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Climate change projects and youth engagement: empowerment and contested knowledge.
Get PDFThis study investigated youth's empowerment through EU-funded climate change projects (CCPs) and the role that social research and public engagement play in that process. The importance of considering youth empowerment in a time of climate change is increasingly recognized. Youth are exposed to interrelated health, socioeconomic, and political vulnerabilities caused by climate change, but they often lack resources to address and navigate these changes. To help address these issues, youth empowerment holds the potential to give youth a greater influence over their lives in the context of an evolving climate. EU-funded CCPs play a crucial role in EU's climate mitigation and adaptation policies, and the implementation of these projects can have widespread implications for youth across the EU. However, there is little research exploring the local youth implications of EU-funded CCPs. In this paper, we want to start addressing this knowledge gap by exploring how youth empowerment was facilitated, shaped, and restrained over a year-long collaboration with students from a Greek school as part of a Horizon 2020 project on the social acceptance of Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCUS) technologies. The findings indicate that the activities provided the students with opportunities to explore and express different types of concerns, knowledge, and perspectives on issues related to climate change, social acceptance, and CCUS. However, the empowering potential of these activities was also shaped by power differentials and contestations around the validity of different knowledge sources. For meaningful youth engagement through Horizon 2020 initiatives, more longitudinal and meaningful participation is needed
Boron-doped hexagonal boridene-derived sulfides unlock high reversible capacity for rechargeable magnesium batteries.
No full textRechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs) are emerging as compelling alternatives for next-generation high-energy-density storage systems, owing to magnesium's abundance, safety, and high volumetric capacity. However, the divalent nature of magnesium ions (Mg2+) results in sluggish ion diffusion and severe polarization, significantly impeding their practical application. Here, it is reported the design and synthesis of boron-doped molybdenum disulfide (B-MoS2) cathodes via an in situ phase transformation of Boridene (Mo4/3B2-xTz). Based on experimental results and theoretical calculations, it is confirmed that boron atoms are stably incorporated into the hexagonal lattice, yielding a thermodynamically stable boron-doped structure that strengthens Mg2+ adsorption and facilitates rapid ion transport. The optimized B-MoS2 cathodes deliver a high reversible capacity of up to 218.4 mAh g(-1) and sustain a capacity above 100 mAh g(-1) for over 400 cycles at 200 mA g(-1), it overwhelms all similar 2H phase MoS2-based materials reported so far. Benefiting from the unique surface chemistry and wide bandgap features inherent to Boridene-derived materials, this work offers a new paradigm for engineering high-performance cathode architectures for multivalent-ion batteries
Placemaking in context: place-based strategy evaluation framework for value-driven strategy for sustainable development.
Get PDFSustainability needs are highly contextual, shaped by plurality, diversity and complexity of challenges, opportunities, worldviews, environments, and political and economic circumstances – current and historical. In the Arctic, where communities and places are affected by the changing environment, geopolitical turmoil and rapid industrial development, a place-based value-driven approach must be taken, that allows understanding the unique contextual web. This understanding must underpin placemaking strategies, such as tourism, urban planning, or infrastructure development, to truly bring value for people and places, affected by them. This paper presents the Place-based Strategy Evaluation Framework (PSEF) to study the local context and its effect on sustainability needs, in relation to the proposed development, and a way to recognise whether the strategy addresses these. This presentation is based on a doctoral study, conducted in the Orkney Islands - a small rural archipelago in the north of Scotland, with strong tourism industry. The rapid developments of cruise tourism and other challenges, pertinent to rural cold-water archipelagos, are underpinned by the unique circumstances, formed by the interaction between people and place throughout history. Semi-structured interviews with members of Orkney communities and unstructured observations were used to explore what sustainability means for Orkney, impacts and benefits of tourism, opinions about Orkney Tourism Strategy, and the meaning of community. The findings underpinned the Framework, which was then applied to evaluate the Orkney Tourism Strategy 2020-2030. Based on the 'value' formula, as proportionality between benefits and impacts of a given development, the Framework guides to understand how local communities perceive benefits and impacts of the development. The study showed that perception of benefits is notably influenced by transparency of their distribution across the communities of the archipelago, affected by concepts of governance, power and agency. Perception of impacts is influenced by the alignment of the development to the attributes of the sense of place, shaped by the complex and often contested meanings people assign to their place, based on historical, cultural and social factors. Thus, increasing the perceived benefits and reducing the perceived impacts will lead to higher perceived value of the development in the eyes of the communities, and will secure support and participation, enhancing the sense of ownership and stronger positive sense of place. This Framework can be used to evaluate proposed placemaking strategies in the Arctic, for the benefit of the Arctic communities and places. The full study can be found at: https://doi.org/10.48526/rgu-wt-2344221. Appendix 15 includes the PSEF tool
Enforcing gender parity: gaps in CEDAW and the role of UN mechanisms.
Get PDFThis presentation examines the enforcement challenges of gender parity within the framework of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the broader role of the United Nations. It highlights the gaps in CEDAW’s implementation, including weak enforcement mechanisms, state compliance issues, and cultural resistance, while evaluating the UN’s effectiveness in promoting gender equality globally. The discussion also explores potential reforms to strengthen CEDAW’s impact and enhance the UN’s role in achieving meaningful gender parity
Maximizing energy efficiency through joint resource optimization in NOMA-assisted UAV-enabled next-generation wireless networks.
Get PDFConventional base stations (BS) often face limitations in providing consistent communication services, particularly in remote or congested areas. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have emerged as a promising solution to assist BS in expanding coverage and improving service quality. However, the primary challenge with UAVs lies in their limited battery life, which restricts flight time and overall efficiency. To address this, non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is a promising technique that can significantly improve the energy efficiency (EE) of the network. In this paper, we first formulate a joint resource optimization problem to maximize EE while ensuring quality of service (QoS) constraints. Then, a low-complexity heuristic solution is presented to address a nonlinear, nonconvex, and NP-hard problem by optimizing the key parameters, including user pairing (UP), UAV altitude (UA), and power allocation (PA). The simulation results show that our proposed solution outperforms benchmark schemes, achieving 23.07% higher EE than random pairing and 28.67% higher EE than the worst-case pairing scenario
Members in good standing? The relationship between pornography reboot communities and the manosphere.
Get PDFHistorically, feminist discourses around pornography have focused on its uncritical replication of misogynistic tropes/attitudes. Ironically, discourse analysis suggests that these values are also rife in the male-dominated anti-pornography communities that academics are increasingly classifying as a constituent part of the manosphere. In these groups, members chart their progress in abstaining from the supposedly addictive cycle of viewing/masturbating to pornography to "reboot" their brains and take back control of their lives. At the time of writing, the largest outlet, r/NoFap, boasts 1.2 million members, though there are several notable competitors. While the challenge may sound like yet another internet curiosity, research shows that members and content creators share fundamental manosphere values. Most obviously, like with other groups in the ecosystem, reboot communities are homosocial, normalising a boys club mentality that stems from allegedly fundamental biological/libidinal differences between men and women. They also construct their identities around an inflexible sexual market that positions men as entrepreneurs competing for a limited resource: women's sexual interest. In contrast to incels, who see themselves as unable to compete, rebooters position members as prospective marketplace winners who can reconnect with an innate male power through discipline and self-mastery. I review literature showing how reboot discourses support popular manosphere tenets, including i) The battle for masculinity: the conspiratorial view that pornography is a feminist tool designed to subvert hegemonic masculinity and weaken men; ii) A natural hierarchy of men: the operationalization of competitive masculinity to rank men from alpha to beta; iii) The instrumentalization of women: the gamification of sexual encounters into rewards for worthy men rather than mutually enjoyable experiences. I finish with a discussion about motivation variance in reboot communities, focussing on competing narratives surrounding the impact of pornography on men that vary in their compatibility with the manosphere. Among other topics, I reflect on cross-cultural narratives surrounding the significance of abstinence and harmful beliefs surrounding erectile dysfunction
Legacy wells and CCS: do they go together?
Get PDFWithin the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS) licencing area, there are more than 1,400 legacy wells which present both operational risks but also a unique opportunity for carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects. This presentation delves into the feasibility and potential of repurposing legacy wells for CO2 storage projects, addressing both the technical challenges and environmental benefits through the adoption of a methodological approach which evaluates the integrity of legacy wells in the Northern, Central, and Southern North Sea. We will demonstrate "how" the structural integrity of legacy wells can be assessed (applying technical, environmental, and economic factors) using a dedicated well-screening tool which applies a risk scoring method. Additionally, a multi-criteria decision-making tool was developed to determine the beneficial (storage capacity, risks, and distance) and non-beneficial criteria (cost) implications of different CO2 storage sites within the UKCS. By examining case studies and recent advancements in CCS technology, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of how legacy wells can play a pivotal role in the UK's carbon reduction strategy
Role of student-supported, engineering professional society activities on student experience and outcomes.
No full textThis presentation showcases the significant role of professional society activities in enhancing university students’ experience, achievement and career development. It aims to motivate participants to support these activities, which foster personal and professional growth. The Robert Gordon University, Society of Petroleum Engineers Student Chapter, established in 1979, exemplifies this by offering students numerous benefits, including engineering-themed technical sessions with industry professionals, scholarships, mentorship, and networking opportunities. The session will discuss the positive impact of student involvement in professional societies in relation to their academic experience, performance and career readiness, illustrated by student success stories
Implementation of a feedback literacy intervention across applied sport and exercise science and sport coaching programmes.
Get PDF"A process by which learners make sense of information from various sources and use it to enhance their work or learning strategies" is the definition of feedback. According to Carless and Boud (2018), feedback literacy is "the understandings, capacities, and dispositions needed to make sense of information and use it to enhance work or learning strategies." Feedback literacy scale (FLBS) has five sections: Seek feedback information; Make sense of information; Use feedback information; Provide feedback information and Manage affect. Students' feedback literacy can be raised using a quick intervention that includes peer feedback, exemplar analysis, and feedback literacy conversations
Recent legal developments relating to menopause in the workplace.
No full textThe number of workers suffering from menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms has increased in recent years. They are vulnerable to dismissal and discrimination. The number of menopause related employment tribunal claims has also increased significantly in recent years. This research evaluates social, medical and legal attitudes to menopause, considers whether existing pathways to protection under the Employment Rights Act 1996 (ERA1996) and Equality Act 2010 (EA2010) are sufficient, and explores the possible approaches to strengthening protection. The research carries out an analysis of the literature and uses the themes distilled from the literature to construct a theoretical framework within which to to analyse the relevant legislation and case law identifying the gaps in protection. It considers how to address these gaps. Protection from dismissal is provided by the ERA1996 to employees. Protection from discrimination provided by the EA 2010 to a wider category of workers provided the reason for the treatment is a protected characteristic. The extent of the protection available depends on which protected characteristic underpins the claim. Proposals to expand the protected characteristics have been rejected and changes in the law focus on education and reporting, and do not materially improve remedies available to individuals. As a result of the conclusions of this review, policy makers should consider whether the legal protection offered is sufficient. Large employers should revise their policies and practice in light of recent developments. This research offers fresh perspectives on the issues raised by menopause in the workplace by examining medical, social and legal attitudes to menopause, providing context for analysis of the law, reducing stigma and practical guidance for employers and policymakers, contributing to the ongoing attempts to improve protection in this area
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