Fragmented Memory in an invented land: The Absence of History In the Abacha Military Dictatorship of Nigeria

This thesis aims to advance within the Cultural History paradigm, the notion that military governance in Nigeria – with a focal study on the Abacha regime (1993-1998) – operated and thrived within contrived anti-historical spaces. Abacha’s regime, the final military government in Nigeria as well as being an overt composite of prior regimes, affords this thesis a comprehensive barometer to determine the breadth of governmental anti-historical intent. Studies of Nigerian military governance neglect to address the issue of suppressed national histories as a distinct state-sanctioned policy. These studies fail to label, and superficially view antihistorical gestures as mere adjuncts to dictatorial ambition and power. Existing research overlooks the relationship between a negation of historical discourse and perpetuation of non-democratic powers rooted in artificiality. This thesis addresses that shortcoming: asking to what extent the perceived historical negation as a government tool was in effect between 1993-1998. We ask to understand, in the context of a postcolonial multi-tribal nation, how state actors may subvert history through strategic annulment and proscription. Using history scholarship data from educational institutions amongst other markers, we show how government influenced and implemented anti-historical policy. To note: ‘anti-historical’ positions also comprise advancing certain interpretations of history reflecting governments’ political objectives, as opposed to wholesale suppression of historical memory. Equally, whilst anti-historical spaces are explored through a military-leadership milieu, this thesis recognizes multi-causal reasons for anti-historical tendencies, such as: under-resourcing of Nigerian universities, archives and research centers particularly in the 1980s -1990s. Historian Michael Stanford posited historiographical pursuit involved not just unearthing new historical facts but attaining ‘fresh historical insights’ that ‘alter existing histories.’1 Stanford concludes: ‘That is why history is rewritten every generation.’2 This study deepens understanding of Nigeria’s postcolonial condition by highlighting how military disruptors post-independence, themselves upended nationhood by disrupting the notions and discipline of history

Evaluation of the new Design Summer Year weather data using parametrical buildings

The Charted Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) updated the near extreme weather (Design Summer Year – DSY) for all 14 locations in the UK in 2016. This new release attempts to address the underlying shortcomings of the previous definition where the averaged dry bulb temperature was the sole metric to choose DSY among source weather years. The aim of this research is to evaluate whether the new definition of the probabilistic DSYs can consistently represent near extreme condition. London historical weather data and their correspondent DSYs were used in this research. Dynamic thermal modelling using EnergyPlus was carried out on large number single zone offices (parametric study) which represent a large portion of cellular offices in the UK. The predicted indoor warmth from the sample building models show that these new definitions are not always able to represent near extreme conditions. Using multiple years as DSY is able to capture different types of summer warmth but how to use one or all of these DSYs to make informed judgement on overheating is rather challenging. The recommended practice from this research is to use more warm years for the evaluation of overheating and choose the near extreme weather from the predicted indoor warmt

Age composition and survival of public housing stock in Hong Kong

Emerging notably in more developed regions, building stock ageing which is characterised by shrinking new completions and falling “mortality” has been posing challenges to various stakeholders in built environment. To find way out of this transition, we need to know how long buildings will last these days and the factors leading to their “mortality”. By using data from 1950s till to date, a comprehensive investigation is conducted to analyse the age composition and life expectancy of public housing stock in Hong Kong. What comes after are survival analysis and empirical analysis of those demolished to identify the key factors leading to demolition. Presented in this paper are the preliminary findings as well as the research agenda on the theme to model age composition and survival of both private and public building stocks in Hong Kong and other similar cities in Asia Pacific Rim such as Adelaide and Singapore, together with research activities to formulate policies for sustainable urban management

Reward - based advertisement in online games: a win for advertisers, developers, and gamers

This study examines factors affecting gamers’ attitude towards reward-based advertisements (RBA) in online games. A conceptual model is developed based on the Ducoffe’s web advertising model and tested using a quantitative design through data collected from 532 online gamers in Fiji. Covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM) was employed to perform the analysis. Results reveal that informativeness, credibility, entertainment, and incentive positively influence advertisement value. Advertisement value was found to positively influences attitude towards RBA. The moderating factors of perceived competitiveness and gamer envy were found to strengthen the positive association between perceived advertisement value and attitude towards RBA. This study is novel is it is the first exploration of RBA in online gaming. In so doing, this study contributes to both marketing and gaming literature and provides valuable insight for marketers and game developers to influence customers to be more receptive to advertisements in online games

Gaming and luxury fashion: exploring factors driving gamers’ luxury virtual in - game fashion

This study investigates the factors driving gamers’ intention to purchase virtual luxury fashion in online games. The study’s conceptual framework is grounded in the social identity and social capital theory. A total of 468 responses were collected using an online survey from Fortnite players and analyzed using covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM). The results reveal that avatar identification was positively associated with perceived value, social presence, and intention to purchase virtual luxury fashion. Perceived value and social presence were positively associated with intending to purchase virtual luxury fashion. Brand love strengthened the positive association between the perceived value and social presence on the intention to purchase virtual luxury fashion. This study contributes to the marketing and information systems literature by offering the first insights into virtual luxury fashion in online games. The findings would assist game developers and marketers in better understanding gamer behaviour to capitalize on virtual luxury fashion

Students’ representations and experiences of personal development and PDP at one British University

A thesis submitted to the University of Bedfordshire in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of PhilosophyThose who teach in Higher Education in the UK face with the growing internationalisation and diverse landscape of the sector as well as an obligation to provide students with opportunities for personal, professional and academic development. Whilst a great deal has been written about both internationalisation and Personal Development Planning (PDP), a structured and supported process, which is intended to enable individual students to reflect upon their learning and plan for their future (QM, 2000), relatively little is known about international students' perceptions and experiences of such development and planning. This thesis aims to explore issues that are under-represented in the literature, experiences, perceptions and meanings of personal development and PDP among international students, and cast some light· on the complexities of individuals' development and growth. It employs a broadly phenomenological perspective, attending to individual representations and understandings of a small group of culturally diverse students in one university setting, captured with the use of qualitative research methods (concept maps and interviews). Methodologically, it attends to the researcher's specific insider/outsider positioning and highlights reflexivity as the key feature of the research process. It documents the research journey in a transparent and conscious way, evidencing the methodological experimentation and the development of the researcher. This research raises key questions about uncritical application of concepts such as PDP as well as other pedagogic practices in increasingly diverse classrooms that are underpinned by Western philosophical and scholarly traditions. It challenges a narrow perspective of personal development as centred on agency, individuality, self-promotion, independence and personal achievement and gain by inviting a consideration of personal development and learning as socially constructed processes with a wider range of purposes than traditionally articulated by PDP. It also challenges the perception of international students as 'bearers of problems' and 'empty vessels' and contributes to the shift in the literature from the rhetoric of blame and deficiency to the rhetoric of resource - respectful of students' experiences and knowledge. Whilst not claiming generalisability from a small sample of participants, this project nonetheless has broader implications for researching and teaching across cultures, raising awareness of complexities of multicultural education. In this research I focus on students' ideas of personal development (PD) and personal development planning (PDP). By looking for things that support, not hinder their personal, professional, social and academic development I am able to offer some insights into students' conceptions, beliefs, experiences, hopes and aspirations and suggest ways of improving educational practice (especially in terms of PDP)

Nationalism and Populism

Right wing populism has become an apparent and expanding phenomenon of the present. Nationalist claims to protect the state against waves of immigration are en vogue. Populists claim to secure national interests and to defend cultural values. The cultural Other is used to establish or to strengthen a narrative of fear. The proposed edited volume will examine the interrelationship of nationalism and populism during the 20th and 21st centuries

Nationalism and Populism

Right wing populism has become an apparent and expanding phenomenon of the present. Nationalist claims to protect the state against waves of immigration are en vogue. Populists claim to secure national interests and to defend cultural values. The cultural Other is used to establish or to strengthen a narrative of fear. The proposed edited volume will examine the interrelationship of nationalism and populism during the 20th and 21st centuries

Migrants and Religion: Paths, Issues, and Lenses

Despite the worldwide dramatic spread of religious-based discriminations, persecutions, and conflicts, both official data and academic literature have underestimated their role as a root cause of contemporary migrations. This multidisciplinary study aims to overcome this gap. Through an unprecedented collection of theoretical analysis and original empirical evidence, the book provides unique data and insights on the role of religion in the trajectories of asylum seekers and migrants – from the analysis of the religious geography of sending countries to the role of spirituality as a factor of resilience and adaptation. By enhancing both academic and political debate on these issues, the book offers the possibility of regaining awareness of the close link between religious freedom and the quality of democracy. Readership: Students attending courses of Sociology, Law, Psychology, Political Science, International Relations, Theology; scholars of the above mentioned fields; religion education’s teachers; people from cultural, charity, or faith-based organizations and NGOs; practitioners involved in the field of reception and integration of migrants and asylum seekers; policy-makers and public administration officers