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Item Open Access Book review: Mentoring for wellbeing in higher education(Emerald, 2026-02-03)Book review: Mentoring for wellbeing in higher education by Benjamin Kutsyuruba and Frances K.Kochan A Volume in Perspectives on Mentoring. Emerald Publishing Limited/Information Age Publishing, Inc.Charlotte, NC 2024ISBN 979-8-88730-850-0 (paperback) ISBN 979-8-88730-851-7 (hardcover) ISBN 979-8-88730-852-4 (eBook).Item Open Access An investigation into combating money laundering in banks and financial institutions in the city of London and British Overseas and Crown Dependent Territories(University of Wolverhampton, 2026)Money laundering continues to pose significant challenge for banks and financial institutions in the City of London and the British Overseas and Crown Dependent Territories. In this study, the phrase “City of London” is used as a euphemism for the broader UK financial sector and economy, rather than solely referring to the geographic “Square Mile.” This approach follows common usage in financial and legal scholarship, where the term functions as shorthand for the UK’s global financial hub and its interconnected institutions. Clarifying this usage at the outset avoids ambiguity and ensures that references throughout this work are interpreted in their wider economic and regulatory context. Despite rigorous compliance efforts and the implementation of international anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, financial crimes persist, exploiting regulatory gaps, jurisdictional complexities, and variations in enforcement intensity. These vulnerabilities are particularly acute in financial hubs and offshore centres, where the interplay between economic interests and regulatory oversight creates fertile ground for illicit financial flows. To deepen the comparative dimension of this study, I expanded my research to include the operational and regulatory approaches of AUSTRAC drawing on both secondary sources and an in-depth interview with its CEO, Brendan Thomas. This allowed for a detailed comparison between AUSTRAC’s strategies in combating money laundering and the approaches taken in the City of London and the British Overseas and Crown Dependent Territories. The comparative analysis highlights key differences in regulatory culture, enforcement priorities, technological adoption, and the integration of intelligenceled frameworks in detecting suspicious financial activity. This expanded scope underscores that while AUSTRAC operates within a single jurisdiction and leverages strong inter-agency cooperation, the City of London and its associated jurisdictions often contend with fragmented oversight and competing policy priorities. By examining AUSTRAC’s proactive data analytics, targeted industry engagement, and capacity to impose enforceable undertakings, this study identifies potential best practices that could be adapted to the UK context. Accordingly, this research aims to analyse the underlying causes of regulatory failure in these high-risk jurisdictions and to assess potential solutions for enhancing the effectiveness of AML measures. By focusing on the unique vulnerabilities present in the City of London, the British Overseas Territories and the Crown Dependencies—and contrasting these with AUSTRAC’s centralised and intelligence-driven model—this study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the challenges facing AML efforts. It also explores potential strategic regulatory reforms, including legislative enhancements, strengthened cross-border information sharing, and more dynamic enforcement mechanisms. Ultimately, it evaluates the role of possible legal reforms in fortifying existing AML strategies to address the persistent threat of the money laundering and related financial crimes.Item Open Access Intersectional perspectives of black women on boards: the illusion of inclusion(University of Wolverhampton, 2026)The chronic underrepresentation of Black women in senior leadership roles within United Kingdom organisations demonstrates long-standing systemic injustice and necessitates immediate scholarly attention. Despite the increased emphasis on diversity and inclusion, existing research has not adequately investigated the unique experiences and challenges faced by Black women leaders, particularly in the United Kingdom. This phenomenological study sought to close this gap by focusing on the lived experiences of Black women in high-level leadership positions and investigating the complex interplay of factors that influence their career journeys. Using intersectionality theory and Black feminist philosophy, this study explores the barriers these women face and the techniques they use to negotiate and dismantle these barriers. Through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 15 Black women executives from various sectors, this study investigated three primary research questions: (1). What factors determine the salience of specific identities in leadership contexts? (2). What obstacles arise at the intersection of Black women 's multiple identities in their quest for leadership? (3). How do sociocultural circumstances and power structures shape the leadership experiences of Black women? Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA)., this study identified six key themes: navigating the intersectional labyrinth, confronting structural barriers, cultivating resilience and authenticity, leveraging mentorship and sponsorship, driving systemic change, and redefining leadership paradigms. The findings starkly demonstrate the pervasiveness of the "concrete ceiling," the combined effects of racism and sexism that create strong barriers to progression. They also emphasised the significant emotional labour and psychological toll of negotiating these obstacles while attempting to lead authentically. Importantly, this study highlights the transformative power of Black women 's leadership, demonstrating how participants use their distinct perspectives to question inequitable norms, create inclusiveness, and drive innovation. The stories told by these extraordinary women are a powerful testament to their perseverance, strategic abilities, and steadfast dedication to creating positive change. Their stories serve as a wake-up call for organisations to address the deeply entrenched injustices that continue to impede the growth of Black women leaders. The findings of this study add to the growing body of intersectional leadership research and provide practical insights for creating more inclusive and equitable leadership landscapes in UK organisations and other countries. However, the study also stresses the collective duty of all stakeholders to remove systemic barriers and build a truly equitable ecosystem.Item Open Access Impact of oral iron dosing regimens on iron biomarkers during pregnancy: insights from the PANDA trial(American Society of Hematology/ Elsevier, 2026-06-29)Iron deficiency during pregnancy remains a global health burden, yet pregnancy-related physiological adaptations complicate the interpretation of iron biomarkers. Modified oral iron regimens are increasingly used to balance iron intake, absorption, and tolerability. This study evaluated the effects of daily, alternate-day, and 3-times-weekly oral iron supplementation on iron status biomarkers in nonanaemic pregnant participants. In the PANDA (Primary prevention of maternal Anemia to avoid preterm Delivery and other Adverse outcomes) dose-finding trial, nonanemic pregnant women were randomized to receive 200 mg of ferrous sulfate daily, on alternate days, or 3-times-weekly. Blood samples were collected at 9 to 13 and 26 to 30 weeks' gestation (N = 135 participants). Hepcidin and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and serum iron, ferritin, transferrin, and C-reactive protein using automated biochemistry. Linear mixed-effects models assessed within- and between-group biomarker changes. Hepcidin, ferritin, and transferrin saturation declined significantly between baseline and follow-up in all groups (P< .001). sTfR increased in the alternate-day (P = .003) and 3-times-weekly groups (P< .001), but not in the daily group (P = .084). Despite supplementation and maintenance of hemoglobin levels, 69% to 72% of women were iron deficient (ferritin <30 μg/L) at 26 to 30 weeks' gestation. Iron status declined across pregnancy regardless of supplementation regimen, suggesting physiological adaptations may dominate over dosing effects. The absence of a significant rise in sTfR in the daily group suggests that daily dosing best meets the iron demand of pregnancy, though confirmation in larger, adequately powered studies is required. This trial was registered at the UK trial registry as #ISRCTN12911644.Item Open Access Hypoxic training for judo: Practices, perceptions and education of judo athletes and performance staff(MDPI AG, 2026-06-26)Hypoxic training is widely used to enhance endurance performance, yet its application in combat sports such as judo is poorly understood. This study explored (1) hypoxic training practices, (2) perceptions, and (3) educational pathways among judo athletes and performance staff (coaches/practitioners). A total of 173 judo athletes and 39 performance staff completed an online questionnaire covering participant characteristics, hypoxic practices, education, and perceptions. Closed-ended responses were analysed using frequency statistics, and open-ended responses using thematic analysis. Hypoxic training was not widely used, with most respondents reporting no engagement. Among participants currently using hypoxic training, the primary aim was to enhance sea-level performance (13.7%), with limited use for altitude competition (8.5%). Natural altitude was the most common modality, with 7.1% respondents currently using it, typically at ≤1500 m. Only 20.8% of participants reported receiving or delivering education on hypoxic training. Perceptions were mixed, with 38.7% agreeing it benefits judo performance, although agreement was higher among performance staff than athletes. Thematic analysis identified perceived benefits (e.g., time-efficient fitness gains) and drawbacks (e.g., cost, access, and scheduling constraints). Hypoxic training is not a common practice in judo, but amongst some respondents it is perceived as potentially beneficial; these perceptions should not be interpreted as evidence of effectiveness. Its use is primarily oriented towards improving sea-level performance, and current knowledge appears largely informal. Greater sport-specific guidance and education may support more informed application in practice.
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