search of the Scopus database identified 881 relevant research articles published between 2000 and2023, with 172 publications selected after rigorous screening. Emerging keywords from the literature indicate agrowing focus on high-impact research areas, such as the relationship between climate change and slope stability.The study underscores the critical role of heavy rainfall, especially in clayey soils, in causing slope instability dueto increased pore-water pressure and reduced shear strength. Additionally, slope geometry, precisely height andangle, is vital in stability assessments under extreme weather conditions.It was suggested that Seepage analyses help predict changes in pore-water pressure, informing timely slopestability interventions while heavy rainfall increases pore-water pressure in clayey soils, lowering shear strengthand raising landslide risks. Urbanisation and deforestation exacerbate slope instability. The issue of sustainableland management practices, such as reforestation and responsible urban planning, are essential to mitigateclimate change impacts and stabilize slopes to addressing these combined natural and human-induced risks.From the analysis, a typical design safety threshold is FOS >1.0, which indicates stability under most conditions. It is demonstrated from this study that slopes steeper than 30 frequently show FOS <1.0, highlighting ahigh risk of instability, hence proper drainage measures and slope reinforcement are crucial for steep slopes tomitigate failure risks, as excess water can lead to pore pressure build-up, reducing effective stress and shearstrength. Steep slopes (30) should be reinforced using retaining walls, soil nailing, or vegetation with deep rootsystems to enhance stabilit