Resources for use with reflection or learning journals

The material includes instructions for exercises on the depth and quality of reflection, a generic framework for reflective writing and an exercise on starting with reflective learning, and improving its depth and quality

The having-been-ness and the being-in-the-world of twin survivors : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Nursing at Massey University

This study uses Heideggerian interpretive phenomenology to examine the experience of being a twin, then being a twin survivor in the world. Heidegger's terminology is selectively used to shape the interpretation of the twins' narratives. The phenomenological method focuses on participant descriptions of their everyday life; there are no conclusions and no scientific results. While there have been many scientific studies using twins as subjects, there seems to be very few published studies using twin narrative. Every participant wished to be part of this study because they felt that it might help others in similar situations. They described their life as a twin, their reaction to the death of their co-twin, and the intense loneliness that they have felt ever since. In describing their experiences, they have managed to portray a picture of twinship seldom made so explicit. The intense reliance on each other that results from living together closely since conception, has a particular impact on their being-in-the-world. Many of those interviewed felt that half of them had gone forever after the death of their twin, and struggled to develop their own sense of identity as a lone twin. As survivors, the participants now view the world differently, and although others may see them as a singleton, they will always remain a twin

Palliative Care and Dementia

This paper was commissioned by Alzheimer's Australia to promote discussion by people with dementia, their families and carers of the issues that may be faced as people with terminal dementia move towards death. A palliative care approach will also be appropriate when a person with dementia has another terminal condition

The Tilting Theory of Contraction Algebras

To every minimal model of a complete local isolated cDV singularity Donovan--Wemyss associate a finite dimensional symmetric algebra known as the contraction algebra. We construct the first known standard derived equivalences between these algebras and then use the structure of an associated hyperplane arrangement to control the compositions, obtaining a faithful group action on the bounded derived category. Further, we determine precisely those standard equivalences which are induced by two-term tilting complexes and show that any standard equivalence between contraction algebras (up to algebra isomorphism) can be viewed as the composition of our constructed functors. Thus, for a contraction algebra, we obtain a complete picture of its derived equivalence class and, in particular, of its derived autoequivalence group.Comment: 36 pages, proof of Lemma 4.11 corrected and other minor change

The shape of things to come: visions for the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research

This paper presents the results of a project that considered how research might best contribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing in the year 2030. Executive summary In late 2012, the Lowitja Institute embarked on a project using ‘futures thinking’ to consider how research might best contribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing in the year 2030. The project was motivated by a desire to ‘get ahead of the game’: to anticipate and prepare for the potential research demands of the future. In particular, there was a desire to ‘close the gap’ between the point at which important research needs are identified by policy makers or service providers, and when research findings can be delivered. To think about the research needs of the future, it was necessary to first imagine what life might be like in 2030. What might Australia be like then, and the world? And what might the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people be? Workshops were held around the country to consider issues and trends visible in the current landscape, and how these might play out to influence life in 2030. A range of possible scenarios emerged, clustering around two divergent futures: an inclusive, vibrant Australia in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are valued and embraced as central to the Australian identity; or an Australia in which economic and/or spiritual poverty drive a rejection of diversity and increase the divide between rich and poor. Participants then grappled with the question: If this (or that) scenario occurs, then what will be needed from research? By thinking about the range of possible scenarios for life in 2030, what capabilities are required to deliver the research that will be needed to address emerging issues and create a healthy future? The inspirational and empowering answer—perhaps not surprisingly—was not simply a list of research topics. Instead, participants articulated a strong and widely shared desire for a profoundly different system of research. A vision emerged of a research system in which research and practice are closely interwoven and which would enable greater integration of health services, policy and research. Such a system would be responsive to changing research demands, but also to changing social, economic, technological and knowledge landscapes. Specific research capabilities were also identified. An urgent necessity to actively address the social determinants of health was articulated in every workshop, along with a growing sense that the health and health research sectors may need to play a facilitating role, inviting other sectors—such as education, justice, local government—to collaborate and maximise the impact of their collective efforts to bring about change. A need for more evidence and evaluation around early childhood development programs (social as well as physical development) was seen as a priority for the immediate future. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and health research sectors have played a pioneering role in the reform of research in Australia. The strength of vision articulated by participants in this project, and the desire to see that vision become a reality, suggests the sector will succeed in its drive toward a vision of a more effective research system