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This paper provides evidence gathered from two suites of non-formal science activities that were intended to increase engagement in science by culturally diverse groups. Both studies involved the delivery of science activities that were designed, implemented and evaluated to show culturally contextualised science. The activities were run in two very different contexts (urban and very rural areas) and were designed to be of relevance to two distinctive cultural groups (those with links to South Asia, and those being educated through the medium of Gaelic, an indigenous minority language in Scotland), while also actively engaging with those beyond the target group. The link between language identity and culture was incorporated into the design of both sets of activities as well as the qualitative evaluation. The latter considers how the participants' assessment of the interventions, implemented by writing or drawing on a blank postcard, was designed to provide unstructured responses and explores what the resulting data revealed about the impact of the interventions. The findings suggest that the set of activities that most strongly engaged participants on the value of diversity in the creation of scientific knowledge, as well as increasing their focus on the consequences of scientific activity, were those that facilitated a more exploratory approach to the subject matter. By contrast, activities that had to be done according to a standard scientific protocol produced growth in subject-specific knowledge. The present paper explores the principles of the inclusive pedagogies that informed the design of the activities and discusses how these were operationalised in two very contrasting cultural contexts. The key finding was that presenting science as social practice, rather than as being socially neutral, is key to promoting engagement, along with the benefits of explicitly demonstrating the relevance of science to participants' daily lives.

This paper challenges conventional narratives about the future of digital journalism. It argues that digital journalism is not a globally uniform practice with a predictable universal future. Instead, it has many possibility-futures owing to the cultural diversity of the news outlets that engage it and the contexts in which it is engaged. To develop that argument, the paper locates digital journalism as the latest waypoint in humankind's long quest to send messages ever farther and ever faster. Next, digital journalism is decentered through interdisciplinary theory into a novel framework for forecasting the futures of digital journalism as a diverse global phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This white paper is a conceptual summary of a think tank discussion sponsored by The Forum on Education Abroad. Following the traditional use of "white paper" as a call to action in specific contexts, this paper defines the contexts of programming for education abroad and for domestic diversity education and argues for an incorporation of their differing perspectives into the general category of intercultural learning. The result of the application would be that intercultural learning in education abroad would continue to expand its current emphasis on the developmental experience of contemporary global cultures to include more transformational experience of historical and political context, while domestic diversity education would expand its current focus on transformational experience of historically situated power inequities to include more developmental experience of contemporary domestic multicultural relations. Several illustrations of practical application of the ideas follow the call to action.

This paper explores how the concept of plurilingualism is positioned to act as an impetus for linguistic and cultural inclusion in human-rights-based language education. Drawing on frameworks foregrounding descriptors for plurilingualism and democratic citizenship, the paper employs discourse analysis and sorting techniques to identify and align strategies of linguistic and cultural inclusion found in multimodal plurilingual task artefacts collected from a multi-year, multi-site research partnership between a Canadian university and the Italian Ministry of Education. The findings reveal that the implementation of plurilingual tasks aligns with key elements of democratic, rights-based language education, including critical understanding of communication, openness to cultural otherness, cooperation skills, and the valuing of cultural diversity. The findings of this paper contribute to further understanding of the concept of plurilingualism and to empirically informed perspectives on pedagogies that support language rights as human rights in education.

The privilege walk is a pedagogical tool used to teach students about often-ignored aspects of privilege. Despite their popularity, privilege walks are under-examined in the scholarship of teaching and learning. This leaves open questions about the efficacy of the walk, and whether, and to what extent, the walk yields different results among students from different backgrounds. This paper critically examines the privilege walk by reflecting on our experience of teaching the walk and analyzing student learning reflections about the exercise. We draw on critical race theory to interpret our data and also to help introduce the concept of slippage. We use slippage as shorthand for systematic issues long described by critical race theorists, such as meritocracy, that are reframed as individual responsibilities. We conclude by discussing how educators might prioritize teaching about structural power by integrating ideas from critical race theory, and abandon intellectual traditions that center Whiteness or the individual.

This article responds to a conference call for papers that makes universalist assumptions about clause structures, assuming all languages in the world basically follow the same organizing principles in terms of clause structure, argument structure, and alignment. The article presents data from Tagalog to show how different a language can be from the assumed universal organizing principles to make the point that by imposing an Indo-European framework on non-Indo-European languages, we are overlooking the true diversity of language forms found in the world's languages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study comprehensively explores cogenerative dialogue in science education from a sociocultural perspective. Analyzing 120 papers and theses from January 2001 to December 2022 in Korean and English journals, we examine their objectives, themes, methods, learners, educational levels, participants, researcher roles, coteaching connections, and program durations. Our data analysis reveals growing diversity in cogenerative dialogue research objectives and subjects across countries. Consistent patterns emerge regarding researcher roles, participant groups, and program durations. This research offers insights into the evolving cogenerative dialogue landscape in science education, informing future investigations and highlighting trends in this field. The findings presented not only shed light on the current state of research but also provide direction for future investigations, highlighting trends and distinctive features in various facets of cogenerative dialogue-related studies. Specifically, we offer suggestions for the need for research in Korean science education contexts and more broadly in the Asia-Pacific region.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI)--or sometimes styled EDID by including decolonization--is an institutionalized response to demands for access, inclusion, recognition, and redistribution by communities of people excluded from traditional centres of power. Under the banner of EDI(D), educational institutions have launched an extensive program of adult education, seeking to "train" institutional actors to adhere to policies and root out bias in practice. In this paper, Bannerji situates the relations of EDI work within the broader framing of multiculturalism, racism, and ideologies of education in Canada. Drawing from Dorothy Smith's unique articulations of ontology and ideology, Bannerji confronts the ideological praxis of EDI work and asks us to consider the politics of identity and pedagogy that constitute this particular conjuncture.

This article explores the authors' personal experiences with submitting a manuscript on "woke organizations" to the Academy of Management Perspectives (AMP). The authors express surprise at the lack of feedback they received compared to other participants and discuss the criticisms and challenges they faced during the workshop and review process. They raise concerns about the fairness and integrity of the review process and emphasize their commitment to providing diverse perspectives in the symposium. The authors also discuss issues of bias, lack of understanding, and mistreatment they encountered during the review and publication process, calling for greater transparency, representativeness, and inclusion in journal processes. [Extracted from the article]

In the context of globalization, the integration of cultural elements into scientific research, particularly through the incorporation of traditional Chinese cultural motifs in scientific illustrations, represents a novel frontier in enhancing the universality and appeal of scientific discoveries. This paper explores the innovative practice of embedding traditional Chinese cultural elements into scientific paper illustrations, highlighting its significant role in augmenting the global appeal of research findings, promoting diversity and innovation in scientific inquiry, and facilitating cross-cultural understanding. Through a series of case studies, including symbolic representations of ancient myths and the use of traditional themes to elucidate complex scientific phenomena, we demonstrate how this cultural integration not only makes scientific content more accessible and engaging but also fosters a deeper appreciation of Chinese heritage among international audiences. This approach not only bridges the gap between science and culture but also contributes to a more inclusive and interconnected global scientific community, underscoring the importance of cultural diversity in enriching scientific exploration and communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the impact and implications of ChatGPT and other generative AI technologies within the African context while looking at the ethical benefits and concerns that are particularly pertinent to the continent. Through a robust analysis of ChatGPT and other generative AI systems using established approaches for analysing the ethics of emerging technologies, this paper provides unique ethical benefits and concerns for these systems in the African context. This analysis combined approaches such as anticipatory technology ethics (ATE), ethical impact assessment (EIA), and ethical issues of emerging ICT applications with AI (ETICA) with specific issues from the literature. The findings show that ChatGPT and other generative AI systems raise unique ethical concerns such as bias, intergenerational justice, exploitation of labour and cultural diversity in Africa but also have significant ethical benefits. These ethical concerns and benefits are considered crucial in shaping the design and deployment of ChatGPT and similar technologies responsibly. It further explores the potential applications of ChatGPT in critical domain areas such as education, agriculture, and healthcare, thereby demonstrating the transformative possibilities that these technologies can have on Africa. This paper underscores the critical role of AI governance as Africa increasingly adopts ChatGPT and similar AI systems. It argues that a comprehensive understanding of AI governance is essential not only for maximising the benefits of generative AI systems but also for facilitating a global dialogue. This dialogue aims to foster shared knowledge and insights between the Global North and the Global South, which is important for the development and creation of inclusive and equitable AI policies and practices that can be beneficial for all regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a theory of democratic pluralism instead of democratic minimalism developed by Shadi Hamid in his book "The Problem of Democracy". Democratic pluralism will leverage pluralism to create a possibility for reconciliation between liberalism, secularism, religion, and democracy. It presents a framework of democratic pluralism based on four key elements: (1) a conception of democracy that includes performance and political action in the public sphere beyond electoral participation; (2) recognition of diversity and intercultural dialog, alongside the agonistic dimension of pluralism; (3) moderation of individual autonomy and identity politics; and (4) pluralistic accommodation of religion. The paper critiques Hamid's monolithic notions of liberalism, secularism, and democracy, suggesting that more nuanced approaches to these concepts are necessary. It contends that rather than abandoning liberalism and secularism, exploring compatible versions of liberalism and Islam within a pluralistic framework offers a more promising path for reforming religion and polity in the Muslim world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the exceptional intercultural encounter between secular therapists and Ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel, focusing on two key aspects. Firstly, it explores the distinctive attributes and conflicts inherent in treating Ultra-Orthodox individuals. On the one hand is the secular Israeli therapist, whose base is in Western philosophy that prioritizes individuality, cultural diversity, and tolerance of differences. On the other hand is the Haredi client, entrenched in values from Jewish tradition and religious principles that amplify solidarity and collectivism while rejecting prevalent secular culture. The existing sociopolitical climate in Israel often positions these two as potentially conflicting cultures. Secondly, the paper seeks to illuminate the uncommon dynamics of the minority-majority power balance within the therapeutic relationship. In contrast to prevalent literature in intercultural therapy, which typically frames the client as a representative of a disadvantaged minority and the therapist as a representative of a dominant majority, this article aims to unravel a nuanced power balance, where those in the minority perceive the dominant culture both as a threat to its way of life and as a despised entity, but paradoxically rely entirely on its financial support. This reveals a complex and intricate interplay of dominance and dependence, shaping a therapeutic relationship that defies conventional expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A society's culture affects its behavior and values. This study explores the role of national culture in accounting research. It starts by updating the work of G. Hofstede, G. J. Hofstede, and Minkov (2020), including several new measures of culture discussed by Minkov (2018) and Minkov and Kaasa (2022). As previously found, national culture dimensions are tied to accounting values and systems differently (Gray 1988; Doupnik and Tsakoumis 2004). This paper begins with a review of what national culture is, how it relates to accounting values and systems in individual countries, and how it has affected questions of interest to accounting researchers in the last decade. We then provide research questions that need to be answered by accounting researchers. Data Availability: The data used in this study are publicly available from the sources indicated in the text. JEL Classifications: E16; F23; M00; M14; M40; M41; M42; M49. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North East Region of India, comprising Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura, Sikkim, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Mizoram, is characterized by a distinctive blend of ethnic, cultural, religious, and linguistic diversity. Connected to the rest of the country via the Siliguri Corridor, also known as Chicken’s Neck, this paper delves into the historical context of conflicts in the region. It assesses various contributing factors such as ethnic diversity, migration patterns, resource allocation, and political interests. Given China's proximity through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to the Siliguri Corridor, India's attention to this area becomes crucial. Furthermore, the paper evaluates the socio-economic impact of these conflicts and proposes potential strategies for conflict resolution and peace-building efforts. Specifically, it focuses on analyzing border disputes between Assam and neighboring Northeastern states, identifies primary causes of conflict, and offers actionable recommendations for resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper proposes an in-depth analysis of Romania's agrotourism services market, highlighting its evolution and regional/counties concentration. Romania, renowned for its cultural and touristic diversity, employs agrotourism to facilitate authentic interactions with local communities, offering insights into native culture. Utilizing Clarivate, Google Scholar, and Research Gate databases, the research employs statistical processing and graphical representation. Market concentration is gauged using the Herfindahl-Hirschman and Gini-Struck indices. Findings reveal a dynamic national sector with an annual growth rate surpassing 10%. Regionally, concentration levels are notably high, with the North-West, Center, North-East, and South-East collectively contributing over 75%. Countylevel concentration is moderate, indicating potential development even in areas with untapped resources. Romanian authorities actively promote agrotourism, capitalizing on rural development potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European cultural heritage represents one of the concerns of the European community that was taken into consideration when it comes to express the development of the international relations among its member states, but also in increasing the awareness of the importance of cultural diversity. At EU level, were developed some initiatives regarding the cooperation between the member states in the cultural field, one of the most important being the creation of the European digital heritage, one of the concerns of the European Commission. This considers the development of European policies in this field, as well as their financing in each member state of the European Union, for easier access to information on cultural heritage, but also the preservation of the European digital heritage as a whole. This paper addresses the digitization of cultural heritage from European perspective, while analyzing the Romanian national framework regarding digitization of the cultural heritage and the way that the Romanian authorities are involved in this process. The scope of this paper is also to identify good practices that may be successfully implemented at the national level. Also, the paper approaches the concept of national cultural heritage vs European cultural heritage, from the perspective of preserving the national identity of the member states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the quest for effective environmental governance, the integration of legal and cultural pluralism within conservation strategies emerges as a critical factor, especially in regions marked by rich ethnic diversity and complex historical legacies. This paper explores the symbiotic relationship between state conservation efforts and the engagement of local communities, with a particular focus on the Indigenous Maroon communities in the Blue and John Crow Mountains (BJCMs) of Jamaica. It underscores the imperative of aligning conservation objectives with the aspirations and traditional practices of these communities to foster sustainable ecosystems and safeguard Indigenous autonomy. Central to this discourse is the development of collaborative frameworks that respect and incorporate the legal and cultural dimensions of pluralism, thereby facilitating a co-managed approach to environmental stewardship. This study emphasizes the role of collaboration and trust as pivotal elements in cultivating a mutual understanding of the interdependencies between state law and Indigenous law. This research advocates for a reciprocal exchange of knowledge between the state and community members, aiming to empower the latter with the resources necessary for effective environmental protection while respecting their legal autonomy. This approach not only enhances conservation initiatives overall, but also ensures that these efforts are informed by the rich cultural heritage and traditional ecological knowledge of the Maroon communities. By examining the conservation practices and governance challenges faced by the Maroons in the BJCMs, this paper reveals the nuanced dynamics of implementing state-led conservation laws in areas characterized by cultural and legal pluralism. The findings highlight the necessity for state regulatory frameworks to enable collaborative governance models that complement, rather than undermine, the traditional governance structures of the Maroons. This research contributes to the broader discourse on environmental governance by illustrating the potential of culturally informed conservation strategies to address environmental threats while respecting and reinforcing the social fabric of Indigenous communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the second part of a two-part series, we explore the cultural stability of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The analytical framework adopted, formulated on a background of social cybernetics, uses Mindset Agency Theory (MAT) within a metacybernetic framework. Our exploration involves a thorough investigation of signs pointing to cultural instability, identification of potential pathologies, and the provision of insights into the underlying dynamics within ASEAN. Expanding on the theoretical foundation established in the first part, we explore the notion that regional organisations (ROs) like ASEAN can be viewed as complex adaptive systems with agency. Heterogeneity of RO membership can be both beneficial and detrimental, especially when this delivers cultural diversity. If detrimental, pathologies can arise that affect both ROs' institutional dynamics and their affiliated regional organisations, a significant interest of this paper. In response to certain cybernetic aspects introduced in part 1 of the research, MAT is shown to be a specialised framework imbued with systemic and reflexive elements. Through this, the analysis sheds light on how an agency's mindset connects with its behaviour and performance. ROs exhibit coherence in their operations when they successfully achieve adaptive goals. ROs, as agencies defined through a population of state agents, have mutual relationships and are encouraged to pursue shared regional objectives, such as economic growth, social welfare, security, and democracy. However, in highly diverse cultural environments, this poses unique challenges to achieving and maintaining cultural stability. The analysis scrutinises ASEAN's behaviour, relating it to manifestations of cultural instability, and deduces conditions that encompass an inability to undertake collective action, covert narcissism, and a lack of authority. Employing MAT as a diagnostic tool to comprehend ASEAN's intricate nature, the paper concludes with practical recommendations aimed at enhancing ASEAN's cultural health and sustainability. The ultimate vision is to foster a more integrated and proactive regional entity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northwest Yunnan is nested in the border areas of Tibet, Myanmar, and Southwest China. The religiously and ethnically diverse region has astonishingly seen a lack of "conflict", as is often assumed in regions of ethnic and religious differences. This paper argues that there is an organic form of pluralism through frequent inter-ethnic and inter-religious marriages, multi-lingual daily interactions, and strategic ethnicity registrations. Ethnic and religious boundaries are made permanently or temporarily permeable through the celebration of boundary-crossing rituals such as weddings and funerals and other shared experiences such as collective labor and migrant work. Despite an increasingly strong push to be integrated into the state power through various top-down developmental projects, minority peoples here still use kinship, collective rituals, and other shared experiences to foster group formation that is fluid, porous, and malleable, instilling empathy and obligation as the basis of this pluralistic borderland society. This organic form of pluralism presents an alternative to the nation as the standard modern form of community. This paper ultimately argues that this specific type of plurality requires us to think beyond the normative liberal notions of religious tolerance and diversity that are still promoted within the frame of the exclusivist nation-state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of death, different ethnic groups have unique coping ways. The physical care and spiritual care for the dying can demonstrate the diversity and particularity of ethnic cultural thought. Taking two villages in the interlaced residential areas inhabited by Han, Tibetan, and Hui ethnic groups in Linxia and Wuwei of Gansu Province as examples, this paper focuses on the presentation and significance of multi-ethnic cultural integration in the process of end-of-life care, with a focus on spiritual care. One main point of this paper is that, although hospice care in the modern medical sense is not really implemented in the vast rural areas of China, local end-of-life care, based on the village medical system and religious rituals, equally plays an important role. This is mainly manifested through the implementation of the Narcotics Card System and the widespread spiritual care. The second main point of this paper is that the form of end-of-life care, which embodies the integration of ethnic cultures, contains a certain degree of nursing functions, while taking into account the spiritual care needed by the dying and the grief consolation needed by the bereaved family. Considering the lack of spiritual care and bereavement management in China's medical space, the religious approaches to end-of-life care, as delineated in this study, could serve as a source of inspiration for the country's efforts to integrate hospice services into its healthcare system. In short, compared with Western forms of hospice care, in which modern medicine constitutes the main body, China's local end-of-life care is more reflected in the diversity and integration of spiritual care for the dying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India's North-Eastern region, known for its cultural diversity and scenic beauty, has confronted distinctive developmental challenges. This diversity has given rise to unique cultural practices, music, dance, and crafts that are renowned across the world. Despite this richness, the region has grappled with developmental challenges such as lack of infrastructure, poor connectivity, poverty, hunger and limited access to healthcare and education. The adoption of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by India in 2015 provides a framework to address these challenges and promote sustainable development in the region. This paper illustrates the progress made in achieving the SDGs in terms of SDG Index released by NITI Aayog and the various initiatives taken by the Government of India in the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex organisations require coherence to achieve adaptive goals through agency. This paper introduces Mindset Agency Theory (MAT), a metatheoretical framework designed for modelling and diagnosing agency within culturally diverse populations. MAT, a cybernetic multi-ontology framework, delineates five formative traits defining agency character. Its cognitive style trait (with bipolar values of Patterning–Dramatising) elucidates how agencies acquire information. Examining diverse agencies requires an appreciation of the social relationships that exist there, but MAT is currently devoid of this capability. Using the configuration approach to enable the integration of Tönnies' social organisation theory into MAT, social relationships can be suitably explored, thus enhancing its capacity to investigate agency coherence. Tönnies' theory of social organisation (with bipolar values of Gemeinschaft-Gesellschaft) that frames inter-agent interactions is configured within MAT. This integration births a new formative trait, pairing cognitive style with social organisation, and is thus capable of indicating the likelihood of operative coherence. Configuration is applied by relating propositional attributes of a holding metatheory framework such as MAT, with an entry theory such as Tönnies' social organisation theory as determined from the literature. The elaborated MAT serves as a diagnostic tool, linking trait instabilities with agency pathologies that deliver dysfunction. A subsequent paper will apply this framework to ASEAN, a regional intergovernmental organisation addressing cultural diversity issues. The study aims to evaluate ASEAN's mindset and diagnose its pathologies, such as narcissism and paradoxical behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Many intergovernmental forums provide structured, constructive, and cooperative platiorms to enable State Leaders to work together effectively on global issues that affect us all. The global issue under investigation in this paper is education because education maters. Education is evolving into a fundamental entitlement that societies owe their members, with a growing recognition of the state's duty to guarantee a fair, high-quality, and inclusive educational experience for every student, regardless of their background or circumstances (Totan and Dawed, 2023). United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was formed in 1945 to establish international cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication. It aimed to "... strengthen humankind's intellectual and moral solidarity" (UNESCO n.d., n.p.). To that end, they lead the debate among nations regarding alternative futures for education and learning, always grounded on principles of human rights, social justice, human dignity, and cultural diversity. This paper will demonstrate the significance of education by reflecting on three pivotal international forums that have shaped its trajectory over the past seven decades. These forums, which led to the establishment of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), Quality Education, are a testament to the collective efforts of nations. SDG 4, one of the 17 development goals endorsed at the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on the 25th of September 2015, sets indicators and targets for individual countries and their governments to provide quality education and lifelong learning opportunities by 2030. Education, a human and legal right for all, is not just about learning; it is a gateway to individual human development, social justice, and lasting peace. However, with 250 million children still out of school and slow progress in achieving the SDG 4 goal of universal primary education, there is a pressing need for action. We will provide a deeper review of how education improves human development and demonstrate how tertiary education develops healthier, more employable, prosperous, environmentally conscious, and active individuals within their community. Advanced education is a critical dimension that improves individuals' health, prosperity, and societal levels. In this section, we will present data and commentary using the Human Development Index (HDI) that demonstrates how countries are working toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 and how education contributes to the achievement of other SDGs. This paper will include data from four European Global North countries, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, as well as four countries from the Global South: Algeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Mali. We will demonstrate how the three chosen forums have contributed to improving the human development of citizens in those nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Elementary Education / Revija za Elementarno Izobraževanje is the property of University of Maribor, Faculty of Education and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper describes a project to build linguistic awareness among science educators at multiple levels: pre-service K–12 teachers, in-service K–12 teachers, and university faculty in both education and STEM fields. Educational linguists from a language-focused non-profit research organization created modules on teaching culturally and linguistically diverse students for a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program for middle school science educators at a large urban U.S. university. The module content, which was integrated into three science education methods courses, was designed around three key principles: linguistic understanding, critical language awareness, and pedagogical modeling. A critical component to the project's success was fostering "buy-in" from the various groups of educators through multiple means, including piloting materials with in-service science teachers, training university faculty on the language and literacy materials, and revising content based on feedback from the MAT program faculty and students. The findings demonstrate that over time, the educators re-examined their roles as teachers of language and literacy and reassessed their thinking related to science instruction, highlighting the efficacy of incorporating language development content into training and professional development for STEM educators at multiple levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores religious diversity in Romania and how the trends of indices of religious fractionalization and polarization manifest at the county level in a post-communist period. The county level was selected as the relevant level for analysis due to its more clearly visible spatial dynamics with regard to religions. Recent studies have revealed that the erosion of diversity is an important aspect for any country and needs to be considered as an important aspect of democracy. This paper highlights how digital mapping of religious polarization and fractionalization in Romania has been generally maintained, although the regions of Transylvania, Banat, Dobrogea and Western Moldova remain areas in which there are different religions. Other than the general aspect of religious diversity depending on ethnic trends, there has been a rise of Pentecostals and Baptists at the county level. This aspect has further implications for our study, which calls for creating new institutions for dialogue between majority Orthodox communities and Protestants, not only so that potential conflicts do not appear between Orthodox and emerging religious communities but also to ensure objective, cultural, religious coherence. Our maps revealed the distribution patterns and the temporal evolution of religious denominations for the 1992–2011 period. The major line of originality in our research rests in the findings that after conducting a bivariate spatial autocorrelation analysis of religious fractionalization and polarization, we were able to identify two distinct clusters with spatial overlap over historical provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores pluralism, skepticism, and relativism in Kurt Vonnegut’s Player Piano, The Sirens of Titan, Cat’s Cradle, and Slaughterhouse-Five. The study attempts to reveal Vonnegut’s depiction of contemporary postmodern politics, society, and culture. It looks into postmodernism as the inclusive term of the thematic attributes of pluralism, skepticism, and relativism which apparently imprint the typical image of postmodernism life. Therefore, the study sheds light on the selected novels’ perception of postmodernism on the verge of social and cultural change stimulated by politics that plays a crucial role in shaping postmodern man and his capacity to cope cultural pluralism. In this way, the study unravels such pluralism via highlighting the characters’ skepticism of their ability to grasp the relativism of postmodern life. The study examines Vonnegut’s postmodern dexterity as a critique of contemporary political actions that lead to new life styles. In addition, it discovers the selected novels’ narrative structure as a postmodern device of exposing contemporary socio-cultural reality that is spoiled by contemporary politics. In this way, it identifies Vonnegut’s postmodern fictional theme of relativism i.e., dealing with political sequences as challenging reality; and this reality should be amended by controlling postmodern politics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Penned in 2004 by Louis de Bernières and articulated through the viewpoints of diverse characters, Birds Without Wings illuminates the harrowing scenes of war and their impact on local inhabitants and migrants during the formative years of the new Turkish Republic. Examining the reverberations of the national struggle in the international context, this paper specifically investigates the repercussions of the population exchange between Greece and the emerging Turkish state in 1923, focusing on a South-West Anatolian village (Eskibahçe) in a tumultuous historical era, which is the central issue in Birds Without Wings. Employing polyphony, that is, a muti-voiced narrative style with Bakhtin’s terminology about the novels with a variety of perspectives and narrators, the novel explores themes such as war, love, forced migration, and identity. The plot unfolds against the backdrop of a multicultural late Ottoman Empire, where Turkish-speaking Christian villagers and Greek Orthodox migrants initially coexist harmoniously but later face social isolation and loneliness after being exiled to Greece. Therefore, this paper aims to underscore individual and social isolation resulting from the devastating impact of wars on the idyllic lives of villagers in Birds Without Wings, drawing on Homi K. Bhabha’s third space theory. Another objective of this study is to demonstrate that Birds Without Wings celebrates hybridity and ethnic diversity by reevaluating the forced migration between Greece and Turkey, prompting reflection on the villagers’ attempts to redefine their identities after the Turkish Republic’s establishment and an analysis of its long-term implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advent of 3D virtual presentation technology for clothing has led to the gradual popularisation of digital virtual clothing in the modern fashion industry. However, there remains a gap between the application of this technology and the integration of cultural attributes in the field of digital communication of traditional cultural clothing. Consequently, the objective of this paper is to propose the establishment of a fusion system integrating archaeological research on traditional culture with emerging virtual presentation technology. This paper draws inspiration from the replicability and easy dissemination of digital products to combine cultural archaeology and digital technology. The aim is to provide ideas for the diversity of dissemination of cultural heritage. The research object is Diplomatic Envoys, a Chinese mural painting of the Tang Dynasty that depicts friendly exchanges between countries. The research is divided into two research stages. A CLO3D software-based digital restoration test was conducted to reproduce the costumes of officials and foreign envoys depicted in the Tang Dynasty mural. The FAHP model was employed to verify the accuracy of the restoration results. The experiment demonstrated that the digitally reconstructed clothing exhibited a high degree of similarity to the unearthed mural figure clothing object. Furthermore, the restoration result passed the credibility verification, resulting in a 'credible' outcome. The application of digital virtual simulation clothing restoration methods offers two key advantages. Firstly, in comparison with traditional clothing restoration methods, digital restoration enables the rapid assessment of the resulting clothing effect, thereby reducing the likelihood of secondary damage to cultural relics due to manual errors. Secondly, the benefits of digital technology facilitate the convenient storage, replication, and dissemination of clothing data information. Data can not only be extended to online exhibition halls but also to game animation, clothing production, and other fields for the purposes of creative redesign and information dissemination. Furthermore, these benefits can penetrate the education industry to disseminate information to the public through all-round display models and explanations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there has been growing scholarly interest in the role of religious literacy in K-12 teacher education, scholarship on how preservice teachers understand religious literacy as an aim of social justice-oriented education remains limited. This empirical case study of one teacher education program in a Canadian university examines the perspectives of preservice teachers and how they view critical religious literacy (CRL) as a means of addressing the potential harms of religious illiteracy. Using empirical data collected in personal interviews and focus groups, this qualitative case study employed philosophical analysis centered on a theoretical framework that includes the concept of epistemic injustice. The data show that preservice educators feel unprepared to engage with religiously diverse students, to navigate issues related to religious diversity, or to respond to the potential epistemic harms of religious illiteracy, such as exclusion, discrimination, or polarization. As such, this paper contends that to reduce the potential epistemic injustices related to religious illiteracy in their programs and in K-12 classrooms, teacher educators ought to include CRL as an educational aim in preservice teacher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Study Abroad programs yield substantial linguistic advantages in addition to fostering academic and intercultural enrichment. Nevertheless, some students miss these programs due to financial constraints, academic commitments, or insufficient language skills. This paper reports the findings of a qualitative action research study that seeks to evaluate the impact of a multilingual and multicultural class, designed as a quasi-Study Abroad experience, on Hungarian medical students' perceived English linguistic development by the end of the semester. Semi-structured focus group interviews were carried out with 42 Hungarian medical students at the end of the spring and autumn semesters of the 2021–2022 and the 2022–2023 academic years. The outcomes of the focus-group interviews indicated that the students had a positive experience studying in a multilingual and multicultural environment; their willingness to engage in English communication, along with an increase in self-confidence, was apparent, ultimately showcasing improved perceived proficiency in English communication skills by the end of the term. Creating an educational setting abundant in linguistic and cultural diversity and integrating multicultural project-based learning activities within the curriculum to simulate a quasi-Study Abroad experience represent methodological frameworks that could serve as pivotal models for shaping similar courses in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) in the United Kingdom (UK) have faced many challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, some of these arising out of their social positions. Existing literature explicating these challenges (e.g., lack of appropriate PPE, redeployment, understaffing) have highlighted inequities in how these have been experienced by HCWs based on ethnicity, gender or, job role. In this paper, we move a step ahead and examine how the intersection of these social positions have impacted HCWs' experiences of challenges during the pandemic. Methods: We collected qualitative data, using interviews and focus groups, from 164 HCWs from different ethnicities, gender, job roles, migration statuses, and regions in the United Kingdom (UK) between December 2020 and July 2021. Interviews and focus groups were conducted online or by telephone, and recorded with participants' permission. Recordings were transcribed and a hybrid thematic analytical approach integrating inductive data-driven codes with deductive ones informed by an intersectional framework was adopted to analyse the transcripts. Results: Thematic analysis of transcripts identified disempowerment, disadvantage and, discrimination as the three main themes around which HCWs' experiences of challenges were centred, based on their intersecting identities (e.g., ethnicity gender, and/or migration status). Our analysis also acknowledges that disadvantages faced by HCWs were linked to systemic and structural factors at the micro, meso and macro ecosystemic levels. This merging of analysis which is grounded in intersectionality and considers the ecosystemic levels has been termed as 'intrasectionalism'. Discussion: Our research demonstrates how an intrasectional lens can help better understand how different forms of mutually reinforcing inequities exist at all levels within the healthcare workforce and how these impact HCWs from certain backgrounds who face greater disadvantage, discrimination and disempowerment, particularly during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Derecho del Estado is the property of Universidad Externado de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The exploration of religious beliefs within the confines of Chinese prisons presents a nuanced inquiry into the intersection of faith, correctional policies, and human rights. This study delves into the underexplored domain of how religious practices and beliefs are navigated within the Chinese penal system. Despite constitutional assurances for religious freedom, practical applications within prison walls reveal a nuanced tapestry of control, accommodation, and, at times, suppression. This paper aims to shed light on these complexities through interviews with prison officers, offering a rare glimpse into the 'hidden corners' of religious observance in Chinese prisons. It critically examines the balance between state control, the rehabilitation agenda, and the individual's right to spiritual belief and practice, proposing a more inclusive approach to fostering religious diversity and freedom within the correctional environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a nationwide effort to increase the representation and engagement of minoritized students in computer science education. Discourse about the barriers to diversity among computer science majors is often characterized by student pathologies and does not consider the impacts of classroom culture and instructor pedagogies. Amid the push for strategies to recruit and retain minoritized students in computer science, little has been done to transform curriculum and analyze faculty perspectives on curriculum and pedagogy as methods to increase students' access to the computer science major. This paper presents an example of curriculum redesign for an undergraduate introductory computer science course (ICS) that sought to address issues of inequitable representation by centering student identities and redistributing power in favor of students. The authors draw upon critical sociocultural and the 4Es heuristic for disciplinary literacy to reimagine the ICS course as a space that centers on the important roles of identity and power in solving for diversity in computer science education. We highlight for researchers and practitioners how our work may be used to disrupt meritocratic practices that alienate minoritized and economically disadvantaged students and to expand definitions of mastery and expertise in computer science education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Woody biomass has gained increased attention as a source of renewable energy. However, its categorization as a sustainable source of energy remains controversial, as its carbon neutrality depends on its end use, moisture content, bulk density, and the distance between the source of biomass and its end use. Due to these mediating factors, policies largely shape its sustainability and ability to mitigate emissions. This paper organizes and evaluates the current state of research through a systematic review of global literature from 2011 to 2021 (n = 345) on the governance of the production, transportation, sale, and use of woody biomass for energy. Peer-reviewed literature emphasizes the role of woody biomass as a decentralized energy source for individual households and communities, focusing on its harvest, transport, and localized energy conversion. Policies primarily address land management and energy infrastructure rather than direct emissions reduction. Research gaps in policy within the Global South underscore the need to examine biomass regulation in regions with limited energy diversity. The key factors that drive the sustainable uptake of woody biomass include strict sustainability criteria, fiscal incentives, technological development, and wood utilization from across its value chain. Effective policy implementation increases rural employment, boosts rural economies, provides energy security to remote areas, improves overall environmental sustainability, reduces emissions, and improves land management practices. Our systematic review reveals that future research should focus on improving conversion efficiencies in small-scale systems, reducing emissions in the international trade of woody biomass, and using the wood value chain to increase the profitability of bioenergy products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the landscape of research data in the humanities in the European context, delving into their diversity and the challenges of defining and sharing them. It investigates three aspects: the types of data in the humanities, their representation in repositories, and their alignment with the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). By reviewing datasets in repositories, this research determines the dominant data types, their openness, licensing, and compliance with the FAIR principles. This research provides important insight into the heterogeneous nature of humanities data, their representation in the repository, and their alignment with FAIR principles, highlighting the need for improved accessibility and reusability to improve the overall quality and utility of humanities research data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the fall of 2022, we offered a pedagogically redesigned sociotechnical environmental engineering elective for junior and senior undergraduates that applied place-based and culturally sustaining pedagogies. The course featured a project designed to facilitate the celebration and leveraging of classroom geographic and cultural diversity to enhance student learning about water sustainability. We analyzed the students' written project reflections using an inductive thematic analysis to explore whether and how the project and pedagogical model augmented student learning. The primary themes that emerged included: (1) deepened knowledge of home and culture; (2) global conceptualizations; (3) re-evaluation of perceptions and beliefs (in terms of water sustainability and personal relationships with water); and (4) future-facing viewpoints. We consider each of these 'enhancements' to the student learning because they extend beyond the course objectives and explore the sociotechnical aspect of engineering. The purpose of this paper is to share the course and project model, our findings from its implementation, and suggestions on how this pedagogical framework could be adapted and scaled to expand the learning of a range of topics at different learner levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of African Journal of Reproductive Health is the property of Women's Health & Action Research Centre and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Epistemic modality is an important and complex linguistic device in academic writing, which could help authors state their claims and positions. The conclusion is also a critical part in research articles, where authors summarize their studies and give suggestions. Many scholars study modality in many aspects, but they rarely focus on its application in research article conclusions. Therefore, this study compared the use of modality in 25 conclusions of linguistic research papers written by native English speakers and 25 English conclusions written by Chinese authors from a systemic functional perspective. It focused on the similarities and differences of the use of modality in linguistic research article conclusions from two perspectives: value and orientation. The results show that both native English speakers and Chinese authors are more likely to rely on low and median value and subjective orientation in their conclusions. The findings suggest that linguistic research article authors tend to make claims in a reserved and tentative way. Moreover, this study shows that Chinese authors are more likely to employ modal expressions and subjective orientation of modality in their conclusions, which may relate to cultural diversity and modality shift. The findings of the study may help non-native English authors to produce linguistic research articles in a more acceptable way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary societies are increasingly multireligious, multiethnic, and multicultural, but to what extent are they ready for coexistence? This paper evaluates the competencies for intercultural and interreligious dialogue in two very different contexts: Barcelona and Melilla, two cities with great ethnic and cultural diversity, in which it is easy to have contact with people of different cultures and religions. To this end, we worked with a total of 1353 adolescents and young people, and four scales were used to evaluate intercultural and interreligious sensitivity, conflict management skills, and prejudices towards unaccompanied migrant minors. The findings suggest that in neither of these two contexts do adolescents and young people form relationships with these minors, despite accepting religious diversity and being educated at school in topics relating to coexistence and spirituality. In fact, participants showed a high level of prejudice towards this population. Implementation of more effective intervention programs in both cities is therefore recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimal complementary feeding between the ages of 6 and 23 months provides children with the required range of nutritious and safe foods while continuing to be breastfed to meet their needs for essential nutrients and develop their full physical and cognitive potential. The rates of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life have increased from 32% in 2008 to 60% in 2022 in Kenya. However, the proportion of children between 6 and 23 months receiving a minimum acceptable diet remains low and has declined from 39% in 2008 to 31% in 2023. The Kenyan Ministry of Health, GAIN and UNICEF collaborated to understand the drivers of complementary feeding practices, particularly proximal determinants, which can be directly addressed and acted upon. A secondary analysis of household surveys and food composition data was conducted to outline children's dietary patterns within the different regions of Kenya and the extent to which the affordability of animal‐source foods could be improved. Ethnographic data were analyzed to identify socio‐cultural barriers to optimal complementary feeding. Furthermore, we outlined the critical steps for developing user‐friendly and low‐cost complementary feeding recipes. The results of all the analyses are presented in five of the six papers of this Special Issue with this additional paper introducing the Kenyan context and some of the critical findings. The Special Issue has highlighted multidimensional barriers surrounding the use and availability of animal‐source foods. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for a multi‐sectoral approach in enacting policies and programmes that address these barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As efforts to maximize passive cooling for building cooling are growing, attention to traditional architecture is also increasing. Traditional houses have the potential to provide a variety of passive cooling solutions needed as a solution to the environmental impact of active cooling on urban heat islands and global warming. Indonesia is a country with huge cultural diversity. Each region has traditional houses that are proud and cared for. Despite the growing importance of traditional houses as a source of passive cooling design, the number of studies exploring passive cooling in traditional houses in Indonesia and its relationship with location is still very limited. This paper aims to provide an overview of passive cooling in traditional houses in Indonesia and its relationship with location based on peer-reviewed international scientific literature using a systematic literature review. The results reveal that most of the studies still do not optimally explore the passive cooling aspect of traditional houses. Few studies explicitly link passive cooling design to the location of the house. This research identifies several future research directions and offers several applications of passive cooling of traditional houses in modern designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]