Beyond the shoreline: public perceptions and the value of maritime heritage in Iceland

Antarctic Tourism and the Maritime Heritage

There are strong links between heritage and the environment yet, heritage is not fully included in existing ecosystem‐based frameworks. Different understandings of heritage values exist, and heritage values are not yet related to key value categories in environmental values research. To address this gap and facilitate a common values‐based approach, we develop a novel framework that links heritage and environmental values. First, we expand the understanding of heritage values by linking heritage to key environmental value categories. We then use the Life Framework of Values to show how heritage features in the different ways in which people relate to the world. The resulting heritage values framework is operationalised by applying it to six case examples drawn from participatory research on the governance of European coastal and maritime heritage. We found that the environment was not only considered to be a setting for heritage but was itself valued as heritage in different ways; that heritage is not extrinsic to the environment but is also a way in which people see meaning in the environment; and that multiple value frames and types were involved in shaping this perspective. The results highlight important discrepancies between stakeholders' perspectives and existing management approaches. Applying the framework shows the ways in which heritage and nature are entwined by providing a structure for elucidating what can be valued as heritage, what values can inform heritage values and how heritage values feature in human–nature relations. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Protecting China’s maritime heritage: Current conditions and national policy

The concept of this paper materialised from the need to introduce those attending the conference to the host country's history and heritage as seen from the perspective of the sea. This initial introduction was then adapted to act as a platform for a discussion on various aspects of the islands' maritime heritage. Through this paper the author intends to highlight some of these aspects that are either partly overlooked or simply ignored all together. Concrete solutions to the various problems that exist can only be reached through an organised effort conducted by various local bodies. This paper may act as food for thought with regards to the most pressing question, being the identification of what needs to be done. Only once this is established can we truly focus on the how.

<p><span>Severe air pollution is hazardous to human health and long-term exposure to air pollution degrades not only human health but also the quality of life. In the recent years, public concern and awareness of air quality have been greatly raised in South Korea, and this is somewhat contradictory to the level of particulate matter with diameters less than 10 μm (PM10). The observed PM10 levels cannot explain the elevated levels of public concern specifically after 2013–2014 because the average PM10 was much higher in the past (prior to 2013) and shows a decreasing tendency during the recent decades over South Korea. This study utilizes big data from internet search engines (internet search volume data from Google and NAVER) to understand how people perceive air quality differently from the level of observed PM10 and what influences public perception of air quality. An index, air quality perception index (AQPI), is newly proposed in this study and it is assumed that the internet search volume data with a keyword of “air quality” are representative of this index. An empirical model that simulates AQPI is developed by employing the decay theory of forgetting and is trained by PM10, visibility, and internet search volume data. The results show that the memory decay exponent and the accumulation of past memory traces, which represent the weighted sum of past perceived air quality, play key roles in explaining the public's perception of air quality. A severe haze event with an extremely long duration that occurred in the year 2013–2014 is found to trigger the increase in public awareness of air quality, acting as a turning point. Before the turning point, AQPI is more influenced by sensory information (visibility) due to the low awareness level, but after the turning point it is more influenced by PM10 and people slowly forget about air quality. The retrospective AQPI analysis assuming a low level of awareness confirms that perceived air quality is indeed worst in the year 2013–2014. In other words, the high level of awareness after experiencing the record-long severe haze event in 2013–2014 makes people remember longer and more sensitive to the level of pollutants, thus explaining the increased public concerns in the recent years. Our results suggest the promising potential of social data for a better understanding of public perception and awareness of other natural and/or man-made hazards.</span></p>

Public's Awareness and Perceptions on the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia Dispute Resolution Department: An Exploratory Study

Abstract. This paper presents the results from an underwater recording of the stern part of a contemporary cargo-ship wreck. The aim of this survey was to create 3D representations of this wreck mainly for recreational diving purposes. The key points of this paper are: a) the implementation of the underwater recording at a diving site; b) the reconstruction of a 3d model from data that have been captured by recreational divers; and c) the development of a set of products to be used by the general public for the ex situ presentation or for the in situ navigation. The idea behind this project is to define a simple and low cost procedure for the surveying, modeling and 3D representation of a diving site. The perspective of our team is to repeat the proposed methodology for the documentation and the promotion of other diving sites with cultural features, as well as to train recreational divers in underwater surveying procedures towards public awareness and community engagement in the maritime heritage.

Abstract. Climate change has become, among countless pressures, a dominant threat to heritage places. It is critical to identify, analyse, assess, and mitigate immediate risks, and manage unforeseeable, unavoidable, and adverse impacts of climate on heritage values. There is an urgency in the heritage field to identify practical, efficient, and repeatable ways to document and monitor the condition of diverse heritage resources and develop climate adaptation strategies. Digital technologies, cloud computing, and digital preservation of heritage places can play a vital role in support of condition assessment, conservation planning, and sustainable management of heritage resources. This paper discusses a pilot project that experiments with the application of this idea on a selected case study, St. Albert River Lots in Alberta, Canada, and examines the challenges and opportunities of employing Amazon Web Services (AWS) and other Cloud-based applications. The project aimed to prepare a 3D model, as a foundation for recording current conditions and a tool for monitoring the impacts of climate change on heritage aspects and values in order to assist with the preparation of a detailed conservation management plan for the place in a digital format and contribute to the interpretive programming activities and raising public awareness.

Whaling is a largely under-researched aspect of Georgian Liverpool's maritime heritage. Nevertheless, some broad features of this trade are known. Indeed, Liverpool began sending whaling vessels to the Arctic in 1750, but by 1823 this trade had effectively collapsed at the port. However, there is one area in particular that has been especially overlooked by the existing literature: the relationship between Liverpool's business–political lobby and the local whaling industry. By analysing this issue, we gain a broader understanding of the patterns of Liverpool's northern whaling trade to 1823. Evidently, if a maritime business is to succeed then it requires consistent lobbying and support on dry land.

Introduction

BackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder characterised by motor and non-motor symptoms that significantly impact quality of life (QoL). Despite its growing prevalence, public awareness and understanding of PD remain limited, contributing to stigma and social isolation. This study evaluates public knowledge and perceptions of PD across Ireland to identify educational gaps and inform public health initiatives.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to April 2024, using a modified version of existing questionnaires on PD knowledge. The survey was distributed online via social media platforms and charity networks, targeting adults residing in Ireland. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were employed to analyse the data. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast (MHLS23_132).ResultsA total of 796 respondents completed the survey, predominantly female (83.4%) and aged 18–24 (31.7%). While 92.9% recognised PD as a neurological disorder, misconceptions about its classification persisted. Awareness of motor symptoms like tremor and bradykinesia was high, but non-motor symptoms such as chronic fatigue were less recognised. Only 42% were aware of available treatments, and 33.7% had encountered PD-related stigma. Social media emerged as the preferred platform for raising awareness, cited by 46.2% of participants.ConclusionThe findings reveal critical knowledge gaps and stigma regarding PD, emphasising the need for targeted educational initiatives. Public health campaigns, particularly leveraging social media, are essential to enhance understanding, reduce misconceptions, and improve QoL for individuals with PD. By addressing awareness and encouraging a supportive environment, these initiatives can contribute to better public perception and management of PD.

The West of Ireland ‘Galway hooker’ holds iconic status in the region’s maritime heritage and identity. In this paper we explore its significance from the perspective of bádóirí (boatmen or hooker sailors) and saortha báid (boat wrights) in southwest Conamara, whose lives and family histories revolve around this traditional wooden sailing craft. Selections from thirty-three interviews reveal emotions and meaningful experiences resonating through family biographies: stories of sacrifice, loss, obligation, love, reverence and excitement. We also trace how the hooker characterizes a tangible culture, animating a distinct local, embodied knowledge and sense of place. No longer premised upon economic livelihood, but primarily practiced as a leisure and heritage activity, the hooker and its material culture confer an ontologically sensed continuity of connection to place and culture over time. Here we provide insights to the centrality of the hooker for coastal communities and its sedimented, intergenerational emotional and cultural connections.

Public awareness, participation and attitude toward the national biosafety framework and genetically modified organisms in Ghana

Science and Public Engagement in National Parks: Examples and Advice from Young Scientists

BackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurological disease affecting around 1% of people above sixty years old. It is characterised by both motor and non-motor symptoms including tremor, slow movement, unsteady gait, constipation and urinary incontinence. As the disease progresses, individuals living with the disease are likely to lose their independence and autonomy, subsequently affecting their quality of life. People with PD should be supported to live well within their communities but there has been limited research regarding what the public know about PD. This review aims to develop an understanding of how the public view people living with PD, which has the potential to aid the development of an educational resource for the future to improve public awareness and understanding of PD. The purpose of this scoping review is to review and synthesise the literature on the public perception and attitudes towards people living with PD and identify and describe key findings.AimThis scoping review aims to explore public perceptions and awareness of Parkinson’s Disease among diverse populations, encompassing beliefs, knowledge, attitudes, and the broader societal context influencing these perceptions.MethodsA scoping review of the literature was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis extension for ScR (PRISMA-ScR). Four electronic databases were searched systematically (CINAHL Plus, Medline, PsycINFO and International Bibliography of the Social Sciences). The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools (JBI) were used to assess the quality of primary studies, however, all relevant studies were considered regardless of their methodological quality. The ‘Population-Concept-Context’ framework was used in the screening process to identify eligible papers.ResultsA total of 23 studies were included in the review representing global research in quantitative (n = 12) and mixed methods approaches (n = 11). All 23 studies adopted some aspect of cross-sectional design. Three themes emerged from the studies, the first being public knowledge of symptoms, causes and treatment of PD and this highlighted a lack of understanding about the disease. Secondly, the review identified public attitudes towards PD, highlighting the social consequences of the disease, including the association between PD and depression, isolation and loss of independence. Finally, the third theme highlighted that there was a paucity of educational resources available to help increase public understanding of PD.ConclusionFindings from this scoping review have indicated that public awareness of PD is a growing area of interest. To our knowledge, this is the first scoping review on this topic and review findings have indicated that public knowledge and attitudes towards PD vary internationally. The implications of this are that people with PD are more likely to be a marginalised group within their communities. Future research should focus on understanding the perception of the public from the perspective of people with PD, the development of interventions and awareness campaigns to promote public knowledge and attitude and further high-quality research to gauge public perceptions of PD.