Women asylum seekers and refugees in West Yorkshire: opportunities, constraints and the role of agency

The aim of this thesis is to add to the knowledge about asylum seekers and refugees in the LJK by looking specifically at the experiences of women, who have often been overlooked. The thesis is underpinned by a concern with structure and agency, and the interplay between them. Thus, it explores women's actions and practices in a particular context. Firstly, it considers the structural context by looking at the constraints asylum seekers and refugees face as a result of goverm-nent policy more generally, but also specifically in terms of their dispersal to West Yorkshire. As well as focusing upon the constraining aspects of policy and practice, however, it also considers the supportive structures in place in West Yorkshire that assist people's settlement in an area. Within this discussion is a consideration of the practices of service providers who are often caught up in a contradictory role of care and control. Thus while they are able to offer support, at the same time they have to work within the bounds of government policy. Secondly, while the context in which women fmd themselves can present a number of barriers, this thesis looks at their actions and practices at an individual and collective level. It illustrates that the women are able to draw on the resources available to then, and many are engaged in activities that assist their own settlement in the host society, as well as considering the needs of their children, other family members or the wider community. In addition, it is evident that some of the women, through their actions and practices, were changing the context for future arrivals of asylum seekers and refugees

Evaluating the Impact of a Flexible Delivery Model in Advanced Manufacturing Technologies on Key Stakeholders

Community colleges in the United States play a critical role in preparing students for employment in the workforce. Nationally, there is a severe shortage of trained workers to fill positions within the manufacturing industry. Manufacturers need to replace workers who retire and add employees to expand their businesses and the economy. State Community and Technical College (SCTC) began looking for ways to increase the number of students enrolled in manufacturing-related programs and increase the number of employees ready to meet the needs of employers To increase access to its programs, the success of students in the programs, and to increase the number of trained workers heading into the workforce, SCTC developed a plan to address the needs of students and industry by changing the way technical education was offered in the Advanced Manufacturing Technologies division to a blended learning model, SCTCFLEX. The SCTCFLEX model is an innovative and unique approach to technical education designed to create a student-centered, flexible, and accessible approach to technical education. SCTCFLEX combines online digital learning with flexible laboratory meeting times, where the primary emphasis is on mastering the course competencies needed in the workforce. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how effective the SCTCFLEX model implemented at SCTC in the Applied Manufacturing Technologies division was at meeting its stated outcomes through the perspective of the following stakeholders: administrators, faculty, and students. The study uncovered strengths in the SCTCFLEX model and revealed practical recommendations to consider when implementing a blended learning model in technical education

Adaptive User Models for the Design of Intelligent User Interfaces

The objective of this research is to determine the effects over time of a dynamic system that adapts itself to a user\u27s current state of expertise, in terms of the application domain, by constantly monitoring the user throughout use of the system, placing them in appropriate user models when this expertise has changed. A dynamic system, named ER-by-Design version 2.0, is presented, consisting of an inference component, a help system, a help/assistance screen, and user models. The user models are responsible for adapting the system interface to the level of expertise of the user. The system monitors and analyzes a user\u27s interactions in order to evaluate user expertise, placing the user in the most appropriate model based on this evaluation. Through analysis of data collected from participants\u27 sessions with both versions of the system, it is shown that over time, through the use of ER-by-Design version 2.0, users accessed help less often and perceived the system as more beneficial when compared to a system with a static, generic interface. In addition, users who had the least experience with ER modeling concepts created more correct diagrams with ER-by-Design version 2.0 than with a static version of the system

The European Union and the former Yugoslavia : the development of European foreign policy?

The successive conflicts in the former Yugoslavia from 1991 onwards represented one of the most significant challenges for the European Union in the immediate post- Cold War context. This experience also coincided with the most intense period of development of the EU's formal external competences. The aims of this thesis are to establish what actions the EU took in relation to four conflicts that broke out in the former Yugoslavia; to determine the extent to which the nature of this involvement changed over time; and to examine how the identified patterns of activity might be best characterised. The objective of this characterisation of the EU's involvement in the fonner Yugoslavia is to consider how it has progressed, as distinct from other international actors, including its own member states. Four periods are considered corresponding with the conflicts in Slovenia/Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo and the FYR of Macedonia. The extent to which the EU's policy towards the former Yugoslavia is evidence of an emerging European Foreign Policy is then considered, through a discussion of the extent to which key features associated with the notion of 'foreign policy' are identifiable in this particular case. In conclusion it is argued that by 2001 the EU had developed what can be characterised as a limited and context specific, but nevertheless distinctive, foreign policy.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

How men and women learn about sex: multi-generational perspectives on insufficient preparedness and prevailing gender norms in Scotland

Attitudes towards sexual health and relationships are learned from a young age, and there is an ongoing need for innovative and comprehensive approaches to sex education that keep pace with rapidly changing contexts of people’s lives. We used thematic analysis of data from two qualitative studies in Scotland to explore learning contexts from a multi-generational perspective, as well as the influence of different socio-cultural factors on provision, access to and experience of sex education. The importance, but inadequacy, of school as a source of learning, was a persistent theme over time. Participants’ strategies to address perceived gaps in knowledge included experience, conversations, vicarious and online learning. Gender and age differences emerged, with younger participants more likely to go online for information, and prevailing gender norms shaping attitudes and behaviours across both study groups. Participants who identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual described feeling particularly unprepared for sex and relationships due to the narrow, heteronormative content received. Although schools continue to be a common source of information, it appears that they fail to equip young people for their post-school sexual life-course. We recommend the mandatory provision of comprehensive, positive, inclusive and skills-based learning to improve people’s chances of forming and building healthy, positive relationships across the lifespan

2019 Navigating the Future: Making a Difference for Transitioning Service Members and Families

This report, prepared by the Caster Center, is an evaluation of Year 4 of zero8hundred. Zero8hundred is a cross-sector community initiative whose mission is to proactively link transitioning service members and their families to resources and opportunities in the community, helping them successfully transition to civilian life.https://digital.sandiego.edu/npi-military/1007/thumbnail.jp

2019 Pathways and Intersections in the Military Lifecycle: How San Diego Supports the Military and Veteran Connected Community

This report, prepared by the Caster Center, is an asset mapping and ecosystem project in collaboration with SDMFC and SDVC. This report outlines the military lifecycle and is the result of community conversations throughout San Diego County.https://digital.sandiego.edu/npi-military/1006/thumbnail.jp

Neglected diseases: a human rights analysis

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in neglected diseases as a public health issue. However, there has been less attention given to the links between neglected diseases and human rights. Neglected diseases are more likely to occur where human rights, such as the rights to health, education and housing are not guaranteed. Neglected diseases also often result in violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including equality and non-discrimination. This review authored by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health aims to introduce and explore some of these connections. Addressing the human rights issues that cause or are a consequence of neglected diseases has an important role to play in helping to prevent and treat these diseases, as well as in ensuring the dignity and well-being of those afflicted. This report aims to equip practitioners with an understanding of human rights, how human rights abuses cause and result from neglected diseases, and it signals how a human rights approach can contribute to the fight against neglected diseases

Women asylum seekers and refugees: Opportunities, constraints and the role of agency

This article is based on the findings of research undertaken towards a doctoral thesis funded by the University of Leeds. The research focuses upon the actions and experiences of women asylum seekers and refugees living inWest Yorkshire. While acknowledging that the context in which women find themselves can present a number of barriers, this paper looks at their actions and practices at the individual and collective levels. It illustrates that some women are able to draw on the resources available, and are engaged in activities that not only assist their own settlement in the host society but also assist the development of support structures for future arrivals of asylum seekers and refugees

“It’s Just Nice Having a Real Teacher”: Student Perceptions of Online versus Face-to-Face Instruction

With recent increases in online enrollment, undergraduate students are far more likely to experience an online learning environment than they were in the past. While existing literature provides general insight into reasons why students may or may not prefer online instruction, it is unclear whether these preferences are shaped by student’s perceptions of online learning or actual experience with online courses. To address this gap, undergraduate students enrolled in either online (n=370) or face-to-face (n=360) courses were surveyed about their course format preference. A content analysis of the responses was performed with the findings suggesting that 1) student perceptions may be based on old typologies of distance education akin to correspondence courses, regardless of actual experience with online courses, and 2) course preferences are related to issues involving teaching presence and self-regulated learning. The implications of this research for developing more effective online pedagogy are discussed