Transformative Lens Research Articles

The Orange of Discord? Collectively Transforming a Neighbor Dispute Through Participatory Theater

By pairing Galtung’s creative conflict transformation lens and Allen’s pedagogy for nonviolence with participatory theater, this work delves into analysis of the spontaneous nonviolent impulses that emerge from collaborative processes with a group of eight individuals in migration, from the Roseraie integration center, in Geneva, Switzerland. Notably, it assesses how conditions of nonviolence are collectively created and experimented. To do so, it discusses the spontaneous transformation of a fictional conflict over the fair distribution of orange fruits between two neighbors. By enacting the same discord differently, participants develop the confidence to contest, negotiate and embody their own suggestions, thereby experimenting with a social world that is susceptible to change. Ultimately, this work demonstrates that circumstances of nonviolence, understood as alternative interpretations and aspirations for harmonizing existing social structures, arise from processes that bind individuals to each other and the world, such as conscious embodiment, subversion and enchantment.

Degrowth as a plausible pathway for food systems transformation.

Food systems require urgent transformation towards social and ecological sustainability. Degrowth posits a radical pathway of transformation to reduce ecological impacts while increasing well-being and reducing inequality. Here we highlight that degrowth and food systems-albeit both linked to transformation-are not well integrated. We conduct a conceptual exploration of the potential alignment between key food systems and degrowth transformation measures, arguing for complementary and reciprocal perspectives to theorize and enact transformation. Finally, we offer concrete practical actions to integrate degrowth and food systems, thereby widening the narrative and analytical lens of social-ecological transformation.

Unlocking the secrets of color psychology for transformative interior design through SEHT

Colour psychology transcends visual appeal, delving into the profound connection between hues and human emotions. For budding interior decorators, this understanding is not merely an artistic endeavour but a tool to craft spaces that align with the occupants' emotional and spiritual needs. Subconscious Energy Healing Therapy (SEHT) offers a transformative lens for understanding the deeper resonance of colours, going beyond traditional aesthetics to unlock their emotional and energetic impact. SEHT is rooted in the idea that colours carry vibrational energies capable of influencing the subconscious mind. By leveraging this knowledge, interior decorators can create environments that foster positivity, balance, and healing. For instance, soft blues can evoke tranquillity, making them ideal for bedrooms, while vibrant yellows can stimulate creativity and energy in workspaces. Similarly, calming greens can restore a sense of harmony in living areas, while warm earthy tones can ground and comfort. The SEHT approach empowers designers to curate interiors that resonate with the energies and intentions of the occupants. By aligning colour choices with the principles of emotional well-being, decorators can create spaces that not only look stunning but also nurture the soul. This method bridges the gap between design and well-being, turning interiors into sanctuaries of healing and inspiration. Incorporating SEHT into interior design transforms it from a visual craft to an intuitive science. It allows designers to infuse their creations with purpose, crafting spaces that heal, energize, and connect on a subconscious level, fostering harmony within both the environment and its inhabitants. This topic explores the interplay of colour psychology and Subconscious Energy Healing Therapy (SEHT) for budding interior decorators. It emphasizes how colours not only transform spaces aesthetically but also influence emotional well-being and subconscious energy. Through the SEHT approach, this topic delves into understanding the deeper psychological impacts of hues, guiding designers to create spaces that heal, inspire, and rejuvenate both body and mind.

Empowering women in climate-resilient adaptation: A women, peace, and security (WPS) approach to addressing climate challenges in Bangladesh

Bangladesh faces serious threats from climate change, especially for vulnerable groups like women. Existing vulnerabilities are made worse by the combination of gender inequality and climate change, particularly in rural areas with little adaptation capacity. In order to empower women in climate-resilient adaptation initiatives, this article studies how the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) framework can offer a transformative lens. This study identifies ways to improve women's agency in decision-making, ensure their protection against climate-induced vulnerabilities, and fortify their ability to promote sustainable adaptation by incorporating the WPS pillars—participation, protection, prevention, and relief and recovery—into climate action strategies. The study highlights the need of inclusive governance, capacity building, and community-based initiatives in addressing the gendered implications of climate change, drawing on case studies and empirical data from Bangladesh. The results highlight the necessity of coordinating national climate policies with international WPS directives in order to build a society that is more resilient and equitable.

The enactment of critical digital pedagogical (CDP) practices through pedagogical reasoning.

Abstract This study examines the influence of educator beliefs and pedagogic awareness apropos of their teaching practices due to the invisible nature of pedagogical reasoning especially when facilitating in online teaching environments. The research question focuses on the role of pedagogical reasoning in the enactment of critical digital pedagogy (CDP) at a Centre for Learning, Teaching and Development (CLTD) mandated to support academics. A transformative learning theory lens and the model for pedagogical reasoning and action was employed as the theoretical analytical framework. This study aligns with the qualitative paradigm and considers pedagogical reasoning in CDP practices through a reflective journal as a research instrument and data source. Thematic analysis was engaged in to identify underlying themes. The study foregrounds the importance of reflection through pedagogical reasoning thereby showing how critical practice in CDP endorses the outline and enactment of inclusive teaching settings in blended learning (BL) environments.

Autonomous Landing Strategy for Micro-UAV with Mirrored Field-of-View Expansion.

Positioning and autonomous landing are key technologies for implementing autonomous flight missions across various fields in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems. This research proposes a visual positioning method based on mirrored field-of-view expansion, providing a visual-based autonomous landing strategy for quadrotor micro-UAVs (MAVs). The forward-facing camera of the MAV obtains a top view through a view transformation lens while retaining the original forward view. Subsequently, the MAV camera captures the ground landing markers in real-time, and the pose of the MAV camera relative to the landing marker is obtained through a virtual-real image conversion technique and the R-PnP pose estimation algorithm. Then, using a camera-IMU external parameter calibration method, the pose transformation relationship between the UAV camera and the MAV body IMU is determined, thereby obtaining the position of the landing marker's center point relative to the MAV's body coordinate system. Finally, the ground station sends guidance commands to the UAV based on the position information to execute the autonomous landing task. The indoor and outdoor landing experiments with the DJI Tello MAV demonstrate that the proposed forward-facing camera mirrored field-of-view expansion method and landing marker detection and guidance algorithm successfully enable autonomous landing with an average accuracy of 0.06 m. The results show that this strategy meets the high-precision landing requirements of MAVs.

Legal mechanisms of public management of financial and economic processes

The article considers the assertion that law and public administration are each an independent system inevitably interconnected in terms of scientific research or in practice. The role and nature of legal mechanisms within the frame of public administration, in particular in management of financial and economic processes, are considered through the lens of public administration transformation from New Public Management to Smart Governance paradigm.

Divided by policy, united by resilience: Using transformative pedagogy to impact prospective teachers in all contexts

As American teacher educators and teachers are being roiled by restrictive legislation around critical race theory and divisive concepts in some states, our investigation explored the impact of critical communities of practice (CoP) on redesigning and teaching introduction to education courses with a transformative lens. This manuscript details the collaboration of four equity-minded teacher educators, each representing unique institutional and political contexts. While two authors taught in states which promote culturally sustaining pedagogies, the other two authors taught in states that had passed laws restricting the professional autonomy of educators and honest discussions of race and racism. Participation in this critical CoP as a support group enabled us to better understand and navigate our dichotomous policy contexts and renewed our commitment to teaching prospective teachers to be politically conscious and empowered to teach in anti-racist ways. Our CoP was instrumental in helping us recognize that transformative pedagogies and collaboration are effective tools that can provide much needed support to teacher educators across policy contexts, while we simultaneously strive to prepare teacher candidates who will teach in culturally sustaining ways.

Reimagining faculty development: A paradigm shift from content to transformative learning processes

Background Faculty development programs in health professional education traditionally emphasise theories, principles, and effective teaching practices. However, the efficacy of these strategies in instigating meaningful changes in instructional practices has come under scrutiny. Methods This qualitative research aims to enhance our understanding and support of educators’ ongoing learning and growth. Employing a transformative learning lens, the study explored the experiences, professional development practices, and responsibilities of clinical educators who participated in a faculty development course. Utilising Mezirow’s transformative learning theory as a framework, this research investigated the transformative journey of educators, analysing reflective pieces from 144 participants. Results The study findings revealed shifts in pedagogical approaches, ranging from the recognition of a haphazard teaching style to the intentional integration of evidence-based methods and pedagogical philosophies. The thematic analysis identified key stages in the transformative process, illuminating educators’ commitment to structured teaching, self-directed learning, and continuous improvement. Conclusion This research has contributed valuable insights into how faculty development programs can stimulate reflective practices and transformative learning in health professional education. The article argues for the centrality of transformative learning processes in faculty development, presenting an intriguing perspective on sustainable and impactful professional growth. Trends across learning experiences are presented, accompanied by practical recommendations. The implications of the research for clinical educators, administrators, and developers of formal faculty professional development programs are also discussed.

463 Cyber-Physical Systems with robots and AI for precision dairy farming

Abstract The emergence of precision livestock farming (PLF) offers a transformative lens through which to prioritize animal welfare. At the heart of this transformation lies the rumen, a complex microbial ecosystem within dairy cows responsible for converting feed into nutrients and impacting cow health, productivity, and environmental footprint. Despite its pivotal role, our understanding of the inner workings of the rumen remains limited due to a lack of real-time monitoring tools. My research leverages AI and robotics in PLF to address this gap, focusing on developing a closed-loop system for continuous, in-vivo rumen monitoring. This system employs cyber-physical systems (CPS) embedded with modular sensors and adaptive algorithms. These sensor modules, powered by AI-based data tracking, autonomously monitor rumen temperature, humidity, pressure, and methane concentration, enabling early detection of imbalances and prompt interventions to maintain optimal rumen health. A key innovation is the self-powered in-vivo robot capable of traversing the rumen’s stratified layers. Guided by AI-powered localization, this robot unlocks unparalleled access to new data, aiding in identifying specific regions associated with conditions like subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) and methane production. This non-invasive approach eliminates the need for traditional cannulation, minimizing stress on the animal and opening new avenues for animal scientists. The impact of this research extends beyond individual cow health. By optimizing rumen function, we can improve feed efficiency, reduce methane emissions, and promote overall sustainability in dairy farming. Additionally, real-time data insights pave the way for precision nutrition, tailored interventions, and improved disease prevention, directly enhancing animal welfare. This novel approach to rumen monitoring represents a significant step towards realizing the full potential of PLF. By integrating AI and robotics, we can usher in a future where animal welfare and environmental sustainability go hand-in-hand, ultimately contributing to a more responsible and ethical dairy industry.

Dynamic pricing for perishable goods: A data-driven digital transformation approach

In supermarkets, rapid pricing adjustments are crucial due to the short shelf life of products. Adopting a multi-case study approach, this study examines the application of dynamic pricing strategies for perishable goods through the lens of a data-driven digital transformation (DD-DT) approach. We introduce a three-phase model of DD-DT for dynamic pricing: initiation, facilitation, and strategic adaptation. In the initiation phase, we identify essential frameworks for robust data collection and analytical processes, which form the backbone of informed pricing decisions. During the facilitation phase, the study integrates sophisticated algorithms and real-time analytics to process and interpret the collected data, facilitating its seamless integration into pricing strategies. The strategic adaptation phase is critical as it focuses on the ongoing refinement and enhancement of pricing strategies, enabling supermarkets to adapt swiftly to market fluctuations and consumer behaviour changes. By presenting a comprehensive DD-DT framework, this research significantly augments the existing literature on dynamic pricing and offers actionable insights for practitioners seeking to optimize pricing strategies in a digitally transforming marketplace.

Stakeholder Approach to the Regulation of On-Premise Signs

Using stakeholder theory, this article introduces a framework to inform decision making with respect to the regulation of on-premise signs. Because signage resides in a broader, shared environment and its regulation largely takes place at the local level of government, it can be considered unique among most other marketing-related communications. On-premise signs are important to individual businesses and the communities in which they are used, but at the same time, they are “out in the world,” cannot be avoided, and may not be relevant to or welcomed by many consumers who are exposed to them. A transformative consumer research lens is applied in this article to arrive at regulatory recommendations that balance the interests of the business with the interests of consumers, the general public, and other stakeholders.

Digital governance and carbon emission reduction: Evidence from “National Pilot Policy of Information Benefiting the People” in China

Promoting digital governance is crucial for the Chinese government's governance reform. This study utilizes panel data covering 280 cities in China to examine the influence of government digital governance on reducing carbon emissions. The "National Pilot Policy of Information Benefiting the People," implemented in 2014, serves as the quasi-natural experiment for the analysis. The study employs the difference-in-difference (DID) methodology to indicate that improving the government's digital capacity contributes to reducing carbon emissions, which is robust to several robustness tests. Government digital governance facilitates the reduction of carbon emissions primarily via three mechanisms: developing green finance, gathering green talents, and promoting green technology innovation. Enhanced digital governance by the government exerts a more pronounced effect on reducing carbon emissions in cities in the eastern region, smaller municipalities, and resource-dependent municipalities. Additionally, current policies have notably decreased carbon emissions in the pilot cities, though a lag exists in the policy spillover effect affecting neighboring cities. This study investigates the influence of government digital governance on reducing carbon emissions through the lens of digital transformation. It offers valuable empirical insights for enhancing the governance capabilities of the Chinese government in the new era and facilitating the achievement of carbon reduction targets in urban areas.

A qualitative study exploring ethnic youth experiences of navigating multiple cultural identities: a case example with African heritage youth living in Aotearoa/New Zealand

ABSTRACT This article discusses the challenges that African heritage youth 1 face as they navigate their African-ness and Kiwi-ness in the Aotearoa/New Zealand context. Data were drawn from a qualitative study guided by participatory action research (PAR) methodology principles exploring the opportunities and challenges these youth face while navigating their multiple cultural identities. The study used research workshops and anonymous qualitative questionnaire surveys to engage with 35 youth from African communities. PAR’s transformative lens, narrative inquiry, and inductive thematic analysis were used to identify the challenges reported in this paper. Findings show that cultural identity confers a sense of personhood and belonging. African heritage youth born or migrated to Aotearoa/New Zealand at a young age have a strong desire to express and authentically live their African-ness, Kiwi-ness, and other cultural identities. However, this is challenged by the personal, community, and societal factors explained in this paper. The findings of this research contribute towards a greater understanding of the threats to well-being linked to cultural identity construction among African youth in Aotearoa. It also makes a methodological contribution, demonstrating a transformative approach to engaging marginalized or minority groups in a research process that validates their experiences and empowers them.

Transformative approaches to managing student unrest in a South African university

Higher education and training institutions in South Africa have experienced widespread student unrest and crises in recent years, particularly within universities. This issue has been attributed to strained relationships between students and university management. Therefore, it is imperative to address the conflict gap between students and management in order to promote peaceful university operations. This study employed qualitative research, utilising decoloniality theory and a transformative paradigm lens within a qualitative research approach and participatory research design. Data was collected through focus group discussions (FGDs), with participants selected using a homogeneous sampling technique. For this study, three management employees, three students (SRC members), three lecturers, and three security officers from the chosen university were selected as participants using the homogeneous sampling technique. Data analysis was conducted using Braun and Clarke's six-step thematic analysis. One of the key findings is that the lack of a proper structure to manage unrest and the failure to involve students in decision-making pose significant challenges in the management of student unrest. The potential solutions to these challenges include the establishment of appropriate structures, the involvement of stakeholders in decision-making processes, and the development of common ground among stakeholders. These solutions could effectively address the issue at hand. Furthermore, a major recommendation is to engage society in order to address student unrest comprehensively. The study concludes that applying principles of openness and integrity is crucial in building and maintaining trust among stakeholders, as trust has been identified as a significant factor in bridging the gap between them.

Disaster Preparedness in Social Work: Enhancing Policy in Australian Human Service Organisations

Abstract This article reports on a small study that aimed to enhance disaster preparedness policy in Australian human service organisations. Adopting a transformative ecosocial lens, the researchers collaborated with emergency services as part of action research (AR) to co-design a series of workshops. The objectives of the workshops were to progressively develop disaster preparedness policy relating to risk assessment, service continuity and recovery plans. Semi-structured interviews with eight participants from human service organisations were undertaken post-workshop to explore their experiences and the impacts of workshops on organisational policy. Qualitative data were examined using thematic analysis. Five key themes emerged from the data. The themes were knowledge acquisition, the interrelationship between policy and practice, inter- and intra-professional relationships, organisational challenges and marginalisation. Whilst results indicated that workshops provided participants with opportunities to enhance disaster preparedness policy, participants described ongoing challenges inhibiting their progress within an organisational context. Implications for social work highlight the interrelationship between policy and practice and underscore the value of the profession’s multidimensional approach to practice. The need to disrupt the influence of the neoliberal discourse within the organisational context is critical for enhancing disaster preparedness and for mitigating the inequitable impacts of disasters on marginalised groups.

Potential and Risks Behind the National Transformation Program in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia guarantees citizens the right to receive medical care and treatment during emergencies or sickness and aging. However, with the consistent increase in expenditure and inability to provide access, the transformation was an unavoidable action. Therefore, this paper aims to address the potential and risks behind the National Transformation Program (NTP) in Saudi Arabia through the lens of the Value Transformation Framework.Multiple research databases (PubMed, Web of Science, UpToDate, Google Scholar, and Summon) were searched between 2016 and 2024. Relevant articles were selected by scanning the title and abstract, yielding 34 references after the screening, exclusion, and inclusion criteria were met. Citation software was used to identify additional sources as analysis proceeded, in accordance with the hermeneutic approach in mapping and classification.The most cited concerns were the sustainability and workforce of the healthcare system. In terms of care delivery, the literature was extensive. In contrast, insufficient studies have been conducted on infrastructure and people. Furthermore, limited information is available on how to assess the transformation, which remains an unaddressed research question. NTP could meet several hurdles. However, through the measurement, assessment phases, and development tracking, success could be achieved.

Transformative supply chain research: A new frontier for SCM scholars

AbstractThis special topic forum (STF) on Transformative Supply Chain Research introduces a new direction in logistics and supply chain research to guide scholars in addressing the wicked problems facing 21st century society. Supply chain professionals are increasingly addressing corporate social responsibility, changing expectations from customers, resource scarcity, a changing climate, civic and political unrest, to name but a few issues of our times. But scholars have only begun to address these issues from a transformative lens, in which we consider the role of logistics and supply chain management in creating well‐being outcomes for the benefit of society. This editorial presents a 5‐pronged research agenda to guide researchers, while highlighting the three articles in this STF that serve as exemplars of transformative supply chain research.

Transformation or more of the same? The EU’s deforestation-free products regulation through a radical transformation lens

The European Union (EU) is a major consumer of forest-risks commodities and therefore a key contributor to imported deforestation. In 2023, the EU Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR) entered into force, which aims to counter the imported deforestation resulting from EU consumption of cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soy, wood and derived products. With this regulation, the EU is seemingly recognising its position as one of the world's largest consumers of natural resources and land-consuming agricultural products and adjusting its economy in the face of the global biodiversity, climate and planetary justice crises. In this article, we develop a radical transformation framework to put the EUDR to the test, asking to what extent the EUDR provides a truly transformative response to today’s planetary socio-ecological and justice crises. We develop a four-pronged radical transformation framework bridging insights from transformation, degrowth, Indigenous and decolonial environmental justice, restorative justice and science and technology studies. Concretely, we distil four tenets of radical transformation: onto-epistemic transformation, political transformation, economic transformation and judicial transformation. We apply our framework tentatively to the EUDR to illustrate its practical use, raise questions and highlight possible points of tension. Our preliminary findings point to the simultaneous existence in the EUDR’s design of elements potentially paving the way for counter-hegemonic (re)interpretations and uses on the ground and elements reflecting and reinscribing existing hegemonies.

Understanding the Impacts of COVID-19 and Other Disaster Experiences on Motivations to Prepare for Future Disasters

Abstract Social workers are recognising the increasing frequency and severity of disasters within the context of climate change, and are concerned with supporting communities in preparing, coping and building resilience. Although social workers have had positive impacts on disaster relief and recovery throughout the world, they have been less influential in impacting communities’ and individuals’ abilities to prepare for future disasters, which requires addressing the structural causes and impacts of disasters. While concerned with macro-level and neoliberal causes and dimensions of disasters, the focus of this research is on micro-level perspectives. Our study investigates whether past experiences of pandemics, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), along with other disasters, translate into motivation to prepare for future disasters. We derived the sample from the 2021 US National Household Survey and analysed it using logistic regression analysis. Findings suggest that certain disaster experiences, such as COVID-19 and technological disasters, along with heightened risk perceptions of pandemics and natural disasters, increased people’s motivation for disaster preparedness. Such motivation is influenced by sociodemographic characteristics, including race/ethnicity and disability. Using a transformative social work practice lens to articulate implications for social workers, we emphasise addressing root causes of disasters, community-level change work and whole-person, intersectional support and interventions.