Thesis and Research Data Repository Leeds Beckett University
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Perfectionism, emotional resilience, wellbeing, and academic experiences in adolescence within further education
No full textIn my study, I explore the intricate landscape of mental health in the English further education (FE) system with a focus on policy implications and the relationship between perfectionism, mental health and wellbeing within the adolescent life stage. Through my literature review, I investigate the complex relationships among perfectionism, identity formation, anxiety, depression, and emotional resilience, with particular attention to their impact on students in FE. Using a phenomenological approach and reflexive thematic analysis (RTA), I interpret data from thirteen participants across four focus groups and four semi-structured interviews with adolescent FE students (ages 16-17). My findings reveal a significant gap between institutional priorities, such as low absence rates and high grades, and the lived experiences of students, which often involve pressure, stress, and anxiety. These challenges significantly impact student wellbeing by promoting maladaptive perfectionism. Furthermore, they stifle the development of emotional resilience, resulting in students feeling they need to be dishonest about the reason for any academic absence. In the discussion, I critically evaluate how institutional messages shape perfectionistic tendencies and impact wellbeing. I advocate for a holistic approach that equates academic objectives with promoting students' emotional wellbeing as part of overall success.</p
Boldly Going Where No Sustainability Assessment Tool Has Gone Before
No full textCivil-engineering infrastructures influence resource usage, patterns of mobility and economic productivity, which will stay with us for many generations yet the delivery of most historical infrastructure projects we have today will have been planned with limited regard for the long-term environmental and/or social externalities. During the past two decades a family of third-party rating systems (such as BREEAM Infrastructure (originally known as CEEQUAL), Envision, Greenroads, amongst others), have been developed to address that deficit. Whilst most literature on building-scale sustainability assessment schemes (such as LEED and BREEAM) is extensive, there are far fewer articles covering the infrastructure-specific tools being used. This study explores BREEAM Infrastructure to identify the benefits of, and barriers to using the tool and also highlights priorities for how the tool needs to be improved. In doing so, we provide a comparison of similar international tools, highlighting deviations in scope, weighting and methodological transparency. We also explain the assessment process and categories involved, plus the scoring, roles and verification procedures that are used to underpin the tool. By collating empirical evidence, we have identified the main benefits as: lifecycle cost savings, biodiversity gains and stakeholder trust; whereas the main barriers are identified as: administrative burdens, limited economic weightings, circular-economy blind spots and patchy international transferability. Whilst BREEAM Infrastructure has obviously advanced sustainability practices across the civil engineering sector, its long-term uptake and application will depend on methodological refinements and its contextual adaptability. Therefore, we have identify four key priorities for its potential improvement, namely: (i) to elevate economic sustainability by making robust lifecycle finance a decisive part of the rating, not an after-thought; (ii) to hard-wire circular economy principles that drive modularity, resource recovery and residual-value optimisation; (iii) to pivot from processes to outcomes on social equity by measuring who benefits and not merely who is consulted; and (iv) to exploit digital twins and open data to transform certification from a static snapshot into a living dashboard of performance.</p
Sustainability and Leadership: Navigating the Human Factor in Advancing Sustainability within the Construction Industry
No full textSustainability presents one of the most pressing challenges for the construction sector, which remains a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. As the industry seeks pathways toward more sustainable practices, leadership is increasingly recognised as a critical driver of organisational change. However, the relationship between leadership styles and sustainability implementation remains underexplored, particularly in the context of the UK construction industry. This study investigates how different leadership practices influence the adoption and success of sustainability initiatives. A critical review of existing literature was conducted to identify key leadership styles and their attributes, followed by a quantitative survey of leading construction professionals in the UK. The findings reveal that leadership styles, particularly transformational and strategic types, play a pivotal role in shaping sustainability outcomes, with each style tending to prioritise different aspects of the sustainability agenda (economic, environmental, or social). This study makes a valuable contribution to both theory and practice by illuminating the nuanced influence of leadership on sustainability efforts in construction. It highlights the need for consistent, proactive leadership and offers practical insight into aligning leadership approaches with the demands of sustainable development.</p
Evaluating the Capacity of Building Assessment Tools to Support Net Zero and Affordability in Housing
No full textThe global housing sector is currently facing two critical and interlinked challenges: a growing affordability crisis and the urgent need to achieve net zero carbon commitments. As one of the largest contributors to energy consumption and carbon emissions, the sector is under increasing pressure to transition to net zero by 2050. Simultaneously, access to affordable and adequate housing remains persistent issue worldwide. Addressing these dual challenges requires solutions that balance environmental performance with economic accessibility.In this context, tools and frameworks designed to support the delivery of affordable net zero housing have become increasingly important. Among them, building assessment tools (e.g., BREEAM, LEED) play a key role by offering structured environmental performance metrics to guide the sustainable housing design and construction. However, their capacity to simultaneously promote affordability remains unclear, raising concerns about their effectiveness in advancing the transition towards affordable net-zero housing solutions.To address this gap, this study evaluated eight internationally recognised building assessment tools, analysing their criteria in relation to both environmental and affordability outcomes. The findings revealed that that while many tools emphasise environmental performance, particularly in energy efficiency and operational carbon reduction, there is limited integration of affordability related indicators such as whole life cycle cost, social equity and long-term financial resilience. Critical gaps also persist in addressing embodied carbon, passive design strategies, occupant well-being, and total cost of ownership, the factors critical for enabling affordable net-zero housing.The study underscores the need for next-generation assessment tools that holistically balance environmental, economic, and social dimensions to ensure that achieving net zero does not come at the expense of affordability or equity.</p
Minimising Construction Rework: The Influence of BIM Maturity Levels in Malaysian Projects
No full textRework remains a persistent challenge in construction, accounting for up to 52% of cost growth and significant schedule delays. While BIM implementation has been studied broadly, the specific relationship between BIM maturity levels and rework frequency requires further investigation. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining survey data (n=71) from industry professionals and a case study of a high-rise residential project with 35 documented non-conformances in the Malaysian construction context. Statistical analysis (ANOVA, p<0.05) reveals that design-related rework causes demonstrate statistically significant reductions as BIM maturity increases from Level 0 to Level 3. Our findings reveal 55% of respondents now implement BIM maturity Level 2, indicating accelerated adoption compared to earlier studies. The case study demonstrates how BIM Level 2 implementation reduced design coordination issues, while contractor-related execution issues (28 of 38 rework instances) remain prevalent. This study establishes that Level 2 BIM maturity represents an optimal starting point for addressing design-stage coordination issues, while comprehensive rework reduction requires supplementary strategies addressing client-initiated changes and contractor execution quality. These findings provide evidence-based guidance for Malaysian construction stakeholders to strategically invest in appropriate BIM maturity levels.</p
Is MMC the silver bullet to solving Ireland’s housing and infrastructural deficit?
No full textThe term “Modern Methods of Construction” (MMC) has recently gained prominence within construction management circles, with several events and publications referencing this theme and linking it with improving efficiency and sustainability. While its recent resurgence is applaudable, construction has been renowned for being resistant to change, thus making the question of whether MMC is a novel approach to construction or recycled idea. This study delves into how and why MMC techniques are gaining popularity despite the underlying concepts of offsite manufacturing, prefabrication and modular construction being over hundred (100) years old. Via a systematic review, this paper reviews research within the construction management field over the last twenty (20) years using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses). The findings from the study shows that unlike other novel construction technologies, the elements of MMC such as inter-modular connections and earthquake resilient prefabricated structures have been used for almost two decades. This brings into question the novelty of MMC despite its touted benefits of optimising material use and reducing lifecycle impacts. This study agrees that the future of MMC looks promising and has potential for increased adoption within construction in Ireland, however, the notion of novelty of MMC is questionable as a MMC appears to be rather an agglomeration of construction techniques rather than an innovative approach to construction. Additionally, we conclude that Ireland has a dearth of research into MMC and there is now justification for more empirical studies into MMC applied to the Irish context.</p
Maternity Care Satisfaction, Birth Mode, and Depression Symptoms: A Mixed Methods Approach
No full textObjectivesThe quantitative objectives of the study were to determine whether postnatal care satisfaction ratings predict depression scores following childbirth, as well as to consider whether the relationship varies between different birth modes and outcome. The qualitative objectives sought to hear the lived experiences and perspectives of women, acting as the mechanisms at play behind the survey insights provided. As this is an area of research that has not yet been explored, the findings of this study provide a novel contribution to the evidence base.DesignThe mixed method study examined care satisfaction and depression in postnatal women with questionnaire responses, as well as explored their voices and perspectives in semi-structured interviews. The quantitative data was then analysed using linear regression, moderator, and mediation analyses, and the qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. 103 women were recruited during their stay on a postnatal ward at a local NHS teaching hospital, and completed an anonymous survey, consisting of eligibility questions, the Women’s Views of Birth Postnatal Satisfaction Questionnaire (Smith, 2011), and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (Cox et al., 1987). The interview questions were designed around the 13 dimensions of postnatal care that participants were asked about during the survey and a total of 13 interviews were conducted.Key FindingsPostnatal care satisfaction ratings were a significant predictor of depression scores. Neither birth type, tear type, or assisted vaginal delivery had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between postnatal care satisfaction ratings and depression scores. Similarly, none of the birth categories had a significant indirect effect on the relationship, which supports an overall conclusion that postnatal care satisfaction ratings predict depression scores, regardless of birth type.Qualitative data analysis identified four themes, common across multiple birth type categories, with no themes limited to any one specific birth type. This highlights that the most prevalent issues identified by women did not change based on the type of birth mode or complication. The four themes were:1. Unmet Needs and Missed Opportunities2. Expectation versus Reality – An Issue of Congruence?3. The Construction of a ‘Good’ Mother, Societal Pressures and Expectations –4. The Obvious and Less- Obvious Existence of Paternalism, Patriarchy, and MedicalisationConclusions and Implications for PracticeThe four themes may be used as a starting point for reshaping the policy that informs practice, as well as identifying some of the prevalent attitudes and cultures that exist within postnatal care, and how women feel that these must change. From the quantitative perspective, it is also worth noting that birth type does not appear to hold as much bearing on women’s evaluations of their postnatal care experiences, compared to the more personable, emotional, and individualised aspects of care and support, which women deemed as lacking. The quantitative findings emphasise the importance of providing women with postnatal care that they are satisfied with, particularly as depression was higher among women with lower care satisfaction ratings.</p
International Sustainable Ecological Engineering Design for Society (SEEDS) Conference 2023 - Conference Proceedings
No full textConference theme: Decarbonise or Demise - implementing zero carbon now.This year we ask:What must we do now to enable transformation towards carbon conscious communities; enabling a resilient carbon neutral future?The International SEEDS Conference aims to bring together experts from around the world to focus on changes required to minimise the impact of human activity on the environment. This year, the conference invites papers aligned to the three main themes of the Suffolk Sustainability Institute. The themes are interdependent and resonate with the imperatives we face in addressing the climate crisis, whether through technological transformation, community collaboration or resource management – each theme addresses issues that we know are vital when changing and challenging practice within our built environment. The arguments are well rehearsed, and this year we have witnessed another COP meeting. SEEDS provides an opportunity for us to share knowledge and experience to implement the research and evidence-based change needed within society to respond to and address ecological and climate impacts.Three main conference themes:Blue/Green Infrastructure (Technology – Smart Solutions for Future Smart Cities and Buildings, Data Science and IOT; Ecology – Nature Based Solutions, Ecosystems Services, Natural Systems, Biodiversity Net Gain)Sustainable Healthy Communities (Community Engagement; Smart Healthy Living/Health and Wellbeing; Behavioural Science to embed Change)Energy and Resource Management (Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Production; Materials Engineering within the Built Environment; Resource Efficient solution and a Circular Economy)</p
Leadership in Online Communities that Operate Offline Activities
No full textThis study explored the leadership experiences of people that manage online communities with an offline component. This was a qualitative study that involved semi-structured interviews on eleven participants who considered themselves more engaged in their communities than the average member. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to examine participants' lived experiences and explore their perceptions. IPA was chosen due to its focus on individuals making sense of their experiences (Smith et al., 2022). Four group experiential themes and ten subordinate themes came to light during the analysis
which included “The keepers of the flame”. All participants expressed how they had a strong feeling of needing to keep the community alive and this motivated them to take on a leadership role in their community. “In it for the friendship” showcased the social and hobbyist heart of online/offline communities. “Cannot fix your parent’s marriage”demonstrates where boundaries of responsibility had to be drawn, where participants had to come to terms with being unable to solve all problems members presented them with. Lastly the theme “Working Between Online and Offline” considered the unique interactions participants had to navigate where online and offline elements of the community intertwined and differed. This study provides insight into how leaders in online/offline communities perceive their experiences and allows venues and platform owners a greater knowledge of
how to work with such communities.</p
Navigating Heterosexual Markets With and Through the Female Body
No full textThis reflection aims to explore current social theory concerning prominent features of contemporary society, through a critical engagement with the commodification of women in advertising within a neoliberal consumer society. To do this, this essay will first establish an understanding of commodification and its links to neoliberalism and women in the context of advertising, drawing on examples of marketing campaigns and evaluating the impact and effectiveness of women’s sexualisation. Then, this essay will seek to understand why women participate in their own sexualisation, through a neoliberal and feminist lens. And finally, there will be discussion of real-world consequences of the commodification of women, exploring dehumanisation, violence against women, and street harassment.</p