Academic Discourse Research Articles

Ethnic and National Identity in Russian Research: A Scoping Review

This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the contemporary studies regarding ethnic and national identities written in the Russian language. The study reveals major contexts and patterns of the operationalization of the concepts. The scoping review is based on the framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley, with qualitative content analysis as its primary method. Samples from 114 papers were analyzed to find existing approaches to identity studies and conceptualization. Explicit and implicit identity definitions and identity attributes were mapped and coded. The research found that scholars tend to provide original definitions and relate identity to consciousness. Implying the idea of a person’s uniqueness, identity is often regarded as rooted in memory, hence the number of mentions of memory studies and memory politics in the reviewed articles. Another finding is that multiple and/or complex identities are widely investigated, and these identity types are given original names, mostly compound. With a great number of identity types, there is still a common understanding of identity as a constructed, dynamic phenomenon. The study concludes that identity is a common value-charged notion for Russian academic discourse, with national and ethnic identities being at the heart of the ongoing studies. The paper concentrates on identities of large groups, which is viewed as a politically sensitive issue, closely intertwined with the view of identity as a factor and resource of the development of society. Main topics are politics, history, representation, dynamics, plurality, communication, cultural factors, and territory. The analysis of the identity studies contributes to professional discourse by illuminating how concepts of ethnic and national identities are operationalized and communicated in the Russian-language academic community, thus enhancing cross-cultural understanding and facilitating more effective professional communication in related fields. Given the limitations, the findings identify the main patterns of concept usage, point to research gaps, and provide a basis for future research.

Ethnic and National Identity in Russian Research: A Scoping Review

This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the contemporary studies regarding ethnic and national identities written in the Russian language. The study reveals major contexts and patterns of the operationalization of the concepts. The scoping review is based on the framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley, with qualitative content analysis as its primary method. Samples from 114 papers were analyzed to find existing approaches to identity studies and conceptualization. Explicit and implicit identity definitions and identity attributes were mapped and coded. The research found that scholars tend to provide original definitions and relate identity to consciousness. Implying the idea of a person’s uniqueness, identity is often regarded as rooted in memory, hence the number of mentions of memory studies and memory politics in the reviewed articles. Another finding is that multiple and/or complex identities are widely investigated, and these identity types are given original names, mostly compound. With a great number of identity types, there is still a common understanding of identity as a constructed, dynamic phenomenon. The study concludes that identity is a common value-charged notion for Russian academic discourse, with national and ethnic identities being at the heart of the ongoing studies. The paper concentrates on identities of large groups, which is viewed as a politically sensitive issue, closely intertwined with the view of identity as a factor and resource of the development of society. Main topics are politics, history, representation, dynamics, plurality, communication, cultural factors, and territory. The analysis of the identity studies contributes to professional discourse by illuminating how concepts of ethnic and national identities are operationalized and communicated in the Russian-language academic community, thus enhancing cross-cultural understanding and facilitating more effective professional communication in related fields. Given the limitations, the findings identify the main patterns of concept usage, point to research gaps, and provide a basis for future research.

Responsibility for climate change under the ILC Articles on the State Responsibility of States for International Wrongful Acts (ARSIWA)

The Articles on the Responsibility of States for International Wrongful Acts (ARSIWA) create a framework for the attribution of state responsibility for internationally wrongful acts. There is ongoing legal and academic discussion of whether the ARSIWA can be applied to environmental issues. The Climate Crisis is one of the most pressing contemporary issues. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the ARSIWA can be applied to the issue of climate change. The results of the research are that responsibility for the causes and impacts of climate change can be attributed to individual states under the ARSIWA, resulting in state responsibility for climate change. But that the ARSIWA are not likely to be applied to this area of law until implementation is complete. Overall, this paper identifies significant opportunity for the application of the ARSIWA principles to the issue of climate change.

Integrating halal tourism principles into Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs

The research note highlights the potential of integrating Halal principles with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to better cater to Muslim travelers’ motivations. It proposes a model incorporating spiritual and religious dimensions into Maslow’s traditional psychological frameworks, aiming to offer a comprehensive understanding of motivations in Halal tourism. This integration enriches academic discourse and provides practical insights for the tourism industry, promoting more inclusive, respectful, and culturally sensitive tourism practices.

ChatGPT in the public eye: Ethical principles and generative concerns in social media discussions

With ChatGPT’s rapid adoption, concerns regarding generative artificial intelligence (AI) have shifted from theoretical to practical. Drawing upon the “algorithmic imaginary” framework from critical algorithm studies and the anthropological concept of “ordinary ethics,” we analyzed Twitter discourse during ChatGPT’s initial deployment, examining 368,359 tweets. Our analysis identified five topics reflecting functional and critical aspects of ChatGPT. We specifically point to two topics with a critical perspective: “Ethics” and “Concerns.” The first aligns with scholarly discussions in AI ethics on fairness and transparency, while the second focuses on ChatGPT’s generative capabilities. This highlights an emerging trend: While the academic discussion on AI ethics has gained popularity, especially in scrutinizing ChatGPT, the conversation is now expanding to more nuanced ethical deliberations. We analyzed the posts’ engagement and sentiment over time, demonstrating the AI ethics community’s influence in addressing the potential and harms of generative AI systems.

Green Intellectual Capital Driving Environmental Performance: The Mediating Role of Green Ambidexterity and Moderating Influence of Environmental Ethics

This empirical investigation explores the relationship between Green Intellectual Capital (GIC) and Environmental Performance (EP) within Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry. Employing quantitative methods and data form 286 respondents, findings reveal a positive correlation between GIC and EP. The significant and positive association between GIC and Green Ambidextrous Innovation (GAI) unveils a novel pathway for leveraging intellectual capital to foster innovation in environmentally sustainable practices within organizations. Moreover, the study underscores the pivotal role of GAI in enhancing EP, emphasizing its potential as a catalyst for environmental performance improvement. The observed moderating effect of GAI on the relationship between GIC and EP highlights the importance of cultivating ambidextrous capabilities to fully harness the benefits of intellectual capital for environmental sustainability. Additionally, the interaction between Environmental Ethics (EE) and GAI reveals s strong effect, underscoring the significance of ethical considerations in shaping organizational responses to environmental challenges. These findings offer valuable insights for scholars and industry practitioners, informing strategies for enhancing environmental performance and competitive advantage in the pharmaceutical sector, while contributing to the academic discourse on green innovation and corporate sustainability.

Strategic management of rural art museums in southern Zhejiang province, China: A mixed approach

Restoration of rural art museums in southern Zhejiang is important for regional and national development. Therefore, this study focuses on the strategic management issues of rural art museums in southern Zhejiang in the context of revitalization. This research sets three objectives: (1) to study and analyze rural art museums; (2) to synthesize strategic management; and (3) to create, propose, and define strategic management. This study used a mixed approach, with 300 stakeholders from five rural art museums in southern Zhejiang. The results show that elements of the strategic management model for rural art museums in southern Zhejiang Province can be determined. From the second objective, it is possible to formulate and implement a strategic management model in accordance with empirical data. An operational manual was developed and divided into 15 items for the strategic management of rural art museums that could be adapted to the southern region of Zhejiang Province. However, based on the questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and field visits, the average satisfaction with the level of rural art museum management was 3.27, with a standard deviation of 1.32. The average satisfaction score for the exhibition was 3.27 with a standard deviation of 1.38. Similarly, the average overall satisfaction with rural art museum was 3.4 with a standard deviation of 1.23. This study provides theoretical support and practical recommendations for strategic management of rural art museums. This study provides valuable insights into rural art museum research across the country. It also opens up new perspectives for the study of regional relations within the academic community and increases the depth and breadth of academic discussions.

Challenges in Intellectualizing Sesotho for Use in Academic Publications

This paper explores challenges in intellectualizing Sesotho for academic works beyond literary-based theses. It also overviews resources for the intellectualization of official Indigenous languages of South Africa, focusing on national translation projects for terminology development. Furthermore, it highlights efforts by the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources in creating and collecting corpora for all official languages, including Sesotho. Challenges in Sesotho lexicography, especially with corpus-based approaches, are discussed. Additionally, the paper reflects on the authors' experiences with publishing academic articles in Sesotho in South African journals. It discusses obstacles faced, and strategies employed, including dialogues with reviewers on creating new terms and choosing between Lesothan Sesotho and South African Sesotho orthographies. Finally, the essay addresses challenges posed by limited publication avenues for indigenous languages in southern Africa and academic pressures for citations and research impact. It aims to shed light on lesser-known Indigenous languages in Southern Africa by spotlighting challenges and solutions to academic publications in Sesotho. Overall, the paper concludes that efforts at intellectualizing Sesotho and other South African indigenous languages are evident. Even so, there is far less emphasis on using Sesotho and other indigenous languages for academic discourses.

Management of Innovation in Digital Brands: An Integrative Review

The present paper explores how innovation management is manifested in digital brands. The objective of this study is to analyze the approaches to innovation management within digital brands. The methodology adopted is an integrative review with a qualitative approach. Innovation management in digital brands has become increasingly crucial in today's dynamic business landscape. Digitalization has revolutionized the way brands interact with consumers, requiring constant innovation to remain competitive. This study aims to shed light on the strategies and practices adopted by digital brands to manage innovation effectively. The methodology has a qualitative approach through integrative review, which allows for the synthesis of existing literature on innovation management in digital brands. Through research and analysis of academic articles, this article identifies key themes and trends in innovation management in the digital context. Themes such as open innovation, co-creation with consumers, agile development methodologies, and digital transformation strategies emerge as central components of innovation management in digital brands. A conceptual framework is developed to provide a structured understanding of the various dimensions of innovation management in digital brands. This framework serves as a guide for professionals and researchers seeking to navigate the complex landscape of innovation in the digital age. The results of this study reveal a multifaceted approach to innovation management in digital brands. Also it includes the development of a descriptive figure conceptual of innovation management in digital brands. In conclusion, this integrative review highlights the importance of effective innovation management in digital brands. By adopting innovative strategies and embracing digital technologies, brands can drive growth, improve customer experiences, and maintain competitiveness in today's digital economy. Furthermore, this study contributes to the academic discourse by offering insights into the evolving nature of innovation management in the digital sphere. By understanding these dynamics, organizations can adapt their strategies to thrive in an increasingly digital-centric marketplace.

I’m a Survivor: Political Dynamics in Bureaucratic Elites’ Partisan Identification

This article challenges the common assumption that the partisan identification of bureaucratic elites is fixed over time. Building on principal-agent and organization theory, we hypothesize that bureaucratic elites may respond to political turnover by adjusting their partisan identification toward that of their (new) elected principals. We test this prediction using data from the American State Administrators Project (ASAP) over the 1964–2008 period, which allows us to study the same US agency leaders (N=951 individuals) before and after partisan shifts in their agency’s elected principals. We find significant evidence that agency leaders remaining in office following a shift in the party in power on average reorient their partisan identity in response to such turnover events. These adjustments are stronger for agency leaders directly appointed by, or in more frequent contact with, their elected principals. Our results suggest a malleability of partisanship seldom attributed to bureaucratic elites in public and academic discourse.

Effective Scientific Presentations Across Formats: A Modern Guide for Science Trainees and Researchers

This paper presents a comprehensive tutorial on delivering effective scientific presentations in the modern era, addressing a landscape altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift to virtual and hybrid formats has fundamentally changed the norms of how scientific findings are shared, creating new challenges and opportunities for presenters. Drawing from over a decade of experience teaching and refining presentation skills, we address a soft-skill gap in clinical and translational science training. The tutorial outlines four key topics: (1) identifying your scientific story, (2) using effective slide design, (3) presenting data, and (4) delivering your presentation. These lessons, developed through extensive seminars and individual coaching at various academic institutions, enable researchers to enhance communication and audience engagement across presentation formats. Our approach, informed by cognitive processing and data visualization principles, has adapted to the new reality of virtual and hybrid presentations. This work contributes practical insights for optimizing presentation skills in this changed communication landscape. By offering actionable recommendations derived from real-world experience, this tutorial provides valuable guidance for science trainees, junior faculty, and established researchers across disciplines. It aims to equip readers with the necessary tools to deliver compelling scientific presentations in any format, advancing effective academic discourse in an era where virtual and hybrid presentations have become the norm.

Proposal to Replace the Terminology “Levator Claviculae Muscle” with “Cleidocervical Muscle” for Uniformity in the Anatomical Literature

Several terminologies exist for a vestigial muscle connecting the clavicle to the cervical vertebrae; however, “levator claviculae muscle” and “cleidocervical muscle” are commonly found in the contemporary literature. The term “levator claviculae” does not determine the location of the superior insertion point, but rather describes a single function of the muscle. However, similar to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the bilateral presence of this muscle could result not only in increased strength for elevating the clavicle, but also in enhanced neck flexion and greater neck stability. To provide anatomical precision, the muscle could be more accurately termed the cleidocervical muscle. This literature review was performed using “PubMed” as the search engine. Mesh terms such as levator AND claviculae, cleidocervicalis, cleidocervical, cleidoatlanticus, and cleidotrachelian were used. Our proposal for a precise methodology in addressing the terminology would be as follows: [Position 1: cleidocervical muscle] [Position 2: vertebra levels]. In this opinion paper, we advocate for the anatomical community to discontinue the use of the term “levator claviculae” and instead adopt the more appropriate “cleidocervical muscle” in academic discourse.

The Epistemic Codification of Satiric Indictment and the Decrying Gender Grotesque in Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s 491 Days and the Zimbabwean Maverick Movie Neria

Language, law, and literatures have at times discernibly and theatrically attempted the development of satire in academic discourses. They have raised a poignant question on the articulation of gender in society. Critical discourses have valorised the epistemic exegesis on how language is transfigured and re-interpreted to spur the dramaturgy and trajectory of gender through autobiography, biography, fiction, and movies. This article crystallises the societal perception of how satire has been used to ridicule and make distinctions by invoking scorn and pity on both men and women in society. The article probes the sensitivity of contemporary male obsessions with phallic power under an apartheid government. It dovetails through the existing epistemic configurations exhibited to recuperate women in revoking the phallocentric codifications in Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s epoch-making autobiography, 491 Days (1969). With the symbolic, ironic, iconic, and satiric prison number of “1322/69,” Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s anti-apartheid autobiography re-invokes the male imperative devices built up for years against vulnerable Black females and weak Black males in the apartheid South African regime. Similarly, the same epistemic vein and codification are obsessively projected by possessed and aggressive phallic patriarchs in the Zimbabwean film Neria (1992). The article relies on the theory of Nawal El Saadawi, which proposes confrontation on the questions of female polarisation, women’s objectification, and the quest for resistance against legally recognised social exegesis. This includes the application of coercive force and the rejection of satiric linguistic indictments against women and the weak as exemplified in the autobiographic and filmic works from South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Reading Martin Luther from Legend to Life

Thomas Kaufmann's The saved and the damned was first published in Germany in 2017. It was therefore one of many publications that year offered to mark the fifth centennial of Martin Luther nailing up his Ninety-Five Theses (quite possibly a legendary event, as the author notes). Kaufmann's work, now available in English translation, is an unapologetically blunt assertion that ‘In the beginning was Luther’ (p. 6). In this it is much the same as some other English-language scholarship from 2017, such as the monumental Oxford handbook of the Protestant Reformations, which also began with Luther. Although a comparatively recent entry in English-language Reformation scholarship, The saved and the damned has already generated academic discussion and was the focus of a panel at the Sixteenth Century Society Conference in 2023.

EU social taxonomy for sustainable economic activities: exploring the known and navigating the current issues as well as future research

This research aims to initiate academic discussion on the European Union (EU) social taxonomy for the purpose of promoting sustainable economic activities that ultimately contribute to achieving the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the EU. The paper examines the historical evolution of the social taxonomy concept and presents the chronological order of the regulatory advancements that have paved the way for the establishment of both the EU environmental and social taxonomies. This study emphasizes the role of the EU environmental taxonomy as the frontrunner and highlights three fundamental distinctions between taxonomies in terms of objectives, foundations, and measurability. By defining the key performance indicators applicable to entities engaged in taxonomy-aligned economic activities, the paper offers a tabulated framework to understand the core focus areas, sub-objectives, and types of substantial contributions related to each of the three social objectives outlined in the EU taxonomy. Moreover, this paper aims to emphasize the contemporary challenges and the prospective avenues for future research in the field of social taxonomy.

Participation of Minors in Operational Search Relations

Statistics on juvenile delinquency indicate that over the past decade, the level of serious and especially serious crimes committed by these individuals has remained relatively stable. In such a situation, the important tasks of law enforcement agencies are the timely detection and suppression of crimes committed by minors and their removal from the criminal environment through individual prevention. Effective solution of these tasks is impossible without the implementation of operational investigative activities. In this regard, a study was carried out regarding participation of minors in operational search relations in two main roles: as persons providing assistance to subjects of operational search activities and as objects of operational search activities. Within the framework of the first direction, legislative regulation of the conditions for the provision of assistance to minors is proposed: written consent of legal representatives and minors themselves, if they have not reached the age of 16; ensuring the safety of minors by employees of the operational unit; the introduction of additional safeguards for the assistance of minors. Within the framework of the second direction, proposals have been prepared concerning the conditions for conducting operational investigative measures against persons under the age of criminal responsibility. The issue of the need to involve legal representatives and teachers in conducting a public survey of minors was also raised for academic and practical discussion.

Speaking for music?

How does musicology articulate the value of music and the study of music? This is an urgent question given the collapse of music provision in schools and its impact on the discipline at university level. One response has been to demonstrate the pro-social benefits of music through empirical work allied with approaches in psychology and sociology. While this is important, we should be wary of downplaying the aesthetic value of music at the expense of more obviously instrumental functions. A recent convergence of disciplinary interest in aesthetics, from neuroscience to political theory, suggests the aesthetic dimension of music, far from being some outdated fiction, remains a powerful challenge to habitual academic discourse. Against the trivialisation of music on the one hand, and the reductive readings of critical orthodoxies on the other, I argue that music affords modes of sense-making that have never been more needed. (This article is published in the thematic collection `The arts and humanities: rethinking value for today—views from Fellows of the British Academy’, edited by Isobel Armstrong.)

The Expression of Gratitude in English and Arabic Doctoral Dissertation Acknowledgements

Abstract This corpus-based study explores the expression of gratitude in the acknowledgement section of doctoral dissertations in both English and Arabic. The objective is to analyse how gratitude in academic discourse is structured in these languages and to explore any differences related to gender. The study examines 80 dissertations (40 in English and 40 in Arabic), further divided by the authors’ gender (20 male and 20 female for each language). Data collection involved searching for doctoral dissertations from various sources, verifying the authenticity of the native language through biographical checks, and categorising the acknowledgements based on the year and field of study. The analysis utilised a mixed-methods approach based on Hyland and Tse’s (2004) framework, enabling quantitative and qualitative text analysis. The study revealed distinct differences in gratitude expression patterns between English and Arabic dissertations: English acknowledgements often used performative verbs and adjectives, while Arabic acknowledgements primarily employed nominalisation. Notably, Arabic texts showed no use of passive constructions or adjectives. Gender-related differences were also observed, such as the preference for nominalisation among male Arabic authors and the preference for bare mention among female English authors. These findings underscore the significant cultural and linguistic influences on the construction of gratitude in academic acknowledgements. The research contributes valuable insights into pedagogical approaches to teaching academic writing and highlights the interplay between language, culture, and gender in scholarly communications.

Autistics, Myths, and Robots

Abstract Despite growing awareness, misconceptions about autism (also known as autism spectrum disorder or ASD) persist within science, academia, and popular culture. These misconceptions perpetuate harmful stereotypes that contribute to the ongoing stigma, exclusion, and isolation experienced by autistic individuals. A significant barrier to overcoming these challenges is the underrepresentation of autistic voices across multiple fields and disciplines, making it difficult to effectively challenge and transform prevailing social norms and attitudes about disabilities and neurological differences. While efforts are being made by advocates to improve representation through community-based participatory research and coproduction models, the arts remain a particularly powerful yet underutilized tool for disrupting problematic discourse. Through creative expression, the arts offer a unique avenue to subvert reductionistic pathologies, dehumanizing language, and unfavorable depictions of autism that have been deeply engrained in both academic and cultural discourse. This poem critically engages with widespread stereotypes, using sarcasm and humor to reclaim and reshape existing depictions of autism. By doing so, it aims to empower fellow autistic individuals to challenge these narratives and express their own experiences through whatever creative mediums resonate with them, ultimately offering a more nuanced and representative understanding of autism in the process. Keywords: Arts, neurodiversity, critical autism studies, representation, stereotypes, subversion Author’s Note As an autistic scholar and artist, I rely on a combination of lived experience, community involvement, and research training within this creative piece. A significant source of inspiration comes from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, particularly their powerful reclamation of terms like “queer” that were once used as weapons of marginalization and exclusion. By embracing and redefining these terms, this community has subverted their original pejorative meanings, transforming them into symbols of identity, pride, and resistance. This act of linguistic reclamation not only disrupts the power dynamics of hate and oppression but also fosters a sense of solidarity. In a similar vein, my work seeks to challenge and overturn the derogatory labels and misconceptions that have been imposed upon autistic individuals, using creative expression as a means to redefine our realities. Historically, academic and societal discourses have often dehumanized autistic people through harmful and reductive descriptions, perpetuating what I refer to in this piece as “myths” about autism. Through this work, I critically deconstruct these demeaning representations, employing a sardonic lens to counter these narratives and expose their absurdity. Incorporating examples from my experiences as an autism and neurodevelopmental researcher, I seek to highlight and dismantle these entrenched misconceptions, including deficit-based models, problematic pathologies, and stigmatizing descriptions of autistic individuals. As someone who experiences echolalia (i.e., the repetition of words, phrases, and sentences) and who frequently incorporates pop culture references when communicating with others, this piece also serves as a homage to the songs, films, and television shows that resonate with me and my special interests. To ensure clarity and accessibility for readers, I have included detailed endnotes that explain both the research references and the various pop culture elements, providing a comprehensive overview of the content and its meaning.

Role of Artificial Intelligence in Vegetable Production: A Review

Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in vegetable production, emphasizing its potential to address critical challenges such as climate change, population growth, and resource scarcity. AI technologies, including machine learning, computer vision, and robotics, are revolutionizing agricultural practices. AI-driven innovations in crop management, pest control, and soil analysis enhance productivity, reduce labour costs, and ensure sustainable farming practices. Notable advancements include precision spraying by Blue River Technology, significantly reducing herbicide use, and deploying autonomous tractors and drones for efficient farm management. AI applications, such as PEAT's Plantix and Trace Genomics, provide accurate diagnostics for soil health and pest management. Satellite-based solutions like Farm Shots and aWhere offer real-time crop monitoring and weather prediction, optimizing resource use and mitigating risks. The review highlights the importance of making AI technologies more affordable and accessible to farmers, particularly in developing regions. Collaboration between researchers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers is crucial to harness AI's full potential in agriculture. As AI continues to evolve, its integration into vegetable production promises a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable agricultural sector, contributing to global food security and environmental preservation. The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in vegetable production, focusing on how AI technologies enhance productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. The objectives are to assess current AI applications, analyze their benefits and challenges, and provide recommendations for future improvements and wider adoption in the agricultural sector. The research methodology for the study on the role of Artificial Intelligence in vegetable production involves a comprehensive literature review of existing AI technologies and their applications in agriculture, coupled with the analysis of case studies to evaluate real-world implementations. Additionally, expert interviews and surveys with farmers and industry professionals will be conducted to gather insights on the benefits, challenges, and future potential of AI in this sector. The theoretical implications of the study on the role of Artificial Intelligence in vegetable production include advancing the understanding of AI's capabilities in agricultural optimization and contributing to the academic discourse on sustainable farming practices. Practically, the study provides actionable insights for farmers and agribusinesses on implementing AI technologies to enhance crop yields, reduce resource wastage, and improve overall farm management efficiency.