The Teaching Landscapes in Creative Subjects: Fine Art Area Report

Report written as part of a research project (The Pedagogy of Fine Art) exploring contemporary pedagogy and attitudes to teaching within the fine art subject area

What is Meant and what is Understood? The Role of Written Assessment Feedback in the Fine Art Subject Area

Report written as part of a research project (The Pedagogy of Fine Art) exploring contemporary pedagogy and attitudes to teaching within the fine art subject area

Baggage Reclaim, some thoughts on feminism and painting

This article calls for a reappraisal of the feminist discussion around painting in relation to contemporary practices by women, suggesting that all painting by women has something to offer feminist critical thought. Playfully using Judy Chicago’s reflections and strategies as a frame, the article explores how contemporary painters have engaged with the histories and communities of women to form new models of scholar- ship and practice. It examines the projects of painters Melissa Gordon, Nadia Hebson and the Obscure Secure group (Jacqueline Utley, Hayley Field and Claudia Böse) whose artwork forms a ‘live’ response to the legacy of little known and undervalued women artists. The article concludes by examining the notion of the painterly gesture and develops a feminist context in which to examine the materiality and processes of paint- ing, with reference to the perspectives of Dana Schutz and Jutta Koether among others. It suggests Helen Molesworth’s historically defined quality of ambivalence can be seen resurfacing as a critical position within contemporary painting by women

Characteristics of mixed Meloidogyne arenaria and M. incognita populations in flue-cured tobacco

Des expériences en champ ont été poursuivies pendant deux ans afin de caractériser l'association de #Meloidogyne arenaria race 2 (populations Pelion et Govan) et de #M. incognita race 3 sur des plants de tabac résistant à #M. incognita races 1 et 3 ainsi que sur des plants de tabac sensible aux deux espèces. A été également étudié l'effet potentiel de l'infestation par #M. arenaria sur la résistance de l'hôte à #M. incognita races 1 et 3. L'identité spécifique des #Meloidogyne a été établie à la récolte en se fondant sur la longueur des juvéniles de deuxième stade. Les plants de tabac résistants à #M. incognita ne se sont pas montrés prédisposés à l'infestation par #M. incognita lorsqu'ils étaient infestés par #M. arenaria race 2. Le développement des galles sur les racines de tabac résistant à #M. incognita est plus important dans le cas de la population Pelion que dans celui de la population Govan de #M. arenaria. Lors d'infestations mixtes par #M. incognita et #M. arenaria, et avec des traitements équivalents sur plants de tabac sensible, la proportion de la population Govan de #M. arenaria est toujours plus importante (P = 0,05) que celle de la population Pelion. (Résumé d'auteur

Introduction to symposium 'On Not Knowing; how artists think'

This one-day symposium, curated and introduced by Rebecca Fortnum, looked at the role of 'not knowing' within the creative process. The day examined how artists formulate strategies of not knowing and use the states of ignorance, doubt, block and failure within their decision making process. The state of 'not knowing' is also clearly acknowledged as an important aspect of all research, and speakers from across disciplines joined visual artists to debate these issues from a number of perspectives

Being Relational With Underserved Youth: A Reflective Process

When working with under-served youth, possibly the most important, yet often times the most difficult, thing for practitioners to do is to build positive, trusting, open relationships. This study aims to address this challenge. Two groups of under-served youth were examined, one being teens deemed “at-risk” and one being youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This study was novel in its approach as all efforts were made to ensure the youth's opinions on how to be relational with them were heard. Two youths with ASD were nonverbal and a special picture interview procedure was developed to allow their participation. Three thematic statements emerged from the data collected: 1. Youth need low anxiety relationships. 2. Youth need novel forms of engagement. 3. Youth need us to understand that their actions reflect their histories. The analyses that lead to these statements are described as well as the reasoning and implications of these statements

Imagination of children (1): absurd impositions

Solo show. The imagination of Children is a curatorial research project developed by Rebecca Fortnum and Rhian Harris, Director of the V & A's Museum of in Bethnal Green, London. Whilst much literature appeals to children's imaginative lives this project attempts to visually examine this, both my making work about. and for, children. This first exhibition, a solo exhibition of drawings by Rebecca fortnum includes two bodies of work: ‘Dream’, an extensive series of small portraits, shows children with their eyes closed, thereby shutting out the intrusive viewer. However the iconography becomes troubling; reference may be made to Piero della Francesca’s Madonna and Child where the slumbering child foretells Christ’s death. The imagery responds directly to notions of the power relations of the subject’s gaze, introducing on asuggestive level the idea of the child’s dreams and imaginings that are inaccessible to the viewer. The portraits are completed in pairs in a process developed to question the authenticity of the single image. These small, intimate works are accompanied by large-scale drawings that initiate a different dynamic. In these the child’s gaze is unflinching, demanding even. The scale empowers the child and reflects their imposing psychological stature in relation to theadult community that surrounds them

Dissemination of information to General Practitioners: a questionnaire survey

BACKGROUND: Early identification of permanent hearing impairment in children enables appropriate intervention which reduces adverse developmental outcomes. The UK Government has introduced a universal hearing screening programme for neonates. All involved health professionals, including those in Primary Care, need to be aware of the service to enable them to offer appropriate support to their patients. A programme of information dissemination within Primary Care was therefore undertaken. The aim of the current study was to determine the extent to which the information had reached General Practitioners (GPs), the GPs' preferred mode of dissemination and the sources from which GPs accessed information METHODS: Postal questionnaire survey of a randomised sample of 1000 GPs in the Phase I pilot sites of the Neonatal Hearing Screening Programme (NHSP). RESULTS: Responses were received from 54.2% of the sample. Just under 50% of those responding had received information, 62.2% of respondents said they would like to receive more information and the preferred methods of dissemination were the written word and web-sites to allow access when needed. Few GPs perceive themselves to have a core role in the delivery of the NHSP and thence a need for knowledge in the subject. Many are keen to delegate detail to a third party, usually the health visitor, who has traditionally had responsibility for hearing screening. CONCLUSIONS: Dissemination efforts for service developments of relevance to GPs should concentrate on advertising a website address via brief but memorable posted literature and/or articles in relevant journals and magazines. The website should be GP-friendly, and have a dedicated area for GPs including information of specific relevance and downloadable information sheets

Renal unit characteristics and patient education practices that predict a high prevalence of home-based dialysis in Australia

Abstract AIM: The proportion of patients using home dialysis in Australia varies from 6% to 62% between renal units. The aim of this study was to determine if the variance is attributed to any underlying renal unit factors including pre-end stage education practices. METHODS: An online survey was distributed to all Australian units that offered home dialysis. Logistic regression was performed to estimate the effects of renal unit characteristics on the binary outcome of 1 h of pre-end stage education per patient, compared with ≤ 1 h predicted more than 10% of patients on HHD (OR 2.84, 95% CI 1.17-6.90). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest certain pre-end stage education practices are significantly associated with home dialysis rates above the national average. The consistent above average home dialysis rates witnessed in New South Wales appear to be the result of renal unit culture, education strategies and policies that support 'home dialysis first'. © 2014 Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology

With a little help from my friends: Developing an assisted automated peritoneal dialysis program in Western Australia

Background: Nurse-assisted automated peritoneal dialysis (AAPD) offers a model of care that has been successfully used in frail dialysis populations internationally. AAPD offers cost savings over hospitalisation on peritoneal dialysis (PD) or in-centre haemodialysis (HD). Method: A pilot AAPD model of care was developed in Western Australia (WA). Patient evaluation was measured utilising a perceptions of dialysis survey, clinical events, hospitalisation and peritonitis rates, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), KDQoL-SF 36 and a survey. Staff opinions and perceived competency were measured by an online survey. Economic analysis was undertaken. Results: A successful collaborative model was developed. 40 staff were trained and competency significantly improved during program delivery (p < 0.0001). 15 patients with an average CCI score of 8.7 used the service for 18 periods of care over 18 months (mean 33 days SD 47). Two non-renal cause deaths and two episodes of peritonitis occurred. Patient opinions were extremely positive. Cost savings were estimated at $620,000. Conclusion: In WA, an AAPD pilot program has been successfully developed and delivered. A sustainable model has overcome initial hurdles. Staff have gained new skills and delivered effective care, demonstrated by high patient acceptance. The program was cost-effective compared to staying in hospital or transferring to HD