Myths about media studies: the construction of media studies education in the British press

This article examines the construction and representation of Media Studies education in the British press. Drawing on an empirical analysis of five years of newspaper coverage, it concludes that Media Studies has been predominantly represented and framed as a ‘soft’ or ‘Mickey Mouse’ subject, with over half (61.1%) the news stories analysed approaching it through this lens. It shows that the right of centre British press in particular promoted this understanding of Media Studies as a subject devoid of educational value and with low potential for employability, rather than a legitimate option for study. When themes could be approached from either a negative or positive viewpoint (such as employability prospects and subject value), more often than not the negative perspective dominated. This article argues that this perspective has been bolstered by these newspapers largely through their justification of government action and policy towards the subject, which is framed as a positive interjection and opportunity for protecting educational standards. Ultimately, we show that the British debate surrounding Media Studies has been informed by a top-down discourse of elite political and Conservative party sources, with a scarcity of oppositional or broader political representation – a landscape that frames Media Studies education as a delegitimized and worthless pursuit of study

Me, myself, and nature: living with dementia and connecting with the natural world – more than a breath of fresh air? A literature review

Objective: Depsite the growing awareness of the importance of engagement with the natural world for people living with dementia, little is known about the impact specifically for people living independently in their own home. This review identifies, analyses and synthesises existing research, incorporating first-person narrative accounts of the benefits and potential challenges experienced inforging meaningful connections with the natural world.Methods: Six databases were searched from February 2000 to February 2021. Relevant organisations and authors were contacted, and a hand search of included study reference lists was conducted. The findings of included studies were synthesised using a thematic analysis approach.Findings: Sixteen studies were included: 13 qualitative and three mixed methods. Eight themes and three sub-themes were identified, revealing how contact with the natural world held a significancefor people living with dementia, associated with a sense of pleasure, comfort, stimulation, freedom and meaning. Support and the use of adaptive strategies afforded opportunities for continued engagement with meaningful outdoor activities and the promotion of identity, independence, social interaction, enhanced wellbeing and quality of life for people living independently with dementia.Conclusion: Meaningful connections with the natural world offer far more than a ‘breath of freshair’. When support mechanisms are in place, engaging with the natural world can be a valuable arenafor enablement and continuity, providing a sense of connectedness to self, place and others

Place-based film for growing community engagement in local marine conservation

Awareness, knowledge and community identity can grow from local narratives about conservation and enhance our capacity for environmental stewardship. New media narrative approaches are also seeking to improve the terms of community engagement across a spectrum of stakeholders. For instance, film is increasingly being used by scientists and policymakers to situate science stories within a community in order to increase local ownership and enhance engagement, be it through active participation in conservation or to support/social license. Here, the use of placebased documentary film as a tool to affect these outcomes is explored in a community adjacent to a controversial marine reserve, and we focus in particular on the effect of film on local youth

How to... get started with theory in education

This paper, on using theory in health professions education research, is the second in a series that aims to support novice researchers within clinical education, particularly those undertaking their first qualitative study. Diving into the world of education theory can be challenging and uncomfortable for clinician-educators. Nonetheless, theory is an essential ingredient in high-quality research, shaping everything from research questions to study design, analysis and, ultimately, the interpretation of findings. We hope that this paper, introducing different levels of theory and examples of how to use theory, will shed light on how theory can be used in research, and that it will help you in getting to grips with using theory in your own work.Peer reviewe

Inequalities in European Labour Markets between Insiders and Outsiders: Employment Protection Legislation and its Relation to Unemployment. Cross-Country Empirical Evidence

The dissertation deals with social inequalitiy between insiders and outsiders in Europe and its relation to employment protection legislation. In this regard, it focuses particularly on differences in unemployment. The dissertation is cumulative and captures four different empirical studies each highlighting specific aspects in this contexts. The studies provide insights on inequalities between skill groups, men and women and elderly with different employment biographies. On the basis of the insider-outsider theory of Lindbeck and Snower it was assumed that the relaxation of employment protection legislation should lead to a reduction of social inequality. However, the results show that there is no general mechanism. The relation between employment protection legislation and unemployment strongly depends on present contextual factors

When you ask the fish: Child wellbeing through the eyes of Samoan children

Child wellbeing is the subject of substantial academic and policy interest globally and in New Zealand. Notably however, the voices of children are largely missing in much of the extended literature. In addition, and largely due to an assumption that wellbeing is a universally held construct, the influence of cultural values and beliefs on the perceptions and experiences of wellbeing of children, such as the Samoan children in this study, have not warranted in-depth attention. This study explores the influence of culture on how 8-year old Samoan children living in Wellington, NZ, conceptualise their wellbeing (Dunlop-Bennett, 2019). Part I of this article details the research approach developed for this study. Guided by Talanoa ile i’a (Faleolo, 2009) or ‘Talking to the Fish’, this study positioned children as experts on their wellbeing and through the use of talanoa and photos successfully created the reflective discussion space for 11 Samoan children to share their knowledge. The findings, outlined in Part II, show that when given the opportunity, these Samoan children offered critical and realistic insights into their experiences and aspirations. One model of wellbeing shared by these children used the analogy of a seesaw, where wellbeing was achieved when the “good bits and the bad bits” are balanced. The influence of context of wellbeing was a second key finding. These Samoan children’s experiences of wellbeing indicated a subtle interplay and balancing of their fa’asamoa (the Samoan way) and New Zealand life experiences. While this ethnic-specific study does not purport to represent the diversity of the Samoan diaspora, it presents a model that can be adapted by the Samoan diaspora living in other parts of New Zealand as well as other Pasifika and minority groups, as appropriate

Evaluating the role of surgical sterilisation in canine rabies control: A systematic review of impact and outcomes

© 2020 Collinson et al. Current recommendations for the elimination of canine-mediated human rabies focus on mass dog vaccination as the most feasible and cost-effective strategy. However, attempts to control rabies are often combined with canine surgical sterilisation programmes. The added value of sterilisation is widely debated. A systematic review was undertaken to compare the outcomes and impact of vaccination and sterilisation programmes with vaccination only programmes. A systematic search of three electronic databases (CAB Abstracts, Med-line and Global Health) and grey literature was performed. From 8696 abstracts found, 5554 unique studies were identified, and 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. Eight described vaccination only programmes and eight described vaccination and sterilisation programmes. Indicators of impact measured were dog bites and/or doses of post-exposure prophylaxis administered; numbers of dog and/or human rabies cases; dog population demographic changes; changes in health and welfare of dogs, and indicators related to human behaviour change. The studies were contextually very diverse, programmes being implemented were complex, and there was variation in measurement and reporting of key indicators. There-fore, it was difficult to compare the two types of intervention, and impossible to make an evaluation of the role of sterilisation, using this evidence. Given the large number of vaccination and sterilisation programmes conducted globally, the lack of studies available for review highlights a gap in data collection or reporting, essential for impact assessment. There are several knowledge gaps concerning the impact of the sterilisation component alone, as well as subsequent effects on rabies transmission and control. Prospective studies comparing the outcomes and impact of the two interventions would be required in order to establish any additional contribution of sterilisation, as well as the underlying mechanisms driving any changes. In the absence of such evidence, the priority for rabies control objectives should be implementation of mass vaccination, as currently recommended by the World Health Organisation

Reduced calcineurin inhibitor exposure with antibody induction and recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common indication for liver transplantation (LT), but post-LT tumor recurrence remains a concern. Early post-LT immunosuppression is suggested to affect recurrence risk. We evaluated the impact on HCC recurrence of an immunosuppression protocol introduced in 2010 with interleukin-2 receptor antibody (IL-2RA) induction and delayed-introduction of reduced-dose tacrolimus with mycophenolate. Methods We included consecutive HCC patients transplanted 2000-2017 in Gothenburg. The impact on HCC recurrence of IL-2RA induction and mean tacrolimus trough concentration during the first 20 post-LT days was analyzed by multivariable Cox regression and propensity score-adjusted analyses. Results The study comprised 235 patients (mean age 57 yrs, men 80%, mean MELD 13, within Milan criteria 57%). The cumulative 5-yr HCC recurrence rate among patients transplanted before and after 2010 were 28.6% and 19.7%, respectively. IL-2RA induction had no independent effect on HCC recurrence. High tacrolimus exposure (mean 20-day tacrolimus concentration >= 8ng/mL) was associated with increased HCC recurrence risk on univariable analysis (HR 2.22, 95% CI 1.23-4.01, p = .008), but was non-significant on multivariable analysis (p = .17). Outside Milan criteria, high tacrolimus exposure was significant for HCC recurrence (HR 3.68, 95% CI 1.34-10.11, p = .012) independently of tumor characteristics and AFP level. This was confirmed on multivariable propensity score-adjusted analysis. Conclusions Reduced early tacrolimus exposure, facilitated by IL-2RA induction, was associated with reduced risk for HCC recurrence among patients outside Milan criteria. Prospective studies are needed to confirm if early tacrolimus-minimization strategies can help reduce HCC recurrence rates and help extend transplant criteria.Peer reviewe