Using systems thinking to create more impactful social policy

This article proposes that “systems thinking” offers a way of (a) diagnosing the potential effectiveness of social policy and (b) of creating more impactful social policy. In particular, Donella Meadows’ “twelve places to intervene” (Meadows 1999) have been used as the basis of creating a tool to this end. Meadows’ 12 places can be broadly grouped into three categories: (1) physical features, (2) information and controls and (3) ideas. Using these three categories, this article analyses a number of examples of social policy related to Indigenous disadvantage in Australia. The actions and goals of different policies are analysed via this tool, with a view to illuminating what could be expected by way of impact from these policy initiatives. The overall aim is to understand if systems thinking in particular, and foresight approaches in general, can be useful in contributing to more impactful, or at least more honest, social policy in the face of ever growing complexity

Investigating openability of rigid plastic containers with peelable lids : the link between human strength and grip and opening forces

As society ages there is a growing need to understand issues surrounding declining user capabilities. One such area has been accessibility of packaging by older people. To date much of the current research in this area has focused on measuring strength of older people and analysing the force needed to open various pack formats and has largely concentrated on accessibility of jam or sauce jars. However, a survey by 'Yours' magazine indicated that problems with thin film pack forms and peelable packaging was also an issue for older people. Hence the authors undertook a small-scale study to understand the issues surrounding accessing a rigid plastic container with a peelable lid. To that end the authors built a bespoke measuring device to measure container peeling forces, measured finger friction between pack and finger and undertook an observational analysis on 60 users accessing packaging of this type. Results indicated that the force needed to open containers of this type is lower than measured user forces including older people and it is therefore likely that the issues surrounding accessibility of this type of pack format are related to dexterity not strength. However, the authors also showed that this can be affected by context of use in that oily fingers could reduce the friction coefficient between finger and pack such that older people may not have sufficient strength to open packs of this type

An analysis of multi-meaning words from a selected list of third-grade textbooks,

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston Universit

Women in the New York State Court System: A Report on Domestic Relations Law

The state court system impacts the lives of women throughout New York. The New York State chapter of the National Organization for Women focuses on lobbying efforts to encourage or oppose policies based on how they affect women and families. In partnership with the president of the state chapter, the following is a report concerning issues influencing women in the state court system in the area of domestic relations law. This thesis explores the debate surrounding a recent proposal to institute unilateral no-fault divorce in New York, initiatives for mandatory joint custody and mandatory mediation in custody disputes, and gender bias in the court system. For each, background information and competing perspectives are presented. Additionally, specific policy recommendations will be addressed with consideration toward bettering women and children