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The whispers of doubt: ten years after the PhD and pervasive imposter syndrome
No full textThis chapter reflects on the enduring presence of imposter syndrome throughout and beyond the PhD journey. Drawing on personal experiences that span from early education to life as an Associate Professor, it explores how formative setbacks, classed experiences of alienation, and the neoliberal pressures of academia cultivate persistent feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. Through vivid accounts - from struggling in undergraduate seminars to the anxieties of international conference presentations - the narrative traces how external validation often intensifies, rather than alleviates, these insecurities. Yet, the chapter also highlights how vulnerability and shared honesty can transform imposter syndrome into a source of empathy, connection, and mentorship. By embracing imperfection and recognising imposterism as a collective rather than individual burden, the chapter argues that such feelings may be reframed as a bridge to supporting others. Ultimately, it offers reassurance that self-doubt is a common academic experience and a reminder that no one faces it alone
Taxation and the Realisation of Socioeconomic Rights in Africa: What Is the Role of International Cooperation?
No full textSocioeconomic rights (SR) aim to address people’s essential material needs, hence their realisation is central towards addressing extreme poverty. Unfortunately, the realisation of these rights is excruciatingly lacking in most African states. A common argument advanced for this non-realisation is that African states cannot fulfil these rights owing to resource constraints. Several scholars have highlighted the essentialness of an effective state tax revenue assessment and collection system towards addressing these resource constraints. Some scholars argue that African states should be accountable for how they use tax revenue to eliminate or reduce extreme poverty. However, existing literature also suggest that the international tax system promotes the interests of the elites, in individual and state perspectives, while attenuating social welfare for the poor. Beyond domestic taxation policy and duty to realise SR locally in Africa, there is an extraterritorial obligation on developed states to help African states in harnessing taxes to realise SR. Drawing on existing human rights instruments and literature, this chapter locates and develops an international cooperation model, as a useful vehicle for realisation of SR in Africa, using Nigeria as a case study. Through the lens of Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL), the chapter engages with the structural and economic imbalances between developed states and developing states, which make most African states unable to effectively deploy taxation to realise SR. To achieve this goal, the chapter first problematises the duty to cooperate internationally, and then assesses the evolving normative framework on international tax cooperation as a tool for realisation of SR. The chapter discusses the limits and latitudes of this duty to cooperate. It argues that the duty requires developed states to, among others, provide economic and technical support, avoid being tax havens, deploy their power and influence in the Bretton Woods institutions, and ensure that their multinational corporations operating in Africa are not only tax law-compliant, but also complying with human rights obligations
Having a go at the RE-searchers approach to prepare for quality RE
No full textIn this article, I outline the rationale for the introduction of the RE-searchers approach in training my students for Religious Education (RE) in an Initial Teacher Education course at Birmingham City University, England. As part of the contextual information, I will articulate the intended outcomes that I aimed to achieve and how this approach is linked to the course philosophy. Thereafter, as a model for how to introduce the REsearchers approach to students, the delivery of the session is critically delineated. I highlight the usefulness of giving future teachers an opportunity to experience both dimensions of the approach (i.e., enquiring and teaching). The final section offers reflections which are informed by student feedback and personal observations. In my context, time constraint has been the main challenge. Nevertheless, I am confident that I now have a practical session at my disposal for the whole year group which has proven to be an immersive, relevant and thought-provoking learning experience for them. In turn, my students have a pedagogy to add to their existing ones
Quality characterization and manufacturing process optimization of corncob briquettes
No full textOptimization of the densification process of agricultural residues is important to produce high-quality briquettes. In this study, the physical and mechanical characteristics of corncob briquettes were investigated to determine the influence of densification variables. The significance of the die temperature, compaction pressure, hold time and particle size on the density, water resistance index (WRI), lateral compressive strength (LCS) and impact resistance index (IRI) were determined using response surface methodology. Corncob briquettes had densities that ranged from 400 to 770 kg/m3 whereas the WRI had values between 1.13% and 66.47%. The LCS ranged from 0.05 to 2.39 MPa, and IRI was between 5 and 200. The particle size has significant effect on all briquette properties. The pressure is also significant to the density and the LCS whereas the hold time is significant to the WRI and LCS. The compaction pressure interacted with particle size to significantly affect the LCS and IRI. From multi-response optimization, the optimum densification variables were 14.1 MPa, 132.9 °C and 15 min for compaction pressure, die temperature, and hold time, respectively, with particle size lower than 2.36 mm. Optimum densification variables resulted in density, WRI, LCS and IRI of 755.4 kg/m3, 26.4%, 2.37 MPa and 169, respectively
Whodunit? Tracing Culpability in Animal-Killing Constructions
No full textLinguistic distancing strategies have been well documented for accounts of human-on-human violence, but relatively little empirical work has been undertaken on the discursive representation of animal-killing. This paper takes inspiration from Givón’s (1983) basic concept of referential distance to measure the syntactic distancing of agents (killers) and patients (victims) from the predicator of a killing construction. Using Sealey and Pak’s (2018) thematic corpus of animal-related discourse, and generating a manually annotated dataset of 1,682 instances of killing constructions across 14 verbs, this work represents an empirical approach to identifying distancing strategies in discourses of animal-killing. The findings indicate a correlation between high referential distance and human agency, as well as a demonstrable distancing effect from the use of the passive voice. Animal victims, unlike other patient types, are more likely to be highly distanced from acts of killing, and verbs with higher levels of polysemy (less semantic predictability and weaker association with killing) were less typical in their agent/patient distancing behaviours
A personal reflection exploring the support offered to post-registration nursing students with dyslexia in a higher education setting
No full textThis reflection will examine my professional practice in relation to the support offered to post-registration nursing students with dyslexia in a UK higher education (HE) setting. Pedagogic theory, policy and practice will be analysed in relation to inclusive education and the support that is currently offered to students with dyslexia. There will be a specific focus on the mode of delivery, use of lecture recording, and inclusivity of assessment. Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that predominantly impacts individuals’ reading and writing skills. The number of students with dyslexia attending UK HE has increased significantly in recent years. Although improvements in practice are evident, further improvements are required. This reflection demonstrates several positive aspects in relation to the inclusive support that is offered to students with dyslexia, and the benefits such support can have on all students. However, there are areas for improvement to enhance the inclusivity of the learning environment and learner experience
Secondary antibody deficiencies in the modern era: emerging trends, diagnostic pitfalls, and advances in personalised management
No full textSecondary antibody deficiencies (SADs) are a significant but frequently under-recognised group of acquired immunodeficiencies. They may arise in various clinical settings, including haematological malignancies, immunosuppressive therapies, and protein-losing conditions. SADs are associated with an increased risk of recurrent and severe infections, hospitalisation, and impaired quality of life. Despite this, diagnostic and treatment pathways remain inconsistent across healthcare settings and regions. Recent advances in the use of structured clinical data, including electronic health records and systematic laboratory assessments, show promise in facilitating earlier recognition of SADs. These approaches support more timely treatment decisions and promote consistent standards of care. Achieving improved outcomes for individuals with SADs will require broader consensus on diagnostic criteria, treatment thresholds, and access to specialist immunology services
Impact of ESG factors on profitability: an empirical analysis of JSE-listed firms in South Africa
No full textThe study examines the relationship between environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activity and firm shareholder wealth. We investigate whether ESG performance contributes to shareholder value creation and whether a firm’s investment in ESG might reduce shareholder returns in the short run. Despite a growing body of research on ESG performance, there remains a lack of consensus on its impact in emerging economies. Our sample includes a panel of 74 Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)-listed firms in South Africa over the period 2010–2022. We estimate panel regressions for disaggregated data via different industry groupings. The disaggregated data analysis shows mixed results concerning the impact of ESG factors on returns on equity and share returns. For example, financial institutions were found to have a negative relationship between ESG performance and return on equity, whereas other non-financial companies have a positive relationship between ESG performance and return on equity. Different ESG factors influence returns on equity and share returns differently. This study contributes to the literature by offering fresh empirical evidence from South Africa and uncovering the nuanced industry-specific effects of ESG activities, thus providing valuable insights for policymakers, investors, and corporate decisionmakers
Network Capital: How UK SMEs Recognise its Value in their International Strategy?
No full textThis study addresses a gap in knowledge about Network Capital (“NC”), and the extent to which it is understood by Small and Medium Enterprises (“SME”), and its perceived value to them in strategy creation and internationalisation. The research is focussed on the United Kingdom (“UK”) as representative of a developed economy operating within a democratic and secular society.
Since Huggins and Johnstone introduced the concept of NC in 2010, its potential to unlock extrinsic value has been recognised by academics including Alinaghian and Razmdoost (2018). This offers the opportunity for organisational Firm Specific Advantage (“FSA”) as described by Almodóvar and Rugman (2015) and which builds on the Resource Based View (“RBV”) of Barney (1991) and the Dynamic Capabilities (DC) of Teece et al. (1997).
Previous UK studies have focussed on either a single aspect of NC or a narrow geographical area. While the economic and societal importance of SMEs is recognised, there is no understanding of how they exploit their NC in their strategy and internationalisation. This study addresses that omission on a UK wide basis. The study also aims to inform policy makers and establish the practical use of NC by SMEs.
A research methodology was developed to combine quantitative, qualitative, and case study approaches. Questionnaires and interviews were adopted as the primary source of empirical data. The research found that while NC was adopted intuitively by many SMES, a few leverage off it as a resource with the deliberation identified by Huggins and Thompson (2015).
The findings have implications for business management teaching, and government as the potential to convert FSA to Country Specific Advantage (Almodóvar and Rugman, 2015) is not being realised. The research proposes a model to address this lacuna
Predictors of Knowledge, Awareness and Preventive Practice toward Dengue Fever among Disaster-Affected Riverine Dwellers in Bangladesh: A Cross-sectional Study
No full textBACKGROUND: Though Dengue Fever (DF) has reemerged as a major public health concern, little is known about public knowledge, awareness and preventive practice of DF in Bangladesh, especially in disaster-prone areas. We examined the knowledge, awareness and preventive practice and its predictors regarding DF among disaster-affected areas in Bangladesh.
METHODS: A quantitative cross-sectional study utilizing a simple random sampling technique was conducted with a close-ended questionnaire. Using SPSS version 25 software, descriptive statistics, chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were performed for the study variables.
RESULTS: 92.3% of respondents were knowledgeable about DF, and 80.4% were aware of DF. Majority respondents believed that DF is treatable (92.8%) and got DF-related information from TV/Radio (65.5%). Males were 2.41 times (95% CI: 1.88-4.77; p<0.001) more knowledgeable on DF than females. Younger adults (18-30 years old) were 1.47 times (95% CI: 1.59-3.68; p=0.002) more knowledgeable on DF than others. Males were 1.99 times (95% CI: 1.23-3.21; p=0.005) more likely to be aware of DF than females. Young people (18-30 years old) were 2.01 times (95% CI: 1.89-3.19) more likely to be aware than others. Respondents whose family members worked in healthcare were 2.09 times (95% CI: 1.23-3.02; p=0.031) more likely to be aware than others.
CONCLUSION: Males and younger adults had better awarness and knowledge about DF. Tailored educational programs and awareness campaigns should focus on females, and older individuals