Social gatekeepers and racial equality strategies in social housing

This thesis theorises processes of change through an examination of formal and informal race equality strategies within a housing association. The literature review evaluates paradigms which seek to explain the differential housing experiences of minority ethnic and white communities. A revised model of structuration theory focusing clearly upon particular features of the housing process, such as the continuing potential of social gatekeepers to shape life chances, is proposed to advance the debate. The review of studies of the housing association movement notes that an implementation gap continues to prevent effective race equality performance despite improvements in paper policies. Whilst Niner argues that associations have had greater freedom from regulatory control than local authorities, the potential to appropriate discretionary opportunities at junior levels of the hierarchy is underplayed within organisational change literature. Primary research based upon participant observation supports the hypothesis that an 'organisational power vacuum' can create an 'opportunity space' for 'change activists' to achieve their own policy objectives without formal organisational support, as well as exercising practitioner discretion. The opportunity space represents the conscious or unconscious withdrawal of hierarchical control from an organisational area. Formal initiatives subsequently introduced at 'Byrds' Housing Association presented more overt opportunities and constraints to change activists. The absence of consistent policy ownership amongst senior gatekeepers, the completion of specialist workplans and the superficial incorporation of equal opportunities within generic work led to a degree of 'static reassertion', a reversion to historic practices and perhaps new barriers to formal and informal change following a period of innovation. Nevertheless the organisational power vacuum paradigm affirms the potential for relatively junior employees to achieve corporate change. As a model for the exploitation of opportunity space it should be criticised, evaluated and amended to provide further tools for understanding and implementing radical equal opportunities change within diverse organisations

Politics, Police, Past and Present: Larry Kramer\u27s \u3cem\u3eThe People Themselves\u3c/em\u3e

This article addresses aspects of the debate over Larry Kramer\u27s The People Themselves and, more generally, current interest in popular constitutionalism before engaging, briefly, with the book itself. Because I find Kramer\u27s book in general terms unexceptionable I see no particular reason to engage in the kind of lengthy critical assessment undertaken by those scholars whose disagreements with the book are pronounced. Instead I focus on three sites that the book traverses that I consider sites of missed opportunity. They are, first, the question of the people and the Constitution; second, the people and politics; third, the question of police and law. I conclude with some thoughts on Kramer\u27s resort to history—the question of past and present

Insulin Solution Stability and Biocompatibility with Materials Used for an Implantable Insulin Delivery Device Using Reverse Phase HPLC Methods

open access articleAbstract: Insulin (Humulin® R IU500) has been delivered from an implantable artificial pancreas in diabetic rats and pigs. The artificial pancreas which was implanted in the peritoneum was fabricated from several biocompatible materials such as polycarbonate, stainless steel, polyurethane, titanium and a polyurethane resin. The device also contains a glucose responsive smart gel which controls the di usion of insulin dependent on the surrounding glucose environment. As the insulin reservoir is refillable and in contact with the device materials, assessing its biocompatibility with these various device component materials was conducted. Insulin can undergo chemical degradation mainly via a deamidation reaction on glutamine and asparagine residues rendering its biological hormone functionality. Two Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) methods were developed and validated for detection of insulin and degradant Asn A21 desamido insulin (method A) and insulin and degradant Asn B3 desamido insulin (method B). Material biocompatibility studies show that stainless steel and titanium are suitable for an implantable insulin delivery device design over a 31-day period. The use of polycarbonate and polyurethane could be considered if the insulin reservoir in the device was only to remain in the device for less than 11 days after which time there is a loss in cresol which acts in a protective capacity for insulin stability

Politics, Police, Past and Present: Larry Kramer\u27s \u3cem\u3eThe People Themselves\u3c/em\u3e

This article addresses aspects of the debate over Larry Kramer\u27s The People Themselves and, more generally, current interest in popular constitutionalism before engaging, briefly, with the book itself. Because I find Kramer\u27s book in general terms unexceptionable I see no particular reason to engage in the kind of lengthy critical assessment undertaken by those scholars whose disagreements with the book are pronounced. Instead I focus on three sites that the book traverses that I consider sites of missed opportunity. They are, first, the question of the people and the Constitution; second, the people and politics; third, the question of police and law. I conclude with some thoughts on Kramer\u27s resort to history—the question of past and present

To Improve the State and Condition of Man: The Power to Police and the History of American Governance

Book review of Markus Dirk Dubber\u27s The Police Power: Patriarchy and the Foundations of American Governmen