Online Outreach Research Articles

SLOfit Lifelong: A model for leveraging citizen science to promote and maintain physical fitness and physical literacy across the lifespan.

SLOfit Lifelong is a public health initiative which was created to upgrade a well-established, national physical fitness surveillance system for Slovenian schoolchildren that has been collecting annual fitness and health data for over three decades. The ultimate objective of creating SLOfit Lifelong was to build a modern societal infrastructure with the capacity and ability to detect future causal associations between childhood physical fitness trends and future health outcomes based on the lifelong surveillance of one's own fitness status. By instilling citizens with an ambition to test, understand, and follow-up their own physical fitness and health status (including related health risk factors), this initiative provides the technical support and expert feedback needed to engender greater individual control over understanding (and thus modulating), one's own physical fitness status as they progress into older adulthood. This perspective paper details the extensive approach taken to devise appropriate fitness test batteries for adults and older adults which can also relate to the student version of the original SLOfit test database, including establishing criterion health risk zones and a public approach to establish this national, citizen-driven health feedback framework. Through its sophisticated online web applications, social media, print media, and outreach workshops, SLOfit Lifelong provides the expert support for public health engagement by fostering positive lifelong physical literacy experiences an individual can enjoy across their aging journey.

Safe Spaces 4 Sexual Health: A Status-Neutral, Mobile Van, HIV/STI Testing Intervention Using Online Outreach to Reach MSM at High Risk for HIV Acquisition or Transmission.

Black men who have sex with men (MSM) carry the greatest burden of new HIV diagnoses in the United States. Ending the HIV epidemic requires strategic, culturally specific approaches to target factors contributing to persistent HIV disparities. Safe Spaces 4 Sexual Health (SS4SH), a community-informed HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing strategy combining mobile van testing with online outreach, was implemented over a 14-month period from 2018 to 2019 in Baltimore, MD. We evaluated the reach of MSM at high risk with high acquisition or transmission risk by SS4SH mobile van combined with online outreach as compared with the Baltimore City Health Department's venue-based mobile van (with no online outreach) operating during the same period based on the following HIV/STI testing outcome measures: (1) number of MSM HIV or STI tested, (2) new HIV diagnosis rate, (3) percent with new syphilis diagnosis, (4) percent at high risk for HIV acquisition, and (5) percent people living with HIV at high risk for transmission. Over a 14-month period, SS4SH HIV/STI tested 151 MSM. Of these, 74% were Black and the mean age was 34 (SD = 10, range = 19-68). Seven percent (10/148) were new HIV diagnoses, and 10% (13/130) were diagnosed with syphilis. The Baltimore City Health Department's venue-based mobile van strategy yielded 53% (231) more MSM (71% Black, mean age 38, SD = 14, range = 15-74), but the HIV/syphilis positivity rate was significantly lower: 0.5% new HIV diagnosis rate (P < 0.001) and 0.5% with syphilis diagnosis (P < 0.001). Our findings suggest SS4SH combing online outreach with mobile van testing may be more effective at reaching high-risk Black MSM than venue-based mobile testing.

“We’re Essential Because You’re Essential”: How Louisiana Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Organizations Adapted Outreach Efforts and Health Messaging during COVID-19

ABSTRACT Within weeks of the World Health Organization declaring the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic, domestic violence and sexual assault incidents increased. To adhere to new health protocols, social service providers were encouraged to move outreach efforts to virtual formats. We draw on 21 in-depth interviews with Louisiana organizations working in violence against women to examine how they 1) transitioned to online outreach efforts and 2) adapted their messaging to the COVID-19 context. We found that organizations who successfully moved to virtual efforts credited their success to thinking creatively and properly matching educational activities to digital media platforms, while those who struggled pointed to obstacles such as digital media fatigue and funding limitations (RQ1). We also identified three changes to message framing (RQ2): 1) Empathy and reassurance, especially, reiterating that centers “are there” for victims 2) Addressing racial justice issues, and 3) describing COVID-19 protocols and conducting lockdown-focused education efforts.

A Randomized Trial of Social Media Versus Search Engine Advertising to Increase Awareness of Treatments for Female Stress Urinary Incontinence.

Outreach based on user characteristics through social media advertising is significantly more effective than outreach based on user interests with search engine advertising for female stress urinary incontinence. The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of 2 online outreach platforms to engage women at risk of stress urinary incontinence with a high-quality patient education website. A geographic randomized trial was performed comparing online advertising on Facebook, a social media site, versus Google Ads, a search engine, to direct viewers to VoicesForPFD.org. Advertisements were developed using health communication theory and pretested before the randomized trial. Counties in the Pacific Northwest were grouped into approximately equal populations, called "supercounties," and randomized to advertisement platforms. Educational website views resulting from each campaign, called sessions, were measured using Google Analytics; the primary outcome was the number of sessions per supercounty. County characteristics were obtained from national survey data. Effectiveness of the advertising platforms was compared between randomization arms using Welch's unequal variances t test, and crude and adjusted linear regression models. Mean user sessions were significantly higher in areas randomized to Facebook advertising (470 sessions) compared with areas randomized to Google Ads advertising [44 sessions; mean, 426 session difference (95% confidence interval, 199-653 sessions); P = 0.001]. After accounting for adult female population and rurality, randomization to Facebook instead of Google Ads still resulted in 409 additional sessions (95% confidence interval, 317-501 sessions; P < 0.001). Social media was 10 times more effective (470 versus 44 mean sessions per supercounty) than search engine outreach advertising and should be prioritized in outreach efforts. Future work is needed on engagement and behavior change with online outreach.

Comparing the Efficiency of Online and Field-Based Outreach for the Recruitment of Black and Latino Sexual Minority Men into an HIV Prevention Implementation Trial.

Rates of HIV diagnoses among young Black and Latino sexual minority men (SMM) have continued to increase since 2011; meanwhile, overall rates in the USA have decreased. Despite their importance, academic and medical institutions have often struggled to engage and recruit racial and ethnic minority SMM in HIV prevention services and research. The current study compares the success of two strategies for recruiting racial and ethnic minority SMM. Recruitment occurred in the context of a larger implementation study testing the effectiveness of a substance use and HIV prevention intervention among SMM at high risk for HIV infection. SMM (n = 778) were reached through either (1) field-based outreach conducted by two local community-based organizations (CBOs) delivering the intervention or (2) online recruitment coordinated by the trial's academic research partner. Field-based recruitment reached a significantly larger proportion of Black (42.9% vs. 18.2% reached online) and Latino individuals (40.3% vs. 28.1% reached online). Although online recruitment reached a greater proportion of SMM who met trial eligibility criteria (58.4% vs. 35.3% for field-based outreach; χ2(1) = 38.471, p < .001), a greater proportion of eligible participants identified through field-based outreach actually enrolled into the study trial (30.9% vs. 18.8% for online recruitment; χ2(1) = 7.82, p < .01). As a result, field-based recruitment required fewer recruitment staff hours (2.62 per enrolled participant) than online recruitment (3.46 recruitment staff hours per enrolled participant). Findings illustrate the potential for field-based, CBO-executed recruitment to reach Black and Latino SMM and for CBOs to successfully enroll those identified as eligible. Future prevention and implementation research should routinely engage community partners in the development of study recruitment strategies in a manner that can inform outreach and marketing efforts for HIV prevention research and prevention. Clinicaltrials.gov = NCT03488914.

Adapting to the Era of Virtual Recruitment: Radiology Departmental Website Response to COVID-19 and Portrayal of the Resident Experience

Rationale and ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic has transformed radiology recruitment into a virtual affair and placed an even stronger emphasis on the importance of departmental websites. In this study, we evaluate residency websites in detailing the response to COVID-19 as well as initiatives which help describe the resident experience.Materials and MethodsProgram websites for diagnostic radiology residencies listed in the 2022 Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) program list were evaluated for 31 criteria related to departmental response to COVID-19, online outreach, and resident wellness.ResultsOf 184 programs, 182 had functioning websites for review. One program was excluded from analysis as the website was almost entirely video-based. In response to COVID-19, ≤1% described resident redeployment, vaccination information, departmental response to ABR Core Exam changes, or regular administration updates. Six (3.3%) described revised read-out protocols, four (2.2%) mentioned supplementary non-clinical education, and 14 (7.7%) indicated changes to educational conferences. The majority of websites (122, 67.4%) offered an informational or tour video, while 44 (24.3%) described expectations for virtual interviewing, and 20 (11.0%) had virtual “open-houses.” Departmental social media, primarily Twitter, was linked for 60 (33.1%) programs. A total of 134 (74.0%) websites described community highlights.More than a quarter mentioned meal stipends (72, 39.8%), paid sick time (54, 29.8%) and healthcare resources (57, 31.5%). Although social activities were described by 44 (24.3%) programs, some specifically indicating changes to COVID-19, formal resident mentoring (25, 13.8%) and wellness committees (28, 15.5%) were less common. These criteria were found more commonly at the largest third of residency programs (chi square, p < 0.00625).ConclusionPrograms rarely described work flow changes to COVID-19, and websites could improve in virtual outreach. Compared with prior literature, departmental websites have improved in describing wellness initiatives and related measures.

Art Resistance against Russia’s “Non-Invasion” of Ukraine

When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, the Russian media ran what I propose to call a simulation of “non-invasion”—a spectacle aimed to distance Russia from the war. This essay explores activist art resistance against this simulation. Specifically, I discuss three art projects that were staged during the first, most violent year of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict: Mariia (Maria) Kulikovs'ka’s performance at “Manifesta 10” in St. Petersburg, Serhii Zakharov’s guerrilla installations on the streets of occupied Donetsk, and Izolyatsia’s #onvacation occupation of the Russian pavilion at the 56th Venice Biennale. These art projects, I argue, not only attacked the simulation from the outside as independent entities, but, by penetrating the simulation on site and online, they disrupted it from within. I offer three reasons to support this claim. First, these art projects superimposed images of the invasion over the physical sites where the “non-invasion” simulation dwelt and, in this way, not only made the war visible but also produced “a glitch in the matrix” effect—a conflict within the simulation visual regime that was inconsistent with its concealment function. Second, they “hailed” (in Louis Althusser’s terms) actants of the simulation as subjects of Putin’s regime, provoking suppressive reactions that proved Russia’s participation in the war—which the simulation, thus, failed to downplay. And third, with carefully orchestrated strategies of online outreach to the public, these art projects attached themselves to the media dimension of the simulation, making the simulation’s media proliferation work against itself.

Dusty Feet: The Postings of an ISIS Blogger

He was credited with having compiled the “Lonely Planet guide” to joining ISIS, yet little is known of the remarkable stories told in Zafirr Golamaully’s series of blogs called ‘Dusty Feet’. In this research paper we retell these stories, of an individual’s journey to join, dwell with and fight for ISIS. As we describe these accounts, we discuss their significance as informal reflections seeking to reach Western audiences and draw them into a radical milieu supporting Islamist militancy. We argue that these accounts are important for three reasons: they highlight the role of informal communication in legitimising and promoting terrorism; they illustrate how such communication contributes to notions of a jihadi community that combines the virtual and physical, where real experiences imbue online outreach efforts with credibility; and they constitute innovative attempts at bridging cultural domains, linking the austere and heavily theological representation of ISIS with ironic, often humorous messaging designed to appeal to Westernised youths.

Abstract PO-013: Comparison of novel healthcare delivery models on the uptake of genetic education and testing in families with a history of pancreatic cancer: The GENetic Education, Risk Assessment and TEsting (GENERATE) study

Abstract Background: Roughly 7–10% of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have a deleterious germline variant. Although identification of germline variants in family members has implications for cancer surveillance and can lead to early cancer detection and interception for PDAC, as well as other cancers, cascade genetic testing rates are low. The GENetic Education, Risk Assessment and TEsting (GENERATE) study evaluates novel methods of providing genetic education and testing for individuals at risk for hereditary PDAC. Methods: Eligible participants had: (1) a first- or second-degree relative with a diagnosis of PDAC and a known familial germline variant in APC, ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, CDKN2A, EPCAM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PALB2, PMS2, STK11, or TP53 (Known Familial Mutation (KFM)), (2) or were first-degree relatives of PDAC patients (no KFM). Participants were recruited through six academic centers, patient advocacy organizations and online outreach. Enrollment occurred through the study website (www.GENERATEstudy.org). All study participation, including genetic testing via a at home saliva sample kit, was done remotely. Participants were cluster randomized at the family level into one of two arms. Arm 1 (Doxy.me plus Color Genomics) included remote genetic education and testing through a video-based telemedicine platform (Doxy.me) and physician-mediated testing through Color Genomics. Arm 2 included remote genetic education and testing through Color Genomics only. Results: Between 5/8/2019–6/01/2021, 423 families were randomized, comprising 595 participants. Recruitment occurred through patient invitation via healthcare providers (n=128, 21.5%), family members (n=271, 45.5%), friends, advocacy groups, and online outreach (n=223, 37.5%). Participants were referred from the six GENERATE academic centers (n=270, 45.4%) and other institutions (n=325, 54.6%). Study participants were 52.5 years on average, primarily identified as White (n=577, 97%) and from the Northeast (n=184, 30.9%), Midwest (n=154, 25.9%), South (n=158, 26.6%) and West (n=99, 16.6%). Participants were randomized into each arm (n=296 Doxy.me plus Color Genomics; n=299 Color Genomics only). To date, 527 (88.6%) participants have ordered genetic testing. The uptake of genetic testing was 253/296 (85.5%) in the Doxy.me plus Color Genomics arm and 274/299 (91.6%) in the Color Genomics only arm (p=0.049, generalized mixed-effects model). A total of 82 PDAC associated pathogenic variants were identified. The most frequently detected variants were BRCA2 (n=32), ATM (n=25) and PALB2 (n=6). Additionally, 13 non-PDAC associated pathogenic variants and 20 low penetrance variants were detected. Conclusions: Remote methods of genetic education and testing are successful alternatives to traditional cascade testing, with genetic testing rates nearly 90%. Participant follow up will assess if satisfaction with decision making, cancer-risk distress, knowledge gained, family communication, and uptake of surveillance were impacted by the mode of delivery of pre-test genetic education. Citation Format: Nicolette J. Rodriguez, Constance S. Furniss, Matthew B. Yurgelun, Chinedu Ukaegbu, Pamela E. Constantinou, Alison N. Schwartz, Jill Stopfer, Meghan Underhill-Blazey, Barbara Kenner, Scott Nelson, Sydney Okumura, Sherman Law, Alicia Y. Zhou, Tara B. Coffin, Hajime Uno, Allyson Ocean, Florencia McAllister, Andrew M. Lowy, Scott M. Lippman, Alison P. Klein, Lisa Madlensky, Gloria M. Petersen, Judy E. Garber, Michael G. Goggins, Anirban Maitra, Sapna Syngal. Comparison of novel healthcare delivery models on the uptake of genetic education and testing in families with a history of pancreatic cancer: The GENetic Education, Risk Assessment and TEsting (GENERATE) study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer; 2021 Sep 29-30. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(22 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-013.

Pre- and post- Covid-19 Outreach Experiences at Marshall University Libraries

This article will provide insight into how MU Libraries’ cross-departmental system has evolved over the years, and how the recent finalization of their Outreach Plan led to a successful transition to online outreach during the COVID pandemic. Specifically, the authors will address: the history of library outreach at the university; the formation of the Outreach Librarian position; the audit the Outreach librarian performed on the library’s practices; the creation of an Outreach committee and subsequent Outreach Plan guide; and, how the library adapted their approach during the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020.

Association of Bicycle-Related Genital Numbness and Female Sexual Dysfunction: Results From a Large, Multinational, Cross-Sectional Study.

IntroductionCycling can lead to microtrauma due to increased perineal pressure, possibly contributing to genital numbness and sexual dysfunction in female cyclists.AimWe aim to explore the associations between cycling characteristics, female genital numbness, and female sexual dysfunction.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study on female cyclists and sexual wellness. Participants were recruited through Facebook® advertisements and online outreach at athletic clubs. Participants were asked about their cycling characteristics, genital numbness, and female sexual function using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Univariate and multivariable linear and logistic regression were used to assess risk factors for genital numbness and the association between genital numbness and the FSFI.Outcome MeasuresThe outcome measures were cycling characteristics, questions regarding numbness (intensity, duration, location), and the FSFI score.ResultsEight-hundred and seventy-five women were included in the study. Total lifetime miles cycled, biking duration, frequency, distance, speed, and biking surface were not significantly associated with genital numbness. Higher handlebar height was associated with less numbness. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in the cohort was 52%. Genital numbness was significantly associated with sexual dysfunction (OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.05 – 1.95). Sub-group analysis for location of numbness demonstrated significant increase in risk for sexual dysfunction in cyclists who described numbness aro`und the perineum (OR: 2.72, 95% CI: 1.05 – 7.02) and the vulva (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.13 – 2.13). There was also a significant increase in the risk of sexual dysfunction in cyclists who reported a longer duration of numbness (OR: 6.58, 95% CI: 2.27 – 19.07).ConclusionsGenital numbness is common in women who cycle and is associated with increased risk of FSD and lower average sexual response scores on FSFI. Lui H, Mmonu N, Awad MA, et al. Association of Bicycle-Related Genital Numbness and Female Sexual Dysfunction: Results From a Large, Multinational, Cross-Sectional Study. Sex Med 2021;9:100365.

Development of Online Alfalfa Management Extension Education Resources Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, many Extension programs used web-based resources but balanced those with in-person events for interpersonal connection with producers and for individuals with limited access to technology. In 2020, in-person Extension programs were cancelled or converted to online versions. This was the case for the ‘Alfalfa in the South’ (AITS) program, a collaboration between Auburn University (AU) and University of Georgia (UGA). Two online AITS programs were held (May and Sept) and are examples of rethinking traditional models and optimizing resources to prioritize our commitment to clientele. In its first program, the program content was delivered through 1) a series of webinars from AU, UGA and University of Florida (UF) Extension Specialists (n = 6 webinars) and a 1-h live roundtable discussion held through Zoom on May 13, 2020. The roundtable consisted of a moderator interacting with five panelists (faculty, Extension agents and producers) answering live questions from the audience (n = 45 participants). All content was archived by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) for later access using online resources. The second program occurred in Sept 2020 as a collaboration between AU, UF and UGA Specialists. This program included several pre-recorded short videos and e-publications on topics in establishment and management of alfalfa in the South. In 2020, the web-metrics gathered for the ACES webpage and Youtube channel across these programs sums over 3000 views of alfalfa resources. Similarly, engagement on the AL Beef and Forage Extension Facebook pages were over 3000 people. Although a traditional formal post-programming survey was not conducted with participants, an online survey was distributed simultaneously in the south region (n = 12 states) from May through December 2020 aiming to identify main challenges and limitations of alfalfa adoption. The results (n = 212 respondents) showed approximately 65% participants already invested time in learning about alfalfa using Extension online programs and resources available. This shows increased importance of online outreach as a tool to maintain relevance and connection with clientele.

Transitioning in‐person Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Research‐based Educational Outreach Programs to Virtual Settings

Scripps Research Education Outreach and Community Engagement (EOCE)programs comprise initiatives for people of all ages including K-12 students and teachers, undergraduates, and the public. Our overarching goals are to promote careers in biomedical research, raise awareness about the importance of scientific research,train the next generation of scientists, and increase diversity in the biomedical research workforce. The Covid-19 pandemic immediately haltedour in-person eventsand presented a new set ofchallenges to reaching our goals. It became necessaryto create a strong online presence to keep connected with our audience and stakeholders. As a leading research institute, Scripps Research is keenly aware of the importance of technology, and we quickly leveraged the use of Zoom and our learning management system (LMS) to facilitate the implementation of online outreach programs. Here we describe three programs that were implemented online. 1) Junior Scientist Training Program (JSTP) is a series of one-week virtual science camps with hands-on science experiments and/or data analysis. What makes JSTP different from other science ‘box’ clubs is that students learn scientific concepts in bioinformatics, microbiology, and biochemistry, and design their own experiments based on the tools provided and their home environment. Results are not ‘pre-determined’ as with traditional laboratory class protocols. This is particularly important because one of the first epiphanies students have with real research is the notion that there is no ‘correct’ answer. 2) Fully Interactive Resources for Students and Teachers (FIRST) is a webinar series featuring scientists discussing their research and career path, advising on how to develop scientific creativity, and giving science demonstrations. This program has been fundamental in supporting thousands of undergraduate students who have been affected by the lack of research opportunities due to the pandemic! 3) SciMet Competition is a Spanish-English bilingual science competition where K-12 students nationwide are invited to demonstrate their scientific curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking skills via drawings (K-5), videos (6-8), and essays (9-12). Projects exceeded our expectations and the bilingual component allowed us to reach into Hispanics and LatinX communities. Gains of moving programs online included increased engagement; increased reach across the USA and the world; higher efficacy in collecting pre- and post-data using integrated surveys and digital applications; successful implementation of inclusive and equitable virtual educational environments; and a significant rise in the number of volunteers due to convenient and accessible online tools for the scientist community. Despite the apprehension of virtual science programs, the benefits prove that some of these elements should be kept in future programming whether in person or not, as we believe that this demonstrates our commitment to our community partners and scientific accessibility for all.

Enhancing suicide prevention outreach via mobile-enabled website design.

Online outreach campaigns are a potential public health method for reaching service members at risk for suicide. The Real Warriors Campaign website underwent a full redesign in 2019 to enhance its ability to provide crisis resources and increase engagement by adopting a mobile-first strategy and implementing a responsive framework, meaning the site renders properly on all devices, including desktop, tablets, and mobile. Usability testing with end-user service members led to several innovations on the website, including a one-click banner that directly linked users on their mobile phones to crisis resources, the redesign of menus and content to better display on mobile devices, and promoting use of website resources through gateway topics. Comparing the 6months before and after the mobile redesign showed significant increases in new mobile users, pages viewed on mobile devices, and new users coming to the site through social media. There was also a significant increase in specific help-seeking actions by users, including use of referral links and live chat, as well as 200 individuals accessing crisis phone lines through new one-click dialing banners. Suicide prevention campaigns should continue to optimize their online presence to reach groups at risk. This study of the website redesign from the Real Warriors Campaign illustrates several best practices in digital outreach as applied to suicide prevention, including leveraging usability testing, synching outreach material with social media, and ensuring mobile compatibility.

Podcasting as a tool to take conservation education online.

Traditional forms of higher learning include teaching in the classroom on college campuses and in‐person adult‐focused public outreach events for non‐students. Online college degree programs and public outreach platforms have been steadily emerging, and the COVID‐19 pandemic has, at least temporarily, forced all related ecology and evolutionary biology programs to move to online delivery. Podcasting is a form of online mass communication that is rapidly gaining popularity and has the flexibility to be incorporated into the pedagogical toolbox for the online classroom and remote public outreach programming. Podcasting is also becoming more popular in the ecology and evolutionary biology field. Here, we describe the great potential of podcasting to transform the learning experience, present a case study of success from the United States, provide a table of podcast recommended by ecologist responding to a listserv, and provide a road map for adoption and utilization of podcasting for the future.

PENYULUHAN IMPLEMENTASI BELA NEGARA BAGI MASYARAKAT KELURAHAN REMPOA, KECAMATAN CIPUTAT TIMUR, TANGERANG SELATAN

This community service activity (PKM) is carried out to provide information on the situation experienced by the community regarding changes in extension activities that are usually carried out directly. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, outreach activities on the implementation of civic defense were carried out in online form. This online outreach was carried out using the Zoom Meeting application platform for 180 minutes. This counseling provided an explanation of the implementation of civic defense for the general public. The civic defense material presented was the meaning, values and goals of civic defense. In general, it can be concluded that the online outreach activity for the implementation of civic defense to the Rempoa Village provides an understanding that any Indonesian citizen can play an active role in realizing the values of civic defense in their daily life. KEYWORDS: PKM, online counseling, civic defense.

Editorial: a changing post-pandemic world for labour

2 | International Union Rights | 28/2 EDITORIAL Editorial: a changing post-pandemic world for labour The latest edition of IUR focuses on changes taking place in and around the world of work. Our selection reveals labour law reforms but no consistent pattern, with progressive announcements in some countries and sweeping attacks in others. We open with welcome news from the US, where the Biden administration has quickly introduced much needed reforms. Lynn Rhinehart describes the so-called PRO-Act as ‘by far the most significant piece of labour law legislation in decades’ promising to stop employer interference in union elections, restore workers’ bargaining power, improve relief for illegally fired workers, and override ‘right to work’ laws. It seems the US could rapidly see very significant improvements for trade union rights. As David Bacon’s piece on union access to farm workers reveals, however, there remains strong opposition to even basic union rights for even low paid and temporary workers. Over in Ukraine it is a different picture. As in other former Soviet states, the aspects of trade union law that were the bedrock of a very strong framework of social protection are being identified by a modernising administration as archaic barriers to business. Rights and privileges such as union ownership of and provision of fitness and holiday institutions - which gave trade unions considerable powers within the workplace and indeed a strong social role generally – are also all under threat. In New Zealand there is also a sense of radical reform, albeit it a very positive and pro-union agenda, with the government promising a new sectoral bargaining framework. Many looking at the proposals see real possibilities, but if the government is so supportive of workers’ rights why has the country not ratified ILO Convention No. 87, and why are the nurses on strike again? The background to the recent violent repression of a strike at a power station in Banshkhali in Bangladesh is set out for us by Anupoma Joyeeta Joyee. Seven strikers were shot dead at Banshkhali, making it one of the most severe recent cases of strike repression, though one that has been largely overlooked by the global unions. ICTUR is further dismayed to record the killing of another migrant worker activist from one of Italy’s base unions, which appears also to have gone unmentioned by the ITUC. And Labourstart’s Eric Lee raises with us another recent case where he argues similarly that the global unions could and should have responded to the case of an arrested migrant rights activist. We turn then to the other aspect of change discussed in this edition of IUR, which concerns not labour law but the changing nature of work and new trade union strategies and practices. Associate Professor Huang Yu brings a warning from China that workers are so far failing to fight for ‘the robot dividend’, managing at best to sustain conditions. And the other dramatic transformation affecting trade union work over the past 18 months has been the struggle to adapt and continue trade union work under the conditions of the pandemic. Dr. Niall Cullianane and Gareth Murphy discuss how the Irish FSU union has adapted to online tools, celebrating some success, ‘the shift to online unionism enhanced some opportunities for officers and staff to share ideas more frequently’, but noting that ‘socially distanced’ outdoor meetings were still regarded as important, and that ‘exchanges with employers have been less than ideal’. Hazel Nolan discusses relating themes around online outreach and activism in a major dispute with British Gas, revealing unexpected potential for online trade unionism to have a dramatic impact and to generate an impressive level of activism and member involvement. We close this edition of IUR with thoughts from ICTUR President and Vice President Lord John Hendy QC and Professor Keith Ewing, who remind trade unionists of the importance of language with their warning against the pernicious phrase ‘the labour market’, which they argue is giving ‘legitimacy to a capitalist mythology in which buying and selling labour is a natural and unalterable part of the human condition’. Daniel Blackburn, Editor Next issue of IUR Articles between 850 and 1800 words should be sent by email (mail...

Harm reduction via online platforms for people who use drugs in Russia: a qualitative analysis of web outreach work

BackgroundHarm reduction services to people who use drugs (PWUD) in Russia are insufficient in terms of quantity, government endorsement, and accessibility. The situation has recently deteriorated even further because of social distancing measures of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several organizations have started to provide some harm reduction services via online platforms by web outreach. However, little is known on how online outreach services are organized and implemented. Drawing on the example of St. Petersburg-based NGO “Humanitarian Action,” we explored web outreach work in Telegram instant messenger.MethodsOur data were comprised of 4 semi-structured interviews with the NGO staff and 301 cases of web outreach work with PWUD. We used thematic analysis to study the process of web outreach, harm reduction service provision, and needs of PWUD.ResultsThree stages of the process of web outreach work were identified: clients initiating communication, NGO workers addressing clients’ needs, and NGO workers receiving clients’ feedback. Communication proceeded in group chat or direct messages. Challenges in addressing clients’ needs happened when clients turned for help after hours, sent recorded voice messages, sent unclear messages, and/or were unwilling to transition to telephone communication. All web outreach workers reported receiving only positive feedback on their work. The needs of PWUD were categorized into two major themes, depending on whether they can be addressed fully or partially online. In cases of online only provision of services, web outreach workers helped PWUD treat minor injection drug use complications, obtain verified harm reduction information and receive general psychological support. In instances of partial online services provision, PWUD were assisted in getting treatment of severe injection drug use complications, overdoses, and in accessing offline medical, psychological, social, legal and harm reduction services.ConclusionsOur research demonstrated that web outreach work is a convenient tool for delivering some harm reduction services to PWUD either partially or completely online and for recruiting new clients (including hard-to-reach PWUD that avoid attending brick-and-mortar facilities). Harm reduction organizations should consider incorporating online harm reduction services into their activities. However, further research is needed to explore relative advantages and disadvantages of online harm reduction services.

Home-Based Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections: Leveraging Online Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Home-Based Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections: Leveraging Online Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Digital Public Archaeology at Must Farm: A Critical Assessment of Social Media Use for Archaeological Engagement

Digital public archaeology is increasingly exploring social networks as platforms for online outreach initiatives. Despite a growing body of literature concerning archaeological engagement on social media there are few examinations of such applications in practice. This research critically assesses the current discussions surrounding archaeological social media use before exploring commercial digital outreach at Must Farm, Cambridgeshire. Quantitative examinations of the project's Facebook metrics and qualitative comment analyses are employed to assess whether audiences were meaningfully engaged by these online strategies. The research concludes there is substantial value in using social networks to communicate archaeology and provides recommendations for future applications.