A Study to Determine African-American PhDs\u27 perspective on Factors Affecting Academic Achievement: Selected Case Studies

To answer the research problem the following questions were considered: 1. What are some of the intellectual, social, economic and family background characteristics of African-American PhD s? 2. What factors influenced their decision to attain an advanced degree? 3. What factors do they identify as positive contributors to their educational and professional development

Retrofit at scale:Accelerating capabilities for domestic building stocks

Highlights Retrofitting domestic buildings is essential for meeting targets to mitigate the catastrophic impacts of our changing climate. Current rates of retrofitting are far lower than necessary for achieving global net zero climate targets. To date in privately owned homes, policymakers have largely relied on piecemeal activity and often short-lived retrofitting programmes and financial incentives. Consequently, this special issue explores what capabilities and capacities are needed to deliver retrofit at scale. Looking across different scales—national, municipal, neighbourhood and individual sites—this special issue provides insights to shape policies, organisational structures and delivery strategies for different scales, building types and supply chain actors. These papers highlight the need for a clearer definition of what retrofit incorporates, alongside the collection of high-quality data and rigorous building metrics. In addition, diverse business models are needed to ensure that a variety of actors across the public and private sectors are well positioned to engage in coordinating building retrofit at scale. Finally, it is essential that any acceleration of retrofitting activity is coupled with consumer protection mechanisms and support for developing supply chains which incorporates both existing workers and encouragement for new entrants. It is only through this multifaceted approach that domestic building retrofit can be delivered at the speed and scale necessary

Local authority engagement with small and medium‐sized enterprises in energy efficiency: Governance approaches used in the Energy Efficient Scotland programme

Meeting net zero emissions targets requires co‐operation of multiple actors across scales and sectors, including small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs); research on action by SMEs to improve energy efficiency of their buildings has however been limited. This article focuses on the work of local authorities in engaging SMEs in energy efficiency initiatives. Empirical findings are from systematic analysis of semi‐structured interviews with local authorities participating in the Energy Efficient Scotland pilot programme for national scale retrofit. The modes of governance conceptual framework (self‐governing, governing by partnership, governing through enabling, governing by provision and governing by authority) is combined with a local government capacities framework (responsibility, political authority, finance, personnel, knowledge and energy materialities) to explore the different strategies available to local authorities. Findings reveal that local authorities utilise various modes of governing for engaging SMEs; however some governing modes (self‐governing, governing through authority and governing through provision) proved more effective than others (governing through partnership and through enabling). The results demonstrate that the modes of governance used to engage SMEs in energy efficiency depend on local authority capacities. However, Scottish local authority capacities are varied, resulting in differential ability to utilise the different modes of governing. Government policy for heat in buildings therefore needs to be sensitive to the specificities of different local authorities in order to extend their capacities for engage SMEs through both direct and enabling modes of governance

Local authority engagement with small and medium-sized enterprises in energy efficiency:Governance approaches used in the Energy Efficient Scotland programme

Meeting net zero emissions targets requires co-operation of multiple actors across scales and sectors, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); research on action by SMEs to improve energy efficiency of their buildings has however been limited. This article focuses on the work of local authorities in engaging SMEs in energy efficiency initiatives. Empirical findings are from systematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with local authorities participating in the Energy Efficient Scotland pilot programme for national scale retrofit. The modes of governance conceptual framework (self-governing, governing by partnership, governing through enabling, governing by provision and governing by authority) is combined with a local government capacities framework (responsibility, political authority, finance, personnel, knowledge and energy materialities) to explore the different strategies available to local authorities. Findings reveal that local authorities utilise various modes of governing for engaging SMEs; however some governing modes (self-governing, governing through authority and governing through provision) proved more effective than others (governing through partnership and through enabling). The results demonstrate that the modes of governance used to engage SMEs in energy efficiency depend on local authority capacities. However, Scottish local authority capacities are varied, resulting in differential ability to utilise the different modes of governing. Government policy for heat in buildings therefore needs to be sensitive to the specificities of different local authorities in order to extend their capacities for engage SMEs through both direct and enabling modes of governance

Gender and the heat pump transition

Decarbonisation in moderate and cold climates is reliant on the replacement of existing heating technologies with electric heat pumps. Heat pumps work differently from incumbent technologies, including in how they are controlled, their distribution of heat around the home and their space requirements. Despite evidence that domestic practices and interests associated with women played an important role in previous heating transitions, policy and research have not yet considered how heat pumps might interact with traditionally gendered needs and concerns. This could have significant implications for the success of the heat pump transition. This synthesis uses a framework of evidenced heating needs, incorporating wellbeing, resources, ease of use and relational dynamics, to structure a narrative literature review on how experiences of heat pumps may be gendered. Indicative evidence suggests that heat pumps have the potential to improve female thermal comfort, but that other possibly gendered heating needs such as minimising perceived waste and easy controllability are not always addressed. Amidst a lack of empirical studies exploring women’s needs, and whether they are met by heat pumps, a series of recommendations is provided for multidisciplinary research on the topic and to enhance consideration of gendered needs and experiences in policy development