Cultural Institutions Research Articles

Challenges and strategies in the preservation of historical and audiovisual archives

The conservation of historical and audiovisual archives is essential for preserving cultural heritage, collective memory, and national identity. These archives—comprising documents, photographs, films, videos, and other materials—serve as critical records of historical events, cultural traditions, and social practices. However, preserving such materials is fraught with challenges, including physical and chemical degradation caused by factors like humidity, temperature, light, and improper handling. Moreover, technological obsolescence poses a significant risk to digital media. To address these issues, conservation efforts must include both the restoration of damaged materials and preventive measures to mitigate future deterioration. This involves not only restoring old photographs and repairing films but also digitizing documents and creating controlled storage environments. Digital conservation, including the migration of obsolete formats to current technologies, is crucial for the longevity of audiovisual materials. Studies highlight various challenges faced in audiovisual preservation. Rasaki et al. (2023) identified obstacles such as technological obsolescence, inadequate storage conditions, lack of funding, insufficient management commitment, and a shortage of trained personnel in a Nigerian university library. Muhammad (2019) further pointed out systemic issues, including the absence of a national preservation policy and undervaluation of audiovisual materials. Evens and Hauttekeete (2011) discussed challenges in digital preservation, noting that underdeveloped policies leave archives vulnerable to deterioration and technological obsolescence. Baker (2021) documented a significant upgrade at the University of Kansas Libraries, showcasing the expansion of conservation facilities and the creation of specialized spaces for audiovisual preservation. Effective preservation requires a collective effort that includes governments, cultural institutions, and public education. Comprehensive preventive measures—such as managing environmental conditions, regulating light exposure, and protecting collections from pollutants and threats—are essential to ensure the accessibility and preservation of valuable cultural heritage for future generations.

Augmented Reality Software in Presentation of Cultural and Historical Heritage

This paper presents the advent in the presentation of cultural and historical heritage by using augmented reality (AR) technology. The use cases are given on the examples of mobile applications realized as electronic multimedia guides for various cultural institutions in Serbia. Then, a classification of the AR software is proposed based on their usage in the given examples.

CultIS : Web-based Platform for Intelligent Cultural Content Management

The paper presents the research, development, and some of the major implementations to date of the web-based platform for intelligent cultural content management CultIS. It is an innovative environment providing descriptive cataloging, subject indexing, intelligent data retrieval, curation and collection development aimed at meeting the functional needs associated with the growing expectations of users of cultural institutions such as libraries, museums and other providers of cultural and historical heritage. Based on the implementations of CultIS for different purposes and contexts, not only its effectiveness, stability and reliability are tested, but the results also serve for its constant development and improvement.

Adventure in Plovdiv's Cultural Space: An Augmented Reality Serious Game

The present paper discusses the development of an augmented reality serious game, which allows the players to interact with cultural heritage artifacts in seven institutions in the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The objective of the game is to encourage the participants to go through all of the cultural institutions and to learn interesting facts related to local history, culture, society and biological life in an amusing and attractive way.

The Influence of Institutional Culture on Organisational Effectiveness in Selected Public Universities in Uganda

Organisational effectiveness is a vital component of universities and other organisations because it leads to various positive outcomes, including customer satisfaction, employee relationships, improved business processes, learning and growth, and profitability. However, despite its importance, Ugandan universities are currently struggling with low levels of organizational effectiveness. Therefore, this study assessed the influence of institutional culture on organisational effectiveness of selected public universities in Uganda. Specifically, the study assessed the influence of artefacts, espoused belief and values and basic underlying assumptions culture dimensions on organisational effectiveness. The study employed a quantitative approach, utilizing a correlational research design. With a small population of 265, the researchers aimed to survey the entire population although those who provided responses were 231 participants. The data were collected using a close ended self-administered questionnaire. The data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPls to test casual linkages between the variables. The results indicated that espoused beliefs and values, and basic underlying assumptions had a positive and significant impact on organisational effectiveness in public universities. The study concluded that espoused beliefs and values, and basic underlying assumptions are essential for organisational effectiveness of public universities, and basic underlying assumptions are vital for organisational effectiveness in public universities. The study recommended that university managers should promote espoused beliefs and values through enabling openness and learning, team work and adherence to rules, and basic underlying assumptions of mutual responsibility and shared objectives, and participation in decision making in the management of universities

Features of Ukrainian cultural sphere adaptation to the conditions of the Russo-Ukrainian War (based on data of UCF survey)

Since the problems of the Ukrainian cultural sphere in the context of war are usually studied in relation to consumers of cultural products, the article emphasizes the expediency of studying the state of culture from the point of view of its direct creators. Using the author’s methodology and on the basis of empirical study, the article highlights the peculiarities of the Ukrainian cultural organizations and cultural figures’ adaptation to the сrisis provoked by russia’s armed aggression. The key factors of cultural organizations and creative industries’ successful adaptation to the war conditions are identified. The survival strategy of cultural workers and institutions can be described as cost savings, along with maintaining activities, creating new products and services, and taking active measures to attract additional funding. It is concluded that adaptation does not always take active forms and is not necessarily associated with positive changes in the organization. Often, adaptability is only the result of passive adaptation to the conditions of war. Special attention is paid to the analysis of changes in the level of adaptability of cultural organizations in the dynamics (from November 2022 to December 2023). Despite the fact that the adaptability index tends to increase in comparison with 2022, there is an increase in neutral assessments of the prospects of their organizations and a decrease in positive expectations among respondents. Based on the respondents’ answers, matrices of motivational and demotivational factors of adaptability were constructed. This allowed us to distinguish adapted and non-adapted organizations and workers and the primary obstacles to adaptation. The results of the study show that cultural institutions need support from the state but the specifics of the request depend on the legal form of the organizations. Groups with high and low levels of adaptability were identified, which requires the development of additional support programs for vulnerable cultural organizations and cultural figures.

The use of animation tools in the media space of library for the formation of undergraduates' teamwork skills

The problem and the aim of the study. The modernization of library education involves the use of technologies that provide simultaneous work with sound, statistical images, and texts in an interactive mode. The ability to use information tools, in particular computer animation, in working on projects and teamwork skills are indemand soft skills, the maturity of which largely determines the professional self-realization of librarianship specialists. The purpose of the study is to identify the potential of using animation tools in the library's media space to develop the teamwork skills of master’s students. Research methods. The media space of the library is considered as a set of resources that allow professional collaboration of cultural institutions in a new format, attracting potential users to visit libraries, as well as informing them about their services. The Renderforest platform is used to develop didactic animation. The experiment involved 64 undergraduates of specialty 04.51.01 Cultural studies, profile – "Socio-cultural design", Vyatka State University (Russian Federation). The authors use V. Stefanson's methodology to assess the level of teamwork skills of master's students. For statistical processing, – Pearson's χ2 (chi-square) test. A group of experts has been involved in the evaluation of media projects for “Library Night” event. Fisher's method was used to establish statistically significant differences. Results. The students of the experimental group used animation tools to develop projects and library and information services according to the following algorithm: studying a digital service, defining the concept of an action/event for “Library Night”, writing a script, implementing a project, evaluating the potential for the development of the library's media space. Statistically significant differences in the qualitative changes that occurred in the system were revealed: according to the levels of formation of teamwork skills according to the criteria of dependence/non-dependence on the opinion of the group (χ2 = 6.427; p < 0.05); sociability/ nonsociability (χ2 = 7.879; p < 0.05); acceptance of "struggle" / "struggle" / avoidance of "struggle" (χ2 = 6.081; p < 0.05); and by the quality of training – φcrit=1.64<φemp=2.804. Conclusion. The possibilities of using animation tools in the media space of the library for the development of teamwork skills of master’s students are formulated: new formats of collaboration and project activities, innovative work experience, etc. However, there are also factors complicating the process: absence of clear leadership; constrains of communication; weak motivation; low social status of the profession.

Collaboration, Connection, & Culture: Understanding the Impact of Institutional Culture on Online Teaching in Higher Education

Teaching and learning online is an increasingly important aspect of higher education, especially post-Covid-19. Previous studies have shown a relationship between Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) and teaching efficacy and teaching efficacy and student success. However, the contextual factors impacting TPACK have not been adequately explored. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine if the contextual factor of institutional culture impacts TPACK among online higher education faculty at institutions in the Southeastern United States as well as to what extent specific dimensions of institutional culture affect TPACK levels. Data were collected using an anonymous online survey that was shared with potential participants through email and social media. Data were analyzed through SPSS software using a multiple linear regression model to determine significance between the independent variables, the seven dimensions of institutional culture, and the dependent variable, TPACK. Results indicated that significance was found between two individual elements of institutional culture, 1) collaboration and team learning and 2) connection between the organization and its environment, and TPACK. These findings indicate that higher education administrators should focus efforts on creating opportunities for faculty to engage in professional development and move beyond siloed work to collaborative projects. Administrators should also ensure that the institution is connected to the local, regional, and global community through aligned institutional goals with the needs of the community and establishing opportunities for faculty to connect globally. Future research should focus on exploring the relationship between specific aspects of institutional culture that may impact quality online teaching.

Looking at Arts Institutions, Communities, and Space: Reflections and Research from the Field of Art Sociology

In this introduction to the journal issue, the editors characterize the individual scholarly articles included in the volume. They also briefly recall their research interests in the field of art. The texts in the volume deal with three intertwining dimensions: cultural and art institutions, communities (artistic and aesthetic), and space. Most of the authors presented their research at the academic conference ‘Esthetic Communities and Artistic Institutions’ (2023), organized by the Art Sociology Section of the Polish Sociological Association. Polish contemporary sociology of art is mainly empirical sociology. Qualitative research in the field of art sociology in Poland has been used since the 1960s. Initially, they had been treated as experimental, gradually transforming into an increasingly common approach. Sociologists most often used various types of qualitative analyses of materials as well as interviews. Researchers still often use these techniques today, but one can also see the use of other methods, e.g., as part of the art-based research approach (this methodological orientation was used in one of the articles).

Exploring the role of immersive technology in digitally representing contemporary crafts within hybrid museum exhibitions: a scoping review

ABSTRACT This study focuses on the complex design process of developing museum exhibitions that feature contemporary craft artifacts, while leveraging immersive technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and extended reality (XR) to augment the visitor experience of these objects. Through a scoping review of current practices, it investigates how these technologies augment the display and interpretation of diverse craft materials within museum contexts. Through an analysis of 35 peer-reviewed publications related to the application of immersive technologies in museums, it delineates the roles these technologies play in the design and presentation of hybrid (physical/virtual) museum exhibitions, contrasting their effectiveness and challenges with traditional physical displays. By emphasizing the design process, this study sheds light on innovative strategies for enhancing visitor engagement and digitally preserving contemporary craft knowledge, offering a detailed roadmap for future researchers, practitioners, and cultural institutions interested in the intersection of technology, crafts, and cultural representation.

Assessment of safety culture in radiotherapy facilities using safety performance indicators.

This paper describes the development of the Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs), the methodology for assessment of the safety culture of radiotherapy institutions using SPIs and common strengths and common areas for improvement. SPIs were categorized into eight sections which all together contain 23 attributes and each attribute has scoring criteria from 0 to 2 (in steps of 0.5). The maximum absolute cumulative score of SPIs was 46. A relative cumulative SPIs score of >80% indicates an institution strong commitment towards safety while score <50% indicates need for additional guidance to enhance safety culture. The assessment using SPIs was conducted for 17 radiotherapy institutions. The methodology of assessment includes interactive discussion, direct observations and document analysis. The relative cumulative SPIs score of seven institutions was found to be >80% while it was found in the range of 67.0% to 80% for the remaining ten institutions. Institutions were communicated about the cumulative SPIs score, areas of strengths, and areas for improvement. SPIs were found to be a good tool for safety culture assessment and can be utilized by the radiotherapy institutes for self-assessment to identify the areas of improvement. Based on SPIs score, regulatory body can grade the institutions from a radiation safety compliance point of view.

FEATURES OF SAFETY CULTURE ASSESSMENT BY USING THE METHOD OF ANALYSIS OF HIERARCHIES BASED ON THE SURVEY OF TEACHERS OF CLINICAL DEPARTMENTS OF THE DENTAL PROFILE

Aim. Determining the features of safety culture, the assessment by using the method of analysis of hierarchies based on the survey of teachers of clinical departments of the dental profile and establishing its main stages. Materials and methods. The research was conducted on the basis of departments of stomatological profile O. O. Bogomolets National Medical University using hygienic, medical sociological and statistical methods, which should be considered a prerequisite for the implementation of the method of analysis of hierarchies (methodology of group examination followed by ranking and pairwise comparison). Results. Based on the application of the method of analysis of hierarchies based on a survey of teachers of clinical departments of the dental profile, the leading components of safety culture were determined, namely: the degree of influence on the level of safety culture and the patient's body of the leading characteristics of dangerous actions of medical personnel related to the operation of equipment, the organization of medical and diagnostic process, use of means of individual and collective protection (component No. 1); the degree of influence on the level of safety culture and the patient’s organism of both strengths and weaknesses in creating the safety of the treatment environment through the culture of awareness, reporting, justice, training (component No. 2), the degree of influence on the level of safety culture and the patient's organism of hygienic and safe working conditions at the workplace of medical personnel (component No. 3), as well as a scientifically based algorithm for assessing the level of safety culture in modern health care institutions. Conclusions. The created algorithm for analytical assessment of the level of safety culture in modern health care institutions provides for the implementation of the following stages: determination of the structural features of the leading components of safety culture and the development of a scoring scale for their evaluation; carrying out an expert assessment of the leading components of the safety culture and establishing the degree of consistency of experts' opinions; calculation of the weighting coefficients of the influence of various components on the formation of a certain level of safety culture; justification of objective statistical approaches to assessing the level of safety culture.

Transformative Impact: Dramatic Arts for Grade 12 Academic Excellence

The study investigated the influence of dramatic arts on academic performance among Grade 12 students. The study was framed within the social constructivism theory, which posits that learning is an active, social process where students construct knowledge through interaction with their environment and peers. The study employed an interpretivist qualitative research methods to explore the transformative potential of dramatic arts, emphasising the impact on critical thinking, problem-solving, and proficient communication. Data from 117 students in Grade 12 who were part of a purposive sample were gathered using open-ended questionnaires, interviews, and classroom observations. The data was analysed through thematic analysis. The findings highlighted the positive impact of dramatic arts integration on academic performance, student engagement, empathy development, and communication skills. Participants reported enhanced critical thinking skills, deeper subject understanding, and a more meaningful relationship with academic subjects. The study also offered recommendations for educational institutions, including developing comprehensive programs incorporating dramatic arts, continual professional development for teachers, building robust assessment and evaluation systems, and collaboration with local theatre organisations and cultural institutions to enhance students’ understanding of dramatic arts.

Assessing the Quality of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: Perspectives from a South African University

This research investigates the notions of quality teaching and learning at Mandela University, centering on lecturers and students as pivotal stakeholders. Using Schindler et al.’s model, the study explored how these internal groups perceive quality in higher education (HE). A qualitative, participative, and visual methodology, inspired by the Mmogo-method® and grounded in social inclusion theory, was employed. This approach fostered an interactive environment for a collective understanding of HE quality through collaboration and participation. The results revealed differing views between lecturers and students on what defines quality. Lecturers viewed it as an action-oriented process, emphasizing tangible elements such as inputs, outputs, policies, and strategic areas. In contrast, students perceived quality more subjectively, focusing on intangible aspects, particularly the attitudes within the lecturer-student relationship. The practical implications of the study suggest the potential for a comprehensive evaluation process to foster a quality-driven culture at Mandela University. It underscores the significance of collaboration, communication, cooperation, and meaningful engagement among all stakeholders during both development and implementation phases. Although the context’s influence on defining quality in HE was not markedly different, notable references included Africa’s challenges and the graduates’ commitment to their communities. Overall, this study redefines perceptions of quality in higher education, highlighting the essential role of stakeholder involvement in nurturing a quality-focused institutional culture. By embracing diverse perspectives and committing to continuous improvement in teaching and learning, it proposes enhancing the overall quality of higher education at Mandela University. Keywords: Quality assurance; Higher Education, Teaching, Learning, Mandela University

Structural Model of Religiosity of the Engineering Profession of the Indonesian Engineers Association

This research asks questions about what engineers do and how they express their professional demands as well as their religious demands. This research is prioritized to determine the dynamics of engineering diversity through the relationship between the religiosity of Muslim engineers and future engineering-technology risks in Indonesia. To achieve its objectives, this research uses a holistic-integrative approach as a way to explore the relationship between engineers' religiosity and engineering-technology risks in Indonesia. This research begins with quantitative data collection and Maximum Likelihood Estimate (MLE) analysis, followed by modeling using the Structural Equation Model application (Structured Equation Modelling-Partial Least Square or SEM-PLS) version 3.0. The research begins with observing literature to obtain the main dimensions of religiosity, then selecting and determining the main and important dimensions of the Islamic religion. constructing each dimension into sub-dimensions and attributes that consist of diversity. using a modified worldview approach. The religiosity structure developed consists of 6 main dimensions, namely: dimensions of universal awareness (X1), universal views (X2), core values (X3); identity dimension (X4), observed behavior dimension (X5) and institutional culture dimension (X6). To test the structural model of religiosity, this research has collected field data obtained from 45 graduates of the engineering professional program as research respondents spread across Central Sulawesi and South Sulawesi.

“Rumyantsev Readings — 2024”: N.P. Rumyantsev’s Heritage and Topical Issues of Development of Modern Librarianship

On 23—25 April 2024, the Russian State Library (RSL) hosted the annual International Research and Practical Conference “Rumyantsev Readings” (organizers: Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, RSL, the Library Assembly of Eurasia). The topics raised at the conference invariably attract a large number of specialists from different regions of Russia and other countries with their versatility and relevance. In 2024, representatives of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan took part in it. Our country was represented by specialists from many cities and regions. 294 people took part in the event in person, 1,697 connections were recorded during the broadcasting of the sessions.The conference topics covered a wide range of issues on the theory and practice of library science, bibliography and book studies. Among its main directions: history of libraries and other scientific and cultural institutions, as well as pages of life and activity of people connected with them; disclosure of book depositories’ funds; research of collections and individual copies of manuscript and printed monuments; multifaceted activities of modern libraries. One of the main goals of the conference is to expand intercultural interaction and co-operation between cultural, educational and scientific institutions. Within the framework of the “Rumyantsev Readings” the work of sections, both traditional for many years, and timed to the dates and events of 2024, was organized. Special attention was paid to the personality and heritage of the creator of the Rumyantsev Museum N.P. Rumyantsev (1754—1826), whose 270th anniversary is being celebrated in 2024. Other key topics of the conference were: “Scientific and methodological activities of libraries”, “Collectors, curators, researchers: the history of cultural institutions in the faces”, “The selfless people of the past and modern volunteer movement in the life of libraries”, “Book monuments in the library collections: creation, existence, storage and use”, “Library collections in the digital environment”, “Staffing makes the difference: young researchers in the modern library”.The programme of the event included, in addition to the plenary session, ten sections and two round tables. By the beginning of the conference a collection of materials in three parts was prepared and published by the publishing house of the RSL “Pashkov Dom”, it included 168 articles by 180 authors.“Rumyantsev Readings” have been held for more than four decades and continue to be a popular research and practical event among library professionals and representatives of other educational, scientific and cultural institutions, contributing to the development of scientific research and the introduction of new practices.

BODY LANGUAGE VOCABULARY IN ALBANIAN AS A PROOF OF AN ABUNDANT AND ANCIENT LANGUAGE!

The richness of language vocabulary is directly related to the personal culture of reading and educational background of the person belonging to a specific ethnic community, altogether with the tradition, customs and folklore, as factors of its historic cultural development. The historical development of an ethnicity plays a decisive role in the richness of words and the abundance of vocabulary for specific types and fields of cultures, such as the musical culture, the culture of fine arts, legal and institutional culture, culture of housing buildings, culture of healthy living, etc. The national conscience is related to the common language speaking and the cultivation of tradition, folklore and clothing by the people living in a common geographic territory. Their fights for survival and freedom, as well as the wars for defense of the territory has produced an abundant vocabulary up to details and stylistic varieties and a detailed description of the fighting tools and processes, such as struggle, fight, wars, call for freedom, on the other hand, but also is a lack of words and poorness of vocabulary related to the technical description of the manufactured products and merchandises coming from abroad. Depending on the cultural development of the institutions, the law enforcement and written rules regulating the rights and the responsibility for obeying the legal restrictions and prohibitions has produced a better legal and institutional culture in one country, rather than in an old fashioned organization of social life in countries of a specific stage of national development, where the legal institutions were perceived as strange and hostile originating by an occupying country or nation. These institutions were only accepted as temporary and people obeyed them only by coercion, unwillingly and due to the threat of use of force, in case of lack of obedience. The culture of reading newspapers and watching TV has influenced the richness of vocabulary by meeting new words of the literary, official and the international language, except for the vocabulary of the dialects in their native language.

Learning and Control Platform “Kahoot!”: Theory and Usage Features in ASIPCS

The study examined the place of modern information technologies in education and the importance of “gamification” technology in the organization of secondary and higher education. It was revealed that the most common educational monitoring platform, “Kahoot,” has significant advantages compared to traditional approaches to organizing the educational process. The use of this platform in the process of training bachelors and masters, as well as in advanced training courses for coaches at the Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture and Sport (ASIPCS), showed great interest among students in the “Kahoot” service, a high assessment of the capabilities of this platform in training, consolidation, and control of theoretical knowledge.

Struktur dan Fungsi Mantra Pengobatan Masyakarat Kanagarian Malai V Suku Kecamatan Batang Gasan Kabupaten Padang Pariaman

The purpose of this study was to investigate the structure and function of the treatment mantra of the Nagari Malai V Suku community, Batang Gasan District, Padang Pariaman Regency. This research is categorized as qualitative using descriptive method. The research uses data in the form of texts of community treatment mantras in Nagari Malai V Suku, Batang Gasan District, Padang Pariaman Regency. The instrument of this research is the researcher himself. Data were collected through three stages, namely: (1) literature review, (2) observation and (3) interviews with informants. Data validation was carried out using triangulation techniques. After the data were collected, the data were analyzed with five stages: transcription, transiteration, classification or data analysis, drawing conclusions, and reporting. The results of the research on the structure of the treatment mantra found three parts, namely: opening, content, and closing. The functions of the treatment mantra are divided into five, namely: (a) a system for projection, (b) institutions in cultural institutions, (c) a means to educate, (d) a tool to enforce norms, and (e) a means of treatment. There are three structures in the research, namely the opening, content, and closing structures.

What Lies Beneath: Critical Contexts in Medical Education Research.

Medical education is a complex field involving interacting contexts of settings, individuals, and institutional culture. Understanding how contexts interact is important for the applicability of research findings. In this article, the authors describe contexts highlighted in this year's Research in Medical Education articles related to being and belonging, the definition of medical education, assessment and feedback, and learning and climate. The authors summarize the various contexts and examine implications for the medical education research community.