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Co-designing pilot games with citizens and policy stakeholders to increase climate action
No full textThis paper presents an initial report on the codesign processes between researchers and policy stakeholders in the GREAT (Games Realising Effective and Affective Transformation) project applied in the context of the climate emergency. The objective of piloting these co-design processes is to develop a methodology to support policy stakeholders in identifying and determining an urgent climate issue. We engage stakeholders in co-design of games-based activities, which can be instantiated for citizens and simultaneously be used to collect their attitudes towards climate policies. By piloting these codesign processes, we aim to support policy stakeholders in identifying an urgent climate issue they want to address. Based on this climate issue, we co-design games-based interventions which provide the opportunity for citizens to engage with policy issues, and to represent their attitudes and preferences relating to climate policies. We develop two types of game-based methods - a short quiz format embedded in a mobile game, and longer, collaborative serious games - for collecting, analyzing, and presenting data on citizens? attitudes to policymakers for improving climate policies. In this paper, we describe the pilot studies undertaken and discuss the lessons learnt
The Road to Recovery: A Two-Year Longitudinal Analysis of Mental Health Among University Students During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
No full textLongitudinal research into the impact of COVID-19 on university students' mental health beyond the pandemic is lacking. This study aims to address the gap in the literature by tracking the mental health of university students over a two-year period, spanning the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. A two-year longitudinal study surveyed a sample of university students (n = 302) three times between May 2020 and May 2022. Students' psychological distress, generalised anxiety, flourishing, and personal wellbeing were assessed at each time point. It was found that students' psychological distress levels spiked in May 2021 (T1) during the first year of the pandemic but reverted back to similar levels seen in May 2020 (T0) at the two-year follow-up (T2). While generalised anxiety gradually improved, both students' psychological distress and generalised anxiety remained considerably worse than pre-pandemic norms obtained in other studies. Students' flourishing scores remained very low, while their life satisfaction and state happiness improved slightly between May 2021 (T1) and May 2022 (T2). These findings clearly demonstrate that students' mental health is still in crisis, even after the COVID-19 pandemic. More needs to be done to support students beyond the pandemic generally, including this particularly unique cohort of students who endured unprecedented challenges for prolonged periods, and who are now transitioning into the working world. Practical implications and recommendations are discussed
A critical analysis of traditional and AI-based risk assessment frameworks for sustainable construction projects
No full textRisk Assessments in construction projects help in cost savings, energy efficiency, as well as on time completion within the allocated budget. To meet these requirements, companies need to use analytical models that save time, deal with large amounts of data, and allow them to make better decisions more quickly. In addition, it will facilitate a fast, accurate, and automated process. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive critical analysis of traditional and AI -based risk assessment frameworks for sustainable construction projects (SCP) and the most practical framework. In this respect, the paper reviewed the literature and conducted semistructured interviews on risk assessment and its application in construction projects. It also explored the advantages and disadvantages of traditional and AI -based risk assessments. A case study of modern sustainable construction projects in a selected country (Iraq) was undertaken to assess risk factors associated with these projects. An Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Artificial Neural Network (ANNs) approaches were used to reveal the variation of results between traditional and AIbased risk assessment regarding accuracy, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. An independent sample t -test was calculated to verify the differences in the results obtained by the AHP and the ANN methods. The findings show the advantages and disadvantages of traditional and advanced risk assessment in sustainable construction projects and establish recommendations for optimum practice in risk assessment methodologies. Also, the findings indicate that the value of the t -test was 0.7415, which is greater than 0.05; this means there is no substantial difference in the results of assessing the risk factors that impact sustainable construction projects if AHP or ANNs methods are used. The paper concludes that while traditional frameworks are still prevalent in the construction industry, advanced techniques can improve accuracy, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. The implications for sustainable construction practice and policy and identifies future research directions
Evaluating acute medical service performance against assessment time metrics: the Society for Acute Medicine Benchmarking Audit 2023 (SAMBA23)
No full textPerformance within acute medicine services is impacted by ongoing pressures on acute care services. Data from the Society for Acute Medicine Benchmarking Audit 2023 (SAMBA23), was used to assess performance of acute medicine services compared to key clinical quality indicators, comparing performance by initial assessment location. Data was analysed for 8213 unplanned attendances across 161 hospitals. Comparing by initial assessment location, performance against the clinical quality indicators was unchanged from 2022. Only 29% of daytime arrivals assessed within the Emergency Department received consultant review within target times. Delays were seen in transfer between acute care locations. 29% of patients requiring admission were not admitted to the AMU. There is ongoing variation in acute medical service performance nationally, with significant delays in patient access to appropriate assessment locations.Performance within acute medicine services is impacted by ongoing pressures on acute care services. Data from the Society for Acute Medicine Benchmarking Audit 2023 (SAMBA23), was used to assess performance of acute medicine services compared to key clinical quality indicators, comparing performance by initial assessment location. Data was analysed for 8213 unplanned attendances across 161 hospitals. Comparing by initial assessment location, performance against the clinical quality indicators was unchanged from 2022. Only 29% of daytime arrivals assessed within the Emergency Department received consultant review within target times. Delays were seen in transfer between acute care locations. 29% of patients requiring admission were not admitted to the AMU. There is ongoing variation in acute medical service performance nationally, with significant delays in patient access to appropriate assessment locations
Public stigma towards individuals with schizophrenia who offend, considering the perceiver's level of contact, empathy and right-wing views
No full textPurposeIndividuals with severe mental illness (SMI), such as schizophrenia, frequently experience public stigma, which can be further enhanced if the individual has an offending history. This study aims to examine how perceiver attributes, including empathy and endorsement of right-wing views, can impact perceptions and attitudes towards individuals with schizophrenia who offend.Design/methodology/approachThe study used an online survey method, recruiting an international public sample (N = 396), with an age range of 18–71 years (M = 33.15, SD = 11.42). Participants’ level of contact with mental illness, empathy and right-wing views were measured and considered in relation to their impact on reported stigma.FindingsResults highlighted that a greater level of contact with individuals with schizophrenia, and increased levels of empathy, were strong predictors of decreased levels of stigma towards individuals with schizophrenia who offend. Whereas stronger endorsement of right-wing attitudes were associated with increased stigma towards this population.Originality/valueThis research offers a unique contribution by considering a variety of perceiver attributes that contribute towards stigma directed at this population. The theoretical and practical implications of this research are considered, thus contributing to the limited literature on perceptions of individuals with schizophrenia who offend. The discussion highlights limitations and makes suggestions for future research
FinTech Implementation Challenges in the Palestinian Banking Sector
No full textThis study addresses FinTech implementation challenges in the banking industry in Palestine. This was accomplished by adopting qualitative research methods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with interviewees from the Palestinian Monetary Authority, banks, and FinTech companies. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo 12 software to identify themes in the interview scripts. Research outcomes suggest that FinTech development in Palestine encounters a range of multifaceted challenges, which can be categorised using the TOE (technological, organisational, environmental) framework. On the technological front, issues such as underdeveloped IT and telecommunications infrastructure, restricted mobile frequencies due to Israeli occupation, limited IT expertise, cyber risks, low digital literacy, and minimal FinTech awareness hinder progress. Organizationally, resistance to change, inadequate agility, limited digital skills, and slow Sharia compliance updates in Islamic banking impede innovation. Environmentally, the absence of a dedicated FinTech framework, unclear regulatory guidance, limited market size, and strict AML/CFT regulations create uncertainties for non-bank entities and restrict investment opportunities. Addressing these interconnected barriers requires coordinated efforts across legal, financial, and technological sectors to foster FinTech integration and growth in Palestine
Standardising and enhancing assessment and feedback practices : A digital guide for institutional support
No full textAI, critical thinking and ethical practice: work-ready management graduates in an AI driven world
No full textThe Future of Migrant Entrepreneurship
No full textThe need to assess the migrant entrepreneurship realm among scholars and practitioners worldwide is gaining strength to strength. Hence, there has been an increasing interest in understanding migrant entrepreneurship communities and migration drivers (Vershinina & Cruz, 2021). Despite such interests, little has been done to respond to the challenges of migrant entrepreneurs and the ways to deal with pertinent issues. Migrant entrepreneurs are not always given the right opportunities to succeed and advance their quality of life. They intend to co-exist and get integrated gradually in each society. The whole notion of migrant entrepreneurship is not a new phenomenon and neither considered exhaustible. Questions about migrant entrepreneurs and their economic and social activities are continually debated upon. Notably, migration and entrepreneurship as a global phenomenon is still perceived as one of the most prominent issues in today’s world shaped by history and prehistory. Generally, migration as a concept has always been part of human activity engineered by various forms including fragmented markets, social, economic, political instabilities, and scarcity of resources (Mihi-Ramirez & Kumpikaite, 2014; Agyeman, 2011). The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) indicates that in 2020, the global estimate of international migrants was about 281 million which compares to 3.6% of the global population (IOM, 2022). The United Nations (2020) argues that most international migrants reside in Asia and Europe (31% each), followed by Northern America (21%), Africa (9%), Latin America and the Caribbean (5%), and Oceania (3%) (UN, 2020). According to the Office for National Statistics (2023), net migration comprised of 606,000 people in 2022 with 1.2 million entering the UK of which 925,000 were non-EU natives. Such influx of migrants came from countries torn apart by war, i.e. Ukraine and the wave of immigration from Hong Kong. As the demographic figures increase and shifts in global economy take place including the labour market, the standards of living rise and the number of global migrants will continue to grow all the time
Extrinsic goals benefit capitalism but not well-being. Rethinking the economy's goal for a healthier future
No full textThe dramatic rise in non-communicable diseases around the world but notably in high-income countries like the UK is a manifestation of a global economic system-capitalism-that prioritizes wealth over health. A decade ago, the former WHO Director-General, Margaret Chan highlighted how 'efforts to prevent non-communicable diseases go against the business interests of powerful economic operators' [United Nations. (2013) Take Action for the Sustainable Development Goals. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/ (last accessed 16 February 2024)]. While there is a growing literature on how politics and economics influence population health-for better or worse-less attention has been given to exploring how economic systems like capitalism influence people's psychological well-being. To fill this gap, the following article examines how the continued pursuit of economic growth under capitalism (neoliberal free-market forms especially) impacts well-being through challenging basic psychological needs for security, autonomy, competence and relatedness. In doing so, I hope to shed important light on the sources and possible solutions to our growing health and social problems, and stimulate a conversation on how to achieve a healthier future for us all