DOAB - Directory of Open Access Books
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Reflexivities and Knowledge Production in Migration Studies
No full textThis open access book brings together cutting-edge work on reflexive approaches within migration studies and emphasizes the boundedness and political character of knowledge production. Beyond presenting a state-of-the-art of the problematic aspects of knowledge production in migration studies, this volume is innovative insofar as the contributions all formulate alternatives. They should lead to transform knowledge production in relation to migration and therefore contribute to alter our ways to do research and tackle established power relations. By discussing a diverse range of topical subjects – among others, epistemology, power, ethnocentrism, racism, decoloniality, gender and methodology – this volume is a great resource to students, to junior and senior academics in migration studies and social sciences more general as well as to policy-makers in European countries
Community Education and Neoliberalism
No full textThis open access book, now in its second edition, offers a powerful analysis of adult and community education at a time of rising inequality and diminishing state support. Grounded in both Irish and international contexts, this edition again challenges the impact of neoliberal agendas on grassroots community education and makes a convincing case for reclaiming community education’s radical, consciousness-raising agenda. The book is theoretically rooted in critical feminist pedagogy and draws on real-world examples to present key aspects of this approach to adult learning in a clear, accessible, and practical way. Community Education and Neoliberalism exposes the extent to which market-driven forces and managerialist agendas are eroding the transformative nature of adult and community education. The author examines the impact of neoliberal government lifelong learning policies, the potential drawbacks of professionalising community education and the perils of accreditation systems when marketisation becomes the principal focus. But this book does not simply offer a critique — it also presents practical pathways to revitalise community education, ensuring it continues to be a part of the struggle for a better world which, the author argues, can only be achieved through collective action. The book is essential reading and a call to action for students, educators, activists and policymakers alike, or indeed or anyone who is passionate about equality and social justice
Hybrid Energy Storage
No full textThis is an open access book that addresses the need for hybridization in energy storage, offering a fresh perspective on integrating diverse storage solutions to support a successful energy transition. It fills a significant gap in the literature by presenting a comprehensive collection of case studies and real-world examples, while tackling challenges across multiple sectors, including industrial operations, grid, off-grid systems, transportation, and smart building applications. Authored by a multidisciplinary team of leading experts, the book explores technology-neutral requirements for different applications and examines the key drivers behind system installations. It proposes innovative hybrid energy storage solutions grounded in detailed techno-economic and sustainability analyses. Furthermore, by identifying untapped opportunities for electrification and system integration, the book positions itself as a valuable resource for advancing the European Union’s goals of decarbonization and energy security. By addressing critical hybridization needs, offering a thorough literature review, and presenting application-oriented solutions, it empowers researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers to make informed decisions, while also educating the next generation of scientists and engineers in innovative energy storage approaches
Inclusion Organisation in Universities
No full textThis open access book questions whether universities ‘walk the talk’ when it comes to diversifying their student and staff bodies towards including historically underrepresented social groups in higher education. Universities talk inclusion in terms of formally committing to principles of inclusion, equality and diversity and by joining equality charters and engaging with equality legislation and other inclusion-oriented organisations. Using the case study of the UK university sector, the author notes that whilst the empirical evidence for whether commitments work to make universities more demographically diverse is scant, organisational commitments play a role in helping universities meet the demands of a world where individual empowerment and organisational proactiveness are valued. The book proposes that organisational commitments have a ‘two-way function’ i.e., that of including people in universities (Function 1) and that of including universities in the organisational fields in which they operate (Function 2). A theoretical framework and an empirical research programme for investigating these two functions, the synergies and the tensions between them, is outlined. The book draws on a range of primary and secondary statistical data and on sociological institutionalist and organisational theories to move the discussion surrounding the talk and the walk of inclusion beyond rhetoric. It informs academic research in the fields of sociology, organisational studies, higher education and social inequalities. Additionally, the book offers practitioners a tool to understand and evaluate the perceived gap between the talk and the walk in universities when it comes to pursuing inclusion, but also in other settings where organisations formally commit to societal goals
Sea Level Rise
No full textThis open access book explores the human rights implications of sea level rise. The recent data confirms that the global average sea level will continue to rise and to make coastal zones less habitable or uninhabitable. Furthermore, these changes are increasing human mobility at the domestic and international level. Against these challenges, the book explores how international law is changing in light of common concerns. For the first time, it offers a reflection on the application of the innovative human rights-justification theory (as being developed in the ongoingHorizon Europe ‘Human Rights Justification’ project) in this field by exploring the States’ use of justifications in interpreting their protective duties and in adopting climate measures. The book is structured around three thematic sessions: I ) Sea Level Rise, Stability and Security; II) Sea Level Rise and the Rights of Affected Population; III) Sea Level Rise: New Developments at International Level
Wissenspolitiken in den Künsten
No full textWährend sich die künstlerische Forschung in den letzten dreißig Jahren in vielen Ländern Europas etabliert hat, wird sie als relativ junge Forschungsdisziplin im deutschsprachigen Raum nach wie vor kontrovers rezipiert. Dabei ist der Diskurs geprägt von Kämpfen um die Legitimation und Anerkennung als eigenständige Forschungsdisziplin. In ihrer feldsoziologischen Analyse künstlerischer Forschungsprogramme und Artistic PhDs in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz arbeitet Marie Hoop die Potenziale performativer künstlerisch-forschender Praktiken für die akademische Wissensproduktion und -vermittlung heraus und beleuchtet zugleich die Herausforderungen und institutionellen Hürden bei der Institutionalisierung künstlerischer Forschung
Privacy Technologies and Policy
No full textThis open access book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 13th Annual Privacy Forum on Privacy Technologies and Policy, APF 2025, held in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, during October 22-23, 2025. The 9 full papers were carefully reviewed and selected from 27 submissions.They were organized into following topical sections: Supporting Laypeople and Users: Design Approaches, User Perceptions, and Problems; Emerging Risks from Upcoming Technologies, Misunderstandings, and Regulatory Derogation; Professional Methods & Tools for Analysis and Decision Making
Medical Device Management
No full textMedical Devices are an extremely important, versatile and complex product category within healthcare. However, compared to medicinal products, hospitals, medical staff, etc., there is much less general awareness and understanding of medical devices. This book illuminates different facets of medical devices in a holistic manner. It describes the complexity of the industry, markets, manufacturers, and numerous other stakeholders as well as related regulations, required competencies, and future trends. More specifically, it describes a range of products and innovations, safety risks and regulations, legal aspects, and certification processes. It also examines the market from the point of view of the manufacturer from start-ups to large companies and conglomerates. Finally, this book looks at the special role sustainability and ESG plays in the future of medical device innovation, production, and usage. Featuring industry case studies this book is ideal for individuals, from scientists to managers, interested in healthcare and who would like to understand the overall relevance of medical devices from different perspectives, specifically interactions, developments and dynamics between the different business areas and stakeholders. This book is open access
A Digital Europe for Citizens
No full textThis "open access" book presents the Proceedings of the First International Conference “A Digital Europe for Citizens”, which was organised by the Jean Monnet Module DigEUCit, “A Digital Europe for Citizens. Constitutional and Policymaking Challenges” and the CIJ (Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Justice, Faculty of Law, University of Porto). It focuses on three main topics – data governance, digital markets, and digital services – and brings together chapters written by legal experts who address the EU’s accomplishments and future perspectives on the ongoing Digital Revolution, as well as the impact of digitalisation on the EU. Comparisons with other legal systems are also included. Adopting a holistic perspective with a focus on citizens, the book contends that constitutionalism must also be viewed in its role of ensuring democracy, an open and inclusive society, and a fair economy. It pursues an original, cross-sectoral and cutting-edge approach. In addition to discussing fundamental values and principles, the contributing authors address concrete and practical questions that arise from the EU’s policy and legal framework. The aim is to bring constitutionalism to the digital stage and to advance solutions and a proper framework, building on solid foundations. This comprehensive work will be of interest to legal scholars, academics, researchers and practitioners in the areas of European and constitutional law, data protection, competition and consumer law, as well as a larger audience of policymakers and digital entrepreneurs
Digital Education: Shaping Sustainable Lifelong Learning for All in the Era of AI
No full textThis open access book constitutes the proceedings of the 9th European MOOCs Stakeholders Summit, EMOOCs 2025, which took place in Paris, France, during June 30-July 2, 2025. The 20 full papers included in this book were carefully reviewed and selected from 79 submissions. They deal with the ongoing transformation and critical challenges in online education — particularly in the context of artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainable lifelong learning