Recent Submissions

  • Engaging with UK Chinese communities about dementia

    LIM, Jennifer NW; Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK (Hawker Publications Ltd., 2023-10-01)
    Talking about “brain health” rather than “cognitive deterioration” may be a better way to initiate conversations about dementia in communities where the terms used to describe dementia are highly stigmatising. Jennifer Lim describes how she implemented the Chinese Think Brain Health Project to increase understanding of dementia and brain health among Chinese communities in the UK.
  • Innovation from necessity: digital technologies, teacher development and reciprocity with organisational innovation

    Scott, Howard; Smith, Matt (Taylor & Francis, 2024-01-21)
    This paper outlines how digital technologies support innovation in teaching and learning the English language across Palestinian Higher Education Institutes. A European project collaborated to build staff capacity in knowledge and skills, shown here through the redesign of curricula, pedagogical training, the design and implementation of interactive textbooks, the creation of language labs, helping to develop expertise in creating and utilising Open Educational Resources (OER) and significantly, the development of individual agency as a form of OER. In this paper, we draw on three years of data to present a model for teacher innovation showing how digital innovation is firstly personal at a practitioner level and shaped by need, before becoming driven by collaboration at an organisational level with like-minded colleagues. Shared practice at this level can lead to community discourse through practitioner networks, which in turn can lead to dialogue initiating instances of organisational change. This resonates with literature which shows innovation has three outcomes: originality (practitioner-based agency); scale (going beyond the site of creation) and value (how this produces benefits for others). We perceive that the resulting capacity-building extends beyond the redesign of curricula mentioned to professional enrichment, collegiality through cascading innovation to other areas, and enhanced practitioner agency.
  • “Our identity is our dignity”: digital transformations: Palestinian aspirations, idealism, reality and pragmatism

    Scott, Howard; Ujvari, Montaser Motia; Smith, Matt (UNISA Press, 2024-03-15)
    This article reports on a collaborative project for the digital innovation of language teaching in Palestine, and it argues for the necessity of mobile learning to circumvent disruption created by the Israeli occupation causing challenges that result in marginalisation and disenfranchisement of opportunity. This partly occurs through the oppression of a sovereign curriculum that supports Palestinian self-determination. This oppression is against both the United Nations Development Goals protected rights for education and the Palestinian Ministry’s vision for a society with an education sector that embraces the use of technology to invigorate the value of its culture, produce knowledge and promote emancipation. The article proposes the integration of digital technologies with student-centred learning to enhance and support transformation through three main elements: 1. Digital competence to develop confidence and agency in teachers; 2. Continuous teacher learning to develop autonomy and collaboration within organisations; 3. Problem-solving competencies, which can result in continuous improvement loops and local solutions to barriers. This article will resonate with those recognising the need for critical theory to challenge policy and practice where it deepens disadvantage. It draws upon the voices of 20 teachers from four higher education institutions in Palestine, who reflect on the barriers to innovation and a reclaiming of educational terrain.
  • Effectiveness of the Walking in ScHools (WISH) Study, a peer-led walking intervention for adolescent girls: results of a cluster randomised controlled trial

    Murphy, Marie H.; O'Kane, S. Maria; Carlin, Angela; Lahart, Ian; Doherty, Leanne C.; Jago, Russell; McDermott, Gary; Faulkner, Maria; Gallagher, Alison M.; Centre for Exercise Medicine, Physical Activity and Health, Sports and Exercise Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Belfast, BT15 1ED, UK. (BMC, 2024-02-19)
    Background: Most adolescent girls fail to meet current physical activity guidelines. Physical activity behaviours track from childhood into adulthood and providing adolescent girls with opportunities to be physically active may have health benefits beyond childhood. The effects of walking interventions on adult cardiometabolic health are known, however less is understood about the potential of walking to promote physical activity in adolescents. Following the Walking In ScHools (WISH) feasibility study, this definitive trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel, low-cost, school-based walking intervention at increasing physical activity levels of adolescent girls (aged 12–14 years). Methods: Female pupils were recruited from eighteen schools across the border region of Ireland and in Northern Ireland. In intervention schools (n = 9), girls aged 15–18 years, were trained as walk leaders, and led the younger pupils in 10–15 min walks before school, at break and lunch recess. All walks took place in school grounds and pupils were encouraged to participate in as many walks as possible each week. The primary outcome measure was accelerometer determined total physical activity (counts per minutes, cpm). Results: In total, 589 pupils were recruited to the study. At baseline, pupils engaged in a median (interquartile range (IQR)) 35.7 (21.2) mins moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day and only 12% (n = 66) of participants met physical activity guidelines (60 min MVPA per day). The intervention was delivered for a mean (standard deviation (SD)) 19.9 ± 0.97 weeks. The mean post-intervention total physical activity for the intervention group was 676 cpm and 710 cpm in the control group. Post-intervention total physical activity did not statistically differ between groups when adjusted for age, body mass index z-scores and baseline physical activity (mean difference, -33.5, 95% CI = -21.2 to 88.1; p = 0.213). Conclusions: ‘Scaling-up’ physical activity interventions is challenging and despite a promising feasibility study, the results of this fully powered trial suggest that in this context, the WISH intervention did not increase device measured physical activity. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, school environments have changed and although pupils enjoyed the programme, attendance at walks was low, indicating that there is a need to better understand how to implement interventions within schools. Trial registration: ISRCTN; ISRCTN12847782; Registered 2nd July 2019.
  • Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) circulating levels and gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

    Leca, Bianca M.; Kite, Chris; Lagojda, Lukasz; Davasgaium, Allan; Dallaway, Alexander; Chatha, Kamaljit Kaur; Randeva, Harpal S.; Kyrou, Ioannis (Frontiers Media, 2024-03-12)
    Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a prevalent condition where diabetes is diagnosed during pregnancy, affecting both maternal and fetal outcomes. Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is a circulating adipokine which belongs to the lipocalin family and acts as a specific carrier protein that delivers retinol (vitamin A) from the liver to the peripheral tissues. Growing data indicate that circulating RBP4 levels may positively correlate with GDM. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the potential relationship between circulating RBP4 levels and GDM when measured at various stages of pregnancy. Methods: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMCARE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify studies comparing pregnant women with and without GDM, whose circulating RBP4 levels were measured in at least one pregnancy trimester. Findings were reported using standardized mean difference (SMD) and random-effects models were used to account for variability among studies. Furthermore, the risk of bias was assessed using the RoBANS tool. Results: Out of the 34 studies identified, 32 were included in the meta-analysis (seven with circulating RBP4 levels measured in the first trimester, 19 at 24–28 weeks, and 14 at >28 weeks of pregnancy). RBP4 levels were statistically higher in the GDM group than in controls when measured during all these pregnancy stages, with the noted RBP4 SMD being 0.322 in the first trimester (95% CI: 0.126–0.517; p < 0.001; 946 GDM cases vs. 1701 non-GDM controls); 0.628 at 24–28 weeks of gestation (95% CI: 0.290–0.966; p < 0.001; 1776 GDM cases vs. 1942 controls); and 0.875 at >28 weeks of gestation (95% CI: 0.252–1.498; p = 0.006; 870 GDM cases vs. 1942 non-GDM controls). Significant study heterogeneity was noted for all three pregnancy timepoints. Conclusion: The present findings indicate consistently higher circulating RBP4 levels in GDM cases compared to non-GDM controls, suggesting the potential relevance of RBP4 as a biomarker for GDM. However, the documented substantial study heterogeneity, alongside imprecision in effect estimates, underscores the need for further research and standardization of measurement methods to elucidate whether RBP4 can be utilized in clinical practice as a potential GDM biomarker. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO (CRD42022340097: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022340097).
  • The opportunities, challenges, and rewards of "community peer research": reflections on research practice

    Rees, James; Caulfield, Laura; Booth, Jane; Kanjilal, Mahuya; Sojka, Bozena; Spicksley, Kathryn; Blamire, Joshua; Arnull, Elaine (SAGE, 2024-03-18)
    This article shares reflections from a group of academic researchers at the same University on their experience of conducting “community peer research” projects involving nonacademics in social research. We review a range of literature that has influenced the development of our practice, stressing the importance of co-production and power relations. We present six case studies that represent the breadth of our different engagements with community peer research, and then go on to reflect on the challenges and benefits of this approach. We identify a number of practical challenges, ways in which we overcame them, and in particular stress the importance of providing well-designed training for community peer researchers. We conclude with some recommendations for other researchers looking to conduct similar research.
  • Safer Street 4: Violence against women and girls and the night-time economy in Telford and Wrekin

    Arnull, Elaine; Kanjilal, Mahuya; Khasteganan, Nazanin (University of Wolverhampton, 2024-03-13)
  • Sibling and peer bullying victimization in adolescence: Masculinity, femininity, and the moderating role of sex and popularity

    Gaunt, Lily; Guy, Alexa; Wolke, Dieter; Lee, Kirsty (Wiley, 2024-01-30)
    Introduction We investigated whether gender-typed traits (masculinity and femininity) contemporaneously predicted self-reported peer victimization, peer-reported peer victimization, and sibling victimization. We also tested the moderating role of sex and popularity. Methods A sample of 2782 British pupils aged 11–16 from Central England, UK was screened for bullying involvement and popularity using self-report and peer nominations, and a subsample of 704 (52.7% girls) completed a measure of gender-typed traits (masculinity and femininity). Results Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that low levels of masculine traits were associated with greater risk of self-reported peer victimization, there were no associations with peer-reported peer victimization, and low levels of feminine traits were associated with greater risk of self-reported sibling victimization. The effects were not moderated by sex, while popularity decreased the risk of self- and peer-reported peer victimization. Conclusions Bullying prevention interventions could benefit from including the positive facets of feminine and masculine traits.
  • Conspiracy theory beliefs in the adolescent population: A systematic review

    Byrne, Anthony; Martin, David; Jones, Claire; Galbraith, Niall; Mercer, Tom (Wiley, 2024-03-13)
    Introduction While the study of conspiracy theory beliefs is a relatively new research area, there has been a rise in academic interest in recent years. The literature provides evidence of relationships between conspiracy theory beliefs and a range of factors, but the vast majority of studies are limited to adult samples, and it is unclear how such beliefs present in adolescence. Methods The systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA-S format. Relevant databases were searched up to February 23, 2023, for quantitative studies related to adolescent conspiracy theory beliefs. Results The six included articles show that conspiracy theory beliefs are present from the start of adolescence, and stable from age 14 upwards, with correlations reported for mistrust and paranoid thinking. Negative relationships were reported for cognitive factors such as ontological confusion, cognitive ability, and actively open-minded thinking. Health-related beliefs correlated with adverse childhood experiences, peer problems, conduct, and sociodemographic factors. Right-wing authoritarianism and anxiety positively correlated with intergroup conspiracy theory beliefs. Conclusion While some factors from adult studies are replicated in the review, there are differences between age groups. The age at which conspiracy theory beliefs begin to form indicate developmental aspects of adolescence, and possibly childhood, that require further examination. Cognitive factors show promise for interventions and should be explored further. However, the lack of studies using adolescent populations is an issue that must be resolved for a greater understanding of conspiracy theory beliefs and a move toward effective interventions.
  • Housing support services and the strengths-based approach: service-user and staff perspectives

    Sochos, Antigonos; Smith, Sue (Taylor & Francis, 2023-12-22)
    This study aimed to identify main themes in the accounts of individuals encountering homelessness and staff who supported them, in a low-income South-East England town. It explored whether such themes were compatible with the adoption of a strengths-based approach by the local homelessness services. Thirty-one individuals in temporary accommodation and 19 staff were interviewed using a semi-structured schedule. Thematic analysis of the service user accounts identified five themes—Challenging Backgrounds, Effective Provision, Room for Improvement, Strengths, and Aspirations. An equal number of themes emerged from the thematic analysis of the staff interviews—Focus on Trauma and Mental Health, Service User Variability, Service User Involvement, Hard-Working Staff, and Improving Material Conditions. Both sets of narratives supported the adoption of a strengths-based approach by the local services, as they emphasized service user competencies, the importance of co-production, and the necessity to consider context in understanding the experience of homelessness. Including a range of stakeholders, future research needs to follow-up these services after they fully adopt a strengths-based approach.
  • Dietary restraint and emotional eating among elite/international combat sport athletes

    Barker, Laura; Ruiz, Montse C.; Nevill, Alan M.; Cloak, Ross; Lane, Andrew; Devonport, Tracey (Taylor & Francis, 2024-01-31)
    In one-on-one combat sport, weight classifications are enforced to promote fair fights and minimise injury risk. Most combat sport athletes try to fight at weight much lower than their natural weight necessitating use of weight loss strategies including restrained eating prior to competition. Previous research indicates that individuals self-reporting as high in dietary restraint also self-report a higher desire to emotionally eat, which if acted upon would compromise weight management goals. This mixed-methods exploratory study examined associations between dietary restraint and emotional eating among elite/international combat sport athletes. Nineteen elite/international competitors in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts completed the emotional eating scale, a revised restraint scale, and a rapid weight loss questionnaire. A subsample of six participants then completed individual interviews to explore emotional eating, particularly during the lead-up to and post-competition. Quantitative findings via non-parametric tests found high scores in restrained eating associated with a greater urge to emotionally eat. Qualitative findings via content analysis of interview data identified three themes that helped understand this association, ‘emotions eliciting an urge to eat’, ‘outcomes of emotional eating’, and ‘resisting emotional eating’. Participants described a cycle of restrained eating pre-competition followed by an increased tendency toward emotional eating post-competition, with the extent of emotional eating influenced by the degree of restrained eating required and competition outcomes.
  • Understanding the experiences of post-diagnostic dementia support for South Asians living in England: the need for co-production

    Jutlla, Karan; Arblaster, Kielan (Opast Publishing Group, 2023-04-19)
    Background: The increase in the numbers of South Asians in the United Kingdom (UK) is likely to lead to an increased need for dementia services yet; they are currently under-represented in dementia services. Furthermore, little is known about the prevalence, experience and treatment of dementia in the UK South Asian population, including their experiences of post-diagnostic support. Consequently, a project was commissioned by Alzheimer’s Society in the UK to gather insight into the experiences of post-diagnostic dementia support for the South Asian community in England to identify whether their post-diagnostic support needs were being met and what they needed from post-diagnostic support services. Methodology/Methods: As this project sought to understand experiences, a qualitative case-study approach was adopted. Twelve South Asian carers of a person with dementia and one South Asian person living with dementia took part in an on-line in-depth, topic-guided conversation. All conversations were audio recorded with consent and analysed using a thematic analysis. Findings: Analysis revealed that the South Asian community are doubly affected by dementia in relation to post-diagnostic support because 1) they received very little post-diagnostic support and 2) even when they did, it wasn’t culturally appropriate and therefore ineffective. Essentially, the lack of culturally inclusive care compounds the lack of access further. Consequently, people discussed current gaps in service provision, making recommendations that will result in better support, and more positive experiences for South Asians when diagnosed with dementia in England. In order to achieve this, South Asians in need of dementia support should be involved in the planning, development and delivery of post-diagnostic support services. Conclusions: This paper discusses findings that highlight the importance and benefits of co-production whereby people who use services and carers work with professionals in equal partnerships towards shared goals.
  • ‘I’m not the same person now’: The psychological implications of online contact risk experiences for adults with intellectual disabilities

    Clements, Fiona; Chadwick, Darren; Orchard, Lisa (SAGE, 2023-12-22)
    Understanding online risk for adults with intellectual disabilities is important to improve digital inclusion in society. Perceptions of online risk can determine behaviours that obstruct or facilitate Internet access and use. This current study aimed to qualitatively investigate the psychological implications of online victimisation risks, including online negative comments and/or messages for adults with intellectual disabilities, as a novel area yet explored in-depth. Semi-structured interview data was collected remotely. Template analysis found there to be both negative and positive psychological implications experienced in response to online risks. Specifically, participants reported a wide range of negative emotions but also positive growth in the form of learning from the experience and increased confidence. The attribution of blame process in cybervictimisation can involve both blaming the perpetrator but also internalised victim-blaming which may be a consequence of the type of online risk (i.e. sexual risks). Implications for both practice and research are suggested.
  • Dementia: a call for a paradigm shift in pre-registration nurse education

    Tuffour, Isaac; Ganga, Griffin (Cambridge University Press, 2023-12-04)
    Dementia is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behaviour. It is a major global public health concern, with an estimated 55 million people worldwide living with the condition. In the UK there is an estimated 944,000 people with dementia. This number is expected to double by 2050. Dementia is a major cause of disability and dependency, and it places a significant burden on families and carers. The current level of dementia education in pre-registration nursing programmes in the UK is inadequate. There are no pre-registration nursing educational programmes that offer dementia as a speciality. This is a major concern, as nurses are the primary providers of care to people with dementia. This paper argues that dementia should be established as a branch of pre-registration nursing education that leads to a Registered Nurse (RN) – Dementia. This could help to address the shortage of specialist dementia nurses in the country. This article provides an important suggestion for countries with a shortage of specialist dementia nurses to consider establishing a stand-alone pre-registration branch of dementia nurse education. This would result in a more specialised workforce with the skills and knowledge to provide high-quality care to people with dementia.
  • Can culinary capital be (re) produced in school?

    Lalli, Gurpinder Singh (Taylor & Francis, 2023-08-21)
    Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, the paper draws on conceptions of culinary capital and socialisation to explore children’s experiences of mealtime in one academy school. In this paper, the author argues how ‘healthy eating’ interventions have led to the neglect of the social significance of dining together. The paper highlights how children’s culinary capital is reproduced in schools, whilst recognising the rising tensions between how eating spaces designed for children become consumed by adults. The findings from the study outline the growing power relationships in relation to school food spaces.
  • Doing qualitative research: Methodological reflections on researching teachers work

    Jayantilal, Kumar; Lalli, Gurpinder Singh (Wiley, 2023-09-18)
    Reflexive commitments tend to be lacking, particularly from the perspective of early career scholars. This is particularly true in relation to published research, but evident in doctoral studies exploring teachers work. Using principles of phenomenological reflexivity, this methodological paper explores the critical incidents that have come to shape a qualitative, ethnographical case study before entering the field. Key findings highlight four implications for novice researchers: an engagement with critical independent reflection, critical friendship, skills development through academic modules and reflexive reading, and communities of practice. The paper calls for continued attention to the methodological framing of research, particularly during and after entering the field.
  • ‘Why are they making us rush?’ The school dining hall as surveillance mechanism, social learning, or child’s space?

    Lalli, Gurpinder Singh; Weaver-Hightower, Marcus B. (Taylor & Francis, 2023-11-07)
    School mealtimes, for many schools, are characterized by behavioural difficulties, a problematic time of day requiring much attention and resources. Yet for many school food reformers, those wanting food environments to be educative and pleasant, strict behavioural interventions are contrary to the ideals of social learning. This paper presents an ethnographic case study of Peartree Academy, an all-through academy school in England, to explore how school personnel used the dining hall simultaneously as a community space and as surveillance mechanism. We deliberate on causes and variations of how this manifests. A Foucauldian lens, viewing dining space as ‘heterotopia’ and ‘heterochronies’ [Foucault, M. 1986. “‘Of Other Spaces.” Translated by J. Miskowiec. Diacritics 16 (1): 22. https://doi.org/10.2307/464648], highlights tensions that shape the everyday for both students and staff in the school. As counter-spaces used differently by administrators, pupils, and food reformers, we show how rules and regulations imposed by staff work against the original intentions to develop the dining hall into a community forum in which children develop positive eating behaviours and good citizenship. The children became subjected to power relations through which bodies became docile or resistant, with less opportunity for social learning. True progressive food reform thus requires, ultimately, deeply understanding and negotiating the multiple, overlapping functions of dining spaces.
  • Culinary capital and conceptualisations of school mealtime

    Lalli, Gurpinder Singh; Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK (Wiley-Blackwell, 2023-12-11)
    This paper presents ethnographic work conducted to investigate how notions of culinary capital have the potential to shape the everyday experiences of children during mealtime in school. Children’s early experiences with mealtimes and food are critical determinants for eating behaviour over the life course. The paper presents an account of conceptual debates based on longstanding ethnographic work on school food with a particular focus on a case study of Maple Field Academy to frame the research. Research methods used included semi-structured interviews, fieldnotes and photographs with the aim of capturing a rich picture of the school. This paper introduces Laird’s (1985) sensory theory to frame the discussion. This research calls for the need to recognize the social good that can be realized from participating in mealtimes and school is a microcosm of society, which means it can function as a driver for social change. The paper calls for more engagement with social theorising on studies which focus on researching food in school.
  • Effects of a transoceanic rowing challenge on cardiorespiratory function and muscle fitness

    Ellis, Chris; Ingram, Thomas; Kite, Chris; Taylor, Sue; Howard, Liz; Pike, Joanna; Lee, Eveline; Buckley, John (Thieme, 2024-02-24)
    Ultra-endurance sports and exercise events are becoming increasingly popular for older age groups. We aimed to evaluate changes in cardiac function and physical fitness in males aged 50-60 years who completed a 50-day transoceanic rowing challenge. This case account of four self-selected males included electro- and echo-cardiography (ECG, echo), cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness measures recorded nine-months prior to and three weeks after a transatlantic team-rowing challenge. No clinically significant changes to myocardial function were found over the course of the study. The training and race created expected functional changes to left ventricular and atrial function; the former associated with training, the latter likely due to dehydration, both resolving towards baseline within three weeks post-event. From race-start to finish all rowers lost 8.4-15.6 kg of body mass. Absolute cardiorespiratory power and muscular strength were lower three weeks post-race compared to pre-race, but cardiorespiratory exercise economy improved in this same period. A structured programme of moderate-vigorous aerobic endurance and muscular training for &gt;6 months, followed by 50-days of transoceanic rowing in older males proved not to cause any observable acute or potential long-term risks to cardiovascular health. Pre-event screening, fitness testing, and appropriate training is recommended, especially in older participants where age itself is an increasingly significant risk factor.
  • Theoretically rich design thinking: blended approaches for educational technology workshops

    Scott, Howard (New Millennium Discoveries, 2023-10-16)
    This paper is a reflective account that outlines the design of two Continual Professional Development (CPD) workshop sessions based on a blend of theory for design thinking about aspects of curriculum, pedagogy and technology. The theoretical approach blended aspects of design-based research, speculative design, Activity Theory and subtractive change to address issues, barriers and explore opportunities in each workshop example that is presented. The first of these workshops brought university engineering lecturers together to explore the opportunities and barriers for integrating ‘co-creation’ as a pedagogical strategy to subject teaching alongside a new interface into their curriculum. The results show how design thinking exposes limitations and challenges that prevent the realisation of pedagogically rich interventions. The second workshop brought together post-compulsory vocational lecturers to a teacher education workshop and used the same theoretical reference points to inform and antagonise the implications that Large Language Models, such as Chat GPT, present to subject knowledge, curriculum design and modes of assessment. Here these theoretically rich forms are proposed for planning use in learning design and for reshaping curricula, where academics and other professionals supporting teaching and learning may want to introduce new technologies and integrate innovative pedagogical methods or confront new challenges to their work. They may also be used as continual professional development sessions in highly participatory, practical and creative ways that allow for lucid experimentation and to imbue professionals with agency and trust.

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