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Counterterrorism
No full textThis chapter discusses the key notion of counter-terrorism often framed by political and socio-economic factors which can at times undermine its efficacy. It examines the concepts of terrorism, extremism and radicalization within a UK context. While most of the population does not consider counter-terrorism regularly, the negative media coverage does stand out when things go wrong. The chapter then provides an overview of the CONTEST Strategy and the four Ps adapted in other countries. The primary goal of CONTEST revolves around reducing the risk to the UK and its citizens and interests overseas from terrorism, so that the people can go about their lives freely and with confidence
The current landscape of artificial intelligence in computational histopathology for cancer diagnosis
No full textArtificial intelligence (AI) marks a frontier in histopathologic analysis shift towards the clinic, becoming a mainstream choice to interpret histological images. Surveying studies assessing AI applications in histopathology from 2013 to 2024, we review key methods (including supervised, unsupervised, weakly supervised and transfer learning) in deep learning-based pattern recognition in computational histopathology for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Deep learning methods also showed utility in identifying a wide range of genetic mutations and standard pathology biomarkers from routine histology. This survey of 41 primary studies also encompasses key regions of AI applicability in histopathology in a multi-cancer review while marking prospects to introduce AI into the clinical setting with key examples including Swarm Learning and Data Fusion. [Abstract copyright: © 2025. The Author(s).
Changing faces of breast cancer: a practice-based autoethnography investigating the role of augmented reality in exploring the evolving identities associated with a breast cancer diagnosis
No full textThis practice-based PhD focuses on the role that augmented reality (AR) can play in exploring the evolving identities involved in a breast cancer diagnosis. It challenges conventions by exploring areas of the breast cancer journey which are rarely spoken about whilst inviting the viewer to step deeper into this sensitive subject using augmented reality. The majority of breast cancer art exhibited is focused on the breast itself and the deformation of the body due to surgery, whereas this work amplifies the voices of the feelings evoked due to the stigma of hair loss and identity changes caused by treatment which is rarely focused upon in this way.
The practice has arisen from an autoethnographic study based on an online blog and images captured to document the researcher's lived experience of breast cancer. Autoethnography has been chosen as a research method as ‘personal topics fit autoethnographic inquiries well because researchers have direct access to intimate information and can investigate the subjects in depth’ (Chang, 2016, p50). The autoethnographic nature of the study allows the research to offer a unique personal depth to the practice, whilst qualitative interviews with other woman who have experienced a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment adds additional voices to the practice.
Sharing the experience and innermost thoughts and feelings throughout the process as a practice-based output, art pieces have been created, many of which have an interactive element to them by means of augmented reality. These art pieces, alongside an animated video, blog posts and a digital art series of prints have been exhibited in two solo exhibitions in galleries in Kent. The exhibitions have been an opportunity to gather audience response to the work as ‘autoethnography actively seeks a reciprocal relationship with audiences’ (Holman-Jones, 2005, cited in Holman Jones, Adams and Ellis, 2013, p24)
Gender gap truth battles: conceptualising and analysing statement forms in annual reports
No full textPurpose
To radically reframe and explore gender discourse by building bridges between Bassnett et al.’s (2018) extension of Foucault’s (1972) statement now including three forms, speech, glottographic and non-glottographic writing and Butler’s (1993; 1999) ‘utterance’ and empirics; provide a systematic methodological path into empirics; showing how these statement forms interplay in gender truth battles/claims in annual reports (ARs) discourses.
Design/methodology/approach
The conceptualising of gender discourse as statement and languaging performativity acts is translated into a systematic methodological path into empirics using the “Order of Discourse” guide (Foucault, 1981). Initiated by the lack of Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 (FTSE100) women on board 2010, we examine Tesco’s ARs gender discourse sections 2015/2020, and Hampton-Alexander Review and the truth battles between statement forms.
Findings
The [non-]glottographic statements’ interplay produces fundamentally different gender truth claims and shifts the order of discourse and conditions of possibilities in what can be [not] said. It also raises the question of whether (gender) discourses can continue overlooking the non-glottographic statement form as writing.
Research limitations/implications
We provide a new route to empirical studies of gender discourse that adds layers of analysis to gender discourse in critical accounting and beyond (McKinlay, 2010), alongside new possibilities for (re)investigating material already collected and awaiting collection.
Originality/value
We offer an extended non-glottographic statement “package” of Butler’s promoting further gender discourse studies, adding what has been absent into presence in research in critical accounting and beyond, reshaping (gender) discourse regularities about what gets “said” and “not-said”
Storysounds: School workshops and data gathering for research on process-led learning
No full textUnrealtime Expanded (URTEX) collaborated with ootiboo, a school and community project organisation to deliver primary school workshops using Unrealtime, a digital music improvisation software. All activities were co-designed and facilitated with colleague and URTEX co-lead Dan Herbert.
This workshop series provided an opportunity to capture data using action tracking. In each workshop space, computers were set up to capture mouse and keyboard data over time, as well as audiovisual data. These quantitative data will be analysed and combined with qualitative responses by field specialists to evaluate the engagement and creativity of URT users during the workshop timeframe. The wider objective is to evaluate the benefits of process-led learning through music improvisation in young learners.
URTEX for education focuses on developing and evaluating a model for process-led learning through digital music improvisation. The Unrealtine software (URT) has the potential to facilitate group improvisation among untrained learners and allows sound exploration with just a mouse and keyboard, making it accessible for diverse learners. URT captures performance data through action tracking, providing reliable metrics that were previously hard to implement in classrooms. This enables the research team to evaluate young learners’ engagement with technology-aided improvisation.
The project aims to develop and evaluate a new model for process-led learning and data-capturing designed for classroom improvisation. The process has the potential to generate findings with benefits for researchers investigating process-led learning in fields like creativity and technology in education, digital creativity tool design, improvisation
pedagogies, and music performance. The proposed evaluation model can contribute to current pedagogical research on musical improvisation. The free-to-access software has the potential to transform young people's engagement and access to technology and benefit educators and project partners
Environmental considerations for post-war reconstruction of Gaza
No full textThe environment is often the silent victim of war, but environmental degradation resulting from war is poorly understood. Since the environmental legacy of war can last decades or centuries, environmental peacebuilding and reconstruction efforts must consider the impacts of war on the environment. In the case of the Israel-Palestine conflict, far-reaching and severe environmental damage has been documented. Three key environmental considerations for Gaza are discussed: (I) environmental pollution, (II) habitat degradation and (III) habitat fragmentation. Based on the environmental issues highlighted, recommendations regarding post-war reconstruction efforts are presented
Co-creation in the pursuit of engagement in the flipped classroom model
No full textThis reflective essay explores the implementation of a co-creation approach within a Level 6 module of a BSc Sport Coaching Science programme. The reflection highlights both the positive impacts on student learning (such as enhanced presentation skills, deeper understanding and ownership of learning) and the challenges, particularly regarding student commitment to pre-session preparation. We reflect that co-creation can promote deeper engagement, though it requires careful facilitation to address issues of equity and responsibility. In our case we found this approach not only empowered students as active contributors to their learning but also fostered a compassionate environment of reciprocity and peer support
Managing cultural integration in Nigerian mergers and acquisitions (M&As): An exploratory investigation
No full textThis study explores how mergers and acquisitions (M&As) are carried out in Nigeria, specifically focusing on the cultural integration processes. It has been found that despite the increasing prevalence of M&As in Nigeria's business landscape, there has not been equivalent growth in literature and understanding of the process. To address this gap, this research conducted a multi-industry analysis reviewing 4 case studies. Using a qualitative case study approach guided by Cultural Web and the Resource-Based View theories, the study collected data through semi-structured interviews with 24 employees at various organizational levels. The results revealed a spectrum of approaches to cultural integration, ranging from minimal consideration to deliberate cultural blending attempts. Key findings include: (1) M&As in Nigeria are primarily driven by strategic as well as regulatory motivations; (2) cultural integration approaches are influenced by strategic motivations, power dynamics, regulatory influence and the leadership's cultural intelligence; (3) common challenges include cultural clashes, employee resistance, communication issues, and operational differences; (4) regulatory influence significantly shapes M&A processes, particularly in the banking sector; and (5) successful cultural integration could correlate with the degree of cultural due diligence conducted. The study therefore makes significant theoretical contributions by contextualizing and extending the RBV as well as Cultural Web theories within Nigeria’s unique business environment as well as bridging the gap between strategic management and organisational behaviour schools of thought. In terms of practice, the study also provides valuable insights for M&A practitioners leading to a comprehensive strategic framework proposed to guide future M&A processes not only in Nigeria but similar emerging market contexts
Real-time mushroom detection and maturity classification using YOLO-Tiny on Raspberry Pi platform
No full textMushroom growing is peerless in providing healthy and fresh mushrooms, aside from its tremendous economic contribution and livelihood among farmers. This paper discusses the efficacy of a state-of-the-art real-time object detector, YOLO, in particular YOLOv3-tiny and YOLOv4-tiny, in detecting oyster mushrooms in a greenhouse environment and at classifying their stages of maturity using low-power embedded devices. These depict that the models detected both versions of mushrooms and their maturity level. Among these, YOLOv4-tiny outperformed its variant, YOLOv3-tiny, in terms of mAP, accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. The results for accuracy showed the achievement of YOLOv4-tiny with 83.9% while YOLOv3-tiny attained 80.3%. This has pointed toward the extent such tuned models could go with smart farming systems for real-time monitoring, automated harvesting, and improving operational efficiency
Benefits and barriers: An exploratory study of drone use and LiDAR technology application in UK policing
No full textUncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, have become essential tools in various policing tasks. This mixed-method, exploratory study investigates their use and development in United Kingdom (UK) policing, in general operational and forensic contexts. Data were collected via Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI) requests sent to 45 UK police services. The findings indicate that although drones can improve operational efficiency and situational awareness, their integration into forensic settings is hampered by excessive costs, insufficient training, and procedural and regulatory constraints. The study suggests that targeted policy reforms could enhance drones’ utility, broadening police capabilities in routine operations and non-invasive complex investigatory work. Recommendations for policy and practice include developing standardised operating procedures, specialised training programmes, cost-mitigation strategies, public transparency measures, and the piloting of programmes to develop advanced sensing [such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)] and emerging technologies. The article provides insights for police agencies beyond the UK, aiming to advance their drone capabilities for both routine policing and forensic contexts