The role of higher education in social and cultural transformation

This paper forms one of the contributions to CHERI's research report 'Higher education and society'. It reports on one of the centre's ESRC-funded research projects - Higher Education and Regional Transformation

Cross-border knowledge transfer and innovation in the European neighbourhood: Tourism cooperation at the Finnish-Russian border

Knowledge transfer and innovation cooperation between the EU and its neighbours has remained weakly developed. To promote this cooperation, the EU has set up initiatives for the European neighbourhood. The issue has, however, received very limited scholarly attention in the field of tourism. This research gap is addressed here via interview data collected from participants in tourism related EU-funded projects in the Finnish-Russian cross-border region. These underline the importance of EU-funding in facilitating knowledge transfer and innovation between Finland and Russia. While language issues, and differences in business culture and administrative/legislative systems between the two countries, constitute barriers for practical cross-border cooperation, it is cross-border differences in culture and technological capabilities that drive cross-border knowledge transfer and innovation in the cross-border region. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for promoting future cross-border cooperation in innovation and tourism

Science and Technology Cooperation in Cross-border Regions::A Proximity Approach with Evidence for Northern Europe

Given the sheer number of cross-border regions (CBRs) within the EU, their socio-economic importance has been recognized both by policy-makers and academics. Recently, the novel concept of cross-border regional innovation system has been introduced to guide the assessment of integration processes in CBRs. A central focus of this concept is set on analyzing the impact of varying types of proximity (cognitive, technological, etc.) on cross-border cooperation. Previous empirical applications of the concept have, however, relied on individual case studies and varying methodologies, thus complicating and constraining comparisons between different CBRs. Here a broader view is provided by comparing 28 Northern European CBRs. The empirical analysis utilizes economic, science and technology (S&T) statistics to construct proximity indicators and measures S&T integration in the context of cross-border cooperation. The findings from descriptive statistics and exploratory count data regressions show that technological and cognitive proximity measures are significantly related to S&T cooperation activities (cross-border co-publications and co-patents). Taken together, our empirical approach underlines the feasibility of utilizing the proximity approach for comparative analyses in CBR settings

Cognitive behaviour therapy for health anxiety

Commentary on: Clinical and cost-effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy for health anxiety in medical patients (Tyrer et al THE LANCET-D-13-04564R2

Border region studies:The structure of an ‘offbeat’ field of regional studies

The contemporary conditions of academic capitalism exert pressures on researchers to avoid ‘peripheral’ journals and ‘unfashionable’ topics. This paper sheds a light onto the structure of one such ‘offbeat’ field, namely ‘border region studies’, by discussing its geographical distribution, key themes, significance and impact. The review suggests that border region studies can be considered a significant and important ‘branch’ of regional studies, which accounts for a small but increasing proportion of regional studies research, particularly in Europe and North America. Four main distinct, but interconnected, research themes are discussed: cooperation, development, governance and mobility. Based on the review, potential directions for further research are proposed and the implications of valuing research based almost solely on journal rankings is scrutinized

Smoke signals: An investigation of anti-smoking communication within marginalised communities within the health system. An outline research proposal

Purpose: This paper outlines a case for investigation of why current anti-smoking advertising and promotional messaging is not having positive effects amongst smokers within the health system who are marginalised and experience mental illness. Design/methodology/approach: It is proposed that a case study approach be adopted using qualitative research amongst respondents from within the Brisbane Health system, using a semi-structured questionnaire with appropriate communication stimuli. Originality/value: Previous research demonstrates anti-smoking messaging is having effects on smoking cessation amongst the general population. However, smokers who are marginalised within the health system appear not to be responding to health warnings and anti-smoking advertising messaging. No research is available on why current anti-smoking messaging is having minimal resonance and effects amongst this group. This qualitative study will offer opportunities for leadership and application of best practice communication in helping people make a truly informed choice about tobacco

Conversion of CAFO Manure into a Slow-Release Fertilizer

Alginate polymer is known to form gel through the process of Ionotropic gelation. By use of extrusion and diffusion setting manure was encapsulated into gel beads. These beads were then tested to determine their potential for further testing as a manure treatment process. From the limited data in this preliminary study, it appears as though there is potential for further testing of alginate beads as a treatment process for manure. The treatment is potentially valuable because of the ease of filtration of the alginate beads, the low cost of transportation of the dehydrated beads, and because the limited data suggests that both the hydrated and dehydrated beads potentially bind and release ammonia. It is possible that this treatment process could be combined with other treatments known to capture ortho-phosphate and nitrate + nitrite to create a more effective fertilizer product. More testing should be done in order to have a better understanding of the release rates and repeatability, as well as the effectiveness of combined treatment methods

Reducing smoking in Australia: How to include aboriginal and torres strait islander people

© 2019 by the author(s). Australia has succeeded in lowering the overall prevalence of tobacco smoking in the last four decades and has enjoyed a worldwide reputation for innovative policy. However, this success has not extended to Indigenous Australians. Using a narrative review and critique of literature from government, public health, health promotion, marketing and communication on smoking cessation in Australia, we first consider the history of government anti-smoking measures including legislation and communication initiatives including advertising and sponsorship bans, health warnings and ‘no smoking’ rules affecting anti-smoking norms, culminating in the banning of branding and the advent of tobacco plain packaging. We also review the effects of excise increases and smoking cessation aids such as quit lines and nicotine replacement therapy. For each type of intervention, both population-wide and those specifically directed at Indigenous people, we consider the probable reasons for the failure to reach Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people or alter their smoking patterns, and make suggestions for improvements in interventions and their evaluation. We conclude that the history of anti-smoking initiatives in Australia suggests that community-based health initiatives are likely to be more effective in addressing Indigenous people and helping smokers to quit