“Undoing” Gender: how the School of Science, Engineering and Information Technology SEIT Women’s group works across university and community lines to promote inclusive STEM
- Goriss-Hunter, Anitra, Echter, Adele, Firmin, Sally, Oseni, Taiwa
- Authors: Goriss-Hunter, Anitra , Echter, Adele , Firmin, Sally , Oseni, Taiwa
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Studies in Adult Education Vol. 24, no. 3 (2018), p. 3-9
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- Description: Research on gender and education in industrialised and developing countries suggests that schools and universities are sites of ‘doing’ rather than ‘undoing’ gender. Deutsch (2007) contends that ‘doing gender’ refers to social interactions that reproduce conventional and limiting notions of gender construction and that ‘undoing gender’ refers to social interactions that reduce gender difference and open up other possibilities. In this paper we consider how educational institutions can be strategic sites of influence in undoing gender and we investigate some ways that gender is ‘undone’ through the example of the work of the Science, Engineering and Information Technology Women’s Group (SEITWG) located in the Faculty of Science and Technology at Federation University Australia. For this purpose, a self-study methodology understood as a professional reflection was used. The paper explores how the informal coalition of SEITWG works as ‘wilful subjects’, on the one hand, coming up against some of the ‘brick walls’ of dominant discourse that attempt to limit women’s participation in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine). On the other hand, SEITWG attempts to move beyond the restrictions of conventional gender narratives to encourage more women to participate in STEMM by foregrounding the presence of women already active in the area; mentoring women students and staff; supporting a range of their colleagues’ endeavours to research and teach for inclusion; embedding gender analysis into the curriculum; and promoting workplace cultural change.
- Authors: Goriss-Hunter, Anitra , Echter, Adele , Firmin, Sally , Oseni, Taiwa
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Studies in Adult Education Vol. 24, no. 3 (2018), p. 3-9
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Research on gender and education in industrialised and developing countries suggests that schools and universities are sites of ‘doing’ rather than ‘undoing’ gender. Deutsch (2007) contends that ‘doing gender’ refers to social interactions that reproduce conventional and limiting notions of gender construction and that ‘undoing gender’ refers to social interactions that reduce gender difference and open up other possibilities. In this paper we consider how educational institutions can be strategic sites of influence in undoing gender and we investigate some ways that gender is ‘undone’ through the example of the work of the Science, Engineering and Information Technology Women’s Group (SEITWG) located in the Faculty of Science and Technology at Federation University Australia. For this purpose, a self-study methodology understood as a professional reflection was used. The paper explores how the informal coalition of SEITWG works as ‘wilful subjects’, on the one hand, coming up against some of the ‘brick walls’ of dominant discourse that attempt to limit women’s participation in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine). On the other hand, SEITWG attempts to move beyond the restrictions of conventional gender narratives to encourage more women to participate in STEMM by foregrounding the presence of women already active in the area; mentoring women students and staff; supporting a range of their colleagues’ endeavours to research and teach for inclusion; embedding gender analysis into the curriculum; and promoting workplace cultural change.
“They loved gambling more than me. ” Women's experiences of gambling-related harm as an affected other
- McCarthy, Simone, Thomas, Samantha, Pitt, Hannah, Warner, Elyse, Roderique-Davies, Gareth, Rintoul, Angela, John, Bev
- Authors: McCarthy, Simone , Thomas, Samantha , Pitt, Hannah , Warner, Elyse , Roderique-Davies, Gareth , Rintoul, Angela , John, Bev
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Health Promotion Journal of Australia Vol. 34, no. 2 (2023), p. 284-293
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- Description: Background: Gambling poses a global threat to public health due to its far-reaching impacts. Research has demonstrated a ripple effect of harmful gambling on social network members and broader communities. While researchers have documented extreme harms associated with an affected other, limited research has qualitatively investigated how women describe their concerns about the gambling of a social network member, and any subsequent negative impacts on their own lives. Methods: An online panel survey was conducted with women aged 18 years and older, who gambled at least once in the last 12 months, and resided in the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales. This paper focused on the open text responses of a subsection of the sample (n = 136) who reported being negatively impacted by someone else's gambling. The study utilised reflexive thematic analysis to interpret the data. Results: Results indicated that women were concerned about the gambling behaviours of a broad range of social network members. Open text responses regarding the nature of these concerns mostly related to individualised paradigms of gambling behaviour – including whether the participant perceived their network member could afford to gamble, was being responsible with their gambling, or were gambling too frequently. Participants experienced a range of negative impacts including significant financial issues, relationship difficulties, poorer emotional wellbeing as a result of worrying about the gambler, and loss of trust. Some described the negative experiences associated with growing up with a parent who gambled. Conclusion: The research demonstrates the broad impacts of gambling on affected others. This study enhances our understanding of how women are harmed by gambling and considers the complexities of their experiences and relationships with the gambler. This extends knowledge beyond quantitative descriptors of harm among affected others and provides a critical reflection on the nuances of women's experiences with gambling and gambling harm. © 2022 The Authors. Health Promotion Journal of Australia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australian Health Promotion Association.
- Authors: McCarthy, Simone , Thomas, Samantha , Pitt, Hannah , Warner, Elyse , Roderique-Davies, Gareth , Rintoul, Angela , John, Bev
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Health Promotion Journal of Australia Vol. 34, no. 2 (2023), p. 284-293
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Gambling poses a global threat to public health due to its far-reaching impacts. Research has demonstrated a ripple effect of harmful gambling on social network members and broader communities. While researchers have documented extreme harms associated with an affected other, limited research has qualitatively investigated how women describe their concerns about the gambling of a social network member, and any subsequent negative impacts on their own lives. Methods: An online panel survey was conducted with women aged 18 years and older, who gambled at least once in the last 12 months, and resided in the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales. This paper focused on the open text responses of a subsection of the sample (n = 136) who reported being negatively impacted by someone else's gambling. The study utilised reflexive thematic analysis to interpret the data. Results: Results indicated that women were concerned about the gambling behaviours of a broad range of social network members. Open text responses regarding the nature of these concerns mostly related to individualised paradigms of gambling behaviour – including whether the participant perceived their network member could afford to gamble, was being responsible with their gambling, or were gambling too frequently. Participants experienced a range of negative impacts including significant financial issues, relationship difficulties, poorer emotional wellbeing as a result of worrying about the gambler, and loss of trust. Some described the negative experiences associated with growing up with a parent who gambled. Conclusion: The research demonstrates the broad impacts of gambling on affected others. This study enhances our understanding of how women are harmed by gambling and considers the complexities of their experiences and relationships with the gambler. This extends knowledge beyond quantitative descriptors of harm among affected others and provides a critical reflection on the nuances of women's experiences with gambling and gambling harm. © 2022 The Authors. Health Promotion Journal of Australia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australian Health Promotion Association.
“Paramedics are only a driver,” the lived experience of Iranian paramedics from patient handover : a qualitative study
- Hassankhani, Hadi, Haririan, Hamidreza, Porter, Joanne, Alvandi, Abraham
- Authors: Hassankhani, Hadi , Haririan, Hamidreza , Porter, Joanne , Alvandi, Abraham
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Research Development in Nursing and Midwifery Vol. 20, no. 1 (2023), p. 40-44
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- Description: Background: Patient handover in the emergency department (ED) is a 2-way communication process between the paramedics and in-hospital emergency personnel, which can result in miscommunication and delivery challenges. This study aimed to explore the lived experience of paramedics on patient handover to the ED. Methods: Over a period of 5 months, an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to explore the lived experiences of 15 paramedics in Tabriz, Iran. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in the emergency medical stations using the Smith approach for data collection and analysis. The researcher used 4 criteria to ensure rigor, including credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability, according to Lincoln and Guba. Results: Three main themes emerged from the data analysis, including “the hole of hope,” “the boring issues,” and “paramedics are only a driver.” A further 11 sub-themes emerged under the main themes. Conclusion: The highlighted issues that need to be considered during the process are the presence of staff in front of the ED's door to welcome the patient, removal of structural defects and defective hospital equipment, the presence of medical supplies in emergency triage to prevent the paramedics from stumbling, and listening to paramedics by physicians and nurses to obtain the patients’ history. © The author(s).
- Authors: Hassankhani, Hadi , Haririan, Hamidreza , Porter, Joanne , Alvandi, Abraham
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Research Development in Nursing and Midwifery Vol. 20, no. 1 (2023), p. 40-44
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- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Patient handover in the emergency department (ED) is a 2-way communication process between the paramedics and in-hospital emergency personnel, which can result in miscommunication and delivery challenges. This study aimed to explore the lived experience of paramedics on patient handover to the ED. Methods: Over a period of 5 months, an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to explore the lived experiences of 15 paramedics in Tabriz, Iran. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in the emergency medical stations using the Smith approach for data collection and analysis. The researcher used 4 criteria to ensure rigor, including credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability, according to Lincoln and Guba. Results: Three main themes emerged from the data analysis, including “the hole of hope,” “the boring issues,” and “paramedics are only a driver.” A further 11 sub-themes emerged under the main themes. Conclusion: The highlighted issues that need to be considered during the process are the presence of staff in front of the ED's door to welcome the patient, removal of structural defects and defective hospital equipment, the presence of medical supplies in emergency triage to prevent the paramedics from stumbling, and listening to paramedics by physicians and nurses to obtain the patients’ history. © The author(s).
“Immersed within the rock itself” : student experiences rock climbing in outdoor education
- Jane, Jack, Wattchow, Brian, Thomas, Glyn
- Authors: Jane, Jack , Wattchow, Brian , Thomas, Glyn
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education Vol. 25, no. 3 (2022), p. 341-361
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- Description: Outdoor education has a long tradition of using adventurous activities like rock climbing to achieve learning outcomes. Concepts like adventure, perceived risk, and flow have been used to justify the inclusion of these activities. However, the arguments for their inclusion have been eroded in recent decades, leading the authors of this paper to ask: How do students actually experience an activity like rockclimbing? In addition, outdoor activities/sports have often been grouped together, as if they were one activity, rather than distinct activities, that may require specific pedagogic considerations. This paper presents the findings of research into one group of secondary school students and their experiences rock climbing while on an OE camp at Mt Arapiles/ Dyurrite in Victoria, Australia. It re-tells their stories about two climbing contexts - top rope and multi pitch climbing. Data collected through interviews were used to retell the student’s stories about their climbing experiences and inform our analysis of how rockclimbing practices may be modified to better suit evolving ideas within outdoor education. The study highlights the impact that guides have on student’s experiences and the need for program design to be guided by intended learning outcomes. Finally, we recommend more research into students’ lived experiences across the OE curriculum to develop more nuanced outdoor education programs. © 2022, The Author(s).
- Authors: Jane, Jack , Wattchow, Brian , Thomas, Glyn
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education Vol. 25, no. 3 (2022), p. 341-361
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Outdoor education has a long tradition of using adventurous activities like rock climbing to achieve learning outcomes. Concepts like adventure, perceived risk, and flow have been used to justify the inclusion of these activities. However, the arguments for their inclusion have been eroded in recent decades, leading the authors of this paper to ask: How do students actually experience an activity like rockclimbing? In addition, outdoor activities/sports have often been grouped together, as if they were one activity, rather than distinct activities, that may require specific pedagogic considerations. This paper presents the findings of research into one group of secondary school students and their experiences rock climbing while on an OE camp at Mt Arapiles/ Dyurrite in Victoria, Australia. It re-tells their stories about two climbing contexts - top rope and multi pitch climbing. Data collected through interviews were used to retell the student’s stories about their climbing experiences and inform our analysis of how rockclimbing practices may be modified to better suit evolving ideas within outdoor education. The study highlights the impact that guides have on student’s experiences and the need for program design to be guided by intended learning outcomes. Finally, we recommend more research into students’ lived experiences across the OE curriculum to develop more nuanced outdoor education programs. © 2022, The Author(s).
“I would have stayed home if I could manage it alone”: a case study of Ethiopian mother abandoned by care providers during facility-based childbirth
- Adinew, Yohannes, Kelly, Janet, Marshall, Amy, Hall, Helen
- Authors: Adinew, Yohannes , Kelly, Janet , Marshall, Amy , Hall, Helen
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Women's Health Vol. 13, no. (2021), p. 501-507
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- Description: Background: Every woman is entitled to respectful care during pregnancy and childbirth as a basic human right. However, not all women are being treated equally well. Case Presentation: This case study highlights some of the common disrespectful practices that women face. This is a testimony of a 28-year-old mother of two, narrated in her own words. The data were collected during an in-depth interview in November 2019. The interview was conducted in her house and her name has been changed to protect her identity. The interview was audio-taped using a digital voice recorder, later transcribed, and translated verbatim from the local language – Amharic, to English. Conclusion: This woman’s story highlights the unfortunate reality for some women. Five themes emerged from her narrative: denial of care: the provider left her unattended at a critical moment and denied her the care that she came for; non-consented care: she did not consent to the episiotomy; non-dignified care: she was carried by her arms and legs to the delivery couch, and left naked and bleeding on the couch after birth; taking a sick baby home without medical assistance: she was forced to leave the hospital even though her child had breathing difficulties and was not able to suck or breastfeed; and loss of trust in care providers: for her second birth this woman went to a facility where a relative works, as she no longer trusted these providers. © 2021 Mehretie Adinew et al.
- Authors: Adinew, Yohannes , Kelly, Janet , Marshall, Amy , Hall, Helen
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Women's Health Vol. 13, no. (2021), p. 501-507
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Every woman is entitled to respectful care during pregnancy and childbirth as a basic human right. However, not all women are being treated equally well. Case Presentation: This case study highlights some of the common disrespectful practices that women face. This is a testimony of a 28-year-old mother of two, narrated in her own words. The data were collected during an in-depth interview in November 2019. The interview was conducted in her house and her name has been changed to protect her identity. The interview was audio-taped using a digital voice recorder, later transcribed, and translated verbatim from the local language – Amharic, to English. Conclusion: This woman’s story highlights the unfortunate reality for some women. Five themes emerged from her narrative: denial of care: the provider left her unattended at a critical moment and denied her the care that she came for; non-consented care: she did not consent to the episiotomy; non-dignified care: she was carried by her arms and legs to the delivery couch, and left naked and bleeding on the couch after birth; taking a sick baby home without medical assistance: she was forced to leave the hospital even though her child had breathing difficulties and was not able to suck or breastfeed; and loss of trust in care providers: for her second birth this woman went to a facility where a relative works, as she no longer trusted these providers. © 2021 Mehretie Adinew et al.
“I am your perfect online partner" analysis of dating profiles used in cybercrime
- Kopp, Christian, Sillitoe, James, Gondal, Iqbal
- Authors: Kopp, Christian , Sillitoe, James , Gondal, Iqbal
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Asia Pacific Journal of Advanced Business and Social Studies Vol. 3, no. 2 (2017), p. 207-217
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- Description: Internet Online Dating has become an influential mainstream social practice facilitating the finding of a partner. Unscrupulous operators have identified its potential and started to use this platform for identity theft in form of so called Online Romance Scams. Quickly, this cybercrime has become very successful and thus, an increasing threat in the social networking environment. So far, very little is known about its structure and the reason for its success, and this needs to be known in order to be able to fight it efficiently. This research tries to contribute to this knowledge, and argues that scammers use so-called ‘Love Stories’, which represent personal affinities related to romantic relationships, to their benefit when tailoring common narratives as part of fraudulent online profiles to attract their victims. We look at these different types of ‘Personal Love Stories’ and discuss how they can be used in this type of scam, followed by a qualitative analysis of fraudulent profiles from three different international websites to examine this assumption
- Authors: Kopp, Christian , Sillitoe, James , Gondal, Iqbal
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Asia Pacific Journal of Advanced Business and Social Studies Vol. 3, no. 2 (2017), p. 207-217
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Internet Online Dating has become an influential mainstream social practice facilitating the finding of a partner. Unscrupulous operators have identified its potential and started to use this platform for identity theft in form of so called Online Romance Scams. Quickly, this cybercrime has become very successful and thus, an increasing threat in the social networking environment. So far, very little is known about its structure and the reason for its success, and this needs to be known in order to be able to fight it efficiently. This research tries to contribute to this knowledge, and argues that scammers use so-called ‘Love Stories’, which represent personal affinities related to romantic relationships, to their benefit when tailoring common narratives as part of fraudulent online profiles to attract their victims. We look at these different types of ‘Personal Love Stories’ and discuss how they can be used in this type of scam, followed by a qualitative analysis of fraudulent profiles from three different international websites to examine this assumption
“Bumps in the Road”: A Pilot study of a therapeutic technique for the integration of unresolved family loss and trauma
- Watts, Gabriella, Lewis, Andrew, Serfaty, Irene
- Authors: Watts, Gabriella , Lewis, Andrew , Serfaty, Irene
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in psychology Vol. 12, no. (2021), p. 635574-635574
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- Description: The ability to sustain a coherent narrative about experiences of trauma and loss is a prominent feature of secure-autonomous attachment states of mind as assessed in narrative tasks such as the Adult Attachment Interview. The current study examines the clinical application of the concepts of narrative coherence and discourse segregation within a therapeutic intervention for whole families. Bumps in the Road is a family drawing task, which aims to facilitate the co-construction of family narratives about adversities such as trauma, loss and hardship. The technique aims to increase the family’s narrative coherence about such challenging events. The paper first presents a description of the task itself together with the discourse theories of defensive processing of adverse events. The study also presents pilot quantitative findings from 19 parents on the psychometric properties of a coding system of the families’ discourses in undertaking the task and the therapist’s techniques in administering the task. The predictive association of coding of the narratives were examined as predictors of change in internalising and externalising symptoms in the referred child, using the Child Behaviour Checklist. Findings showed that therapist competence in administration of the task did significantly predict the magnitude of treatment efficacy. The current study is the first presentation of this novel therapeutic task and sets a platform for further research on the use of narrative tasks and the formal coding of discourse in therapeutic work with children and families.
- Authors: Watts, Gabriella , Lewis, Andrew , Serfaty, Irene
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in psychology Vol. 12, no. (2021), p. 635574-635574
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The ability to sustain a coherent narrative about experiences of trauma and loss is a prominent feature of secure-autonomous attachment states of mind as assessed in narrative tasks such as the Adult Attachment Interview. The current study examines the clinical application of the concepts of narrative coherence and discourse segregation within a therapeutic intervention for whole families. Bumps in the Road is a family drawing task, which aims to facilitate the co-construction of family narratives about adversities such as trauma, loss and hardship. The technique aims to increase the family’s narrative coherence about such challenging events. The paper first presents a description of the task itself together with the discourse theories of defensive processing of adverse events. The study also presents pilot quantitative findings from 19 parents on the psychometric properties of a coding system of the families’ discourses in undertaking the task and the therapist’s techniques in administering the task. The predictive association of coding of the narratives were examined as predictors of change in internalising and externalising symptoms in the referred child, using the Child Behaviour Checklist. Findings showed that therapist competence in administration of the task did significantly predict the magnitude of treatment efficacy. The current study is the first presentation of this novel therapeutic task and sets a platform for further research on the use of narrative tasks and the formal coding of discourse in therapeutic work with children and families.
‘You say one thing wrong, and your children are gone’ : exploring trauma-informed practices in foster and kinship care
- Cooper, Kimberlea, Sadowski, Christina, Townsend, Rob
- Authors: Cooper, Kimberlea , Sadowski, Christina , Townsend, Rob
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: British Journal of Social Work Vol. 53, no. 6 (2023), p. 3055-3072
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- Description: Trauma-informed care is a growing practice approach in child and family social work. Current policy directions in out-of-home care (OOHC) in Victoria, Australia show an interest in further implementation of trauma-informed care, particularly through training for foster and kinship carers. Drawing upon findings from grounded theory research with sixteen foster and kinship carers, this article considers the application of trauma-informed practices in home-based care in the Central Highlands region of Victoria, Australia. The research reveals that whilst carers utilise principles of trauma-informed care to support children and young people, they do not always experience trauma-informed support from the wider OOHC system. This discrepancy suggests that the implementation of trauma-informed care has the potential to increase pressure on home-based carers if it is only encouraged at the interpersonal level between carers and children, without incorporating associated systems-level change. These findings propose that whilst micro-level support and training for carers are necessary and useful, it is crucial for OOHC systems to move beyond such initiatives to plan and enact macro-level reforms. © The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The British Association of Social Workers.
- Authors: Cooper, Kimberlea , Sadowski, Christina , Townsend, Rob
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: British Journal of Social Work Vol. 53, no. 6 (2023), p. 3055-3072
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Trauma-informed care is a growing practice approach in child and family social work. Current policy directions in out-of-home care (OOHC) in Victoria, Australia show an interest in further implementation of trauma-informed care, particularly through training for foster and kinship carers. Drawing upon findings from grounded theory research with sixteen foster and kinship carers, this article considers the application of trauma-informed practices in home-based care in the Central Highlands region of Victoria, Australia. The research reveals that whilst carers utilise principles of trauma-informed care to support children and young people, they do not always experience trauma-informed support from the wider OOHC system. This discrepancy suggests that the implementation of trauma-informed care has the potential to increase pressure on home-based carers if it is only encouraged at the interpersonal level between carers and children, without incorporating associated systems-level change. These findings propose that whilst micro-level support and training for carers are necessary and useful, it is crucial for OOHC systems to move beyond such initiatives to plan and enact macro-level reforms. © The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The British Association of Social Workers.
‘Working together’ : Public libraries supporting rural, regional, and remote low-socioeconomic student success in partnership with universities
- Power, Emma, Partridge, Helen, Owen, Sue, Kelly, Kathryn, Jeffries, Sandra
- Authors: Power, Emma , Partridge, Helen , Owen, Sue , Kelly, Kathryn , Jeffries, Sandra
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association Vol. 68, no. 2 (2019), p. 105-125
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- Description: University students living in rural, regional, and remote (RRR) areas of Australia face unique challenges including geographical isolation, lack of access to face-to-face support, and technological barriers. Additionally, RRR students from low-socioeconomic (low-SES) backgrounds experience multiple forms of disadvantage compared to their on-campus peers, and require additional study, learning, and social support. Partnerships between universities and local public libraries can enhance RRR low-SES student success through increased access to face-to-face support, reliable technologies, and study facilities. This exploratory research, led by five regional universities, presents the first national-level empirical data exploring how Australian public libraries and universities can work together to facilitate success for RRR low-SES students. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with public librarians from RRR low-SES communities across Australia. Thematic analysis findings explore themes of librarians’ perceptions of students as persons; the role of regional librarians in supporting RRR low-SES students; RRR low-SES students’ access to learning support; and the critical elements of sustainable partnerships between RRR public libraries and universities. Key recommendations are provided to guide future partnerships between public libraries and universities, including building the foundations of partnerships; professional development to support partnerships; and recommendations for good partnership practices. © 2019 Emma Power, Helen Partridge, Sue Owen, Kathryn Kelly and Sandra Jeffries.
- Authors: Power, Emma , Partridge, Helen , Owen, Sue , Kelly, Kathryn , Jeffries, Sandra
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association Vol. 68, no. 2 (2019), p. 105-125
- Full Text:
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- Description: University students living in rural, regional, and remote (RRR) areas of Australia face unique challenges including geographical isolation, lack of access to face-to-face support, and technological barriers. Additionally, RRR students from low-socioeconomic (low-SES) backgrounds experience multiple forms of disadvantage compared to their on-campus peers, and require additional study, learning, and social support. Partnerships between universities and local public libraries can enhance RRR low-SES student success through increased access to face-to-face support, reliable technologies, and study facilities. This exploratory research, led by five regional universities, presents the first national-level empirical data exploring how Australian public libraries and universities can work together to facilitate success for RRR low-SES students. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with public librarians from RRR low-SES communities across Australia. Thematic analysis findings explore themes of librarians’ perceptions of students as persons; the role of regional librarians in supporting RRR low-SES students; RRR low-SES students’ access to learning support; and the critical elements of sustainable partnerships between RRR public libraries and universities. Key recommendations are provided to guide future partnerships between public libraries and universities, including building the foundations of partnerships; professional development to support partnerships; and recommendations for good partnership practices. © 2019 Emma Power, Helen Partridge, Sue Owen, Kathryn Kelly and Sandra Jeffries.
‘Pull’ motivation : an activity-based typology of international visitors to New Zealand
- Fieger, Peter, Prayag, Girish, Bruwer, Johan
- Authors: Fieger, Peter , Prayag, Girish , Bruwer, Johan
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Current Issues in Tourism Vol. 22, no. 2 (2019), p. 173-196
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- Description: Using the push and pull framework, this study examines the relationship between tourist activities in New Zealand and behaviours such as tourist spending, travel style (group vs. independent travel) and length of stay. Data from the International Visitor Survey were analysed for a 19-year period (1997–2015). The findings, based on 62,288 respondents, identified 9 typologies of international visitors over this period. For example, type one visitors are primarily pulled by the nature-based activities offered in New Zealand while type two is pulled by adventure activities. Some of the typologies have activities that overlap reflecting the needs of international visitors. Significant relationships were found between the nine typologies, tourist spending, travel style and length of stay. Implications for destination marketing purposes are highlighted. © 2017, © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
- Authors: Fieger, Peter , Prayag, Girish , Bruwer, Johan
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Current Issues in Tourism Vol. 22, no. 2 (2019), p. 173-196
- Full Text:
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- Description: Using the push and pull framework, this study examines the relationship between tourist activities in New Zealand and behaviours such as tourist spending, travel style (group vs. independent travel) and length of stay. Data from the International Visitor Survey were analysed for a 19-year period (1997–2015). The findings, based on 62,288 respondents, identified 9 typologies of international visitors over this period. For example, type one visitors are primarily pulled by the nature-based activities offered in New Zealand while type two is pulled by adventure activities. Some of the typologies have activities that overlap reflecting the needs of international visitors. Significant relationships were found between the nine typologies, tourist spending, travel style and length of stay. Implications for destination marketing purposes are highlighted. © 2017, © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
‘Making change: Digital activism and public pressure on livestock welfare’
- Mummery, Jane, Rodan, Debbie, Nolton, Marnie
- Authors: Mummery, Jane , Rodan, Debbie , Nolton, Marnie
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: New Media Philosophy Vol. 6, no. (2016), p.
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- Description: Legal protection of animal welfare in Australia is problematic with livestock (defined here as all animals farmed for use and profit, including poultry and aquatic animals) being effectively excluded from the majority of animal protection statutes. Such legal exclusions, joined with the inherent challenges of legal reform in this field—significant issues to do with standing, costs bearing and jurisdiction—have increased the difficulties of successful litigation. Despite explicit recognition of the necessity for reform in Australian animal law—in 2008 the Australian Law Reform Commission journal, Reform, described animal welfare and animal rights as the ‘next great social justice movement’—a number of legal strategies for reform have been summed up by the Principal Solicitor for the Pro Bono Animal Law Service (PALS), the national legal referral service for animal law operating between 2009 and 2013, as having been exhausted. Specifically, the challenges of standing and costs bearing have meant that many meritorious animal welfare matters have not been able to be pursued within the legal domain
- Authors: Mummery, Jane , Rodan, Debbie , Nolton, Marnie
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: New Media Philosophy Vol. 6, no. (2016), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Legal protection of animal welfare in Australia is problematic with livestock (defined here as all animals farmed for use and profit, including poultry and aquatic animals) being effectively excluded from the majority of animal protection statutes. Such legal exclusions, joined with the inherent challenges of legal reform in this field—significant issues to do with standing, costs bearing and jurisdiction—have increased the difficulties of successful litigation. Despite explicit recognition of the necessity for reform in Australian animal law—in 2008 the Australian Law Reform Commission journal, Reform, described animal welfare and animal rights as the ‘next great social justice movement’—a number of legal strategies for reform have been summed up by the Principal Solicitor for the Pro Bono Animal Law Service (PALS), the national legal referral service for animal law operating between 2009 and 2013, as having been exhausted. Specifically, the challenges of standing and costs bearing have meant that many meritorious animal welfare matters have not been able to be pursued within the legal domain
‘High trust’ and ‘low trust’ workplace settings : implications for our mental health and wellbeing
- Hungerford, Catherine, Cleary, Michelle
- Authors: Hungerford, Catherine , Cleary, Michelle
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Issues in Mental Health Nursing Vol. 42, no. 5 (2021), p. 506-514
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Authors: Hungerford, Catherine , Cleary, Michelle
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Issues in Mental Health Nursing Vol. 42, no. 5 (2021), p. 506-514
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
‘[Now] that I look back, I’m like oh my goodness why did I think like that?’ : using critical reflection in training pharmacy assistants and pharmacy dispensary technicians working with medication assisted treatment of opioid dependence : a case study from Australia
- Patil, Tejaswini, Mummery, Jane, Williams, Dominic, Salman, Mohammed
- Authors: Patil, Tejaswini , Mummery, Jane , Williams, Dominic , Salman, Mohammed
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Reflective Practice Vol. 24, no. 3 (2023), p. 361-374
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Despite recognition of the importance of critical reflection for professional development in social and health care–particularly regarding professional competency and self-awareness–the use of reflective practice in professional training has received less examination. This paper evaluates the use of critical reflection as a pedagogical approach in training allied health professionals–in this instance, training Pharmacy Assistants (PAs) and Pharmacy Dispensary Technicians (PDTs) towards increasing critical reflection of their service delivery to Medication Assisted Treatment of Opioid Dependence (MATOD) consumers. Specifically, this paper examines a) the embedding of a critical reflection model within training materials; and b) the experiences of participants who undertook this training, including their experiences of applying their learnings to professional practice. Findings present a mixed picture. Despite the training facilitating the unearthing and deconstructing of problematic values and assumptions in the service delivery of MATOD treatments in pharmacy settings, some participants found the recognition of their own biases and prejudices overwhelming. Hence, although Fook and Gardner’s (2007) critical reflection model has enormous potential to tackle stigma and discriminatory attitudes towards opioid dependence and MATOD and improve professional practice, greater attention to scaffolding, designing and implementing the process of critical reflection is needed. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
- Authors: Patil, Tejaswini , Mummery, Jane , Williams, Dominic , Salman, Mohammed
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Reflective Practice Vol. 24, no. 3 (2023), p. 361-374
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Despite recognition of the importance of critical reflection for professional development in social and health care–particularly regarding professional competency and self-awareness–the use of reflective practice in professional training has received less examination. This paper evaluates the use of critical reflection as a pedagogical approach in training allied health professionals–in this instance, training Pharmacy Assistants (PAs) and Pharmacy Dispensary Technicians (PDTs) towards increasing critical reflection of their service delivery to Medication Assisted Treatment of Opioid Dependence (MATOD) consumers. Specifically, this paper examines a) the embedding of a critical reflection model within training materials; and b) the experiences of participants who undertook this training, including their experiences of applying their learnings to professional practice. Findings present a mixed picture. Despite the training facilitating the unearthing and deconstructing of problematic values and assumptions in the service delivery of MATOD treatments in pharmacy settings, some participants found the recognition of their own biases and prejudices overwhelming. Hence, although Fook and Gardner’s (2007) critical reflection model has enormous potential to tackle stigma and discriminatory attitudes towards opioid dependence and MATOD and improve professional practice, greater attention to scaffolding, designing and implementing the process of critical reflection is needed. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Zinc transporters, mechanisms of action and therapeutic utility : Implications for type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Myers, Stephen, Nield, Alex, Myers, Mark
- Authors: Myers, Stephen , Nield, Alex , Myers, Mark
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism Vol. 2012, no. (2012), p. 1-13
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Zinc is an essential trace element that plays a vital role in maintaining many biological processes and cellular homeostasis. Dysfunctional zinc signaling is associated with a number of chronic disease states including cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes. Cellular homeostasis requires mechanisms that tightly control the uptake, storage, and distribution of zinc. This is achieved through the coordinated actions of zinc transporters and metallothioneins. Evidence on the role of these proteins in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is now emerging. Zinc plays a key role in the synthesis, secretion and action of insulin in both physiological and pathophysiological states. Moreover, recent studies highlight zinc's dynamic role as a "cellular second messenger" in the control of insulin signaling and glucose homeostasis. This suggests that zinc plays an unidentified role as a novel second messenger that augments insulin activity. This previously unexplored concept would raise a whole new area of research into the pathophysiology of insulin resistance and introduce a new class of drug target with utility for diabetes pharmacotherapy. © 2012 Stephen A. Myers et al.
- Description: 2003010692
- Authors: Myers, Stephen , Nield, Alex , Myers, Mark
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism Vol. 2012, no. (2012), p. 1-13
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Zinc is an essential trace element that plays a vital role in maintaining many biological processes and cellular homeostasis. Dysfunctional zinc signaling is associated with a number of chronic disease states including cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes. Cellular homeostasis requires mechanisms that tightly control the uptake, storage, and distribution of zinc. This is achieved through the coordinated actions of zinc transporters and metallothioneins. Evidence on the role of these proteins in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is now emerging. Zinc plays a key role in the synthesis, secretion and action of insulin in both physiological and pathophysiological states. Moreover, recent studies highlight zinc's dynamic role as a "cellular second messenger" in the control of insulin signaling and glucose homeostasis. This suggests that zinc plays an unidentified role as a novel second messenger that augments insulin activity. This previously unexplored concept would raise a whole new area of research into the pathophysiology of insulin resistance and introduce a new class of drug target with utility for diabetes pharmacotherapy. © 2012 Stephen A. Myers et al.
- Description: 2003010692
Zinc transporters maintain longevity by influencing insulin/IGF-1 activity in Caenorhabditis elegans
- Novakovic, Stevan, Molesworth, Luke, Gourley, Taylin, Boag, Peter, Davis, Gregory
- Authors: Novakovic, Stevan , Molesworth, Luke , Gourley, Taylin , Boag, Peter , Davis, Gregory
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: FEBS Letters Vol. 594, no. 9 (2020), p. 1424-1432
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Adequate dietary intake of essential metals such as zinc is important for maintaining homeostasis. Abnormal zinc intake in Caenorhabditis elegans has been shown to increase or decrease normal lifespan by influencing the insulin/IGF-1 pathway. Distribution of zinc is achieved by a family of highly conserved zinc transport proteins (ZIPT in C. elegans). This study investigated the role of the zipt family of genes and showed that depletion of individual zipt genes results in a decreased lifespan. Moreover, zipt-16 and zipt-17 mutants synthetically interact with the insulin/IGF cofactors daf-16 and skn-1, and cause abnormal localisation of DAF-16. This study suggests that the zipt family of genes are required for maintaining normal lifespan through influencing the insulin/IGF-1 pathway. © 2019 Federation of European Biochemical Societies
- Description: This study was supported by the resources at Federation University; no external funding was used to fund this study. We acknowledge the Caenorhabditis elegans Genetics Centre for the strains used in this study and Hannah Tatnell (Federation University) for technical assistance.
Zinc transporters maintain longevity by influencing insulin/IGF-1 activity in Caenorhabditis elegans
- Authors: Novakovic, Stevan , Molesworth, Luke , Gourley, Taylin , Boag, Peter , Davis, Gregory
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: FEBS Letters Vol. 594, no. 9 (2020), p. 1424-1432
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Adequate dietary intake of essential metals such as zinc is important for maintaining homeostasis. Abnormal zinc intake in Caenorhabditis elegans has been shown to increase or decrease normal lifespan by influencing the insulin/IGF-1 pathway. Distribution of zinc is achieved by a family of highly conserved zinc transport proteins (ZIPT in C. elegans). This study investigated the role of the zipt family of genes and showed that depletion of individual zipt genes results in a decreased lifespan. Moreover, zipt-16 and zipt-17 mutants synthetically interact with the insulin/IGF cofactors daf-16 and skn-1, and cause abnormal localisation of DAF-16. This study suggests that the zipt family of genes are required for maintaining normal lifespan through influencing the insulin/IGF-1 pathway. © 2019 Federation of European Biochemical Societies
- Description: This study was supported by the resources at Federation University; no external funding was used to fund this study. We acknowledge the Caenorhabditis elegans Genetics Centre for the strains used in this study and Hannah Tatnell (Federation University) for technical assistance.
Zanamivir-resistant influenza viruses with Q136K or Q136R neuraminidase residue mutations can arise during MDCK cell culture creating challenges for antiviral susceptibility monitoring
- Little, Karen, Leang, Sookkwan, Butler, Jeff, Baas, Chantal, Harrower, Bruce, Mosse, Jennifer, Barr, Ian, Hurt, Aeron
- Authors: Little, Karen , Leang, Sookkwan , Butler, Jeff , Baas, Chantal , Harrower, Bruce , Mosse, Jennifer , Barr, Ian , Hurt, Aeron
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Eurosurveillance Vol. 20, no. 45 (2015), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Surveillance of circulating influenza strains for antiviral susceptibility is important to ensure patient treatment guidelines remain appropriate. Influenza A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09 virus isolates containing mutations at the Q136 residue of the neuraminidase (NA) that conferred reduced susceptibility to the NA inhibitor (NAI) zanamivir were detected during antiviral susceptibility monitoring. Interestingly, the mutations were not detectable in the viruses from respective clinical specimens, only in the cultured isolates. We showed that variant viruses containing the Q136K and Q136R NA mutations were preferentially selected in Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial (MDCK) cells, but were less well supported in MDCK-SIAT1 cells and embryonated eggs. The effect of Q136K, Q136R, Q136H and Q136L substitutions in NA subtypes N1 and N2 on NAI susceptibility and in vitro viral fitness was assessed. This study highlights the challenges that cell culture derived mutations can pose to the NAI susceptibility analysis and interpretation and reaffirms the need to sequence viruses from respective clinical specimens to avoid misdiagnosis. However, we also demonstrate that NA mutations at residue136 can confer reduced zanamivir, peramivir or laninamivir susceptibility, and therefore close monitoring of viruses for mutations at this site from patients being treated with these antivirals is important.
- Authors: Little, Karen , Leang, Sookkwan , Butler, Jeff , Baas, Chantal , Harrower, Bruce , Mosse, Jennifer , Barr, Ian , Hurt, Aeron
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Eurosurveillance Vol. 20, no. 45 (2015), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Surveillance of circulating influenza strains for antiviral susceptibility is important to ensure patient treatment guidelines remain appropriate. Influenza A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09 virus isolates containing mutations at the Q136 residue of the neuraminidase (NA) that conferred reduced susceptibility to the NA inhibitor (NAI) zanamivir were detected during antiviral susceptibility monitoring. Interestingly, the mutations were not detectable in the viruses from respective clinical specimens, only in the cultured isolates. We showed that variant viruses containing the Q136K and Q136R NA mutations were preferentially selected in Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial (MDCK) cells, but were less well supported in MDCK-SIAT1 cells and embryonated eggs. The effect of Q136K, Q136R, Q136H and Q136L substitutions in NA subtypes N1 and N2 on NAI susceptibility and in vitro viral fitness was assessed. This study highlights the challenges that cell culture derived mutations can pose to the NAI susceptibility analysis and interpretation and reaffirms the need to sequence viruses from respective clinical specimens to avoid misdiagnosis. However, we also demonstrate that NA mutations at residue136 can confer reduced zanamivir, peramivir or laninamivir susceptibility, and therefore close monitoring of viruses for mutations at this site from patients being treated with these antivirals is important.
Young surfers finding their wave: telling the tale of enskilment in surf places
- Prins, Alex, Wattchow, Brian
- Authors: Prins, Alex , Wattchow, Brian
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Leisure Studies Vol. 42, no. 2 (2023), p. 268-281
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper seeks to contribute to the growing body of literature focused on the recreational activity of surfing. Investigations into how young people learn to surf are rare, particularly those that focus on the pedagogical aspects involved in learning the practical ‘know-how’ required to surf in particular places and under specific environmental conditions (tide, wind, swell, currents, terrain). How do young people learn where and when a break will be worth a surf? When to duck dive under a broken wave or when to paddle further out? Recent research suggests that a process of enskilment, a form of knowledgeable practice, may provide pedagogical insights into how young people are developing the practical know-how to be able to surf skilfully and safely in particular places. This research used narrative methodology as an alternative way to investigate and represent these complex (and often tacit) aspects of a human learning experience, and findings are presented in the form of a set of short stories. This paper draws from that research to provide important insights into the phenomenon of how young people learn to surf with the intention of improving formal coastal experiences such as those in the leisure and education fields. © 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
- Authors: Prins, Alex , Wattchow, Brian
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Leisure Studies Vol. 42, no. 2 (2023), p. 268-281
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper seeks to contribute to the growing body of literature focused on the recreational activity of surfing. Investigations into how young people learn to surf are rare, particularly those that focus on the pedagogical aspects involved in learning the practical ‘know-how’ required to surf in particular places and under specific environmental conditions (tide, wind, swell, currents, terrain). How do young people learn where and when a break will be worth a surf? When to duck dive under a broken wave or when to paddle further out? Recent research suggests that a process of enskilment, a form of knowledgeable practice, may provide pedagogical insights into how young people are developing the practical know-how to be able to surf skilfully and safely in particular places. This research used narrative methodology as an alternative way to investigate and represent these complex (and often tacit) aspects of a human learning experience, and findings are presented in the form of a set of short stories. This paper draws from that research to provide important insights into the phenomenon of how young people learn to surf with the intention of improving formal coastal experiences such as those in the leisure and education fields. © 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Young people transitioning from Out-of-home Care and Access to Higher Education: A Critical review of the literature
- Mendes, Philip, Michell, Dee, Wilson, Jacqueline
- Authors: Mendes, Philip , Michell, Dee , Wilson, Jacqueline
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Children Australia Vol. 39, no. 4 (2014), p. 243-252
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Young people transitioning from out-of-home care are known to have poor educational outcomes compared to their non-care peers. Yet little is known about the experiences or needs of the small numbers of Australian care leavers who enter higher education. This article critically examines existing Australian and international research on the access of care leavers to higher education. A group of pre-care, in-care, transition from care and post-care factors are identified as either hindering or assisting care leavers to maximise their educational opportunities. Some specific policy and practice reforms are recommended to enhance opportunities for Australian care leavers to participate in and complete higher education.
- Authors: Mendes, Philip , Michell, Dee , Wilson, Jacqueline
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Children Australia Vol. 39, no. 4 (2014), p. 243-252
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Young people transitioning from out-of-home care are known to have poor educational outcomes compared to their non-care peers. Yet little is known about the experiences or needs of the small numbers of Australian care leavers who enter higher education. This article critically examines existing Australian and international research on the access of care leavers to higher education. A group of pre-care, in-care, transition from care and post-care factors are identified as either hindering or assisting care leavers to maximise their educational opportunities. Some specific policy and practice reforms are recommended to enhance opportunities for Australian care leavers to participate in and complete higher education.
Young people speaking back from the margins
- Authors: Smyth, John
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Education Canada Vol. 50, no. 5 (2010), p.
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/LP100100045
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The young people the author has worked with are predominantly from backgrounds where they, their families, and their communities have been put at a disadvantage through the effects of social, economic, and political forces and by the flow-on effects of globalization that have effectively devastated their communities and lives. He wants to explore what is happening when young people from contexts of disadvantage adopt a position of making choices against the institution of schooling that appear to be against their own long term economic interests and that may have the effect of further exacerbating their apparent marginalization. These young people -- who are ignored, silenced, and marginalized, whose lives are ridden over, and who either self-exile themselves from schools or are propelled out of them -- are the same young people who have some extremely perceptive views on the very different conditions that can and need to be created for them to learn.
- Authors: Smyth, John
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Education Canada Vol. 50, no. 5 (2010), p.
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/LP100100045
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The young people the author has worked with are predominantly from backgrounds where they, their families, and their communities have been put at a disadvantage through the effects of social, economic, and political forces and by the flow-on effects of globalization that have effectively devastated their communities and lives. He wants to explore what is happening when young people from contexts of disadvantage adopt a position of making choices against the institution of schooling that appear to be against their own long term economic interests and that may have the effect of further exacerbating their apparent marginalization. These young people -- who are ignored, silenced, and marginalized, whose lives are ridden over, and who either self-exile themselves from schools or are propelled out of them -- are the same young people who have some extremely perceptive views on the very different conditions that can and need to be created for them to learn.
You Can’t Beat Relating with God for Spiritual Well-Being: Comparing a Generic Version with the Original Spiritual Well-Being Questionnaire Called SHALOM
- Authors: Fisher, John
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Religions Vol. 2013, no. 4 (2013), p. 325-335
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Spiritual Health And Life-Orientation Measure (SHALOM) is a 20-item instrument that assesses the quality of relationships of the respondent with self, others, the environment and/or a Transcendent Other. In the Transcendental domain, four of the five items had the words ‘God, ‘Divine’ and ‘Creator’ replaced by the word ‘Transcendent’ to make the survey more generic by removing any implied reference to any god or religion. Invitations to complete a web survey were sent to people who had published papers in spirituality, or belonged to associations for spirituality or religious studies, as well as the Australian Atheist Forum. 409 respondents from 14 geographic regions, completed the survey. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the modified, generic form of SHALOM showed acceptable model fit, comprising four clearly delineated domains of spiritual well-being. The paper analyses the results derived from using the modified, generic version and, in comparison with results of applications of the original survey instrument, concludes with discussion of the comparative utility of each of the versions of SHALOM. Further studies with more people are warranted, but, from evidence presented here, it looks like you can’t beat relating with God for spiritual well-being.
- Authors: Fisher, John
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Religions Vol. 2013, no. 4 (2013), p. 325-335
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Spiritual Health And Life-Orientation Measure (SHALOM) is a 20-item instrument that assesses the quality of relationships of the respondent with self, others, the environment and/or a Transcendent Other. In the Transcendental domain, four of the five items had the words ‘God, ‘Divine’ and ‘Creator’ replaced by the word ‘Transcendent’ to make the survey more generic by removing any implied reference to any god or religion. Invitations to complete a web survey were sent to people who had published papers in spirituality, or belonged to associations for spirituality or religious studies, as well as the Australian Atheist Forum. 409 respondents from 14 geographic regions, completed the survey. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the modified, generic form of SHALOM showed acceptable model fit, comprising four clearly delineated domains of spiritual well-being. The paper analyses the results derived from using the modified, generic version and, in comparison with results of applications of the original survey instrument, concludes with discussion of the comparative utility of each of the versions of SHALOM. Further studies with more people are warranted, but, from evidence presented here, it looks like you can’t beat relating with God for spiritual well-being.