Co-creating conditions for social justice in digital societies:modes of resistance in HCI collaborative endeavors and evolving socio-technical landscapes

In this paper, we report on a three-year endeavour that fostered 18 collaborations between academic and non-academic organizations to co-create responses to social (in)justice issues in digital societies. The projects and range of individuals and organisations connected to this programme offer a snapshot of the state of social justice thinking within the UK digital economy research sector. Our analysis shows how the programme’s constellations of actions enacted different modes of resistance attempting to reshape people’s relationship to power dynamics, addressing institutions and exposing systems, and developing and restoring values for social justice. We explore how these efforts invite nuanced understanding of what constitutes resistance in knowledge co-production endeavours and how they helped surface tensions at the intersection of agencies and the distribution of responsibilities. Drawing from our insights and experience, we discuss implications for HCI concerned with the creation of the conditions for social justice in our digital societies

The vocabulary barrier in the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in English Literature

Every year in the United Kingdom hundreds of thousands of pupils in their last year of secondary education take a General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exam in English Literature. Yet, every year, attainment is strikingly low: one quarter of those sitting the exam fail to achieve the grade 4 required for a standard pass. This paper sought to understand the reasons for this low attainment by comparing the vocabulary used in texts on the GCSE English Literature specifications with the vocabulary encountered in books that British teenagers read for pleasure. Our analysis shows that the GCSE texts have varied but dense vocabulary, and feature many words that are not encountered in popular books or in a typical spoken language environment. Many of these unfamiliar words are new roots whose meanings cannot be derived from their parts, suggesting that readers will need to rely on context or turn to a dictionary to interpret these. Together, our findings indicate that the GCSE texts will challenge even those pupils who read avidly in their free time, while their less able peers will be unable to access the texts. Our work suggests that a specification review is in order, and that it is critical that this review takes into account the wide variation in reading and language skills that pupils bring into the classroom

Response to the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s “Proposed Accounting Standards Update—Government Grants (Topic 832):Accounting for Government Grants by Business Entities”

This paper summarizes a comment letter we submitted to the Financial Accounting Standards Board in March 2025 in response to its Proposed Accounting Standards Update on accounting for government grants by business entities. We submitted a comment letter at the request of the Financial Reporting Policy Committee, which is charged by the Financial Accounting and Reporting Section of the American Accounting Association with responding to requests for comment from standard setters on financial reporting issues. The proposed amendments aim to establish authoritative guidance on accounting for government grants received by business entities. We conclude that the proposed amendments will not provide decision-useful information to financial statement users. We detail the concerns underlying this conclusion and offer recommendations to address them. We also summarize findings from academic research and offer suggestions for future research

Periostin Exon 17 Skipping Enhances the Efficacy of Local Adeno-Associated Viral-Microdystrophin Administration in a Fibrotic Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe, progressive genetic disorder primarily affecting boys, characterized by muscle degeneration due to mutations in the DMD gene encoding dystrophin, a crucial protein for muscle fiber integrity. The disease leads to significant muscle weakness and eventually to loss of ambulation. Adeno-associated viral (AAV)-microdystrophin (MD) gene therapy shows promise in preclinical and clinical settings. However, muscle fibrosis, a consequence of chronic inflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling, exacerbates disease progression and may hinder therapeutic efficacy. Periostin, a matricellular protein involved in fibrosis, is upregulated in DMD rodent models and correlates with collagen deposition. We previously developed an antisense oligonucleotide strategy to induce exon 17 skipping and so reduce periostin expression and collagen accumulation in the fibrotic D2.mdx mouse model of DMD. Here, we investigated the combined effects of periostin modulation and AAV-MD1 treatment. We found that systemic periostin splicing modulation significantly improved muscle function, assessed by forelimb grip strength and treadmill performance. Importantly, periostin exon skipping increased the MD protein expression. These findings suggest that targeting periostin in conjunction with MD therapy could represent a valid therapeutic strategy for DMD.</p

Spheres of resonance:How consumers contribute to atmosphere’s dynamics and plurality

Consumer experiences often build on resonant atmospheres that touch, seduce, or thrill consumers. Lack of resonance can diminish an atmosphere, alienate consumers, and render experiences meaningless. However, the way in which consumers contribute to atmospheres’ evolving resonance and plural nature has nonetheless been undertheorized. We address this question by operationalizing the concept of spheres of resonance, which we develop based on a multi-sited ethnography at the iconic holiday resort Club Med. Drawing on theory of resonance, we explain atmospheres are consumed through co-evolving spheres of resonance emerging in bodily encounters that momentarily envelop people and groups. Our findings show how these spheres co-exist but can also overlap, merge, and clash, influencing how atmospheres are felt and mobilized. Overall, we expand prior understandings of consumption atmospheres beyond a “mono-spherical” view and contribute to theory on the dynamics of atmospheres and resonance in consumer research