Thesis and Research Data Repository Leeds Beckett University
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Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for a School Building Retrofit Regarding Embodied and Operational Carbon Emissions
No full textRetrofits are applied to buildings as climate mitigation and adaptation measures in the built environment. Passive retrofit measures can contribute to decreased operational energy consumption and carbon emissions. In addition, passive cooling measures can become more significant since they can perform without a power supply. However, the embodied carbon emissions from the retrofitted building components and materials should also be taken into consideration due to their impact on total carbon emissions. Moreover, retrofit measures are vital for educational buildings since school buildings host vulnerable people, such as children. This study aims to conduct a life cycle assessment (LCA) for school building retrofits, including different shading elements, to provide an optimized retrofit solution. The building is modeled in Revit to extract material quantities used in LCA calculations. This extracted information is embedded into the One Click LCA tool to calculate embodied carbon emissions, while DesignBuilder is used to calculate operational carbon emissions with energy consumption. The results show that operational carbon emissions are remarkable contributors to total carbon emissions, while embodied carbon emissions from the product stage are the second. In the meantime, medium-II retrofit scenarios, especially the Medium-II R03, are the most efficient LCA scenarios.</p
Real-time Asset Information Modelling (rtAIM) Protocol for Highways
No full textTo operate successfully, an asset-centric organisation must recognise the need of visually validating the placement of its constructed assets. This is important to organisations but there are limitations and challenges. Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been widely adapted, and its establish methods and technologies offers some potentials in benefiting the highways sector. Hence this study involved the development of a BIM-based protocol and decision framework for real-time collection, validation, and handover of attribute data for National Highways' major schemes, using machine learning from images collected from drone flights.
The study has integrated qualitative and quantitative approaches at rigorous and extensive stages, following the principles of critical realism theory and exploratory sequential mixed methods. The qualitative research further informed the design of a questionnaire which was used to elucidate broader industry experts’ perspective that ultimately guided the design, development and validation of machine learning-enabled real time asset information modelling.
A new protocol to overcome these limitations by applying Machine Learning algorithms for Mask RCNN (Region based Convolutional Neural Networks) and recognising the assets of roads with geospatial images obtained from drones. The prototype looked at a linear asset, as they are the most difficult to capture. Using 150 images of the chosen asset type, these were labelled then processed using machine learning which then highlighted the assets it had learnt, allowing the output to be sent to client databases in there required file format.
As proposed in the framework and validated through a case study the prototype effectively showcased how drone photogrammetry, powered by Machine Learning, a subset of Artificial Intelligence and Building Information Modelling (BIM) processes, can capture assets in real-time. This process reduces the time for redlining and negates the need for on-site surveys, adding value and reducing programme time.</p
Beyond the ‘glass bead game’: a critical investigation into the theorising acts of teachers of Literature in English Secondary schools.
No full textIn this submission I investigate the ways in which Secondary English teachers theorise the concepts of Literature, writer, and reader as they plan and teach literary texts to students in Key Stage 3. At degree level, the disciplinary codes, rules and conventions of literary study are deconstructed in formal courses on Literary Theory; I argue that an increased focus on these modes of operation at school level would help teachers and their students gain confidence in understanding the utility and implications of and alternatives to particular reading positions. It would also help both teachers and students re-appraise and validate their roles as stewards and contributory actors to the discipline, to rebalance the asymmetric relations of epistemological power. This research contributes new empirical findings to the literature on the disciplinary identity of school literary study, the ways in which knowledge is framed and authorised within it, and the status of teachers and their students as theorists. Via a sequence of semi-structured interviews, I explore the theorising trajectories of 4 experienced English teachers as they plan, teach and review a scheme of learning on a literary text at Key Stage 3. Using a Critical Pedagogy lens, I examine the participants’ acts of disciplinary framing, their conceptions of disciplinary power, authority and influence, and how they induct students into critical identities and dispositions. I conclude that epistemological awareness of the constructed nature of disciplinary codes and conventions can help teachers move towards a more inclusive version of school literary study, one which acknowledges the contextual contingency of any response and shows knowledge and meaning to be the products of ongoing discourses, including those which students bring into and create within the classroom. I present recommendations for practice in the form of a new framework for school literary study in its compulsory phase, and a call for an increased emphasis on epistemological questions as professional development for teachers of Literature across the sector.</p
Impact of CFA Franc Exchange Rate on CEMAC Nations Economic Growth
No full textThe impact of changes in the real exchange rate (RER) on economic growth has been of growing attention in recent policy debates. One of the focal reasons for the growing attention is due to the growth experienced by some East-Asian nations between the period 1965 to 1990s, which is attributed to the exchange rate. On the other hand, the debate was renewed due to series of economic crises faced by some nations, whereby unsustainable exchange rate was identified as the cause.The main goal of this thesis is to examine the relationship between the CFA franc and the economic growth of the CEMAC zone. This was done by first investigating the state of the currency in all CEMAC nations, as seen in the first empirical question. Because there is not ‘one’ equilibrium REER, rather there is a path of equilibrium REER through time, I used the Behavioural Equilibrium Exchange Rate (BEER) approach by Clark and MacDonald (1998) to ascertain the state of the CFA franc. The results showed that as of the year 2018, the CFA was at equilibrium in all the CEMAC nations, and governments should not be worried.The second question analysed if currency devaluation improved the trade balance in CEMAC nations through the presence of the J-curve. I used the aggregate bilateral trade date approach by Rose and Yellen (1989), and the aggregate trade date approach by Magee (1973) to analyse the presence of J-curve between the individual CEMAC nations and their main trade partners. Due to lack of data for some of the CEMAC nations, only three CEMAC nations were used in this section (Cameroon, Central Africa Republic – CAR, and Gabon). The results showed the presence of J-curve only in Cameroon models for both approaches, implying that CFA franc devaluation improves the trade balance in Cameroon. The absence of J-curve in CAR and Gabon means that policymakers could use other tools than the CFA franc devaluation to improve their trade balance. Also, there is a need for an improvement of bilateral trade flow within the region.The third question examined the relationship between the REER and economic growth in the CEMAC zone. The CFA franc devaluation was meant to improve the economic growth of the entire CEMAC Zone. As such, I used the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) panel autoregression distributed lag (ARDL) approach to investigate the nature of the relationship between REER and the CEMAC region’s economic growth. The result showed that the CFA franc devaluation did not influence the region’s economic growth. Thus, policymakers should use other tools to improve the region’s economic growth.</p
The flipped learning pedagogy, an innovative strategy to enhance L2 motivation and employability skills
No full textThe West African Higher Education (HE) sector, mainly in the Francophone area, is currently facing pedagogical quality issues affecting learner motivation, engagement, and acquisition of skills that meet the demand of a 21st-century labour market and society as a whole. This is particularly true in the L2 field traditionally dominated by teacher-centred educational philosophies and passive pedagogical approaches. Moreover, from the 1880s to the 1990s there was a succession of L2 theories and approaches, but since the 1990s they have lost popularity and left the L2 field without particular methods and theories. This thesis involves the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, based on participants’ perception and classroom behaviours, to generate a theory (mixed-methods grounded theory). The research aims to close that gap by finding out whether and how the use of flipped-learning (FL), an innovative pedagogical approach, could possibly promote learner satisfaction in terms of motivational and ES development strategies. To answer this question, an online survey was conducted using a quantitative and a qualitative questionnaire administered to 35 L2 learner participants in a flipped Business English course. On top of the survey, four open-ended classroom observations (COs) involving 49 students, and three in-depth focus group (FG) interviews involving 13 students were conducted to gather further qualitative data for triangulation and results validation purposes. This course was part of the Programme Grande Ecole (PGE)1 Business Administration undergraduate and postgraduate degree programme in Centre Africain d’Etudes Supérieures en Gestion (CESAG), a West African Economic Monetary Union (WAEMU) Business School headquartered in Dakar, Senegal. The respondents from the PGE department, who voluntarily participated in the data collection process were selected through a non-probability purposive sampling technique. To analyse the data, a descriptive statistical analysis (μ and Pearson r) together with a grounded theory coding technique were utilised. The findings suggest that the FL approach has a noticeable positive impact on learner motivation, engagement, ES, and overall satisfaction, which is in line with the current literature. On this basis, the study concludes that the FL pedagogy has the potential to significantly impact learner motivation, engagement, acquisition of ES, and overall personal development, provided that the FL approach is based on the humanistic learning theory.</p
The Commodification of Women’s Insecurity: How Is Capitalism Exploiting Women?
No full textThe third wave of feminism emphasizes women’s liberation of agency and individual choice in contemporary society. Exemplified by lifestyle influencers and female entrepreneurs, women are encouraged to live a life of self-fulfilment and expression (Petersson Mclntyre, 2021). However, there has been a shift in feminist discourse through the critique of ‘consumer society’ and neoliberal commodification (Chen, 2013). Theorists like Dimulescu (2015) advocate society has rebranded women's exploitation and concealed their lack of choice through beauty culture and lifestyle influencers, who preserve patriarchal control and gender inequality. Recent feminism criticises neoliberalism and consumer culture to have target insecurities for women to commodify women’s struggles. Although Petersson Mclntyre (2021) argues that beauty standards and self-expression for women in contemporary society are empowering and liberating, we must consider the possibility contemporary society is not empowering women's self-confidence and expression in the way we were led to believe. A new upsurge of feminism –known as the 4/5th wave- advocates the post-modern world appears liberating for women but truly women are another commodity for capitalism (Daniels, 2023).</p
The Boom of Crime Dramas Within Postmodern Society: The Spectacle of Crime, Commercialisation, and Stereotyping
No full textWithin this critical reflection, I aim to highlight how, during the shift from modernity into postmodernity, society saw a growth in fictional crime dramas on television. Through understanding this growth, along with the reasonings behind why these shows have become immensely popular, the paper will divulge into how this sensationalised portrayal of crime through crime dramas has created distortions of crime and as a result generated harmful images of crime and the justice system along with certain groups within society.</p
Work Breakdown Structures Within Data Centre Projects: Assessing Influence and Application Strategies
No full textIn a period marked by a skilled workforce shortage, a dynamic and an escalating workload, the acceptance of schedule overruns in the construction industry appears commonplace. Amidst these challenges, the urgency to secure project completion milestones remains as an essential mandate. The incorporation of the work breakdown structure, according to literature, is a critical component of the project schedule, however, it is noticeably omitted from discussions around schedule overruns. Therefore, this study aims evaluate the methods in which a work breakdown structure is applied and assessed in Data Centre projects. A literature review, coupled with semi-structured interviews, focuses on which constraints and performance measurement techniques, a work breakdown structure influence. Findings highlight a lack of understanding, a misconception on the level of effort required for WBS development, a lack of WBS performance measurement techniques, and minimal meaningful literature from which to develop a person's understanding of the complexities of a WBS. This study's originality becomes apparent in shedding light on the frequently underestimated influence of work breakdown structures on Data Centre construction projects. Its value lies in its potential to enhance collaboration and alignment between client and contractor in defining project scope to achieve a successful construction timeframe.</p
Determining The Effectiveness of Risk Process Practice In Malaysia's Urban Landscape Planning Project Lifecycle
No full textMany urban landscape planning project risks become issues if not handled early. Risk management is necessary to control these undesirable risks through a project lifecycle risk process. Risk management is a well-established topic with global applications. However, research on integrating the risk process into the project lifecycle is uncommon. This study aims to examine how well the present risk process practice works throughout the project lifecycle. The aim of the study was achieved by conducting a thorough analysis of the risk process practice in the urban landscape planning project lifecycle. Within the project lifecycle phase, the practice effectiveness examined characteristics of risk process planning, process sequentialness, and completeness of each process stage. An investigative case study was used in the research technique. An expert interview with twelve landscape practitioners overseeing urban landscape planning projects in Malaysia was used to gather data. The content analysis approach is then applied to analyse it to create a topic and categorise, describe, and synthesise a thematic map. According to the study, the risk process is insufficiently integrated into the landscape architecture project lifecycle. The process is applied ad hoc and unplanned as risk process practice, beginning in the middle of the project lifecycle phase. Secondly, the risk process is applied intermittently since the risk is applied randomly and nonsequentially over the project lifecycle stage. Third, risk process techniques are incomplete because they only cover process steps. The practice restricted project performance risk management benefits. Infective integration causes project risk to be realised late in the lifecycle, managed poorly, and executed informally. The urban landscape risk management process should be elevated in urban landscape planning practice by integrating it into the project lifecycle framework.</p
Exploring the Powerlessness of Pakistan Construction Professionals Towards Mainstreaming Sustainability
No full textMany traditional barriers towards adopting sustainability in the built environment have been overcome over the past thirty years since 1994 when sustainable construction was conceptualised. For instance, there is increasing awareness about sustainability, and there are now multiple regulations, tools, strategies and assessment methodologies to guide its successful implementation. However, the current academic literature suggests that adopting sustainability in emerging economies like Pakistan could be more evident. Most research efforts have been made to give solutions for addressing sustainability issues in the construction sector through organisational change. However, there seems to be little understanding of the problems which construction professionals are facing in the form of sociopsychological controlling beliefs about sustainability. Using the theory of planned behaviour, this ongoing research attempts to fill this research gap by investigating the non-volitional external controlling factors that might be influencing Pakistani construction professionals' actions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Pakistan construction professionals as part of a qualitative narrative inquiry. The research findings of ten interviewees indicate that construction professionals feel powerless as they cannot translate their behavioural intention towards adopting sustainable practices due to non-volitional contextual factors, which include lack of government support, unwillingness of clients, and limited budget. This research-inprogress will help policymakers improve national policies and take initiatives through incentives and subsidies to help construction professionals in embracing sustainability. There is also a need to conduct a nationwide campaign to encourage local clients to adopt sustainable construction. This research offers future research works to track changes over time to facilitate a deeper understanding of the behavioural change and evolving dynamics of sustainability adoption within the construction sector.</p