An analysis of deviant police practices and female offenders' experiences in Ecuador (1979-2010)

Police deviance covers all forms of illegal and unethical conduct by police. Previous research has revealed that the occurrence of police criminal and corrupt activities not only destabilizes the police organization’s legitimacy, but also affects that of the State. This qualitative study analyzes in detail the circumstances in which police deviance occurred in Ecuador after the democratic transition (1979-2010), as well as the factors influencing this behaviour. The study also examines the distinct strategies employed by female offenders to resist their victimisation by the police. By taking into consideration the perspectives and experiences of both police officers and female offenders, this study demonstrates that police officers had two main motivations when engaging in this behaviour: extreme pressure faced by the police to produce results against increasing criminality in the country, and the search for individual, group or organizational gain. It also reveals that the tolerance of other criminal justice system officials for police misconduct together with the lack of an institutionalised Public Defense service which would protect offenders’ rights and assist them in their defense, encouraged this behaviour. Moreover, it was found that women were seen as suitable targets for police abuse during most years of the period examined. Deep-rooted societal prejudices against certain minority women made them even more suitable targets for police deviant actions. As the end of the research period approached, officers began to change their perceptions of female suspects, and believed these became a threat to their careers. The study was based on 51 oral testimonies from female inmates and 50 in-depth interviews with police officers. The qualitative part of the research was complemented by archival information found in court documents and female prisoner’s files produced between 1979 and 2010, as well as by other official and secondary sources

Digital Game-Based Learning: Teacher Training, Perceptions, Benefits, and Barriers

The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine current teacher training practices, both preservice teacher preparation programs and school district professional development, aligned to digital game-based learning (DGBL). The study surveyed Northern Minnesota teachers in grades P-12 to determine their perceptions related to the benefits of DGBL and the barriers they face to the implementation of DGBL. Respondents (N = 345) rated trainings, resources, and supports which they felt would encourage their use of digital games to deliver educational content and facilitate learning. The results of the study revealed the majority of respondents perceived numerous benefits to DGBL including: (a) the use of digital games as supplemental learning activities (89.48%); (b) to provide instantaneous feedback to learners (86.51%); and (c) to motivate students (85.50%). Respondents ranked the cost of purchasing games or licenses (81.23%) and the cost of equipment (80.35%) as the top two deterrents to the implementation of DGBL. The study showed a lack of teacher training, both in teacher preparation programs (75.00%) and school district professional development (77.52%) aligned to the use of digital games in the classroom. The findings of this study contribute to existing research outlining the lack of teacher training aligned to the integration of digital games into the classroom. This study concludes with recommendations for school administrators including: (a) professional development offerings aligned to DGBL; (b) technology support personnel to provide ongoing support; and (c) time designated specifically for the exploration of digital games and to plan for their use in the classroom

Latin America in Times of Turbulence: Presidentialism under Stress

This book accounts for and analyses the latest developments in Latin American presidential democracies, with a special focus on political institutions. The stellar line-up of renowned scholars of Latin American politics and institutions from Latin America, Europe, and the United States offer new insights into how democratic institutions have operated within the critical context that marked the political and social life of the region in the last few years: the eruption of popular protest and discontent, the widespread distrust of political institutions, and, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic. Combining different methodological approaches, including cross-national studies, small-N studies, case studies, and quantitative and qualitative data, the contributions cluster around three themes: the problem with fixed terms and other features of presidentialism, inter-institutional relations and executive accountability, and old and new threats to democracy in these times of turmoil. The volume concludes with an assessment of the political consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America. Beyond current scholars and students of comparative political scientists, Latin America in Times of Turbulence will be of great interest to a wide spectrum of readers interested in comparative systems of government, democracy studies, and Latin American politics more generally

Locating Zika

The emergence of Zika virus challenged conventional ideas of mosquito-borne diseases, tested the resilience of health systems and embedded itself within local sociocultural worlds, with major implications for environmental, sexual, reproductive and paediatric health. This book explores this complex viral epidemic and situates it within its broader social, epidemiological and historical context in Latin America and the Caribbean. The chapters include a diverse set of case studies from scholars and health practitioners working across the region, from Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador, Mexico, Colombia, the United States and Haiti. The book explores how mosquito-borne disease epidemics (not only Zika but also chikungunya, dengue and malaria) intersect with social change and health governance. By doing so, the authors reflect on the ways in which situated knowledge and social science approaches can contribute to more effective health

The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture: Sustainability in Action

“The 2020 edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture continues to demonstrate the significant and growing role of fisheries and aquaculture in providing food, nutrition and employment. It also shows the major challenges ahead despite the progress made on a number of fronts. For example, there is growing evidence that when fisheries are properly managed, stocks are consistently above target levels or rebuilding, giving credibility to the fishery managers and governments around the world that are willing to take strong action. However, the report also demonstrates that the successes achieved in some countries and regions have not been sufficient to reverse the global trend of overfished stocks, indicating that in places where fisheries management is not in place, or is ineffective, the status of fish stocks is poor and deteriorating. This unequal progress highlights the urgent need to replicate and re-adapt successful policies and measures in the light of the realities and needs of specific fisheries. It calls for new mechanisms to support the effective implementation of policy and management regulations for sustainable fisheries and ecosystems, as the only solution to ensure fisheries around the world are sustainable

Transforming HIV Prevention & Care for Marginalised Populations: using information & communication technologies (ICTs) in community-based & led approaches

[Extract] Information and communication technology (ICT) is transforming community-based and community-led HIV prevention and care services for gay men, other men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people. This book celebrates and shares crucial work of frontline HIV workers, activists, researchers and educators whom are using innovative ICT. The book builds on, and extends the work included in two earlier issues of Digital Culture & Education (DCE), entitled 'Prevention is a solution: Building the HIVe'(Singh and Walsh, 2012) and 'Innovative programmatic approaches to HIV prevention and care services for gay men, other men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender persons using information and communication technology (ICT)'(Adams, Klindera, Walsh and Wolf, 2014). It also includes three additional articles published by the journal