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The gift: developing autoethnographic practice in psychology
No full textPaulo Freire believed that we are all teachers and we are all learners. However, within psychology departments, senior academics tend not to be seen as both learner and educator. For example, while there are many formal training courses that we are expected to complete each year, there seems to be less consideration of how experienced academics sustain growth, learning or transformation. In this chapter, we use a dialogical collaborative storytelling approach to explore one type of nurturing and supportive relationship that developed between two experienced academics, leading one to experiment with - and ultimately transform - her research practice
Under the Radar–a case study: embedding knowledge exchange in creative practice-research projects in the SHAPE subjects through engagement activities with non-academic partners and participants
No full textThis article examines the role of creative practice-researchers working in the SHAPE subjects (Social Sciences, Humanities, and the Arts for People and the Economy) in relation to the Knowledge Exchange Framework perspective of Public and Community Engagement. Using a creative practice-research project–the theatre production Under the Radar and its after-show discussion panels–as a case study, I argue that non-academic ‘engagement’ with research should be considered as valuable as research ‘impact’, especially in terms of Higher Education’s ‘third mission’ of wider socio-cultural and socio-political change. Analysing initial findings from audience research, this article goes on to discuss potential approaches to embedding knowledge exchange in creative practice-research projects whose outcomes include a cultural artefact. It concludes by arguing that co-creation with, and knowledge exchange between, the academy, third sector organisations, and the public through engagement activities can produce value for both the academic and non-academic participants and sit within the Knowledge Exchange Framework
A scoping review of outcome measures for people living with dementia and family supporters to evaluate Recovery College dementia courses
Full text linkIntroduction: Recovery Colleges (RC/RCs) aim to promote personal recovery through co-produced courses, grounded in the CHIME (Connectedness, Hope, Identity, Meaning, Empowerment) framework. The DiSCOVERY research programme noted that RC dementia courses may offer a person-centred approach to post-diagnostic dementia care. However, the lack of validated outcome measures for this context presents a challenge in evaluating RCs’ effectiveness. This scoping review examines the potential outcome measures for evaluating the impact of RC dementia courses.
Methods: The review followed the Arksey and O’Malley framework, searching for eligible papers across six databases related to dementia and the CHIME strengths-based approach. Instruments relating to personal recovery and positive psychology for people with dementia or their family supporters were included. Measures of cognition, clinical symptoms, or ‘negative constructs’ (e.g., burden) were excluded. DiSCOVERY stakeholder groups (people with dementia and clinicians) met to collaboratively identify meaningful domains and relevant measures.
Results: Fourteen instruments relating to hope, resilience, self-efficacy, empowerment, and coping were identified. Stakeholders of people living with dementia endorsed domains of empowerment, resilience, and hope. No single instrument captured the range of outcomes that underlie the concepts of the RC dementia course.
Discussion: This study contributes to the limited literature on instruments for the evaluation of concepts underlying RC dementia courses. Findings suggest a need for adaptation and further validation of existing measures, to address responsiveness, interpretability, and the inclusion of domains related to recovery. Future research on recovery in the context of dementia should involve developing or adapting new measures, conducting feasibility studies, and exploring cultural sensitivity for diverse populatio
Ten simple rules for achieving sustainable Quality Improvement in nursing practice.
Full text linkThe implementation of sustainable quality improvement (QI) initiatives remains a
significant challenge in nursing practice. This paper presents an evidence-based guide
comprising ten systematic steps designed to facilitate the development and
maintenance of sustainable QI projects within healthcare settings. The guide integrates
established methodological approaches, including the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle, with practice-oriented strategies for stakeholder engagement and resource optimization. This structured approach addresses key elements of sustainable QI through four core components: preliminary capability assessment, project-specific sustainability planning, systematic implementation and outcome measurement. The methodology draws from current healthcare guidelines and recent research across multiple healthcare settings, validated through pilot implementations in diverse clinical environments. The findings demonstrate that sustainable QI initiatives require systematic planning, continuous stakeholder engagement, and incremental implementation strategies. This evidence based guide provides healthcare practitioners practical, actionable steps for implementing and maintaining quality improvements in clinical practice, offering a bridge between theoretical QI models and real-world application
Hybrid bodies: A Hydro- and ecofeminist reading of Company SJ's Beckett sa Chreig: Laethanta Sona.
No full textThe best teaching session : information literacy through engagement, empowerment, value and impact.
No full textSelf-learning neuromorphic robot based on reward-driven Spiking Neural Network
No full textWhile there are adequate tools available to simulate Spiking Neural Networks (e.g. Brian2, snnTorch), as well as the tools for simulating robots and their environments, there remains a need for integrated tools that enable researchers to jointly simulate realistic brain models, robots, and sensory-rich environments. This work introduces a comprehensive neuromorphic robotic system, which combines neuromorphic computing with neuromorphic (and conventional) sensory and motor devices. We emulate the neuromorphic computing on a conventional low-power CPU, specifically a Virtual Machine on a Raspberry Pi 5, integrating Python and specialised packages for real-time Spiking Neural Networks (SNN) simulations. We achieve: (i) a cost-effective alternative to dedicated neuromorphic hardware, (ii) built-in GPIO and USB ports for seamless sensor and motor interfacing. We have built a demonstrator system: a robotic goalkeeper, using a DVS camera, a digital servo motor, and a touch sensor for a reward signal. The SNN uses a combination of unsupervised and supervised (reinforcement) learning. The system off-line and on-line learning was demonstrated, and some performance metrics reported
A title update for NDT: shaping the future as NDT–journal of non-destructive testing
Full text linkEditoria
Designing digital learning interventions for primary school teachers in rural and remote, low- and middle-income areas
No full textM-learning has established itself as a popular and effective educational method, leveraging the universality of mobile devices. This approach is particularly valuable for continuous training of teachers in rural areas of low- and middle-income countries. This paper presents a systematic review of the literature on m-learning from the perspective of Human-Computer Interaction for Development (HCI4D), focusing on these regions. Databases including Science Direct, ACM, and Google Scholar were searched, ultimately selecting 52 articles published between 2014 and 2024 through specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The PRISMA framework guided the analysis, uncovering various gaps in m-learning for longlife learning in rural areas. The review identified important gaps and opportunities at the intersection of HCI4D and m-learning in relation to themes of interest, geographical coverage, preferred methodologies and technological focus
Adapting health, economic and social policies to address population aging in China
No full textDespite its rapid economic rise over the past four decades, China now grapples with the challenge of accommodating and supporting its expanding aging population. In 2020, 18% of its population were over age 60, and 2.5% were over age 80, projected to rise to 39% and 10%, respectively, by 2050. This demographic shift places China at the forefront of diverse individual, familial and societal challenges. Here, we review these challenges in the context of emerging breakthroughs in basic and translational research, shifts in healthcare paradigms, evolving socioeconomic and political dynamics, and policy innovations. We synthesize China’s current policies toward promoting healthy longevity in the general population, focusing on social health insurance, long-term care insurance, community and home-based care and palliative care, as well as gerontological research, public health prevention, nutritional and medical interventions, while identifying strengths and gaps. Finally, we propose suggestions to promote a more inclusive, resilient and happier aging society within China’s distinctive sociopolitical and cultural context