How a Networked Approach to Building Capacity in Knowledge Mobilization Supports Research Impact

Research impact is emerging as a common feature in national research systems. Knowledge mobilization (KMb) includes efforts undertaken to aid and accelerate research impact pathways by directing focus to processes that support impact. To date, researchers and universities have struggled to increase their capacity in KMb. This study explores the perceptions held by 16 leaders of Research Impact Canada, representing 14 networked universities, about the usefulness and use of networked learning to build institutional capacity in KMb. The analysis of data, which was collected using a mixed-methods survey design, highlights two overarching themes: 1) the contextual variability in how institutions engage in KMb work, and how practice-based subgroups can support the diverse KMb needs of different institutions; and 2) how capacity is developed through networked learning is distributed among individuals and groups within institutions, and how networked institutions need to be self-referential to the ways knowledge about KMb is sourced, validated, shared, interpreted, and employed

Studies in the concept of ideology: from the Hegelian dialectic to western Marxism

Ideology is interpreted broadly in this study as consciousness, where consciousness is the relation of knowledge to its object. This thesis investigates the connection between Hegel’s theory of consciousness and society and Marx’s political and social thought. It shows that many discoveries, previously considered to be those of Marx alone, like surplus-value and the transition from capitalism to communism, were first developed and employed by Hegel. The study also demonstrates that key concepts, which remain only implicit in Marx, such as social class, alienation, revolutionizing praotice, contradiction and dialectic are given full theoretical form only In the works of Hegel. It examines and shows the strong similarities between Hegel’s and Marx’s theory of religion, capitalism and the state, and stresses that their theory details not the conditions for the emancipation of a class, but rather the liberation and freedom of the social individual. The dissertation explores the writings of the young Marx and Feuerbach and shows that Western Marxism, to its theoretical detriment, owes much more to them than it does to Hegel and the mature Marx. The connection between the philosophies of Kant and Feuerbach and the ideology of contemporary bourgeois society is demonstrated, as is the organic, if antagonistic, unity between the alienated consciousness of Western Marxism and that of its bourgeois opponent. Contemporary Marxist theory is subjected to critical analysis within the framework of a comprehensive account of dialectic method and exposition. The thesis concludes that social thought and political action might be enriched and extended through a new synthesis of Marx with Hegel

A developmental evaluation of research-practice-partnerships and their impacts

Globally, K-12 education systems are grappling with how best to integrate research and evidence into policy and practice.  Research-practice-partnerships (RPPs) have arisen as a potentially powerful mechanism for school improvement. This study investigates the ways four research-practice-policy-partnerships are addressing impact by (a) reporting on metrics being used to assess brokering and partnerships, and (b) exploring the ways that network leads and policymakers conceptualize partnerships and impact on the frontlines.   Our findings suggest that while metrics being used provide a necessary baseline for number and types of partnerships, more robust methods are needed capture the quality of interactions and to strategically inform network development.  Network leads conceptualize impact in relation to collaborative processes (shared goals; new and diverse partnerships; improved student achievement; system alignment); systems and structures (joint-work; funding and sustainability; demand from practitioners; equity); continuous learning (capacity-building; reach; adaptability; storytelling).  Our discussion provides ideas about network improvement that include sharing cases of failures (alongside exemplary cases) to maximize learning, and advocates for the use of developmental evaluation to explore the impacts of RPPs

A Review of “Things I Wish I Knew as a Teacher: Reflections of a Retired Principal” By Robert Hamilton (2021)

Not applicable for book reviews, according to CJNSE "Author Guidelines.

A Review of “Things I Wish I Knew as a Teacher: Reflections of a Retired Principal” By Robert Hamilton (2021)

Not applicable for book reviews, according to CJNSE "Author Guidelines.

Catalyst design for Rh-catalysed arene and alkane C-H borylation : the NHC affects the induction period and indenyl is superior to Cp

The authors would like to thank the Royal Society of Chemistry (Undergraduate Summer Research Bursary to A.L.B., Research Fund grant R21-6824221494) and the EPSRC (DTP PhD studentship award to P.A.M., Vacation Internship to L.S., and EP/M024210/1 for supporting B.E.T.) for funding. A.P. thanks the Institute of Chemical Sciences for the award of a bursary to support a summer research project. The authors would also like to thank Johnson Matthey plc for the award of platinum group metal materials used in their research (loan of RhCl3, PGMAS38).In order to establish design criteria for Rh C-H borylation catalysts, analogues of the successful catalyst [Rh(Ind)(SIDipp)(COE)] (Ind = η5-indenyl, SIDipp = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene, COE = cis-cyclooctene) were synthesised by changing the indenyl and carbene ligands. [RhCp(SIDipp)(COE)] (1) formed alongside the C-C activated, cyclometallated by-product [RhCp(κ2CAr,Ccarbene-SIDippʹ)(iPr)] (rac-2; SIDippʹ = 1-(6-isopropylphenyl)-3-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene). Computational modelling of COE dissociation showed that both C-C and C-H activation of the SIDipp aryl group is thermally attainable and reversible under experimental conditions, with the C-C activation products the more thermodynamically stable species. Oxidative addition of 1 with SiH(OEt)3 gave the Rh silyl hydride [RhCp(H){Si(OEt)3}(SIDipp)] (rac-3). [Rh(Ind)(IDipp)(COE)] (4; IDipp = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazol-2-ylidene), the carbonyl analogue [Rh(Ind)(IDipp)(CO)] (5; νCO = 1940 cm-1, c.f. 1944 cm-1 for [Rh(Ind)(SIDipp)(COE)]) and [Rh(Ind)(IMe4)(COE)] (6; IMe4 = 1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazol-2-ylidene) were also characterised, but attempts to synthesise Rh carbene complexes with fluorenyl or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrofluorenyl ligands were not successful. For the catalytic C-H borylation of benzene using B2pin2, 1 was inactive at 80°C, and [Rh(Ind)(SIDipp)(COE)] was superior to all other complexes tested due to the shortest induction period. However, addition of HBpin to precatalyst 4 eliminated the induction period. Catalytic n-alkane C-H borylation using [Rh(Ind)(NHC)(COE)] gave yields of up to 21% alkylBpin but [RhCp*(C2H4)2] was the better catalyst.Peer reviewe

Small mammal responses to long-term large-scale woodland creation: the influence of local and landscape-level attributes

Habitat loss and fragmentation greatly affect biological diversity. Actions to counteract their negative effects include increasing the quality, amount and connectivity of semi-natural habitats at the landscape scale. However, much of the scientific evidence underpinning landscape restoration comes from studies of habitat loss and fragmentation, and it is unclear whether the ecological principles derived from habitat removal investigations are applicable to habitat creation. In addition, the relative importance of local- (e.g. improving habitat quality) vs. landscape-level (e.g. increasing habitat connectivity) actions to restore species is largely unknown, partly because studying species responses over sufficiently large spatial and temporal scales is challenging. We studied small mammal responses to large scale woodland creation spanning 150 years, and assessed the influence of local- and landscape-level characteristics on three small mammal species of varying woodland affinity. Woodland specialists, generalists and grassland specialists were present in woodlands across a range of ages from 10 to 160 years, demonstrating that these species can quickly colonize newly created woodlands. However, we found evidence that woodlands become gradually better over time for some species. The responses of individual species corresponded to their habitat specificity. A grassland specialist (Microtus agrestis) was influenced only by landscape attributes; a woodland generalist (Apodemus sylvaticus) and specialist (Myodes glareolus) were primarily influenced by local habitat attributes, and partially by landscape characteristics. At the local scale, high structural heterogeneity, large amounts of deadwood and a relatively open understory positively influenced woodland species (both generalists and specialists); livestock grazing had strong negative effects on woodland species abundance. Actions to enhance habitat quality at the patch scale focusing on these attributes would benefit these species. Woodland creation in agricultural landscapes is also likely to benefit larger mammals and birds of prey feeding on small mammals and increase ecosystem processes such as seed dispersal