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Just plough on and pretend it’s not happening: understanding burnout in teacher educators in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Get PDFThough Teacher Educators play a significant role in teachers' induction and development at early childhood, primary, secondary, and further education levels, there has been relatively little research into their stress and well-being. This paper offers unique insight into an under-researched area through a mixed methods approach, combining the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), open-ended surveys (N = 154), and long-form interviews (N = 14). Most participants reported moderate to high Work-Related Burnout and Personal Burnout. Although the traditional burnout symptoms of emotional exhaustion were evident, depersonalisation was less pronounced in this educator demographic than in other groups. Burnout was influenced by several interconnecting factors, including work overload, lack of control, feeling undervalued, and external pressures from policy and accreditation processes. Protective factors were also identified, including collegial support, intrinsic motivation, and proactive self-care practices. In combination, these factors counterbalance the stressors but do not act as a 'cure'
Renewable energy technologies support mechanisms: improving urban grid resilience in Nigeria.
Get PDFAchieving a sustainable energy future in countries is currently at the fore of global discourse for sustainable development. In developing countries including Nigeria, the electricity sector is the main approach identified to reduce greenhouse gas emission through the incorporation of new renewable energy technologies on the grid. Regardless of the ambitious policies and plans put in place to address this, there has been no success with the strategic planning process, governance and actors, with accountability and transparency being critical. Sustainable transition studies provide a contemporary approach to managing strategic plan for transformation of unsustainable systems which are deeply embedded in our society. The transition management considers the co-evolutionary process in achieving long-term strategic plan with institutions and actors for the decarbonisation of existing energy systems. This study adopts a novel approach by supporting transition management with accountability and transparency concepts. While most studies focused on developed countries, this research is based on developing countries transition and investigates the strategic planning in governance of grid-renewable energy and the accountability and transparency within it, through an empirical-qualitative study. It focuses on understanding the planning process, actors' involvement, the perception of the energy and non-energy actors on the accountability and transparency in the strategic planning for grid renewable energy space in Nigeria. Interviews with experts from the public authorities, electricity industry, research and development, investment and business, and national and climate agencies and renewable energy associations were carried out. Findings from the empirical study was presented, supported by existing pieces of literature from sustainable transition and accountability and transparency sources. The results promote grid renewable energy and provide suggestions to energy planners and policymakers to influence decisions and strategies to foster sustainable energy system development
Media narratives and Scottish fashion.
Get PDFScotland has a vast iconography that is recognised globally. However, it is argued that many of these symbols and stereotypes are outdated and not always reflective of a modern Scotland. This paper is part of a wider project exploring Scottish fashion outside of its traditional tropes and that seeks to uncover a contemporary and forward-looking vision for the sector. The paper begins by exploring the Highland vision of Scotland, which dates back to the 18th century, and analyses how this aesthetic is sustained and represented by the fashion media today. Established publications like Vogue and luxury brands like Chanel have a long-standing influence on global fashion, which has continued into the digital era where content is produced and then reproduced, reaching mainstream fashion audiences. At the same time, new influential actors like bloggers and content creators are recognised for their contribution towards a more democratic fashion system and arguably also play a role as contemporary cultural icons who reimagine fashion in particular geographic contexts. Through an analysis of fashion media output, this paper considers some of the tensions surrounding the traditional view of Scottish fashion and more contemporary outlooks. Conclusions are drawn around how traditional fashion media and influential new voices are shaping fashion narratives and feeding into contemporary perceptions of national and cultural identity. The research contributes to the fields of Scottish studies, national identity and cultural studies and the evolving field of fashion studies, where sense of place is a significant theme
Protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial of the Pharmacy Homeless Outreach Engagement Non-medical and Independent Prescriber (PHOENIx) intervention for people facing severe and multiple disadvantages.
No full textPeople experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage (SMD: homelessness, substance use and criminal offending) have multiple intersecting unmet health and social care needs and high mortality rates, often due to street-drug overdose. Pilot randomised controlled trials (RCTs) suggest an integrated, holistic, collaborative outreach intervention (Pharmacy Homeless Outreach Engagement Non-medical Independent Prescribing Rx (PHOENIx)) involving generalist-trained pharmacists, nurses or General Practitioners accompanied by staff from third sector homeless organisations may improve outcomes, including reducing overdose. Multicentre, parallel group, prospective RCT with parallel economic and process evaluation. Set in six areas of Scotland, UK, 378 adults with SMD will be recruited and randomised (stratified by setting and previous non-fatal overdoses) to PHOENIx intervention in addition to usual care (UC) or UC. Aiming to meet participants weekly for 9-15 months, PHOENIx teams assess and address health and social care needs while referring onwards as necessary, co-ordinating care with wider health and third sector teams. During a person-centred consultation, in the participants' choice of venue, and taking account of the participant's priorities, the NHS clinician may prescribe, de-prescribe and treat, for example, wound care, and refer to other health services as necessary. The third sector worker may help with welfare benefit applications, social prescribing or advocacy, for example, securing stable housing. Pairings of clinicians and third sector workers support the same participants. The primary outcome is time to first fatal/non-fatal street-drug overdose at nine months. Secondary endpoints include health-related quality of life, healthcare use and criminal justice encounters. A health economic evaluation will assess cost per quality adjusted life year of PHOENIx relative to standard care. A parallel qualitative process evaluation will explore the perceptions and experiences of PHOENIx, by participants, stakeholders and PHOENIx staff. The primary and other time-to-event secondary outcomes will be analysed by Cox proportional hazards regression. IRAS number 345246, approved 23/10/2024 by North of Scotland Research Ethics Service. Results will be shared with participants, third sector homelessness organisations, health and social care partnerships, then peer-reviewed journals and conferences worldwide, from the first quarter of 2027)
Advances in flow of water through variably saturated soils: a review of model approaches and experimental investigations with use of sensors.
No full textThe study of the flow of water through soils is important and has applications in many fields such as irrigation in agriculture, engineering, hydrogeology, and earth sciences. Many research efforts have been focused on different aspects of the subject of flow through soils. These include flow through the vadose zone where the flow is transient, saturated flow, soil water evaporation, Darcian or laminar flow, macroporous or differential flow, flow through homogeneous soils, and flow through heterogeneous soils. Although Darcy's law is the most fundamental law governing soil water subsurface flow, it considers a linear relation between flow velocity and pressure gradient. Formulation of Darcy's law is based on steady flow of incompressible liquid when the porous medium is isotropic, homogeneous, and saturated. However, these classical representations of water flow are not adequate when considering flow through natural soils, due to influences caused by the existence of macropores and spatial variability of soil properties. Despite researchers' non-linear models which modify Darcy's law, such as Richard's equation for transient unsaturated flow of water in soils, determination of soil hydraulic properties also requires other techniques and measurement methods. This study focuses on model approaches and experimental investigations of water flow through the soil subsurface with instruments and sensors for determination of hydraulic properties and parameters for flow characterisation. It critically examines challenges and the accuracy of best practices and aims to present novel methods of experimental approach for potential solutions
Data for Net Zero (D4NZ) National Subsea Centre work packages: final report.
No full textThroughout the three Data for Net Zero (D4NZ) work packages it has developed, the National Subsea Centre (NSC) team have sought to illustrate how, when coupled with high quality data sources, novel data science, AI and modelling techniques can be used to guide and accelerate cross-sectoral decision-making approaches that support the transition to net zero by 2045. The Energy Hub Planning Tool demonstrator (WP4 - Section 1.2) has two modules. The first one improves the ability to quickly explore network-based complex design spaces associated with a given wind farm project and provides decision-makers with a set of inter-array cabling solutions that incorporate optimal trade-offs between targeted key performance indicators (e.g., cost and fragility). The second WP4 demonstrator module enables planners to rapidly outline flexible and resilient energy systems by providing them with the ability to define quickly construct operational models and associated scenarios that integrate real-life data regarding supply, demand, and flows of energy over time and across different areas and vectors. The Offshore Energy Workforce Planning Framework demonstrator (WP5 - Section 2.2) aims to support the just transition of workforces, by helping decision-makers construct equitable and inclusive workforce development plans that meet company needs over both operational (12-15 months) and strategic (3-5 years) timescales. The WP5 demonstrator incorporates our novel AI-Driven methods to ingest workforce data from different sources, identify cost-effective training opportunities, evolve roles towards the future needs of the company and reduce overheads through smart, efficient planning of training and staff allocations. For the convenience of different user groups, the demonstrator also features a dashboard-based interface featuring multiple views – e.g., full workforce roster, project allocations, skill shortage timeline, utilisation metrics. The Interactions between Fishing and Energy Sectors demonstrator (WP6 - Section 3.2) is designed to help optimise planning decisions by enabling users to quickly explore predicted interactions between planned offshore renewables and the commercial fishing industry. The novelty of the WP6 demonstrator resides in the integration of multiple data streams, pre and post-processing techniques and climate models to produce visualisation layers that describe in detail the implications of planned offshore developments on different ports, gears and fishery stakeholders, setting the project apart from previous research in this area
Examining lived experience of older, highly educated Black African women and their attitudes to COVID-19 vaccination: an outlook of England and Scotland.
No full textAdvances in medicine have extended life expectancy worldwide, creating a growing population of older adults. The United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing highlights the need for ongoing support for this generation, particularly by ensuring that healthcare systems remain accessible, equitable and responsive to their needs. As the global population continues to age, the demand for effective, inclusive and targeted public health interventions becomes increasingly urgent. In 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, prompting the UK and other nations to implement strategies aimed at mitigating its impact. Although a large proportion of the UK population received the COVID-19 vaccine, many remained hesitant or and declined it. Evidence shows that ethnic-minority groups, particularly Black African communities, had lower uptake. Yet, there remains limited understanding of the factors that shape these attitudes, particularly among older educated adults. Given the complexity of vaccination decision-making, examining its multifaceted drivers is vital in improving future vaccination programmes and strengthen responses during health emergencies. This interdisciplinary study positioned at the intersection of social science, communication studies, health policy and public health engagement, applies the 5Cs and the 3Cs Models to examine how educated older Black African women experienced and responded to COVID-19 vaccination. Drawing on qualitative interviews data, the research highlights the relevance of strategic communication built on tailored messaging, co-design techniques and equitable health systems and policies. It also demonstrates the value of context-specific frameworks such as the 7Cs vaccination Model for capturing the nuanced perspectives of diverse populations in times of crisis. The findings highlight the urgent need for disaggregated data and inclusive, audience-focused patient public involvement strategies. They demonstrate that culturally tailored, community-led approaches are essential to improving vaccine uptake and strengthening trust among underrepresented communities. By centring the lived experiences of an overlooked older demographic, this research advances a more inclusive and equitable global health discourse and provides practical insights for designing health systems that truly reflect the diversity of the populations they serve
Resilience and adaptation of third sector organizations (TSOs) during crisis situations: insights from a West African economy.
Get PDFAcross the globe, third sector organizations (TSOs) have long been recognized for their significant contributions to community support and sustainable development. However, their vulnerability to socioeconomic challenges, exemplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, prompts a deeper examination. This study employs semi-structured interviews to explore the resilience and adaptation strategies of TSOs operating in Nigeria, a West African country facing unique challenges. Findings reveal an intricate blend of traditional and innovative approaches - including strategic capabilities, digital citizenship, cultural dynamics and community participation - employed by TSOs to navigate the uncertainties triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic. By uncovering these less-explored resilience dimensions, the study offers valuable insights for TSOs, policymakers and scholars seeking to understand and enhance organizational resilience in challenging economic and social contexts
Extradition/surrender under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement: the shifting cooperative-protective balance.
Get PDFExtradition between the UK and EU Member States is now governed by Title VII of Part Three of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement 2020 (TCA). The TCA replaced the Framework Decision on the European Arrest Warrant 2002. The latter created a unique system of extradition with heightened cooperation well beyond orthodox treaty regimes, including the European Convention on Extradition 1957 (ECE). The Framework Decision did so through reliance upon the principles of mutual trust and recognition. Following Brexit and the conclusion of the TCA, the important question for the UK and EU Member states is whether the new rules will function as effectively and efficiently. For accused and convicted persons subject to extradition, on the other hand, the most important question is whether the process will be fair and just, and pay due regard to their human rights. The answers to these questions are arguably mutually exclusive. This is because extradition has two competing purposes, the facilitation of criminal cooperation between jurisdictions and the protection of requested persons. States, with their desire for effective and efficient transnational criminal justice, generally favour the cooperative purpose. Requested persons align with the protective function. The challenge facing any system of extradition is to properly balance the two. Whilst quite similar, the rules under the TCA are notably less cooperative than those under the Framework Decision. In the context of the historical oscillations in the purposes of extradition, the TCA moves the pendulum towards the protection of requested persons at the expense of transnational criminal cooperation
You’ll come back another day: exploring the challenges of interviewing upper class elites.
Get PDFThis article addresses the challenges of undertaking elite interviews with members of the aristocracy and gentry who constitute the upper classes in Great Britain. It reviews the existing guidance on elite interviewing from a number of social science disciplines highlighting areas of commonality and difference. The aim of the article is to provide advice for those undertaking research on the upper classes. It draws on empirical examples to highlight strategies for undertaking broad and deep literature reviews and to present a pragmatic process for identifying, selecting, and undertaking interviews with members of the upper classes. Existing guidance on interview format is highlighted as being unsuitable. We argue for the need to allow for flexibility in interview structures ranging from fully structured to almost entirely unstructured, depending on the positionality and personality of the interviewee. We also explore how the presupposition of anonymity and confidentiality in the literature presents a dilemma for researching the upper classes that warrants wider debate
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