The Place of Widening Participation

This chapter reports on a small-scale study to explore the learning careers of mature, non-traditionally qualified students. It reveals how they (re)engage with learning, and their transition from studying on a bespoke access course delivered in a university to study at undergraduate level. The study highlights the barriers and challenges students overcome and identifies their motivations and dispositions to learning. Whilst the majority of access courses are delivered in further education colleges, a small number of universities deliver bespoke access courses. These courses, which are usually designed to facilitate progression within the institution, enable students to experience teaching and learning in a university setting, facilities and support services. The research adopted a qualitative approach, using interviews as the main method of data collection. Emerging findings reveal that (re)engaging with education and the transition from ‘access student’ to undergraduate student is not seamless and without challenges. Such students ‘often undergo a unique and profound experience’ (Burnell, 2015:6) as they enter this new space which provides an opportunity to create new social and class-related identities. The transition to undergraduate study is easier when learners are familiar with the routines and rhythms of higher education in general and the facilities and services of a particular institution

Multidecadal variability in hydro-climate of Okavango river system, southwest Africa, in the past and under future climate

The focus of this paper is to understand the multi-decadal oscillatory component of variability in the Okavango River system, in southwestern Africa, and its potential evolution through the 21st century under climate change scenarios. Statistical analyses and hydrological modelling are used to show that the observed multi-decadal wet and dry phases in the Okavango River and Delta result from multi-decadal oscillations in rainfall, which are likely to be related to processes of internal variability in the climate system, rather than external natural or anthropogenic forcing. Analyses of changes in this aspect of variability under projected climate change scenarios are based on data from a multi-model ensemble of 19 General Circulation Models, which are used to drive hydrological models of the Okavango River and Delta. Projections for the 21st century indicate a progressive shift towards drier conditions attributed to the influence of increasing temperatures on water balance. It is, however, highly likely that multi-decadal oscillations, possibly of similar magnitude to that of 20th century, will be superimposed on the overall trend. These may periodically offset or amplify the mean drying trend. This effect should be accounted for in water and catchment management and climate change adaptation strategies

Flooding dynamics in a large low-gradient alluvial fan, the Okavango Delta, Botswana, from analysis and interpretation of a 30-year hydrometric record

The Okavango Delta is a flood-pulsed wetland, which supports a large tourism industry and the subsistence of the local population through the provision of ecosystem services. In order to obtain insight into the influence of various environmental factors on flood propagation and distribution in this system, an analysis was undertaken of a 30-year record of hydrometric data (discharges and water levels) from one of the Delta distributaries. The analysis revealed that water levels and discharges at any given channel site in this distributary are influenced by a complex interplay of flood wave and local rainfall inputs, modified by channel-floodplain interactions, in-channel sedimentation and technical interventions, both at the given site and upstream. Additionally, cyclical variation of channel vegetation due to intermittent nutrient loading, possibly sustained by nutrient recycling, may play a role. It is shown that short and long-term flood dynamics are mainly due to variation in floodplain flows. As a consequence, discharge data collected within the main channels of distributaries do not adequately represent flooding dynamics in the system. The paper contributes to the understanding of seasonal and long-term flood pulsing and their variation in low gradient systems of channels and floodplains

Alternative futures’ of the Okavango Delta simulated by a suite of global climate and hydro-ecological models

The natural resources of the Okavango Delta, a large wetland in semi-arid Botswana, form the basis of livelihoods of the local population and support economically important high-end tourism. The hydro-ecological system is dynamic at various time scales, responding to climate variability, and both flood and drought conditions have in the past put pressure on the system’s users. Human-induced climate change can potentially exacerbate the effects of existing climate variability. In this paper, we present simulated future hydro-ecological conditions in the Okavango Delta generated by a step-wise modelling procedure. The outputs of three different global climate models are used to drive a suite of hydrological models. Lastly, a rule-based dynamic model relates hydroperiod conditions to vegetation assemblages. The simulated future conditions vary from much drier to much wetter than those recorded in the past. Models indicate that climatic change would result in change in both extent and distribution of the major ecotopes of the Okavango Delta. Importantly, the different ecotopes will be affected to varying degrees. The projected changes will have consequences for the wildlife-based management of the system. They will affect, for example, available grazing and migration/ movement patterns of large herbivores, as well as fish. Such consequences can have rapid up-trophic level effects, ultimately leading to potentially substantial impacts on the economy. The main conclusion to be drawn is that management planning and land-use systems should be as flexible as possible.Keywords: climate change, development planning, GCM, hydro-ecological modelling, wetland managemen

Virginia Shellfish Aquaculture Situation and Outlook Report : Results of the 2010 Virginia Shellfish Aquaculture Crop Reporting Survey

Recent growth of the shellfish aquaculture industry in Virginia has added significant value to the state’s seafood marketplace. Today, watermen continue to harvest both hard clams and oysters from the state’s public resources, albeit at diminished rates. At the same time, Virginia’s watermen-farmers are providing growing quantities of additional quality shellfish to consumers. Following the lead of the hard clam industry, there has been a significant transition to intensive aquaculture of native oysters in recent years. The once extensive oyster planting has disappeared primarily as a result of endemic oyster diseases and increasing wildlife predation of seed oysters. In its place is an emerging aquaculture sector betting on improved culture techniques and disease resistant oyster seed. While these trends are widely acknowledged, there has been no consistent reporting of production and economic trends in Virginia’s shellfish aquaculture industry. Periodic assessments are necessary to inform growers and related interests about the actual status and trends in the industry. The intent of this survey is to continue annual assessments with which to gauge growth and inputs in Virginia’s shellfish aquaculture industry. This report is based upon an industry survey completed during the first quarter of 2011

A systematic review of job demands and resources associated with compassion fatigue in mental health professionals

Psychosocial hazards in mental healthcare contribute to the development of compassion fatigue in mental health professionals. Compassion fatigue has a negative impact on the mental health and wellbeing of professionals that can impair the quality of services provided to clients. The majority of research on compassion fatigue has focused on individual-level variables such as gender, history of trauma and age, among others. It is also imperative to understand the role played by alterable work-related characteristics in contributing to the development of compassion fatigue in order to attenuate its impact on mental health professionals and their clients. The present review examined articles exploring work-related factors associated with compassion fatigue. Fifteen quantitative studies were included and their quality was assessed using a checklist. An inductive content-analysis approach was adopted to synthesise the themes emerging from the data. The results suggested a theoretical model consistent with the Job Demands-Resources model, wherein job demands (such as workplace trauma, workload and therapeutic settings) are associated with compassion fatigue, and job resources (such as supervisors’, coworkers’ and organisational support) mitigate the impact of job demands. In addition to person-oriented factors, work-related factors are critical for the prevention of compassion fatigue

Combating torture and other ill-treatment: a manual for action [2nd edition]

This manual seeks to support the global efforts to prevent and eradicate torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (other ill-treatment). It is the second edition of Amnesty International’s Combating torture: A manual for action, first published in 2003. It updates the first edition by including recent developments in international law such as new treaties, standards, jurisprudence, findings and observations of human rights bodies, and expert opinions. It is designed to be a practical guide to international and regional standards that prohibit and seek to prevent torture and other ill-treatment worldwide. The manual provides advice on the implementation of these standards, drawing upon the ideas, activities and achievements of anti-torture activists and experts around the world. Amnesty International’s positions on specific issues are also provided. It is hoped that the manual will be of use not only to Amnesty International staff but to anyone working to expose and combat torture and other ill-treatment, including other human rights defenders, lawyers, judges, law enforcement officers and other public officials, legislators, health professionals and the media

Guiding Principles On Sanctuary Scholars In UK Higher Education

A document outlining guiding principles that lay the foundations for Sanctuary Scholarships and associated initiatives