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Culturally responsive counselling in Aotearoa New Zealand: Counsellors’ experiences to meet the mental health needs of ethnically diverse clients in Aotearoa New Zealand
No full textMental health care and counselling in Aotearoa New Zealand exists within a diverse sociocultural
landscape and counsellors are expected to operate with care, professionalism and a sense of
inclusiveness. Ethnically diverse clients bring a wide range of worldviews, values, and lived
experiences into the therapeutic space and have needs that require cultural sensitivity and skill.
Central to ethical and effective practice is the ability of counsellors to engage in culturally responsive
ways that honour clients’ identities and relational contexts. Culturally responsive counselling
involves more than awareness of cultural difference; it requires counsellors to make an active
commitment to professional and personal development to recognise power dynamics, adapt
therapeutic approaches, and value clients’ cultural perspective and frameworks as integral to their
healing process.
In the Aotearoa New Zealand context, the foundational status of Te Tiriti o Waitangi has shown
there is a need for mental health services to be culturally responsive, however many ethnically
diverse communities are still overlooked because many of the systems and spaces that counsellors
work in are grounded in Western theories or bi-cultural models of health. While some of these
models may be helpful or offer an alternative to the monocultural theories, they are not always
culturally responsive to a growing ethnically diverse population and an increasingly multicultural
society.
This thesis sought to explore the experiences of counsellors working towards culturally responsive
counselling with ethnically diverse clients in Aotearoa New Zealand. Employing a qualitative research
approach via semi structured interviews with current practicing counsellors, the findings revealed
the tensions and challenges counsellors face in bridging Western therapeutic models with diverse
cultural understandings of mental health, family, and spirituality with ethnically diverse clients.
Attention is given to the practical strategies counsellors employ, the role of self-reflection and
cultural humility, and the ongoing professional development needed to support counsellors to
engage ethically and responsively with ethnically diverse clients. In doing so, the research highlights
how culturally responsive counselling is not a fixed set of techniques but a relational, evolving
practice grounded in respect, openness, and a commitment to equity in mental health care
The Trans Art of Failure: Stuttering with Secondary Students’ Spacetimegenderings
No full textResponding to the un/doing of intentions to smoothly enact creative cartographic intra-views and art projects with four trans secondary students (aged 16-17 years old), this chapter employs Halberstam’s (2011) queer art of failure to explore the capaciousness of stuttering methodologies. While transnormativities and geographical limitations undermined the possibility of focus groups, one-on-one intra-views and a spontaneous walking methodology emerged in their place. Art projects that remained ideations highlighted how trans students were likewise never complete but always whole. The participant who ‘ghosted’ underscored the limits of researcher agency and demonstrated how participation is a hauntological phenomenon. These stutterings illustrate how neither ‘failure’ nor ‘success’ is knowable in advance of relations (Barad, 2007), destabilising this binary. The trans art of failure extends artistic politics that offers “the possibilities of new, more different sensations than those we know” (Grosz, 2008, p. 79) through hauntology (Derrida, 1994; Barad, 2012) and immanence (Manning, 2016)
Cloud-Based Smart Factory Using OPC UA
No full textThe vision of Industry 4.0 is to have fully autonomous smart factories where Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) adapt their operations in response to real-time variables without human inter-ference and to have efficient machine-to-machine communication.
Despite many promising developments towards the goal, the adoption of Industry 4.0 concepts is slowing down due to a few challenges. Many factories depend upon and operate legacy systems with limited interoperability, connectivity, and real-time decision-making, hindering the seamless integration of all machines for multiple industrial processes within that factory. Furthermore, the absence of a unified framework for managing machine-to-machine communication also slows the realisation of fully autonomous manufacturing systems among legacy machines. The Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA) is the correct protocol for bridging these gaps and is crucial for the realisation of a smart factory since it is platform-independent, secure, reliable and offers real-time communication.
This thesis introduces a platform-independent application, OPC UA Fusion, which serves as an OPC UA client and multi-server aggregator. This application can connect to multiple OPC UA servers simultaneously, each representing distinct machines on the shop floor with OPC UA server models installed within them. Using the python-opcua library, the OPC UA client UI within the application presents a dashboard for monitoring the hierarchical address space, real-time variable, standardized method execution, graph generation and CSV data export functionalities linked with the respective OPC UA servers within the machines.
The application also acts as an OPC UA Aggregating Server, collecting the server instances of machines to have machine-to-machine communication with sequential method calls across multiple machines with the help of its dynamic scheduling feature. Furthermore, a NoSQL web database connected to the application stores connection parameters, real-time variables, and scheduled methods, enabling maintenance and performance reviews when needed.
Furthermore, customer functionalities and external manufacturing requests are integrated into the OPC UA Fusion application by routing the customer quotes received through a secure web interface. The customers can submit quotes with job specifications through a cloud-based interface named OPC UA Fusion Cloud, which is hosted on the internet. Therefore, the customers are directly connected to the a smart factory, highlighting the application’s alignment with the goals of cloud manufacturing.
The OPC UA Fusion’s functionalities were tested on the Kuka Robots and Serpetine Conveyor at the LISMS Lab to show the address space and interact with real-time variables. The scheduling and aggregating features were demonstrated with a custom-built cobot and a conveyor model powered by two independent Raspberry Pis. Therefore, this thesis addresses the critical gaps in manufacturing facilities and contributes a cloud-based application, advancing the vision of Industry 4.0
Youth-less research
No full textIn New Zealand, we continue to have one of the highest rates of youth suicide in the OECD, with 22·9% of young people aged 15–24 years reporting high or very high psychological distress in the past 12 months in the New Zealand Health Survey 2023–24, and with a lifetime prevalence of non-suicidal self-injury of 34% among people younger than 26 years. Youth suicide prevention must remain a priority research area in New Zealand and across the world to minimise the unnecessary loss of life. A recent move to increase youth involvement in research includes the rise of co-design and participatory methodologies. However, the priorities for, and directions in, youth suicide research continue to be set by policymakers and funders, who can be out of touch with the realities of youth
Women of many “firsts”: novelty framing by news media of ethnic minority women politicians in Aotearoa New Zealand
No full textThere is a significant scholarship on media framing of women politicians in the context of western liberal democracies. However, much less academic attention has been directed at an intersectional analysis of the interface of race/ethnicity and gender media framing of ethnic minority women politicians (EWPs). This article undertakes a comparative analysis of mainstream and ethnic news media’s framing of EWPs in Aotearoa New Zealand (AoNZ) in terms of the news value of “novelty” and considers the implications of such framing on their legitimacy and credibility. Specifically, the article draws on qualitative content analysis to examine how the “novelty” framing – comprising identity framing and uniqueness framing – of 10 EWPs is deployed by mainstream and ethnic news media. The analysis reveals that unlike elsewhere, AoNZ news media tend to foreground the ethnic rather than gender identity of EWPs, with mainstream media framing them in ways that limit their legitimacy and credibility. In addition, the paper demonstrates that the use of identity and uniqueness framing, whether overtly positive or negative, can constrain the political agency of EWPs
Argumentar en matemática: Una perspectiva desde las directrices ministeriales en secundaria pública costarricense
No full textArgumentation, as a mathematical process, was incorporated into the Mathematics Curriculum (PEM) of the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education in 2012. It is integrated into the 2015 Curriculum Transformation educational policy as a skill. These policies should guide argumentative activities in mathematics classrooms, contributing to the training of 21st-century citizens. This study explores and describes the theoretical and methodological framework that supports argumentation in mathematics classes, grounded in Costa Rican educational policies and its theoretical references. In 2024, a qualitative, descriptive, and explanatory study was conducted based on a documentary review of the Curriculum Transformation, the PEM, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) mathematics framework. Data analysis revealed that the Curriculum Transformation establishes dimensions, skills, and indicators related to argumentation, articulated within the Mathematics Curriculum for practical implementation. In the PEM, references to argumentation, argumentation, or arguing are diverse. Specific demands are recognized by mathematical area, as well as others within it. The PEM suggests guidelines on how to implement the argumentation orientations of the Curriculum Transformation, although this link is not explicitly stated. The path of training in mathematical argumentation or proof is unclear despite being proposed as a mathematical action that should take place in classrooms. Potential research directions are suggested to understand argumentation's operationalization in Costa Rican secondary education
Letter to the Editor: Mindfulness will only be in decline if we stop being mindful
No full textDespite widespread research and academic pressures, mindfulness researchers have an ethical responsibility to take a careful and considered approach to their work, particularly when investigating the mental health of children. This Letter to the Editor addresses an earlier debate article published in the journal by further elaborating on the issues raised by a recent large trial of a mindfulness-informed school-based intervention, and the ethical implications for mindfulness research
Strategic Corporate Disclosure under Multi-Dimensional Pressures
No full textIn this thesis, I analyze the phenomenon of "strategic corporate disclosure under multidimensional
pressures," focusing on three specific situations in which firms or managers face
greater pressure in the determination of how much and what kind of information to disclose.
The first study investigates whether and how corporate customers’ internal control
weaknesses impact a firm’s revenue forecast disclosures. Although increased disclosure could
help reduce information uncertainty from such disruptive conditions, I find that firms tend to
reduce the issuance of management revenue forecasts when they have greater sales exposure
to customers who disclose internal control weaknesses. My analysis of economic mechanisms
reveals that this withholding effect is driven by bad news concealment and information
asymmetry between firms and their corporate customers. Additionally, I find that investor
information demand and high CEO ability mitigate the tendency to withhold disclosure,
whereas ex-ante litigation risk supports the choice to reduce disclosures. Further analysis
suggests that firms exposed to customer control weaknesses provide less accurate revenue
forecasts, with range forecasts being more common than point forecasts. Lastly, the market
appears to react more strongly to negative forecast news from these firms, while positive
news does not trigger an exaggerated response.
The second study focuses on the disclosure practice of sin firms, which are often
considered controversial industries operating in gambling, alcohol, tobacco, or firearms. Sin
firms are susceptible to political cost exposure due to their controversial product offerings.
While prior studies indicate that such firms are more likely to supply social responsibility
disclosures to prove their legitimacy, it is still unclear whether their financial disclosure
decisions differ from those of non-sin firms. Using a sample of U.S. firms from 1998 to 2019,
I find robust evidence that sin firms are less likely to disclose non-GAAP earnings than other
firms. I examine moderating factors and a regulatory event that cause differing political costs
to examine if sin firms adjust their non-GAAP disclosures in response. Cross-sectional
analyses show that the negative impact of sin firm status on non-GAAP disclosure is lessened
for firms with political connections but becomes more pronounced when these firms receive
increased media coverage or face higher risks of regulatory interventions. Further analyses
indicate that sin firms with no non-GAAP disclosures are less likely to be exposed to scrutiny
from relevant government agencies. I also find that managers of sin firms are more likely to
disclose non-GAAP earnings that are less profitable than their GAAP counterparts, exclude
fewer persistent expenses in calculating these earnings, and that the non-GAAP earnings
disclosed by sin firms are of higher quality.
The third study examines whether and how CEO political ideology influences the
linguistic complexity of managerial narratives in quarterly conference calls. I find that firms
led by Republican CEOs tend to use less complex language during these calls compared to
those led by Democratic CEOs. This reduction in linguistic complexity is primarily driven by
a limitation of informative disclosures rather than a deliberate effort to reduce obfuscation.
The results are robust to matching procedures, the inclusion of various CEO characteristics as
controls, CEO turnover shocks that result in shifts in political ideology, and alternative
variable specifications. Furthermore, cross-sectional analyses reveal that the negative
relationship between CEO political ideology and the informativeness of managerial narratives
is more pronounced in competitive markets but is mitigated when managers provide bundled
guidance for the same quarter
LIFTing Mental Wellbeing - Tailoring the LIFT app for youth and young adults with type 2 diabetes: a qualitative study
No full textBackground: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasingly prevalent among young people, presenting not only physiological but also significant psychological challenges. Youth with T2D experience high rates of diabetes distress, anxiety, depression, and diabetes-related stigma, yet mental health support is often not integrated into routine diabetes care. Digital health interventions offer a promising avenue to bridge this gap, providing accessible, scalable, and
engaging solutions.
Aim: This study explores the feasibility and acceptability of the “LIFT: Thriving with Diabetes app,” an existing mental health app for youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D), to explore its suitability for youth and young adults with T2D.
Method: The qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 4 youth and young adults (aged 16-25) with T2D, 3 support people, and 10 healthcare
professionals, to assess the usability and acceptability of the LIFT app. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse participant perspectives.
Results: Findings from the qualitative study exploring the views of the LIFT app highlighted the need for culturally responsive, engaging, and youth-centred digital mental health
interventions tailored to young people with T2D. Participants valued the app’s focus on self-compassion and mental wellbeing but emphasised the importance of personalisation, peer support, and sustained engagement strategies. Diabetes-related stigma was a prominent concern, with participants expressing how negative societal attitudes affected their mental health and willingness to engage in self-care.
Conclusion: While digital solutions show promise and potential, more research is needed to develop tailored interventions for this population. The findings support the need for codesigned, culturally adapted digital tools that integrate mental health into diabetes management, in order to improve the health outcomes and quality of life for young people living with T2D
Evaluating methodological features of research on translanguaging pedagogy in English Medium Instruction (EMI)
No full textResearch on translanguaging has gained momentum in recent years. However, there is little literature systematically documenting the research methodologies of translangaging pedagogy employed for carrying out this line of research in English Medium Instruction (EMI) contexts. Thus, we made an attempt to examine studies on translanguaging pedagogy in EMI from 2014 to 2024. Utilising a qualitative meta-synthesis approach, we analysed 10 empirical studies through systematic searches in the Web of Science Core Collection and the Scopus database. Findings revealed a predominance of qualitative methodologies, such as case studies and thematic analysis, with data collected via semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, surveys, and student artifacts. These studies largely concentrated on Asian contexts and at the tertiary level, exploring teachers’ and students’ translanguaging perceptions and strategies in EMI classrooms. Despite the depth provided by qualitative approaches, the review identified a lack of quantitative and mixed-methods research in this field. The absence of research frameworks and contextual diversity highlights gaps in the field. The paper, therefore, concludes with recommendations for more research using multiple methodologies to explore translanguaging pedagogies in different EMI contexts and specific EMI subjects, as well as potential research objectives and research fields