19325 research outputs found
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Voices from the coalface: teaching in a highly diverse postgraduate tourism program
No full textThe higher education sector\u27s reliance on international students, including Australian postgraduate tourism programs, impacts students and staff. Teachers\u27 stories contribute to understanding the complexity involved. This exploratory study collected stories from classroom experiences of a sample of teaching staff working in majority international classrooms. Using narrative inquiry the teachers\u27 revealed experiences ranging from surprise through to challenge. Drawing on assessment feedback as an example, staff were confronted with unexpected situations and a student learning deficit. Their views noted the absence of preparatory advice on student readiness for postgraduate study and learning. Staff created new avenues for students to access learning
A CACTA‐like transposable element in the upstream region of BnaA9.CYP78A9 acts as an enhancer to increase silique length and seed weight in rapeseed
No full textRapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is a model plant for polyploid crop research and the second‐leading source of vegetable oil worldwide. Silique length (SL) and seed weight (SW) are two important yield‐influencing traits in rapeseed. Using map‐based cloning, we isolated qSLWA9, which encodes a P450 monooxygenase (BnaA9.CYP78A9) and functions as a positive regulator of SL. The expression level of BnaA9.CYP78A9 in silique valves of long‐silique variety is much higher than that of regular‐silique variety, which results in elongated cells and a prolonged phase of silique elongation. Highly expressing BnaA9.CYP78A9 in long‐silique variety and transgenic plants had higher concentration of auxin in developing siliques, which induced a number of auxin ‐related genes but no genes in well‐known auxin biosynthesis pathways, suggesting that BnaA9.CYP78A9 may influence auxin concentration by affecting auxin metabolism or an unknown auxin biosynthesis pathway. A 3.7‐kb CACTA‐like transposable element (TE) inserted in the 3.9‐kb upstream regulatory sequence of BnaA9.CYP78A9 elevates the expression level, suggesting that the CACTA‐like TE acts as an enhancer to stimulate the high gene expression and silique elongation. Marker and sequence analysis revealed that the TE in B. napus had recently been introgressed from B. rapa by interspecific hybridization. The insertion of the TE is consistently associated with long‐siliques and large‐seeds in both B. napus and B. rapa collections. However, the frequency of the CACTA‐like TE in rapeseed varieties is still very low, suggesting that this allele has not been widely used in rapeseed breeding program and would be invaluable for yield improvement in rapeseed breeding
Australian passenger vehicle classification and distance‐based charging: current practices and the way forward
No full textRoad congestion and infrastructure funding challenges have become a major concern in urban centres in Australia. Recent debates pertaining to private motor vehicle usage have renewed interest in alternative road user charging (RUC) to internalise the external costs associated with private motor vehicle usage. One possible solution is distance‐based charging (DBC), which could provide a more transparent road pricing system. We review the salient features of RUC and DBC, the costs associated with private vehicle usage that DBC is expected to capture, and undertake an analysis of existing vehicle classification systems that underpin current RUC schemes within Australia. Based on this, we propose a new vehicle classification system that could be used to support the design of a workable DBC scheme
Education for what? Shaping the field of climate change education with children and young people as co-researchers
No full textChildren and young people are often positioned as the next generation of leaders in whom the public imagines or expects to overcome the legacies of climate and environmental inaction. Increasingly analyses of progress in environmental education independently identify the need for researchers and teachers to ‘listen to children’s voices’. In this paper we argue that climate change education presents a significant platform not only for youth voices, but also for a genuine activation of children’s political agency in schools, universities, and the public domain. In so doing, we draw upon the government funded project Climate Change + Me, which has involved working with 135 children and young people from across Northern NSW, Australia as co-researchers investigating young people’s voices in climate change. We conclude that climate change education can open up an entirely new field of educational experience and inquiry when it is inclusive of and led by young people
I am fast but I do not fit: an autoethnography of a swimmer’s experiences of ‘competitive performance’ stigma in two sporting contexts
No full textGiven that research outside of sport and exercise has found that stigma may cause severe consequences (e.g. depression), it is important to explore the concept in regard to its connection to socio-cultural issues in the development and persistence of stigmatisation in sporting contexts. Analytic autoethnography and Goffman’s theory of stigma was used to explore one female swimmer’s experiences of ‘enacted’ and ‘felt’ competitive performance stigma occurring in elite swimming and a masters swimming context. Competitive performance stigma has not been conceptualised or explored as a stigma type in sport research, however through the presentation and analysis of two vignettes and the use of Goffman, this is achieved. The social agents that contributed to both ‘enacted’ and ‘felt’ competitive performance stigma and the consequences/effects (e.g. withdrawal from sport, feelings of shame) for this swimmer are highlighted. Our analysis further highlights the role of particular cultural insiders (e.g. coaches, team managers and other swimmers) in the reproduction of competitive performance stigma through acts of labelling, discrimination and social isolation. These acts positioned the female swimmer as an ‘outsider’ because of her competitive performance which in turn led to her withdrawal from these two sporting contexts highlighting the implications for recipients of stigmatisation
Mental toughness and dietary behaviours in undergraduate university students
No full textDietary behaviour of university students is a growing concern and a potential contributor to weight gain during university studies. Individual differences may be one factor that influences how students respond and adapt when entering a new environment. Mental toughness (MT) is an individual difference which has previously been found to be significantly and positively related to health behaviours (e.g., physical activity, psychological wellbeing), thus it was hypothesised that MT would predict eating behaviours of university students. Undergraduate students (n = 167) completed an online questionnaire to assess MT and eating behaviours. Students were included from all three years of undergraduate study and from a range of courses at nine UK institutions. Pearson correlations were conducted between MT variables and eating behaviour variables. The MT component life control displayed the strongest relationship with healthy eating (r = 0.24, p \u3c .001). Regression analysis found weak relationships between the components of MT that were related to eating behaviours. Thus, factors other than MT may play a greater role influencing eating behaviours of university students. It may be that MT is more important in adhering to programmes to change dietary behvaiours, rather than simply eating healthily
Strategies for managing contingent knowledge workers in New Zealand
No full textUsing the Social Exchange Theory (SET) as a theoretical framework, the present research aims to examine how the appointment of contingent workers affects an organisation\u27s ability to effectively manage knowledge in New Zealand. Another objective is to explore how New Zealand organisations are managing knowledge and knowledge workers. The number of contingent knowledge workers is increasing, but organisations have been slow to adapt their cultures, structures or procedures to maximise the opportunity these workers represent. The relationship between the organisation and contingent knowledge workers is characterised primarily by economic compensation, which does not emphasise trust and commitment, the prerequisites for collaborative knowledge management behaviours.
This is a qualitative study based on data collected through semi-structured interviews with senior and middle managers, human resource management practitioners, and permanent and contract employees located in six case organisations. A total of forty-eight employees were interviewed for this this study over a period of three years.
The findings suggest that trust in the organisation has a significant influence on an organisation’s ability to manage knowledge. Trust moderates employee commitment and represents the basis for organisational culture, and as shown by the findings it is cultural elements that support the knowledge creation processes within the SECI model. The findings showed that information and communication technologies not only support Combination, but play an increasing role in Socialisation, Externalisation and Internalisation. In conclusion, the existence of trust encourages social exchange between individuals and facilitates the sharing and transfer of knowledge. Extending trust towards contingent workers influences their commitment and ensures their inclusion in the knowledge creation process.
This study adds to the knowledge management body of knowledge by considering a distinct, yet increasingly important, segment of the workforce. Existing research focuses on generic knowledge management implementation, but does not consider how this affects different types of worker, such as contingent knowledge workers. There is a need to adapt human resource management practice in relation to the management of contingent workers, so that organisations provide rewards which promote professional commitment. This research also confirms the need to further develop dynamic capabilities for managing knowledge management, and proposes that this responsibility is delegated to those in middle and project management positions. The use of the SECI model (Takeuchi & Nonaka, 2004) to examine knowledge management practice is shown to be effective, and provides those charged with developing this competence with the means of identifying elements that require attention
