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Barrow-born: archaeological practice as a literary device to evoke horror in the works of Nigel Kneale
No full textWe will explore how Nigel Kneale used archaeological and prehistoric sites and practices to evoke a sense of dread and horror in his writing and in translations of this work for film and television. The focus of the paper will be his use of the trope of archaeologists uncovering things that should have been left undisturbed – the dangers of deep time – and the ways that archaeological practices and research seem to have informed his work. It started, as it usually always does, with an excavation, in this case in Hobbs End underground station in London. Not only was this archaeological procedure the catalyst for the events in Quatermass and the Pit (1958-59 and 1967) but it was the arena within which horror played itself out until it could no longer be contained within the trench. Subsequently a whole host of instances of what Adam Scovell has termed ‘ancient evil’ escaping or extracted appeared in Kneale’s works. Prehistoric and ancient evils were unleashed in various ways: initially by more scientists, essentially aural archaeologists, in The Stone Tape (1972), but increasingly by others – a vet (the Beasts episode Baby, 1976), youths (Quatermass IV, 1977), a deranged entrepreneur (Halloween 3 Season of the Witch, 1982). This shows a progression from the dangers of doing archaeology towards the dangers of the archaeology itself. Moshenska has called this the ‘archaeological uncanny’, a general fictionalised unease with what archaeologists might be uncovering. This is also a recurring theme in the horror writing of MR James and HP Lovecraft, and more recently has found itself expressed in folk horror film and TV. Francis Young has termed this ‘archaeophobia’ defined as “the terrifying consequences of dabbling in archaeology”. Therefore, in our chapter, Kneale’s work will be situated in broader discourse about caricatures of our discipline especially within fiction, film, and TV of the horror genre. We will also explore Kneale’s descriptions and depictions of archaeologists at work, and what might have informed his writing about megaliths and pagan rites. This will be the first assessment of Kneale’s works from an academic archaeological perspective
Coaching Football
No full textFootball (Soccer) is a complex, dynamic sport where player actions are shaped by continuous interactions with teammates, opponents, and the environment. Footballers adapt their movements and decisions based on real-time perceptual information, such as the positioning of defenders, the ball, and teammates. Players rely on scanning and peripheral vision to anticipate passes or create space, highlighting the importance of environmental cues in decision-making. Positional roles further influence these interactions, with midfielders often exhibiting unpredictable movements to destabilise defences, while defenders maintain stability through structured positioning. Training should replicate these dynamic, game-like scenarios to enhance skill acquisition and decision-making. This chapter explores the dynamic interaction between individual actions and the environment, guiding coaches in developing players who can successfully adapt to the constantly evolving demands of competitive play
‘Understanding the emotional experience in the borderlands during the French and Indian War, 1756-1763’
No full textCoaching Badminton
No full textBadminton is a high-intensity sport that demands both physical endurance and strategic precision. In singles play, tactical shots such as clears generate sustained rallies and elevate heart rates, whereas a doubles match emphasises rapid, explosive exchanges with a greater variety of shots. Players must quickly interpret spatiotemporal cues from both their opponents and the shuttlecock, making split-second decisions under pressure. Managing fatigue is essential, as neuromuscular function declines over time, impacting movement accuracy and decision-making. To optimise performance, effective coaching should replicate the sport’s competitive demands, fostering skill acquisition and tactical adaptability. This chapter examines the physiological, mechanical, and perceptual challenges of badminton, providing evidence-based insights to enhance coaching across disciplines and skill levels
Practice Design in Ecological Dynamics
No full textThis chapter explores how ecological dynamics provides a foundation for effective practice design, shifting from traditional, prescriptive methods to learner-centred, non-linear pedagogy. It introduces key principles that emphasise exploration, adaptability, and perception–action coupling. Coaches are guided through a structured framework, from theoretical foundations to practical tools, ensuring practice environments are representative of competitive demands. The chapter challenges linear skill progression, advocating for dynamic, game-based learning where athletes self-organise solutions. It addresses implementation dilemmas, particularly with novices, and offers strategies to reframe coaching objectives. A practice design checklist supports coaches in fostering adaptable, motivated performers. By embracing ecological dynamics, practice becomes a process of facilitating discovery rather than dictating technique, enhancing long-term skill development and performance
Ecological Dynamics in Sport Coaching:Principles and Practice Foundations
No full textThe ecological dynamics framework revolutionises sport coaching by emphasising the interconnected relationship between athletes and their performance environments. Unlike traditional linear models, it views skill acquisition as a non-linear, adaptive process shaped by perception–action coupling, affordances, and dynamic constraints. Coaches must design representative training tasks that replicate competitive demands, ensuring athletes develop context-sensitive decision-making and movement solutions. Key principles include manipulating task and environmental constraints to foster adaptability, leveraging instability to simulate real-game scenarios, and prioritising athlete–environment interactions over prescriptive technique. This approach challenges isolated, repetitive drills, advocating instead for holistic, game-based learning where skills emerge organically. By integrating ecological psychology and dynamical systems theory, coaches can cultivate adaptable, perceptually attuned athletes capable of thriving in the unpredictable, complex nature of sport. The framework underscores the coach’s role as a facilitator of exploration rather than a director of rigid movement patterns
Sally Sheldon, Gayle Davis, Jane O’Neill and Clare Parker, The Abortion Act 1967 A Biography of a UK Law
No full textBrief Mind-Body Interventions: Effects on Mood and State Mindfulness
No full textObjectives: Two studies examined whether brief mind-body interventions could improve mood and influence state mindfulness. Exploratory analyses investigated state mindfulness and state self-compassion as potential mechanisms of action. Method: Both studies randomly allocated participants to one of three conditions: mindfulness, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), or active control. Study 1 was conducted online (n = 57), and Study 2 was lab-based (n = 98). Each study was a single-session experiment with short intervention exercises (18–20 min). Results: Negative affect decreased after the intervention (Study 1: p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.24; Study 2: p = 0.01, ηp2 = 0.06). In Study 1, after recalling a painful or difficult situation, positive affect increased (p = 0.02, ηp2 = 0.09). In Study 2, where no mood manipulation occurred, a reduction in positive affect post intervention was found (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.19). In both studies, only the mind-body interventions led to increases in state mindfulness (all p < 0.01). Increases in state mindfulness were related to increases in positive affect in both studies (r = 0.27 to 0.40, all p ≤ 0.01). Increases in state self-compassion were also related to increases in positive affect in Study 1 (r = 0.57, p < 0.001). Conclusions: In both studies, changes in mood were not specific to the mind-body exercises; audiobook readings also had an effect. The improvements in state mindfulness and links to positive affect suggest state mindfulness may be a mechanism of action. Future research should interrogate these findings using theoretically based and adequately powered studies. Preregistration: This study is not preregistered
