What are the character strengths of a good doctor?

In recent years fictional doctors with unappealing character traits have become a trope of television depictions of medical settings: the eponymous Dr House who misanthropy extends to both patients and colleagues. Dr Cox of the hospital-set comedy Scrubs who bitter tirades reduce his subordinates to tears, and the curmudgeonly 'Doc Martin', a rural GP whose gruff demeanour perplexes and offends his patients, to give a few examples. But despite their objectionable behaviour, these characters are simultaneously presented as brilliant doctors whose diagnostic wizardry and cool-head in a medical crisis more than makes up for their lack of a pleasing bedside manner. In reality we are less compromising, and while technical knowledge and clinical competency are of course crucial attributes of the good doctor, we are also concerned with doctors' manner and behaviour - with their character

Considering (auto)biography in teaching and learning about race and racism in a diverse university

The ‘sociological imagination’ – the recognition of the relationship between ‘private troubles’ and ‘public issues’ (Mills [1959] 2000. The Sociological Imagination. Oxford: Oxford University Press: 8) – is central to the discipline of sociology. This article reports findings of a 2014 study which investigated students’ views on whether the development of the sociological imagination could be more explicitly embedded in a module on Race and Racisms through an (auto)biographical approach from teachers and the module’s racially diverse students. After reviewing benefits and challenges to an (auto)biographical approach, the article presents findings from a student focus group, concluding that students would welcome (auto)biographical approaches to the topic of race and racism, with the caveat that this is handled sensitively with steps taken to minimise the risk of emotional harm

High pressure behaviour of pyroxenes

Pyroxenes make up almost 25% by volume of some mineralogical models of the Earth's upper mantle, with their transformation to the higher density garnet structure at ∼ 400 km contributing to the seismic discontinuity at this depth. At depths shallower than this, both orthorhombic and monoclinic structures of (Mg,Fe)SiO3 pyroxenes are stable. In order to try to understand their behaviour at depth, a single crystal X-ray diffraction study has been carried out on both synthetic and natural ortho- and clinopyroxenes along or near the (Mg,Fe)SiO3 join using a diamond anvil cell. Synthetic (Mg,Fe)SiO3 orthopyroxenes undergo a distinct change in compression mechanism at ∼ 4 GPa and ambient temperature, characterised by the onset of shortening of the previously incompressible Si-O bonds, with associated changes in the degrees of kinking and tilting of the silicate chains. This change in compression mechanism causes a discontinuous break in their equation of state (EOS). The addition of impurities such as Ca2+ to the orthopyroxene causes the M2 cation sites to become significantly stiffer, thus inhibiting any change in compression mechanism of the natural orthopyroxenes at any pressure, and also any break in their EOS'S. Both low-clinopyroxene (space group P21/c) and orthopyroxene (Pbca) transform to the higher pressure C2/c clinopyroxene structure at high pressures; both transitions are first order in character involving a ∼ 3 % volume discontinuity. However, whilst the low- to high-pressure clinopyroxene transition is displacive, involving a major reconfiguration of the silicate chains, the ortho- to high-pressure clinopyroxene transformation is highly reconstructive, with the newly-formed C2/c phase reverting preferentially to the P21/c polymorph upon pressure release. This high-pressure C2/c structure differs from that of the C2/c phase stable at high temperatures predominantly in the degrees of kinking of their tetrahedral chains. The possibility of a "cross-over" transition between these structurally distinct C2/c phases at extreme conditions is discussed. Changing the composition of a pyroxene from MgSiO3 to FeSiO3 has very little effect on the topology of the equilibrium phase diagram, although the triple point and phase boundaries are shifted to lower pressures with increasing iron content

Austerity in a disadvantaged West Midlands neighbourhood:Everyday experiences of families and family support professionals

This article examines everyday effects of austerity in Kingshurst – a disadvantaged urban neighbourhood in the West Midlands. It draws on qualitative data gathered from local families with children, and public and third sector professionals working in the area in family support services. While some of the issues raised are common to other disadvantaged communities across the UK, we recognise that austerity is experienced in specific socio-spatial contexts: in this case, Kingshurst’s circumstance of deprivation within a local authority borough that (as a whole) is above averagely affluent. This shaped the ways that residents and professionals framed the disadvantage they encountered in their everyday lives and work, in particular strengthening understandings of austerity as unfairly and unevenly experienced on the bases of geography and social class, and highlighting territorial stigma towards the neighbourhood by professionals and decision-makers which impeded residents’ engagement with the family support services available to them locally

Experiences of families living in Kingshurst, North Solihull

This report sets out findings of a rapid-ethnographic research project commissioned by The Children’s Society and conducted by a research team from Aston University into the experiences of families living in Kingshurst – a neighbourhood within the metropolitan borough of Solihull in the West Midlands

Minority congregations' use of Anglican church spaces across the Church of England in Birmingham

This report shares findings of research into minority congregations’ use of Anglican church spaces in the Birmingham region. It defines minority congregations as congregations meeting outside ‘main’ Anglican worship, and focused around a particular ethnic, national or linguistic identity. The research had two parts – an online survey of all Anglican clergy in Birmingham which ‘mapped’ minority congregations’ use of church spaces, and follow-up in-depth interviews with ten clergy whose churches hosted such congregations.The survey identified thirty-eight minority congregations using Anglican church spaces across the Church of England, Birmingham at the time of the research.There was great diversity amongst these congregations in terms of national and ethnic backgrounds and language of worship, and a mix of Anglican-affiliated and non-Anglican denominations with an array of transnational connections. Relationships between ‘main’ churches and minority congregations can be grouped into three categories: landlord/tenant, host/guest, or partner. In interviews, clergy identified a number of benefits to minority congregations’ use of church spaces: the provision of rental income; the appearance of a busy, vibrant church; the continuing relevance of the church in highly diverse neighbourhoods where other faith communities are the local majority; and supporting social cohesion by encouraging meaningful interaction between diverse Christians. Clergy also identified challenges. These included practical issues around timekeeping, and use of the church space and equipment, but also more profound issues around theological and liturgical difference, uncertainties over whether it was appropriate or not for some groups to use church spaces, and serious concerns around issues such as safeguarding. Despite this, clergy felt that these were challenges worth meeting, and that hosting, and developing positive relationships with minority congregations was central to church mission and sustaining the church’s relevance in a religiously diverse region such as Birmingham. Clergy’s tips for success in building positive relationships with minority congregations included open and honest communication, understanding the theological basis of congregations’ practices, fostering mutual respect and understanding, and avoiding “empire-building” and paternalism. The Church of England in Birmingham and more broadly could support clergy in developing these positive relationships by producing advice for churches who host (or are thinking of hosting) a minority congregation; providing occasional training for clergy involved in hosting minority congregations or new clergy who are set to work in ethnically and religiously diverse diocese where these kinds of requests around use of church space are more likely to arise; producing information for minority congregations thinking of using an Anglican church space for worship; and signposting other resources from the Church of England that would be of use to clergy when hosting minority congregations

Minority congregations' use of Anglican church spaces across the Church of England in Birmingham

This report shares findings of research into minority congregations’ use of Anglican church spaces in the Birmingham region. It defines minority congregations as congregations meeting outside ‘main’ Anglican worship, and focused around a particular ethnic, national or linguistic identity. The research had two parts – an online survey of all Anglican clergy in Birmingham which ‘mapped’ minority congregations’ use of church spaces, and follow-up in-depth interviews with ten clergy whose churches hosted such congregations.The survey identified thirty-eight minority congregations using Anglican church spaces across the Church of England, Birmingham at the time of the research.There was great diversity amongst these congregations in terms of national and ethnic backgrounds and language of worship, and a mix of Anglican-affiliated and non-Anglican denominations with an array of transnational connections. Relationships between ‘main’ churches and minority congregations can be grouped into three categories: landlord/tenant, host/guest, or partner. In interviews, clergy identified a number of benefits to minority congregations’ use of church spaces: the provision of rental income; the appearance of a busy, vibrant church; the continuing relevance of the church in highly diverse neighbourhoods where other faith communities are the local majority; and supporting social cohesion by encouraging meaningful interaction between diverse Christians. Clergy also identified challenges. These included practical issues around timekeeping, and use of the church space and equipment, but also more profound issues around theological and liturgical difference, uncertainties over whether it was appropriate or not for some groups to use church spaces, and serious concerns around issues such as safeguarding. Despite this, clergy felt that these were challenges worth meeting, and that hosting, and developing positive relationships with minority congregations was central to church mission and sustaining the church’s relevance in a religiously diverse region such as Birmingham. Clergy’s tips for success in building positive relationships with minority congregations included open and honest communication, understanding the theological basis of congregations’ practices, fostering mutual respect and understanding, and avoiding “empire-building” and paternalism. The Church of England in Birmingham and more broadly could support clergy in developing these positive relationships by producing advice for churches who host (or are thinking of hosting) a minority congregation; providing occasional training for clergy involved in hosting minority congregations or new clergy who are set to work in ethnically and religiously diverse diocese where these kinds of requests around use of church space are more likely to arise; producing information for minority congregations thinking of using an Anglican church space for worship; and signposting other resources from the Church of England that would be of use to clergy when hosting minority congregations

“If we’re wrong, take us to court”: An analysis of special police services (SPS) arrangements for the policing of football in England and Wales

Under the Police Act 1996, Special Police Services (SPS) allow the police in England and Wales to partially cost recover for resources deployed to police events such as football, horse racing and music festivals. Historically, there have been numerous legal cases about SPS charges involving police forces and event organisers. Most recently Ipswich Town Football Club Company Limited vs. The Chief Constable of Suffolk Constabulary [2017] EWCA Civ 1484, resulted in clarification on points of law and a more restricted area within which police forces can charge for SPS. This qualitative research interviews police officers engaged in policing football, football club representatives and other key stakeholders involved in the SPS negotiation process. It finds that there are divisive approaches by both parties, which can result in compromising public safety. The notion of SPS being abolished is explored, despite potential benefits of this, further research is recommended to examine this further

'If we’re wrong, take us to court' : an analysis of special police services (SPS) arrangements for the policing of football in England and Wales

Under the Police Act 1996, Special Police Services (SPS) allow the police in England and Wales to partially cost recover for resources deployed to police events such as football, horse racing and music festivals. Historically, there have been numerous legal cases about SPS charges involving police forces and event organisers. Most recently Ipswich Town Football Club Company Limited vs. The Chief Constable of Suffolk Constabulary [2017] EWCA Civ 1484, resulted in clarification on points of law and a more restricted area within which police forces can charge for SPS. This qualitative research interviews police officers engaged in policing football, football club representatives and other key stakeholders involved in the SPS negotiation process. It finds that there are divisive approaches by both parties, which can result in compromising public safety. The notion of SPS being abolished is explored, despite potential benefits of this, further research is recommended to examine this further