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A practice-led investigation into the role of play as a feedback mechanism between the human and technological systems - as revealed through art & technology projects
Get PDFThis research project will develop existing philosophical concepts of technic, and technicity. This research project will explore the techno-social coalescences (assemblages) that are formed around my Art & Technology projects and their audiences (recipients). A practice-led approach to framing these engagements enables this research to diagram these assemblages. These novel distributions of content and expression will lead to the conceptualisation of new notions of art, play and technology that emerge through these activities. In such ways this research will enhance our understandings of the relationships between humans and technology
Minkowski based microwave resonator for material detection over sub-6 GHz 5G spectrum
Get PDFThis paper describes the performance of a low-cost, high-sensitive microwave resonator for 5G modern wireless communication systems operating through sub-6GHz spectrum. Here, the proposed resonator is constructed from a Minkowski fractal open stub that is coupled to an interdigital capacitor. It is fetched to a circular spiral inductor structure with a back loop to increase the resonator quality and it operates at a frequency resonance of 524 MHz. Since the purpose of the study is to apply such technology to characterize liquid properties, the presented resonator is mounted on an FR4 substrate with a thickness of 1.6 mm and an area of 40×60 mm2, Using CST MWS commercial software, the resulting design dimensions are optimized. The proposed design performance which is demonstrated in terms of S21 magnitude is found to vary significantly by the variations in the photo-resistor. Such a property motivated the authors to consider it for material detection as the frequency stability with a photo-resistor value change is relative to the light incidence. In such a manner, the achieved results are found to behave linearly without discrepancy due to the effects of diffraction from the resonator layers. This technology is frequently used as a strong contender for a variety of contemporary wireless technologies that may invoke optical-based interface systems
Making women in finance count: not just counting women - exploring female accountants' experiences in SMEs in Greece during the COVID-19 pandemic
No full textThe present study investigated the views of 22 women who were working as accountants in six SMEs to reveal the barriers they faced as they tried to maintain a work-life balance, especially as all of them were wives and mothers and have chosen to enter a male-dominated field. The current study revealed that female accountants faced numerous sex-related barriers and received little support as few women have senior roles in accounting even nowadays. It concludes that SMEs should provide opportunities for coaching and mentoring to help women enhance their leadership skills and overall profile, especially during major crises. While several studies have reported on diversity management issues in SMEs, this study focuses on both the enablers and the obstacles female accountants faced in Greece, especially during Covid-19, to provide a more balanced picture and offer recommendations which may support women in male-dominated fields, i.e., finance, promoting Social Justice and Sustainable Development for all employees irrespective of their background and personal characteristics
Are we there or do we have more to do? Metaverse in facility management and future prospects
Get PDFBusinesses are eager to adopt new technologies such as augmented reality, blockchain, extended reality, and artificial intelligence, among others, as they see beneficial applications for strategic empowerment. As one of the technological disruptions, metaverse has caught the attention of the larger business community and facility management (FM) sector. In a world where various virtual realities converge, the hyper-connected digital universe known as the metaverse has the potential to fundamentally alter how FM and business interactions are conducted in the future. More people are spending time conducting business online, increasing the metaverse's potential. Businesses are also making significant investments in the development of metaverse techniques. This study reviews the current literature to comprehend how metaverse techniques have shaped the building blocks of FM by looking at 206 papers. There is currently a dearth of functional metaverse research. This article aims to provide a thorough analysis of the integration of metaverse techniques for facility management. The review reveals several opportunities for further research into the FM-metaverse ecosystem, including improving data interoperability, enhancing the precision of point cloud data for as-built models of existing facilities, and producing efficient virtual property database integration
Interdisciplinary reflections on South Asian transitions: exploring the rise of far right ideology
No full textThis book presents an interdisciplinary understanding of the social, and economic drivers of far-right politics in South Asia. In response to the growth of xenophobia, reactionary nationalism, authoritarianism, and aggressive leadership in the region, it examines both the religious and economic conditions that have encouraged far-right populism and the profit-driven capitalist systems it produces. The book also delves into the unique histories of South Asia, along with the region's religious and cultural traditions, to provide context for broader economic and political trends and shed light on the consolidation of wealth and growing inequality. The book thoroughly explores the economic and political transformation of South Asia resulting from far-right populism, making it a valuable resource for students and researchers in the fields of political economy and South Asian studies
Stalking in universities: responding effectively as an institution while prioritising the safety of victims
Get PDFYoung people between the ages of 21-25 year make up 66% of University students (OfS, 2022) and it is this group of people who are likely to be a most risk of sexual harassment and violent crime. The prevalence of stalking victimisation is also likely to be elevated. Indeed, an FOI request made to universities by the Unfollow me campaign, revealed that 381 students had made allegations of stalking or domestic abuse between 2015 and 2018. In 40% of those cases the person who was accused of stalking and the person making the allegation studied at the same university (Vice 2019).
The Statement of Expectations published by the Office for Students calls for the implementation of more effective systems, policies and processes to prevent and respond to incidents of harassment and sexual misconduct, stalking is included under this definition (OfS 2021). Access to appropriate and effective support is a key principle in this statement. The necessity of adopting existing UUK guidelines to create a culture where such behaviours are highlighted as high risk and associated preventative education is also evident.
This chapter provides a context for the legislation and will additionally focus on academic institutions' legal duties in prevention, identification and responding effectively to online harassment and stalking and the barriers to enacting legislation
Populism, religion and family values policies in Israel, Italy and Turkey
Get PDFThere is a growing focus in political science on right-wing populist parties. But few comparative studies address their discourses and politics relating to family values, especially when involved with policy-making. Moreover, many comparative works about populism focus on a single region – often Western and Eastern Europe. This paper adopts a definition of populism with two different dimensions: the vertical (inclusive), which regards elites, and the horizontal (exclusive), which addresses ‘foreigners’. The use of family values in political discourse and policy pertains to the two axes of populism. On the one hand are elites who are accused of being uncommitted to traditional values and morally corrupt. On the other hand are demographic concerns regarding declining birth rates among native populations and immigrants with large families. The stress on family values can also originate from a value orientation – or merely a tactical move – engendered by political competition. This paper specifically examines the politics of family values in the context of policies concerning gender equality, family planning and LGBT rights in three countries: Israel, Italy and Turkey. These countries share a rather strong religious tradition, experienced changes in family orientations and have populist political parties that appeal to religious values. In our comparative study, we explore these developments and the role of family values in the discourses and policies of the Likud and Shas parties in Israel, the Lega and Fratelli d’Italia parties in Italy and the AKP in Turkey
First-generation Nigerian mothers living in the UK and their experience of postnatal depression: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
Get PDFObjective:
Previous studies emphasise the negative psychological and physical consequences of Postnatal Depression (PND) on mothers and children’s health. In the UK, around 10-20% of women can be affected by perinatal mental health problems. Minority ethnic groups such as Black African mothers are considered to be at greater risk of developing PND and data estimates that immigrant mothers are twice more likely to develop PND than native mothers. The unique experiences and needs of this culturally diverse group remain little explored in the UK. To address this gap in the literature, this study aimed to explore the lived experiences of First-Generation Nigerian Mothers (FGNMs) who suffered PND, their coping behaviours and treatment experiences in the UK.
Design:
Six FGNMs with a previous diagnosis of PND and treatment experiences were purposefully recruited from GP practices and social groups attended by Nigerian mothers in the UK. Semi-structured interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.
Results:
Three master and seven subordinate themes were identified: (i) Socio-cultural factors (Inter-generational transmission; cultural perceptions: shame and stigma; transitions: adjusting to a new culture); (ii) What about me? The neglected nurturer (experiences of treatment; pretending to be OK); and (iii) Loneliness and coping (lack of support from partner; self-reliance).
Conclusions:
The study provides evidence about the difficulties encountered by FGNMs in relation to PND, including socio-cultural factors, neglect from family and healthcare professionals, and self-reliance as a coping strategy. Contrary to reports suggesting that Black ethnic groups do not seek help for their mental health needs, participants’ accounts indicated that their attempts to engage with professionals were met with unsatisfactory responses. The findings of this study highlight the need to address barriers affecting access to services by fostering a patient-centred and culturally sensitive approach in healthcare teams to effectively engage mothers at an early stage in the detection pathway
Socio-spatial practices of well-being: authors of civic ecologies
Get PDF… well-being is best understood as that which consists in a wholehearted and successful pursuit of valuable relationships and goals (Raz, 2004)
If well-being is valuable in a moral, objective sense, then an individual’s autonomy and freedom to set goals must also be supported by a wider socio-cultural context in which to flourish. Conversely, where city farms are attuned to and support individual needs, they may also form local catalysts to the state in the promotion of well-being.
Social Farms & Gardens (SF&G) is a registered charity promoting community managed green spaces including ‘city farms’. Historically, city farms develop on land that is commercially unviable and in locations open to increased community engagement. The physical and social repair (Mattern, 2018; Graham and Thrift, 2007; Jackson, 2014) of these sites is supported by local residents, reinforced by a symbolic image of farming and underpinned by a commitment to care for and nurture the collective good.
The paper examines practices of city farms and the value that they bring to the community by fostering ‘well-being’ (Raz, 2004) from the ground up. It discusses the operational strategies for these practices, the horizons of involvement engaged with, and the networks formed to initiate policy change. The critical methods endeavour to be mindful of different scales of practice: How these practices build networks of engagement that influence the flourishing of the individual and the local neighbourhood, and how this affects the moral objectives of the city farm as an institution.
It will outline the practical method, summarised as a four-part toolkit comprising illustrative, filmic and measured spatial media, delivered as live projects, mappings, podcasts and an ethnographic novel. It will show how these become diagnostic of ‘spheres of action’ - repair; affordance; networks; and policy – which provide agency, scale and context to articulate well-being. In turn these reflect the hierarchy of needs, as expressed in Maslow’s widely adopted pyramid (1943) and further represented in the theories of Raz (1995, 2004, 2009) and Bourdieu (1977, 1984, 1993).
If city farms are to achieve their claim of well-being as related to ‘the good life’, ‘eudaimonia’, ‘happiness’ and ‘flourishing’, then it follows that the ‘character’ and ‘excellence’ of their practices (phronesis) must necessarily be virtuous in pursuit. Given this, we might deduce that the virtues of city farms are an attempt to ‘repair’ our modern lifestyle, which, Cooper attests, ordinarily, partitions our lives between a ‘public’, ‘civic’, or ‘professional’ life and a more ‘private’ life, where conduct is a matter of individual ‘choice’ or ‘preference’’ (2006:88)