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Several special collections libraries develop programs, marketing programs, and webpages to improve public access to collections. However, public perceptions of special collections libraries are poorly understood and library professionals instead depend on anecdotes or own experiences to identify barriers to access. University College London (UCL) Special Collections used an online survey to reach communities outside the university to understand what they think UCL Special Collections is and what interventions might encourage them to visit. Through their survey, it is easier to understand misconceptions about special collections and how it may discourage someone from learning more. Specific marketing and programming interventions applicable to special collections libraries are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to meet decarbonization goals, the number of large-scale solar (LSS) facilities in the US is expected to increase considerably. The advantages of LSS over fossil-fueled power generation are numerous and well documented. However, residents living nearby proposed and existing LSS sites have voiced a number of concerns about LSS, including its possible impacts to farmland and agricultural production, biodiversity, stormwater runoff, home and property values, as well as concerns about solar panels' toxicity and safety. While rapid expansion of LSS currently relies on officials permitting and residents being willing to host these systems, the appetite for LSS in some communities may be waning. Here we examine the perceived benefits and burdens of recent LSS developments, conducting 54 interviews with a broad set of stakeholders including residents, officials and developers at seven LSS sites across the US. We focus on identifying residents' most common concerns regarding LSS systems across states, site types, landscapes and ownership structures. We find concerns are associated with either LSS development processes or impacts, and center on the type and amount of information provided, the community's influence over project design, the efficacy of community subscription efforts, as well as projects' economic, environmental, and visual and landscape impacts. Importantly, we also investigate strategies that have been employed to improve perceptions and project outcomes, which include increasing in-person engagement, more explicit discussion of project tradeoffs, third-party intermediaries acting as community champions, and explicit requirements for meaningful local economic benefits.

Abstract: As global tree‐growing efforts have escalated in the past decade, copious failures and unintended consequences have prompted many reforestation best practices guidelines. The extent to which organizations have integrated these ecological and socioeconomic recommendations, however, remains uncertain. We reviewed websites of 99 intermediary organizations that promote and fund tree‐growing projects to determine how well they report following best practices. Nearly half the organizations stated tree or area planting targets, but only 25% had measurable, time‐bound objectives. Most organizations discussed the benefits local communities would receive from trees, but only 38% reported measures of these outcomes. Nonprofit organizations with greater prior experience converged more closely on best practices, and their level of scientific expertise was positively associated with clearer project selection standards. Although many tree‐growing organizations acknowledge the importance of clear goals, local community involvement, and monitoring, our results raise questions regarding whether long‐term benefits are being achieved and emphasize the need for stronger public accountability standards.

Phosphorus (P) is an essential element for sustaining human life, but its current management is unsustainable. Scientists are currently developing novel scientific and technological innovations to improve P management. By engaging stakeholders to understand their perceptions and concerns, researchers can address concerns and improve the chances that their innovations will be adopted. In this paper, we conducted thirty-seven interviews with U.S. stakeholders to develop three case studies of technologies in P recovery. The cases investigated are i) urine diversion for P recovery, ii) biological P removal from wastewater, and iii) analysis of stable isotopes for source tracking in natural water bodies. Stakeholders highlighted an array of economic, regulatory, and social barriers to adoption that were similar across all three cases. The findings presented in this study provide proof of concept for the efficacy of comparative methods to identify shared challenges in adoptions of new innovations within a research area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serial neonatal encephalopathy (NE) examinations are difficult to perform in rural community hospitals as on-site experts are not readily available. We implemented a synchronous, acute care model of teleconsultation—the Maine Neonatal Encephalopathy Teleconsultation program (Maine NET)—to provide remote, joint assessment of NE by pediatric neurology and neonatology at nine community hospitals and one tertiary care center. We performed a qualitative study to interview clinicians about their experience of this program. From April 2018 to October 2022, we employed a semistructured interview format with 16 clinicians representing all participating hospitals. We utilized deductive analysis to assign a set of predefined codes to the transcribed interviews. Thematic analysis supported the anticipated benefits of Maine NET, demonstrating that clinicians felt resource utilization, collaborative decision making, communication, and continuity of care were improved. Clinicians overwhelmingly supported the program: "This program has truly saved babies' lives and future function. I have not met any parents through this journey, who aren't incredibly grateful for the care that is provided" and emphasized the benefit of collaboration between all care team members. Teleconsultation was felt to be "more than adequate to [assess] NE." Connectivity issues were cited as a limitation. Maine NET has positively impacted care delivery for newborns with clinical concerns for NE. Additionally, the program has improved resource allocation, collaborative decision making, communication, and equity of care. Addressing technological challenges will be vital to the success and sustainability of the planned Maine NET expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IMPACT: Public sector accounting needs a pluralistic perspective for fostering a broader public value and interactions with citizens and other stakeholders. In this article, the authors suggest that integrated reporting (IR) is a useful accounting practice for promoting a pluralistic perspective into public sector accounting to nurture public value and accountability—even though there are still lessons to learn. Public sector organizations need to stimulate engagement with stakeholders making disclosures more relevant; develop a more holistic appreciation for value creation focusing on efficacy and outcomes for society; and promote integrated thinking across internal stakeholders to avoid a superficial adoption of IR. This article explores the potential for integrating reporting (IR) to foster public value and accountability through its pluralistic approach. Evidence from the IR framework, the relevant public sector accounting literature, and the experience of one local government which recently embraced IR confirm that such accounting practice can help promote public value and accountability through its integrated thinking and stakeholder engagement. Yet, while this is a promising avenue, there are still several limitations and obstacles to be dealt with. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to identify the effect of environmental management systems (EMSs), commitment to stakeholders and gender diversity on corporate environmental performance (CEP) and the extent to which an economic crisis moderates these relationships. Design/methodology/approach: A regression analysis was conducted on a sample of 14,217 observations from 1,933 firms from 26 countries from 2002 to 2010. The estimator used is ordinary least squares with heteroscedastic panel-corrected standard errors (PCSEs), which allows us to obtain consistent results in the presence of heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation. Findings: The results show that EMSs and stakeholder engagement are mechanisms that drive CEP but lose their effectiveness in times of crisis. However, the presence of women on boards has a positive effect on CEP that is not affected by an economic crisis. Research limitations/implications: The study has some limitations that could be addressed in the future. We present board gender diversity as a governance mechanism because its role is strongly related to non-financial performance. Future studies could focus on other corporate governance mechanisms, such as the presence of institutional or long-term investors. In addition, other mechanisms could be found that can counteract poor environmental performance in times of crisis. Finally, it might be useful to contrast these results with the crisis generated by the coronavirus pandemic. Practical implications: The results obtained have important practical implications at the corporate and institutional levels. At the corporate level, they highlight, as essential contributions, that environmental management systems and stakeholder orientation are not effective in times of economic crisis, except for with the presence of women on the board. Social implications: Following the crisis, the European Commission has promoted gender diversity on boards as a mechanism to improve the governance of entities – improving, among other aspects, sustainability. In this sense, another one of the practical implications of the study is support for the policies that the European Union has implemented over the last two decades. Originality/value: The paper analyses how a crisis affects the moral and cultural institutional mechanisms that promote CEP. Gender diversity on the board of directors not only promotes environmental performance but also appears to be a governance mechanism that ensures this performance in times of crisis when the other mechanisms lose their effectiveness. The study proposes specific policies that help maintain environmental performance in an economic crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic medications and clozapine are effective yet underutilized medical therapies in early intervention services. The purpose of this study was to conduct a pre-implementation evaluation of contextual determinants of early intervention programs to implement innovations optimizing LAI antipsychotic and clozapine use within a shared decision-making model. Methods: Semi-structured interviews explored barriers and facilitators to implementing LAI antipsychotics and clozapine in early intervention services. Participants were: prescribers (n = 2), non-prescribing clinicians (n = 5), administrators (n = 3), clients (n = 3), and caregivers (n = 3). Interviews were structured and analyzed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR 2.0). Results: Participants were supportive of using LAI antipsychotics, despite barriers (e.g., transportation, insurance coverage), while most were unfamiliar with clozapine (Innovation). Critical incidents (e.g., COVID-19) did not interfere with implementation, while barriers included lack of performance measures; stigma affecting willingness to take medication; and clozapine considered to be a "last resort" (Outer Setting). Treatment culture was described as clientcentered and collaborative, and most participants indicated LAI antipsychotic use was compatible with clinic workflows, but some were in need of resources (e.g., individuals trained to administer LAI antipsychotics; Inner Setting). Participants on the healthcare team expressed confidence in their roles. Family education and collaborative decision-making were recommended to improve client/family engagement (Individuals). Participants related the importance of tracking medication compliance, addressing client concerns, and providing prescribers with updated guidelines on evidence-based treatment (Implementation Process). Discussion: Results may guide implementation strategy selection for future programs seeking to optimize the use of LAI antipsychotics and clozapine for early-phase schizophrenia, when appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the concept of meaningful participation in river basin management, using the case study of the Hennops River in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Experiences of different stakeholders and communities regarding their involvement in the management of the Hennops River basin are analysed following engagement through interviews, workshops and clean-up initiatives. Several barriers and enablers for meaningful participation, such as lack of awareness, capacity, coordination, trust and incentives, are identified. Some recommendations are proposed for improving stakeholder and community participation, based on the lessons learned from the case study. This includes the formulation of a social fund to support small community-based projects such as clean-up campaigns. Projects should be reflective, keeping the community engaged and active. The paper argues that meaningful participation requires not only formal mechanisms of engagement and decision-making but also informal and practical actions that empower stakeholders and communities to take ownership and responsibility for their water resources and environment. For meaningful participation to take place, more needs to be done to shift communities away from a ‘bystander’ position to a more active role. A new approach to community engagement is therefore necessary to support stakeholder-driven initiatives and the raising of awareness in poorer communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Citarum River revitalization program through the "Citarum Harum" program, focuses on integrated cooperation between multi-sector actors in managing the Citarum Watershed sustainably and improving the quality of life around the river. Such as ministries (central government) acting as policy and regulation providers and as the leading sector, local governments acting as program supervisors and monitors, academics/universities acting as knowledge creators and program management innovations, the private sector acting as important partners, communities acting as program supporters and participants, and the Indonesian National Army (Tentara National Indonesia, TNI) acting as initiators, law enforcers, and field supervisors. This article outlines some of the challenges faced by Citarum Watershed, as well as important findings regarding collaborative sustainable and resilient watershed management, particularly in the context of the Citarum River, Indonesia. In this commentary, we underscore the importance of collaborative efforts, effective policy frameworks, and adaptive management strategies in addressing the environmental challenges faced by the Citarum River, while highlighting the need for ongoing commitment from all stakeholders during program implementation and post-program. The implications of these findings suggest a holistic, inclusive, and adaptive approach to sustainable management of watersheds and the environment that can be applied to other regions facing similar challenges such as Pollution; Environmental Degradation; Critical Land and Sedimentation; Inadequate Infrastructure; Population Growth and Urbanization; Climate Change, Weak Law Enforcement, and Lack of Coordination Among Stakeholders. Article highlights: Management of the Citarum River Basin (Daerah Aliran Sungai, DAS) is a mainstay of household life, urban communities, the environment, and supports industrial activities in the western region of Java Island, where no other river has a role and function as large as the Citarum River Basin. Challenges in the complexity of Citarum River Basin management highlight the need for an integrated and multi-stakeholder approach to ensure sustainable water resources management and environmental protection. The emphasis on Indonesian policy regulation and interactive collaboration model of various mutually beneficial helixes are the keys to success in sustainable and resilient management of the Citarum River Basin. Significant barriers that need to be considered in the Quintuple Helix Model framework are related to power dynamics, operational clarity, resource allocation, community involvement, and stakeholder integration to achieve its goals effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Both pregnant women and those with multiple long-term conditions are under-served groups in clinical research. Informing and improving research through patient and public involvement, including pregnant women with two or more long-term health conditions, is critical to increasing their inclusion in maternity research. Giant PANDA is a randomised controlled trial, evaluating the effect of a treatment initiation strategy with nifedipine versus labetalol on severe maternal hypertension and a composite outcome of fetal/neonatal death, or neonatal unit admission. We aimed to undertake a mixed methods study-within-a-project within the Giant PANDA trial to understand barriers and facilitators to participation, understand and optimise current representativeness of clinical trial delivery of those with multiple long-term conditions and co-create a checklist to support their inclusion in pregnancy research. Methods: We undertook online workshops with women with lived experience and hybrid workshops with healthcare professionals who look after women with multiple long-term conditions. A site audit of Giant PANDA sites provided insights into research delivery capacity and health system set-up, and how this influences inclusion. An extension to the Giant PANDA screening log captured data on multiple long-term conditions enabling analysis of the impact of these health conditions on women's inclusion in the trial. We co-created a checklist of recommendations for those designing and recruiting to similar clinical trials. Results: Five key recommendations were identified including a need to (1) involve women with multiple long-term conditions as partners in maternity research and (2) minimise barriers that stop them from taking part through (3) designing and delivering research that is flexible in time and place (4) consider research as part of care for everyone, including those with multiple long-term conditions and (5) measure and report inclusion of those with two or more health conditions in maternity research. Multiple long-term conditions were not a barrier to recruitment or randomisation in the Giant PANDA trial. Conclusion: Women with multiple long-term conditions would like opportunities to find out about and participate in research which accounts for their needs. Our checklist aims to support those designing and delivering maternity research to optimise inclusion of individuals with multiple-long term conditions. Trial registration: Giant PANDA: EudraCT number: 2020-003410-12, ISRCTN: 12,792,616. Plain English summary: Pregnant women with two or more long-term health problems may be less likely to be included in research. Including them in research is important to ensure we give the best care. Giant PANDA is a study comparing two medicines (nifedipine or labetalol) to manage high blood pressure in pregnancy. As part of the study, we looked at the number of women with two or more long-term health conditions included. We talked to women with experience of two or more long-term health conditions in pregnancy, and healthcare staff who look after these women. Finally, we looked at how maternity research is set up in Giant PANDA study sites. We found that women with two or more health conditions were taking part in the Giant PANDA study. Women with two or more long-term conditions would like the choice to be included in research which considers their needs. This includes being involved in the planning and ongoing support for studies. Research needs to be part of routine care, flexible, and not time consuming to help those with two or more health conditions take part. Our findings have been used to make a checklist to help plan and support studies for women and birthing people with two or more long-term health conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foundation Models (FMs) are gaining increasing attention in the biomedical artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem due to their ability to represent and contextualize multimodal biomedical data. These capabilities make FMs a valuable tool for a variety of tasks, including biomedical reasoning, hypothesis generation, and interpreting complex imaging data. In this review paper, we address the unique challenges associated with establishing an ethical and trustworthy biomedical AI ecosystem, with a particular focus on the development of FMs and their downstream applications. We explore strategies that can be implemented throughout the biomedical AI pipeline to effectively tackle these challenges, ensuring that these FMs are translated responsibly into clinical and translational settings. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of key stewardship and co-design principles that not only ensure robust regulation but also guarantee that the interests of all stakeholders—especially those involved in or affected by these clinical and translational applications—are adequately represented. We aim to empower the biomedical AI community to harness these models responsibly and effectively. As we navigate this exciting frontier, our collective commitment to ethical stewardship, co-design, and responsible translation will be instrumental in ensuring that the evolution of FMs truly enhances patient care and medical decision-making, ultimately leading to a more equitable and trustworthy biomedical AI ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global energy transition necessitates a rapid increase in infrastructure in developing countries, including for wind energy facilities (WEFs). Concerns arise regarding the negative impacts of WEFs on biodiversity, especially on birds of prey or raptors and other volant animals. In Africa, South Africa has the largest installed wind energy capacity and also hosts several raptor species of conservation importance. One such raptor is the regionally endemic Jackal Buzzard Buteo rufofuscus (family Accipitridae), which has its core population in South Africa. Despite frequent fatalities from collisions with wind turbine blades, this species is understudied. To address this gap, we conducted interviews with key stakeholders in the wind energy sector, including avifaunal specialists, wind energy developers, government representatives, and conservation nongovernmental organisations. The goal was to begin a cooperative process to identify crucial research gaps and to establish a future research agenda for Jackal Buzzards in the context of wind energy development. Stakeholders expressed confidence in current environmental impact assessment (EIA) techniques but highlighted a concern for direct collisions as a significant threat to Jackal Buzzards. The consensus was that WEFs are more likely to cause local rather than national population-level impacts. Although stakeholders generally shared similar opinions, minor differences emerged between groups. Movement ecology studies were identified as a high priority for future research on this species. By collaboratively formulating research priorities, this study aims to improve the relevance of future investigations, fostering stakeholder buy-in for potential policy and EIA practice recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrative social–ecological approaches are crucial for addressing sustainability challenges in coastal and marine systems. Among these, Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) emerges as a pivotal approach for integrated management. Often, the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the application of MSP occur in parallel. Given the potential synergies, there is a need to better understand and address barriers to the adoption of MSP approaches for integrative conservation mechanisms. Using São Tomé and Príncipe as a case study, we illustrate how MSP was employed as an operational framework for establishing an MPA network. Drawing on the experiences of people directly involved in this co‐design process, we reflect on the main challenges and opportunities in achieving social–ecological integration, and highlight recommendations for conservation practitioners and planners. Applying MSP was perceived to contribute substantially to multiple project goals, with some (e.g., incorporating perspectives and needs of vulnerable groups) more challenging to achieve. While MSP enhanced conceptual, disciplinary, methodological and functional integration, practical challenges in implementation hindered the extent to which each of these was achieved. Given international commitments to Blue Growth, high fisheries dependence and current patterns of change, developing effective integrative MSP approaches is essential for social–ecological resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stakeholder engagement is critical to bridge gaps between academic knowledge production and application for environmental resources. Q Methodology, a qualitative and quantitative protocol, is well suited to address environmental planning and management issues through rigorous analysis of stakeholder perspectives. We review several methodological applications that have been used with or within Q Methodology aiming to improve environmental management, inform decision-making and policy, and build consensus. We review their deployment across six domains: (1) Q-set: discourse identification and concourse creation; (2) P-set: strategies to select participants and promote stakeholder engagement; (3) Q-sorts: interaction with respondents during data production; (4) Comparisons: geographic and temporal comparisons; (5) Graphics: visualization techniques to improve interpretation and dissemination; and (6) Methods: the use of complementary and mixed methods. We discuss their utility for environmental planning and management and provide recommendations for integrating these procedures into future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the transition toward sustainable economic models through the circular economy (CE) in Mexico. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, this research incorporates a comprehensive literature review and analyzes responses from 42 stakeholders, gathered through surveys and focus groups. These stakeholders comprise a diverse group including PhD students, professors, researchers, industry professionals in sustainability and the environment, and government advisors and coordinators from the Mexican Secretary of Environment. This representative sample provides a broad perspective on the barriers, opportunities, and societal perceptions regarding CE. The findings reveal significant challenges such as economic barriers, regulatory inadequacies, and a lack of awareness and education, all of which hinder the adoption of CE practices. Despite these challenges, there is a generally optimistic view among stakeholders about CE's potential to positively impact societal needs, suggesting robust opportunities for innovation and policy enhancement to foster sustainable development. Key recommendations include intensifying educational programs to elevate public understanding and engagement, formulating supportive policies that facilitate CE adoption, and promoting intersectoral collaboration to leverage collective expertise and resources. Additionally, the research underscores the necessity of integrating CE principles into urban planning and policy frameworks to effectively address specific local challenges such as waste management, pollution, and urban sprawl. By providing a detailed analysis of the current state and potential of CE in Mexico, this paper contributes valuable insights to the global discourse on sustainability. It proposes strategic actions to overcome existing hurdles and capitalize on opportunities within the CE framework, charting a path forward for Mexico and serving as a model for other regions facing similar sustainability challenges [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic incentive is thought a good intervention type that can encourage residents to do food waste sorting by many cities' government in China. However, there is a lack of long-term, large-scale study. So the business-led incentive scheme was studied by a case study in Nanjing, China, which focuses on food waste sorting. The results showed that the incentive can encourage at most an average 37% of residents to start and then continue to do food waste sorting regularly. Later, the incentive cannot encourage more even with many non-economic interventions. And most of these participating residents (31%) were encouraged at the first 12 months. The results also showed that house price had a negative relationship with the community sorting performance. The comparative study results showed that the community committee must be involved in the non-economic interventions to encourage more residents to take part; otherwise, the company will fail even after many attempts. So the government should apply the incentive policy by dialectical view in food waste sorting. And the incentive scheme should involve all the stakeholders to apply non-economic interventions to encourage more residents to do food waste sorting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formal engagement of diverse stakeholder groups in policy design and implementation has become a mainstay governance strategy. While much has been learned about collaborative governance arrangements in terms of their structure, processes, and participant dynamics, one particularly salient dynamic has been relatively underexplored: the factors contributing to sustained participation in collaborative venues. Public administration and policy have developed a variety of conceptual theories which draw attention to interpersonal interactions and the ability of stakeholders to garner political wins as important contributing factors to sustained participation. In this article, we test four theoretically rooted hypotheses to investigate stakeholder attendance in the collaborative governance case of an environmental justice council. We analyze council meeting minute data using computational text analysis tools and a Stochastic Actor-Oriented Model to assess: (1) conflict and concord, measured in terms of repeated (dis)agreement with others and (2) interest advancement, or the extent to which a stakeholder makes positive, neutral, and negative comments toward topics which become the council's annual objectives in relation to an individual's attendance. Our interpersonal interaction results show that increased positive relationships are associated with increased attendance, and increased negative relationships are associated with decreased attendance, but, for both cases, only when interactions are repeated and not one-off. Our interest advancement results show: (1) an increase in supported annual objectives is associated with decreases in attendance for an individual stakeholder, but (2) increased oppositional and neutral annual topics are associated with a greater likelihood of attendance. This article contributes to existing scholarship on collaborative governance by offering additional insights into individual factors associated with sustained engagement in the collaborative venue. Furthermore, the article offers a generalizable methodological approach for analyzing these dynamics drawing on computational text analysis of meeting minute data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is vital to bring about sustainable development by incorporating sustainable strategies to drive businesses to align their interests with those of stakeholders. Drawing on stakeholder theory and practices, this study explores the synergistic nexus among green environmental strategies (GES; e.g., energy management, waste management, green procurement, waste conversation, green environment awareness programs, carbon footprint reduction, green data management, and ecological operational strategies), corporate social responsibility (CSR), and financial performance (FnP) of multinational enterprises (MNEs) within the energy and manufacturing sectors of China. A total of seven hundred and forty‐three responses were evaluated by structural equation modeling through SmartPLS software. Findings suggest that GES have a positive connection with FnP. Further, this relationship is positively moderated by CSR. This study contributes to both the theoretical and managerial perspectives. It highlights the notion of GES and CSR by verifying the positive influence of sustainable strategies on FnP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, most sub-Saharan African cities have been urged to leverage the rising land values resulting from rapid urbanization through the instruments of land-based financing (LBF) to finance basic infrastructure projects. However, a significant concern of LBF in the Global South has been its limited application due to institutional and technical challenges. The study examined how institutional structures and legal frameworks in Ghana influence the implementation and effectiveness of LBF mechanisms and the role capacity building, technological infrastructure and stakeholder engagement play in enhancing the operational effectiveness and public acceptance of LBF in Ghana. Using the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana as a case study, interviews were conducted with urban planners, policy makers, developers, local government officials and key informants and content analysis was used to analyse LBF policy documents. Key findings highlight significant legal gaps in the legal frameworks governing LBF, which can result in inconsistent application across municipalities and undermine revenue generation. Additionally, the study highlights the challenges of property valuation and tax collection due to inadequate and targeted capacity building programs for staff, technological infrastructure deficiencies, ineffective interagency collaboration, and limited stakeholder engagement, which ultimately affects the legitimacy and success of LBF initiatives. The study recommends the implementation LBF through legislative reforms, capacity-building programs, technological infrastructure investments, and interagency collaboration, emphasizing stakeholder engagement and transparent communication for effective implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stakeholder engagement in policy decision-making is critical to inform required trade-offs, especially in low-and-middle income settings, such as many African countries. Discrete-choice experiments are now commonly used to engage stakeholders in policy decisions, but other methods such as best-worst scaling (BWS), a theory-driven prioritization technique, could be equally important. We sought to document and explore applications of BWS to assess stakeholder priorities in the African context to bring attention to BWS as a method and to assess how and why it is being used to inform policy. Methods: We conducted a literature review of published applications of BWS for prioritization in Africa. Results: Our study identified 35 studies, with the majority published in the past four years. BWS has most commonly been used in agriculture (43%) and health (34%), although its broad applicability is demonstrated through use in fields influencing social and economic determinants of health, including business, environment, and transportation. Published studies from eastern, western, southern, and northern Africa include a broad range of sample sizes, design choices, and analytical approaches. Most studies are of high quality and high policy relevance. Several studies cited benefits of using BWS, with many of those citing potential limitations rather than observed limitations in their study. Conclusions: Growing use of the method across the African continent demonstrates its feasibility and utility, recommending it for consideration among researchers, program implementers, policy makers, and funders when conducting preference research to influence policy and improve health systems. Registration: The review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020209745). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is one of the main public health challenges globally. In Europe, it is also the second leading cause of mortality and incidence is likely to increase from nearly 4 million cases per year in 2020 to over 5 million new cases per year by 2040. Recognizing the urgency of tackling the entire disease pathway and supporting European Union (EU) Member States (MS), the European Commission (EC) launched two major initiatives: Europe's Beating Cancer Plan (EBCP) and the Mission on Cancer (MoC). Belgium is one of the few EU MS that has set up a dedicated structure, known as the Belgian EBCP Mirror Group (MG), to support the implementation of the EU strategy against cancer. The MG is a large national stakeholder platform coordinated by the Cancer Centre at Sciensano (Belgian Institute of Health). This Supplement between includes eight policy briefs developed by the MG on the most pressing needs to address in the Belgian cancer field. The policy briefs take into account relevant interventions at national level as well as Belgium's participation in European projects as of 2021-2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modernising engineering education demands integrating diverse perspectives through multidisciplinary, collaborative approaches. In developing countries, collaboration with stakeholders presents a significant challenge. This study aimed to develop a novel collective approach to establish priorities for modernising engineering education. A workshop was conducted by the Modernisation of Undergraduate Education Program at the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná in a Southern Brazilian metropolis, with 63 stakeholders from various sectors (education, experts, government, industry, and civil society organisations). The workshop consisted of three rounds discussions, including two rounds with stakeholders of the same sector and one round with stakeholders of different sectors mixed in discussion tables. Each table, comprising 3–7 participants, aimed to reach a consensus. Several topics were addressed in the discussions, including curricularization of extension, updating outdated curricular bases, and integrating soft skills and entrepreneurship into engineering programs. The resulting goals emphasised the integration of engineering education with society and industry. Participants agreed on short to medium-term deadlines for achieving these goals. This approach connected stakeholders, fostering an extensive collaborative, multisectoral network supporting engineering education modernisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring sustainability in poultry production is complex and requires a multifaceted approach that considers human health and food security, bird health, the environment, and society. Consumers are critical stakeholders, yet their growing disconnection from agriculture production practices complicates efforts to achieve more sustainable systems. This study aims to gain insights into consumers' attitudes toward poultry and perceptions of contemporary productionmethods. Exploration of consumer perspectives would offer valuable insights that could educate producers on the priorities of the target market and make informed decisions about embracing practices to increase the sustainability of their operations. In this context, eight focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 54multicultural participants who consume chicken and reside in Minnesota, USA. The major themes that emerged from the FGDs include (1) purchasing and consumption habits, (2) concerns regarding production methods, (3) the impact of social, religious, and cultural factors, (4) familiarity with poultry production practices, and (5) the importance of educating consumers. The study revealed that convenience, affordability, and health benefits are positive drivers of poultry consumption. While participants exhibited a greater preference for the flavor of dark (leg and thigh) meat, they often chose breast meat for its ease of preparation and perceived health benefits. Concern for human health tended to take precedence over ethical claims associated with animal welfare. Furthermore, misconceptions emerging from skepticism and unfamiliarity with regulations and the labeling of poultry productsmay deter the acceptability of higher costs. Many participants identified knowledge gaps and sought science-based information from reliable sources. They conveyed the necessity of outreach and education for consumers in more engaging and accessible forms of communication. The well-established reputation of poultry as a healthy, convenient, and affordable source of protein is the main driver for its consumption. Learning the attributes they believe are significant and underlying motivations or obstacles to consumption can be beneficial in developing effective strategies to promote the adoption of sustainable practices. Enhancing consumer understanding of sustainable poultry production could influence their acceptance and readiness to absorb the additional costs associated with it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve the goals of the 2030 Global Biodiversity Framework, the European Biodiversity Strategy, and the EU Green Deal, biodiversity monitoring is critical. Monitoring efforts in Europe, however, suffer from gaps and biases in taxonomy, spatial coverage, and temporal resolution, resulting in fragmented and disconnected data. To assess user and policy needs in biodiversity monitoring, we employed a four‐step user‐centered stakeholder engagement process with over 300 stakeholders including a public stakeholder workshop, online survey, interviews, and a meeting with experts from 18 EU member states, the European Commission, and the European Environment Agency. The stakeholders identified policy needs, current challenges, and potential solutions. Based on the policy and stakeholder assessment, we recommend establishing a European Biodiversity Observation Coordinating Centre to optimize existing observation efforts, harmonize data, and enhance our ability to predict and respond to key challenges related to biodiversity loss in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban forest management is crucial for supporting human well-being, ecosystems, and society, particularly with expanding global urban population and multi-uses of these urban greenspaces. This literature review examines the conceptualization and factors that contribute to conflicts and/or collaborations in urban forest management, including, but not limited to, diverse actors' uses, needs, and perceptions. Using PRISMA methods, we systematically reviewed 176 scholarly articles published between 2013 and 2021 and found that most articles were primarily from the United States, Australia, and Canada. Findings highlight the need for clearer definitions of collaboration, emphasizing communication, operational tasks, planning, and shared beliefs among actors. Positive collaborations involved multi-level engagement and inclusive decision-making. In most cases, multiple issues contributed to conflict, including a variety of stakeholders with differing viewpoints on a given situation. Conflicts are commonly complex situations that do not lend themselves to a one-size-fits-all solution and tend to be a unique manifestation of the people, places, and perspectives involved. Our review can inform practitioners about more inclusive practices and adaptive management of urban forests. We conclude by providing lessons learned and suggestions for future research on stakeholder involvement, public education, governance, policy, decision-making, and the role of biophysical and ecosystem services in urban forest collaboration and conflicts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The definition, characterization and implementation of Positive Energy Districts is crucial in the path towards urban decarbonization and energy transition. However, several issues still must be addressed: the need for a clear and comprehensive definition, and the settlement of a consistent design approach for Positive Energy Districts. As emerged throughout the workshop held during the fourth edition of Smart and Sustainable Planning for Cities and Regions Conference (SSPCR 2022) in Bolzano (Italy), further critical points are also linked to the planning, modeling and assessment steps, besides sustainability aspects and stakeholders' involvement. The "World Café" methodology adopted during the workshop allowed for simple—but also effective and flexible—group discussions focused on the detection of key PED characteristics, such as morphologic, socio-economic, demographic, technological, quality-of-life and feasibility factors. Four main work groups were defined in order to allow them to share, compare and discuss around five main PED-related topics: energy efficiency, energy flexibility, e-mobility, soft mobility, and low-carbon generation. Indeed, to properly deal with PED challenges and crucial aspects, it is necessary to combine and balance these technologies with enabler factors like financing instruments, social innovation and involvement, innovative governance and far-sighted policies. This paper proposes, in a structured form, the main outcomes of the co-creation approach developed during the workshop. The importance of implementing a holistic approach was highlighted: it requires a systematic and consistent integration of economic, environmental and social aspects directly connected to an interdisciplinary cross-sectorial collaboration between researchers, policymakers, industries, municipalities, and citizens. Furthermore, it was reaffirmed that, to make informed and reasoned decisions throughout an effective PED design and planning process, social, ecological, and cultural factors (besides merely technical aspects) play a crucial role. Thanks to the valuable insights and recommendations gathered from the workshop participants, a conscious awareness of key issues in PED design and implementation emerged, and the fundamental role of stakeholders in the PED development path was confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to present a decision support system (DSS) to capture the complexity of the transition of a national energy system to net zero in the context of multiple sustainability themes. The paper proposes an integrated assessment framework that combines dynamic systems modeling, sustainability indicators, and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) with direct stakeholder involvement. To illustrate the use of the DSS, the paper compares bundles of climate change policies that aim to decarbonize the road transport sector in Iceland. Eighteen scenarios and alternative development trajectories are defined for the Icelandic energy system based on a combination of three main driving forces. These are, firstly, economic development (three cases); secondly, changes in energy efficiency (two cases); and finally, three climate policy bundles aimed at increasing the share of electric vehicles. Based on the results from the integrated assessment framework, the performance scores of the climate policy bundles are compared across the following five sustainability themes: social impact; economic development; environmental impact; energy security; and technical aspects. The findings confirm that a different conclusion may be reached when multiple sustainability themes are applied in the selection of preferred policy bundles as compared to conventional techno-economic criteria. Banning the registration of fossil-fueled vehicles, combined with economic instruments, offers the best decarbonizing strategy to reach climate and energy policy goals simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scenario-guided foresight processes are increasingly used to engage a broad range of stakeholders in sharing knowledge, reflecting, and setting priorities to respond to present and future climate change related dynamics. They are particularly useful to inform agricultural policies and planning in the face of a changing climate. Such participatory approaches are key to integrating multidisciplinary expertise, perspectives, and viewpoints, and ensuring that the multi-faceted vulnerabilities and the development needs of diverse groups are addressed in the design, planning, and implementation of climate adaptation policy. However, in practice, ensuring meaningful participation in the policy process is far from straightforward. In this paper, we examine the integration of gender and social inclusion considerations in 15 scenario-guided foresight use cases across Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia to determine the ways in which gender and social inclusion dynamics were considered and integrated at different stages of scenario-guided planning processes. To inform the analysis, we use qualitative data from key informant interviews, interviewing scenario coordinators and a gender and social inclusion expert who was engaged in one of the cases; we also review associated reports and outputs. The results suggest that few scenario-guided planning processes centred gender and social inclusion considerations from an early stage and consistently throughout the interventions, translating often into low diversity of stakeholders and insufficient depth reached in the content produced. A number of common challenges are reported including time, budget, and human resource constraints, as well as existing power and institutional dynamics. The latter includes, for instance, low women's representation in technical organizations or important hierarchical social norms structuring discussions. While the focus on the future can disrupt established modes of doing, the complexity of foresight methods can also undermine effective participation leading to important trade-offs. Innovations in the modes of engagement and parallel processes with diverse groups can be important leverage points for inclusion within policymaking processes. Key policy insights: Gender and social inclusion should be prioritized from the onset and integrated at different stages of scenario-guided planning processes, notably by allocating more time, human, and financial resources to ensure inclusiveness. Parallel consultations among diverse organizations and groups can provide effective spaces for often-sidelined or marginalized groups' interests and needs to be integrated into policy decision-making given the existing power structures that regulate access to many workshops and related discussions. Multi-scale engagements with different networks also help deepen understanding and reconcile gaps across scales of decision-making (e.g. from local level to national level). Practitioners should further their use of foresight processes and development of tools and methods for integrating gender and social inclusion in these as part of the policy process, as well as strengthen the capacities, expertise, and role of conveners. Promotion and dissemination of existing gender and social inclusion research and documentation as well as support for learning and reflection to refine identified leverage points can lead to improved success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises have become increasingly relevant in the debate on the role of business in society. This instrument for responsible business conduct (RBC) is considered to be unique due to its implementation mechanism, the National Contact Point (NCP) procedure. The NCP procedure applies a pragmatic stakeholder engagement approach to contribute to the effectiveness of the OECD Guidelines. However, little is known about the effects of the NCP procedure. To fill this gap, this study provides insights into the ex‐post effects of the Dutch NCP procedure on solving non‐compliance issues, the RBC performance of MNEs, and societal impact. This study developed a framework of different layers of effects. It used this framework to gather and analyze empirical data through interviews with parties that have participated in non‐compliance procedures. The effects found are mainly related to solving issues, while the effects on RBC within MNEs and their societal impact seem limited. Based on the findings, this study concludes that the full potential of the OECD Guidelines remains unrealized in most of the investigated cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how ESG risks and opportunities can be systematically identified, assessed, and incorporated into the early-stage design and planning of natural resources projects. The focus for this study will be on the mining activities required to source the resources for the global decarbonization effort. The need for a framework to incorporate ESG risks and opportunities into the strategic mine planning process was first identified in the de Beers Sustainability Valuation Approach. The Social Value Capital Decision Model advanced by BHP represents an advance on the de Beers model. This is the first example of a structured methodology for systematically considering stakeholder values and incorporating these into the capital decision framework. To test the applicability of a new approach to mine design by using Quality Function Deployment (QFD), a case study involving a copper mine located in South America was developed. This case study demonstrates how QFD can provide clear line-of-sight to connect design decisions with priority stakeholder concerns. The framework provides a communications tool for aligning the ESG design process across functional silos within complex organizations. The development of appropriate software tools could assist in managing the inherent complexity associated with integrating stakeholder value concerns into early stage design decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper proposes a novel approach to dialogue with local stakeholders to maximise the shared value that can be generated by infrastructure investments for the benefit of urban communities. The approach proposes a method for deliberately activating synergies between infrastructure and complementary initiatives through the active engagement of public and private stakeholders. In many cases today, infrastructure is designed, financed and implemented as functionally unitary engineering works that meet a specific need, leaving synergies with complementary initiatives to be activated spontaneously. Moreover, the dialogue with local stakeholders is limited and reductive, aiming mainly at the exchange of some project information and consensus building, thus missing the opportunity to identify and mobilise those ideas, capabilities and resources that are always present within a community. In the proposed approach, infrastructure is the catalyst for a long-term vision and stakeholder engagement is the tool for identifying the synergistic initiatives that can be implemented with the participation of public and private actors to maximise value creation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to address the generalised lack of guidance on ethical treatment of corporate (e.g. non-research) data in higher education institutions, by focusing on the case of the University of Queensland (Brisbane, Australia). No actionable framework is currently available in the country to govern the ethical usage of corporate data. As such, this research takes a stakeholder-centred approach to data ethics; the lived experience of the stakeholders involved coupled with a theory-based ethical framework allowed the authors build to build a framework to guide ethical data practice. Design/methodology/approach: Adopting a revised canonical action research approach focused on intervention on the context, the authors conducted a review of the literature on ethical usage of data in higher education institutions; administered one survey to university students (n = 168); and facilitated three workshops with professional staff (two) and students (one). Findings: Collected data highlighted how, among other themes, the role and ethical importance of transparency was the dominant claim among all stakeholder groups. Findings helped the authors develop an Enhanced Enterprise Data Ethics Framework (EEDEF) emphasising transparency and stakeholder-centricity. Practical implications: Legislation is the driver to regulate the use of corporate data in higher education; however, this can be problematic because legislation is retrospective, lacks normativity and offers scarce directions for cases that do not exactly follow within the legislative mandate. In light of these regulatory limitations, the authors' EEDEF offers operators guidance on how to ethically manage corporate data in the higher education environment. Originality/value: This study fills gaps in praxis and theory; that is the lack of literature and guiding ethical frameworks to inform data practice in higher education. This research fosters a more ethical data management by virtue of genuine and authentic engagement with stakeholders and emphasises the importance of strategic decision-making and maturity of data culture in the higher education sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine the drivers related to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and green brand experience that drive green brand loyalty (GBL), ranking the relative importance of these drivers while providing additional explanations for the ranking results. Data were collected from individuals with at least 5 years of experience consuming green agricultural products in Vietnam. The Delphi method and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) were employed in combination to address the research objectives. The research results indicated that both CSR and green brand experience can promote stakeholder engagement and enhance GBL, with components of green brand experience being evaluated as more crucial. The drivers within green brand experience and CSR were ranked in importance. The study makes significant scientific and practical contributions by combining qualitative and quantitative methods in this field, integrating components of CSR and green brand experience within an analytical framework to compare their importance in fostering GBL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite growing scholarly consensus on the need for nature-based solutions (NBS) as holistic and sustainable alternatives to traditional engineering solutions, stakeholder acceptance and implementation of NBS remain low. This study investigates stakeholder narratives on implementing nature-based solutions (NBS) for mitigating hydro-meteorological risks across five European river basin sites in Eastern and Central Europe. Utilising the Q-methodology and narrative analysis, we identified three ideal–typical narratives: idealist, reformist, and sceptic—each providing distinct perspectives on evidence-based policy formation and NBS integration. Our results demonstrate that: (1) idealists' optimistic outlook risks overlooking critical engagement with implementation challenges; (2) neglecting sceptic concerns may impede NBS adoption and invite accusations of green-washing, and (3) reformists promote evidence-based approaches and transparent stakeholder engagement to bridge narrative divides. The study underscores the importance of identifying shared values, stakeholder collaboration, and a nuanced understanding of contextual factors in fostering NBS implementation. The study contributes to a practical framework aligning NBS projects with prevailing narratives, offering guidance for navigating the complex landscape of NBS implementation. Future research should prioritize in-depth analysis of agent perspectives, place-specific influences on narratives, and the application of narrative analysis to other emerging technologies and environmental topics (e.g. circular economy), deepening our understanding of the socio-political dynamics shaping the acceptance and implementation of sustainable solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how leading Thai companies implement materiality assessments and stakeholder engagements in their sustainability reporting. While the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework emphasizes these processes as being central to effective reporting, research on their concurrent implementation remains limited. Through a content analysis of GRI-aligned sustainability reports from top Thai firms, this study found that companies appear comprehensive in identifying material topics and stakeholders initially. However, a deeper analysis revealed primarily information-gathering approaches with stakeholders and limited disclosure of stakeholder impacts. Materiality assessments lacked clear information on how material issues affect both the organization and stakeholders. The findings indicate that materiality assessments are more rigorous than stakeholder engagement efforts in practice. This suggests that even when using stakeholder-focused standards like the GRI, actual stakeholder engagement may be superficial. Such superficial implementation of reporting standards potentially limits the ability of these standards to generate stakeholder engagement, which is an important pre-requisite for organizational transformation and accountability. This study contributes to understanding the practical application of these key reporting processes in an emerging market context. It highlights areas for improvement in corporate reporting practice and proposes directions for future research on enhancing the effectiveness of sustainability reporting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the relationship between environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure and the performance of Saudi Arabian companies. We analysed panel data from the 100 non-financial companies listed on the Saudi stock exchange (Tadawul) from 2017 to 2022. Using fixed effects, random effects, and generalised method of moments (GMM) models to account for endogeneity concerns, we examined the impact of ESG disclosure on the return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE), and Tobin's Q. An ESG index was constructed through a principal component analysis of individual environmental, social, and governance scores. Our results indicate a significant positive relationship between ESG disclosure and companies' key performance variables across all models. These findings are consistent with stakeholder theory and signalling theory, suggesting that comprehensive ESG practices can lead to better financial performance and serve as a positive signal to stakeholders. The study also reveals sector-specific differences, with non-manufacturing firms showing stronger positive relationships between ESG disclosure and performance measures compared to manufacturing firms. Additionally, we find that firm size, age, and liquidity are important factors influencing the ESG–performance relationship. This research contributes to the growing literature on ESG and corporate performance in emerging markets, offering valuable insights for policymakers, investors, and corporate practitioners in Saudi Arabia's evolving sustainable business landscape. Our findings underscore the importance of ESG disclosure in driving sustainable and responsible business practices in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research funding has been criticized as biased against novel initiatives and lacking diversity, which leads to further disparities. Patient and stakeholder engagement could support research that goes beyond traditional paradigms and increases diversity. However, best practices to engage stakeholders in research, including funding decisions, continue to be developed. We report on the implementation of stakeholder input in two federally funded initiatives, one that seeks to advance research reducing disparities, and the other seeks to advance deprescribing research. Overall, the review process includes stakeholders as decision makers and supports their efforts through group discussion and other activities. Reconciling stakeholder input that may differ from scientific peer review is a challenge within the decision for funding. Lessons learned include balancing stakeholder and scientific assessments and including guidance on stakeholder engagement to grant awardees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Southeast Arabia (i.e. the United Arab Emirates [UAE] and Oman), geoconservation is a budding initiative, but to date, there has been limited evaluation of geoheritage sites in this region. Many geoheritage evaluation methods have been developed over the last 20 years, but the most popular methods reflect experiences from experts in Europe. The representativeness of these methods for different regional, cultural, and social contexts requires scrutiny. This study developed the first parametric method for geoheritage evaluation focused on Southeast Arabia, using Fujairah, UAE as a case study. The study applied a novel approach based on questionnaires completed by regional geoscience academics, local nature tourism professionals, and local science teachers. The preferences they expressed for scientific value, educational value, and touristic value, respectively, were used to develop the evaluation method. To test the requirements for informed decisions by tourism professionals and science teachers, the study compared results of questionnaires from two occasions: after a seminar on regional geoheritage sites, and after site visits. The resulting method deviates from previous methods in the relative weight it places on various criteria, substantiating the need to target wider regional voices in methods for geoheritage evaluation in Fujairah and Southeast Arabia. It reflects the need to consider cultural and societal differences, as well as curricular requirements for the educational value, that are not highlighted in existing evaluation methods. The applicability of the method was tested and confirmed by ranking geosites in Fujairah, and the method could be used at a regional scale in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Both pregnant women and those with multiple long-term conditions are under-served groups in clinical research. Informing and improving research through patient and public involvement, including pregnant women with two or more long-term health conditions, is critical to increasing their inclusion in maternity research. Giant PANDA is a randomised controlled trial, evaluating the effect of a treatment initiation strategy with nifedipine versus labetalol on severe maternal hypertension and a composite outcome of fetal/neonatal death, or neonatal unit admission. We aimed to undertake a mixed methods study-within-a-project within the Giant PANDA trial to understand barriers and facilitators to participation, understand and optimise current representativeness of clinical trial delivery of those with multiple long-term conditions and co-create a checklist to support their inclusion in pregnancy research. Methods We undertook online workshops with women with lived experience and hybrid workshops with healthcare professionals who look after women with multiple long-term conditions. A site audit of Giant PANDA sites provided insights into research delivery capacity and health system set-up, and how this influences inclusion. An extension to the Giant PANDA screening log captured data on multiple long-term conditions enabling analysis of the impact of these health conditions on women’s inclusion in the trial. We co-created a checklist of recommendations for those designing and recruiting to similar clinical trials. Results Five key recommendations were identified including a need to (1) involve women with multiple long-term conditions as partners in maternity research and (2) minimise barriers that stop them from taking part through (3) designing and delivering research that is flexible in time and place (4) consider research as part of care for everyone, including those with multiple long-term conditions and (5) measure and report inclusion of those with two or more health conditions in maternity research. Multiple long-term conditions were not a barrier to recruitment or randomisation in the Giant PANDA trial. Conclusion Women with multiple long-term conditions would like opportunities to find out about and participate in research which accounts for their needs. Our checklist aims to support those designing and delivering maternity research to optimise inclusion of individuals with multiple-long term conditions. Trial registration: Giant PANDA: EudraCT number: 2020-003410-12, ISRCTN: 12,792,616.

Abstract In response to global challenges like climate change and resource depletion, national and international policies are increasingly emphasising sustainability. The bioeconomy represents a promising field to reconcile environmental integrity with economic development. The objective of this study is to examine the role of renewable resources in the construction industry within the framework of the bioeconomy, with a particular focus on Sustainable Development Goal 11: ‘Sustainable cities and communities’. The case study analyses the practical challenges and opportunities for innovation in Central Germany through a comprehensive regional analysis of construction practices using renewable resources. The methodology involved monitoring biomass flows by assessing harvest yields, area shares and biomass potentials. It also analysed the importance of the bio-based economy by examining employment data and identifying potential growth sectors. Stakeholder engagement was facilitated through knowledge transfer workshops to encourage collaboration and innovation. The results of the study highlight key trends within the industry, including the increasing prevalence of timber buildings, wood as a renewable carbon source in the chemical industry and the growing demand for wood-based packaging solutions. Policy initiatives are playing a supportive role in driving these developments, taking advantage of the region’s extensive wood resources (14.7 million m3 harvested in 2021) and the significant employment contribution of the forestry, wood and construction industries (2% of total employment, representing no less than 81,506 employees). These figures demonstrate the potential for sustainable construction practices to drive local economic growth and contribute to wider environmental objectives.

Abstract Cancer is one of the main public health challenges globally. In Europe, it is also the second leading cause of mortality and incidence is likely to increase from nearly 4 million cases per year in 2020 to over 5 million new cases per year by 2040. Recognizing the urgency of tackling the entire disease pathway and supporting European Union (EU) Member States (MS), the European Commission (EC) launched two major initiatives: Europe's Beating Cancer Plan (EBCP) and the Mission on Cancer (MoC). Belgium is one of the few EU MS that has set up a dedicated structure, known as the Belgian EBCP Mirror Group (MG), to support the implementation of the EU strategy against cancer. The MG is a large national stakeholder platform coordinated by the Cancer Centre at Sciensano (Belgian Institute of Health). This Supplement between includes eight policy briefs developed by the MG on the most pressing needs to address in the Belgian cancer field. The policy briefs take into account relevant interventions at national level as well as Belgium's participation in European projects as of 2021-2023.

Abstract Background Stakeholder engagement in policy decision-making is critical to inform required trade-offs, especially in low-and-middle income settings, such as many African countries. Discrete-choice experiments are now commonly used to engage stakeholders in policy decisions, but other methods such as best-worst scaling (BWS), a theory-driven prioritization technique, could be equally important. We sought to document and explore applications of BWS to assess stakeholder priorities in the African context to bring attention to BWS as a method and to assess how and why it is being used to inform policy. Methods We conducted a literature review of published applications of BWS for prioritization in Africa. Results Our study identified 35 studies, with the majority published in the past four years. BWS has most commonly been used in agriculture (43%) and health (34%), although its broad applicability is demonstrated through use in fields influencing social and economic determinants of health, including business, environment, and transportation. Published studies from eastern, western, southern, and northern Africa include a broad range of sample sizes, design choices, and analytical approaches. Most studies are of high quality and high policy relevance. Several studies cited benefits of using BWS, with many of those citing potential limitations rather than observed limitations in their study. Conclusions Growing use of the method across the African continent demonstrates its feasibility and utility, recommending it for consideration among researchers, program implementers, policy makers, and funders when conducting preference research to influence policy and improve health systems. Registration The review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020209745).

IntroductionIn an attempt to address health inequities, many U.S. states have considered or enacted legislation requiring antibias or implicit bias training (IBT) for health care providers. California's "Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act" requires that hospitals and alternative birthing centers provide IBT to perinatal clinicians with the goal of improving clinical outcomes for Black women and birthing people. However, there is as yet insufficient evidence to identify what IBT approaches, if any, achieve this goal. Engaging the experiences and insights of IBT stakeholders is a foundational step in informing nascent IBT policy, curricula, and implementation.MethodsWe conducted a multimethod community-based participatory research study with key stakeholders of California's IBT policy to identify key challenges and recommendations for effective clinician IBT. We used focus groups, in-depth interviews, combined inductive/deductive thematic analysis, and multiple techniques to promote rigor and validity. Participants were San Francisco Bay Area-based individuals who identified as Black or African American women with a recent hospital birth (n=20), and hospital-based perinatal clinicians (n=20).ResultsWe identified numerous actionable challenges and recommendations regarding aspects of (1) state law; (2) IBT content and format; (3) health care facility IBT implementation; (4) health care facility environment; and (5) provider commitment and behaviors. Patient and clinician insights overlapped substantially. Many respondents felt IBT would improve outcomes only in combination with other antiracism interventions.Health equity implicationsThese stakeholder insights offer policy-makers, health system leaders, and curriculum developers crucial guidance for the future development and implementation of clinician antibias interventions.