Local Context Research Articles

National System of Education and Challenges of the Field Education Two Decades After Its Institution as a Modality

Objective: To establish interrelations between the current context of the school education offered to the countryside people in Brazil - the Education of the Countryside - and aspects of the inconclusive process of consolidation of the National Education System. Theoretical Reference: Contributions are adopted by authors who analyze the issue of Rural Education from counter-hegemonic perspectives and establish interrelations with political, economic and cultural aspects, in local, regional, national and/or transnational contexts. Method: It is a bibliographical and documentary study, based on academic productions representative in the debate of the area and federal documents related to the Education of the Field. Results and Discussion: Starting from an analysis of the historical process of national education, it is concluded that the educational policies implemented in the present day by different federated entities undermine the right to education of the peoples of the countryside and make unfeasible the process of building an effective and democratic National Education System, after more than two decades of the institution of the Education of the Countryside as a modality of school education, a fact that negatively affects or makes unfeasible the effectiveness of the right to contextualized education for the schools of the countryside, as determined by federal legislation. Research Implications: This study aims to contribute to discussions about Field Education, a pressing and current theme, which demands more research in order to provide data to broaden its understanding, both from the perspective of past and present time.

Gender and Emotional Reactions to Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Councillors: An Experimental Study in a Low-information, Non-partisan Context

ABSTRACT Public accounts of gender-based violence by elected officials have become increasingly common at all levels of government. Given that media and public attention to the problem are also on the rise, it is important to understand how the public reacts to such stories as it is voters who ultimately evaluate this information and determine how it informs future voting decisions. This research note considers reactions to stories of sexual assault and harassment (SAH) in the low-information and non-partisan setting of municipal politics in the province of Ontario, Canada. Replicating and expanding upon previous studies conducted in national partisan electoral arenas in a local government context, we consider answers to a survey experiment that asked respondents how they would react when informed of a case about a local politician in their community being accused of SAH. We assess whether men and women respond differently to stories about SAH; whether reactions are conditional on councillor gender and; whether councillor gender leads to different reactions for women and men. Experimental data come from a survey of Ontarians (N = 4,000) collected at the time of the 2022 municipal elections. Results reveal that both the gender of voters and councillors affects reactions to stories of SAH.

Bait trapping of waterfowl increases the environmental contamination of avian influenza virus (AIV)

AbstractHighly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5Nx clade 2.3.4.4b has circulated in North America since late 2021, resulting in higher rates of morbidity and mortality in wild birds than observed in this region before. The objective of this study was to determine whether baiting, which is widely conducted in Canada and the United States as part of waterfowl management practices (e.g., duck banding), influences the occurrence of avian influenza virus (AIV) in wetlands. We used a quasi‐experimental design, collecting superficial sediment samples (n = 336) and fecal samples (n = 242) from paired baited (treatment) and non‐baited (control) sites at 2 wetlands in Saskatchewan, Canada, between August and September 2022. We visited sampling sites 3 times during the sampling period: prior to the commencement of baiting activities (t0), approximately 14 days after t0 (t1), and 24 days after t0 (t2). We screened samples for AIV using real‐time reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT‐PCR) targeting the matrix gene and subjected the PCR‐positive samples to next‐generation sequencing. We used a mixed‐effects logistic regression model to estimate the effect of baiting on the odds of AIV positivity in sediment samples, while controlling for clustering by wetland. At control sites, we did not detect evidence for a difference in the odds of AIV detection in sediment at t1 or t2 versus t0; however, at baited sites, the odds of AIV detection at t1 were 5.43 (95% CI = 1.99, 14.79) times the odds at t0 and at t2 the odds of AIV detection were 8.73 (95% CI = 3.29, 23.18) times the odds at t0. We detected HPAIV clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 in sediment at 1 treatment site following baiting. There was also a trend towards increased fecal AIV positivity and increased fecal and sediment AIV diversity in baited versus non‐baited sites; however, there was insufficient power to determine if these findings were statistically significant. Overall, our results indicate that baiting is associated with localized increases in AIV environmental contamination, with baiting potentially creating concentrated areas of AIV accumulation. As such, wetland baiting activities may pose a risk to wildlife population health through the propagation of AIV in wetlands and the waterfowl using those environments and efforts to replace, refine, or reduce this activity may be warranted depending on local ecosystem contexts and cost‐benefit analyses.

A New Copy of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116: A Cavalier Cover Version

Abstract This article records a new witness of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116 in Bodleian MS Ashmole 36, 37. The poem is a copy of Henry Lawes’ song-setting which adds six new lines to the poem. The song-setting can also be found in NYPL Drexel MS 4257, although there are significant variations between the two copies. The sonnet takes on new political relevance when read in the context of the Royalist Elias Ashmole’s miscellany, Bodleian MS Ashmole 36, 37, amongst material from the early 1640s: Shakespeare’s text is transformed from praise of romantic constancy to political constancy. This article provides a transcription of the new witness, reads the text in the local context of Bodleian MS Ashmole 36, 37, and then considers the setting in the wider context of the circulation of Shakespearean songs in manuscript and domestic musical performance during the Interregnum. The text is politicized at a local level in the context of Bodleian MS Ashmole 36, 37 and in the wider context of domestic performance during the Interregnum when the public performance of music was banned. This new copy contributes to our understanding of the circulation of Shakespeare’s poetry in manuscript, Shakespearean reception during the mid-seventeenth century, and Royalist counterculture.

How prepared is Nigeria digital payment for health workers? A landscape analysis

IntroductionStakeholders in the health sector have advocated for the optimization of digital payment channels in low-and-middle-income countries in order to improve program outcomes. We conducted a landscape analysis of the local context, challenges, and opportunities for digitized health worker payments in Nigeria.MethodsThis study was an exploratory qualitative case study with mixed-methods approach to data collection including; i) desk review, ii) interview of key informants and iii) engagement of stakeholders. In the desk review, the databases searched were MEDLINE (PubMed), Google Scholar and Google. For the qualitative interviews, 17 stakeholders were interviewed between May and July 2022. Audio recordings of interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic approach with the Nvivo software. At the stakeholders’ (n = 15) engagement, findings from the desk review and interviews were discussed and additional data collected.ResultsDigital payment systems for health personnel described in the reviewed documents included the direct disbursement mechanisms, direct bank transfers and mobile money. Among these-payment methods, direct bank transfer was the most prominent digital payment method. Also, there is a high level of acceptability of digitized means of payment of health workers among stakeholders in the Nigerian health sector. From the regulatory point of view, the Nigerian government has initiated a number of digital payment policies including the cashless policy. Other incentives for digitization of payments were: availability of credible financial institutions, improved financial accountability and transparency, previous experience of under-payment or non-payment of end beneficiaries, to avoid delays in payment and ensure timely retirement of funds. Challenges of digital payments included: delayed resolution of problems associated with digital payment such as failed transactions, cyber security, double payments, and unfriendly bank policies.ConclusionDigital payment system is being utilized, accepted and would be beneficial for payments for the Nigerian healthcare system. Harnessing its benefits of improved health workers’ performance and program outcomes by enacting appropriate policies is recommended.

Faculty development through higher degrees: AMEE Guide No. 180.

Faculty development in medical education may take different forms and approaches ranging from standalone workshops and short courses up to longitudinal programs and postgraduate qualifications, such as Certificates, Diplomas, Master's and PhD degrees in health professions education (HPE). Many places offer staff development opportunities to help people to learn how to teach health professional students more effectively. Yet higher degrees in HPE are expected not only to enable graduates to be better teachers or assessors but also to act on a strategic level to support institutional directions to advance teaching, learning, assessment and scholarship in HPE. This guide is for people who wish to develop programmes to provide a more systematic and deeper training for those people that see themselves as professional health professions educators and indeed, the leaders of the future. The guide discusses the rationale, plans, process of implementation and evaluation of postgraduate programs in HPE in ten phases. Different variables should be considered with respect to the local context, institutional support, readiness of expertise, availability of resources, alignment with the strategic plan of the college/university and methods to measure the impact of these PG programs.

Evaluating Policy Frameworks and Their Role in the Sustainable Growth of Distributed Photovoltaic Generation

In response to the growing photovoltaic distributed generation market, this study investigates the evolution of energy policies and mechanisms driving the growth of photovoltaic distributed generation (DGPV). Analyzing the top ten countries in photovoltaic installations, it examines historical trends in capacity growth, installation costs, and stakeholder engagement to evaluate policy effectiveness. Eight policy categories are identified as follows: direct financial incentives, energy market regulation, government management, production incentives, performance-based feed-in tariffs, renewable energy obligations, research and development initiatives, and agreements and commitments. The research results emphasize the crucial influence of government management policies, direct financial incentives, and energy market regulation on promoting the growth of DGPV. Political will and effective governance are identified as key drivers in advancing technology and market development. Policies reducing installation costs and encouraging investment support the transition of photovoltaic systems from early adoption to market maturity. Despite these advances, disparities in policy implementation highlight the need for adaptable frameworks tailored to local contexts. By leveraging solar energy, an abundant and universally accessible resource, nations can enhance energy equity through effective policies and accelerate the shift toward sustainable energy systems. This analysis offers valuable insights for policymakers seeking to promote DGPV as a central strategy in combating climate change.

Exploring the entanglements of contemporary spirituality, Catholicism, and environmentalism in South Tyrol, Italy: an ethnographic approach

ABSTRACT This paper explores the entanglements of religion, spirituality, and environmental sustainability in the alpine province of South Tyrol (Italy), where the presence of Catholicism is strong. Referring to ethnographic data gathered through informal and formal interviews with Catholics, spiritual practitioners, and environmental activists, I will engage in ongoing debates about the greening of religion, the ecologization of spirituality, and the spiritualisation of ecology. I argue that an ethnographic approach is essential to assess whether the environmental discourses embraced by Pope Francis in the last ten years are reflected in the everyday discourses and practices of Catholics. Regarding the ecologization of spirituality, I argue that it is important to pay attention to local contexts considering to what extent alternative forms of spirituality are present and how much visibility they have in the public domain. As for the spiritualisation of ecology, attention should be paid to the reticence of environmental activists to talk about their spiritual experiences they feel could undermine the scientific rigour of their environmental agendas.

In Search of "Fertile Ground": How Territorial Characteristics Influence the Social Acceptability of Renewable Energy Projects.

Renewable energy (RE) projects are vital to achieving sustainable development in the context of the pressing challenges of climate change and the energy transition. However, despite the global consensus on their importance, RE projects often encounter significant resistance at the local level. This article investigates how territorial characteristics influence the social acceptability of RE projects and explores the concept of fertile ground as a framework for understanding the conditions that foster or hinder local support for such projects. Drawing on theories of regional path dependency and leadership agency, we identify the historical, socioeconomic, cultural and governance factors shaping local attitudes towards RE projects. By employing qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews with diverse stakeholders and the analysis of press articles, we develop a nuanced approach that incorporates key territorial dynamics. Our findings reveal the critical role of historical industrial conflicts, political leadership, place attachment and perceptions of fairness in shaping local acceptability. They also highlight the influence of habituation and saturation effects, which shows that the acceptability of RE projects is not static; rather, it evolves over time in response to local conditions and stakeholder engagement. By situating the fertile ground concept within broader frameworks of social acceptability, this study provides actionable insights to policymakers and project developers seeking to align RE initiatives with local contexts and values.

Context matters: Placing the sociopolitical context into research on enclave-health effects and immigration enforcement.

County governments across the U.S. adopt varied immigrant-related policies that facilitate or hinder immigrant inclusion. County-level social, economic, and geographic characteristics also differ by location-resulting in diverging immigrant inclusion goals and local contexts that disparately impact the lives and health of immigrants and their families. Although ethnic enclaves-communities where a large share of coethnic and immigrant residents live-are embedded within broader county governments, research on enclave-health effects have seldom considered the sociopolitical contexts, especially the immigration enforcement policies, in the settings where enclaves exist. This paper examines differences in immigration enforcement policies across U.S. counties. Data are from multiple sources, including the 2016-2020 American Community Survey, the National Center for Health Statistics, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and the Kaiser Family Foundation. In a stepwise process, we generated nine county types using county-level social, economic, and geography-related characteristics. This resulted in 236 urban and suburban counties where Latino density was above 13.9%. In bivariate analyses comparing county types, we found significant statistical differences in the number of immigration enforcement (p<0.00) and immigrant inclusion (p<0.00) policies. There were also statistically significant demographic and diversity differences between county types (p<0.00). Our results suggest a need to examine the county-level immigration policy context in research on enclave-health effects, as such contexts shape immigrant inclusion, immigrant health, and community wellbeing. Integrating the sociopolitical context may help to clarify points of intervention that county governments and immigrant communities can lead.

Hydrological performance of bioretention in field experiments and models: A review from the perspective of design characteristics and local contexts

Hydrological performance of bioretention in field experiments and models: A review from the perspective of design characteristics and local contexts

Shibanyan Traditional Village in Linzhou, Henan: The Local Wisdom and Educational Literacy for Sustainable Development

This study examines the sustainable development of Shibanyan, a traditional village in Linzhou, Anyang, Henan, through the dual lenses of local wisdom and educational literacy. The research highlights the community’s innovative construction techniques and resource management practices, deeply embedded in their accumulated practical experience. By utilizing locally available natural resources, these practices address challenges related to habitation, environmental adaptation, and resource efficiency with minimal material and technological inputs. The adaptive methods mitigate adverse climatic impacts and foster a stable and comfortable indoor microclimate, showcasing the harmonious integration of indigenous knowledge with environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of educational literacy in transmitting and evolving these traditional practices for future generations. The findings reveal how community-driven strategies, supported by an emphasis on learning and knowledge-sharing, contribute to the long-term viability of traditional settlements. This research provides valuable insights into leveraging local wisdom and education to address global sustainability challenges in localized contexts.

Striving for Unity in a Culturally Fragmented World: Nested Multiple Cultural Identifications Associated With Well-Being Through Self-Concept Clarity.

In contemporary globalised societies, global awareness and identification, as well as local and regional identifications (other than national identity), may all become increasingly important for guiding people's sense of belonging and purpose and in turn their self-concept. As the world has become increasingly interconnected, people increasingly identify with various cultures and worldviews within both local and global contexts. Attempts to reconcile these multiple cultural identities can lead to a sense of cultural dissonance as people struggle to integrate these identities into a coherent sense of self. Accordingly, various levels/types of cultural identifications must be integrated to establish an adaptable and coherent sense of self. In two studies among participants from the United States (N = 754), we investigate how nested cultural identification at the state, national and global levels are associated with well-being indirectly through self-concept clarity and multiple cultural configurations. Results indicate that national identification is positively, and compartmentalisation negatively, associated with self-concept clarity and in turn with well-being. State and global cultural identifications were linked to multicultural identity integration and, indirectly, to components of well-being. Results are discussed regarding the globalised proliferation of cultural identifications and the associated challenge of maintaining a stable and coherent sense of self.

Balkan Peace Index decision EXpert model and data.

This paper details the data collection process, dataset, and reuse potential of the Balkan Peace Index, a model designed to evaluate the levels of peacefulness in the Western Balkans. Data was gathered in phases: initially, a team of local experts conducted on-ground data collection, interviews, and focus groups, as well as using external international databases describing different notions of peace. This data was then processed and classified on a predefined scale by another team of experts using the Decision EXpert model. The BPI model incorporates both quantitative and qualitative data, reflecting the local context. The comprehensive dataset is stored in the Mendeley Data repository and offers significant reuse potential for further research, policy-making, and sensitivity analysis. This open-access resource aims to provide actionable insights for improving peace levels and preventing potential deterioration in the region.

A mechanistic modeling approach to assessing the sensitivity of outcomes of water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions to local contexts and intervention factors

A mechanistic modeling approach to assessing the sensitivity of outcomes of water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions to local contexts and intervention factors

Bridging Educational Reform and Faith: Evaluating Kurikulum Merdeka's Compatibility with Islamic Values in Madrasahs

This study explored the implementation of Kurikulum Merdeka (KM) in Indonesian Islamic schools (Madrasahs) by analyzing the compatibility of its implementation with Islamic educational values and its challenges and opportunities. The primary aims are to determine the alignment between KM principles and Islamic education, examine obstacles and recommend ways to effectively implement it in Madrasahs. This research synthesizes several academic articles, government policy documents, historical texts, and literature on curriculum development based on library research methods. Content analysis is used to uncover underlying themes, comparative analysis is used to assess compatibility with the curriculum, and critical evaluation is used to assess KM's impact on Islamic education. One key finding revealed is that the features of KM, such as student-centred learning, critical thinking and the development of student character, correspond well with the holistic goals of Islamic education. Nevertheless, major obstacles exist, such as a lack of teacher preparation, resource gaps, and tensions between KM's flexible approaches and Madrasah's traditional frameworks. Despite these challenges, KM presents opportunities for integrating secular and religious education, fostering inclusivity, and promoting innovative teaching practices. KM holds transformative potential in Madrasahs as it can integrate national education reforms with basic Islamic concepts. That would necessitate personalized teacher training, collaborative policy development and tailoring of curriculum for local contexts. Future research has the potential to yield a longitudinal insight into adoption across diverse demographics in different Islamic educational contexts.

Integration of data sets for modelling gender violence and perception of insecurity.

The dataset offers a comprehensive information to analyse cities and neighbourhood that are potentially unsafe for women, this information has been collected for four cities: Toluca (Mexico), Valencia (Spain), Dublin (Ireland) and San Francisco (USA). The collection includes quantitative and qualitative variables obtained and processed from open data, georeferenced publications from a social media platform, and points located through participatory mapping sessions. The data is structured in raw format, organized by country and city, and categorized according to the data source used while processing, which allows unrestricted access with most data analysis software and it does not depend on specific licenses. This format includes both geometric information and associated attributes allowing reusability and analysis in different environments. Additionally, the release of this data allows developing models tailored to specific local contexts and represents a significant advance in open data access as stated in the Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5), especially in relation to indicator 5.2.2. In general, this indicator faces a lack of sufficient data for accurate measurement, which limits the ability to accurately assess and address gender-based violence. By providing an open and flexible resource, the dataset not only facilitates comparative research and informed policymaking, it also supports the international commitment for transparency and contributes to filling existing gaps in information on violence and insecurity.

Investigating Thai EFL Students’ Metaphorical Perception on Social Media

Social media is widely used in many different sectors worldwide. In language education, it can impact students’ language learning, and students may have diverse opinions about its use. This study aimed to explore how Thai university students conceptualise social media and their perceptions of it. An elicitation task, “social media is like … because …”, was used in an online questionnaire to gather responses from 145 students enrolled in an English course on language and social media at a university in Thailand. The results revealed six categories of social media: “personal space,” “society,” “information,” “communication,” “addiction,” and “necessity,” based on the participants’ local contexts, such as “7-11,” “Thai market,” “Oreo frappe.” The perceptions of social media included positive aspects related to personal storytelling, social connectivity, and information access; negative aspects concerning addiction, inauthentic behaviour, and FOMO (fear of missing out); and mixed perspectives on both its potential for personal expression and connection alongside risks to mental health and unrealistic self-presentation. These findings suggest practical applications for using social media in language education and highlight aspects of social media perceptions that could be incorporated into the English classroom.

The impact of ESG factors on performance of real estate equities

ABSTRACT This paper examines the influence of ESG practices on the market performance of Public Real Estate Companies (PRECs), as reflected by Tobin’s Q, and their financial performance, assessed through profitability and risk profiles, using a global sample of firms from 38 countries between 2015 and 2021. Employing an instrument-based methodology (2SLS) and a Heckman correction to address concerns about endogeneity and selection bias, our global analysis reveals that ESG-aligned firms demonstrate higher market performance and improved operational efficiency through reduced capital costs and improved risk management, despite initial setbacks such as negative Net Operating Income (NOI) and higher G&A expenses. In-depth analysis shows that the Environmental (E) and Social (S) components follow a similar trend, though the (E) component has no significant effect on systematic risk. While the (G) component has not demonstrated significant effects on firm market performance, its influence on improved risk management remains relevant. Regional characteristics and distinctions between developed and emerging markets introduced subtle nuances in our analysis, emphasising the crucial role of local contexts in influencing these relationships. These findings serve as a catalyst for investors, stakeholders, and real estate companies to incorporate these strategies into their investment decision-making processes.

PERCEPTION OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION, SPORTS AND HEALTH TEACHERS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS TOWARDS INCLUSIVE PRACTICES: A CASE STUDY IN CENTRAL LOMBOK DISTRICT

This study aimed to determine the attitudes of physical education teachers towards the inclusion of students with physical disabilities or physical disabilities in physical education learning programs in Elementary Schools. This study uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive-analytical method. The subjects of this study were physical education teachers in Gugus 1 Praya Tengah; as many as 5 Physical Education, Sports, and Health teachers were directly involved in this study, consisting of 4 men and one woman with an average teaching experience of 12.5 years. The object of this study is the implementation of physical education learning programs in elementary schools, which are incredibly inclusive services for people with physical disabilities. Data collection techniques used in this study were interviews, observations, and documentation. The main instrument in this study was the interview guideline, while the additional instrument was the observation guideline. The research data analysis technique used the Miles and Huberman interactive analysis model. Teachers argue that physical education classes are a good place for developing students with disabilities. They realize that students with disabilities can get the same opportunity to participate in physical education programs and develop social skills. Teachers recognize that the seminars or professional training provided are very lacking. This study has significant impacts in encouraging ongoing training for physical education educators to improve their ability to implement inclusive education and in the development of adaptive curricula that meet the needs of students with special needs. This study also emphasizes the importance of stronger collaboration between teachers, parents, and other stakeholders. In addition, the findings of this study open up opportunities for further research in creating adaptive physical education learning models that are appropriate to the local context and can be used as guidelines for more efficient inclusive education policies and practices.