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Money Changes Everything: How Streaming Services are Decolonizing Content Production Through Sustainability and Diversity of Production, Voice and Audience
No full textStreaming services have changed how television and film is produced, distributed and viewed dramatically since the model began to dominate the industry in the early twenty first century. Multinational concerns have still retained much of the control over what is shown, where, and when, and despite some increased representation of diversity on screen, largely dictating the selection or relevance of such media for their respective audiences leading to a somewhat monocultural choice of programmes. This chapter advocates that decolonization of the film industry could act as a model of best practice by dismantling a dominant system bias which has historically promoted an Anglocentric outlook. New audiences and demographics different to those of typical Western markets, have demanded original content that reflect their interests, often with style, story and language specific to their area. Industry changes that have happened as a result include where, when and how content is viewed, an increase in original and non-English programming, and the localisation of filming hubs, production, and content. There is a golden opportunity to propose a reenvisaging of filmmaking– one that is more inclusive, sustainable and decolonised – which examines all aspects of filmmaking from production practices right through to narrative content
A multi-strategy optimizer for energy minimization of multi-UAV-assisted MEC systems
No full textThe file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Internet of Things (IoT) task offloading involves conflicting objectives of energy consumption and delay. We formulate a bi-objective optimization model for a multi-UAV-assisted mobile edge computing (MEC) system, jointly optimizing resource allocation, task offloading decisions, and UAV deployment to minimize both energy consumption and delay. As the number of offloaded tasks increases, finding feasible solutions becomes more challenging. To address this, we develop an Information Feedback Evolutionary Algorithm (IFEA) that leverages feedback driven guidance to enhance the diversity and convergence of the Pareto front (PF). Simulation results show that IFEA achieves better trade offs than the other four multi-objective algorithms
Good Enough Ethics by Design: AI and Alternative Digital Realities
Full text linkGood Enough Ethics by Design: AI and Alternative Digital Realities is based on research from the EU-funded SHARESPACE project, the book shows how GEE can be applied across emerging technologies and calls for an iterative, inclusive ethics culture - one that embeds reflection into innovation without stifling it.Good Enough Ethics explores how society can ethically navigate the accelerating complexity of technological innovation. Tracing developments from cave paintings to the industrial age to AI and the Metaverse, the book explores reactive approaches - such as GDPR and the Online Safety Act - and examines proactive strategies like Ethics by Design, which integrates ethics throughout product development. Yet such frameworks often prove too rigid or burdensome in practice. Inspired by Donald Winnicott’s idea of good enough parenting, the authors propose Good Enough Ethics (GEE) - a pragmatic, flexible model that balances ethical responsibility with real-world constraints. Rather than aiming for perfection, GEE emphasises empowering technologists to act ethically without paralysis. Based on research from the EU-funded SHARESPACE project, the book shows how GEE can be applied across emerging technologies and calls for an iterative, inclusive ethics culture - one that embeds reflection into innovation without stifling it
Do the Generational Cohorts of CEOs Influence Corporate Travel Emissions?
No full textopen access articleAccording to Mannheim’s generational theory, each generation exhibits unique attitudes that shape its behaviour. This paper suggests that a CEO’s generational background can shape their environmental views, which, in turn, influence the company’s business travel policies. Using econometric models and data from 347 firms in 31 countries, the study tests this idea. Results show that companies led by Millennials or Generation X CEOs tend to produce fewer emissions from business trips compared to those led by Baby Boomer CEOs. However, this effect is influenced by CEO tenure: longer tenure is associated with lower travel emissions. Overall, the data indicate that a CEO’s age is positively related to higher business travel emissions
A United Nations academic impact global hub: Embedding sustainability throughout a forensic science degree programme
No full textThe 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were established by the United Nations to improve lives around the world [1]. The SDGs have a focus on cultural, ethical, environmental and social issues, as well as lifelong learning, reduced inequalities, wellbeing, and health. De Montfort University (DMU) is the only higher education institution in the United Kingdom to be a designated global United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) hub for a Sustainable Development Goal. DMU is the hub for SDG11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; with a commitment to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
In this case study of our professional practice, we showcase examples of how Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is embedded into the forensic science programme at DMU. This includes results from a small-scale pedagogic research study which explored the use of six sustainability themes to communicate ESD. Findings suggest that ESD needs to be related, and aligned, to specific subject areas e.g., forensic science, for it to translate to students and be transformative. In addition, we present a discussion of the successful DMUglobal initiative which provides international experiences for forensic science students. We situate this practice within the literature on the pedagogy of international field trips and consider the sustainability and inclusivity implications. Further synchronous and asynchronous SDG activities are outlined, alongside future plans. We hope that the examples presented here will be useful to colleagues delivering forensic science education in considering how they can make their practice more sustainable and inclusive
Guts, grit and God? Spiritual capital and entrepreneurial resilience in a turbulent environment
No full textopen access articleEntrepreneurs operating in turbulent environments face significant uncertainty, resource constraints, and institutional instability, requiring innovative coping mechanisms. While resilience research has traditionally focused on tangible and network-based resources, the role of spiritual capital as a critical, yet largely unexplored, resource for entrepreneurial action remains insufficiently understood. This study addresses this gap by investigating how spiritual capital functions as a distinct yet complementary intangible resource alongside social capital in shaping entrepreneurial resilience. Using a cross-sectional survey of 622 entrepreneurs in Lagos, Nigeria, a setting marked by economic and political volatility, the study employs Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to assess the direct and mediating effects of spiritual capital on resilience. The findings indicate that spiritual capital significantly enhances entrepreneurial resilience, particularly in fostering psychological stability, perseverance, and adaptive capacity. Moreover, the study reveals that while bonding social capital strengthens resilience through emotional and resource-based support, its effect is mediated by spiritual capital, which provides deeper existential motivation. Bridging social capital also plays a role but is less significant when spiritual capital is present, suggesting that in environments where external networks are weak or inaccessible, spiritual capital acts as a stabilising force. The study contributes to the resource-based view (RBV) by demonstrating that resilience is shaped not only by firm-level resources but also by deeply embedded, internally cultivated assets. Practically, the findings highlight the importance of integrating spirituality and psychological resilience mechanisms into entrepreneurship support programs, particularly in volatile institutional contexts
Feature Compression for Cloud-Edge Multimodal 3D Object Detection
No full textThe file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Machine vision systems, which can efficiently manage extensive visual perception tasks, are becoming increasingly popular in industrial production and daily life. Due to the challenge of simultaneously obtaining accurate depth and texture information with a single sensor, multimodal data captured by cameras and LiDAR is commonly used to enhance performance.
Additionally, cloud-edge cooperation has emerged as a novel computing approach to improve user experience and ensure data security in machine vision systems. This paper proposes a pioneering solution to address the feature compression problem in multimodal 3D object detection. Given a sparse tensor-based object detection network at the edge device, we introduce two modes to accommodate different application requirements: Transmission-Friendly Feature Compression (T-FFC) and Accuracy-Friendly Feature Compression (A-FFC). In T-FFC mode, only the output of the last layer of the network’s backbone is transmitted from the edge device. The received feature is processed at the cloud device through a channel expansion module and two spatial upsampling modules to generate multiscale features. In A-FFC mode, we expand upon the T-FFC mode by transmitting two additional types of features. These added features enable the cloud device to generate more accurate multiscale features. Experimental results on the KITTI dataset using the VirConv-L detection network showed that T-FFC was able to compress the features by a factor of 4933 with less than a 3% reduction in detection performance. On the other hand, A-FFC compressed the features by a factor of about 733 with almost no degradation in detection performance. We also designed optional residual extraction and 3D object reconstruction modules to facilitate
the reconstruction of detected objects. The reconstructed objects effectively reflected the shape, occlusion, and details of the original objects. Our source code is released on GitHub at:
https://github.com/yuanhui0325/FC3DOD
Towards a Resilience Innovation Blueprint for Flood-Affected Schools in the UK
No full textopen access articleFlooding is an increasing climate risk in the UK, yet schools remain marginal in resilience planning. Flood events disrupt education, heighten pupil anxiety, increase staff workload and unsettle communities, but these experiences are rarely documented in ways that inform policy. This study examines how schools in the East and West Midlands regions of the UK have experienced and adapted to flooding. Eight qualitative case studies were undertaken in flood-affected schools using semi-structured interviews with key staff, site visits and documentary evidence. Interview transcripts were thematically analysed using NVivo to explore past flood events, levels of preparedness, and readiness for measures such as Property Flood Resilience, Sustainable Drainage Systems and Climate Action Plans. Findings show wide variation in awareness, emergency procedures and engagement with local authorities. Most schools had faced flooding or near misses but lacked formal guidance or flood-specific plans, leading to improvised responses led internally by staff. Despite limited funding, inconsistent communication and exclusion from wider planning, schools demonstrated adaptive potential and willingness to support community preparedness. The study offers evidence to guide headteachers, policymakers and local authorities in strengthening school-based flood resilience and supporting the development of a resilience innovation blueprint for flood-prone schools in the UK
Does business training make a difference? Exploring individual and strategic business outcomes of the Help to Grow Management Programme
No full textopen access articleMany small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are managed by owners, founders, or small leadership teams. The UK government’s Help to Grow Management Programme (HtGM) aims to improve SME growth through leadership and management skills training to increase firm level productivity. The government’s independent evaluation reports for the HtGM programme show that its aims were broadly met, but there is no empirical research that has reviewed the programme. To address this gap, 46 HtGM programme completers were interviewed on their perception of the HtGM outcomes. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and compared to the government’s evaluation reports. This study’s findings show that a variety of programme activities developed skills, knowledge, and management practices, resulting in improved confidence to lead and drive growth. The analysis adds depth to our understanding how this was achieved from the programme, highlighting the benefits of mentoring, networking and cross-collaboration. Follow-up support is recommended for the growth action plan (GAP)
Empowering digital innovation in CMC: A framework for regulatory readiness and confidence
No full textThis paper is one of the outputs of the UK Digital CMC CERSI project funded by the MHRA/UKRI/MRC in 2025-26. The project is led by the University of Strathclyde, CMAC in collaboration with DMU and CCDCDigital transformation in chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) is advancing rapidly through technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, modelling and simulation. However, regulatory frameworks and expertise struggle to evolve at the same pace. The absence of harmonised terminology, evaluation methods and credibility standards creates uncertainty for industry and regulators, limiting the use of digital tools in regulated environments. Early regulatory engagement, consistent approaches to data provenance, and clear criteria for assessing model risk and reliability are needed to ensure confidence in digital methods. The Digital CMC Centre of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSI) is addressing these gaps through the development of a practical framework, case studies and supporting tools to guide regulatory use of predictive models. This article aims to raise awareness of how realising the benefits of digital transformation in CMC depends on early alignment between innovators and regulators, underpinned by shared language and credible, risk-proportionate frameworks for evaluating predictive models across their lifecycle. It describes how the Digital CMC CERSI, through a harmonised framework, case studies, a sandbox and training, is establishing a practical, science-based approach to increase confidence and accelerate the safe regulatory adoption of digital tools
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