13553 research outputs found
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A Systematic Qualitative Review of Parent Perceptions and Experiences of Augmentative and Alternative Communication for Their Autistic Children
No full textAbstract
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) can benefit autistic children. AAC should be integrated into daily life, especially parent–child interactions, as parents are often key communication partners. The aim of this qualitative systematic review was to understand the perceptions of parents of autistic children regarding barriers and facilitators to the use and implementation of AAC. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria. The resulting thematic synthesis identified six themes: (a) hopes and fears for communication, (b) sources of knowledge, (c) trying so hard and still don’t know, (d) resignation and resistance in response to rejection and reluctance, (e) what communication brings, and (f) doesn’t fit and doesn’t work for us. Implications for families and professionals are discussed
Review of Aber hier leben? Nein danke. Surrealismus + Antifaschismus
No full textReview of the exhibition Aber hier leben? Nein danke. Surrealismus + Antifaschismus Antifaschismus (But Live Here? No Thanks: Surrealism and Anti-fascism), Lenbachhaus, Munich, 15 October 2024–2 March 2025
The Algorithm and The Abode: Automation of Architectural Workflows
No full textThis research explored the automation of digital workflows and computational software for the design and manufacture of prefabricated component housing. The thesis was conducted in collaboration with an industry connection, Otago-based high- tech timber structures and prefabricated timber panel manufacturers: Hector Egger. The research responded to New Zealand’s increased demand for housing, lack of experienced labour, lengthy building durations, and the need for innovative solutions to address waste and carbon emissions produced by the building and construction industry (the industry).Workflow automation was developed using visual scripting software Grasshopper part of the 3D modelling software Rhinoceros. With Grasshopper’s visual programming, geometry was algorithmically generated by composing diagrams (scripts) that linked data to functions. The research addresses limitations in construction, particularly the underutilisation of advanced Building Information Modelling (BIM) systems and algorithm-driven automation in a New Zealand context. The research recognises the connection between Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) systems in the industry, which often hinder adaptability and innovation in architectural projects.The core research focus on using computational software to automate-technology driven quality timber residential home design, from preliminary design to prefabricated manufacture, while considering timber-to-timber connections. Each script produced was compared with the industry’s current systems to optimise the design and execution of the products at an industry standard. The aim was to improve current systems utilised by the industry and encourage technological uptake by the construction and building sector. This comparison was made using Hector Egger’s systems. The methodology employed action research and data-informed design to inform function and success. Criteria for the success of the iterations included, but were not limited to, carbon emissions, analysis of materials, waste production, product performance, and potential optimisation. This workflow was tested through three design interventions of residential housing, at three different scales in 3 unique sites based in New Zealand’s South Island.</p
How Can Community-Led Initiatives Build Social Cohesion and Support Attempts to Prevent Violent Extremism in Aotearoa New Zealand?
No full textUnderstanding relationships between social cohesion, community resilience and violent extremism has become a vital focus of Aotearoa, New Zealand’s policy inquiry since the Christchurch Mosque attacks in March 2019. Yet little is known about the role played by community-led initiatives in these processes and relationships. To address this gap, this research examines two Wellington-based community-led initiatives, Aroha Afternoons (AA) and Learn and Innovate with New Kiwis (LINK), to explore their roles in fostering social cohesion and reducing conditions conducive to extremism.Aroha Afternoons gathered people from diverse backgrounds, including refugees, migrants, and host communities, to celebrate significant occasions and encourage meaningful dialogue. The second initiative, “Learn and Innovate with New Kiwis” (LINK), provided a platform for designing solutions that supported refugee resettlement in Aotearoa, New Zealand, while addressing the challenges that affected them.The research addresses two objectives: first, to understand how those involved with these grassroots initiatives define and understand social cohesion and how they are affected by their involvement. Second, to consider how such understandings and effects may contribute to efforts to counter violent extremism. Adopting a qualitative approach to research design, semi-structured interviews and focus groups were carried out with the founders, participants, and community stakeholders involved in both initiatives. Using thematic analysis of resulting transcripts, the thesis finds that Aroha Afternoon and Learn and Innovate with New Kiwis (LINK) fostered trust, intercultural dialogue, and inclusivity, creating environments where participants felt valued and connected across cultural divides. Participants reported a strengthened sense of belonging, greater cultural awareness, and an increased commitment to community well-being. The inclusive spaces created by Aroha Afternoon and LINK contributed to resilience against extremism by reducing social isolation and encouraging constructive engagement within diverse communities. This finding aligns with the idea that cohesive communities, where individuals feel valued and empowered, are less vulnerable to the grievances that extremism often exploits.These findings highlight how community initiatives can contribute to ‘social cohesion’ which, in the wake of the 2019 shootings, governments thought was a central element in countering violent extremism. This research provides examples of initiatives that perform the practical work of building key elements of social cohesion, such as fostering a sense of belonging and reducing social isolation. These initiatives naturally embody community-based efforts that align with official definitions of social cohesion, as they create inclusive spaces shaped by the lived experiences of participants.The study concludes that community-led initiatives are not only effective in fostering social cohesion but also serve as viable models for community resilience that can be integrated into broader national strategies against extremism. To amplify their impact, it recommends further investment in such grassroots efforts and the inclusion of culturally informed approaches within New Zealand’s social cohesion policies. This research underscores the potential of community-led initiatives to create safer, more inclusive societies and suggests that similar models could enhance social cohesion and resilience against violent extremism in New Zealand’s increasingly multicultural context.</p
Mimetic adoption of alliances and acquisitions and the moderating effects of normative and regulatory distance: Evidence from emerging economy MNCs
No full textNo description supplie
Renewed NZ–India FTA Negotiations 2025: Assessing the Prospect of a Limited IP Chapter
No full textNo description supplied</p
For The Other's. Double-Voiced, Doubly Conscious
No full textAs a black woman, growing up within a predominantly 'white' (New Zealand) context for the entirety of my life, my 'blackness' both socially and culturally placed me within a minority - 'the others'. Growing up, I knew how people were identified, understood, and given power through a perceptual lens of difference. Subsequently studying architecture, I 'became' hyper-aware of the connotations surrounding my body's relationship with space and the reality that within our society, I fit within the minority subconsciously classed as 'lesser than'. Subsequently, this thesis posits how the design of public architecture can give power back to those 'othered' within our communities? Derived from the research question, within this thesis, I look specifically at architecture's intersection with power and race relative to the theoretical framework of 'affect' and, subsequently ', othering'. This thesis approaches research investigation using two primary research methodologies. 'Research-for-Design' (literary-based chapters) ground and situate the 'speculative design' within relevant literary and visual work. 'Research through Design' (design-based chapters) work towards three design projects, where independent design research is critically reflected on and related to earlier theory. Observing the 'scaling' method, the design chapters gradually increase in project scale: human scale (installation), domestic/mid-scale, and public (urban scale) (Yaneva, 2005). As the scale shifts, new complexities become the catalyst for progressing research and understanding. This thesis does not aim to conclude with a resolved design but to respectfully 'call-out, call-in and call-to', an architecture that would pause and begin to consider 'the others'. For the others</p
The contribution of promotional communication to the housing crisis in Aotearoa-New Zealand <sup></sup>
No full textThis article focuses on public and policy discourse around housing; an issue relevant to human rights and social inequality. Growing homelessness conflicts with the human rights charters that most democracies adhere to, and huge disparities in homeownership are central to increasing levels of inequality. The study draws on critical media sociology and political sociology to explore how promotional communication has contributed to a housing crisis of homelessness, unaffordability and debt in Aotearoa-New Zealand. It presents findings from a mixed-methods research project, documenting several key actors and their promotional practices in public media and private policy discourses on housing. The study shows that two forms of promotional activity have contributed to the growing housing crisis. The first, a more standard, routine form of practice, has both encouraged ever-rising prices (and debt) while also redefining housing as investable assets rather than a basic human right. The second, a more strategic form of political communication, has influenced public policy towards more market-oriented rather than state solutions to such crises, thus exacerbating both homelessness and inequality. This second form is illustrated with a case study of the last Labour Government (2017–2023) and its failed attempts to push through state-led initiatives, tax changes and regulations
Revitalizing Wellington: A Study on Adaptive Reuse of Commercial Buildings for Residential Purposes
No full textThis thesis investigates the adaptive reuse of vacant commercial buildings as residential spaces, a practice that addresses global housing demands while generating economic benefits. Originating in the late 20th century, this approach has gained traction in New Zealand as an alternative to demolition, aimed at conserving resources and reducing construction waste. This study examines the efficacy of adaptive reuse in minimizing environmental impact and meeting housing needs.The research explores methods and techniques for extending the lifespan of existing buildings, optimizing underutilized spaces, and evaluating the associated opportunities and risks. It will provide insights for architects, urban developers, and structural engineers to consider adaptive reuse over new construction projects. The study includes a comparative analysis of adaptive reuse projects globally and within New Zealand, identifying factors contributing to their success and areas for improvement.The methodology involves a review of relevant literature, historical comparisons, and a qualitative study of current practices and opinions on sustainable reuse. Experimental methods, including sketching and material testing, will be employed to develop and assess potential solutions. The findings aim to propose viable architectural strategies that preserve the original character of buildings while achieving sustainable outcomes.</p
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