Global learning during the Covid-19 pandemic

The aim of this research was to capture learning from teachers in Cumbria about global learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. It gathered data on teacher engagement in global learning between March 2020 (the start of the first national ‘Lockdown’ in England) and March 2021 when Lockdowns in England were fully lifted. It explored the barriers and enablers for the practice of global learning and if teachers viewed global learning differently as a result of the pandemic. The research finds that some teachers think that living through the experience of the pandemic has meant that many learners are now better able to understand their role in the world as citizens of a global community. In some schools, global learning has now become even more important in school – both in terms of ‘buy-in’ from other staff and from learners themselves. The research also found evidence that prior experience of global learning meant that some students were better prepared for the experience of the pandemic itself

Beyond the mound: locating complexity in Northern Mesopotamia during the 'Second Urban Revolution'

In this dissertation, I investigate the organization of urban activities in Early Bronze Age cities of Northern Mesopotamia. I combine evidence from archaeological survey, magnetometric studies, and excavations to demonstrate that cities were broadly integrated in terms of function and use of space: inhabitants in outer cities, lower towns, and extramural areas all pursued a range of diverse activities. The organization of urban life in Northern Mesopotamia is best described as "distributed," a conclusion at odds with the prevailing belief that public institutions were concentrated in city centers and outer city areas were solely residential. I analyze new excavations and surveys from two major cities--Tell Mozan and Tell Chuera--and compare those remains with information from other excavated cities across third-millennium BCE Northern Mesopotamia. I identify nine individual components of urbanism within third-millennium cities: city walls, water resources, roads and streets, agricultural and pastoral land, houses, workshops, temples and shrines, burials, and administrative buildings. The spatial distribution suggests regular correlations between certain components, particularly houses/workshops, houses/burials, city walls/administrative buildings, and extramural workshops/roads. This overall pattern reveals multifunctional neighborhoods with a range of ceremonial, domestic, and production-related activities situated within the stable boundaries of city walls, water courses, and major roads. Single-function areas often occur alongside other activity or mixed-use areas. I found the distribution of activities to be similar across cities, despite variations in overall layout and size. Widespread co-occurrence, especially of houses and workshops, indicates a kind of "dual economy" of elite and non-elite production, with lower-class inhabitants producing their own lithics, ceramics, and agricultural/pastoral products. Furthermore, although large temples and palaces are located in city centers, the existence of smaller shrines and non-domestic buildings in lower towns indicates that religious and administrative functions also occurred beyond the city center. The surveys and excavations illuminate two important patterns: first, that administrative, productive, and religious activities took place throughout the city; and second, that social rank did not preclude the pursuit of a range of activities. The stability afforded by this broadly integrated organization and heterarchical social organization may have been instrumental in a city's longevity

'If I cannot access services then there is no reason for me to test': the impact of health service charges on HIV testing and treatment amongst migrants in England

Policy governing entitlement to access government health care for foreign nationals in England is a subject of debate, controversy and confusion. Of particular concern to health providers has been the impact of National Health Service charges on delaying HIV testing and anti-retroviral treatment uptake and adherence amongst certain migrant groups. Data obtained through focus groups with 70 migrants from southern Africa, suggest that confusion over health care entitlements exists amongst those seeking health care and is reported amongst health service providers. This confusion, as well as financial difficulties and fears over deportation facing some migrants, can in turn be a factor influencing their decisions to avoid formal health services, resort to alternative and often ineffective or potentially adverse forms of therapy, and delay HIV testing and treatment uptake

Walking research paths together: a story of nurse clinicians and nurse researchers

The path between work practice environments and research environments is not always well-worn in the health sector, particularly in nursing. In Australia, a case study research project in a busy regional hospital has provided a way in to research for its clinical champions and improved academics' access to and knowledge of the hospital and its people. The project was sparked by concerns at the hospital that newly-registered nurses were leaving the profession soon after they entered it. Nursing managers approached the university to gather evidence and develop strategies. Case study was chosen as the most appropriate methodology to meet both the hospital's and the researchers' needs. Data were collected from participants (n=30) during focus groups and face-to-face interviews. Involvement of senior management helped to maximise response rates. Nurses were invited and encouraged to participate in the sessions during paid work time, contributing to a healthy 51.7 per cent response rate. The key themes identified during analysis were finding your place and support. Nurses talked often about the need to 'find a niche'. The research partnership resulted in ongoing practical and intellectual benefits for academics and clinical managers. One of the strategies developed by the study team - lunchtime leadership sessions - is now the subject of an action research project being led this time by the nurse manager in collaboration with university academics. The project, therefore, continues to build evidence and research capacity as well as strengthening pathways

Effects of Partners Together in Health (PaTH) Intervention on Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Behaviors: A Pilot Study

Background—Despite proven efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in helping patients initiate physical activity and healthy eating changes, less than 50% of CR participants maintain changes 6 months later. Objective—The objective of this feasibility study was to test the Partners Together in Health (PaTH) Intervention versus usual care (UC) in improving physical activity and healthy eating behaviors in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients and spouses. Methods—An experimental, two-group (n = 17 couples/group), repeated measures design was used. CABG patients in both groups participated in Phase II outpatient CR. Spouses in the PaTH group attended CR with the patient and were asked to make the same physical activity and healthy eating changes as patients. Spouses in the control group attended educational classes with patients. It was theorized that “two persons would be better than one” at making changes and sticking with them long-term. Physical activity behavior was measured using the Actiheart accelerometer; the activity biomarker was an exercise tolerance test. Eating behavior was measured using 3-day food records; the biomarker was the lipid profile. Data were collected at baseline (entrance in CR), 3-months (post-CR), and 6-months. Changes over time were examined using Mann-Whitney U statistics and effect sizes. Results—The PaTH intervention was successful primarily in demonstrating improved trends in healthy eating behavior for patients and spouses. No differences were found between the PaTH and UC patients or spouses at 3 or 6 months in the number of minutes/week of physical activity. By 6 months, patients in both groups were, on average, below the national guidelines for PA recommendations (≥ 150 min/week at \u3e 3 METs). Conclusions—The couple-focused PaTH intervention demonstrated promise in offsetting the decline in dietary adherence typically seen 6 months after CR

Effects of Partners Together in Health (PaTH) Intervention on Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Behaviors: A Pilot Study

Background—Despite proven efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in helping patients initiate physical activity and healthy eating changes, less than 50% of CR participants maintain changes 6 months later. Objective—The objective of this feasibility study was to test the Partners Together in Health (PaTH) Intervention versus usual care (UC) in improving physical activity and healthy eating behaviors in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients and spouses. Methods—An experimental, two-group (n = 17 couples/group), repeated measures design was used. CABG patients in both groups participated in Phase II outpatient CR. Spouses in the PaTH group attended CR with the patient and were asked to make the same physical activity and healthy eating changes as patients. Spouses in the control group attended educational classes with patients. It was theorized that “two persons would be better than one” at making changes and sticking with them long-term. Physical activity behavior was measured using the Actiheart accelerometer; the activity biomarker was an exercise tolerance test. Eating behavior was measured using 3-day food records; the biomarker was the lipid profile. Data were collected at baseline (entrance in CR), 3-months (post-CR), and 6-months. Changes over time were examined using Mann-Whitney U statistics and effect sizes. Results—The PaTH intervention was successful primarily in demonstrating improved trends in healthy eating behavior for patients and spouses. No differences were found between the PaTH and UC patients or spouses at 3 or 6 months in the number of minutes/week of physical activity. By 6 months, patients in both groups were, on average, below the national guidelines for PA recommendations (≥ 150 min/week at \u3e 3 METs). Conclusions—The couple-focused PaTH intervention demonstrated promise in offsetting the decline in dietary adherence typically seen 6 months after CR