Search Results (76)

This autoethnographic study examines my transformation as an educator teaching gender and sexuality to future helping professionals in South African higher education. Through systematic analysis of personal journals, teaching reflections, and pedagogical materials collected over 180 contact hours, I explore how innovative approaches can create collaborative learning environments in traditionally sensitive subject areas. Drawing on critical pedagogy, queer theory, and decolonizing methodologies, the research reveals three interconnected pedagogical innovations: structured vulnerability protocols that transcend traditional “safe space” models, progressive exposure pedagogy that challenges heteronormative assumptions by introducing diverse content early, and indigenous knowledge integration that positions students as knowledge co-creators. The findings demonstrate how my professional evolution from knowledge authority to learning facilitator enabled authentic engagement with diverse epistemologies while maintaining academic rigor. Students consistently contributed concepts absent from academic literature—from social media discourse about sexual identity hierarchies to traditional cultural practices—enriching collective understanding. This study addresses significant gaps in South African literature on tertiary-level sexuality education pedagogy, offering concrete strategies for implementing transformative approaches. The research contributes to autoethnographic scholarship by demonstrating how systematic reflection can generate theoretical insights about collaborative knowledge construction while acknowledging the ongoing challenges of teaching sensitive subjects within complex cultural contexts. Full article

Coastal ecosystems sustain biodiversity, food resources, and human livelihoods, yet are increasingly exposed to climate change, pollution, and anthropogenic stressors. These pressures affect not only ecosystem integrity but also human health, highlighting the urgency of adopting the One Health framework. While One Health has gained global prominence, its systematic application in coastal and marine governance remains limited. This study provides the first bibliometric review of One Health research in coastal and marine contexts, analyzing 154 publications from Scopus (2003–2025) using Bibliometrix under PRISMA-S guidelines. Scientific output was minimal until 2015 but accelerated after 2020, peaking at 37 publications in 2024. Less than 20% of studies explicitly integrated all three One Health dimensions. Research has largely centered on environmental monitoring and aquaculture health, with antimicrobial resistance, climate–health linkages, and integrated coastal indicators underexplored. Keyword mapping revealed two distinct yet connected clusters: a biomedical cluster emphasizing antibiotics, resistance, and microbiology, and an environmental cluster focusing on pollution, ecosystems, and zoonotic risks. Outputs are geographically concentrated in high-income countries, particularly the USA, Brazil, and the UK, while contributions from low- and middle-income coastal regions remain scarce. These findings confirm both the rapid growth and the fragmentation of One Health scholarship in coastal contexts. By identifying gaps, trends, and collaboration patterns, this study builds an evidence base for embedding One Health in coastal monitoring, climate adaptation, and governance, advancing multiple United Nations’s Sustainable Development Goals. Full article

This study examines the transformative role of educational technologies in higher education, with a focus on their impact on student engagement and collaboration in online and hybrid learning environments. It draws on data from 11 educators at an Australian university across Education, Health Sciences, and Humanities disciplines. Utilising the online tool Padlet, these educators facilitated interactive activities that enhanced teaching and learning. This article analyses Padlet’s unique features and how they were employed to optimise student engagement and learning outcomes. Semi-structured interviews reveal how Padlet supported multimedia presentations, group work, and discussions. The findings underscore the versatility of Padlet in promoting critical thinking and knowledge sharing, ultimately enhancing the student experience in both online and hybrid learning settings. This study encourages educators to adopt innovative strategies that incorporate Padlet and similar technologies to enhance their teaching practices. Full article

Digital technologies significantly influence architectural heritage perception, preservation, and presentation, particularly in reconstructing fragmented archaeological sites. This study explores innovative applications of algorithmic design, Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM), and interactive visualisation through the virtual reconstruction of the Roman Forum Transitorium in Musti, Tunisia—a complex historical site influenced by Numidian, Roman, and Byzantine cultures. The research integrates algorithmic modelling, digital surveying, and cloud-based collaboration, employing software tools such as Archicad, Rhino, Grasshopper, and Virtual Tour platforms. Central to this approach is a parametric, hypothesis-driven methodology, enabling the iterative exploration of multiple reconstruction scenarios informed by historical sources, architectural analyses, and scanned archaeological fragments. Immersive technologies enhance user engagement, allowing for the transparent exploration and interpretation of the site’s historical uncertainties. The results highlight the effectiveness of algorithmic methods in managing interpretative variability, offering flexible, academically rigorous, and publicly accessible virtual reconstructions. By emphasising the hypothetical nature of digital reconstructions and interactive visualisations, this research contributes meaningfully to digital archaeology, demonstrating how innovative algorithmic approaches can bridge academic scholarship and broader heritage preservation practices. Full article

Vertical alliances within agricultural supply chains serve as critical institutional vehicles for deepening triple-sector integration (primary–secondary–tertiary) in rural economies, driving agricultural modernization, and advancing rural revitalization. However, sustaining alliance stability constitutes a complex dynamic process wherein inadequate stakeholder engagement and collaborative failures frequently precipitate alliance instability or even dissolution. Existing scholarship exhibits limited systematic examination of the micro-mechanisms and regulatory pathways through which multi-agent strategic interactions affect alliance stability from a dynamic evolutionary perspective. To address this gap, this research focuses on China’s core agricultural innovation vehicle—the Agricultural Industrialization Consortium—and examines the tripartite structure of “Leading Enterprise–Family Farm–Integrated Agricultural Service Providers.” We construct a tripartite evolutionary game model to systematically analyze (1) the influence mechanisms governing cooperative strategy selection, and (2) the regulatory effects of key parameters on consortium stability through strategic stability analysis and multi-scenario simulations. Our key findings are as follows: Four strategic equilibrium scenarios emerge under specific conditions, with synergistic parameter optimization constituting the fundamental driver of alliance stability. Specific mechanisms are as follows: (i) compensation mechanisms effectively mobilize leading enterprises under widespread defection, though excessive penalties erode reciprocity principles; (ii) strategic reductions in benefit sharing ratios coupled with moderate factor value-added coefficients are critical for reversing leading enterprises’ defection; (iii) dual adjustment of cost sharing and benefit sharing coefficients is necessary to resolve bilateral defection dilemmas; and (iv) synchronized optimization of compensation, cost sharing, benefit sharing, and value-added parameters represents the sole pathway to achieving stable (1,1,1) full-cooperation equilibrium. Critical barriers include threshold effects in benefit sharing ratios (defection triggers when shared benefits > cooperative benefits) and the inherent trade-off between penalty intensity and alliance resilience. Consequently, policy interventions must balance immediate constraints with long-term cooperative sustainability. This study extends the application of evolutionary game theory in agricultural organization research by revealing the micro-level mechanisms underlying alliance stability and providing a novel analytical framework for addressing the ‘strategy–equilibrium’ paradox in multi-agent cooperation. Our work not only offers new theoretical perspectives and methodological support for understanding the dynamic stability mechanisms of agricultural vertical alliances but also establishes a substantive theoretical foundation for optimizing consortium governance and promoting long-term alliance stability. Full article

Background: Scientific evidence plays a critical role in informing public health decision-making processes. However, the extent, nature, and effectiveness of its use remain uneven across contexts. Despite the increasing volume of literature on the subject, previous syntheses have often suffered from narrow thematic, temporal, or geographic scopes. Objectives: This study undertook a comprehensive systematic literature review spanning 50 years to (i) synthesise current knowledge on the use of scientific evidence in public health decisions, (ii) identify key determinants, barriers, and enablers, (iii) evaluate implementation patterns, and (iv) propose future directions for research and practice. Methods: We adopted the PRISMA model (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). Moreover, we researched three large databases (Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed), and this study focused on articles published in the English and French languages between January 1974 and December 2024. Studies were analysed thematically and descriptively to identify trends, patterns, and knowledge gaps. Results: This review reveals a growing corpus of scholarship with a predominance of qualitative studies mainly published in public health journals. Evidence use is most frequently analysed at the national policy level. Analyses of the evolution of scientific production over time revealed significant shifts beginning as early as 2005. Critical impediments included limited access to reliable and timely data, a lack of institutional capacity, and insufficient training among policy-makers. In contrast, enablers encompass cross-sector collaboration, data transparency, and alignment between researchers and decision-makers. Conclusions: Addressing persistent gaps necessitates a more nuanced appreciation of interdisciplinary and contextual factors. Our findings call for proactive policies aimed at promoting the use of scientific evidence by improving the accessibility of health data (addressing the absence or lack of data, as well as its reliability, timeliness, and accessibility), and by training decision-makers in the use of scientific evidence for decision making. Furthermore, our findings advocate for better alignment between the agendas of healthcare professionals (e.g., data collection), researchers (e.g., the selection of research topics), and decision-makers (e.g., expectations and needs) in order to develop and implement public health policies that are grounded in and informed by scientific evidence. Full article

This study aims to identify how power dynamics influence multi-stakeholder cross-sector partnership (CSP) processes for socio-ecological system (SES) transformation. We draw on a four dimensional framework of power (resource, decision-making, meaning-making and systemic) to analyze an in-depth, qualitative case study of a CSP that failed to progress much beyond the initial formation and strategic plan formulation stages of the CSP process. We uncover how the initial positioning of the CSP triggered diverse instances of power use (and power oversight) that had a dampening effect on the progress of this SES transformation initiative. Specifically, we reveal the paradoxical pitfalls of an overly collaborative approach during the early stages of a CSP initiative, and, in so doing, advance scholarship on CSPs as well as managing socio-ecological system transformation. Full article

Flood risk governance has gained increasing attention as climate change and urbanization amplify flood risks. While much of the literature has focused on national and supranational governance frameworks, sectoral integration, and public participation, there remains a critical gap in understanding horizontal coordination within municipal administrations—particularly in medium-sized cities. This study examines how local governments coordinate flood risk management across different departments and administrative units, identifying key challenges and enabling factors. Using a case study of Mörfelden-Walldorf, a medium-sized city in southern Hesse, Germany, we analyze the internal governance dynamics shaping flood resilience. The research highlights institutional fragmentation, sectoral silos, and resource constraints as key barriers to effective coordination while also identifying mechanisms that facilitate cross-departmental collaboration. By integrating insights from the public administration literature with flood governance scholarship, this study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of local-level flood risk governance. The findings provide practical implications for enhancing municipal flood resilience through improved governance structures and coordination mechanisms. Full article

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the energy sector offers transformative potential but is hindered by a complex web of interconnected socio-technical challenges. The existing scholarship often addresses these issues in isolation, lacking a practical framework to guide stakeholders through the complexities of responsible deployment. This study addresses this gap by conducting a systematic literature review to develop and propose an integrative, actionable governance framework. The proposed framework is built on four core principles: Trustworthiness, Sustainability, Equity, and Collaborative Adaptation. Crucially, it operationalizes these principles through a four-phased implementation process, a stakeholder-specific action matrix with measurable key performance indicators, and a set of critical success factors. By synthesizing diverse solutions—from technical standards for data and security to governance mechanisms for ethical oversight and workforce transition—into a structured, lifecycle-based approach, this study argues that moving beyond piecemeal fixes is essential for mitigating systemic risks. This framework provides a testable roadmap for future research and a practical guide for policymakers and industry leaders seeking to harness AI’s full potential in a sustainable, ethical, and inclusive manner. Full article

In recent decades, biblical scholars have begun to read the narratives about ancient persons and peoples on the move in dialogue with modern migration studies. As part of this broader trend, I became involved in a research project focused on descriptions of the earliest Jewish diaspora in the Hebrew Bible and historical documents due to my background as an anthropologist specializing in contemporary migration. This article aims to strengthen and systemize this emerging interdisciplinary conversation about human mobility. It provides a methodological catalog outlining four different ways biblical scholars and students may draw comparatively from the study of modern mobilities to shed new light on ancient and biblical worlds of motion. These four methods are tentatively labeled (1) applying new categories, (2) asking new questions, (3) thinking through concepts, and (4) exposing implicit biases. The article defines these as different comparative heuristics and uses the book of Ruth to reflect upon their respective strengths, limits, and unintended consequences. Full article

From the 16th to the 18th century, Jesuit missionaries in China pioneered inter-cultural exchange by integrating cultural accommodation with groundbreaking linguistic research. By adopting Confucian scholarly practices and systematically studying the Chinese language, they developed innovative approaches to Chinese phonetics, grammar, lexicography, rhetoric, and teaching. Their linguistic achievements not only facilitated missionary work but also contributed to early modern sinology and cross-cultural communications. This paper examines the Jesuits’ dual strategy of cultural accommodation and linguistic research, demonstrating how their deep engagement with Chinese intellectual traditions enabled them to study the Chinese language successfully, to communicate with local elites smoothly, and to disseminate Christianity effectively. Through the combination of local philological traditions with Western linguistic techniques, they introduced new perspectives on the Chinese language, influencing both Western sinology and China’s linguistic development. Their translations of religious, scientific, and philosophical texts also played a key role in shaping Sino-Western intellectual exchanges. By analyzing the Jesuits’ linguistic activities and the strategies they employed in the process, this study highlights the Jesuits’ impact on Chinese linguistic scholarship, the transmission of Christianity, and their role in cross-cultural communication. Their work also exemplifies how language, culture, and religion can effectively collaborate in cross-cultural encounters, shaping historical narratives and fostering dialogue between civilizations. Full article

The transition of Sketchfab, a widely used platform for hosting and sharing 3D cultural heritage content, to Epic Games’ Fab marketplace has raised concerns within the cultural heritage community about the potential loss of years of work and thousands of 3D models, highlighting the risks of relying on commercial solutions for preservation and dissemination. This shift, together with the unprecedented investments by the European Commission on infrastructures for digitised heritage, present a critical opportunity to restart conversations about the future of 3D scholarship and infrastructures for cultural heritage. Using a mixed-methods approach, this paper analyses data from a literature review, two surveys, a focus group, and community responses to Sketchfab’s announced changes. Our findings reveal critical user requirements, including robust metadata and paradata for transparency, advanced analytical tools for scholarly use, flexible annotation systems, mechanisms for ownership, licensing, and citation, as well as community features for fostering engagement and recognition. This paper proposes models and key features for a new infrastructure and concludes by calling for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to develop a system that will ensure that 3D cultural heritage remains accessible, reusable, and meaningful in an ever-changing technological landscape. Full article

Racial justice rhetoric is approached via collaborative auto-ethnography and oral interpretation, demonstrating how race, place, and faith intersect in a community devoted to religion and education. Community narratives wield immense power, but they are never complete. Stories and the cultures that retell them are alive and growing, so finding a voice can influence change. When racial justice voices are gradually over-written and forgotten, archival research and a commitment to engaged scholarship can identify and hold up historical leaders as role models. This article reintroduces a largely forgotten Catholic leader, Monsignor Thomas G. Fahy, into higher education’s narrative on race. Freie’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed provides a theoretical frame for an auto-ethnography relating pentimento “un/re/discovery” of Fahy leading to a digital oral/aural performance of some of his most enlightened speeches. Northern New Jersey saw widespread civil unrest and violence in the 1960s, and rather than turn away, Fahy turned “right out the gate” to listen and collaborate with Newark’s racial justice activists. Conclusions include a need for sustained attention to historical justice leaders in nurturing positive futures and the socio-political power of storytelling as a digital/oral rhetorical form. Full article

Addressing the critical STEM teachers’ shortage in the rural United States requires not only recruiting new teachers but also improving retention and teacher resiliency. This study explores contextual protective factors through the Early Career Teacher Resilience (ECTR) framework. The major objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of the NSF Noyce Professional Learning Community (PLC) on rural STEM teacher resilience. Key components of the Noyce PLC included scholarship support, pre-service mentoring, attendance at local and regional educational events, active engagement in the program’s annual summer conference, and participation in a closed Facebook group. We developed an ECTR framework-based online instrument with 28 questions and sent it to 311 university alumni, including 44 Noyce alumni. The results suggest that the Noyce PLC has excelled in fostering collaborative learning environments, providing resources that enhance teaching and learning, accommodating new and different ways of thinking, and supporting teachers’ professional growth beyond graduation. The findings underscore the importance of integrating theoretical and practical knowledge, supporting ongoing professional learning, and building strong professional relationships. Several aspects of the Noyce PLC could be replicated in other STEM teacher preparation programs to enhance teacher resilience, effectiveness, and career development. Full article

Interdisciplinary approaches are increasingly integral in doctoral and higher research education, addressing complex global challenges through collaborations across disciplines. This review investigates the benefits, challenges, and educational impact of interdisciplinary approaches in doctoral research. This scoping review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and uses an integrative narrative synthesis. The review was conducted using four major academic databases (ERIC, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) with an exploratory search using keywords related to interdisciplinary approaches, doctoral studies, and academic collaborations. The review synthesized evidence from studies published in English, focusing on interdisciplinary research in doctoral education, with no restrictions on study design. Eligibility criteria were based on the SPIDER tool (Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, Research Type). The search was completed on 25 September 2024. The initial search retrieved n = 954 articles, with n = 167 articles being reviewed for the integrative synthesis. The review included studies that examined interdisciplinary collaborations in doctoral research, highlighting the benefits such as skill versatility, career readiness, and research adaptability. The challenges discussed included academic culture differences, communication barriers, and institutional silos. The role of academic institutions and supervisors in supporting interdisciplinary research through fostering collaborative environments was emphasized. The review provides insights into how interdisciplinary approaches can enhance doctoral education, preparing graduates to tackle global challenges. It highlights the need for improved integration of interdisciplinary practices in doctoral research and outlines future directions for fostering interdisciplinary collaborations in higher education. Full article