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66.86m (2003)
No full textIn John Wood & Paul Harrison's video work 66.86, we see a small white room
bisected by a grid-like sequence of white ropes, held in place by pulleys
attached to the walls and floors. The ropes criss-cross one another, like a neat,
geometric cat's cradle, involving only right angles, and create something of a
rough cube-like shape in the centre of the image. After several seconds, the
ropes begin to jangle and move silently on the pulleys. After several more
seconds, a rhythmic shunting sound begins, and black sections begin to
appear on the ropes, which had been plain, pristine white until now. The small
black sections continue to appear and increase, passing through the space like
determined black snakes. Occasionally the viewer might have the impression of
the formation of some kind of outline - a sense of purpose to the
appearance of the lines. The shunting speeds up and the ropes start to move
more furiously, before, in a kind of choreographic marvel, the black sections of the rope settle in the middle of the space to create the perfect outline of a
simple chair
Changing tastes: a review of later prehistoric and Norse-period marine mollusc exploitation in Scotland’s Western Isles
Get PDFThis paper examines the exploitation of marine molluscs in the Western Isles of Scotland, from the Bronze Age to Norse periods (2500 BCE–1266 CE). Through analysis of shell assemblages from thirteen archaeological sites, we investigate changing shellfish exploitation practices across time and space. We consider whether these variations reflect cultural preferences, local availability and environments, or evidence of unsustainable harvesting practices. The research examines not only dietary contributions but also explores potential non-food uses of shells, as well as providing insights into coastal environment exploitation. While limpets (Patella spp.) remained consistently important throughout much of prehistory, there was a notable shift toward periwinkles (Littorina littorea), beginning in the Late Iron Age and continuing into the Norse period. This transition appears to reflect a combination of cultural preferences and local ecological availability rather than simple resource depletion. The study highlights the value of standardised methodological approaches to shell analysis and the importance of considering individual and community agency in the interpretation of zooarchaeological assemblages
Natural soundscapes as a disciplinary bridge in pursuit of sustainability: research themes and priorities
No full textNatural soundscapes, a blend of natural and human-made sounds, enhance human health by reducing stress, improving cognitive function, and increasing happiness. They foster a connection to nature and raise awareness of biodiversity loss. Soundscapes also bridge science and art; scientists study them to understand ecological dynamics, while artists use them for creative expression. The ‘Ecotones: Soundscapes of Trees’ research network explored the role of soundscapes in sustainability through workshops in South Korea and the United Kingdom (May–July 2022) attended by a group of 30 researchers and practitioners from a broad range of disciplines. Discussions highlighted themes like health, quietness, cultural context, and the role of digital technology in revealing inaudible soundscapes. The network emphasized the potential of soundscapes to promote environmental empathy and wellbeing and also identified knowledge gaps, particularly regarding how contextual factors influence soundscape perception and their use. Future research will benefit both from the insights gained and the questions raised, providing diverse perspectives on how to address these knowledge gaps to better understand the impact of soundscapes across disciplines
Lessons learned?
No full textFollowing the announcement of a planned statutory inquiry into the 2023 Nottingham killings, Chartered Legal Executive Simon Parsons considers how effective the inquiry is likely to be in preventing future harms
Social justice amidst climate change in Namibia’s Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) programme
No full textThis case study examines the intersection of social justice and climate change within the context of Namibia's Community-based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) programme. The CBNRM programme aims to empower communities living in Namibia’s communal lands by giving them the authority to manage and benefit from natural resources, such as wildlife, forests, and water. However, the study outlines several challenges that prevent these communities from fully benefiting from their natural resources. Among these challenges are the impacts of climate change, which exacerbate environmental degradation, reduce resource availability, and disrupt traditional livelihoods. Additionally, inequalities within the sector, such as limited access to markets, lack of technical and financial support, and historical land dispossession, hinder the effective participation of marginalized groups, particularly women, youth, and indigenous people, in the management of natural resources. The study highlights that these challenges have significant implications for the well-being and development of affected communities. It disrupts their ability to build sustainable livelihoods, undermines their capacity for resilience against climate impacts, and perpetuates existing social and economic inequalities. The case study offers recommendations to improve the efficacy of the CBNRM programme. These recommendations focus on addressing the barriers created by climate change and inequalities, such as ensuring equitable access to resources, strengthening the capacity of local communities, integrating climate adaptation strategies, and fostering more inclusive decision-making processes. By addressing these issues, the study suggests that the CBNRM programme can be more effective in promoting both environmental sustainability and social justice for Namibia’s rural communities
Making the most of formative assessment in primary science
No full textIn this chapter, we describe and exemplify formative assessment in primary science as a cyclical process. We identify points at which the cycle can become stalled, explaining why the use of assessment strategies may not always have their desired impact. We also explore opportunities for the formative assessment cycle to be successful within primary science lessons using examples from classrooms in Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK). From Switzerland, we draw on results from the ASSIST-ME (Assessment In Science, Technology and Mathematics Education) project which explored formative assessment practices in science inquiry classrooms (Grob et al., 2021). From the UK, we draw upon evidence from the TAPS (Teacher Assessment in Primary Science) project and the Focus4TAPS professional learning programme which have been found to have a positive impact on both children’s learning and teacher confidence in science teaching (Mujtaba et al., 2022). We argue that formative assessment is essential in primary science, to support children to move from common-sense explanations of the world to more scientific viewpoints. Use of such primary science teacher assessment capability is a developmental process that needs to be supported by ongoing professional learning opportunities and exemplification, enabling the adaptation of lessons to meet the needs of the learners
Etosha Pan to the Skeleton Coast: how conservation histories and cultural heritage concerns may inform the landscape approach in northwest Namibia
No full textWe consider conservation histories and heritage concerns for one of southern Africa's most iconic conservation regions: the variously connected ‘Etosha–Kunene’ areas of north-central and northwest Namibia. Drawing on a collaborative research project called Etosha-Kunene Histories we confront a critical question, namely: how can the conservation of biodiversity-rich landscapes be reconciled with historical injustices of social exclusion and marginalization? We focus on three dimensions pertinent to this question, in a context of repeated conservation desires for a ‘wildlife corridor’ between Etosha Pan and the Skeleton Coast. First, we provide information regarding the historical background of boundary changes from Game Reserve No. 2 established under the German colonial regime in 1907, via the 1958 Etosha Game Park boundary expanded towards the coast in 1962, to the current borders of Etosha National Park (ENP). Second, we review some of the historical displacements that affected Indigenous and incoming communities through the connected area from Etosha Pan to the Skeleton Coast; highlighting the legacies of these displacements for Community-Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) and landscape approaches in this area today. Finally, we provide a brief case-study of how the landscape approach in conservation and tourism is manifesting in the Ombonde People’s Landscape west of ENP, considering how an emphasis on opening this landscape to multiple tourism investments may be in tension with environmental, conservation and cultural-ecological considerations
Beyond profit: ethical imperatives and the role of duty of care in sustainable investment strategies
Get PDFThis paper critically examines the dynamic and evolving landscape of sustainable finance, exploring the complex interrelations between key investment strategies such as Socially Responsible Investing (SRI), Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing, impact investing, and thematic investing, alongside the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Through an extensive review of 50 scholarly articles and 25 global corporate reports, the study interrogates the conceptual ambiguities and overlapping elements inherent in these frameworks, revealing notable deficiencies in the ethical principles that underpin them. At the heart of this inquiry lies the concept of the duty of care, which compels investors to consider the broader social and environmental implications of their financial decisions. While these investment approaches purport to address pressing global challenges such as climate change and resource scarcity, the findings suggest that many of them prioritise financial returns over ethical considerations, thus compromising their potential to effect genuine change. The paper advocates for a profound re-evaluation of sustainable finance practices, calling for an ethical recalibration that transcends mere profit maximisation. As part of this reappraisal, the paper proposes a revision of the Typology of Sustainable Finance, as articulated by Schoenmaker and Schramade (2018), to embed the duty of care as a foundational principle, thereby offering a more rigorous framework for understanding and implementing sustainable finance. Moreover, the paper considers the EU CSDDD as a significant regulatory advancement, highlighting its potential to reshape corporate accountability and influence sustainable investment practices. Ultimately, this work seeks to contribute to a more coherent, ethically grounded conception of sustainable finance, one that fosters an investment culture truly reflective of social and environmental responsibility