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Synthesis of starch nanocrystals with natural rubber derivatives in smart rubber for energy storage
Get PDFThe ever-increasing human population has raised concerns about the need for environmentally friendly, sustainable and reliable energy storage system. Natural rubber (NR) is an elastomer which exhibits unique properties such as reversible deformation, excellent mechanical strength and large strain storage capacity rendering it as a promising prospect to be developed as a smart material with energy storage potential. However, a few drawbacks of NR for instance poor oil resistivity had raised the use of synthetic rubbers produced from petrochemicals that caused environmental and health issues. To counter this circumstance, the development of novel specialty natural rubber (SPNR) have been garnering tremendous interest due to the importance of green concept of rubber. However, the physical and mechanical characteristics of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) and deproteinized natural rubber (DPNR) both belong to the class of SPNR fabricated in the form of rubber latex (RL) films are rarely investigated. This research work aims to analyse temperature-triggered biobased smart rubber with enhanced mechanical strength for energy storage application. More precisely, the emphasis of this research is to discover the compatibility of starch nanocrystals (SNC) as reinforcement nanofiller in NR and its derivatives such as ENR and DPNR for wide range of working temperatures. Moreover, the shape memory effect (SME) of SNC reinforced RL films is yet to be explored. Majority of the current research works related to smart materials are shape memory alloys and other electro-responsive material which are seldom 100% biodegradable and possessed less flexibility. From the engineering perspective, it is also crucial to analyse and demonstrate the feasibility of a novel material before any specific application. Therefore, the physical and mechanical characteristics, shape memory behaviour as well as evaluating the energy storage capability of the fabricated smart rubbers are presented in this research.
To this end, the research was divided into three objectives: (i) experimental investigations which included characterization of SNC, physical and mechanical characteristics of sulphur-cured rubber films and SNC reinforced rubber composite films (ii) evaluation of the shape memory behaviour of sulphur-cured rubber films and SNC reinforced rubber composite films (iii) quantifying and demonstrating the energy storage potential of rubber nanocomposite films. The optimized acid hydrolysis technique was adopted to synthesize SNC from native waxy maize starch while latex casting is used to fabricate the temperature triggered smart rubber films. A series of characterization works were done to the synthesized SNC, sulphur-cured rubber films and SNC reinforced rubber composite films. For the second objective, shape memory testing was performed with a special elongation device to quantify the shape fixity (Sf) and shape recovery (Sr) of the smart rubber films. The energy stored within the smart rubber was quantified by cyclic loading-unloading test and manual experiment was performed to demonstrate the energy storage capability of the rubber nanocomposite films by lifting a load which then concludes the third objective.
In characterization of SNC, the synthesized SNC was found to be well dispersed and possessed a spherical shape with nano-dimension determined through morphological study and particle size analyser. Native waxy maize starch and SNC showed a typical A-type crystalline structure with 35% and 44% of relative crystallinity respectively. In terms of thermal behaviour, SNC displayed higher endothermic temperature peak than native starch as SNC was found to have a higher degree of crystallinity. For sulphur-cured rubber films, the following results were observed: (i) the crosslink density and tensile stress were found to increase while elongation at break decreases with higher loading of sulphur, (ii) increasing content of sulphur resulted in a decrease of swelling percentage in toluene, (iii) the samples exhibited a trend of maintaining in glassy state below its glass transition temperature (Tg) with decreasing storage modulus while Tg of ENRLs-based rubber films is higher than its NRLs counterpart. As for SNC reinforced rubber composite films, (i) SNC is well dispersed in the rubber matrices (ii) crosslink density and tensile stress increased with SNC content while incorporation of SNC maintained the deformability of the rubber nanocomposites films, (iii) water and toluene uptake of the rubber nanocomposites films were found to be in contrast with addition of SNC, (iv) comparable Tg was found in their respective RL types with incorporation of SNC, (v) two weight loss steps corresponding to degradation of SNC and rubber matrix were found from the thermogram.
For the second objective, in terms of shape memory behaviour, the most lightly crosslinked rubber films (0.2phr sulphur) was determined to exhibit the best overall SME. Therefore, all rubber nanocomposites films were crosslinked with 0.2 phr sulphur with varying SNC contents. The results suggested that incorporation of 8% SNC into the rubber composite films achieved Sf of the 93.3% while retained 100% Sr of the material. This outcome suggested that the rubber nanocomposite film is capable of storing strain at the elongated state which translated to the storage of certain amount of elastic deformation energy. Thus, from the findings of SME, third objective of the work investigate the energy storage potential of the rubber nanocomposite films. The greatest attained energy stored was calculated to be 20.91 MJ/m3 while manual experiment showed that the smart rubber was able to perform work by lifting a load in the vertical direction which is similar to the application of one-way actuator. This fabricated smart rubber is expected to possess environmentally friendly green energy storage capabilities and can be considered as an option for future energy storage.
It can be concluded that the smart rubber fabricated in this study possessed high mechanical properties, excellent SME and green energy storage potential. The SME and energy stored during the deformation process can be harnessed in various ways, broadening its potential application across multiple fields including soft robotics, self-deployable structures, medical devices and implants as well as energy storing devices. In all of these applications, smart rubber enables not only shape transformation but also the storage and release of mechanical energy making them highly versatile for both mechanical tasks and energy management solutions across various industries
What’s your poison?: identifying Pb ingestion and its effects from the Neolithic to modern day
No full text“The past is key to assessing the nature and scale of our impacts today” (Boivin and Crowther 2021: 273)
Over the last two decades, archaeological studies have examined lead pollution levels in stratified environmental archives from the Neolithic onwards, to understand the past impacts of human activities. Lead is a trace metal whose natural cycles have been heavily affected by anthropogenic activities. As a result, lead pollution has been used to trace anthropogenic activities, and to understand the onset of the Anthropocene. However, lead is also present in human skeletal remains, and is a time-transgressive archive reflecting contaminant exposure (López-Costas et al. 2020).
This thesis has examined the development and impact of lead on human populations across the last two millennia, producing the first assessment of the historic uptake of lead pollution by the human population across Britain. From this, a date-range for the onset of the Anthropocene has been suggested, based on the point at which lead in the human population reaches concerning levels. This thesis is the first to use lead from a human bioarchaeological perspective to question what is currently considered a ‘safe’ Blood Lead Level (BLL), as well as the ratios for understanding BLL in archaeological remains
Zebrafish embryonic and adult neutropoiesis display differential requirements for Gfi1 paralogs
No full textNeutropoiesis describes the developmental process that generates neutrophil granulocytes, white blood cells that play essential roles in innate and adaptive immunity. In zebrafish embryos, neutrophils form in three overlapping waves. The first two waves generate primitive neutrophils in the anterior and posterior lateral mesoderm (ALM and PLM). These cells are derived from haemangioblasts, bipotent mesenchymal progenitors of blood and endothelial cells. Adult-type neutrophils form in the third wave from hemogenic endothelial cells (HECs) of the dorsal aorta. Unlike zebrafish, mice generate no primitive neutrophils. All their neutrophils develop from HECs. Their formation requires the transcriptional repressor Gfi1. Gfi1 mutant mice suffer from severe neutropenia and die soon after birth. The zebrafish genome encodes two Gfi1 proteins, Gfi1aa and Gfi1ab. Here, I show that there is a differential requirement for Gfi1aa and Gfi1ab during the different waves of zebrafish neutropoiesis. The ALM expresses Gfi1ab, yet the formation of ALM-derived primitive neutrophils was unaffected in gfi1ab mutant embryos. The PLM expresses Gfi1aa but the loss of Gfi1aa expression led to an increase rather than a loss of PLM-derived neutrophils. The same increase was also observed in gfi1aa/1ab double mutants. A single-cell RNA sequencing experiment showed that the expanded double mutant primitive neutrophils were able to mature but displayed markedly altered gene expression profiles. Increased expression of anti-inflammatory genes like il4 and tim2b correlated with a delayed neutrophil response to a sterile wound injury in gfi1aa single and gfi1aa/1ab double mutant embryos. In the double mutant larvae, the initial increase in primitive neutrophils was followed by a complete loss of neutrophils at later stages, suggesting a defect in the third wave of neutropoiesis. While the double mutants failed to thrive, larvae that retained a single copy of either gfi1aa or gfi1ab were viable, yet their kidney marrow neutrophils were not necessarily normal. Adult fish with a single copy of gfi1aa carry kidney marrow neutrophils with abnormal light scatter and Sudan black staining characteristics. My data suggest that insufficient levels of Gfi1 protein, rather than qualitative differences between the Gfi1aa and Gfi1ab proteins, cause the phenotypic abnormalities. In summary, this project provides new insights into the diverse roles of Gfi1 proteins in different waves and stages of zebrafish neutropoiesis and raises new questions that open new avenues of investigation
‘So far and yet so near’: Cuba and revolutionary Burkina Faso
No full textIn August 1983, a group of radical junior officers and civilian revolutionaries seized power in Upper Volta. Led by Captain Thomas Sankara, who would become widely known as ‘Africa’s Che Guevara’, Burkina Faso – as the country was renamed – embarked upon a path of radical change, breaking from its neocolonial past. Radical nationalist and anti-imperialist in their ideological outlook, the Burkinabè revolutionaries appeared deeply inspired by the example of the Cuban Revolution. Over the course of the short-lived Burkinabè Revolution (1983-1987) they adopted the Cuban national motto, implemented similar mass political organisations, and seemingly endeavoured to match the most notable social achievements of that distant Revolution. Yet, how is this apparent influence of Cuba to be understood? Rather than ‘soft power’, and the direct product of policy from Havana, that influence took hold organically and clearly possessed a counter-hegemonic quality. An original neo-Gramscian approach to understanding Cuba’s influence, and reconceptualising the nation’s foreign relations more broadly, permits us a truer picture of its character: functioning to subvert the coercive and consensual elements of hegemonic world order. The Burkina case is particularly revealing in understanding this influence, as well as being one of many internationalist missions hitherto neglected by the existing literature, with its continuing focus on Cuba’s involvement in Angola. Havana’s assistance to revolutionary Burkina in healthcare, education, and security matters – among other areas – is instructive of Cuba’s many small internationalist missions on the continent, and of the counter-hegemonic character of its foreign relations
Effects of biostimulants on germination, agronomic performance, and nutritional quality of Pakchoi (Brassica rapa L. subsp. chinensis) cultivars in organic cultivation
No full textOrganic farming is increasingly recognized as a sustainable alternative to conventional agriculture, offering significant environmental benefits, enhancing soil health, and supporting long-term ecosystem resilience. However, organic production often faces inherent challenges, including lower yields and reduced crop size, primarily due to limited nutrient availability, the absence of synthetic growth enhancers, and natural pest pressures. While biostimulants have emerged as promising tools to improve plant productivity in an eco-friendly manner, their application within organic systems remains underexplored, particularly concerning their effects on crop physiology, phytochemical attributes, and soil fertility.
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of biostimulant application and in combination with biochar on seed germination, growth performance, physiological traits, root morphology, phytochemical quality, nutrient uptake, and soil chemical properties of Pakchoi (Brassica rapa L. subsp. chinensis) under organic cultivation. The research was structured in three phases: laboratory trials, controlled glasshouse experiments, and field studies. In the laboratory, nine Pakchoi cultivars were subjected to seed priming treatments including hydropriming (distilled water for 1, 3, and 6 hours), biopriming with Biostimulant C (1% v/v), and nutripriming with Biostimulants A and B (0.2% and 0.4% v/v) using a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Hydropriming (1–3 hours) yielded the highest germination rates (95.9–97.6%), while nutripriming with Biostimulant A (0.2%) produced the longest roots (63.22 mm). Biopriming with Biostimulant C significantly improved shoot length (28.33 mm) and seedling fresh weight (0.93 mg). Among cultivars, KCC18157-J and KCC18334-F showed the strongest early growth and root performance, respectively.
Subsequently, a glasshouse study using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five replications assessed the impact of priming and biostimulant treatments on seedling development. Results showed significant improvements in plant height, leaf number, leaf area, fresh and dry biomass, and chlorophyll content among bioprimed and biostimulant-treated plants. Enhanced physiological parameters, including net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), were observed. Root morphological traits as total root length, surface area, volume, and tip number were markedly increased, leading to improved water and nutrient uptake. Correlation analyses highlighted strong positive associations between root development, shoot biomass, and photosynthetic efficiency. Based on overall seedling performance, two cultivars, KCC18425-K (white-stemmed) and 9116-H (green-stemmed), were selected for field trials.
Field experiments were conducted using a factorial RCBD to evaluate the combined effects of biopriming, biostimulant application, and biochar on plant performance and soil fertility. Results confirmed that the combination treatment significantly enhanced plant growth, with fresh weight increasing by 26.4% and chlorophyll content by 18% relative to controls. Shoot number and leaf area were also significantly improved. Phytochemical analysis revealed an increase of up to 30% in total phenolic content, along with elevated vitamin C, crude protein, and fibre levels, indicating improved nutritional and functional quality. Root analysis showed increased root length, surface area, and branching. Biochar supplementation enhanced soil total nitrogen (+20%), organic carbon (+18%), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) (+15%) without adversely affecting pH or electrical conductivity.
Overall, the integration of microbial biostimulants, seed biopriming, and biochar amendments synergistically improved seedling establishment, physiological vigour, nutrient uptake efficiency, and soil fertility, while also enhancing the phytochemical profile of Pakchoi. These findings offer a strong foundation for the practical adoption of biostimulant-based technologies in organic vegetable systems and underscore their potential to increase yield and quality under low-input, sustainable farming practices
An investigation into the best management practices for mountain bike parks and trail centres threatened by tree pests or pathogens
Get PDFAfter the closure of two major UK bike parks, Aston Hill in the Chilterns and Revolution in North Wales, due to outbreaks of Ash Dieback and Phytophthora Ramorum, an investigation was carried out investigate the management approaches taken at each location. Additionally, this study presents findings about the scale of UK mountain biking, distribution of trails plus wider environmental issues associated such as wild/off-piste trails and social conflicts. Mountain biking is a fast-growing recreational activity that frequently takes place in forested landscapes. In the UK, these woodland environments are increasingly threatened by pests, pathogens, and conflicting land-use pressures, raising questions about access, sustainability, and trail management. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining GIS land cover analysis, Strava heatmap data, action camera video content, online surveys, and semi-structured interviews with bike park owners and land managers. As well as Aston Hill and Revolution, two further case studies were investigated in detail, Hemlock Stone in Nottingham, and Wharncliffe Woods near Sheffield. This enabled the original case studies to be contrasted with more informal locations to see how management approaches may differ. It was determined that the extensive felling work completed at both sites was the best decision despite the various environmental and social impacts. However, it was also established that there is scope for improvement in the management of recreational spaces, especially in terms of public education and communication
Predicting academic achievement in English medium instruction in Vietnam: a multidimensional approach using standardised testing and vocabulary assessment
No full textEnglish-medium instruction (EMI) programmes are increasingly central to higher education (HE) worldwide, fostering internationalisation, academic collaboration, and global workforce readiness (Lasagabaster, 2022; Macaro et al., 2018). Vietnam, striving to align with this trend, faces challenges, such as the absence of consistent and standardised guidelines for using English language proficiency (ELP) assessments for admission purposes (e.g., Dang & Moskovsky, 2023; Nguyen et al., 2017; Tran & Nguyen, 2018). This thesis addresses these challenges by focusing on the role of ELP assessments–specifically the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTEA)–as tools for evaluating students’ academic readiness in EMI settings. Although widely adopted in recent years (Pearson-PTE, n.d.), the PTEA’s construct validity remains underexplored (Durrant et al., 2015; Riazi, 2013). This raises questions about its effectiveness, as meta-analyses consistently highlight the limited predictive power of standardised ELP tests (e.g., Abunawas, 2014; Gagen & Faez, 2024; Ihlenfeld & Rios, 2023). Through three interconnected studies–a systematic review of the PTEA’s construct validity, an empirical investigation into its predictive validity, and an analysis of lexical complexity in academic writing–this thesis highlights the significance of understanding the constructs measured by the PTEA alongside predictors of academic achievement within EMI programmes.
Chapter 2 serves as the first systematic review of the PTEA’s construct validity, conceptualising it as a unitary concept (Messick, 1989). Construct validity is essential for global-scale ELP tests like the PTEA to ensure accurate measurement of theoretical concepts. While numerous studies address different aspects of the PTEA’s construct validity, the results remain mixed. Using a systematic review approach, study 1 presented in this chapter evaluated 40 PTEA construct validity studies, focusing on research aims, construct characteristics, and methodologies. The findings revealed a predominant focus on a combination of language-oriented and trait-oriented constructs (e.g., gender factors and cognitive demand), with quantitative analyses being primarily employed. Discrepancies in the conceptualisation of constructs were noted, leading to variations in the theoretical frameworks adopted, such as Weir’s (2005) socio-cognitive model and argument-based validation approaches (Chapelle et al., 2008; Kane, 1992). The systematic review also identifies gaps in linking PTEA outcomes to academic achievement and underscores the need for robust, ethically diverse, and context-sensitive data collection to address test-taker variability and enhance construct validity.
Chapter 3 builds on the gaps identified in Chapter 2 by exploring the predictive validity of the PTEA in the Vietnamese EFL context. The second study examines how language proficiency (PTEA scores), vocabulary knowledge (vocabulary size test-VST, Nation & Beglar, 2007), and individual factors (autonomous learning activities, language learning attitudes and course perceptions) predict academic achievement, measured through grade point averages (GPAs). Regression analyses performed on the PTEA and VST scores of 105 undergraduate students at a teacher-training institution in southern Vietnam revealed that language proficiency and vocabulary measures together moderately predicted academic achievement, with no significant difference between using either measure independently. Additionally, partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) demonstrated that individual factors mediated by linguistic measures played a negligible role in predicting GPAs, highlighting the complex interplay between language-related and non-language-related constructs, as well as the multifaceted nature of academic achievement (e.g., Alamer, 2022; Bo et al., 2023). However, individual factors were found to be stronger predictors of language proficiency and vocabulary knowledge. The study calls for greater attention to language-related factors in predicting academic achievement and recommends including additional variables to better understand the multifaceted nature of academic achievement in EMI settings.
Chapter 4 investigates the role of lexical complexity in writing proficiency and academic achievement, focusing on lexical diversity and sophistication as predictors. While lexical complexity is well-recognised in the wring component of standardised ELP tests (e.g., Banerjee et al., 2007; Riazi & Knox, 2013; Nguyen et al., 2022), its role in the PTEA is underexplored (e.g., Treffers-Daller et al., 2018; Tsagari & Demetriou, 2022). Research on the predictive power of lexical complexity for academic achievement seems even scarcer (e.g., Laufer, 1994; Morris, 2003, Morris & Cobb, 2004). Therefore, the third study analyses Vietnamese EMI students’ written essays of the PTEA, examining how the lexical dimensions explain variance in writing scores and GPAs. An analysis of 102 writing samples showed that lexical diversity and sophistication moderately predicted writing proficiency but had a limited impact on academic achievement. Notably, the combination of diverse and sophisticated vocabulary was crucial for writing proficiency and, to a lesser extent, academic achievement. Advanced vocabulary usage, measured using the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) classifications, correlated with higher writing scores. While lexical measures are crucial for writing proficiency, their impact on broader academic outcomes appears mediated by other contributing factors due to the complex nature of academic achievement. This study provides evidence-based recommendations, such as incorporating advanced lexical items into teaching materials, prioritising academic vocabulary development, and employing a combination of lexical sophistication and diversity measures in assessment frameworks to enhance language instruction and assessment practices in EMI contexts.
Chapter 5 synthesises the findings of the three studies, discussing their theoretical, methodological, and pedagogical contributions to language assessment and EMI research. The systematic review establishes construct validity as a cornerstone for evaluating the PTEA, providing a robust theoretical foundation for interpreting its scores. The two empirical studies extend this understanding by demonstrating the predictive relationships between linguistic and non-linguistic factors and academic achievement. Theoretically, the thesis advances the understanding of construct validity for the PTEA, offering insights into its design and application in assessing academic readiness. The thesis confirms that while lexical complexity and individual factors significantly predict linguistic elements (e.g., writing and PTEA scores), they do not extend as effectively to academic achievement. Moreover, the modest predictive power of lexical complexity and individual factors for academic achievement also challenges the existing literature (e.g., Curle et al., 2024; Laufer, 1994; Morris, 2003; Morris & Cobb, 2004; Soruç et al., 2024; Thompson et al., 2022; Yuksel et al., 2023). Methodologically, the thesis pioneers the application of PLS-SEM in exploring academic achievement predictors in EMI settings, offering a nuanced approach to analysing the interconnections between multiple variables. Pedagogically, the findings inform the design of language support programmes, advocating for a holistic approach that integrates linguistic and affective dimensions to enhance students’ academic readiness. Despite its contributions, the thesis critically acknowledges the limitations while presenting the potential directions for prospective studies. Taken together, the studies presented in this thesis provide a deeper understanding of the extent ELP tests, particularly the PTEA, measure the intended constructs that students are supposed to demonstrate in HE settings as well as the predictors of academic achievement in Vietnamese EMI programmes
Prognostic significance of Glutamine-Related Solute Carriers in luminal breast cancer
No full textBackground
Breast cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous disease comprising diverse molecular and cellular subtypes. Oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+) BC accounts for approximately 75% of all BC cases. Although ER+ BC generally responds well to endocrine therapy, approximately 15% of tumours show intrinsic resistance, while an additional 30–40% develop resistance over time, leading to relapse, metastasis, and poor patient outcomes. Proliferating cancer cells heavily depend on glutamine for survival and growth. Glutamine is transported across the plasma membrane via Solute Carrier (SLC) proteins, where it serves as a key metabolic substrate to support energy production and biosynthesis of essential cellular components. This study aimed to provide a holistic view of SLCs expression in BC using multiple datasets. Among these SLCs, SLC1A5, SLC7A5, and SLC3A2 were associated with poor prognosis, particularly in highly proliferative ER+ BC/Lum B BC. Despite growing evidence highlighting the importance of these SLCs in metabolic regulation, their specific role in ER+ BC tumour progression remains unclear. Additionally, the individual and combined inhibition of these poor prognosis-associated SLCs was evaluated through functional assays to determine their impact on tumour progression in Lum BC cell lines. Furthermore, the study explored the therapeutic potential of novel genes associated with these SLCs, providing insights into their role in disease progression and potential as therapeutic targets.
Method
This study analysed the mRNA expression of fourteen SLCs in large BC patient cohorts: METABRIC (n=1,980), bc-GenExMiner (n=4,904), TCGA (n=1,211), and TIMER (n=1,100) for immune infiltration. Protein expression of HAO1 (n=1,793), CLIC6 (n=1,211), and TPRG1 (n=1,567) was investigated using immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis and tissue microarray (TMA) in a large, well-characterised primary BC cohort. Their expression was correlated with clinicopathological parameters, BC molecular subtypes, relevant biological markers, and patient outcomes. In a different approach, in vitro studies using MCF-7 and ZR-75-1 cell lines were carried out to investigate the effects of inhibition with the selective SLC1A5 and SLC7A5 inhibitors, V-9302 and KYT-0353, and siRNA knockdown of SLCs on cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle, and glutamine assay.
Results
High mRNA expression of SLC1A5, SLC7A5, SLC3A2, SLC7A6, and SLC7A7 was associated with Lum B, HER2+, and basal-like subtypes in the PAM50 classification. SLC1A5 and SLC7A5 mRNA expression correlated with aggressive clinicopathological features, including higher tumour grade, larger tumour size, and higher lymph node involvement, and was significantly associated with shorter OS in ER+ BC. SLC1A5, SLC7A5, and SLC3A2 proteins showed both intra-tumoral and inter-tumoral heterogeneity in ER+/Lum BC tumours. The combined inhibition of SLC in Lum B BC cell lines had a greater impact on functional assays. Additionally, potential novel biomarkers associated with these SLCs were identified, including HAO1, CLIC6, and TPRG1, as prognostic and therapeutic targets.
Conclusion
Considering the heterogeneity of these SLCs in ER+ BC, a personalised approach to management is necessary to improve patient outcomes and develop classification strategies for clinical use. This thesis demonstrated that targeting glutamine-related SLCs synergistically may provide more potent therapeutic effects compared to targeting them individually. Further functional studies may increase insight into the roles of these SLCs in the Lum B subtype, contributing to improved patient outcomes
Media reforms in Myanmar and Indonesia: a critical analysis of how power relations and social inequalities are reflected in, impacted by, and shape media reform processes
Get PDFSoutheast Asia has seen tremendous changes since the democratisation movements in the period of 1980s to the 1990s, in the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia. Political changes affect the media that experienced strict control and censorship, but at the same time, mobilised political changes in those countries. In the 2010s, a shift towards political openness began in Myanmar after decades of military rule. While these changes can be described as young or at a nascent stage, the other countries such as Indonesia, have seen remarkable developments in the area of media development and freedoms. Yet new challenges emerged even in the ‘success’ stories of democratization and press freedom. Key among them were the commercialisation of media, political divisions in society, and the rise of illiberal forces – a global phenomenon - that have pushed back some of the gains made in these societies. The opening in Myanmar that led to the election of a pro-democratic government in 2015, and lessons from Indonesia, inform this research on media reforms. Typically, with media reforms, come the negotiations between various domestic, regional, and international actors, vying control to direct the change process. Inspired by Monroe Price’s (2009) reflections of the media assistance project in Central and Eastern Europe in the 1990s, and Katrin Voltmer’s (2013) global analysis of media in transitional societies, I aim to analyse how different societies respond to, and shape media reforms, who sets the agendas for reforms and what these mean to the different actors. Central to the discussion is the role of the various elements of the state and authority that are ‘fragmented and contentious’, as proposed by Migdal (2001), in its interaction with other fields of power to such as capital and international development, which dominate the reforms process and outcomes, and the public. The thesis critically engages with theories of participation and gender in the context of democracy and development to interrogate the relationships between the actors and what lessons can be learnt from the experiences in the two countries
Teacher change through professional development: an embedded case study of Vietnamese tertiary EFL teachers adopting blended learning
No full textThis thesis presents a PhD project conducted in the context of blended learning (BL), which is emerging as a significant educational reform globally and in Vietnam. It investigates the adoption of BL by English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers at a Vietnamese university, focusing on teacher change resulting from a tailored professional development (PD) program.
The research project builds on a preliminary pre-PhD study that identified a disconnect between institutional goals and teachers' experiences. Accordingly, it aimed to support EFL teachers in adopting BL through a structured PD intervention. Furthermore, it seeks to address critical gaps in the literature, including the limited exploration of teachers’ perspectives on BL adoption, the inadequate evaluation of PD initiatives, and the insufficient understanding of the mechanisms driving teacher change.
Framed by the Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM) (Hall, 1979) and the Dynamic Model of Teacher Change (adapted from Clarke and Hollingsworth, 2002), this research utilized a qualitative embedded single-case study design. Multiple data sources were employed, including teacher Stages of Concern Questionnaire (SoCQ) responses, interviews with teachers and administrators, and teacher reflections. The research was structured around three units of analysis: the problem, the intervention, and the context, which were investigated through three sequential studies.
Study 1 explored the initial concerns and experiences of six EFL teachers who volunteered for the PD program. Pre-program findings revealed their significant informational and personal concerns, a limited understanding of BL principles, and superficial integration of online components. These insights informed the design of a tailored, long-term PD program structured as a community of practice (CoP), encompassing learning, designing, and teaching phases.
Study 2 evaluated the program’s effectiveness and examined the process of teacher change. Teachers reported that the program effectively alleviated initial concerns, enhanced their knowledge, skills, and instructional practices, and initiated shifts in their peripheral beliefs about BL. From the teachers’ perspectives, these changes improved student engagement and fostered greater learning autonomy. Furthermore, the study revealed that teacher change was a negotiated process between the program’s intended content and teachers’ established routines, mediated by resonance—an active and ongoing engagement influenced by individual teacher profiles and contextual factors.
Despite these positive changes reported by teachers, Study 2 also identified lingering challenges beyond the teachers’ capacity to resolve, prompting Study 3, which escalated unresolved concerns to five administrators at the school (departmental) and university levels. This study situated teachers’ BL adoption within an ecological framework, emphasizing how contextual factors operating at multiple levels influenced professional growth. In the case of the university under investigation, the system demonstrated limited proactiveness at each layer, coupled with a tendency to shift blame upward. Three contextual pillars were identified as critical for creating a supportive environment for teachers’ BL adoption: leadership buy-in, expert involvement, and open communication.
This research potentially offers valuable contributions to designing and evaluating PD initiatives for BL in EFL contexts. Its key contributions are distilled into a PD guiding framework for BL and a refined Dynamic Model of Teacher Change. The former provides a structured approach to aligning bottom-up teacher initiatives with systemic top-down educational reforms. At the same time, the latter captures the complex interplay of teacher agency and contextual influences, which are often overlooked in existing models. Practical implications extend to PD designers, administrators, and teachers, offering actionable strategies for sustainable BL adoption and a nuanced understanding of teacher change
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