11237 research outputs found
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Building a new school–university partnership: using theory of change methodology as a collaborative tool
No full textPurpose: This article explores how partnership development in a newly accredited pre-service teacher education provider in England was successfully underpinned by a theory of change methodology. Previous literature has indicated that the perspectives of school stakeholders are often missing from scholarly work into school–university partnerships; therefore, it was pertinent to collaborate with school-based stakeholders in this project. Design/methodology/approach: Theory of change methodology was used as a tool to develop a co-constructed vision and operational model for developing an effective school–university partnership. A collaborative approach was adopted, which involved two phases: a scoping literature review and stakeholder workshops. Theory of change pathway diagrams were created, informed by the evidence gathered in the two phases of the project. Findings: The resulting theory of change provided a working model for developing an effective partnership. Four long-term goals were identified including: sustainable, reciprocal, collaborative, innovative and dynamic. The importance of leveraging the unique value of the university within a mutually beneficial partnership was highlighted by stakeholders, as well as the importance of the partnership being able to respond and adapt to the changing landscape of pre-service teacher education. Originality/value: The benefits and limitations of a collaborative theory of change methodology in this context are discussed, including the value that collaboration with stakeholders adds to understanding effective school–university partnerships within the post-accreditation teacher education landscape in England. The article suggests that the theory of change methodology can act as a mediating tool for advancing strategic thinking in a mixed team of practitioners, academics and professional services.</p
Existing sustainability interventions are insufficient to scale up cocoa agroforestry in West Africa
No full textSustainability transitions in agri-food systems are required to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequities. In the West African cocoa sector, supply chain sustainability initiatives (SSIs) have emerged as key environmental governance tools to address these challenges and promote agroforestry. Agroforestry is a climate adaptation strategy that supports both nature and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, yet its adoption remains limited. This study combines the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) and the Creative Destruction (CD) frameworks to qualitatively assess how the interventions of SSIs influence the scaling up of agroforestry adoption in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. Through policy mapping, 101 semi-structured interviews and focus groups with governments, private companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and cocoa farmers, we found that most interventions (~93%) support agroforestry as a niche innovation, relying on extension services and short-term incentives. Only 7% of the interventions pursue regime-level changes, such as land and tree tenure reforms, which remain limited due to institutional and informal barriers. Additionally, SSIs have not significantly changed policy network structures, and smallholder farmers remain excluded from governance processes. Based on these findings, we recommend that scaling up agroforestry adoption requires regime-destabilization interventions, including the integration and strengthening of land and tree tenure reforms, as well as the simplification of tree registration procedures. Furthermore, greater efforts are needed to ensure the inclusion of smallholders within policy networks, as their participation remains limited.</p
Beyond Satisfaction: A Hierarchical Model of Three Distinct Guest Experience Types in Peer-to-Peer Accommodation
No full textThis paper develops and empirically tests a hierarchical model of service quality in peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation, focusing on guest experiences and behavioral intentions before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. A conceptual model was developed from Airbnb review comments and tested through a survey. Post-pandemic, 47 follow-up interviews informed an updated model, followed by a second survey to capture shifts in guest perceptions. The findings suggest that P2P accommodation guests allocate considerable processing resources to cognitive cues (deliberative route) and emotional ones (experiential route) in decision making. Also, the study indicates that quality evaluation leads to guest experiences, namely, congenial, affective and intellectual, which ultimately result in behavioral intentions. The study advances service quality theory in the sharing economy context, responds to recent calls in the literature for a deeper theorization of P2P accommodation experiences, and offers managerial insights for hosts and policy makers navigating post-pandemic recovery.</p
Digital nursing and midwifery leadership: protocol for a multi-method exploration of policy implementation and impact on practice in the WHO European Region.
No full textBackground: Digital health is redefining nursing and midwifery practice, fuelled by national and international priorities for health improvement and workforce planning. Developing digitally enabled healthcare systems can help enable universal health coverage and improve safety outcomes while offering solutions to workforce shortages. However, research suggests that nursing/midwifery leaders are often absent from the strategic planning, design, and implementation of digitally enabled healthcare service models and the associated technological systems that directly impact practice. Objectives: This paper presents the protocol for a sequential, multi-method exploration of digital health policy implementation and its impact on practice. This investigation from the perspective of national nursing/midwifery leaders, will increase understanding of the impact these professions have on national decision-making, which will be used to inform digital healthcare policy implementation and development across Europe and beyond. Methods: A purposive sample of national nursing/midwifery leaders across the WHO European region will be recruited. In Phase 1, individuals will be invited via email to participate in an anonymous online survey, with findings used to inform the topic guide for online focus groups in Phase 2. Descriptive statistical analysis of the survey dataset will be used to understand the range of countries, roles, contexts, participant experiences, and perceptions on which the findings are based. Where possible, analysis will be undertaken e.g. by country, and participant role to identify any patterns, gaps, and key areas for further exploration during Phase 2. Survey respondents will be offered the opportunity to participate in an online focus group. Free text questions from the survey and data from focus groups will be transcribed verbatim and analysed using a reflexive thematic approach. Discussion: The study outlined within this paper will generate empirical data on to what extent and how national nursing/midwifery leaders influence the progress of digital healthcare, based on their experiences implementing key European policy. In gaining a better understanding of this policy implementation, and the role played by nursing and midwifery leaders, the factors that facilitate or hinder this process can be identified and better managed, to maximise the benefits of digital healthcare for population outcomes moving forward. Ethical approval: Ethical approval for this study was granted on 10.12.25 by Anglia Ruskin University [ID ETH2425-0725]</p
MicroRNA profiling for the identification of forensically significant body fluids in mixed samples
No full textIn forensic science, ‘body fluids’ refers to biological stains recovered from surfaces outside the originating body. Their identification is critical for crime scene reconstruction and determining their origin. However, conventional body fluid identification (BFID) methods, such as serological and immunological assays, lack specificity and sensitivity, particularly in cases involving unknown or mixed body fluids.MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs, typically 18-24 nucleotides long, have emerged as promising biomarkers for BFID owing to their tissue-specific expression and resistance to environmental degradation. While previous studies have explored miRNA expression in individual body fluids, research on their application in mixed samples remains limited.This study aimed to develop a miRNA-based assay for the identification of forensically significant body fluids in mixed samples. A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines identified body fluid-specific miRNAs, and nucleic acid isolation methods and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) protocols were optimised and validated for this purpose. A proof-of-concept study evaluated the efficiency of different extraction kits for the co-isolation of DNA, RNA, and miRNA from human saliva, revealing significant variations in nucleic acid yield, quality, and miRNA expression, by kit used.A panel of 14 miRNAs was screened for expression and stability in blood, buccal swab, menstrual blood, and vaginal secretion samples. From this, a discriminative panel (miR-126, miR-451a, miR-144-3p, and miR-203) was developed, successfully differentiating blood and vaginal secretion, and blood and buccal swab mixtures, using RT-qPCR.Next-generation sequencing (NGS) identified 20 differentially expressed miRNAs in menstrual blood and vaginal secretions, including mir-224, mir-32, and mir-548ad, which are newly reported as potential candidates for forensic BFID. t-distributed stochastic neighbour embedding (t-SNE) visualisation revealed distinct clustering between these fluids, demonstrating the potential of NGS for complex BFID.These findings lay the foundation for future research, focusing on the development of specific qPCR probes for the newly discovered miRNAs, thereby integrating the advantages of sequencing with targeted amplification techniques. This study highlights the potential of miRNA profiling as a powerful tool for forensic BFID, supporting its integration into forensic casework and advancing forensic molecular biology.</p
Botensilimab (Fc-enhanced anti–cytotoxic lymphocyte-association protein-4 antibody) plus Balstilimab (anti–PD-1 antibody) in patients with relapsed/refractory metastatic sarcomas
No full textPurpose: Outcomes for patients with advanced sarcomas are poor and there is a high unmet need to develop novel therapies. The purpose of this phase I study was to define the safety and efficacy of botensilimab (BOT), an Fc-enhanced anti–cytotoxic lymphocyte-association protein-4 antibody, plus balstilimab (BAL), an anti–PD-1 antibody, in advanced sarcomas. Methods: BOT was administered intravenously (IV) at 1 mg/kg or 2 mg/kg once every 6 weeks in combination with BAL IV at 3 mg/kg once every 2 weeks for up to 2 years. The primary end point was to determine dose-limiting toxicities during the dose-escalation period. Secondary end points include objective response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR), disease control rate, and progression-free survival (PFS) by RECIST 1.1. Exploratory end points include assessing patient biomarkers including tumor mutational burden, cytokines, and PD-L1 expression. Results: Overall, 64 patients with sarcoma were treated; all were evaluable for safety and 52 for efficacy. The most common treatment-related adverse event (TRAE) was diarrhea/colitis occurring in 35.9% of patients, with grade 3 in 6.3% of patients. No grade 4 or 5 TRAEs were reported. For all evaluable patients, ORR was 19.2% (95% CI, 9.6 to 32.5), and 27.8% (95% CI, 9.7 to 53.5) for evaluable patients with angiosarcoma (n = 18); 33.3% in visceral and 22.2% in cutaneous subtypes. Median PFS for evaluable patients was 4.4 months (95% CI, 2.8 to 6.1), with a 6-month PFS rate of 36% (95% CI, 22 to 50) and a median DOR of 21.7 months (95% CI, 1.9 to not reached). Conclusion: The combination of BOT/BAL demonstrated promising efficacy and safety in a large cohort of heavily pretreated sarcoma patients. This encouraging activity warrants further investigation (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03860272 ).</p
Exploring learning analytics practices and their benefits through the lens of three case studies in UK higher education
No full textLearning analytics (LA) provides insight into student performance and progress, allowing for targeted interventions and support to improve the student learning experience. Uses of LA are diverse, including measuring student engagement, retention, progression, student well-being and curriculum development. This article provides perspectives on the uses of LA in the UK through the analysis of an expert-led panel discussion held in June 2022. Two institutional case studies and a general overview from an LA service are presented, outlining examples of LA from both an institutional and national viewpoint. Following this, this article analyses the panel discussion themes in relation to the literature, covering both the data quality procedures and practices for learning, teaching and assessment. Outcomes and benefits from case studies are highlighted, which serve as best practice for other Higher Education institutions.</p
Analyzing a Charter of Rights and Institutions to Tackle Surveillance Capitalism in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: The Case of Latin America
No full textArtificial intelligence is advancing rapidly, sparking global concern over its risks, from misinformation and wealth concentration to discrimination, surveillance, and weaponization by state and non-state actors. While efforts like the EU AI Act and national initiatives in the U.S. and Netherlands seek to regulate AI, many frameworks remain fragmented, corporate-friendly, or insufficiently grounded in human rights. The UN argues existing human rights law provides a foundation, though some scholars call for new protections against the intrusiveness of digital surveillance capitalism. Latin America faces unique challenges due to structural dependencies on foreign technology and regulatory models, leaving its institutions vulnerable amid global power asymmetries.
This paper examines legislative initiatives in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Peru, assessing their rights-based provisions and institutional capacity, and asks whether these measures effectively protect rights and enable democratic oversight. It concludes by identifying key gaps—including environmental justice, epistemic rights, and participatory governance—and suggesting directions for reform.</p
Action Research
No full textYour #1 resource for carrying out educational research as part of postgraduate study.
High-quality educational research requires careful consideration of every aspect of the process. This all-encompassing textbook written by leading international experts gives you a considered overview of the principles that underpin research, and key qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods for research design, data collection and analysis.
This fourth edition includes four new chapters on:
Doing a literature review
Measurement and validity
Using R (with RStudio & Tidyverse)
Data transparency, reproducibility, and replicability
In addition, across the book, authors touch on the emergent use of generative AI tools as part of the educational research process. Also, chapters have been reordered to better reflect the research process and to emphasise commonalities between methodological approaches and tools.
This is essential reading for postgraduate students on education courses and early career researchers looking to sharpen their research practice.</p
Development of a Conceptual Benchmarking Framework for the Construction Industry
No full textExisting benchmarking frameworks and performance measurement tools are not suitable for the construction industry due to the industry’s peculiarities. This paper explores the development of a dedicated benchmarking framework for the construction industry which can be used by construction firms to benchmark their performance against the performance of global leaders. Existing benchmarking frameworks and global performance ranking models identified from literature were reviewed. The strengths and weaknesses of the frameworks and models were identified and have been adapted in developing the benchmarking framework dedicated to the construction industry. The framework was tested using validation interviews with four international construction industry experts and later through an online survey of construction professionals. The benchmarking framework in this paper is the first such framework dedicated to the construction industry. It provides a simple, cost-effective approach to benchmarking that construction firms, including those with little to no benchmarking experience can use.</p
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