Greater Voice Research Articles

Environmental, social and economic sustainability in Lao coffee

Laos has experienced an emergence of coffee cultivation as Loa farmers, many of them women, have been cultivating coffee in the understorey of natural forests. This form of agroforestry produces high-quality specialty coffee, earning farmers a significant income while preserving biodiversity. Farmers’ adoption of agroforestry, in place of traditional shifting agriculture has been supported by initiatives like the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) project, which establishes agroforestry learning centres and mini-processing centres, in collaboration with companies such as the MX Coffee Company and the Comma Coffee Company. Developments in coffee cultivation have been on the rise in the last three decades in Keoset, a community in Khoun District, where failed development projects were later revived by SDC and improved upon with market-oriented initiatives. The project has assisted in establishing coffee nurseries, providing training, and establishing partnerships with private companies for processing and marketing and as a result, farmers have advanced from selling unprocessed cherries to selling parchment (semi-processed beans), earning them a higher income. Farmers selling green beans are also collecting a premium price from roasting companies and exporters. The ability to generate an income from coffee cultivation is significant, because 90% of the farmers engaged in coffee cultivation are women, who are now able to depend on an independently earned income, granting them a greater voice in household decision-making. Climate change poses potential risk to the future of coffee production, but the protection offered by forests largely shields coffee crops from storms and changes in temperature. The forests' maintenance of biodiversity also protects the predators of pests and disease, ensuring no chemical methods are needed for pest control, including against the coffee cherry borer (Hypothenemus hampei). A variety of challenges remain for which there are recommended responses. Challenges of institutional and legal context require capacity building within the government; world price fluctuations necessitate that farmers practice a mixed farming system to not rely solely on coffee; geographical limitations promote a focus on specialty-grade coffee; and competition from other cash crops requires awareness of the environmental risks associated with other crops and stricter zoning and regulation over different production systems. It is worth heeding these recommendations, as agroforestry coffee systems enhance livelihoods, empower women, promote environmental sustainability and demonstrate resilience to climate change, making it a potential model for countries facing similar challenges in similar agroecological zones.

A survey of the perceptions and practices of faculty in clinical neuropsychology doctoral training programs: is heterogeneity the norm?

Objective: Doctoral education is a cornerstone in the training of clinical neuropsychologists. However, we know little about perceptions, practices, and needs of the faculty who oversee doctoral training in clinical neuropsychology (CN). Method: Seventy-one faculty from 45 doctoral programs providing CN training completed at least part of a survey assessing characteristics of their programs, current training practices and views, and challenges to CN doctoral training. Results: Over half of CN faculty reported having zero or only one CN colleague. CN faculty reported that the goals of CN doctoral training are research training, clinical training, and acquisition of knowledge and skills reflected in the Houston Conference Guidelines (HCG). CN faculty reported that doctoral trainees obtain more clinical hours than faculty would like and endorsed alternative clinical metrics, including competency-based ratings. CN faculty are divided about the benefits of a required two-year postdoctoral CN fellowship. Conclusions: The HCG states that specialization in CN begins at the doctoral level. CN faculty in doctoral programs are fully immersed in the early development and education of future CN researchers and practitioners. Tensions between clinical and research training in CN at the doctoral level—and student overemphasis on accruing clinical hours—might place CN at risk for failing to make research innovations necessary for our field to evolve and thrive. More CN doctoral faculty are needed to serve as mentors to students, especially for students from backgrounds that have been historically excluded and marginalized. A greater voice from CN doctoral faculty in CN governance is needed.

The National Policy of Empowerment of Women- A Critical Evaluation of Policies with Special Reference to Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2006

The simple logic about the status of women in India is “as women receive greater education and training, they will earn more money. As women earn more money they spend it in the further education and health of their children, as opposed to men. Women rise in economic status; they will gain greater social standing in the household and the village, and will have greater voice. As women gain influence and consciousness, they will make stronger claims to their entitlements - gaining further training, better access to credit and higher incomes - and command attention of police and courts when attacked. As women's economic power grows, it will be easier to overcome the tradition of "son preference" and thus put an end to the evil of dowry. As son preference declines and acceptance of violence declines, families will be more likely to educate their daughters” (Coonrod, 1998). In other words, the women need to be ‘empowered.’

Improving the quality of education at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology through practical approaches to student assessment

This article addresses the topical issue of improving the quality of medical education on the example of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The authors propose practical approaches to student assessment aimed at developing practical skills and critical thinking. Among the methods considered are the use of standardised clinical simulations, the creation of a student portfolio and the involvement of students in the assessment process. The practical examples and recommendations highlighted contribute to improving the quality of medical education and the training of future doctors. This article may be useful for teachers and administrators of medical faculties who want to improve the process of teaching and assessment of students. Such practical approaches to student assessment at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology are important not only for improving the level of learning, but also for harmonising medical education with modern requirements and standards. The use of standardised clinical simulations helps students gain experience and confidence in performing medical procedures, which is critical for future doctors. The student portfolio allows students to track and demonstrate their own professional development and achievements, which contributes to a more objective assessment of their learning. In addition, involving students in the assessment process gives them a greater voice in shaping the curriculum and ensures greater ownership and responsibility in their learning. This article provides specific examples and recommendations for implementing the above assessment methods at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. They can serve as an important source of information and insights for educators and administrators who are interested in improving the quality of medical education and training of future doctors.

Exploring voice and agency among adolescents in South Asia: a vignettes-based approach

ABSTRACT The innovative use of vignettes in quantitative surveys offers a novel means of assessing attitudes, capturing individuals’ responses across diverse life domains to measure voice and agency more directly. Utilizing the use of scales and vignette-based inquiries, this study explores voice and agency on making marital decisions among 458 adolescents in India and Nepal. Regression analysis revealed that higher voice and agency scores correlated significantly with reduced odds of endorsing early marriage and increased support for continued education post-marriage. In vignette scenarios, greater voice and agency scores were linked to advocating against early sibling marriage and making independent choices for their own futures. These findings highlight that improved self-perception of agency empowers adolescents to assert independent decisions. Utilizing vignettes proved beneficial in this context as they enabled adolescents to understand community norms through storytelling, offering insights into their likely behaviour in specific situations, rather than drawing on abstract concepts.

Centralised and Decentralised Education: With the British Local Educational Authorities as the Representative of the Unfolding Discussion

In todays globalised and knowledge-based society, countries across the world are increasingly adopting different models to structure and organise their education systems. More subtly, countries are transitioning from centralised education systems to decentralised ones to create more local stakeholder influence on schools. England, which is known for self-managing schools, is a case in point. Striking an appropriate balance between centralisation and decentralisation remains a challenge, however. In this regard, this study sought to explore the innovative approaches of educational decentralisation in British local educational authorities and the challenges facing them, as well as the strategies adopted by British local educational authorities to overcome these challenges so as to provide reference to other countries. Desk-based research was used for data collection. The findings suggest that although a centralised education system is praised for reducing inequalities and standardisation, it often fails to reflect the specific needs of learners because the system is not school-led. On the other hand, a decentralised educational system is preferred in England for many reasons, including better information and targeting, greater voice and participation, innovative and creative approaches, and improved efficiency and strengthened accountability relationships. Despite this, however, it may encourage social inequalities, in addition to being captive of some elite groups or special interest groups. England adopts devolution as its approach to educational decentralisation. In addition to this general approach, school-based management is particularly used to empower local educators, students, and parents. However, the countrys education system is littered with educational inequalities. The system can also be captive of elite groups.

Strengthening health systems and peacebuilding through women’s leadership: a qualitative study

BackgroundActive and protracted conflict settings demonstrate the need to prioritise the peace through health agenda. This can be achieved by reorienting attention toward gender diverse leadership and more effective governance within health systems. This approach may enable women to have a greater voice in the decision-making of health and social interventions, thereby enabling the community led and context specific knowledge required to address the root causes of persistent inequalities and inequities in systems and societies.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative study, which included semi-structured interviews with 25 key informants, two focus group discussions and one workshop with humanitarian workers in local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs), United Nations (UN) agencies, health practitioners, and academics, from Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and Latin America. Findings were then applied to the peacebuilding pyramid designed by John Paul Lederach which provides a practical framework for mediation and conflict resolution in several conflict-affected settings. The purpose of the framework was to propose an adapted conceptualisation of leadership to include women’s leadership in the health system and be more applicable in protracted conflict settings.ResultsFive interrelated themes emerged. First, perceptions of terms such as gender equality, equity, mainstreaming, and leadership varied across participants and contexts. Second, armed conflict is both a barrier and an enabler for advancing women’s leadership in health systems. Third, health systems themselves are critical in advancing the nexus between women’s leadership, health systems and peacebuilding. Fourth, across all contexts we found strong evidence of an instrumental relationship between women’s leadership in health systems in conflict-affected settings and peacebuilding. Lastly, the role of donors emerged as a critical obstacle to advance women’s leadership.ConclusionContinuing to empower women against social, cultural, and institutional barriers is crucial, as the emerging correlation between women’s leadership, health systems, and peacebuilding is essential for long-term stability, the right to health, and health system responsiveness.

“She is as feminine as my mother, as my sister, as my biologically female friends”: On the promise and limits of transgender visibility in fashion media

AbstractAs transgender media representation continues to gain traction, trans scholars and activists have contended with the double-edged sword of visibility: while trans visibility has the potential to familiarize cisgender audience with trans experiences, it also risks reinforcing normative ideas about gender expression. Taking fashion media as a case study, I look at trans representation between 2013 and 2020 in the print editions of U.S.-based fashion publications Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Women’s Wear Daily. I argue that trans representation in fashion magazines produces competing discourses about trans identity as simultaneously conforming to gender norms and subverting the gender binary. Further, fashion magazines employ a neoliberal logic of visibility and self-empowerment, positioning trans individuals—particularly trans women of color—as exceptional figures and role models. Finally, I find a recent shift towards a social justice framework as trans activists of color are given greater voice in the pages of fashion magazines.

Girl Athletes in Ethiopia Finding Voice Empowerment Through Sport

Since sport extends well beyond the routine of practice and competition and leads to the development of skills that affect other areas of life, my study explored whether girl athletes experience greater voice empowerment as a result of playing sport. The term voice empowerment is unique to traditional leadership and character programming; it emerged from recent scholarship in the fields of education, sport, and psychology. In this study, 30 Ethiopian girl athletes aged 13 to 18 completed a 24-item questionnaire that focused on the constructs of sport, voice, and gender equity. My findings suggest that sport along with emotional and academic support, coupled with an effective life skills program, does affect voice empowerment.

МАНІПУЛЯТИВНІ КОМБІНАЦІЇ В АНГЛОМОВНОМУ ПОЛІТИЧНОМУ ДИСКУРСІ

The article is dedicated to the understanding of the political discourse of that mind The political struggle is always accompanied by the rhetoric of the opposing political forces. From the development of the media space and from the vorakhovuyuchi fast hour, spent on orientation at the new, to the political text, all things are presented. The text can only be written as a written language, so that it can be remembered, seen on other numerical texts in political circles, the neutrality of the language is not typical for political discourse. With this kind of agitation, that propaganda can lead to the “repeal” of these ideas from the side of the audience, in connection with which it is necessary for more “vishukans” to supply information of a political nature. In the process of political communication, the action that is directed at the addressee-actor is especially important. Tsey vpliv zdіysnyuєtsya through a sign, more precisely, through a moving sign (in opposition to a moving sign). It is regulative to act, as the head rank, through the reverse side of the reminder, the form of the moving sign is secondary. If the one who speaks, to rob a bigger voice for the sake of it, you will not change the audience in your rightness, the situation will be blamed for the change. However, sometimes the speaker emphasizes his own respect for the form. The author robs the form of the main component of the regulative inflow, it is put more for zmіst; the form is given more like this, it looks like a change, it transforms into a self-sufficient one. Roblyachs have a greater voice on the form, which can be said to cope with a singing poetic effect, a rhetorical effect. Instead of using the form of submission, the sense of the word, the use of words, the whole text can be done piece by piece – for the choice of a bright word, a bright sign, for a bright image. Such an effect can be called manipulative. The mechanism of manipulative techniques is launched for the analysis of the evaluation component, which is entered in the code of the notification.

Internationalizing Afghan security? Strategic narratives and transnational public sphere (dis)formation in Chinese, Russian, Afghani, and US media

For most of the past two decades, the United States pursued a policy leveraging its traditional NATO partners to secure Afghanistan’s future against the Taliban with little lasting success. However, in a dramatic reversal of U.S. policy in July 2018, President Trump ordered the start of direct talks between the United States and Taliban with the goal of internationalizing Afghan security. We argue that this move in 2018 by the United States can be understood as an attempt toward forming a transnational community around Afghan security by allowing non-allied nations greater voice and agency in Afghanistan’s political future. However, current theories of transnational public sphere are unable to account for such processes. Thus, the primary aim of this study is development of a theory of transnational foreign policy sphere formation. Drawing upon Wessler et al.’s (2008) four-step process of transnational public sphere development, we conceptualize this process as one of strategic narrative (dis)alignment across and within foreign nations’ media reporting on a common issue of concern. We then use media narratives reporting on Afghanistan’s political future as an empirical case study to demonstrate our theory, by examining over 2000 news articles from 17 different Chinese, Russian, U.S., and Afghani media outlets from February 2017 to January 2020. Theoretically, our study advances research into the transnational public sphere by examining their (dis)formation over time as well as the limits and opportunities of transnational public sphere emergence outside of European contexts and on foreign policy issues among publics with very different sociopolitical interests and cultures.

Project Sustainability and Public-Private Partnership: The Role of Government Relation Orientation and Project Governance

In China, the government is not only responsible for the supply of local public facilities and services, but also the maker of public-private-partnership (PPP) policies and systems, and has a greater voice in PPP projects. The attitude and behavior of the government are essential to the sustainable development of PPP projects. This research focuses on the deep-seated connotation of the external attitude and behavior of the government, that is, the impact mechanism and path of the government’s relation orientation on project sustainability. First, enrich the connotation of the government’s relation orientation, project sustainability, and project governance, and improve the measurement scale. Then, construct a structural equation model, collect data through questionnaires, and explore the path of the government’s relation orientation on project sustainability. The research results show that: (1) different relation orientations have different effects on project governance and project sustainability, among which instrumental relation orientation and rent-seeking relation orientation will directly affect project sustainability; (2) relationship governance and contract governance play different mediating roles. The research results provide new ideas and perspectives for improving project governance mechanisms and project sustainability in the practice of PPP projects in China.

Assessing the relationship between agency and peer violence among adolescents aged 10 to 14 years in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo and Blantyre, Malawi: A cross-sectional study.

Interpersonal violence has physical, emotional, educational, social, and economic implications. Although there is interest in empowering young people to challenge harmful norms, there is scant research on how individual agency, and, specifically, the "power to" resist or bring about an outcome relates to peer violence perpetration and victimization in early adolescence. This manuscript explores the relationship between individual agency and peer violence perpetration and victimization among very young adolescents (VYAs) living in two urban poor settings in sub-Saharan Africa (Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Blantyre, Malawi). The study draws on two cross-sectional surveys including 2,540 adolescents 10 to 14 years from Kinshasa in 2017 (girls = 49.8% and boys = 50.2%) and 1,213 from Blantyre in 2020 (girls = 50.7% and boys = 49.3%). The sample was school based in Malawi but included in-school and out-of-school participants in Kinshasa due to higher levels of early school dropout. Peer violence in the last 6 months (dependent variable) was defined as a four categorical variable: (1) no victimization or perpetration; (2) victimization only; (3) perpetration only; and (4) both victimization and perpetration. Agency was operationalized using 3 scales: freedom of movement, voice, and decision-making, which were further divided into tertiles. Univariate analysis and multivariable multinomial logistic regressions were conducted to evaluate the relationships between each agency indicator and peer violence. The multivariable regression adjusted for individual, family, peer, and community level covariates. All analyses were stratified by gender and site. In both sites, adolescents had greater voice and decision-making power than freedom of movement, and boys had greater freedom of movement than girls. Boys in both settings were more likely to report peer violence in the last six months than girls (40% to 50% versus 32% to 40%, p < 0.001), mostly due to higher rates of a perpetration-victimization overlap (18% to 23% versus 10% to 15%, p < 0.001). Adolescents reporting the greatest freedom of movement (Tertile 3) (with the exception of girls in Kinshasa) had a greater relative risk ratio (RRR) of reporting a perpetrator-victim overlap (boys Kinshasa: RRR = 1.9 (1.2 to 2.8, p = 0.003); boys Blantyre: RRR = 3.8 (1.7 to 8.3, p = 0.001); and girls Blantyre: RRR = 2.4 (1.1 to 5.1, p = 0.03)). Adolescents with the highest decision-making power in Kinshasa also had greater RRR of reporting a perpetrator-victim overlap (boys: RRR = 3.0 (1.8 to 4.8, p < 0.001). Additionally, girls and boys in Kinshasa with intermediate decision-making power (tertile 2 versus 1) had a lower RRR of being victimized (Girls: RRR = 1.7 (1.02 to 2.7, p = 0.04); Boys: RRR = 0.6 (0.4 to 0.9, p = 0.01)). Higher voice among boys in Kinshasa (Tertile 2: RRR = 1.9 (1.2 to 2.9, p = 0.003) and Tertile 3: 1.8 (1.2 to 2.8, p = 0.009)) and girls in Blantyre (Tertile 2: 2.0 (1.01 to 3.9, p = 0.048)) was associated with a perpetrator-victim overlap, and girls with more voice in Blantyre had a greater RRR of being victimized (Tertile 2: RRR = 1.9 (1.1 to 3.1, p = 0.02)). Generally, associations were stronger for boys than girls, and associations often differed when victimization and perpetration occurred in isolation of each other. A main limitation of this study is that the cross-sectional nature of the data does not allow a causal interpretation of the findings, which need further longitudinal exploration to establish temporality. In this study, we observed that peer violence is a gendered experience that is related to young people's agency. This stresses the importance of addressing interpersonal violence in empowerment programs and of including boys who experience the greatest perpetration-victimization overlap.

Antagonism beyond employment: how the ‘subordinated agency’ of labour platforms generates conflict in the remote gig economy

AbstractThis article investigates why gig economy workers who see themselves as self-employed freelancers also engage in collective action traditionally associated with regular employment. Using ethnographic evidence on the remote gig economy in North America, the UK and the Philippines, we argue that labour platforms increase the agency of workers to contract with clients and thus reduce the risk of false self-employment in terms of the worker–client relationship. However, in doing so, platforms create a new source of subordination to the platform itself. We term this phenomenon ‘subordinated agency’, and demonstrate that it entails a ‘structured antagonism’ with platforms that manifests in three areas: fees, competition and worker voice mechanisms. Subordinated agency creates worker desire for representation, greater voice and even unionization towards the platform, while preserving entrepreneurial attitudes towards clients.

TRADE POLICY RESPONSES TO THE CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES OF THE GLOBAL MARKET

The present paper discusses several new trends in the global trade such as digitalization of trade, regional trade agreements and the emergence of new global players. Based on theoretical research and the study of the available secondary statistical data it analyzes how trade policy can address these changes under the existing world trading system. Trade rules underlying the traditional trading system are still applicable under increasing digital trade and enhanced bilateral and regional trade integration. However, WTO Agreement has nothing to do with those barriers of trade that go beyond traditional trade measures and are very acute for the developing countries. They involve access to the Internet and other telecommunication infrastructure, weak formal institutions and legal protection, lack of awareness about the potential benefits and opportunities in digital trade and lack of IT literacy. In order to overcome these barriers developing countries should incorporate trade policy as a component of deep economic reforms. The pace of development of the multilateral trading rules is slower than required by increasingly flexible business models. Therefore, countries try to find solutions at the bilateral and plurilateral levels. For instance, the EU develops regulations under Digital Single Market as well as within its bilateral trade agreements with non-member states. Georgia is implementing digital economy regulations in accordance to its DCFTA with the EU. Access to information and communication technologies is essential to be engaged in digital trade. For developing countries investments in digital infrastructure is an important policy issue, while developed countries are more focused on balanced trade rules, which ensure the development of digital trade, on the one hand and security and data protection, on the other. Contemporary trade policy goes beyond regulation based on classical trade instruments. It encompasses regulation within regional trade and investment agreements, technical standards and other behind-the-border measures, regulation of services and intellectual property markets and support for sustainable development goals, etc. A large part of the contemporary regional trade agreements covers all these areas. Development of bilateral and regional cooperation by encouraging deep integration can be discussed as an effort to overcome inflexibilities of the multilateral system. Regional integration enables countries to develop selective approach towards their trade partners and maintain certain degree of autonomy by applying different trade rules towards different partners. Elimination of behind the border barriers and enhanced regulatory harmonization leads to reduced trade costs but it also leads to race to the bottom in regulatory facilitation, what might be detrimental to the national policy goals. The effects of deep economic integration cannot be assessed based on the traditional approach of trade creation and trade diversion, because integration as an institutional process affects not only trade flows but also economic and institutional development levels of the countries. Deep regional integration reduces institutional differences within regions and increases them across regions. Besides it, the increasing role of BRICs countries in international trade leads to greater diversity of actors in the world market. New global players ask for greater voice in the process of reforming trade rules. Therefore, global trade rules should reflect the diversity that comes from changes in the patterns as well as the main players of the world market

Making the Decision to Participate in Organized After-School Activities: Perspectives From Mexican-Origin Adolescents and Their Parents

The decision to enroll in organized after-school activities involves a gradual negotiation of adolescents’ independence between family members who can hold contrasting views on adolescents’ autonomy. Furthermore, less is known about the culturally grounded nature of this decision-making process generally observed among the Latinx community, especially those from immigrant backgrounds, where adolescents may serve as the cultural brokers to help their families navigate through certain cultural barriers outside the home. In this study, we analyzed semi-structured interviews from a diverse group of 34 Mexican-origin parent-adolescent dyads living in a Southwest metropolitan area. Results indicate that decision making on organized activities can occur across multiple distinct pathways that reflect unilateral and mutual decision making based on the parents’ and adolescents’ level of involvement. The adolescents’ strong role as cultural brokers not only reflects a critical role of helping their parents navigate through the cultural barriers of the after-school world but can also empower them to have a greater voice within a context of positively developing a more equal basis of decision making in the parent-child dynamic. Findings from this study highlight the rich diversity among Mexican-origin families and can help further strengthen organized activities in being responsive to the diverse cultural practices of families.

‘The best guess for the future?’ Teachers’ adaptation to open and flexible learning environments in Finland

ABSTRACT Finnish education has recently experienced reforms with respect to guidelines forming the curriculum framework for basic education and school architecture. Since 2016, all new schools incorporate open and flexible design, at least to some extent. The more open school design challenges the conventional organisation of space and pre-defined structures and interaction practices. This study investigates how teachers both adapt and are affected by new demands for pedagogy, team teaching and teacher-student relationships. Interview data of 21 teachers of six modern schools are reviewed through thematic analysis. The new school layouts provided some incongruence with the teachers’ aims and their preferred practices. Although many teachers were dissatisfied with the new or remodelled space solution, they felt that their school had developed as a learning community, with improved collegiality, and good experiences of team teaching had increased. Shared vision, open discussion, commitment and enough time for preparation had helped in adaptation. Lacking arguments behind school transformation and the dismissal of ideas of school design hindered adaptation. This study suggests that teachers should have a greater voice in the school design process, and the needs of learners should be carefully considered, ensuring optimal physical and pedagogical context for effective and collaborative learning.

Campus Free Speech in Polarised Times

Tensions around open expression at universities in the United States and around the world arise mainly from two sources. Campus members increasingly call to restrict hurtful and hate-based speech, and demand silencing, ‘cancelling’ or ‘de-platforming’ outside speakers and campus members who espouse extreme ideological views. At the same time, public and political actors from outside the university attempt to undermine its independence by demanding greater voice to conservative speakers, in an effort to rebalance the ideological makeup of the university. Inclusive freedom – an approach that focuses on ways to promote both open expression and an inclusive climate in contemporary universities – is presented as a theoretical and a practical response to these tensions. Inclusive freedom is anchored in the university’s core mission, bounded by its educational and research goals, and reflects a practical commitment to allowing everyone to participate in an open exchange, which starts from all participants recognising their equal standing and dignity.

A Journey of Hope: giving research participants a voice to share their experiences and improve community engagement around advanced HIV disease in Uganda

Over the last decade excellent progress has been made globally in HIV management thanks to antiretroviral therapy (ART) rollout and international guidelines now recommending immediate initiation of ART in all HIV-positive people. Despite this, advanced HIV disease (CD4 less than 200 cells/mL) and opportunistic infections remain a persistent challenge and contribute significantly to HIV-associated mortality, which equates to 23,000 deaths in Uganda in 2018 alone. Our Meningitis Research Team based in Uganda is committed to conducting clinical trials to answer important questions regarding diagnostics and management of HIV-associated opportunistic infections, including tuberculosis and cryptococcal meningitis. However, clinical research is impossible without research participants and results are meaningless unless they are translated into benefits for those affected by the disease. Therefore, we held a series of community engagement events with the aims of giving clinical research participants a voice in sharing their experiences of clinical research and messages of hope around advanced HIV disease with the community, dispelling myths and stigma around HIV, raising awareness about the complications of advanced HIV disease and local ongoing clinical research and recent scientific advances. The purpose of this Open Letter is to describe our community engagement experience in Uganda, which we hope will lay the foundation for further clinical research public engagement activities, giving research participants a greater voice to share their experiences.

Challenging the dominant Church hegemony in times of risk and promise: Carysfort women resist

ABSTRACT Historically, patriarchy has been as dominant in education in Ireland as elsewhere. In the Irish context, it was promoted through the male-dominated Catholic Church, which controlled either directly or indirectly the vast majority of education institutions in the country. This dominant hegemony was most powerful during the period post-Independence, achieved in 1922, and up until the 1960s. By the 1960s, however, Irish society had begun a process of self-reflection and modernisation triggered by exposure to international ideas, the Second Vatican Council, the democratisation of education and radical changes in economic policy. This article focuses on one manifestation of this process, namely a strike initiated by female students at a female-run teacher training college in Dublin in demand of a greater voice in the nature of the curriculum taught and in the governance of the college. However, these women were protesting not against the male hegemony, rather against the women religious who perpetrated this hegemony. The focus of this study is thus on patriarchy perpetuated by women on women.