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The Climate Crisis and International Airlines
Full text linkAcross the business spectrum companies are under increasing pressure to decarbonize their operations in the fight against climate change, and nowhere is this pressure greater than in the aviation industry. The aviation industry faces a range of challenges in decarbonizing, including costs, the currently limited capability of alternative technologies, a lack of regulatory support,
and long aircraft lifespan. This paper explores the ways the leading international airlines are tackling climate change and their approach to achieving net zero by 2050. The research method is based on a scoping review of the existing literature and an analysis of the publicly available material from 10 leading airlines. The article finds that whilst there is a firm commitment from the airlines to initiate the transition to net zero and contribute to the fight against climate change, detail on how this will be achieved is scant. Rather, both the extant literature and evidence from the airlines suggest there are many obstacles to be overcome that will require radical change in technological, socio-economic and industrial/political spheres if the required transition in the industry is to be achieved
A typology of recreational sea anglers in England and Wales
Full text linkUnderstanding diversity among anglers is a key aspect of effective fishery management. Typologies are coherent models best describing heterogeneity in populations and have been used extensively to understand sea angler responses to management and policy. Typologies can also aid the assessment of bias in non-probabilistic sampling, as part of recreational sea angling monitoring, through the inclusion of metrics beyond those based on days fished, location and gear. There is no standard approach to the formation of typologies and, historically, the UK has lacked a suitable description of recreational sea angler diversity to inform both sector monitoring and the development of fishery policy post-Brexit. This study developed and employed a wide-ranging data collection framework to form the first ever typology of recreational sea anglers in England and Wales. The typology is based on principal component and cluster analysis of 472 angler survey questionnaires, follow-up interviews, and was validated using a unique qualitative verification method. Variance was represented by ten components reflecting variable groupings across the data collection framework. Drawing on the components and several independent validating variables, the typology comprised: consumers; trophy anglers; leisure-identity anglers; and social anglers. Value-based and attitudinal metrics performed better than behavioural variables. Domains of angler ‘involvement’ showed strong performance as markers of variance in the sample. Specialisation variables proved less useful as summary indices that reflected sample variance. Methodological suggestions are provided for integrating the typology in future monitoring assessments in addition to applied examples of how the typology informs the implementation of management measures
Evaluation of the Defra-funded Rural Housing Enabler Programme.
Full text linkLaunched in 2023, this Defra-funded programme supports a network of RHE posts across England. Managed by ACRE, the programme aims to boost delivery of affordable homes in rural areas, particularly via Rural Exception Sites (RES). These sites allow small-scale developments of social rent housing within villages to meet local needs but are underused by councils due to complexity and cost. RHEs work with councils, housing providers, landowners, and communities to evidence need, engage residents and developers, and navigate planning challenges, helping ensure that lower-income and younger households can remain in rural areas.
The evaluation used a mixed-methods approach including an evidence review, national survey of RHEs and partners, six in-depth county case studies, and interviews with the programme’s national management team.
The findings highlight RHEs as trusted, independent “honest brokers” who play a distinctive role in rural housing delivery. They bring together local councils, landowners, planners, developers, and communities, bridging gaps where local authorities lack community engagement capacity or rural expertise.
The programme has achieved significant early impact. Since 2023, it has enabled the establishment or expansion of RHE services in 90% of areas covered by the ACRE network – a significant increase in RHE coverage. By early 2025, RHEs were supporting a pipeline of 227 prospective schemes, with the potential to deliver more than 2,100 affordable homes across 19 counties. In places without a previous RHE service, RHEs have been crucial in raising awareness of rural housing need and brokering the partnerships essential to getting rural affordable housing on the agenda and schemes off the ground. Local partners reported that, without RHEs, rural housing delivery would reduce as local authorities prioritise larger urban developments - leaving rural residents disadvantaged. A bespoke Social Return on Investment (SROI) model developed for the evaluation found that every £1 invested by Defra generated £3.30 in social outcomes over three years, demonstrating strong value for money.
The report recommends strengthening the programme through longer-term funding; providing stability, retaining skilled staff, and further building confidence among partners. It concludes that RHEs are vital to unlocking affordable housing in rural England. The programme has built strong early momentum, with a growing development pipeline, measurable social benefits, and meaningful community and partner engagement. Sustained investment will be essential to scale this impact and deliver the affordable homes that underpin a thriving and sustainable countrysid
Radicalisation, Social Work and Society
No full textThis book chapter begins by historically contextualising those changes in global politics which have created the conditions for the rise of new kinds of ‘extremist’ movements. We then look at the language which is used to describe these current developments, looking particularly at the terms ‘extremism’ and ‘radicalisation’.
The chapter then considers some key messages from research concerning the the reasons why people become involved in these movements. The chapter concludes with some case studies which focus on the safeguarding responsibilities of Social Workers in this area of work
Artificial intelligence in retailing: Strategic implications and key areas of concern
Full text linkWithin the retail industry the continuing introduction of AI is generating considerable excitement. While there is a rapidly growing literature on the role of AI in retailing, how individual retailers have publicly reported on their introduction of AI has attracted little or no attention in the business and management literature. This article makes a contribution to addressing that gap by providing some simple illustrations of how four leading retailers, namely Amazon, Carrefour, J. Sainsbury and Walmart are developing their relationship with AI. The paper concludes that while the four retailers paint a very positive picture of the benefits AI will generate, there are also a number of issues surrounding the increasing use of AI within retailing that will require careful and vigilant management. These include ethical concerns, balancing personalization and privacy, cybersecurity, the upskilling challenges for retailers, impacts on their employees, sustainability and consumption, environmental problems and corporate social responsibility. This is an exploratory paper and is limited to a secondary research focus, but may provide a useful platform for future research endeavors that could include, for example, empirical research on one or more of the large retailers
Evidence Enquiry for Wellbeing and Heritage
Full text linkThe primary aim of the research project was to provide Historic England, the National Monuments Service, and the Heritage Council with a clear understanding of existing and emerging research which directly relates to improving wellbeing through heritage (the historic environment and archaeology). The study employed a Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) and Quick Scoping Review (QSR) to systematically identify and appraise academic and grey literature from 2019–2024. Additionally, expert interviews, a sector-wide survey, and a stakeholder workshop provided qualitative insights. Thematic and content analysis techniques were used to synthesise data, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of heritage’s impact on wellbeing. The research underscores heritage’s significant role in mental health, social cohesion, and community identity. Heritage engagement fosters hedonic (happiness-based) and eudaimonic (meaning-based) wellbeing, particularly through community archaeology, cultural participation, and green heritage spaces. However, heritage remains underrepresented in public health policy due to inconsistent evaluation methods and fragmented funding. The study calls for sustainable funding models, cross-sector collaboration, and the development of sector-specific wellbeing indicators to better integrate heritage into national wellbeing strategies. Ultimately, the findings highlight the need for longitudinal research and policy recognition to ensure that heritage is positioned as a key contributor to individual and community wellbeing
Gender Equality, Matrimony, and Secularism in Egypt and Iran: A Comparative Exploration of Early Twentieth-Century Family Law
No full textThis book delves into the intricacies of family law in Egypt and Iran in the early twentieth century, highlighting the impact of secular models on individual rights. By understanding the effect of external power structures on the religious/secular identity of the state during this era, readers will gain an understanding of how modes of implementation and colonial engagements shaped family law. Whilst the book explores the impact of the secular nature of the state on gender quality in family law in the from 1900 to 1940, the contemporary vignettes which open the book, provide context regarding the impact of power structures, such as the state, on individual agency. The use of contemporary issues to introduce an historically focused book provides a unique way to encourage reflections upon state trajectories, the importance of external influences, and the modes of resistance which have transcended the last century.This book argues that, within the context of early twentieth century Egypt and Iran, secularism contributed towards government and civilian responses to (non) secular changes in law and society, whilst simultaneously reinforcing already existing power structures as the frameworks within which parts of society will continue to function. While family law remains firmly within a religio-legal jurisdiction, secularism did have an impact on through linguistic and cultural engagements. Bringing together intersecting factors such as gender equality, family law, colonialism, secularism and religion, it provides insights into the close-knit relationship of the public and private spheres. Moreover, it contributes empirically by focusing exclusively on two states which have, as far as the literature indicates, never been solely compared
Working Memory Load and Inhibition Performance Among Children With ADHD
Full text linkObjective:
Inhibition is a critical executive function for stopping routine responses and facilitating planned behaviour. Although the results are mixed, individuals with ADHD are reported to have poorer inhibition performance; however, this remains a subject of ongoing debate. Findings in the literature suggest that the central executive component of working memory and resource allocation could play a role. The present study investigated whether varying maintenance demands would influence inhibition performance among children with and without ADHD.
Materials and Methods:
The study sample comprised 80 children aged between 7 and 11 years (60 males and 20 females; M age = 9.01). For the first time in the literature, participants completed a Go/no-go Task with four levels of gradually increased working memory load. The data was analysed using mixed repeated measures ANOVA.
Results and Conclusion:
A significant main effect of group, load and interaction were obtained. There was no significant difference in inhibition performance between the two groups when there was no working memory load. However, in the presence of a load, the ADHD group consistently scored lower across all load conditions. Their inhibition performance declined as the load increased. Under the heaviest load condition, the ADHD group obtained the worst scores, whereas the control group’s performance improved. In conclusion, introducing a working memory load has a large negative impact on the inhibition performance of the ADHD group but not the control group. These results suggest that children with ADHD struggle to allocate enough resources to meet the increased task demand for optimal inhibition performance
Pacing analysis and comparison of TOP-10 and NOT TOP-10 Ultra Trail Cape Town 100-km finishers
No full textBACKGROUND: Pacing strategies during endurance efforts vary depending on athlete experience, race length, and terrain. In ultramarathon trail running the specific race route profile can have a significant impact on optimal pacing strategy. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between uphill, downhill and level running with overall performance and to compare the difference in pacing strategies between top 10 (TOP-10) and non-top 10 (NOT TOP-10) finishers of a 100-km ultra-trail marathon with +5000-m elevation gain.
METHODS: Fifty male finishers (TOP-10: N.=6, NOT TOP-10, N.=44) and forty-six individual segments (1.5±1.2 km) were analyzed based on 2021 100-km UTCT STRAVA data. Relative segment speed and CV% were used to identify pacing strategies. Spearman Rank and Mann Whitney-U tests were used to analyze the data. Significance was set at P<0.05.
RESULTS: Uphill running had the strongest relationship with overall performance (r=0.826, P<0.01). Substantially weaker relationships between overall running performance and level (r=0.402, P<0.01) and downhill (r=-0.382, P<0.01) running performance were found. The CV% was significantly lower in TOP-10 (32.10±1.81) than NOT TOP-10 (35.39±4.43) (U=24, r=0.46, P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: Uphill running performance remains a valuable measure of overall trail running performance as it represents a higher percentage of overall running demand. TOP-10 runners have diminished decay in initial running speed than NOT TOP-10 runners, despite a generally high variation in pace and net positive split in ultra-trail running
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