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Illuminating Netflix's Dark: a critical companion to the German television series
No full textNetflix’s Dark is more than a time-travel thriller—it’s a dense, haunting meditation on trauma, determinism, and the tangled relationships between past, present, and future. Demanding both emotional and intellectual investment, Dark rewards viewers with a narrative as intricate as it is thought-provoking. This groundbreaking edited collection is the first comprehensive scholarly exploration of Dark, bringing together leading voices in screen studies, philosophy, and cultural theory. Across thirteen chapters, contributors explore the series’ temporal puzzles, mythic echoes, aesthetic strategies, and cultural context. Written for fans, scholars, and anyone drawn to the show’s intricacies, the collection offers both a critical companion and a reflection on why the series continues to resonate
Positional influence in football passing networks: an analysis of the tactical systems and match outcomes
No full textThis study analysed how tactical systems and match outcomes influence micro-level passing network metrics across playing positions in a professional football team competing in the Portuguese First Division during the 2020–2021 season. It examined how structural variation affects Degree Centrality, Degree Prestige, and Proximity Prestige across tactical systems (1-4-1-4-1, 1-4-3-3, 1-3-4-3) and outcomes (win, loss, draw) in different positions. Data from 28 league matches were used, with adjacency matrices constructed from teammate interactions. Players were grouped into six positions: goalkeepers, fullbacks, central defenders, central midfielders, wingers, and strikers. One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) across positions, tactical systems, and match outcomes. Central defenders consistently showed higher values of Degree Centrality and Degree Prestige across most systems and outcomes, highlighting their structural importance. In contrast, strikers and wingers displayed greater Proximity Prestige in the 1-4-3-3 and 1-3-4-3, reflecting their offensive positioning. Match outcome analysis indicated that wingers had significantly higher Degree Prestige in won matches compared to losses. Overall, results show that micro-level network metrics vary meaningfully by position and context, underscoring the importance of interpreting them cautiously. Despite the novelty of this study, focusing on the initial tactical systems without capturing within-match adjustments may condition the generality of the results. Coaches and practitioners should account for tactical and outcome-related variations when applying network analysis to optimise team dynamics
The Living CV: translating partnership experience into real world employability outcomes for students
No full textSolent Student Partner Programme is a cross-institutional, co-creation initiative at Southampton Solent University in the UK. This paper discusses how we have used the principles of our institutional Living CV approach to support our Student Partners to translate their partnership experiences into work readiness. The paper starts by providing a review of the literature on student partnership and employability. Next, it outlines the institutional context of the Solent Student Partnership Programme. It then moves on to describe the principles and practice of our ‘Living CV’ approach, before presenting outcomes and data to show how this has been used to help student partners get future ready. We conclude the paper by arguing that there is a need for more proactive approaches to supporting the real-world employability outcomes of students who engage in university partnership work
Barriers to embedding employability: are academics the problem?
No full textEmployability has long been a central, albeit often contested, concept within the discourse of Higher Education (HE) in the United Kingdom. Traditionally, discussions surrounding graduate outcomes have focused on a quartet of primary stakeholders: students; prospective employers; university policy; and government policy. While these groups undeniably play pivotal roles in shaping the landscape of graduate employment, this paper confronts a critical, often implicit, question: could academics pose a key barrier to the embedding of employability? We argue that academics, frequently perceived as a barrier and/or omitted from strategic institution-specific as well as sector-wide-policy discussions, are in fact integral and interconnected stakeholders whose active engagement is essential for robust integration of employability within the fabric of HE. This paper will offer a conceptual viewpoint in the evolving understanding of employability, explore persistent barriers to its effective integration, specifically examining the academic perspective, and offer forward-thinking case studies that champion a more holistic, interconnected, and culturally embedded approach, particularly emphasizing the vital contributions of academic and professional services colleagues
A hybrid methodology to identify port state control issues in Asia–Pacific
No full textPort State Control (PSC) inspections play a crucial yet challenging role in detecting substandard ships. However, the process becomes more complicated when several states in large geographical regions agree to collaborate with the same rules. This study addresses this challenge by proposing an innovative hybrid methodology that combines content analysis of PSC appeal cases with the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (F-AHP) to assess regulatory inconsistencies within the Asia–Pacific region. A total of 43 PSC appeal cases from the Tokyo MoU were analysed to identify key areas of regulatory disputes. The findings indicate that SOLAS (53%) and MARPOL (26%) regulations are the most frequently contested, followed by document validity and equipment maintenance issues. Notably, in 84% of successful appeals, PSC officers were found to have applied overly strict interpretations or detained ships without conducting sufficient additional tests. Post-2015, successful appeals favouring shipowners increased to 68%, primarily due to deficiencies related to the International Safety Management (ISM) Code. By applying F-AHP and expert reviews, the study prioritised the most problematic areas of disputes, assigning a combined weight of 0.728 to procedural non-compliance and PSC officers' omissions. Key examples include expired ship equipment certificates (0.159), disagreements on regulatory interpretation and allegations of hidden defects by the crew (0.145), and failure to perform detailed examinations or additional tests (0.131). To address these challenges, the paper recommends adopting digital tools for recording inspections and real-time verification of certificates. Furthermore, clear communication of PSC procedures to seafarers may reduce disputes in ship detentions. These findings offer practical insights for policymakers and port authorities to reduce unnecessary delays and improve compliance through inspection consistency
Enhancing customer segmentation through factor analysis of mixed data (FAMD)-based approach using K-Means and hierarchical clustering algorithms
No full textIn today’s data-driven business landscape, effective customer segmentation is crucial for enhancing engagement, loyalty, and profitability. Traditional clustering methods often struggle with datasets containing both numerical and categorical variables, leading to suboptimal segmentation. This study addresses this limitation by introducing a novel application of Factor Analysis of Mixed Data (FAMD) for dimensionality reduction, integrated with K-means and Agglomerative Clustering for robust customer segmentation. While FAMD is not new in data analytics, its potential in customer segmentation has been underexplored. This research bridges that gap by demonstrating how FAMD can harmonize mixed data types, preserving structural relationships that conventional methods overlook. The proposed methodology was tested on a Kaggle-sourced retail dataset comprising 3900 customers, with preprocessing steps including correlation ratio filtering (η ≥ 0.03), standardization, and encoding. FAMD reduced the feature space to three principal components, capturing 81.46% of the variance, which facilitated clearer segmentation. Comparative clustering analysis showed that Agglomerative Clustering (Silhouette Score: 0.52) outperformed K-means (0.51) at k = 4, revealing distinct customer segments such as seasonal shoppers and high spenders. Practical implications include the development of targeted marketing strategies, validated through heatmap visualizations and cluster profiling. This study not only underscores the suitability of FAMD for customer segmentation but also sets the stage for more nuanced marketing analytics driven by mixed-data methodologies
Ethnicity and clinical empathy in primary care consultations: a web-based experiment
No full textBackgroundClinical empathy may enhance patient satisfaction and health outcomes. The interaction between ethnicity and clinical empathy is under-explored. AimTo compare how people from different ethnicities perceive GPs' communication of clinical empathy. Design and SettingA 2 (consultation style) x4 (participant ethnicity) web-based experiment using film vignettes.Methods274 UK Black British, White Caucasian, East Asian, and South Asian adults (50% female; Mean age 39.7), recruited from an online participant pool were randomly assigned to watch one of two films showing enacted GP consultations for osteoarthritis - enhanced consultation (high empathy) or standard consultation (limited empathy). Participants’ perceptions of clinical empathy were assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. ResultsAcross the whole sample and within all four ethnicities, enhanced consultations were rated as more empathic than standard consultations; there were no significant effects of participant ethnicity on ratings of empathy. Bayesian analysis confirmed an effect of consultation style and indicated there were no differences between ethnicities in ratings of clinical empathy. Qualitative comments talked about the doctor: (not) showing interest in the patient; responding with(out) respect; conveying warmth, empathy, and hope; and (not) clearly explaining management options or clinical decisions. Participants of all four ethnicities commented on similar aspects of the enhanced and standard consultations. ConclusionsIn this well-controlled experiment, the empathic communication skills modelled in the enhanced consultation were interpreted similarly positively by UK adults of Black British, Caucasian, East Asian, and South Asian ethnicities. Core elements of clinical empathy appear relevant and similarly valued across these ethnic groups
A design-based research approach to understanding women's journey into executive leadership through higher education
No full textThis paper examines the complex pathways women navigate toward executive leadership positions, with particular focus on the role of higher education in shaping aspirations, the influence of role models and mentorship, and the significance of organisational culture in facilitating or constraining women’s leadership development. Drawing from a comprehensive Design-Based Research (DBR) study that developed and implemented an innovative MBA Women’s Leadership course, this research employs Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and Bakhtin’s dialogic framework to understand how women construct and negotiate their leadership identities within institutional contexts. The study addresses three critical research questions through a mixed-methods approach involving 45participants across two iterative cycles of course development and implementation. Quantitative analysis revealed statistically significant improvements across all leadership dimensions (p<0.001), with effect sizes ranging from 0.89 to 1.45, indicating large to very large practical significance. Qualitative findings demonstrate that women continue to face systemic barriers including gender stereotypes (73.3% of participants), limited role model availability (84.4%), and work-life integration challenges (77.8%).Key findings demonstrate that when leadership development is specifically tailored to women's lived experiences and challenges, it can lead to enhanced confidence (Cohen’s d=1.24), deeper self-understanding, and stronger preparation for leadership roles. Six-month follow-up data revealed that 42.9% of participants received promotions or advancement, 59.5% gained new leadership opportunities, and 83.3% pursued additional professional development. The study contributes both theoretical insights into leadership identity formation and practical strategies for creating more inclusive educational and organisational environments. The research highlights the critical importance of intersectional approaches that recognise the compounded barriers faced by women from diverse backgrounds, with women of colour reporting 15-22% higher barrier levels across most categories compared to white women. These findings have significant implications for educational institutions, organisational leaders, and policymakers committed to advancing gender equity in leadership positions
Storying the silences of social mobility
No full textThis chapter explores class as a multi-faceted, intersectional concept best understood through subjective, storied realities rather than objective metrics. It critiques the tendency of universities to rely on reductive, clichéd understandings of student experiences and outcomes, thereby overlooking the complex emotional dimensions of class in Higher Education and missing crucial opportunities to design truly inclusive curricula and programmes. Drawing on findings from narrative research, the chapter argues for the creation of collective, person-centred spaces where working-class experiences can be openly shared, recognised, and valued. By illuminating often-unspoken class struggles, it offers empowering insights into social mobility and demonstrates the transformative potential of narrative approaches to class in Higher Education. In a sector increasingly dominated by metrics, such discourse is not only important but urgently needed
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