Coventry University Research Articles

A Feasibility Study of Taste & See: A Church Based Programme to Develop a Healthy Relationship with Food

Holistic approaches which include a religious element are a promising intervention within obesity, but have not been explored in the UK. Objective: To conduct a feasibility study of a three-month, Christian-based intuitive-eating programme in a church. Methods: A total of 18 adults participated. Ethical approval was granted by Coventry University Ethics Committee. Participant and facilitator experience was investigated qualitatively. Results showed participants accepted the programme and engaged well with its spiritual component. Lay facilitators managed to adequately run the programme, although some difficulties identified training needs. Clinical, psychological and spiritual measures were analysed using intention to treat; baseline observation carried forward to input missing data. Mental well-being, anxiety, depression, quality of life, pain/discomfort uncontrolled-eating, emotional-eating, cognitive-restrained-eating, intuitive-eating and Body Mass Index (BMI) improved significantly post-intervention. There were improvements in spiritual well-being, and reductions in energy, fat and saturated fat intake. Between the end of the intervention and a six-month follow-up, there were no statistically significant changes. However, the extent that weight and BMI returned to baseline levels meant that the reduction from baseline was no longer significant or clinically important. Mean changes in other variables, including uncontrolled eating, emotional eating, mental well-being and anxiety remained statistically improved from baseline. At six-month follow-up, improvements in intuitive eating were fully sustained at this time point and total fat, saturated fat and sugar intake had reduced further even though these values did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: It is feasible to recruit to, deliver and evaluate Taste & See in a UK church, with lay volunteers. Clinical outcomes were positive, but a larger, controlled study is needed.

Running, Resistance, and Recollection: A conversation with ourselves through time

(to) constantly vent is a performance work by Katye Coe. A solo or group of runners travel in continuous loops, venting through events, exhibitions, meetings, and the surrounding spaces. The work was commissioned for What_Now (2013) in London and re-commissioned for the Dancer As Agent conference (2013) at DOCH in Stockholm where it was a constant or persistent intervention through a conference all about the agency of the dancer. This outing bought with it wider conversations and meetings that have changed its (and Coe’s) practice and thinking. Continuing its journey, the work was then enacted at Performing Process: Sharing Practice symposium (2014) at Coventry University, and was later re-situated in the Hayward Gallery (2014-15), where the work occurred for 12-weeks as part of Volumes Project in the exhibition, MIRRORCITY.Reflecting on the experience of venting in the Hayward Gallery, in this writing Coe and Hetty Blades, who also performed the work, recall their experiences, and respond to their questions about the practice through their fragmented memories and writing from others about running and memory.

Academia."edu"

Academia."edu" Johannah Rodgers (bio) The first question, "Why Are We Not Boycotting Academia.edu?", which was the title of a December 8, 2015 symposium organized by The Centre for Disruptive Media at Coventry University, is a crucial one. Unfortunately, it is also, at this moment in time, an apparently easy one to answer. The main reason "we" are not boycotting Academia.edu is because, as an organization backed by an estimated $17.7MM in venture-capital funding, Academia.edu has been able to successfully fulfill a need for a well-designed, easy to use, freely accessible, global repository of scholarly work across the disciplines. In fact, there is so much scholarly content posted currently on the site, including, it is worth mentioning, information about the 2015 Coventry University symposium organized by Gary Hall and Janneka Adema, that Academia.edu has become difficult to avoid. Yet, as a privately-owned, venture-capital funded, commercial venture, Academia.edu has also been the object of some scrutiny, thanks largely to the attention brought to it by the 2015 symposium, a video recording of which can be accessed at Archive.org. The subject of two 2015 articles in the US-based magazines The Atlantic and The Chronicle of Higher Education, Academia. edu was, more recently, profiled and criticized in the Canadian magazine University Affairs for its ongoing use of the .edu domain despite the fact that the site has no educational affiliation or function. And, however educational its wider mission to facilitate access to scholarly work may be, its business model, ever evolving and not publicly disclosed, is a for-profit one that depends on the free donation of intellectual property originally funded by a range of government and non-profit sources. The pubicly available facts about Academia. edu are astonishingly consistent: It has a, somewhat inexplicably, large and growing user base that totals an estimated 46MM account holders (December, 2016) and 36MM unique visitors per month. It is free to use for its registered users and it is designed and architected to be at once easy to use and feature-rich, meaning, even if you do not regularly visit the site, it will stay in touch with you via e-mail to keep you abreast of new research posted by those "academics" whom you "follow" and the "impact" of your work based on the number of users accessing it. Further, unlike other existing scholarly databases, such as JSTOR or ProjectMuse, Academia.edu offers users access to analytics related to the reception and readership of scholarly work and a daily-updated percentile rank, i.e., top 1%, 4%, etc., of work and profile views relative to those of others "using," perhaps more rightly referred to as, "posted," on the site. As a registered user of Academia.edu, I have some first-hand experience with the site's functionality, its ease of use, and, as a result of both, several questions about its user base and the demographics of its 36MM unique monthly visitors. Although advertising itself as a platform with 46MM registered academics, the lack of any requirements for registering an account means that its user base is highly diverse and almost certainly not comprised of 46MM "academics," unless that term is understood in the very broadest sense possible. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2014 there were just over 1.3 MM job positions in post-secondary education in the US. Assuming that the US represents the largest post-secondary job market globally, the fact that this number, in its entirety, represents less than three percent of Academia.edu's user base is just the most obvious indication that the demographics of Academia.edu's user-base are wide-ranging. Further, having posted the table of contents to my 2014 first year writing textbook on Academia.edu, I know from comments posted by users downloading this material that over two thirds of those accessing this resource are undergraduates. While I am not suggesting that undergraduates should be prevented from accessing Academia.edu nor that they should not be encouraged to access research on the site, I do think it is worthwhile pointing this out as one discrepency in Academia.edu...

Utilizing Computer-Assisted Vocabulary Learning Tools in English Language Teaching

This study explores five in-service teachers' perceptions with regards to the technical and pedagogical usability of digital flashcards in English language teaching. All the teachers were enrolled in a one-year Masters of Art in English Language Teaching program at Coventry University and had previous teaching experience ranging from elementary to university level. The study adopted a quan?QUAL mixed-method research design, combining elements of surveys and case studies, to examine the factors that affected the teachers' perceptions in addition to how they view three specific websites: Cram, Quizlet, and StudyStack. Participants explored these websites and created sets of flashcards in a computer lab, then completed a survey and participated in a focus group interview. Findings suggest that although the teachers were willing to integrate digital flashcards in their future teaching, it is dependent on several factors, including: learners' age, the quality of graphics in the websites, and the teachers' prior experience as students on their MA program. Nonetheless, the “wow” factor seemed to influence their perceptions of the usability of these websites, which can either be extreme positive or negative initial reactions as a result of the websites' presentational scheme.

I am because you are

Abstract This article expands a keynote address given at the conference Ethics & Repair, Dance & Somatics Practices, at Coventry University (2015). Part One is an effort to understand a basic ethical tenet – respect of otherness – inviting an understanding of how to be with difference through a somatic sense of oneself as related, separate and in between. Part Two draws on this respect of otherness to offer a second discussion concerning dance training for performance. Somatic practices nurture an ethical relationship to others and the environment, contributing to physical and psychological change. Over the past twenty years somatic practices have come to form the foundation of contemporary dance training, disrupting competitively attained acquisition and achievement of spectacular technical skill. I Am Because You Are gives this dilemma in dance training some air space, to blow through currents of thought.

The sheep are black and white and they are not black and not white

Abstract These artist pages emerged from a performance presented at the third conference of Dance and Somatic Practices at Coventry University, during which we worked in the company of things, objects and materials. The photographs were taken by Christian Kipp and gave us a visual, outer perspective of our doing, additional to our felt and imaginative understanding of it. With these pages we try to merge both: a more external with a more internal view and let both find their own path of coming about. We understand our process of making to be an extension and part of our working relationship that now spans almost 20 years. The notion of ‘black and white sheep’ point for us to the continuing conundrum of how to be in the company of difference, also in the current conditions of increasing fragmentation, both within individuals and communities. The songs we sang during the performance nourished our sense of strength, youth, emotional involvement and connection to what we might call our cultural heritage.

Petals.

Created by Coventry University, this app aims to provide information to those who are at risk of, or want more information on, female genital mutilation (FGM).

Personal reflection: A midwifery educator's revalidation experience

Elinor Clarke is a registered midwife, who works at Coventry University as a senior lecturer in midwifery. She successfully revalidated in April 2016. As of April 2016, midwives and nurses at all levels are required to undergo revalidation with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The overall process is explained on the NMC website, but differs depending on the specific role of the individual. This article outlines the personal experience of a midwifery educator who revalidated this year, including tips for simplifying the revalidation process.

How language limitations affect conceptual thresholds among Chinese design students in the United Kingdom

Abstract This article attempts to illustrate the relative impacts of cultural difference and language proficiency in an internationalized design programme at Coventry University. It also seeks to show how apparent manifestations of cultural stereotype might actually be rooted in a combination of limited language ability and normal human behavioural responses. A key focus is on the significance of English language skills among Chinese design students and how it can affect their learning journey, their capacity to respond creatively to briefs, and how it might possibly skew wider perceptions of them. The lens through which this issue is examined is conceptual threshold theory, which essentially holds that learners will, at some point, encounter a troublesome barrier to learning progression. Such conceptual learning thresholds are unavoidable and must be successfully traversed in order to attain some higher, transformative and irreversible internal view of the subject landscape. An argument presented here is that an inability to transcend conceptual learning thresholds because of underdeveloped English language skills can harm affected design students’ cultural immersion, academic progression and potential for full creative expression. An example is provided to show how one student’s troublesome language threshold was successfully negotiated.

Coventry University competes in the Student Paramedic International Rally of Emergency Simulations (SPIRES) 2016

Journal of Paramedic PracticeVol. 8, No. 9 Conference ReportCoventry University competes in the Student Paramedic International Rally of Emergency Simulations (SPIRES) 2016Geoffrey Higginbotham, Peter Arbuthnot, Abigail Chen, Jack Cornforth, Amy McDonald, Kate Bushen, John RenshawGeoffrey HigginbothamSearch for more papers by this author, Peter ArbuthnotSearch for more papers by this author, Abigail ChenSearch for more papers by this author, Jack CornforthSearch for more papers by this author, Amy McDonaldSearch for more papers by this author, Kate BushenSearch for more papers by this author, John RenshawSearch for more papers by this authorGeoffrey Higginbotham; Peter Arbuthnot; Abigail Chen; Jack Cornforth; Amy McDonald; Kate Bushen; John RenshawPublished Online:21 Sep 2016https://doi.org/10.12968/jpar.2016.8.9.442AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article References Eaton G (2016) SPIRES 2016: Oxford Brookes University. www.obu-spires.co.uk/the-event/ (accessed 19 July 2016) Google ScholarFellows B (2016) Follow My Leader [conference presentation]. Student Paramedic International Rally of Emergency Simulations Conference, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford Google ScholarHeffern DJ (2016) Canadian Paramedicine: Past, Present and into the Future [conference presentation]. Student Paramedic International Rally of Emergency Simulations Conference, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford Google ScholarLovegrove M (2016) UK Paramedics Inside Out and Outside In [conference presentation]. Student Paramedic International Rally of Emergency Simulations Conference, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford Google ScholarMcKie P (2016) Paramedic Education Worldwide [conference presentation]. Student Paramedic International Rally of Emergency Simulations Conference, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford Google ScholarPhilips A (2016) Paramedics Take on GP Practice: The Answer to Today's Primary Care Problems. [conference presentation]. Student Paramedic International Rally of Emergency Simulations Conference, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford Google ScholarSibson L (2016) Writing for Publication [conference workshop]. Student Paramedic International Rally of Emergency Simulations Conference, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford Google ScholarSouth Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (2016) Board of Directors: Medical Director. www.scas.nhs.uk/about-scas/our-board/board-of-directors/dr-john-black/ (accessed 19 July 2016) Google Scholar FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 2 September 2016Volume 8Issue 9ISSN (print): 1759-1376ISSN (online): 2041-9457 Metrics History Published online 21 September 2016 Published in print 2 September 2016 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedAcknowledgementsThe authors would like to extend our gratitude to Georgette Eaton and the Paramedic Team at Oxford Brookes University for organising such a fantastic event, and thank the sponsors for their support. Finally, the authors would like to thank Coventry University for their financial assistance, support and encouragement in this venture.PDF download

Do the dark triad and self-perceived mate value predict intention to mate poach?

Although much research has been conducted on the psychology of mate poaching, little research has been conducted on the factors that predict intention to mate poach, from the perspective of the poacher. Recent research has paid some attention to the role of the dark triads in mate poaching. However, very little research has been conducted investigating the relationship between self-perceived mate value and intention to mate poach. We explored the role of the dark triads (Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy), self-perceived mate value, and gender on one’s intention to mate poach in 81 participants from Coventry University. We find that the only dark triad to significantly predict intention to mate poach was psychopathy, suggesting those who scored higher on psychopathic traits were more likely to mate poach. Furthermore, we find that self-perceived mate value significantly predicted intention to mate poach, suggesting those who perceive themselves as having a high mate value, are likely to engage in mate poaching, which is a novel finding.

The future of digital medicine in the aging society

David Wortley is CEO and Founder of Gamification and Enabling Technologies Strategic Solutions (www.gaetss.com), a consultancy on the strategic use of Gamification and Enabling Technologies for the transformation of business and society. He is a recognized authority on the practical application of Gamification and Enabling Technologies to address global challenges in areas such as health, environment, and education. He is a serial technology innovator and has been a pioneer of emerging technologies for over 30 years. He is an expert advisor to the European Union and an accredited business mentor. His specialist expertise is in the commercialization of disruptive digital technologies. David is also a Founding Council Member of the International Society of Digital Medicine (ISDM). David was the Founding Director of the Serious Games Institute (SGI) www.seriousgamesinstitute.co.uk at Coventry University and he was responsible for the development of the institute as a global thought leader on the application of immersive technologies (which include video games, virtual worlds, and social networking) to serious social and economic issues such as education, simulation, health, commerce, and climate change. Working with academics, regional development agencies, and leading computer games companies, David made the SGI is a focal point for games-based learning, simulation, and immersive three-dimensional (3D) virtual environments and an engine for innovation and social and economic regeneration. David is a respected (see http://davidwortley.com/testimonials.html) and sought-after international conference speaker and writer for global publications on Learning Technologies, Defence and Health applications. He has written numerous papers on technology and society (see http://www.davidwortley.com/articles.html), and he is a regular conference presenter (see www.davidwortley.com/conferences.html)

A digital intervention to increase motivation and access to NHS Stop Smoking Services: Applying the Behaviour Change Wheel to develop the ‘Stop-app’.

Event Abstract Back to Event A digital intervention to increase motivation and access to NHS Stop Smoking Services: Applying the Behaviour Change Wheel to develop the ‘Stop-app’. Emily Fulton1, 2*, Katherine Brown1, 2 and Kayleigh Kwah1 1 Coventry University, United Kingdom 2 Warwickshire County Council (Public Health), United Kingdom Background: Smokers are four times more likely to stop smoking with the help of an NHS Stop Smoking Service (SSS). However attendance is in decline, possibly due to the increase in popularity of e-cigarettes. SSS’s will support smokers who choose to use e-cigarettes as part of a quit attempt, therefore interventions are needed to encourage continued access and uptake of SSS. Aim: To design an evidence based intervention (Stop-app) to increase referrals, 4 week quit rates and reduce ‘did not attend’ (DNA) rates within SSS. Methods/Results: In Phase 1 we collected data to explore the barriers and facilitators to people using SSS. Smokers and ex-smokers identified a number of barriers, including a lack of knowledge about what happens at the service; the belief that there would be ’scare tactics’, ‘nagging’, that the service would be unfriendly and clinical; and a lack of perceived efficacy of the service. In Phase 2, data from extant literature and phase 1 were subject to behavioural analysis as outlined by the Behaviour Change Wheel framework. A range of factors were identified as needing to change. These aligned with capability (e.g. a lack of knowledge about the benefits of SSS), opportunity (e.g. beliefs that SSS are not easy to access) and to motivation to act (e.g. beliefs that they did not need and would not benefit from SSS). We describe the content development process, illustrating the choice of 19 ‘Behaviour Change Techniques’ included in our digital intervention. In Phase 3 we assessed the acceptability of the proposed intervention by interviewing stop smoking service advisors and non-NHS provider sites (e.g. library services and children’s centres). Findings from interviews are presented and have been used to consider the best path for implementation of the web-app within service provision. Conclusion: The ‘Stop –app’ is in development and will be accessible online, linking with the SSS booking system used by Public Health Warwickshire, and other local authorities nationally for NHS and non-NHS providers. Stop-app incorporates a brief behaviour change intervention to increase motivation to attend SSS, along with an e-referral system for instant appointment booking. Examples of content and functionality of the app are outlined. Usability and feasibility testing are planned for Phase 4; and a pilot efficacy trial protocol is in development. Acknowledgements Arden Cluster Research Capability Fund & Warwickshire County Council. Keywords: Stop smoking service, Behaviour Change Wheel, eReferral, Behaviour change techniques, Digital intervention Conference: 2nd Behaviour Change Conference: Digital Health and Wellbeing, London, United Kingdom, 24 Feb - 25 Feb, 2016. Presentation Type: Oral presentation Topic: Academic Citation: Fulton E, Brown K and Kwah K (2016). A digital intervention to increase motivation and access to NHS Stop Smoking Services: Applying the Behaviour Change Wheel to develop the ‘Stop-app’.. Front. Public Health. Conference Abstract: 2nd Behaviour Change Conference: Digital Health and Wellbeing. doi: 10.3389/conf.FPUBH.2016.01.00047 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 02 Dec 2015; Published Online: 09 Jan 2016. * Correspondence: Dr. Emily Fulton, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom, emmie.fulton@coventry.ac.uk Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Emily Fulton Katherine Brown Kayleigh Kwah Google Emily Fulton Katherine Brown Kayleigh Kwah Google Scholar Emily Fulton Katherine Brown Kayleigh Kwah PubMed Emily Fulton Katherine Brown Kayleigh Kwah Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Innerselfie: can we use Immersive Virtual Reality to change cancer risk perceptions and promote physical activity in young people?

Event Abstract Back to Event Innerselfie: can we use Immersive Virtual Reality to change cancer risk perceptions and promote physical activity in young people? Abi Fisher1*, Susanne Meisel2, Thomas Webb3, Bernadette Fisher4, Chloe Cooke5 and Katie Newby6 1 UCL, Epidemiology and Public Health, United Kingdom 2 Kings College London, United Kingdom 3 University of Sheffield, United Kingdom 4 University of Birmingham, United Kingdom 5 Freelance Digital Ethnographer, United Kingdom 6 Coventry University, United Kingdom Background: There is strong evidence that being physically active reduces the risk of colon cancer. Emerging evidence suggests that physical activity (PA) even in the teenage years may impact on colon cancer risk. However, levels of activity in young people are currently low, with around half of UK school children not meeting even minimum UK Government guidelines for health. Innovative interventions are urgently required. Young people may not perceive themselves to be ‘at risk’ for colon cancer (usually diagnosed >65 years). However it feasible that modifying underlying beliefs about cancer risk, whilst simultaneously enhancing PA self-efficacy, could lead to sustained PA behaviour change. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) is a novel technology that has the potential to be used in this context; however, this has yet to best tested. Aims: The overarching aim of the Innerselfie project is to test the hypothesis that a theory-based intervention incorporating IVR, delivered to children aged 13-17 years can (i) change risk and efficacy appraisals and (ii) promote sustained changes in PA. Methods: Given the entirely novel nature of this work, and in line with the MRC framework of designing and evaluating complex interventions, three phases are proposed.. Phase I: The exploratory phase (for which the current funding has been obtained), Phase II: the build/test and development phase and Phase III: a randomised controlled trial to determine efficacy by measuring IRR beliefs, risk and efficacy appraisals, activity levels and relevant cancer biomarkers. Results: Phase I is currently underway and has involved identifying an appropriate partner company with expertise in IVR, collecting qualitative data on colon cancer risk perceptions from young people (thematic analyses currently underway), assembling a steering committee, as well as conducting workshops with our Young People’s Partnership Board (YPPB) to get continuous feedback on creative ideas. Conclusions: This is a novel exploratory study that is still underway, and the presentation will outline the Innerselfie project and summarise findings to date. Acknowledgements This work is funded by a Cancer Research UK Bupa Innovation Grant. We would like to thank the schools involved in this research, and our steering committee. Keywords: virtual reality, risk perceptions, Activity Cycles, Colon Cancer, Theory Conference: 2nd Behaviour Change Conference: Digital Health and Wellbeing, London, United Kingdom, 24 Feb - 25 Feb, 2016. Presentation Type: Poster presentation Topic: Academic Citation: Fisher A, Meisel S, Webb T, Fisher B, Cooke C and Newby K (2016). Innerselfie: can we use Immersive Virtual Reality to change cancer risk perceptions and promote physical activity in young people?. Front. Public Health. Conference Abstract: 2nd Behaviour Change Conference: Digital Health and Wellbeing. doi: 10.3389/conf.FPUBH.2016.01.00086 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 27 Nov 2015; Published Online: 09 Jan 2016. * Correspondence: Dr. Abi Fisher, UCL, Epidemiology and Public Health, London, United Kingdom, abigail.fisher@ucl.ac.uk Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Abi Fisher Susanne Meisel Thomas Webb Bernadette Fisher Chloe Cooke Katie Newby Google Abi Fisher Susanne Meisel Thomas Webb Bernadette Fisher Chloe Cooke Katie Newby Google Scholar Abi Fisher Susanne Meisel Thomas Webb Bernadette Fisher Chloe Cooke Katie Newby PubMed Abi Fisher Susanne Meisel Thomas Webb Bernadette Fisher Chloe Cooke Katie Newby Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Vibration Analysis as a Diagnosis Tool for Health Monitoring of Industrial Machines

1HSPdigital, DICIS, Universidad de Guanajuato, 36885 Salamanca, GTO, Mexico 2Faculty of Engineering, Autonomous University of Queretaro, 76806 San Juan del Rio, QRO, Mexico 3Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain 4School of Computing, Electronics and Mathematics, Faculty of Engineering, Environment and Computing, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK

Report on a European Project

From 2010 until 2014 different European partners join forces to conceive LABO21, a platform for transdisciplinary research on artistic methodologies. LABO21 would bring together organizations with a common interest in how performing artists make work and the wish to make knowledge about these making practices, or poiesis, available to a wider audience. The main artistic organizatons involved in the project were BADco. (HR), Troubleyn/Jan Fabre (BE), Wayne McGregor|Random Dance (UK), ICKamsterdam (NL) and The Centre for Dance Research (C-DaRE) at Coventry University (UK). This article sketches the evolution of LABO21 and briefly presents some of the specific approaches and outcomes of the project.

Surviving cancer: pilot of a web-based self-management support programme, eHOPE

BackgroundIn the UK, over half of adults presently under the age of 65 will be diagnosed with cancer. 30–43% of patients with cancer exceed cut-off levels for psychological distress, 9–56% experience clinically significant cancer-related fatigue, and 22–90% experience fear of cancer recurrence. Coventry University and Macmillan Cancer Support have developed the eHOPE programme, a 6 week web-based, self-management programme underpinned by positive psychology theory and practice. The interactive learning, social networking methods, and activities were: self-monitoring tools (eg, physical activity); worksheets, diaries, and decision aids; gratitude and goal setting recording walls; audio and video information and support materials; social networking via discussion forums; and messaging. The aim of this pilot study was to assess whether eHOPE could improve quality of life including mental health wellbeing in cancer survivors. MethodsData were collected between March 1 and Dec 31, 2014. Participants were recruited via the Macmillan Cancer support website, Macmillan facebook sites, and other social media sites used by Macmillan; they were self-selecting. 51 cancer survivors enrolled on the eHOPE course and completed baseline and postcourse questionnaires (Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors Scale [fatigue and fear of recurrence subscales], PHQ-9 [depression], GAD-7 [anxiety], WEMWBS [positive mental wellbeing], Adult State Hope Scale [hope], and the GQ-6 [gratitude]). Five participants also took part in postcourse interviews. Ethics approval was given by the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Ethics Committee at Coventry University. FindingsMean age of participants was 54 years (SD 9·6) and most (45 [89%] of 51) were women. Statistically significant improvements were seen in all outcomes (p<0·0001). Participants described the powerful effect of identifying with other cancer survivors, and adopted a more hopeful and inspiring approach to many aspects of surviving cancer, most notably dealing with depression and anxiety. Weekly goal setting, mindfulness, identifying personal strengths, and keeping a gratitude diary were valued activities. Website usability ratings were high. Participants valued the course flexibility offered, fitting it around work schedules and hospital appointments. InterpretationImprovements in important outcomes for cancer survivors are encouraging and merit further investigation involving larger samples and a randomised controlled design. We believe that, owing to the growing burden of cancer survivors in the UK, a large scale development of this programme could be particularly beneficial to support the health and wellbeing of large numbers of the UK population living with and beyond cancer. FundingMacmillan Cancer Support.

Interview: Kevin Warwick

IT'S BEEN A BIT of a change, really, says Kevin Warwick, referring to a recent career shift that has taken him from supervising PhD students and talking to school kids about robots to driving the research agenda at one of the UK's lead-ranking universities. The British engineer and pioneer in the field of cyborgs, once primarily known as the media-friendly professor of cybernetics at the University of Reading, is undergoing something of an image change, and is now deputy vice-chancellor (research) at Coventry University.

Achieving Consensus in the Development of an Online Intervention Designed to Effectively Support Midwives in Work-Related Psychological Distress: Protocol for a Delphi Study.

BackgroundThe development of an online intervention designed to effectively support midwives in work-related psychological distress will be challenging due to the ethical, practical, and therapeutic issues surrounding its design. Related literature suggests that midwives may require an anonymous, confidential, and therapeutic platform that facilitates amnesty and nonpunitive approaches to remedy ill health. However, it is unclear which requirements may be most salient to midwifery populations.ObjectiveThe objective of this paper is to describe the design of a Delphi study, intended to achieve expert consensus on the needs of midwives in work-related psychological distress who may be supported via an online intervention. This protocol may also serve as a research framework for similar studies to be modeled upon.MethodsA heterogeneous sample of at least thirty experts on psychological well-being and distress associated with midwifery work will be recruited. Their opinions regarding the development of an online intervention designed to support midwives in work-related psychological distress will be collected through 2 rounds of questioning, via the Delphi Technique. When 60% (≥18, assuming the minimum is 30) of panelists score within 2 adjacent points on a 7-point scale, consensus will be acknowledged. This Delphi study protocol will invite both qualitative and quantitative outcomes.ResultsThis study is currently in development. It is financially supported by a full-time scholarship at the Centre for Technology Enabled Health Research at Coventry University (Coventry, UK). The implementation of this Delphi study is anticipated to occur during the autumn of 2015.ConclusionsThe results of this study will direct the development of an online intervention designed to support midwives in work-related psychological distress, summarize expert driven consensus, and direct future research.

Online international learning

Virtual mobility initiatives are one of the most flexible, versatile and inclusive approaches in the provision of international experience opportunities. Given that in most universities only a small fraction of students can benefit from forms of academic mobility that involve travelling abroad, Internet-based intercultural interactions prove to be instrumental in widening participation in international experience. This article focuses on the virtual mobility scheme of Coventry University (CU), known as Online International Learning (OIL). OIL projects involve online interactions between CU students and peers at non-UK universities, so they can work together on subject-specific learning tasks or activities while developing key attributes of global graduates, namely Intercultural Competence and Digital Skills. After discussing OIL within a wider Model for Progression in International Experience and outlining the role of virtual mobility in Internationalisation at Home initiatives, the article identifies core actors, types of interactions, policies, enablers, barriers, resource flows, technologies and other important considerations.