Policy Discourse Research Articles

Integrating Scenario Analysis and Participatory Modeling to Generate Plausible Future Narratives for Water Resources: A Case Study in the Middle Rio Grande River Basin

In addressing complex water management issues, participatory modeling (PM) and scenario analysis (SA) have emerged as pivotal tools for fostering stakeholder engagement, social learning, and collaborative decision-making. This study explores the efficacy of integrating PM and SA within a series of online workshops focused on the Middle Rio Grande River Basin. Data were collected using a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, workshop transcripts, and participant outputs from workshop activities. Through these workshops, participants from diverse backgrounds engaged in collaborative scenario-building exercises, interactive discussions, and hands-on simulations using the SWIM 2.0 model, fostering shared learning and deeper insights into regional water challenges. Our findings highlight the importance of group-level activities in enhancing participants’ understanding, engagement, and trust in modeling tools, which can lead to more informed decision-making processes. The workshops demonstrated significant improvements in SA completion and a deeper connection between participants and policy discussions. However, challenges remain in bridging the gap between SA and active decision-making, particularly in contexts where participants do not perceive themselves as decision-makers. This study underscores the potential of participatory approaches to address complex environmental issues, while also identifying areas for further refinement to enhance stakeholder empowerment and tool usability in collaborative settings.

Genuine commitment or search for prestige? Italy’s ambiguous foreign policy discourse on human rights

ABSTRACT This article seeks to question the self-proclaimed commitment of Italy as a human rights champion in international politics. More specifically, analysing the content and scope of Italian policymakers’ discourse, the paper aims to grasp whether, how and to what extent human rights (really) matter in the definition of the country’s foreign policy. The paper argues that human rights are a constant component in the foreign policy discourse of Italy over time, shared by policymakers of all political persuasions However, Italy’s commitment on these matters follows a particularly fluctuating and inconsistent path in terms of both its assertiveness and level of elaboration, which is the result of a continued confrontation between, on one hand, a committed ideational promotion of human rights by part of Italian foreign policymakers, rooted in a widespread conception of the country’s historical and ‘civilisational’ proclivity to these values and, on the other, the understanding of human rights as a strategic area of ‘niche diplomacy’ which could be helpful to boost the country’s international prestige.

Growing knowledge impact of gene-editing technology on public acceptance: a longitudinal analysis in Japan

ABSTRACT Genome editing (GE) technology holds significant promise for advancements in crop development and medical applications. However, public acceptance of GE in Japan remains uncertain. This study aimed to examine how knowledge impacts public acceptance of GE technology, focusing on differences across diffusion stages and application purposes. Using ordinary least squares regression on repeated survey data collected from 2018 to 2023 in Japan (n = 6,234), we investigated the influence of knowledge on support for GE in consumer benefits, producer benefits, and medical technology. Our findings revealed that the effect of knowledge on technology acceptance has strengthened over time. Consumers with greater knowledge of GE are increasingly supportive of its advancement, emphasizing the growing importance of information as the technology becomes more widespread. This research highlights the role of transparent policy discussions in fostering public trust and support, thereby promoting the successful integration of new technologies into society.

(In)visibilized? Roma in social, family and workfare policy discourses in the authoritarian neoliberal context of Hungary

PurposeThis article explores how a disadvantaged ethnic minority is portrayed in government discourses related to social, family and workfare policies in an illiberal and authoritarian neoliberal system, using the case of Hungary and Hungarian Roma. In our paper, relying on the theory of post-raciality and, within this, the concepts of (in)visibilization, we aim to reveal to what extent Roma are perceived as the undeserving racialized poor.Design/methodology/approachWe deployed the policy frame analysis method to categorize policy discourse content into different frames: diagnostic (identification of the problem), prognostic (solutions to problems) and motivational (incentives for action to mobilize people). Three data sources were used: pro-government media articles, state-of-the-nation address speeches and the party manifesto of the governing party. The timeframe of the analysis was between 2010 and 2023. The dataset consisted of 75 documents.FindingsOnly in a few cases did we find racializing language, typically at the beginning of the analyzed period, which gradually disappeared from the discourse, followed by a more paternalistic tone. We conclude that the notions of merit and self-responsibilization have been successfully used to hide (invisibilize) the structural causes of ethnic inequalities and shift the responsibility to individual efforts. The most vulnerable Roma, who are excluded from the labor market, are perceived as not accepting the neoliberal and paternalistic “social contract.” At the same time, they are made invisible by being omitted from the official narrative.Originality/valueA wide range of literature tackles questions like how neoliberal authoritarianism is related to workfare policies and ethnic minorities. Much less is said about how vulnerable ethnic minority groups are perceived in authoritarian neoliberal regimes. This paper contributes to a better understanding of how such regimes perceive minorities: the use of the categories of racialized or non-racialized, and deserving or undeserving minorities.

Beyond the homefront: Chinese women’s agency, familial love, and sisterhood during the Second Sino-Japanese War

ABSTRACT The Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945) transformed the lives of Chinese women, challenging and reinforcing traditional gender norms. This paper examines their resilience, agency, familial bonds, and sisterhood amid war, using testimonies and historical accounts from Terror in Minnie Vautrin’s Nanjing and The Chinese Recorder and Missionary Journal. Through a gender-focused lens, it explores how Chinese women moved from domestic roles to resistance efforts, confronted sexual violence, and defied wartime limitations. By analyzing English-language sources, this study critiques male-centric narratives and highlights overlooked contributions of women. It emphasizes the importance of integrating these perspectives into broader historical and policy discussions, enhancing public understanding of gendered histories and contributing to scholarship in gender studies, historiography, and conflict resolution.

Inflation-adjusted analysis of ICER’s Unsupported Price Increase reports: contextualizing drug spending changes

Objective The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) publishes annual Unsupported Price Increase (UPI) reports on prescription drugs, which have gained attention from policymakers and healthcare stakeholders. These reports do not adjust for inflation in their analyses of net price changes. This study aimed to evaluate the economic context of reported drug price increases in ICER’s UPI reports by applying inflation adjustments to the estimated impact on healthcare spending. Methods Separate inflation adjustments using the Medical Consumer Price Index (Medical CPI) and the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) were applied to unadjusted UPI findings. The study analyzed data from four most recent UPI reports spanning pricing data from 2018 to 2019 (report year 2020) to 2021 to 2022 (report year 2023), focusing on drugs classified as having “unsupported” price increases. Results Inflation-adjusted analyses showed lower estimates of real changes in spending compared to ICER’s unadjusted figures across all drugs analyzed. Across the four UPI reports, the average report-year difference in Medical CPI inflation adjustment spending versus unadjusted findings was 53%, whereas the average report-year difference in CPI-U inflation adjustment spending versus unadjusted findings was 80%. In the most recent report year of 2023, ICER’s unadjusted estimate of a $1.3 billion increase in healthcare spending transformed to a $134 million decrease when adjusted by Medical CPI and a $1.51 billion decrease when adjusted by CPI-U. Conclusion This study demonstrates that inflation adjustment can alter not only the findings but also the interpretation of drug spending changes in UPI reports. The findings highlight the importance of considering economic context in evaluating drug pricing trends and suggest that unadjusted figures may overstate the impact of real price changes. Given the influence of these reports on policy discussions, incorporating inflation adjustments into analyses is one of many steps toward informing evidence-based policy decisions.

A mini-review on clinical and epidemiological assessment of PAHs toxicity: Process of policy-making on a global scale

Growing anthropological inhabitants and unorganized cleaning and disposal leads to the widespread garbage and usable residues witnessed every here and there in the ecosystem, especially Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). This waste of PAHs and its various forms is a great disaster that is been mixed in right from the air all respirate into the water organisms drink plus food intake is also contaminated. The pollution made by this bio-cumulative pollutant not only cause damage to land and water but directly alter the metabolisms of living beings and causes life-threatening disease and sometimes takes the life of immune defective groups. Whereas short communication sharply and crisply explains the PAHs in society and their worsening body impacts other than it this brief about the degradation techniques with latest techno advancements. Differently, this paper concentrates on the cleaning up or removal methods, policy discussion and making by governmental organizations.

The effects of board gender quotas: A meta-analysis

We use a meta-analysis to summarize the recent literature evaluating effects of the introduction of gender quotas on company boards. We collect data from 51 studies on policies implemented in 11 countries from which we extract 496 estimates. The literature considers the effects of quota policies on a wide range of outcome variables which we group in four categories. The findings of the meta-analysis contribute to the discussion of boardroom quota policies by mitigating some concerns of negative impacts and pointing out areas where more policy action is needed.

International Council of Nurses 2025 Congress: Nursing power to change the world.

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) 2025 Congress, themed "Nursing Power to Change the World," will convene in Helsinki, Finland, from 9 to 13 June 2025. This landmark event celebrates a century of nursing progress and addresses contemporary challenges in healthcare. The Congress emphasises the pivotal role of nurses in enhancing healthcare equity, accessibility, and outcomes, aligning with global health policy goals such as Universal Health Coverage (UHC). It will feature contributions from key international organisations like the WHO and the International Committee of the Red Cross, highlighting the event's global significance. With over 10000 abstract submissions, the Congress promises a rich scientific programme, fostering knowledge exchange and professional development. Subthemes will explore nursing leadership, healthcare quality, education and the impact of transformative technologies. The Congress will also focus on advocacy, providing a platform for policy discussions on pressing global health issues. Networking opportunities will connect nurses with peers and leaders, promoting collaboration and career advancement. The inclusion of nursing students and early-career professionals underscores the commitment to nurturing the next generation of nurses. The ICN 2025 Congress is a call to action for nurses worldwide to lead transformative change in healthcare, ensuring the profession remains dynamic and influential. Join us in Helsinki to celebrate the power of nursing and explore the many ways in which nurses can lead the change in advancing global health.

디지털 노마드와 워케이션 생태계의 부상에 관한 실증 연구 - 태국 사례를 중심으로

This study explores the emerging lifestyles and work patterns of digital nomads and “workation” (work + vacation) enthusiasts. By analyzing search trends from Google Trends and Naver DataLab, along with related book listings from major online bookstores in South Korea, this study assesses the growing public interest in these phenomena. Field investigations of coworking spaces and surveys with foreign users in Thailand provide insights into the micro-characteristics of digital nomad ecosystems. The findings reveal a surge in public interest in digital nomadism after the COVID-19 pandemic, which signals a paradigm shift in work and life in the post-pandemic era. Case studies in Chiang Mai and Bangkok highlight the crucial role of coworking spaces in fostering digital nomad communities and enhancing work productivity. Surveys uncover heterogeneity among digital nomads, with differences in work styles and lifestyles based on age and gender. However, the sustainability of digital nomadism as an alternative lifestyle requires addressing challenges at individual, social, and institutional levels. The study‘s significance lies in its timely exploration of an emerging topic, multi-level analysis, and evidence-based insights. Although the findings may have limited generalizability mainly due to the small and contextual samples, the study offers valuable contributions to academic discourse and policy discussions. Future studies should examine the long-term impacts of digital nomad lifestyles, conduct cross-national comparisons, and investigate strategies for developing nomad-friendly policies and infrastructure.

Japan's legal framework for copyright protection of AI‐generated works: A comparative law analysis exploring the possibility of Japan's adoption of the UK legislative approach

AbstractThis paper examines the legal policy for copyright protection of artificial intelligence (AI) generated‐works that are autonomously created by AI models without a human's creative process in Japan from the perspective of a comparative law analysis between Japan and the United Kingdom. In summary, this paper concludes that the legal policy‐making approach for copyright protection of AI‐generated works within the framework of Japanese copyright law should involve: (a) addressing concerns about legal consistency through careful selection of a legislative measure; and, therefore, (b) directing the focus of legal policy discussions towards considerations of legal eligibility, moving beyond discussions on legal consistency. This entails an analysis of the strict necessity for copyright protection of AI‐generated works within the prevailing social environment in Japan. First, the focal point of the legal eligibility discussions should focus on a possible loss of market demand for human creations and necessity of social defence to human creations (social defence function for human creations logic) in Japan. In addition, based on the social incentive protection theory, it should be emphasised that the second purpose of incorporation of copyright protection for AI‐generated works under Japanese copyright law is to promote future Japanese industry's investment in AI technologies (AI industry's investment promotion logic), which will indirectly contribute to the cultural advancement in society (Berne Convention's cultural advancement logic). The author expects that the conclusion presented in this paper will accelerate more intensive social scientific analysis work on legal eligibility of the legal policy for copyright protection of AI generated‐works.

THE NEW ATLANTEANS: FORCED MIGRATION, STATELESSNESS AND JUSTICE

With the well-documented predicted continuation of rising sea-levels as a result of man-made climate change over the next century, two interrelated issues have emerged in international law and global policy discussions: what to do about both those who are displaced due to climate change, those whose homelands are entirely physically eradicated due to climate change, and those whose homelands remain geographically/ physically intact but who nonetheless experience forced migrations, and what transnational duties exist in both cases. This article will explore the interrelated but separate nature of these two issues, and the salient features of appropriate transnational responses, particularly the gendered dimensions of forced migration in both cases. It builds upon the existing literature of statelessness, forced migration, displacement and gendered aspects of the transnational obligations in all of these, whilst forging new ground by advancing a new thesis for how the twentieth-century paradigms of forced migration and statelessness must be modified in the wake of this new reality, of climate-crisis-induced forced migration and statelessness.

Understanding blended learning at the intersection of policy discourse and academic discussions

ABSTRACT The effective implementation of blended learning for transforming higher education is hindered by a lack of consensus on its definition. There is a dearth of comprehensive attempts to understand blended learning at the intersection of policy documents and academic literature, particularly in the Indian higher education context. This common understanding is, however, crucial for adding merit to the research and policy initiatives by empirically interlinking them. In its light, the study attempts to understand the term blended learning at the intersection of policy-academia discussions in India. Based on a constant comparison methodology for thematic analysis of various global and national policies and academic research, the study finds three points of discord in defining blended learning, i.e. (i) multi-perspectives on the ingredients of blended learning, (ii) technological hegemony, and (iii) backsliding of the institutional role. This study concludes by proposing a three-fold comprehensive definition of blended learning.

Opportunities for more ecologically centred and equitable relations in local government environmental discourse: insights from Victoria, Australia

ABSTRACT The environment is a complex, life-sustaining, biocultural system. In the context of climate change, biodiversity decline, social inequalities, and calls for transformative change, it is crucial to examine how the environment is represented in policy because environmental representations have implications for governance and material effects. Policy documents express values and shape responsibilities and actions, and power is imbued in the representations and discourses that underpin them. Local government has increasing responsibilities and expectations in relation to the environment, and unique opportunities and constraints including its proximity to the people and environments it represents. This research narrows in to analyse local government discourses in legislated four-year plans in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia, for a detailed example of environmental discourses within a time and place. We ask — what are the distinct and overlapping characteristics of environmental discourses within local governments’ strategic plans, and what opportunities do they present towards more ecologically centred and equitable representations? Drawing on a taxonomy of environmental discourses developed by John Dryzek, we find alignments that indicate the dominant discourses are “reformist”. However, there are divergences that lean into the more “radical” discourses through their focus on relationships of care and stewardship of the environment, and qualitative representations of diverse communities and recognition of their political capabilities. We draw on these findings to consider opportunities and challenges of extending environmental discourses in policy towards a relational approach that centres nature and social equity.

‘Datafied dividuals and learnified potentials’: The coloniality of datafication in an era of learnification

Widespread popular discourse, at the time of writing, is centring on the capabilities of AI technologies, among others, in utilising the readily available mass of data to augment claimed educational problems. These positions often elide the unobjective nature of algorithms and the socio-politically infused assemblages of data available, situated within the neoliberalist scientism dominating educational policy discourse. The simplicity with which datafication treats education has led to a global culture of data-driven techno-rationality that affords ultra-rapid forms of free-floating control settled on an ideology of dataism. Dataism rests on the assumption that sociality and subjectification can be reduced to quantifiable data whereby the student rather than being treated as a subject comes to be treated as data doppelganger. The injustices inherent in datafication and its associated epistemes ignore hidden neoliberal inequalities and maintain the insidious coloniality inherent in advanced capitalism, while simultaneously fuelling the rapid and cyclical stripping of purpose from education itself. There is a need to problematise the hidden logics of coloniality that are both maintained and reproduced within the datafication agenda. The current article draws on decolonial theory to animate the logics of datafication through a Deleuzian reading, situated within the learnification of neoliberal education.

Historical Memories of Russians Today (history of the XX century Russia in the optics of families’ stories)

Referring to the data of long-term sociological research by the Federal Scientific Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the author studies how the historical memory in contemporary Russian society is forming under the influence of the discursive politicization of the national past. The purpose of the article is to study either the images of the recent national past that are rooted in the mass consciousness of Russians being the basis of collective identity, or the changes in attitudes towards the past under the influence of the state rhetoric “historization”. The realization of the scientific purpose involves to solve some research tasks: to study the dynamics of respondents’ interest in the state’s past when political leaders used to apply to historical memory, to analyze what people in Russia think about historical truth, about the ways and the actors of its protection. Under the contemporary political context, when the past and history become tools of political competition, many persons in Russia, for whom the Soviet heritage is the foundation of national identity and family memory, support the idea of the need to protect the socially accepted interpretation of Russian history. In 2020’th the majority of the respondents (37%) claimed the need to react harshly to the distorted interpretation of some events in Russian history when whey answered the question “How should Russia react to the false interpretation of certain historical events in some Western countries?”. The historical truth is considered by the Russia’s citizens as a universal interpretation of historical events, so the majority (48%) claims it is necessary to protect historical memory by the preservation of those interpretations of the historical events, that are admitted by the society. Supporting the idea that historical truth should be protected, Russian citizens rather support harsh political statements and defensive foreign policy discourse than demonstrate real involvement into historical context, their own daily interest in protecting accepted interpretations of the past and personal concern about their correctness. In 2022 less than a third of the respondents (29%) considered the ordinary citizens should protect the historical truth, while the majority claimed the state’s leadership (67%), professional historians (49%) and social scientists (38%) should defend national historical memory.

Student and Instructor Perceptions and Uses of Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education

Background Artificial intelligence (AI) applications have recently become more powerful and accessible. There has been much discussion about the potential impacts of AI on learning and sample applications. Yet, little research exists on how and to what extent AI is being used in educational contexts. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine and compare students’ and instructors’ perceptions and uses of AI in educational settings. Method A sample of 113 undergraduate students and 71 instructors at a public university completed an online survey in which they reported how and how often they use AI for educational and instructional purposes and their views of its potential benefits and detriments to learning. Results Students and instructors reported relatively low AI usage, similar views on potential benefits and detriments to learning, and similar views on acceptable academic use. However, their perceptions diverged in several important ways. Conclusion This research highlights the need for policy, transparency, training, and nuanced discussions about how to use AI effectively and responsibly to promote learning goals. Teaching Implications The survey instruments developed for this study may be useful tools for facilitating conversations, clarifying expectations, and expanding understanding of AI uses in psychology programs.

Weaving The Fabric of True Korean Through Media Exposure Among Youth in Korea

Objective: This research aims to identify distinct perception typologies of national identity among Korean adolescents, focusing on the interplay of ancestral ties, cultural heritage, birthplace, residence, and civic responsibilities. It also examines the role of media portrayals of foreigners in shaping these identity constructs. Theoretical Framework: Guided by Anderson’s “imagined communities” concept, the study employs media framing and priming theories to explore how media influences adolescent perceptions of national identity. Method: Utilizing data from the 2021 Multicultural Acceptance Survey conducted by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, this study applies latent class analysis to assess responses from 5,000 Korean middle and high school students. The survey includes factors such as ancestry, cultural heritage, and civic engagement, with media exposure to foreign volunteers and criminals rated on a five-point Likert scale. Latent regression analysis incorporates media exposure as covariates to evaluate effects on identity formation. Results and Discussion: Five perception types emerge—Ethnic, Pluralistic, Civic, Cultural, and Holistic identities. Media portrayals significantly influence Civic and Pluralistic identities, underscoring media’s formative role in adolescent identity perception. Research Implications: The findings offer insights for multicultural education and identity policy, supporting frameworks that acknowledge diverse youth identities. Originality/Value: This study provides a unique contribution by focusing on adolescents and using latent class analysis for a nuanced understanding of national identity perception types. It further underscores the influential role of media in shaping youth identity, contributing to both media studies and identity policy discourse.

Mapping stakeholder role and influence: Malik ISCs model for sustainable provision of low-income housing

AbstractHousing provision is an integrated network of stakeholders, resources, institutions, and regulations. This study explores the stakeholder analysis approach through grounded theory to rationalize the stakeholder influence and role in developing collaborative frameworks for the sustainable provision of low-income housing in Pakistan. This study aims to theorize the Institutional Stakeholder Collaborations (ISCs) conceptual framework derived from institutional, stakeholder, collaboration, and resource dependence theories. The research also presents an interesting feature, i.e. stakeholder-resource cross-tabulation in achieving the research objective to develop the ISCs theory by placing core categories against stakeholder categories and resource domains. Stakeholder mapping plotted the influence against attributes of power, legitimacy, and interest (PLI) within the context of low-income housing in Punjab, Pakistan. The new theory was generated from the grounded data as a collaborative model for the sustainable provision of low-income housing, i.e., the Malik ISCs Model. This informed discovery of collaboration through the Malik ISCs Model for effectively providing low-income housing projects suggests some key points for the broader global policy discourse of housing development, emphasizing the low-income segment.

Science at the Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority: post-normal science for recalibration of policy instruments.

Post-normal conditions require post-normal resolutions. When stakes are high and values are disputed, policy discussions and decisions cannot rely on science alone. Such discussions require post-normal science, which centralizes the qualitative value of diverse knowledge groups. We discuss the usefulness of post-normal science in the context of the work of the Secretariat at the International Seabed Authority. In particular, we explore the need to expand the understanding of science and knowledge – the key components informing deep-seabed policies. Marine science encompasses a broad range of research topics and interests – from blue humanities with analyses of human-Ocean relations, to physics of particulate matter, to marine policy research. The increasing number of disciplines applied to marine science demonstrates growth in our collective knowledge of the Ocean and, in turn, increased realization and appreciation of the limitations of what we know. Such knowledge challenges are discussed among natural and social scientists. The Secretariat depends on broad expertise, from natural sciences, social sciences, civil society and beyond. In short, we argue that post-normal science can help metaphorically recalibrate policy-shaping instruments (the practice) so that decision-making processes and policy agendas are implemented for transformative actions.