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The Social Impact of IoT in Disasters
Get PDFDisasters, both natural and man-made, pose significant global threats, causing loss of life, economic damage, and social disruption. The rising frequency and severity of such events highlight the urgent need for effective disaster management. The Internet of Things (IoT) offers transformative potential to meet these challenges, particularly by improving early warning systems, enhancing emergency responses, and facilitating post-disaster recovery. This paper explores the role of the IoT in disaster management, highlighting its architecture and applications. It covers benefits such as improved response times, enhanced resource allocation, and reduced casualties, while also discussing challenges namely communication reliability in harsh environments, data security, and standardization issues. Additionally, the paper emphasizes the need for region-specific solutions, particularly in areas like Chongqing and Sichuan in China, which confront unique geological and meteorological risks, suggesting approaches for future research
Development of automated computational methods for the redesign of protein dynamics using biomolecular simulations and machine learning
Get PDFThis thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonProteins are responsible for almost all biological mechanisms, and their three-dimensional structures and dynamics define their function. In recent years, outstanding advances have been made in protein design. However, redesigning protein dynamics to achieve desired properties or states remains a significant challenge in computational protein design. This thesis addresses this gap by introducing three novel toolkits—MDSubSampler, MDAutoMut, and MDAutoPredict—developed to integrate biomolecular simulations with machine learning for the automated redesign of protein dynamics.
MDSubSampler is designed to preprocess and a posteriori subsample molecular dynamics simulations, preserving critical dynamic information while reducing noise and data complexity. Its application demonstrates effective noise reduction and compatibility with machine learning workflows, validated using adenylate kinase as a model system. MDAutoMut automates mutation generation, simulation, and analysis, facilitating systematic identification of mutations that have a desired impact on protein dynamics. This toolkit successfully identifies mutations on adenylate kinase structure shifting dynamics towards a closed conformation, validated by literature benchmarks. MDAutoPredict extends the workflow by using machine learning models to predict conformational states from molecular dynamics data, offering an adaptable framework for dynamic state prediction.
These contributions represent an advance in computational protein design, providing scalable, automated solutions for mutation engineering and dynamic prediction. The toolkits are modular, extensible, and integrated with well-consolidated libraries, ensuring broad applicability across protein engineering challenges. This research highlights the potential of combining biomolecular simulations with machine learning to redesign protein dynamics and sets the stage for future innovations in computational biology.EPSRC DTP (grant no. EP/T518116/1). This project made use of time on HPC granted via the UK High-End Computing Consortium for Biomolecular Simulation, HECBioSim (http://hecbiosim.ac.uk), supported by EPSRC (grant no. EP/R029407/1)
Who gets to have a voice? A comparative analysis of traditional and subversive white saviour narratives in fiction
Get PDFThis thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonThis PhD thesis, Who Gets to Have a Voice? A Comparative Analysis of Traditional and
Subversive White Saviour Narratives in Fiction, investigates the enduring presence and
evolving forms of the white saviour trope in contemporary literature. It comprises a critical
study and a creative component: The Grand Scheme of Things, a novel that interrogates
institutional bias through the story of two friends who fabricate their connection to a hit
play in order to expose the inequities of the British theatre industry.
The critical component traces the legacy of white saviour narratives from canonical texts
to recent fiction that consciously subverts or destabilises the trope. Through close textual
analysis, this thesis compares traditional narratives that reinforce white moral authority
with those that complicate or satirise the trope to reveal underlying structures of racial and
cultural power. It draws on postcolonial theory, critical race studies, and narratology to
examine how voice, agency, and legitimacy are distributed in these texts, asking: who is
allowed to speak, and who is spoken for?
By placing the creative and critical components in dialogue, the thesis offers both an
analytical and artistic intervention into the cultural logic of the white saviour. The Grand
Scheme of Things embodies the theoretical concerns of the research, experimenting with
form and voice to highlight the limits of meritocracy, the performance of allyship, and the
precarious nature of visibility for marginalised creators. In doing so, this project contributes
to wider conversations around authorship, representation, and the politics of storytelling in
contemporary literature
Investigating citizenship education in England: Perspectives of teachers and academics, & key stage 3 pupils’ self-perceived identities and citizenship
Get PDFThis thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonThis thesis aims to explore Citizenship Education (CE) in England by examining Key Stage 3 (KS3) students’ self-perceived identities and citizenship, encompassing their own perceptions and educators’ (teachers and academics) perspectives. Despite being the newest curriculum subject, CE is in decline in England and faces challenges, including curriculum design, teaching methods, catering for cultural diversity, and the assessment of civic engagement outcomes. Understanding and addressing these challenges is essential for enhancing the quality and effectiveness of CE in England. Employing a qualitative approach, the data was gathered from a digital journaling activity involving nine KS3 students (aged 11-14) and subsequent interviews with seven of them. Additionally, semi-structured interviews with ten secondary school teachers, spanning various subject areas, and seven academics specialising in CE were conducted.
The findings reveal that KS3 students’ self-perceived identities are shaped by a combination of demographics, character traits, interests, leisure activities, and belonging. While students express a dual sense of national and global belonging, their identity formation transcends school boundaries, influenced by cultural interactions and external experiences. Given the emphasis on Subjectification (Biesta, 2022) as a core aim of education, there is a pressing need to ensure students from diverse backgrounds have equal opportunities to access CE and explore their identities. Hence, the findings highlight the importance of integrating students’ varied interests into CE frameworks. By aligning CE with students’ lived experiences, the study stresses the potential to foster more meaningful, inclusive, and engaging approaches to citizenship, particularly through a transformative CE approach (Banks, 2020).
Notably, the study highlights the growing need for guidance, support, and resources in delivering citizenship topics across different subjects and CE itself, as well as reinstating government bursaries for PGCE citizenship programmes, as indicated by data from educator interviews. Although CE is a core subject in the National Curriculum, the fact that it often goes unnoticed is a pressing concern. Consequently, academics urgently advocate for greater attention to CE, as disregarding it might raise legal concerns. Unequal distribution of CE, being present in some schools and absent in others, can perpetuate inequalities and lead to injustices.
A potential avenue for future research could explore comparative cases where CE is explicitly taught versus integrated into other subjects, particularly focusing on participation for deeper insights into the subject’s impact. Another valuable area of future inquiry could involve exploring students’ self-perceived identities by drawing on the definition provided within this research, situated in a postmodern context. This approach actively informs young people’s citizenship-as-practice by addressing both being in and with the world. Ultimately, this study highlights the vital role of CE in providing opportunities for young people to shape their self-perceived identity, practice their citizenship, and calls for its recognition and support within the educational landscape.Ministry of Education in Türkiy
The effects of quantitative easing on the cost of issuing UK government debt
Get PDFThis thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonThis thesis examines the impacts of Quantitative Easing (QE) on the UK gilt market, focusing on government debt issuance costs, market demand, and financial market volatility.
Despite a willing buyer of gilts during QE phases, issuance costs were higher, driven by volatility and supply increases during economic turbulence. Costs were particularly sensitive for longer maturity bonds and bonds already held by the Bank of England, indicating diminishing effects of QE over time.
Auction demand, measured by the bid-to-cover ratio, rose significantly during QE phases but fell during periods of financial instability, larger auction sizes, and longer maturities. Liquidity-enhancing mechanisms, such as the Post Auction Option Facility (PAOF), positively influenced demand, while QE improved short-term demand but posed long-term liquidity challenges.
Volatility analysis shows that during QE phases, short-term gilts experienced lower volatility, while long-term gilts showed higher volatility. However, greater intensity of purchases by the Bank of England reduced overall bond market volatility but increased volatility in the equity market. During QT phases, higher volatility was observed across all markets, though QT-active phases mitigated this effect, leading to relatively lower volatility.
This thesis provides a comprehensive understanding of how QE and QT influence sovereign debt management and financial market stability. The findings offer practical insights for policymakers and market participants navigating the complexities of unconventional monetary policy
Teaching Structured Analytic Techniques across Nations: Same, Same but Different
No full textThis article formed part of a special section: European Intelligence Education and Culture(s).The implementation and evolution of structured analytic techniques (SATs) steadily advanced across several North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Intelligence Communities (ICs) post–11 September 2001, with an aim to enhance analytic rigor to prevent intelligence failures. Despite SATs’ widespread adoption, there remains a lack of consensus and uniformity in their application across nations and agencies, resulting in varied teaching and implementation approaches. Current research often overlooks these differences, leading to a distorted understanding of SATs’ effectiveness. This article investigates SATs’ teaching methodologies within and beyond the Anglosphere, revealing significant transatlantic and interagency divides. While the American approach treats SATs as discrete tools, European methods emphasize a more comprehensive methodological framework. Moreover, within Europe, there exists a distinction between an old and new generation of analysts, with the latter having received SATs training from the beginning and seeing the value of a social science–based methodological approach to intelligence analysis. The research found that a collaborative, creative application of SATs, coupled with critical thinking and sensemaking, can bolster analytic rigor and improve intelligence support to decisionmaking. This assertion draws from the educational experiences of Norwegian intelligence specialists, feedback from Ukrainian officers, and research within the UK IC, suggesting a path to professionalize intelligence analysis education in Europe
AI ethics in action: a circular model for transparency, accountability and inclusivity
Get PDFPurpose:
Drawing upon a circular model proposition, Kantian ethics is employed to explore how ethical considerations within AI translate into concrete actions that prioritize transparency, privacy, inclusivity and equality. Additionally, agency theory is applied to understand the relevance of fairness in the interactions between agents, principals and algorithmic systems, particularly in the creation of value through digital platforms.
Design/methodology/approach:
A review of literature on ethical concerns within the AI ecosystem is conducted, proposing a unifying ethical principle and standards. The circular model for ethics in action is then developed, emphasising the responsible use of AI and its role in capturing and creating social value, ultimately contributing to sustainable organizational outcomes. The model also highlights key drivers that shape the ethical framing of AI, as well as the influence of the institutional context on its adoption and effectiveness.
Findings:
Responsible use of AI positively affects organizational performance and the digital ecosystem via the psychological mechanism of ethical identity. Ethical standards and regulations are the global requirements for the AI ecosystem that are required for achieving a sustainable digital society.
Research limitations/implications:
This study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the responsible use of AI’s and its practical and theoretical implications for organizations in the current digital ecosystem. Lack of global understanding, awareness and implementation of ethical practice in the AI ecosystem is not yet developed and practice. Future researchers can design a cross-border ethical framework to overcome these limitations. Organizations targeting to increase responsible digital interactions can benefit from maintaining ethical principles through responsible labourers, leaders and all stakeholders involved in the ecosystem.
Practical implications:
This study offers practical guidance for businesses, policymakers and AI practitioners on the ethical use of AI. It emphasizes the need for robust data governance, a “human-first” approach focusing on privacy and accountability and alignment with ethical standards. Given AI’s global reach, international cooperation and standard-setting are essential to navigate diverse regulatory and cultural contexts. The paper also highlights the importance of ethics education for AI developers and practitioners. Investing in training that integrates technical skills with ethical awareness will help build a responsible AI workforce capable of addressing societal impacts and maintaining public trust.
Social implications:
This study underscores the urgent need for responsible AI adoption, highlighting risks such as bias, lack of transparency and privacy concerns. As AI reshapes work, decision-making and governance, its social impact grows – potentially deepening inequalities if left unchecked. The study calls for explainable, fair and inclusive AI systems guided by ethical frameworks that respect human dignity. A “human-first” approach ensures AI supports-not replaces-human agency. By fostering transparency, accountability and cultural sensitivity, organizations can build public trust, empower diverse communities and contribute to a more equitable digital future. Ethical leadership and inclusive design are essential to avoid reinforcing systemic harms.
Originality/value:
This study presents an original approach to integrating ethical considerations into the development and deployment of artificial intelligence, by conceptualizing how transparency, accountability and inclusivity can be embedded throughout the AI ecosystem, fostering trust and responsible innovation. Through a comprehensive examination of ethical principles and requirements, we recommend a set of tools and strategies needed to promote ethical AI practices, mitigate risks and maximize societal benefit. Furthermore, this study serves as a roadmap for building AI systems that prioritize human collaboration and uphold fundamental values in the digital age
Digital twin-driven full lifecycle intelligent equipment maintenance: Progress and prospects
Get PDFDigital twin map physical entities through simulation modeling, significantly enhancing system reliability and reducing maintenance costs by utilizing data fusion, behavior simulation, optimization decision-making, and visualization through virtual-physical interaction. In intelligent operation and maintenance practices, common challenges include poor data quality, scarcity of abnormal samples, and unclear degradation processes. Digital twin technology offers a novel paradigm to address these issues. This paper systematically reviews simulation and modeling techniques within digital twin applications, summarizing recent research advancements in key areas such as anomaly detection, remaining useful life prediction, fault diagnosis, and operation and maintenance decision-making. Focusing on the demands for intelligent equipment operation and maintenance, we summarize the research findings and technical pathways related to digital twin-driven intelligent maintenance. Based on prior theoretical research and practical applications, we propose a four-level hierarchy for digital twin-driven intelligent operation and maintenance. Furthermore, we illustrate the application of digital twin-driven intelligent maintenance in real-world scenarios with a case study on naval equipment. Finally, considering current research and engineering practices, this paper proposes future research directions to provide insights and guidance for digital twin-driven intelligent maintenance across the equipment life cycle.National Natural Science Foundation of China (52205519, 62273264); Guangxi Key Research and Development Program (AB22035023)
Arts-based approaches to democracy: Reinvigorating the public sphere
Get PDFAcross the globe, new forms of democracy have been hailed as key to addressing the most existential crises facing society. In the face of democratic malaises such as polarisation and disenchantment, as well as systemic crises such as climate change and structural injustice, deliberative innovations are proliferating. We explore the contribution a specific form of artistic practice – participatory performance – can make to democratic renewal. While the current focus of democratic innovations has been an institutional design approach creating small-scale spaces for citizen engagement, we argue an arts-based approach to democracy returns to a focus on the large-scale public sphere as an important locus of democracy. Through an in-depth case study of The People’s Palace of Possibility, a participatory performance touring the United Kingdom 2020–2024, we explore what ‘mode of connection’ or political culture between citizens – for Hannah Arendt the defining dimension of the public sphere – participatory arts promotes. We find that the artistic dimension of this work promotes critical democratic renewal by inviting a reflective, playful, imaginative, and collective way of engaging citizens on systemic issues such as climate change and structural injustice.The financial support of the Economic and Social Research Council (Grant Nos: ES/ T014881/1 and ES/M010163/1) is gratefully acknowledged
International Knowledge Transfer through International Entrepreneurship: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda
Get PDFSupporting Information is available online at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijmr.12400#support-information-section .We conducted a systematic literature review on international knowledge transfer (IKT) via international entrepreneurship (IE), synthesising fragmented research that employs various conceptualisations, methodological approaches and theoretical lenses. Based on a review of 40 articles, we inductively developed an analytical framework comprising four key elements: international knowledge, international knowledge agents, IKT processes and outcomes. Our review identifies three dominant types of international knowledge agents in IE: returnee entrepreneurs, transnational entrepreneurs and international corporate entrepreneurs who actively engage in IKT. Three distinctive IKT processes emerge: one-way knowledge transfer, two-way knowledge transfer and interactive knowledge transfer, which result in outcomes at individual, organisational, regional and national levels, as well as at their intersections. Guided by this framework, we identify and analyse key research themes, highlighting main methodological and theoretical approaches, and revealing significant gaps and inconsistencies. Our paper advances knowledge on IKT via IE by developing an integrated framework that provides conceptual clarity and a cohesive understanding of this intentional, systematic, outcome-oriented process. Our analytical framework facilitates the identification of future research directions along the dimensions of 5Cs: complementarity of knowledge, (re-)contextualisation of knowledge, connectivity of knowledge, community capitalism and cross-disciplinary research.The paper received the Challenge Fund Award for the project titled “International Knowledge Transfer and Co-Creation through International Entrepreneurship” from Leeds University Business School, University of Leeds, in 2020/21
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