Postgraduate Programs Research Articles

The magic of preloved sarees, thrifting your way to elegance

Learning outcomes The primary learning objective is to challenge students to evaluate the decision facing The Magic of Sarees (MOS) Preloved. The students will need to assess the risks involved versus maintaining the status quo. Students should apply strategic management concepts in their analysis. The second learning objective focuses on developing the students’ understanding of effective merchandising and pricing strategies for MOS Preloved. This case study discusses how MOS Preloved manages its inventory, the constant refreshing of collections and seasonal relevance and also discusses challenges and opportunities associated with managing a preloved inventory, considering factors like authenticity and quality control. This case study also considers pricing strategies (BCG matrix could be referenced for differential pricing) that could be used to strengthen the brand’s identity of “affordable, accessible, and authentic sustainable fashion”. Case overview/synopsis This case study is based on the brand “MOS Preloved”, an e-commerce market place in India for the buying and selling of preloved sarees. Founded by Susmita Misra in July 2021, the objective of the business is to create an online marketplace, buy and sell, for preowned sarees that facilitates circular economy. The accompanying saree stories add to the allure and ensure the magic of these sarees continues for the entire lifetime of each saree. Being an unstitched garment, the saree has no size limitation and with a little care could last for at least 100 wears. This case study discusses the founder’s dilemma of deciding to premiumize the merchandise which would include both adding higher priced preowned sarees as well as charging 50% of market price for current merchandise (currently being priced at 25%–40% of the current market price). The decision requires considerable investment in terms of information technology, infrastructure, human resources and marketing spends. Given how nascent, unorganized and unbranded the preloved saree market is, the founder is unsure of the time that it could take to get the return on investment. The risk: the longer she hesitates, the more vulnerable her monopoly becomes. The case study also discusses the evolution of saree into contemporary wear, the hurdles and possibilities in the preloved fashion sector and brand MOS Preloved’s attempts at creating a distinctive positioning. Complexity academic level This case study is suitable for postgraduate programme for MBA. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS11: Strategy.

The status quo of global geriatric radiation oncology education: A scoping review

PurposeTo identify potential gaps in geriatric radiation oncology (RO) education worldwide, as measured by geriatric oncology (GO) content within postgraduate RO training program (TP) curricula across 8 focus countries. Methods and materialsThe need for improved education around GO is internationally recognized and is a key strategic priority of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG).Two reviewers undertook a systematic scoping review from March to September 2023. Focus countries were selected using predefined selection criteria based on national radiation therapy (RT) service provision, RT access and post-graduate specialty training standards. This review is in accordance with evidence-based curriculum design methodology and represents the initial phase i.e., problem identification and needs assessment. ResultsOverall RO TP and curriculum elements varied by jurisdiction. Common elements included length of training, summative assessments and prerequisite requirements. Considerable variability exists across TPs around identified learning outcomes, content, TP organization, training networks and accreditation.Across 6 TPs, only 2 had any documented GO curriculum content. Of these, only one contained geriatric RO content scoring moderate to high based on accepted quality benchmarks. Outside official RO TPs, there is considerable GO online education content, including face to face courses, peer-reviewed articles, learning materials and resources relevant to RO postgraduate training worldwide. However accessibility to these learning interventions may be region specific and content is not standardized. ConclusionsAs expected, this systematic scoping review has identified significant gaps in GO education within RO TPs worldwide. These findings represent an essential step in the development of evidence-based recommendations for updating standards for GO training within RO training programs and establishing a globally accepted, standardized benchmarks for minimal geriatric RO education. In turn, this will ensure future radiation oncologists are able to deliver a high standard of care to and improve outcomes for older people with cancer.

Formal degree programs in physiology promote careers of clinical scientists and benefit basic science departments.

Physiologists may play critical roles in the development of clinician-scientists who aspire to an academic career. The complexity of contemporary biomedical science and economic matters regarding postgraduate education pose real conundrums. We report a more than 22-year follow-up of surgical trainees pursuing bench laboratory science experience through a collaboration between a physiology postgraduate program and a surgical researcher program within a single public medical school. The sources and resources include selection, funding, physiology classroom work, and laboratory studies with personal involvement by faculty that have seldom been recorded, especially with longer term career outcomes. These selected PhD candidates have subsequently pursued several lines of activity, many with distinguished careers and major influences upon future generations of academic surgeons.

The evolution of design postgraduate programmes in Mexico: Perspectives from three regions (2008–2023)

Design education and research in Mexico have been advancing and adapting to the different contexts of the country’s regions. European influence was particularly relevant for creating art academies and establishing contact with pioneering institutions that led to the rise of postgraduate programmes. This study aims to analyse the national context and postgraduate design programmes in three regions of Mexico to describe their academic trajectory, growth rate, and perspectives, and to identify improvement opportunities by promoting collegiate work. The study concludes that, while Mexico has made notable progress in increasing graduate educational programmes and design research, achieving a higher quality profile and international recognition requires addressing current deficiencies in doctoral programmes. Improving the practical application of research and aligning doctoral studies with national and global needs are essential steps to advance Mexico’s academic and professional design landscape.

The Role of the Church in Maintaining Religious Pluralism and Its Implementation Through PAK in the Kaliabang Officers HKBP Church in Mangseng 3, Central Kaliabang

The Role of the Church in Maintaining Religious Pluralism and Its Implementation Through PAK in the Kaliabang Officers HKBP Church in Mangseng 3, Central Kaliabang. Thesis of the Doctoral Program in Christian Religious Education. Indonesian Christian University Postgraduate Program, Jakarta, 2024. This study aims to determine the role of the church in maintaining religious pluralism and its implementation through PAK in the Kaliabang Perwira HKBP church in Mangseng 3, Kaliabang Tengah. Researchers used descriptive qualitative methods, namely by conducting interview and documentation data collection techniques. The congregation must be able to understand what is the main role of the church in its vocation, especially in the midst of religious pluralism in the Mangseng neighborhood. 3. Understanding of Christian Religious Education is very helpful for the church in maintaining religious pluralism and implementing it in the midst of the Mangseng 3 Kaliabang Tengah environment.

Exploring Metacognitive Awareness and Metaliteracy Skills Towards Becoming a Self-Determined Postgraduate Student: A Case Study

Research and scholarly output are essential in the advancement of knowledge and society as a whole. In South Africa, the Council for Higher Education (CHE) requires that learning and teaching at higher education institutions (HEIs) must be informed by research done by universities. With high dropout rates these aspirations are not attainable. The question that this study addresses is: firstly, what motivates emerging researchers and postgraduate students to enrol for research and postgraduate programmes at a South African higher education institution, and secondly, what motivates them to complete their studies. Following a qualitative approach, this case study explores self-determination awareness among a group of master’s students in a supervisory context. It interrogates requisite metaliteracy competencies and the core metacognitive attributes underpinning human motivation. The aim is to ascertain how students doing research could be supported and developed to become self-directed and motivated to conduct and complete quality research. The value of the study lies in adding new knowledge to an under-explored area and to propose steps to close the current gap.

Sustained Success: Evaluating the Enduring Effects of Leadership Training on Professional Growth

The focus of this longitudinal study is on the long-term effectiveness of leadership training modules on the professional growth of graduates, with a particular emphasis on the strategic management and leadership training modules in postgraduate management education programmes. The study aims to track a cohort of graduates over five years post-module completion, assessing their leadership skills, career progression, and their impact on organisational performance. The first phase of the study focused on the initial assessment of the ongoing influence of leadership training over time, highlighting the key areas of career progression. Data was collected at multiple time points—immediately post-completion, and at the 1, 2, and 5-year mark. This approach enables a comprehensive analysis of the trajectory of leadership development over time. The study employs quantitative methods, administering the same questionnaire annually to the same cohort of graduates. The consistent data collection allows for a robust comparative analysis across different years, providing insights into how the leadership training modules contribute to individual career progression and organisational outcomes over time. Initial findings revealed that six months after completing the module, 90% of respondents integrated the leadership concepts into their daily activities, with a 75% implementation rate. Additionally, 80% observed noticeable changes in job responsibilities, and 85% reported increased job satisfaction. One-year post-completion, 55% of the initial respondents participated in the study, with 29% engaging in further leadership development programs. All respondents perceived a significant improvement in job performance, and 41% received promotions or career advancement opportunities. Two years after completion, 29% of the original respondents remained employed at the organisation. Among them, 76% attributed their career advancements to the leadership module, and 80% felt confident in leading and managing teams. Additionally, 84% were satisfied with their overall career progression. Five years post-completion, only 13% of respondents remained employed, with 90% rating the module's long-term impact on their leadership abilities and career trajectory as significant. All these respondents had assumed leadership roles and rated their organisation's overall success positively. This research significantly contributes to understanding the sustained impact of leadership education and offers valuable implications for curriculum developers, educators, and organisational leaders, highlighting the importance of continuous investment in leadership development for long-term career and organisational success.

Optimising Data Analytics to Enhance Postgraduate Student Academic Achievement: A Systematic Review

This systematic review investigated how Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) optimise data analytics in postgraduate programmes to enhance student achievement. Existing research explores the theoretical benefits of data analytics but lacks practical guidance on strategies to effectively implement and utilise data analytics for student success. As such, this review aimed to identify data analytics approaches used by HEIs and explore challenges and best practices in their application. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Five databases were searched. Studies that examined data analytics in HEIs postgraduate programmes and their impact on student learning were included. Studies that were solely theoretical or in non-postgraduate settings were excluded. Twenty-six studies were included. Quality assessment using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Checklist was employed. The review identified various data analytics approaches including descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics, among others. These approaches can improve foundational skills, create supportive learning environments, and optimise teaching strategies. However, limitations (standardised tests, data integration) and privacy concerns were acknowledged. Recommendations include developing a comprehensive evaluation system, equipping educators with the skills to utilise diverse analytics to enhance student achievement, fostering open communication about data use, and cultivating a data-literate student body. While diverse approaches were explored, the review’s lack of specific contextual details may limit the generalisability of findings. To mitigate this, the review categorised techniques and provided references for further exploration.

Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) in postgraduate periodontics programs in Saudi Arabia: A modified Delphi study

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study was to obtain a validated consensus among expert periodontists in Saudi Arabia regarding end‐of‐periodontics‐residency‐training entrustable professional activities (EPAs) using a modified Delphi method.MethodsThe study consisted of two phases. A preliminary phase in which experts met and proposed an initial list of EPAs following an extensive literature review. The second phase consisted of two rounds of the modified Delphi method in which expert periodontists in Saudi Arabia determined the content validity of each EPA. This was determined with a 5‐point scale ranging from 1 (not important/relevant) to 5 (very important/relevant), and the mean score for each EPA was calculated. EPAs with a mean value of ≤ 4 or agreement rate among experts of less than 80% were excluded.ResultsAn initial list of 40 EPAs was proposed. A total of 30 expert periodontists participated in the first round, and 24 participated in the second round of the modified Delphi method ratings. Most of the participants were program directors and represented different programs and cities in Saudi Arabia. Five EPAs were removed, and a final list of EPAs was produced based on the defined criteria. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.920, indicating high reliability.ConclusionsA final list of 35 end‐of‐periodontics‐training EPAs was produced. The findings of this study can serve as a valuable resource for curriculum development, assessments, and evaluation of periodontics training programs in Saudi Arabia.

Sensemaking of wave–particle duality in a scientific outreach minicourse: a study based in self-regulation

Abstract On the Internet, Quantum Mechanics is an area of physics that is shrouded in misinterpretations. In this scenario, scientific outreach may serve as an instrument for disseminating scientific knowledge. Especially in this context, it is important that people’s learning encompasses more than the meanings of concepts and laws, involving aspects related to the ‘why’ and ‘for what purpose’ the knowledge was and is constructed. We consider these aspects as components of the sense, the connotative and subjective dimension of conceptual learning which encompasses a positioning of an individual towards a concept and its relevance in the physics framework. Motivated by this, in the present study, we investigated the senses ascribed to the concept of wave–particle duality (WPD) by 121 participants in a two-day (five-hour) science outreach minicourse in the double-slit experiment. Drawing on the ideas of Franco et al (2023, Cadernos de Pesquisa do Programa de Pós-graduação em Ensino de Física da UFRGS (Research Notebooks from the Postgraduate Program in Physics Teaching at UFRGS), Pimenta Cultural Editors S/A), we posit sensemaking as a type of cognitive effort to overcome a situation, viewed as a self-regulatory phenomenon wherein individuals self-observe, self-evaluate, and self-react to the situation to achieve a certain goal. In addition to identifying the senses attributed to the concept of WPD, we assessed the relationships between these senses and participants’ performance in a standardized test of this concept, as well as their educational background and field of study. Data were collected using questionnaires answered before and at the end of the course. The senses ascribed to the concept of WPD were investigated through similarity and cluster analysis based on responses to essay questions. The relationships among these senses, questionnaire performance, and educational background were evaluated using non-parametric statistical tests. We infer two senses attributed to wave–particle duality: (1) WPD is a basic and fundamental concept that impacts the way we comprehend the essence of nature, and (2) WPD is a very advanced concept restricted to the field of Quantum Mechanics. A statistically significant correlation (0.26 was identified between the senses attributed and participants’ performance on the standardized test, suggesting that the sense ascribed to a concept and performance in questions requiring its mobilization are overlapping elements but constitute two distinct dimensions of learning that need to be assessed simultaneously.

The European Rare Kidney Disease Reference Network

Rare kidney diseases encompass awide range of congenital, inherited and acquired conditions. Two million Europeans are affected by rare kidney diseases. The European Rare Kidney Disease Reference Network (ERKNet) aims to improve the clinical management of patients with these diseases. ERKNet encompasses 95highly specialized adult and pediatric nephrology units at 72sites in 24European Union (EU) member states, as well as agroup of patient advocates (European Patient Advocacy Group, ePAG). ERKNet centers care for more than 65,000 rare kidney disease patients and pursues avariety of activities. An online consultation service helps improve the management of complex cases. Expert working groups develop clinical practice guidelines for individual groups of rare kidney diseases. In a3-year postgraduate program, junior physicians at ERKNet centers are trained by experts in the diagnosis and treatment of rare kidney diseases through webinars and case-based eLearning modules. Information brochures and online texts on rare kidney diseases for patients, relatives and the general public are produced and disseminated. Clinical research is supported by aEuropean Registry for Rare Kidney Diseases (ERKReg), which provides important information on demographics and disease progression and facilitates the identification of patient cohorts for therapeutic studies. In addition, the registry provides clinical performance statistics of reference centers and allows benchmarking to promote the harmonization and standardization of care for rare kidney disease patients across Europe.

Responding to the literacy load of science in monocultural contexts:

Existing research about literacy within different subjects suggests that specialist language styles add an extra load to student learning. This has resulted in changes to centralized policy mandates in various jurisdictions, eliciting a variety of responses, including enthusiasm, agreement, compliance, neglect, subversion, and/or resistance. This mixed method study investigated whether 55 secondary school teachers from a culturally homogenous coastal region of Eastern Australia recognized literacy issues within science and their responses to such issues. There were three main findings. Firstly, only one third of participating mainstream science teachers accepted direct responsibility for helping their students deal with the literacy load of science, but most participating teachers recognized the literacy nature of more than half of the activities suggested to them. Secondly, participants teaching classes at several grade levels, and female participants, reported using a greater range of literacy activities in their science classes, and more clearly content-related activities were mentioned more frequently. Thirdly, participants who had completed a postgraduate teacher preparation program were more likely to express confidence in dealing with the literacy load of science and acceptance of responsibility for doing so. Time spent on literacy in teacher preparation programs appears to influence positive mainstream science teacher attitudes and practices in response to the literacy load of science. Study findings challenge conventional views of teacher recalcitrance, and they support the maintenance of policy and teacher preparation practices that encourage science teachers to respond productively to student literacy needs that have been identified by on-going research.

Advanced practice nursing in surgery: A scoping review of roles, responsibilities, and educational programs.

The increasing complexity of the healthcare sector requires an evolution in nursing education to effectively manage care in complex and interdisciplinary contexts. This review aims to analyze the role of advanced practice nurse (APN) in the surgical context within hospital settings, detailing their functions and responsibilities. It also provides an overview of the main degrees and postgraduate training programs for specialization in perioperative management in major Western countries. This scoping review followed the Arksey-O'Malley framework and Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) was used to ensure rigorous and transparent reporting. Among the 3663 records analyzed, 20 were included in this review. The role of the APN spans across the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases, encompassing follow-up care as leaders, mentors, and contributors to research. APNs play a pivotal role by offering direct and indirect patient care at each stage of the surgical journey. Acting as liaisons between the healthcare team and patients, APNs enhance healthcare delivery through personalized, coordinated care, while also fostering ongoing education and research in the field. APNs enhance surgical care by providing in-depth clinical assessments, education, and support throughout the treatment process. However, the lack of standardized regulatory frameworks in some countries limits the autonomy of APNs within the healthcare system, compromising their ability to address unmet health needs and engage in international collaboration. The findings underscore the need for standardized educational pathways, roles, responsibilities, and autonomy for APNs, facilitating better international collaboration and contributing to scientific research.

Orthodontic-orthognathic combined case management in postgraduate orthodontic and oral maxillofacial surgery programs.

With the development of three-dimensional (3D) image, the 3D virtual surgical planning (VSP) system has been broadly used in the treatment planning of orthodontic-orthognathic cases. This study aimed to understand the current education status regarding the use of orthodontic-orthognathic surgical planning tools in the postgraduate orthodontic and oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) programs in North America. An electronic multiple-choice survey was sent via email with 2-week and 1-month follow-ups, requesting anonymous participation of program directors/department chairs from all postgraduate orthodontic and OMFS programs in North America. Responses were collected directly on Qualtrics for analysis. The response rate was 25.68% for orthodontic and 34.34% for OMFS programs. Two-dimensional traditional surgical planning (TSP) at initial treatment planning and 3D VSP right before surgery were most commonly utilized in both specialty programs. All responded postgraduate OMFS programs utilized VSP, yet 26.32% of responded orthodontic programs did not utilize VSP. For the surgical outcomes, fewer orthodontic programs were highly satisfied than OMFS programs. More orthodontic programs warranted secondary surgery at a higher rate due to the unsatisfied outcome. Additionally, the orthodontic programs that did not use VSP showed higher unsatisfied surgical outcomes than the programs that used VSP. Moreover, there were discrepancies between orthodontic and OMFS programs regarding the perceived level of collaboration of each other on the surgical planning for the patients. There were discrepancies between orthodontic and OMFS programs regarding the utilization of VSP, treatment outcomes satisfaction, and perceived level of collaboration on surgical planning for the patients.

ECO_CARE Fieldtrip on the Rio Negro (municipality of Novo Airão, Comunidade Tiririca) and academic collaboration with indigenous women, traditional people and Master’s students

This report summarises the activities undertaken by the ECOCARE team during the week of November 3 to November 4, focusing on fieldwork on the Rio Negro, specifically in the municipality of Novo Airão and the Comunidade Tiririca. Additionally, the team organised a meeting with the indigenous women of the Amarn organization and an academic activity on storytelling and emotional literacy with the Master’s students of the Postgraduate Program in Law at the UFAM, emphasizing a hands-on approach to learning and mutual exchange of knowledge.The activities were part of a broader initiative to foster meaningful partnerships and enhance educational opportunities through direct interaction with indigenous communities and academic partners. This initiative aligns with our ongoing commitment to support indigenous scholarship and integrate it within academic frameworks, thereby enriching the educational experiences of all participants.

Student perspectives on learning transfer from online postgraduate sonography courses to traineeships: A pilot survey

AbstractIntroductionThis survey aims to understand how postgraduate sonography students perceive to apply knowledge from online coursework to traineeships. It also explores the impact of students' age, gender, traineeship duration and geographic location on learning transfer. The ability to apply learnt knowledge is a key factor for student success in higher education and the workplace, yet it is an under‐researched topic.MethodThe Human Research Ethics Committee of an Australian university granted ethical approval. A pilot online survey was sent to 279 medical sonography students enrolled in an online postgraduate program. These students had an industry traineeship as a corequisite to online coursework. The survey was sent via email on Microsoft Forms from October to December 2023. Descriptive, Likert scale and free‐text data were analysed using Microsoft Excel, IBM SPSS Statistics (version 29) and Lumivero NVivo (version 14).ResultsThe response rate was 38% (n = 106). Most respondents agreed that they developed transfer skills from online courses. Practice questions, lectures and interactive sessions emerged as the key online learning activities that helped to facilitate knowledge transfer. With summative assessments, case studies enhanced knowledge transfer. No significant difference was seen in the transfer ability based on geographical location, age and gender.ConclusionIt is challenging for online educators to foster transfer skills to prepare safe, competent, job‐ready graduates. Our study has provided initial insights on enablers of online learning transfer to online educators on students' perspectives of how they see the relevance and how they apply knowledge from online courses to traineeships.

Animal Protection in Brazil: Legislative and the Society Evolvement in the Last Century

The aim of this review was to analyze Brazilian animal protection policy throughout history and discuss the importance of some recent events and societal developments in its modernisation. A search for the complete legislation and scientific works was performed on the government’s website and search platforms (Google scholar, Science direct and CAPES). It was observed that the first Brazilian law on animal protection was published in 1924. After this, several amendments were incorporated. The current Brazilian Constitution, published in 1988, was a landmark in the modernisation of animal protection in the country as it allowed the recognition of sentience and thus characterised cruelty and mistreatment of animals as crimes. At the same time, society has evolved, increasing the proximity with animals until the recent development of the concept of the multi-species family positioning animals as family members. Recent reports have shown that animal abuse and cruelty can still occur and the application of the animal protection policy is allowing pursuits and condemnation of offenders. Brazil is a young country but its policy on animal protection and its society greatly evolved in the last century. This progress is still ongoing as the society is taking an active role to push improvements on public policies and surveillance towards animal mistreatments. However, it would be advisable to include the real needs of animals in the reflections in order to avoid making decisions that are erroneously harmful to animals. This work was a collaboration between the post-graduation program of the Veterinary school of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco – Brazil and The National school of veterinary of Alfort - France, from January to August 2024.

Educational competencies for telehealth physical therapy: Results of a modified Delphi process.

Telehealth is becoming more prevalent in physical therapy, involving a whole host of clinical services. These services are often provided without structured training in telehealth, and no formal curricula currently exist for this purpose. To develop a set of educational competencies (ECs) to guide instruction of telehealth-related skills in entry-level programs (i.e., Doctor of Physical Therapy), existing programs (i.e., residencies and fellowships), and potential future post-graduate programs specific to telehealth physical therapy. Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants from diverse geographic locations and practice areas were invited to participate on an expert panel. A modified Delphi process was then used to evaluate the acceptability of draft ECs gathered from the extant literature by a steering group. Draft ECs were presented to the expert panel on a questionnaire, which asked expert participants to rate each draft EC according to applicability and clarity. Draft ECs were accepted if they met a priori established criteria for acceptability and clarity. Unendorsed ECs were revised by the steering group according to open-ended comments from respondents and presented during a subsequent round. Three rounds of surveys were undertaken. Thirty-eight participants formed the expert panel; 38 participants completed the Round 1 survey, 28 participants completed the Round 2 survey, and 24 participants completed the Round 3 survey. Delphi group members approved 48 ECs in the first round, 23 ECs in the second round, and 2 ECs in the third round. There were 4 ECs that remained unendorsed after the modified Delphi process. Endorsed ECs spanned 7 conceptual areas. Distinct sets of ECs characterized expected end points of first professional degree, existing residency and fellowship, and potential future telehealth physical therapy post-graduate program. Consensus-based ECs identified in this study may guide instruction in knowledge and skills relevant to physical therapy telehealth.

The impact of an online gamified virtual tour on cognitive enhancement in dental practice management

Dental practice management is usually a mandatory course for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. However, learners and educators may encounter challenges in gaining experiences in real-life dental practice. The concept of a gamified virtual tour could have potential to improve dental practice management skills. A quasi-experimental study was conducted to evaluate the educational impact of a gamified virtual dental clinic (GVDC) on dental practice management skills among dental undergraduates (UG) and postgraduates (PG). All participants were assigned to complete the GVDC. Pre- and post-knowledge assessments were administered to evaluate knowledge acquisition. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to investigate user perceptions toward the use of GVDC. There were 20 dental undergraduates and 20 orthodontic residents participating in UG and PG groups, respectively. Both groups demonstrated statistically significant increases in their assessment scores after completing the GVDC (P < 0.001). Although the pre-knowledge assessment score of the PG group was notably higher than that of the UG group (P = 0.041), there was no statistically significant difference in their post-knowledge assessment score (P = 0.491). Participants had positive perceptions of GVDC in terms of usefulness, ease of use, and enjoyment, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). Overall, the GVDC demonstrated positive educational impacts on acquiring knowledge and understanding of dental practice management, with participants expressing favorable perceptions of this immersive learning intervention.

Stained glass ceilings: Gender and race in accounting academia in Brazil

AbstractBrazil is divided into five large regions marked by profound economic and social inequalities. Such vast differences can make people feel like “foreigners”, even though they live in the same country. Here, meritocracy is seen as the criterion for assessing and promoting people, which is conflicting given the absurdly unequal contexts in the country. This choice widens inequalities of gender, race and, above all, social class. Between 2000 and 2018, Brazil experienced profound social transformations. Female participation in the labor market grew, although there were still barriers to access and professional advancement for women, which were exacerbated in the case of black women. When it came to leadership positions, they were almost always blocked by processes which depended on subjective decisions from evaluators. These circumstances occur through daily confrontations with processes of sexualisation and racialisation. These transformations were followed in the most recent period by clear setbacks, deepened by the COVID‐19 pandemic and intense political polarization. A milestone in terms of Esperançar, a verb proposed by Paulo Freire (1992), were the 2022 presidential elections, understood as a process of re‐democratisation. The social achievements that have been maintained, however, are ‘advances’ that work differently when the diversity of the population and regional differences are taken into account. With this particular context in mind, the aim of this study is to investigate how the “glass ceiling” phenomenon has been present in the daily interactions and academic trajectory of black women in the accounting field. The question that underpinned this study was: how can the academic accounting environment, considering practice and discourse, boost or hinder the “glass ceiling” phenomenon in the professional career of black female academics? This is a qualitative study with a post‐structuralist approach, based on the adoption of auto‐ethnographic and oral history techniques. The evidence was built up through semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews with female academics who had graduated from postgraduate programmes. This corpus was analyzed from an interpretivist perspective and the findings reveal that the “glass ceiling” phenomenon is present in accounting academia in Brazil and is expressed in barriers specific to the field. Barriers are erected in processes of closure, blocking the path of black women who aim to succeed in prestigious academic spaces, regardless of their level of qualification. In this way, they are conceptualized as “stained glass ceilings”, because the barriers become visible and concrete in a country where racism is a structuring element of social relations.