Policy Knowledge Research Articles

Communicating Blue Carbon Science Across the Indo-Pacific Region Through Capacity Building Fellowships

Communicating the value of blue carbon ecosystems requires sound knowledge of biology, remote sensing, carbon assessment, policy, and approaches to restoration. We describe a successful training program where young professionals from developing countries are hosted in Australia and taught to communicate blue carbon science to researchers, policy makers, and the public. Across several programs, some run during the COVID-19 pandemic, participants increased their knowledge of important areas of blue carbon science by 58% to 74%. This integrative teaching platform gives participants the knowledge and skills needed to help solve the major challenges to the marine environment in their home countries.

PASCAL: PopulAtion-Specific Curriculum-based MADRL for collision-free flocking with large-scale fixed-wing UAV swarms

Flocking with a swarm of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has been playing an important role in various applications. However, the complexity of developing a collision-free flocking policy for a UAV swarm increases tremendously with the swarm scale. In this paper, a novel curriculum-based multi-agent deep reinforcement learning (MADRL) approach is proposed for flocking with collision avoidance of large-scale fixed-wing UAV swarms by progressively increasing the population of UAVs, which we call PopulAtion-Specific Curriculum-based MADRL (PASCAL). Specifically, PASCAL has two core components of policy learning and knowledge transfer. For policy learning, an improved multi-agent deep deterministic policy gradient algorithm is proposed to accelerate the learning process. For knowledge transfer, an attention-based population-invariant network is designed to handle dynamic dimensional inputs, enabling the reloading and fine-tuning of the previously learned models. Finally, both numerical and semi-physical simulations demonstrate the advantages of PASCAL in terms of learning efficiency and generalization capability for different swarm scales.

Association of knowledge and practice of Tuberculosis infection prevention and control policies among health care personnel at a regional hospital, in Gauteng province of South Africa

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) remains an occupational health risk among healthcare personnel (HCP) globally, with the risk of transmission present throughout healthcare settings. The presence of undiagnosed and untreated highly infectious patients poses a great risk to the HCP who are often the forefront healthcare providers of any epidemic. Genotypic analysis of infected HCP revealed similar strains to the ones identified from the patient profile of their facilities, suggestive of nosocomial transmission. The aim of the study was to determine healthcare personnel’s knowledge and practices regarding protective wear on TB prevention in Gauteng province. MethodsA non-experimental descriptive quantitative survey was used for this study. The sample was a cohort of healthcare professionals from a selected regional hospital located in Gauteng province of South Africa. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Pretoria and the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health. Data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire which was distributed to the different categories of HCP at the selected facility. All analysis was conducted using Stata 15 and p-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. ResultsKnowledge of infection control policies was not significantly associated with practice. However, knowledge was significantly associated with level of education. HCP with higher levels of education demonstrated good knowledge but poor practice. Conclusion and recommendationsGood knowledge of infection prevention and control policies did not result in good practice. Hence, strategies to create knowledge translation towards IPC practices among HCP need to be devised.

Delegados del Saber: la Asociación Nacional de Bibliotecas y las políticas bibliotecarias en Argentina (1908-1913)

Objective/Context: Created in 1908 in Buenos Aires, the National Association of Libraries (Asociación Nacional de Bibliotecas, anb) gathered part of the local intellectuality concerned with reformism to form a federation of Argentine libraries that would act as a mediator between these institutions and the public authorities. This article examines the rise and the first years of existence of this entity to demonstrate the role of a specific civil group in the institutionalization and centralization of library services in Argentina in the early twentieth century. Methodology: For this purpose, we will resort to the hermeneutic and critical analysis of printed primary sources, produced both by members of the Association and by other actors, and to the official documentation of the Argentine national government. In a dialogue with the bibliography, a national library associations’ origin review is proposed to focus on the anb creation and its links with the State. Originality: This study contributes to the knowledge of library policies and the conformation of the librarianship field in Latin America by investigating an object that has not yet been examined. Thus, it proposes a renewed look at the past of libraries in the region through the conceptual tools of Socio-Cultural and Political History while giving greater temporal depth to research on the genesis of the professional field in question through the recovery of this early experience. Conclusions: Conceived as a body for regulating the functioning of libraries and mediating between them and the State, the anb was unable to exercise both functions with equal effectiveness, given that it did not have sufficient mechanisms to enforce its provisions among the associated instances. However, the grouping revealed from its beginnings a remarkable agency to influence governmental decisions, both at the national and provincial levels.

Knowledge and Implications of Cemetery Policies among Workers of Baguio City Public Cemetery, Philippines

Cemeteries in the Philippines are usually under the jurisdiction of local government units (LGUs). Among their jurisdiction is managing cemetery workers. The cemetery workers being part of the informal sector are a concern for LGUs since activities within the sector areunknowledgeable to government policies and prone of noncompliance to it. Thus, the study is anchored on determining if cemetery workers of Baguio know the policies governing cemeteries. The study employed both a quantitative and qualitative design, particularly through surveyquestionnaires and interviews. The data shows that the respondents are moderately knowledgeable on the identified cemetery policies. This is because attached offices of Baguio LGU have a constant practice of communicating and orienting the workers on the cemetery policies. Although workers are moderately knowledgeable and the LGU exerts effort and initiatives in communicating with the cemetery workers, some problems still persist due to misinterpretation and stubbornness among the workers.

Uloga organizacija građanskog društva u konstituisanju antikorupcijske politike u Srbiji

The paper illuminates how civil society organisations in Serbia, in the aftermath of the political changes initiated on 5 October 2000, played the essential role in articulating corruption as a vital public issue, raising awareness of the public, and putting pressure on the then governments to include this issue in the political agenda. Our analysis focuses on two planes of civil society organisations activities: 1) research efforts aimed at properly understanding the phenomenology of corruption as the first step towards sound conceptualisation of various anti-corruption measures, and 2) educational initiatives aimed at transferring knowledge and good practice in anti-corruption methodology and policies from post-industrial societies and other post-Communist countries. The timeframe of our analysis embraces the period from 5 October 2000 to December 2005, which we see as the initial phase of engaging civil society organisations in anti-corruption policy in Serbia, before the National Anti-Corruption Strategy was adopted. After the changes in October 2000, civil society organizations in Serbia have acted as a significant factor in raising public awareness of corruption as well as in building anti-corruption institutional and normative infrastructure. From campaigns that targeted all stakeholders (citizens, media, business sector, decision makers) aiming at changing their priorities and interests, to participating in the set-up of public policies in the field of rule of law and monitoring the implementation of anti-corruption laws and strategic commitment, civil society organisations that operated within very wide range of activities, successfully influenced both the institutions and the general public. Despite wide range of activities and modest resources, civil society organisations had an impact on actions of the government, public institutions, and the media. The fight against corruption became one of the central issues in the then Serbia's political debate. Yet the anti-corruption achievements of Serbian civil society organisations in the period 2000-2005, were limited due to a chronic deficit of political, professional, and moral responsibility of all social actors, resulting in "systemic error" of public policies strategic design aimed at combating corruption - the lack of a participatory political culture. The lack of a participatory political culture in citizen action has limited efficiency in achieving development policy goals, and in implementation and monitoring of public policies relevant to curbing corruption. Belief has been established, that citizens do not ask questions and therefore do not have the power to exercise policy influence nor to shape the environment in which they live. As the concept of political community is a special construct based on democracy and human rights, non-inclusiveness as previously outlined here destructively affected society by making deeper asymmetries of all kinds due to disintegrating influence that prevents the final community constitution through democratic institutions.

Blood donation in China from 2017 to 2021: A cross-sectional study

Objective: The objective of this cross-sectional study is to examine the essential demographic characteristics of blood donors in China from 2017 to 2021 and to analyze the impact of various factors on blood donation in China, including the blood donor’s attitudes towards family replacement/mutual blood donation (FRMBD) and the effects of policy changes on blood donation. Design: This study is a cross-sectional review comparing the demographic characteristics of blood donors from 2017 to 2021. Setting and participants: The study included 1164 participants who were randomly sampled across China. The data were collected by trained staff and entered into a standard electronic data framework. Results: The number of blood donations observed in China generally increased from 2017 to 2021. Among the 1164 respondents, 785 were non-blood donors and 379 were blood donors. Most people’s awareness of blood donation comes from organizations. Univariate analysis showed significant relationships between being a blood donor and being aged 30 or above ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), being a doctor ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), having Ph.D. degrees ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), or being familiar with blood donation policy ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]). There was no significant difference in recognition between family FRMBD and voluntary non-remunerated blood donation (VNRBD). The study also investigated the impact of canceling FRMBD blood donation policies on the selection of blood donation methods. The results showed that the percentage of VNRBD was 57% and 41% in 2017 and 2021, respectively. This indicates that canceling FRMBD policies will not affect people’s choice for blood donation methods. Conclusions: The results of the univariate analysis showed that people over 30 years of age, those with a Ph.D. or postgraduate degree, and those with knowledge of blood donation policies were more likely to be blood donors. People’s reasons for banning the abolition of FRMBD may be due to the fact that it may not be possible to achieve an adequate supply of blood only through VNRBD. Through comparing the data of 2017 and 2021, it is found that the cancellation of the FRMBD blood donation policy will not have an impact on people’s blood donation ways, and most people agree to cancel the FRMBD. Strengths and limitations of this study Strengths: This study analyzed factors related to decisions about blood donation in various regions of China. For the first time, we analyzed changes in perceptions of blood donation and donation rates before and after the abolition of FRMBD. • This survey did not record changes in the dynamics of the number of blood donations counted over consecutive years. • The individual donor factors such as gender and regional differences in blood donation awareness and facilities, which contribute to regional differences in people’s blood donation behavior, were not investigated.

Cataract surgery knowledge, awareness, and misconceptions among Tabuk city's adult population: a cross-sectional survey

Objective: This study aimed to determine the degree of knowledge, awareness, and misconceptions about cataract surgery among the adult population in Tabuk city, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey study consisting of 692 participants. This study design allows the collection of data from a representative sample of the adult population in Tabuk city, Saudi Arabia. Results: Around 68.6% participants had heard about cataract surgery; where family and friends were the most frequent source of knowledge (42.63%). The participants' knowledge about cataract surgery was inadequate, as 47.5% were not sure. The awareness of the participants about the availability of cataract surgery facilities (54.8%) and the cost of cataract surgery (64.6%) in Tabuk city showed adequate information. Majority of the participants showed agreement that cataract surgery could significantly improve one\'s quality of life (64%) and early detection and treatment of cataracts can prevent further vision loss (76.3%). Further, age group between 18-30 years, males and bachelor, master and doctoral degree holders demonstrated adequate knowledge and awareness of cataracts. Conclusion: The participants' knowledge of government policies or activities supporting access to cataract surgery in Tabuk city was lacking. Future studies should concentrate on raising cataract awareness. Patients should be informed about risk factors, complications, treatment options, cataract surgery complications, and regular follow-ups. Early detection and treatment of this problem would be easier with routine eye exams.

Investigating the Challenges and Strategies of Teacher Morality Policy for Higher Education Sustainability in China: Perspective of Stakeholder

This study was designed to explore the challenges and strategies for the sustainable development of teacher morality policies in Chinese higher education. Based on the new era of a decade of the operation of teacher morality policies in Chinese universities, from the perspective of stakeholders, this study used a qualitative research method to conduct semi-structured in-depth interviews with 28 university teachers. The results found that the faculty group had a more profound knowledge and understanding of teacher morality policies and had positive attitudes and bright expectations for future development and enhancement. Teacher morality policy faces current challenges in four aspects: institutional regulation, evaluation system, education management, and policy subjects, which require the participation of multiple parties and joint planning. Taking the promotion of teachers’ sustainable development as the fulcrum, we should improve the system construction, optimize the supporting policies, coordinate the management mechanism, and stimulate the vitality of the main body. In addition, the limitations of the study are given in the last.

Regional Transformation; between Policy Intervention and Knowledge Dynamics?

Regional Transformation; between Policy Intervention and Knowledge Dynamics?

Looking Across the Border: Comparing Gendered Policy Frameworks

ABSTRACT: This article explores changes in public policy and services with a strong gender dimension in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland since the Good Friday Agreement, in terms of an observed gap between actual policy and service provision and activists’ views. On abortion services, welfare benefits, levels of poverty, and gender recognition and transgender rights, the Republic’s policy framework and supports are more focused on gender equality than the equivalent regimes in Northern Ireland. Perceptions of equality issues have changed in the aftermath of the abortion and marriage equality referenda in the South, but the level of detailed knowledge of policy on the ‘other’ side of the border is low, even for those active in women’s organisations. Cross-border perceptions were often not supported by contemporary evidence. This comparative analysis shows that in the Republic, policy and practice have produced stronger gender equality outcomes in almost every area of the women’s rights agenda.

Factors affecting the transmission of dengue fever in Haikou city in 2019.

In this study, due to multiple cases of dengue fever in two locations in Haikou, Hainan, several factors affecting the transmission of dengue fever in Haikou in 2019 were analyzed. It was found that dengue fever spread from two sites: a construction site, which was an epidemic site in Haikou, and the university, where only four confirmed cases were reported. Comparative analysis revealed that the important factors affecting the spread of dengue fever in Haikou were environmental hygiene status, knowledge popularization of dengue fever, educational background, medical insurance coverage and free treatment policy knowledge and active response by the government.

Teachers’ Self-Censorship of Children’s Literature in Texas—What’s Legislation Got to Do With It?

Although children’s literature has been challenged and banned for decades, some U.S. states have recently enacted legislation limiting how teachers can address such topics as race, sex, and gender in classrooms, which may influence teachers’ selection of literature. To understand this phenomenon, this exploratory concurrent mixed-methods study involved a written children’s literature course artifact and survey responses analyzed through critical literacy and self-censorship frameworks. Findings indicate that preservice teachers reported avoiding conversations about gender and gender identity more often than those about sexual orientation or race. Further, despite legislative changes, participants mostly reported self-censoring due to lack of pedagogical knowledge, lack of policy knowledge, and fear of institutional sanctions, which are long-standing reasons for self-censorship rather than new ones. Comparatively, they self-reported little desire to promote the dominant political ideology. This research indicates that topic-restrictive legislation can influence classroom practice even when teachers do not share the ideology behind such legislation.

Knowledge and Perception on Sexual Harassment of Currently Working Women in Kathmandu Valley

Sexual harassment is a common and widespread phenomenon that has physical, emotional, and social consequences for individuals. The aim of this paper is to explore the knowledge and perception of sexual harassment among the working women in Kathmandu Valley. The systematic random sampling technique was used and selected 388 people working in the educational and non[1] educational sectors of the Kathmandu Valley. The result revealed that highest percentage of respondents have heard about the term "sexual harassment." low percent (83%) respondents had heard about SH in Bhaktapur compared to Kathmandu and Lalitpur (97%) and (86%), respectively. The majority of respondents (60%) stated that sexual harassment occurs in the workplace, as a result of misread signals from women. However, the majority of respondents (35%) stated that public transportation is the most risky place for sexual harassment followed by dark/ remote places (34%). Almost two-thirds of respondents (ranging from 62% to 65%) in all districts had heard about sexual harassment-related laws, acts, and policies, which was statistically significant at the 0.05 level. Similarly, respondents aged 35 and older had less knowledge than those in the younger age group, and this was significantly related to their age. The majority of respondents (93%) who worked in reception had the most knowledge of harassment-related laws and policies, followed by managerial supervisors (86%) whereas unskilled labor had lowest knowledge (47%) regarding these laws/ policies.

Qualitative analysis of knowledge, attitude and practice of academic community of Mataram University regarding COVID-19 vaccine refusal, vaccination obligation and cultural barriers

Background: COVID-19 cases in Indonesia has spread rapidly throughout the country, so the government implemented COVID-19 vaccination program. This program raises differences in public perception of COVID-19 vaccination, includes polemics against religion and beliefs, vaccinations as right or obligation, as well as refusal against vaccines. Methods: This is a qualitative descriptive study that focuses on knowledge, attitudes and behavior on three themes, namely obligation and voluntary for vaccination, the right to refuse vaccination, as well as social, religious and cultural barriers in accepting vaccination. This study uses purposive sampling with FGD technique in academic community in University of Mataram who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Total 11 lecturers and students met the inclusion and exclusion criteria participated in FGD. There were 11 sub-themes found. Participant knowledge is good, represented by knowledge of COVID-19 vaccination policy, benefits of COVID-19 vaccine policy and sources of information regarding COVID-19 vaccine. The majority of participants' attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccine were positive and viewed the polemic of refusing vaccinations and vaccinations as right or obligation as a conditional matter. Social barrier is considered the biggest barrier to COVID-19 vaccination. Participant behavior regarding vaccine availability varied and some participants willing to help increase vaccination in the community. Conclusion: FGD Participants have good knowledge ofCOVID-19 vaccination policy. The attitudes of FGD participants showed that there were variations in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, vaccines as mandatory or voluntary, refusal to vaccinate and COVID-19 barrier vaccinations. Participant behavior varies in willingness to vaccine and some participants willing to participate in increasing vaccination in the community.

PRACTICES OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION IN THE CONTEXT OF FORMATION OF SOVIET IDENTITY IN THE LATE SOVIET PERIOD (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE TATAR ASSR)

The article deals with forms, methods and ideological content of the work on international education and the dissemination of knowledge in national and international policies of USSR in the late 1970s-1980s. The main findings are based on studying Soviet, Russian and foreign literature, containing a variety of methodological approaches, as well as on studying normative documents and a wide range of archival documents. Based on the analysis of ideas and international upbringing practices we came to a conclusion that the large-scale project of international education in the USSR included the distribution of knowledge on foreign and inner policy of the state, instilling belief in the humanistic nature of these policies and involving people in international activities, through the inclusion of international practices in labor activity. However, the duality of objectives of international education was shown: on the one hand, they proclaimed the equality of all peoples of the USSR and the full support of peace initiatives, on the other hand, they declared the need for creation a unified community of the Soviet people under the leadership of the Russian people, as well as the formation of readiness to defend Homeland and the struggle against imperialism. This duality caused controversy in the minds of citizens, and led to the need to move away from the field of official propaganda. The negative impact on the implementation of international upbringing practice was that even in the late 1980s public organizations for distribution of knowledge were unable to give an independent coverage of national and international problems and to neutralize the ideological component in their work.

Development of teacher knowledge in an initial teacher education programme qualifying mathematics teachers

South African teacher education policy expects initial teacher education programmes to introduce integrated and applied knowledge to underpin a teacher’s practice in diverse classroom contexts. This paper explores how a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education responds to this expectation in terms of training prospective teachers to teach high school mathematics. Exploration involves a qualitative case study of semi-structured interviews with six teacher educators and five newly qualified teachers, supplemented with document analysis. The stages of research involved a literature review, piloting the semi-structured interview questions, conducting semi-structured interviews, and analysing all accessible documents linked to the Postgraduate Certificate. All collected data were merged into one document which was read to identify codes, themes and categories. The paper finds that the Postgraduate Certificate does equip individuals with professional teacher knowledge to function in diverse contexts, albeit unevenly and highly dependent on the quality of each teacher’s past engagement with mathematics. The broad nature of policy knowledge type definitions and the lack of clarity in differentiating ‘specific specialised subject matter’ and ‘specialised pedagogical content knowledge’ are key contributing factors to uneven development in a Postgraduate Certificate. As a recommendation, we suggest that policy should differentiate ‘specific specialised subject matter’ and ‘specialised pedagogical content knowledge’ in more detail to promote the development of each as important types of knowledge needed by teachers.

Made in Sweden? Configured digitalized school leadership practice

ABSTRACT Few notions seem to capture the imagination of education policymakers today as completely as digitalization and leadership. Through these two, schools are believed to become transformed, and in turn, these transformed schools will transform people and society. This paper critically analyzes a Swedish official digital policy instrument that materializes digitalized school leadership practice. The policy instrument is made available as a ‘helpful tool’ by a Swedish official education agency. The paper scrutinizes the policy knowledge process set to work within the instrument by the agency. Particularly, how the instrument may influence people to come to know and change schools, and how responsibility and risk of digitalization in schools seems to first be transferred to, and then between, people in schools. The paper is concluded by a discussion of how (a) three knowledge phases interact in the knowledge process of the instrument, (b) the technical – rather than social – solution that digitalized school leadership practice is found to be, and (c) implications for digitalization in schools as a social, cultural and historical phenomenon of interest to research.

Expert knowledge as a social phenomenon: theoretical and mythodological analysis

The transformations of modern society with its rapid informatization and digitalization form a new social demand for analyzing present and future. A figure of an expert appears more and more often as a producer of special expert knowledge in public policy and everyday practices. Namely, expert knowledge becomes in demand and acquires the so-called symbolic capital. This paper deals with a retrospective review of understanding the phenomenon of expert knowledge in the theoretical concepts of the classics of sociological science. In addition, the article presents a theoretical and methodological analysis of the work of Russian social researchers dealing with the issues of expert knowledge in modern Russian society. As a result of theoretical concepts analyzing it is concluded that expert knowledge is a complex multifaceted social phenomenon, the history of which goes back to antiquity and develops over the centuries. First of all, expert knowledge is a set of skills and abilities that allow their holders to develop specific recommendations in management and politics. Secondly, a necessary criterion for expert knowledge is its public nature. The question remains as to what is the priority in expert knowledge - science or practice. In our opinion, both science and practice should unite to solve the applied problems of the objective reality of modern society. It is expert knowledge as the quintessence of fundamental knowledge, professional experience and personal responsibility of an expert that can become an effective tool for supporting transformational changes in Russia.

Livestock and Climate Justice: Challenging Mainstream Policy Narratives

In discussions around food systems and the climate, livestock is often painted as the villain. While some livestock production in some places contributes significantly to climate change, this is not universally the case. This article focuses on pastoral production systems – extensive, often mobile systems using marginal rangelands across around half of the world’s surface, involving many millions of people. By examining the assumptions behind standard calculations of greenhouse gas emissions, a systematic bias against pastoralism is revealed. Many policy and campaign stances fail to discriminate between different material conditions of production, lumping all livestock systems together. Injustices arise through the framing of debates and policy knowledge; through procedures that exclude certain people and perspectives; and through the distributional consequences of policies. In all cases, extensive livestock keepers lose out. In reflecting on the implications for European pastoralism, an alternative approach is explored where pastoralists’ knowledge, practices, and organisations take centre stage.