US Topographics: Imaging National Landscapes

© 2020 Cambridge University Press and British Association for American Studies. This is the accepted manuscript version of an article which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021875819000987Introduction to Special IssuePeer reviewe

Supporting the library and information needs of UWE health and social care students on placement

© 2017 Health Libraries Group Objective: The aim of this research was to explore the library and information needs of health and social care students whilst on placement. Methods: Both desk and primary research were conducted and included an online questionnaire to students and semi-structured interviews. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 252 students from a variety of programmes, equivalent to a 10% response rate. The results indicate a wide range of factors impacting on the library and information experiences of students. Whilst differences in the availability of a physical library in hospital or community locations still exist, these are mitigated by technology and a preference for home study. A significant result is that 77% (n=193) of students on placement study at home, using a variety of Internet-connected devices. This highlights a marked change in practice and underlines the need for mobile-compliant e-resources and accessible at-a-distance services. Conclusion: As a result of this research, practical recommendations on how library support can be improved were developed including enhanced collaboration and learning with NHS colleagues, and knowledge sharing with other departments within the University who support our students

The prospects for skills and employment in an age of digital disruption: A cautionary note

Almost in a blink of the eye the policy focus on the ‘knowledge’ economy, with mass ranks of high skilled workers, has given way to claims of widespread ‘technological unemployment’. This Working Paper will examine competing claims on the relationship between automation, skills and the future of work. It examines the research evidence on the scale of job losses anticipated as a consequence of digital disruption. It presents three scenarios of the impact of digital disruption on future skill requirements, before considering how evidence on automation and digital disruption is used to influence and inform UK government policy interventions on skills, employment and labour markets. In conclusion, we recommend caution in interpreting existing evidence. While high profile reports on digital disruption make for eye-catching headlines, they make for poor policy formulation. A key message is that technology is not destiny. It is human decisions that will determine the future of work

Early education pilot for two year old children : evaluation

This report provides the findings of the evaluation of the early education pilot for disadvantaged two year old children (the pilot). This study aimed to assess the impact of the pilot by looking at: how well the pilot was targeted, parents’ experiences of taking up a pilot place, the quality of the pilot settings, the impact on the children’s behaviour, and parents’ views and experiences of using a pilot place. The pilot provided free early years education to over 13,500 disadvantaged two year olds between 2006 and 2008. The main purpose of the pilot was to improve children’s social and cognitive outcomes, e.g. their social confidence and independence, and their verbal skills and reasoning ability. Additional aims were to have a positive impact on children’s parents and wider family e.g. on the relationship between parents and their children, or on parent’s emotional wellbeing. The funding offered these children 7.5 or in a small number of local authorities 12.5 hours of early years education per week for 38 weeks of the year. The pilot places were available in a variety of early years settings e.g. nurseries, play groups and with childminders, but all were required to operate the Birth to Three Matters curriculum.© National Centre for Social Research 2009. The full text of this report is not available in ORA. You may be able to access the report at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-education-pilot-for-2-year-old-children-evaluation (URL checked 26 March 2014) or via the publication website link above

Assessing and addressing domestic abuse by Ex-armed service personnel

In the context that separate peer-led services are increasingly being developed to meet the needs of Ex-armed service personnel (Ex-asp) in the criminal justice system, we explore whether such services should also be developed to address any tendencies towards domestic abuse. Based on interviews with 12 imprisoned Ex-asp and 10 service affiliated informants working with them, we found domestic abuse is not always recognised as a potential problem for Ex-asp. Nonetheless, respondents suggested that interventions to address the potential for domestic abuse by some Ex-asp would be useful and legitimate if they are provided by those with service affiliations. Considering our findings, however, we strike a note of caution about separate and peer-led approaches becoming the default option for working with Ex-asp in the criminal justice system. We suggest the gendered nature of military culture may be associated with concerns about the implications of re-engaging Ex-asp with their military identities. Moreover, being steeped in military culture, we suggest that without training some service affiliated staff may be unsighted on important aspects that the role gender expectancies play in domestic abuse and poorly placed to respond appropriately to this type of offending

Hard times in latte land? Analysing pay and working time in the café industry in France, Norway and the UK

Industrial relations and employment regulation are central elements of the national institutional framework shaping country-level differences in job quality. However, researchers are also interested in within-country variation by sector. International sector comparisons can shed light on the role of national institutions, individual employer approaches and workplace unions in shaping outcomes within a sector. This article uses qualitative data on pay and working time in the café industry in France, Norway and the UK to weigh the effects of institutions and employer differentiation on worker outcomes in a sector particularly challenging for union organisation. The findings identify the importance of national institutions for worker outcomes, and for shaping the scope at organisational level for employers and unions to make a difference

NEUROMUSCULAR ADAPTATIONS TO BALANCE AND TECHNIQUE TRAINING DURING SIDESTEPPING: IMPLICATIONS FOR ACL INJURY RISK

This study investigated the influence of balance and technique training (BTT) on external knee joint loading and the activation of muscles crossing the knee during anticipated (AnSS) and unanticipated (UnSS) sidestepping. Twenty-eight males participated in a 28 week training intervention implemented adjunct to their regular season training. Twelve completed BTT and 16 completed a ‘sham’ training (ST) intervention. Knee moments and the activation of 8 muscles crossing the knee were collected during AnSS and UnSS prior to and following training. BTT did not influence the activation of the muscles crossing the knee during AnSS or UnSS. Increases in muscle activation were not proportional to increases in valgus knee moments during UnSS in both groups. Unanticipated sport tasks should be identified as distinct factors associated with ACL injury risk