Public Understanding of Carbon Sequestration in Australia: Socio-Demographic Predictors of Knowledge, Engagement and Trust

This article explores the extent to which socio-demographic characteristics influence knowledge, trust, risk perception and acceptance of an emerging scientific technology, carbon sequestration or carbon capture and storage (CCS), which is positioned as a solution to the greenhouse gas problem. An online survey of 1273 Australian adults highlights the general public’s lack of knowledge about CCS and willingness to engage and learn. Compared to men, women were less accepting of CCS and more concerned about safety, risk and effectiveness. Those with a higher education were more aware of the greenhouse gas debate and supportive of CCS, whilst younger Australians were more trusting of information providers to “tell the truth” about CCS. By identifying key attitudes, expectations and fears of specific sub-groups towards CCS, this research provides an initial basis for developing effective public policy and community engagement, risk communication and education strategies for this emerging technology in Australi

Living smart homes: A Pilot Australian Sustainability Education Programme

This paper documents the rationale and experience of a pilot Australian sustainability education program, ‘Living Smart Homes’ (LSH) based on a community-based social marketing model. Inspired by the Australian ‘Land for Wildlife’ scheme, LSH is designed to engage homeowners with sustainable practices through face-to-face workshops, an interactive website with action learning modules, and a recognition scheme, a sign displayed in front of participant’s houses to which additions were made as they completed modules on energy, water, waste and transport. Participants were asked to change household behaviours and to discuss the changes and the barriers to participation in the program and to making the behavioural changes.----- More than 120 people participated in the program. This paper documents feedback from two surveys (n=103) and four focus groups (n=12). Participants enjoyed and learnt from LSH, praising the household sign as a tangible symbol of their commitment to sustainability and a talking point with visitors. Their evaluation of the LSH program, website and workshops, as well as their identification of barriers and recommendations for improvement and expansion of the program, are discussed

Beyond numbers: learning from the experience of kidney-transplant recipients

The present article presents the findings of a phenomenological study, which sought to explore the subjective experience of kidney transplantation amongst young people who lived the transition from pediatric to adult care.  This study was conducted using a qualitative phenomenological approach, involving semi-directed interviews with five people, three of whom received their kidney transplants as children, the other two as young adults. An in-depth analysis of their narratives revealed the paradoxical nature of the kidney transplant experience for these individuals; existing between self and other, sickness and health, and at times, between life and death. The liminal nature of transplantation was found to be an important quality of the experience, thus leading to an analysis of the experience in relation to the theoretical concepts of liminality and rites of passage. This analysis culminates in the introduction of the term transliminal-self, to encompass the complexity of the experience. Finally, the article concludes with a discussion regarding the relevance of the subjective experience for the practice of medical and allied health professionals who work with transplant recipients.

Fishing for ethics : unpacking food ethics discourse using the case of an online sustainable seafood guide

People are faced with an array of guides and messages that call for ‘ethical’ food choice but little is known about the way such campaigns actually guide conduct. This thesis addresses this knowledge gap by examining an online guide to sustainable seafood and following how this guide is discussed in participatory websites that reveal comparatively different uptakes of the guide. In doing so, the thesis highlights the complex interactive and moral relationships entailed in guiding conduct in the field of food ethics, with insight from this study transferrable to other studies of conduct

The relationship between bipolar disorder and financial difficulties: a qualitative examination of patient’s views

Objectives: Impulsive spending is listed as a possible symptom in the diagnostic criteria for a manic episode. However no research has examined whether those with bipolar disorder believe that their mental health and finances are related.Methods: Qualitative data was obtained from two sources: qualitative questionnaire responses (n=44) and a focus group (n=6). These were thematically analysed by 2 independent reviewers.Results: Seven key themes and 3 sub-themes were identified. Clients spoke of over-spending, impulse shopping and being excessively generous with money when elated in mood and this having a detrimental effect on finances. Participants reported experiencing severe anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, regret and guilt when recovering from a hypomanic/manic episode and realising the extent of their financial difficulties. During episodes of depression, participants reported comfort spending and avoiding dealing with their financial situation as a means to cope. Participants reported that having bipolar made maintaining employment difficult, resulting in taking on a less stressful role or being reliant on benefits. Finally, participants reported a vicious cycle with financial difficulties driving mental health and vice versa. Conclusions: The present findings provide evidence in support of the impulsive spending diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder. The research has identified a number of possible psychological mechanisms such as impulsivity, self-critical thoughts and avoidance behaviours. It may be that psychological interventions can help tackle these variables and reduce the impact of poor mental health on finances and vice versa in those with bipolar disorder

Development and Evaluation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy delivered by Psychologists and Non-Psychologists in an NHS Community Adult Mental Health Service: A Preliminary Analysis.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is effective for depression and may be useful for complex transdiagnostic clients. Aims: To conduct a preliminary evaluation whether ACT is feasible and effective when delivered by psychologists and non-psychologists for complex clients in a National Health Service (NHS) community mental health service for adults. Method: Staff were trained in ACT and conducted one-to-one therapy with clients. Measures on general mental health, depression, fusion and values were given pre-therapy post-therapy and at three month follow-up. Results: Standardised measures showed significant improvements post-therapy for global mental health, depression, cognitive fusion and values post-treatment. These were partially maintained at follow-up and remained after an intent-to-treat analysis. There were no differences in outcomes between psychologists and non-psychologists, Conclusions: ACT may be delivered effectively with limited training for complex cases in secondary care, though further research is needed

What is translational research? Background, concepts, and a definition

Author version made available here in accordance with publisher copyright policy.This discussion paper aims to offer an overview and working definition of translational research, appropriate to health. Methods: Using scholarly and applied literature, the paper first identifies key challenges in achieving evidence-based policy and practice. It highlights international policy interest in new approaches to evidence translation and the barriers to achieving sound evidence translation. The paper offers an explicit definition of translational research and explains why it is important to have such a definition. It then elaborates on this definition by identifying and exploring seven distinctive research practices that could be associated with translational research. Findings and conclusions: Translational research is research with a sense of place. Its defining feature is excellence in evidence for a specific context or sphere of action, whether that is health policy for the World Health Organisation or service design for a local non-government organisation. If research is to be translated at all, it needs to be meaningful to many specific contexts, including small and regional contexts. The best promise that translational research offers is of exciting new techniques to achieve rigour and systemacy for such localised ‘real world’ policy, service and practice contexts

Countering Violent Extremism Evaluation Indicator Document. Australian and New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee, National Countering Violent Extremism Evaluation Framework and Guide. This work was funded by the Countering Violent Extremism Centre, Department of Home Affairs

The aim of this evaluation indicator document is to provide suggestions to policy-makers and practitioners as to how they could measure particular outcomes as outlined in the Australian and New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee’s National Countering Violent Extremism Evaluation Framework and Guide (Research and Evaluation Working Group CVE SubCommittee, 12 May 2018)

The WASS Collective: Gender Transformations in Higher Education

This paper offers a critical perspective on issues around gender and sexual transformation within the context of UK Higher Education. Drawing on qualitative data carried out by undergraduate and postgraduate students, the analysis explores some of the diverse and often challenging ways in which young/er women and men are thinking and talking about gender, sexuality and feminism, as well as their strategies for turning ideas into political action. The research focuses on the activities and opinions of students belonging to an anti-sexist organisation within one UK university, who are engaged in campaigns to raise awareness about the damaging effects of gender and sexual inequalities, as well as promoting the popular appeal of contemporary feminisms. Locating the voices and research findings of the students themselves at the centre of the discussion, the paper is produced collaboratively between students and teachers who are involved in both the activist and research elements of this project. The paper also argues for (and provides evidence of) the transformative potential of alternative and critical forms of student engagement and student/ staff collaboration in relation to gender informed academic activism.Feminism, Post-Feminism, Anti-Sexism, Higher Education, Activism, Academic Activism, Praxis, Critical Pedagogy, Collaborative Methods