Out of the box: the promotion of creativity in learners

The DATA International Research Conference provides an opportunity for the’sharing of evidence across cultures’. (Norman 2003: ix) This paper considers evidence from the culture of art and design higher education which, through its focus on creativity and individual development, could assist the achievement of design and technology’s ‘unique contribution’ to student learning. (QCA, 1999) In presenting the case, this paper offers a new perspective on the ‘creativity in crisis’ debate currently engaging design and technology educators. Similar contributions have been made by Martin (2003), Hopper & Downie (1998) and Shield (1995), amongst others. They highlight tensions within the sector, for example between ‘making’ and ‘designing’, between education and training, and between teacher-led and student-centred approaches, and suggest practical and philosophical ways in which such tensions could be alleviated. The significance of the perspective offered here derives in part from the holistic nature of art and design education. It is suggested that this pedagogic model gains coherence through the placing of individual creativity at its centre; curriculum structure, content, delivery and assessment are designed to support this focus. Findings from theoretical research (eg. Perry 1968; Stein 1974; Amabile 1996) attest to the effectiveness of the approach, which is further confirmed by experiential research. The paper discusses these findings and suggests that a sharing of best-practice between the related disciplines of art, design and technology could help to lessen polarities and invigorate delivery of the design & technology curriculum

Return on investment of public health interventions : a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Public sector austerity measures in many high-income countries mean that public health budgets are reducing year on year. To help inform the potential impact of these proposed disinvestments in public health, we set out to determine the return on investment (ROI) from a range of existing public health interventions. METHODS: We conducted systematic searches on all relevant databases (including MEDLINE; EMBASE; CINAHL; AMED; PubMed, Cochrane and Scopus) to identify studies that calculated a ROI or cost-benefit ratio (CBR) for public health interventions in high-income countries. RESULTS: We identified 2957 titles, and included 52 studies. The median ROI for public health interventions was 14.3 to 1, and median CBR was 8.3. The median ROI for all 29 local public health interventions was 4.1 to 1, and median CBR was 10.3. Even larger benefits were reported in 28 studies analysing nationwide public health interventions; the median ROI was 27.2, and median CBR was 17.5. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review suggests that local and national public health interventions are highly cost-saving. Cuts to public health budgets in high income countries therefore represent a false economy, and are likely to generate billions of pounds of additional costs to health services and the wider economy

Return on investment of public health interventions : a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Public sector austerity measures in many high-income countries mean that public health budgets are reducing year on year. To help inform the potential impact of these proposed disinvestments in public health, we set out to determine the return on investment (ROI) from a range of existing public health interventions. METHODS: We conducted systematic searches on all relevant databases (including MEDLINE; EMBASE; CINAHL; AMED; PubMed, Cochrane and Scopus) to identify studies that calculated a ROI or cost-benefit ratio (CBR) for public health interventions in high-income countries. RESULTS: We identified 2957 titles, and included 52 studies. The median ROI for public health interventions was 14.3 to 1, and median CBR was 8.3. The median ROI for all 29 local public health interventions was 4.1 to 1, and median CBR was 10.3. Even larger benefits were reported in 28 studies analysing nationwide public health interventions; the median ROI was 27.2, and median CBR was 17.5. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review suggests that local and national public health interventions are highly cost-saving. Cuts to public health budgets in high income countries therefore represent a false economy, and are likely to generate billions of pounds of additional costs to health services and the wider economy

Abstracts from the NIHR INVOLVE Conference 2017

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The Health Equity and Effectiveness of Policy Options to Reduce Dietary Salt Intake in England: Policy Forecast

Background Public health action to reduce dietary salt intake has driven substantial reductions in coronary heart disease (CHD) over the past decade, but avoidable socio-economic differentials remain. We therefore forecast how further intervention to reduce dietary salt intake might affect the overall level and inequality of CHD mortality. Methods We considered English adults, with socio-economic circumstances (SEC) stratified by quintiles of the Index of Multiple Deprivation. We used IMPACTSEC, a validated CHD policy model, to link policy implementation to salt intake, systolic blood pressure and CHD mortality. We forecast the effects of mandatory and voluntary product reformulation, nutrition labelling and social marketing (e.g., health promotion, education). To inform our forecasts, we elicited experts’ predictions on further policy implementation up to 2020. We then modelled the effects on CHD mortality up to 2025 and simultaneously assessed the socio-economic differentials of effect. Results Mandatory reformulation might prevent or postpone 4,500 (2,900–6,100) CHD deaths in total, with the effect greater by 500 (300–700) deaths or 85% in the most deprived than in the most affluent. Further voluntary reformulation was predicted to be less effective and inequality-reducing, preventing or postponing 1,500 (200–5,000) CHD deaths in total, with the effect greater by 100 (−100–600) deaths or 49% in the most deprived than in the most affluent. Further social marketing and improvements to labelling might each prevent or postpone 400–500 CHD deaths, but minimally affect inequality. Conclusions Mandatory engagement with industry to limit salt in processed-foods appears a promising and inequality-reducing option. For other policy options, our expert-driven forecast warns that future policy implementation might reach more deprived individuals less well, limiting inequality reduction. We therefore encourage planners to prioritise equity

Translation of cytoplasmic UBA1 contributes to VEXAS syndrome pathogenesis

Somatic mutations in UBA1 cause VEXAS (Vacuoles, E1 ubiquitin activating enzyme, X-linked, Autoinflammatory Somatic) syndrome, an adult-onset inflammatory disease with an overlap of hematologic manifestations. VEXAS syndrome is characterized by a high mortality rate and significant clinical heterogeneity. We sought to determine independent predictors of survival in VEXAS and to understand the mechanistic basis for these factors. We analyzed 83 patients with somatic pathogenic variants in UBA1 at p.Met41 (p.Met41Leu/Thr/Val), the start codon for translation of the cytoplasmic isoform of UBA1 (UBA1b). Patients with the p.Met41Val genotype were most likely to have an undifferentiated inflammatory syndrome. Multivariate analysis showed ear chondritis was associated with increased survival, while transfusion dependence and the p.Met41Val variant were independently associated with decreased survival. Using in vitro models and patient-derived cells, we demonstrate that p.Met41Val variant supports less UBA1b translation than either p.Met41Leu or p.Met41Thr, providing a molecular rationale for decreased survival. In addition, we show that these three canonical VEXAS variants produce more UBA1b than any of the six other possible single nucleotide variants within this codon. Finally, we report a patient, clinically diagnosed with VEXAS syndrome, with two novel mutations in UBA1 occurring in cis on the same allele. One mutation (c.121 A>T; p.Met41Leu) caused severely reduced translation of UBA1b in a reporter assay, but co-expression with the second mutation (c.119 G>C; p.Gly40Ala) rescued UBA1b levels to those of canonical mutations. We conclude that regulation of residual UBA1b translation is fundamental to the pathogenesis of VEXAS syndrome and contributes to disease prognosis

DATA Annual International Research Conference 2004 - Paper Extracts

A Comparison of the Relationship Between Creativity, Learning Style Preference and Achievement at GCSE and Degree Level in the Context of Design and Technology Project Work - Abstract by Stephanie AtkinsonGirls' Decision Processes for Participation in Design and Technology Subjects in Zimbabwe's Secondary Schools - Abstract by Chris Chimwayange and Janet DaviesDo We Have an Alternative Methodology for Teaching Design? - Abstract by David Mioduser and Osnat DaganExploring Creativity as a Component of the Manufacturing or Making Process: Implications for Assessment - Abstract by John DakersHow do Trainee Primary Teachers Understand Creativity? - Abstract by Dan Davies, Alan Howe, Melanie Fasciato and Maggie RogersOut of the Box: the Promotion of Creativity in Learners - Abstract by Ruth Dineen and Elspeth CollinsThe Role of Implicit Theories in the Development of Creative Classrooms - Abstract by Wendy DowThe Evolution of Technicity: Whence Creativity and Innovation - Abstract by Mike DoyleDefining User Requirements and Strategies for a Multimedia Learning Environment Aimed at Enhancing Creativity in A' Level Design and Technology Teaching and Learning - Abstract by Ester Ehiyazaryanm Tim Lewis and Dr Noel WilliamsCompliance and Creativity? Compliance or Creativity? - Abstract by Debbie HaffendenEnhancing Learning Through Dialogue and Reasoning Within Collaborative Problem Solving - Abstract by J. W. HamiltonQuestioning Styles: Observations of Differences in Practice at Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 - Abstract by Alison Hardy'Little c' Creativity and 'Big I' Innovation Within the Context of Design and Technology Education - Abstract by Gill HopeD&T Making a Difference in Black Ethnic Minority Education: the Sheffield LEA ICSYS Partnership - Abstract by Tim Lewis, John Lee, Prakash Ross, Jenny Dein and John DawsonDesign and Technology (D&T) and Citizenship: Changing Attitudes? - Abstract by Colin Chapman, Tim Lewis and Kirsty SmartForensics and Autopsies: Exploiting Popular Culture to Teach Design and Commercial Manufacture? - Abstract by Susan V. McLaren and Neal P. JusterApproaches to Teaching Pupils with Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties in Design and Technology - Abstract by Louise Davies, James Fox, Peter Grover and Andy MitchellTeaching and Learning Creativity - Abstract by Bill NichollCreativity: is it on the Key Stage 3 (11-14 years) Design and Technology (D&T) Agenda? - Abstract by Marion RutlandCreativity in Design and Technology and ICT: Imagining Possibilities in a Digital Age - Abstract by David Spendlove and Matthew HopperEmerging Technologies - Some Strategies for a Future of Design and the Formation of Somatic Experience - Abstract by Stephen ThompsonInnovative Design and Technology Education in a Virtual Learning Environment - Abstract by Gisli Thorsteinsson and Tom PagePortfolios in Design and Technology Education: Investigating Differing Views - Abstract by Malcolm Welch and Dr David Barle