Thesis and Research Data Repository Leeds Beckett University
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Navigating Environmental Disputes in the UK: Lawyers’ insights into ADR attitudes and experiences
No full textThere is a dearth of empirical data on lawyers' attitudes toward alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in the specific context of environmental disputes, which are often characterised by complexity and prolonged litigation. This lack of comprehensive insight into lawyers' perspectives may pose challenges to the effective integration of ADR into the legal landscape. Addressing this gap through targeted initiatives and research could enhance awareness and knowledge, fostering a more informed and adaptive approach to utilising ADR in resolving environmental disputes. Utilising a structured questionnaire distributed among a targeted sample, this research employs statistical analysis to quantitatively assess lawyers' awareness, attitudes towards the use of ADR methods to resolve disputes in the environmental arena. This study contributes to filling a significant research gap by providing empirical insights into lawyers' attitudes towards ADR specifically within the context of environmental sphere in the United Kingdom. The survey findings indicate a spectrum of perspectives and while the sample of legal professionals expressed confidence explaining ADR and some had undergone training, concerns about enforceability, familiarity, and delays hampered its usage. Negotiation and mediation were identified as preferred methods, especially for lower-value environmental disputes. The implications for practice underscore the necessity for targeted educational initiatives to enhance awareness and familiarity with ADR, potentially fostering its greater integration into legal strategies for environmental dispute resolution. The findings also hold significance for policymakers and legal practitioners, informing strategies that could expedite and streamline dispute resolutions in the realm of environmental law, ultimately contributing to a more effective and adaptive legal landscape.</p
The Emerging Role of Built Environment Education in Facilitating Resilience to External Impacts through Natural Disasters
No full textOver the past several years, the world has seen a significant number of natural disasters. Managing the impact of such disasters will require ongoing disaster management and improving the resilience of settled areas, including buildings and the infrastructure that serves them. Critical to this process will be the education of built environment professionals such as engineers, construction managers and asset managers; and the systems, including advanced information systems, which support them. Components of such education include not only an understanding of resilience and its management, but also related topics such as sustainability and its management, sound design, an understanding of asset management, and the use of advanced materials. Built environment professionals will also require an understanding of current issues in assessing and managing risk management in planning, design, construction and disaster management, and their role in managing such risk, along with associated tasks such as understanding the life cycle management of such events and using advanced information systems to assist in their decisionmaking process. Current education approaches used in teaching sustainable and resilient design, development and management of the built environment are discussed. Such teaching ranges from technical to postgraduate levels and includes research supervision. The authors further discuss how the emerging role of such education can be enhanced through the consideration of emerging developments such as the fourth industrial revolution and artificial intelligence in this process into the role of the built environment professional. An integrated approach that combines sustainability and resilience teaching, and which is taught across a range of disciplines, is considered a useful approach for undertaking the educational process.</p
Exploring the Complexities of Data Visualisation Developers’ Working Practices - A Constructivist Grounded Theory Approach
No full textData visualisation development is inherently complex, involving uncertainty at various stages of the process leading to construction and use of the visualisations. Often, the literature provides empirical discussion on data visualisation processes and methods, and less so on the work context and social environment. This research study aims to explore the social and human aspects of data visualisation developers’ work practices using the Constructivist Grounded Theory Methodology (CGTM). Four distinct, yet interrelated studies were conducted involving a research institute, a public services body, a charity-owned project and a university and achieve theoretical saturation. Data was collected from interviews and observations of 22 data visualisation developers, data visualisations and a founder’s Ask Me Anything (AMA) post. My thesis explored how and why developers construct data visualisations for their users and demonstrated the application of CGTM to data visualisation development. In doing so (a) I present comprehensive phases of CGTM applied throughout my research; (b) I discuss the challenges of investigating the sociocultural context of data visualisation use, which resulted in composing a novel visual data analysis framework; (c) I demonstrate how data triangulation can be conducted, combining the framework with more conventional GTM methods; and (d) I present my data that has earned its relevance in the studies, the systematic generation of results and the explication of a substantive theory.
The overall study revealed critical multifaceted, yet interdependent organisational and cognitive constraints faced by the developers and how they manage the constraints, with a social purpose of developing data visualisations for their intended users. The constraints influence how and why developers render their intentions in the data visualisations they produce, indicating the primacy of constraints in advancing their analytical expertise. My research contributions are the novel visual data analysis framework and approach to developing a substantive theory triangulated from and grounded in a combination of empirical data. The resultant theory is specific to a particular area due to the unique combination of studies relating to human activity of data visualisation development and use. Effective data visualisations connect the developer with their users, bringing about transformative change to the organisation and generating impact for research.</p
Rhythmic Entrainment in Video Games
No full textThis thesis contributes to knowledge by taking established research methodologies from the study of musical rhythm and its effect on humans and applying them to the examination of the video game player’s behaviour and experience. Through a multidisciplinary approach it attempts to investigate whether the process of rhythmic entrainment occurs during the act of video game play and the impact that it might have on the player’s behaviours, actions, and subjective experience. In order to explore how games can influence how the player might behave, the concept of rhythm in relation to the design and development of video games is explored. Through the use of level design game developers can create rhythms in the overarching experience, which in combination with the use of music, and its associated rhythms, encourage certain kinds of playstyles and behaviours in the player. Due to the apparent universal and unconscious effect of rhythmic entrainment, music exerts an influence which can lead to a range of benefits in terms of physical and attentional processes. There is also the potential for negative impacts, on the player experience, should the seemingly ubiquitous process of rhythmic entrainment be inhibited or prevented due to conflicts between the rhythms of the level design and that of the accompanying music. The goal of the empirical research discussed within this thesis is to determine whether rhythmic entrainment occurs within the behaviour and the perception of the video game player. This is undertaken in two forms; the first utilised pre-existing game footage and through a process of coding inferred the player’s actions and intentions, while the second utilises a custom developed online game to gather in-game metrics and timings in real time. Overall, the results suggest that in terms of the player behaviour, rhythmic entrainment does not occur, but that the player’s perception of their own actions and in-game events can be influenced by rhythmic entrainment at a perceptual level.
Related research outputs:
https://eprints.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/id/eprint/11077 (presentation: Rhythmic Entrainment and its Impact on the Video Game Player)
https://eprints.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/id/eprint/11078 (presentation: Investigating Rhythmic Entrainment Within Video Games
Hybrid Cognitive System for Smart Navigation
No full textTraditional navigation systems and applications often face limitations due to their over-reliance on GPS signals and maps, as well as lack of reasoning, adaptive planning, and cognitive capabilities. Cognitive architectures such as Soar have aimed to develop more general intelligent autonomous agents by modelling human-inspired capabilities for diverse application domains including smart navigation. Despite the potential benefits of Soar architecture to address these previously mentioned challenges, there persists gaps for the improvement of its overall effectiveness including limited integration with algorithms and external systems, absence of real-time knowledge graph visualisation, memory reliance for knowledge integration and access, and lack of sophisticated approaches such as proactive tailored for specific challenges and domains, among others. This research introduces a hybrid cognitive architecture that extends Soar's cognitive capabilities accompanied with novel implementations, integrations, and techniques such as predictive, deliberative, and proactive demonstrated through a smart navigation use case proof of concept. Several research key contributions include extending Soar's capabilities through integrating specialised path planning algorithm with enhanced computation runtime, knowledge extension through external system integrations, and implementation of interactive and dynamic knowledge and matrix graphs, among many others. Testing and evaluation results provide validation and verification of the proof of concept, that is, cognitive autonomous agent’s performing navigation-related tasks within a simulated environment, with an extended overall knowledge base. </p
People and Parks. Understanding the role of communities in improving urban green spaces for health: success factors, challenges and inequality implications
No full textBackground. This research aimed to explore how Friends Groups work with local authorities and other partners to ensure their local urban green spaces are a well maintained and utilised amenity for public health. Good quality green space, close to where people live, improves health and wellbeing yet, in deprived areas with worse health, there is less access to this health-promoting resource. Improving green space in these areas could help tackle health inequalities.
Friends Groups, local people who act together to improve their local green space, are a growing phenomena. There is a lack of evidence however regarding how they develop and are sustained, especially in deprived areas, and whether relying on them contributes to or mitigates against inequality.
Methods. This study utilised qualitative methodology, influenced by ethnography. Seven case studies, in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, participated: five established Friends Groups and two developing. Data collection included participant observation, interviews, focus groups, and ‘walk and talks’. Developing group data was collected longitudinally, over three years. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with local authority park staff. Analysis was initially by case to produce narrative accounts, and then cross-case to identify explanatory success factors.
Results. A conceptual framework was developed that identifies four domains affecting the success, or otherwise, of Friends Groups: Place, People, Process and Power. Each domain identifies the most pertinent factors influencing group development and sustainability.
Leaders play a key role. Commitment, perseverance and motivation are vital whilst being confident, capable, with authority and connections improves chances of success. Place also affected success. Groups operating in informal spaces found it harder to become established than those in traditional parks. Having formal structures, regular activities and in-built sociability helped groups succeed.
The relationship between local authorities and Friends Groups was often challenging, with conflict and disagreement leading to frustration and stress. Different perceptions of participation and control contributed to tensions. Parks teams were often unaware of issues relating to inequality.
Implications. This study raises concerns that, as the model currently operates, it could exacerbate green space inequalities. Deprived neighbourhoods are less likely to have leaders with the required qualities and connections for success, and parks teams show a preference for working with more capable groups, who are likely to be in more affluent areas. Recommendations centre on supporting Friends Groups in disadvantaged areas to strengthen capabilities and working with local authorities to encourage greater sharing of control
"You can't spell Leeds without LSD and a couple of Es": The story of the development and promotion of dancefloor venues and spaces in Leeds, UK
No full textPeople have danced to music in managed spaces in Leeds since the Victorian era. Initially this was in
ballrooms, following this, in dance halls, discos, nightclubs, clubs and now ‘venues’. Up until 1943,
people in managed spaces in Leeds danced only to live music, and afterwards still predominantly did
until the DJ rose to prominence as a musical entertainer in the 1950s. In the 1960s the DJ rose further
in profile, and by the 1970s was the dominant provider of music in the discos and nightclubs of Leeds.
House music became popular in Leeds in the late 1980s and with that the rave scene was embraced
by young people in the ‘second summer of love’. By the early 1990s, changes in the law made dancing
to repetitive beats in a field, illegal and the Leeds rave scene and house music were sent indoors to
licensed venues. Nightlife in Leeds exploded as a result and entrepreneurial promoters emerged, keen
to capitalise on the scene that they loved. House music has been the dominant form of music played
by DJs in the clubs and venues of Leeds ever since.
Promoters created branded events that repeated, the so-called recurrent event. Something that I am
defining as one that occurs on a scheduled periodic basis, for example a weekly house music event
that occurs on a Friday, with a consistent name, brand identity and DJ. Such events are designed to
attract repeat attendees by providing a regular format and experience. The 1990s was a golden era
for house music in the clubs of Leeds.
The 2000s saw house music remain dominant, but other scenes emerge, as New Yorkshire made a
challenge. The 2010s saw a professionalism in language and the word ‘venue’ rise in profile over club.
However, the 2010s was a decade of difficulty with almost 30% of club venues closing nationally. A
bad situation became worse with the Covid-19 pandemic and associated lockdown measures in the
2020s, and conditions have remained challenging ever since.
In the preface of this thesis a philosophical discussion will take place as to what a ‘club’ actually is,
using a range of viewpoints, from a concept of exclusive membership of an organisation, to a physical
space of topophilic place attachment.
In Chapter 1, nightlife and how it grew and became recognised as a valid industry sector will be
explored. The city of Leeds, UK will also be introduced, from a geographical, economic, and sociopolitical perspective.
In Chapter 2, the primary research methods that have used for this thesis alongside their underpinning
philosophies will be explained, these are primarily interviews, supported by extensive ethnographic
content analysis resulting in Leeds Club History Project. The ethical considerations that have been
made in conducting thisresearch will be highlighted. There is also referenced justification for the nontraditional structure of this thesis, due to the integration of primary research and literature
throughout the chapters.
In Chapter 3, an exploration will take place of how nightlife in Leeds has developed through the ages,
giving a decade-by-decade account from the 1950s to the present day, highlighting music styles and
genres, venues and promoters.
In Chapter 4, the focus shifts to the methods of promotion that have been used by promoters in Leeds
over the decades. Innovation, a DIY approach, circumvention of ‘rules’ and the impact of technology,
from hand-written flyers to Letraset, computers, and social media will all be analysed.
In Chapter 5, the law and politics / public policy that has both hindered and assisted nightlife in Leeds
from the days of the ball room where alcohol wasn’t served, to Leeds becoming a 24 hour city will all
become the focus of discussion. The impacts of these legal and political elements will be analysed and
discussed in depth as nightclubs rose in prominence in the city, before going into decline.
In Chapter 6, the unsafe social conditions that used to exist in Leeds will be explained and how clubs
have served a community purpose that have made Leeds a safer place for those people who may be
‘alternative’ or identify as part of the LGBT+ community.
In Chapter 7, the theme of safety shifts towards racism and how in the face of this, DIY innovation
amongst the Afro-Caribbean community of Leeds, brought the city new music and sound system
culture, something which has shaped the music and technology within venues ever since.
In Chapter 8, a decade-by-decade discussion about the relationship between music, nightlife, and
drugs, will be analysed and how this has impacted upon the venues and recurrent events that have
taken place in Leeds. This discussion shifts to how the younger generation today are more inclined to
shy away from drugs and alcohol in the face of healthier lifestyle alternatives.
In Chapter 9, predictions will be made as to what the future may hold for recurrent events in Leeds
for the remainder of the 2020s. In doing so recurrent event numbers, venues, promoters, music and
DJs will all be discussed.
In Chapter 10, the thesis draws to a close with a conclusion that discusses the key points of learning
that have been made from conducting this research, along with making recommendations to key
stakeholder groups. Finally the contribution to knowledge that this research has given will be
highlighted.
The thesis chapters are supported by extensive appendices, which are named above in the table of contents.</p
Financing Local Authorities in Ghana: Can decentralizing control of natural resources enhance service delivery and local economic development?
No full textIn Ghana, the fundamental problem confronting local assemblies is the widening gap between the availability of financial resources and their spending needs. The local assemblies are mostly blessed with an abundance of natural resources of various kinds, from which adequate revenue can be generated to support local economic growth and development. The management and control of natural resources, however, seemed centralised, posing challenges to efficient management and utilisation of accrued revenues to the benefit of the people. Decentralising the management and control of natural resources could be more beneficial since it will enable the widening of the fiscal space of local assemblies. This research therefore explored how Decentralising the control and management of natural resources can enhance service delivery and local economic development. The research deployed the qualitative research method and used the case study research design by relying on selected local assemblies endowed with mineral natural resources in Ghana. Data was collected from key stakeholders including both the central, and local government officials and traditional leaders through interviews. The participants were selected through on purpose using the purposive and snowball sampling methods. The thematic method was used to carry out an analysis of the study.
The study revealed that fiscal decentralisation of natural resource control is not extensively practised in Ghana. The local assemblies are less included in the management and control of the resources and thus have no direct benefit from the revenues generated from the exploitation of the resources. It is deduced further that there are legal frameworks that guide the control and management of natural resources in Ghana, however, these frameworks are not comprehensive enough. The country partly relies on some of its laws spelt out in the constitution in the control and management of natural resource exploitation, which includes fewer local assemblies. The central government is unwilling to include local assemblies to participate actively in the management and control of natural resources. In conclusion, local assemblies derive no direct benefit from the resources mostly found at their doorstep. This affects their fiscal space, leading to inadequate finances towards local economic growth and development. The assemblies have the required capacity and only need the support of the central government to manage, control and generate revenue from their natural resources. To help local assemblies less endowed with the resources to benefit as well, co-management of the natural resources could be a good strategy.</p
Flexible Working in Construction Project Management - Sustaining Team Cohesiveness
No full textThe demand for flexible working is on the rise. Many project-based organisations that work exclusively onsite, have started adopting flexible working to suit the teams' needs. Flexibility, in this context, refers to working from different locations, including an employer’s office, remote work, or a combination of both. Many organisations have been forced to adjust to these work arrangements due to reasons such as the COVID19 pandemic, demand for work-life balance, and technological advancement. However, it seems that not enough research has been conducted in the construction sector regarding the challenges of cohesiveness among project teams working flexibly. This study aims to address this gap by providing valuable insights through a review of the literature. It offers insights into the challenges of cohesiveness in flexible work environments, presented in a framework to aid project managers and their teams. A narrative literature review was performed to identify these challenges. Based on the feedback analysed from a pilot survey, a revised version was developed and analysed to inform questions for semi-structured interviews. The narratives are currently being analysed with NVivo. It is expected that the framework will have generic applicability in project management with the increasing demand for flexible working.</p
Application areas and potential benefits of blockchain-smart contract in infrastructure Public-private partnership (PPP) projects
No full textPublic-private partnerships (PPP) have gained increased patronage by governments in both developed and developing nations. Governments leverage PPP to utilise the private sector's technical strength and capital to improve value for money (VfM) delivery to their citizenry through the provision of mega, long-term infrastructure projects. However, PPP projects have continued to suffer from failures, early termination, and re-municipalisation due to failure to meet projects and stakeholders' performance expectations. Poor quality, lack of trust and transparency by the parties, skewed risk allocation, fraud in contractor selection, poor contract compliance, and inability to enforce bill payment by end-users have led to strained relationships between the public and private sectors and the ultimate termination of contracts. Blockchain and smart contracts possess unique features that can mitigate some of these problems and lead to improved and sustainable performance of PPP projects. While studies on the digitalisation of PPP contracts in the built environment are limited to BIM technology, adopting Blockchain and smart contracts in PPP projects is a scanty and underexplored domain. This study, via a questionnaire survey, examined the application areas and potential benefits of blockchain-smart contracts in infrastructure PPP projects. Relevant data were collected from experienced built environment experts using the snowball sampling technique, and the data were analysed using appropriate descriptive statistical tools. The leading application areas of blockchain-smart contracts are (1) Payment and financial administration, (2) Data and Information management, (3) supply chain management, and (4) dispute resolution and management. Prominent potential benefits of blockchain-smart contracts are (i) Decentralisation of payments and other transactions, (ii) prevent misapplication of contractual provisions, (iii) improved interoperability in data exchange, and (iv) better project resources management. This report is part of an ongoing PhD research that would provide a framework for the digitalisation of infrastructure PPP contracts.</p