Equity Problems Research Articles

Hestia to Demeter: Reducing Agrochemical Pollution to Empower Women Farmers

The 2020 Farm to Fork strategy by the European Commission aimed to reduce agrochemical pollutants and protect biodiversity but stirred controversy due to conflicts between intensive agriculture demands and environmental priorities. Strict limits on agrochemical residues required farmers to produce less. The de-intensification and agroecology prone policy impacted livelihoods, sparking political upheaval. Due to lack of pesticide alternatives and extension services, Lebanese exports have faced challenges complying with residue restrictions. Agricultural laborers and consumers are exposed to high levels of pesticide residue. Undocumented refugee women form a significant part of the agricultural workforce, and women led agricultural cooperatives have minimal access to funding, exacerbating gender inequity. The American University of Beirut (AUB) has played a pivotal role in agroecology research, rural development, and gender equity. Knowledge transfer promotes civic awareness and private sector partnerships. Local Natural enemies and parasites emerged as a residue-free alternative to agrochemicals. Biocontrol-based integrated pest management holds great potential for mitigating pesticides hazards to human and environmental health. Launching the “natural predators” initiative from women-run farms holds a great promise in dually resolving the problems of agrochemical pollution and gender equity in the agricultural sector. Empowering women in agriculture aims to transform their role from care work to farm management. This paper focuses on the technical aspects of developing “natural enemies” as pesticides alternative for Lebanese agriculture, aiming to overcome export challenges and revitalize the economy. "Farm to Fork meets Hestia to Demeter" underscores AUB's commitment to sustainability aligns climate action with gender equity. By supporting women entrepreneurs and addressing climate change's impact on public health, the initiative contributes to AUB's broader mission of advancing Lebanon and the region through Education for Sustainable Development.

Research on Dynamic Evaluation Method of Tourist Destination Accessibility Based on Interpretive Structure Model

Because of its core role in the process of tourism, tourism destination has always been the focus of discussion among the industry, but the comprehensive evaluation of tourism destination is rarely mentioned. This paper selects tourism destination as the focus of investigation, gives the evaluation method of tourism destination, adapts to the trend of tourism modernization, and discusses the quantifiable model of tourism destination evaluation. This paper first selects several tourism destinations as samples, collects and combs the information related to spatial equity of tourism destinations, and determines the main problem categories of spatial equity of tourism destinations. Then, through the summary of relevant data and case analysis, a framework of tourism target accessibility risk factors is formed. At the same time, considering the interaction between risk factors, we then give a method to determine the weight that can improve granular computing. First, we use this method to obtain the quotient space family with hierarchical characteristics through the similarity relationship between data, and then we can calculate the importance of each feature in the quotient space family, so as to obtain the corresponding weight between different influence indexes. Finally, the paper takes the tourism destination spatial equity problem as the main research goal, and through the dynamic evaluation of the tourism destination spatial equity risk impact structure using the interpretive structure model, and describes the schematic diagram of its impact structure, so as to find out the direct, source, process and other factors that cause the problem.

The Analysis of the Necessity and Impact of Property and Inheritance Taxes in China

The purpose of this paper is to explore the necessity and possible impact of the implementation of property tax and inheritance tax in China based on the Western tax system and the existing experience and background in China. After understanding the provisions of the Western tax system, the comments of Western people, and the results of relevant experiments in China, we found that China’s existing economic structure may create a number of problems and the low level of asset mobility of a small number of high-net-worth individuals and their small contributions to social and economic consumption also require a new tax for social wealth redistribution. Property tax and inheritance tax would be the right solution to local debt and social equity problems.

Can socialised agricultural services balance equity and efficiency? Analysis from the perspective of government-market relationships

ABSTRACT Socialized agricultural services (SASs) are becoming increasingly popular in developing countries to address future farming challenges. In China, there is an ongoing debate in the academic community regarding the equity and efficiency issues arising from whether SASs have a ‘smallholder crowding out’ effect. By using data from the 2018 China Labour Force Dynamics Survey, we first investigate the equity problem of SASs using a Logit model and then analyse the efficiency problem of SASs using the propensity score matching model. Specifically, we examine whether smallholder farmers have equal access to SASs when different entities provide services and whether SASs can effectively increase farmer cultivation returns. We find that smallholder farmers have equal access to SASs and that SASs can significantly improve farmer returns on grain production, meaning SASs can balance efficiency and equity. Furthermore, SASs can enhance the efficiency of land resource allocation by accelerating land transfer, leading to increased returns. These findings indicate that China should accelerate the construction of SAS system, improve relevant rules for the SAS market, and support smallholder farmers in adopting SASs.

Disrupting Durabilities of Colonial Logics in the Field of Special Education: Toward Abolitionist Futures

Background: The field of special education (SPED) has struggled with persistent equity problems in providing meaningful learning opportunities for students of color. These inequities are experienced by students navigating the intersection of race and disability, marginalizing and harming them. Critical scholars urge SPED to carefully consider its epistemic investments when attempting to address these injustices. Purpose: This essay demonstrates the connections between persistent equity issues in SPED and the colonial logics of placement and sorting. By drawing parallels between the epistemes that organize SPED and colonial logics, this essay argues that addressing equity issues in SPED must seriously consider its entanglements with colonial durabilities. Recommendations: This essay urges SPED to consider abolitionist praxis as a way of disrupting the persistent inequities faced by multiply marginalized students of color. Abolitionist praxis provides the necessary tools for dismantling the durability of colonial logics.

The impact of digital finance on young People's health insurance participation decisions in China.

The digital finance era has reshaped young people's lifestyles, risk perceptions and insurance participation decisions. Modern youth have to constantly seek for rational social security support and construct individual protection barriers to adapt to new lifestyles and social structures. China's multi-tiered, universal health insurance system is urgently needed to satisfy young people's flexible needs and rational decision-making. Based on the micro data from 2011 ~ 2021 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), this paper uses macro data from Digital Inclusive Finance Index (DIFI) matching to construct probit and m-logit model to assess the impact of the development of digital finance on Chinese youth whether or not to participate in health insurance, and how they choose the concrete type of health insurance. (1) Baseline regression results shows that digital finance has a significant positive effect on Chinese youth's health insurance participation decisions, and has different effects on choices within health insurance types. Strong support for the conclusions is provided by endogeneity and robustness tests. (2) The results of the heterogeneity analysis reveal that the marginal effect of digital finance on young people's health insurance decisions shows urban-rural differences, divergence in levels of self-rated health. (3) The mechanism analysis results suggest that there are two mechanism paths of digital finance on youth health insurance decisions: the household income effect and the subjective well-being effect, and two moderating effects: employment type and family structure. Highlighting the positive value that digital finance brings to the perception of youth insurance participation and the construction of social security systems, it needs to pay close attention to the dynamic changes in employment security and family structure through data, and explore the socio-psychological fluctuation and demand for social security among modern youth. To provide a way forward to achieve the integration of the health insurance system in China and solve the current problem of health insurance equity.

Undergraduate Students’ Confidence in Scientific Activity and Support Systems Based on Diversity in an Environmental Science Course

Undergraduate student support systems and individual confidence in science courses have been linked to better academic performance among college students. As the topics of diversity and inclusion continue to draw the attention of the collegiate, the problem of equity surrounding supportive learning environments for all races in higher education comes into focus. This paper adds to the literature by highlighting the importance of adequate support for students in collegiate settings. Disparities in student support and confidence with scientific activities among students of color (SOC) and white students in an undergraduate environmental science course had been evaluated. Students (n = 235) were asked to complete a Qualtrics survey containing questions focused on evaluating support from parents, siblings, close relatives, friends, peers, classmates, and professors and confidence regarding self-efficacy in learning and doing scientific activities. The perceived support and confidence in scientific activities in white students and SOC were measured using an independent T-test. The findings demonstrated that white students may have had access to stronger support systems and had higher perceived confidence levels in completing scientific activities based on survey responses. On average, white students had greater perceived support and more confidence. As a result, higher dropout rates, lower performance overall, and alienation of these students in higher education environments could occur. If this trend continues, racial discrepancies suggest that students of color need stronger support networks related to scientific activities in higher education settings. KEYWORDS: Student Support; Student Scientific Confidence; STEM Confidence; Students of Color; Academic Support; Undergraduate Student; Family Support; Student Peers

Participatory mapping of tree equity, preferences, and environmental justice in Portland, Oregon

In this study, we examine community lived experiences, preferences, and narratives about tree equity in Portland, Oregon. Using an environmental justice framework combined with participatory mapping, focus group discussions, and semi-structured interviews, we examine values, perceptions of canopy cover, and everyday relationships with trees across different racial and socio-economic backgrounds. Results show that participants from neighborhoods with histories of investment and privilege had different lived experiences compared to those with histories of disinvestment and marginalization. While participants overall valued trees, concerns about tree-related risk and safety varied in ways that reflected racial and class identities. Furthermore, memories and historic knowledge shaped perceived tree equity but contemporary problems such as tree removal, maintenance policies, and gentrification were viewed as barriers to achieving more equitable outcomes. Our study underscores the importance of centering community experiences, values, and needs along with tree programs that can alleviate barriers to tree care and maintenance.

Situating a Prism to See ‘All Colors’: Evaluations of the E-school System in Türkiye from the Perspective of Educational Equity

This research intends to delve into the first-hand information pertaining to learning analytics that belongs to PreK–12 education at micro, meso, and macro levels (Shum, 2012) in Türkiye from the perspective of equity in education through seeking to obtain the views of educational authorities and policy makers viz. school principals, the members of district national education directorate as well as those of Innovation and Educational Technologies General Directorate of MoNE (Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Education). To do so, adopting a qualitative route, the study attempts to inquire into the perceptions of the said groups i.e., 45 participants; in total-with 15 participants from each-about the role and place of the existing “E-school” structure that employs learning analytics towards the use of Big Data in Türkiye. This is realized particularly toward addressing and catering to students at risk alongside the disadvantaged. In this direction the research question is: “How do the decision-making bodies in Türkiye see the current E-school system as regards ensuring and sustaining educational equity?”. The semi-structured interviews aim to direct questions e.g., respecting the situation with school dropouts, the cases of students with special needs, the situation of those who are struggling and of refugees. The findings indicate a superposition; an entangled being of inherent disadvantages and that the present system needs to be further amended to better care for ‘all’ to speak of equity. This study will cast light on the potential value of learning analytics regarding its use for targeting/solving equity problems through the expert opinions from a developing country with highly dynamic demographics.

EXPLORING MICROGRIDS AS A PROMISING SOLUTION FOR EQUITABLE ELECTRICITY ACCESSIBILITY

Ensuring fair access to electricity in urban areas is a major challenge that calls for a fresh perspective on urban development. One promising approach is to explore innovative solutions, like improving electrical infrastructure using distributed energy systems such as microgrids. The first step toward creating novel distributed solutions is to better understand the equity problem and identify potential implementation challenges. This study addresses this, taking a two-step approach. First, using historical data, the potential association between people's socioeconomic backgrounds and their access to electricity is investigated. This will help to determine if current electrical systems are serving all citizens equitably. Second, insights from experts were gathered through a semi-structured interview to uncover potential challenges in implementing widespread distributed energy systems and equitable energy solutions. By combining the findings from the data analysis and expert input, this study sets the groundwork for future research. This research will focus on identifying new potential solutions to improve equitable access to electricity in urban areas. The results of this study will provide valuable information to decision-makers, helping them identify opportunities and challenges in implementing distributed energy solutions, ultimately leading to a more equitable urban electricity infrastructure.

EXPLORING MICROGRIDS AS A PROMISING SOLUTION FOR EQUITABLE ELECTRICITY ACCESSIBILITY

Ensuring fair access to electricity in urban areas is a major challenge that calls for a fresh perspective on urban development. One promising approach is to explore innovative solutions, like improving electrical infrastructure using distributed energy systems such as microgrids. The first step toward creating novel distributed solutions is to better understand the equity problem and identify potential implementation challenges. This study addresses this, taking a two-step approach. First, using historical data, the potential association between people's socioeconomic backgrounds and their access to electricity is investigated. This will help to determine if current electrical systems are serving all citizens equitably. Second, insights from experts were gathered through a semi-structured interview to uncover potential challenges in implementing widespread distributed energy systems and equitable energy solutions. By combining the findings from the data analysis and expert input, this study sets the groundwork for future research. This research will focus on identifying new potential solutions to improve equitable access to electricity in urban areas. The results of this study will provide valuable information to decision-makers, helping them identify opportunities and challenges in implementing distributed energy solutions, ultimately leading to a more equitable urban electricity infrastructure.

Homeownership of young adults in Austria from a national and regional perspective since 2010 – a fading dream?

Since around 2008 there has been a sharp decline in homeownership rates in many OECD countries, particularly among young adults. This may reflect changing preferences for more flexible housing options or a decline in affordability due to a combination of house price increases and more difficult access to finance (mortgage loans, deteriorating labour market conditions, insufficient income, etc.). We first examine how these trends affect Austria as a whole and then focus on two regions with long-term policy strategies to promote homeownership through tailored housing subsidy programmes (Lower Austria, Vorarlberg). We use survey data from three sources (Microcensi, EU-SILC, HFCS) and regional administrative data. Our results show that young adults (up to 35) are less likely to become homeowners in 2020 than in 2010, although this is more pronounced for the middle-aged (35–49) than for younger people. We show that the analysis at national level is insufficient, as there are large differences between regions and between types of dwelling. Focusing on the regional level reveals that price dynamics in urban areas, which exceed income developments, appear to be the main drivers. As young households participate less in homeownership than previous generations, this points to a latent and deepening problem of intergenerational equity. Current regional policies to promote homeownership do not reach the necessary scale to counteract the dominant market trends. We discuss regional policy options that make use of the Austrian housing policy framework and focus on increasing the overall supply of housing rather than exclusively on demand-side measures.

Confronting the Gordian Knot: Disentangling Gifted Education’s Major Issues

What are the key challenges facing the field of gifted education? In this qualitative study, we posed this question to some of the field’s eminent leaders and scholars. Overwhelmingly, our respondents mentioned problems of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). Respondents also discussed problems concerning identification, the limited use of research-based practices, and insufficient support from outside the field; they also touched upon larger theoretical issues like the lack of clarity surrounding our conceptions of giftedness and the purposes of gifted education. In this article, we trace a brief history of the problems and paradigms of our field, share our study’s results, some theoretical and practical connections among the most pressing issues, and implications for moving our field forward.

Equality or Equity? E-CARGO Perspectives on the Fairness of Education

The educational equality or equity problem (EEEP) has a long-term debate in civilization. This problem is often discussed by sociologists, philosophers, educationists, and so on for various phenomena or decisions. However, there is hardly any absolutely convincing answer to this question. We believe that a series of quantitative methods may provide decision-makers with a clearer orientation in their discussions and help them make decisions. Therefore, this article depicts a common scenario to discuss the EEEP. It uses quantitative methods to conduct computational social simulations and obtain the results under equal or equitable conditions via role-base collaboration (RBC), environments-classes, agents, roles, groups, and objects (E-CARGO), and group role assignment (GRA). The simulation results show that educational equality or equity can be significantly improved by making a reasonable and optimized allocation plan through GRA. Finding the optimal allocation plan, which validates the reliability of the results by changing the experimental parameters of equality and equity, is helpful and interesting to relevant decision-makers.

Investigating the Effectiveness of Community-Based Learning Programs in Promoting Social Inclusion and Equity in Punjab

The presented study finds out how well community-based learning initiatives in Punjab can promote social inclusion & equity. This report acknowledges the ongoing difficulties that underprivileged groups in Punjab confront due to the factors of social exclusion or injustice. Programs for community-based learning have become recognised as promising instruments for resolving these problems by promoting inclusive behaviours and empowering people. By analysing their outcomes including highlighting the essential aspects that led to their effectiveness, this study aims to investigate how these initiatives helped to address the problems of social inclusion and equity. The research used a quantitative method approach for gathering and analysing data. To gauge their perceptions of changing social inclusion as well as equity, individuals involved in community-based learning in the province of Punjab were surveyed as part of the quantitative part.

Environmental vulnerability as a public priority: The view of local economic elites

AbstractThe study explains the factors leading local economic elites (LEEs) to consider vulnerability to natural hazards (VNH) a priority public problem. An Optimal Scaling Regression model was estimated based on information from 57 Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) cities. The estimation included variables related to risk exposure, social conditions, and disaster management instruments. The central factors that explain why LEEs consider VNH a priority problem are the level of real exposure to natural risks and a high proportion of the local population living in poverty. LEEs seem to assume that the social deprivations that accentuate environmental vulnerability should be treated independently of the problem of equity; LEEs seem to relativize the VNH problem as the size of the city increases by assuming that VNH does not affect the whole city; government instruments for the management of natural hazards do not exert any influence on the perception of LEEs on environmental vulnerability. The findings help us to understand the low collective effectiveness of emergency management instruments in the LAC region.

A Comparative Study of Educational Opportunities for Disadvantaged Children in China and The United States--Taking Disadvantaged Children of Ethnic Minorities in The Two Countries as An Example

The issue of educational equity is a hot topic of concern to the whole society. Some researchers have found that there is a lack of educational opportunities for ethnic minority groups in China and the United States, but there is still a lack of unified explanation for the causes, current situation, and the advantages and disadvantages of solutions to the problem of educational equity for ethnic minorities in both countries. Therefore, this article conducts research on the education situation of ethnic minorities in both countries by collecting relevant data and summarizing and analyzing the data. Research has found significant differences in the causes and current situation of ethnic minority education issues between China and the United States, and there is also room for improvement in existing solutions. Therefore, China and the United States need to develop precise measures that are suitable for their own specific situations based on their respective special circumstances to address the issue of educational equity faced by ethnic minorities.

Using Student Reflections to Develop Deep Teaching

National studies continue to indicate that the graduating STEM student body is not representative of the diversity of the U.S. population. In addition to, or in the absence of, institutional change, instructors must learn how to implement equity-focused pedagogical changes in order to better support their students. This article describes my experience introducing a weekly reflection protocol in a proof-based mathematics course with the dual goals of promoting metacognition and opening an additional communication channel with my students. Towards these goals, this intervention was largely successful and I provide examples of how I was able to use what I learned from my students to better support them throughout the semester. Drawing on the “Deep Teaching Model” for faculty development, I share how this experience continues to be a critical component of my evolving teaching practice. Though this intervention on its own may not solve the representation and equity problems in our field, the self-awareness I developed through this experience has positioned me as a more effective instructor, mentor, and advocate.

Study on Financial Risk and Countermeasures in Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions--Take LVMH’s Acquisition of Tiffany as an Example

M&A is an important approach for enterprises to achieve industrial upgrading and scale effect, reduce operating costs, and promote the diversified development of enterprises. The financial risks that often appear in the process of M&A are the key to the success of M&A and the reorganization of enterprises. Existing equity and economic problems make enterprises easily fall into financial disputes and cause huge losses. Investment and mergers are important ways for enterprises to expand scale, enter new markets, and acquire new technologies or mature brands. Through investment and merger, market share can be increased, competitiveness can be enhanced, and the financial statements of enterprises can be enhanced, but risks in merger and acquisition are also accompanied. Through the case study of LVMH Group’s merger and acquisition of Tiffany, this paper will analyze the financial risks and countermeasures in the merger and acquisition and extract feasible and effective measures from LVMH Group’s treatment methods to help both parties control the risks in the merger process and achieve the purpose of merger and acquisition.

Empowering Diverse Graduate-Student Women for Leadership in Global Health (EMERGE): Pilot Evaluation Findings

Background: Women are under-represented in global health leadership worldwide. Socio- ecological barriers may diminish women’s institutional belonging, career aspirations, and leadership pathways. Aims: In this pilot study, we describe and evaluate EMERGE, Empowering Women for Leadership in Global Health, a theory-based, multicomponent leadership development program for diverse women graduate students. Methods: Emory graduate students who self-identified as women and engaged in global health were eligible to participate in EMERGE. Socio-ecologically grounded program components included: a three-day leadership development workshop; nine-month mentored team- challenge projects; monthly seminars by women leaders; social-media outreach; and project presentations with peers, mentors, and university leadership. We conducted a mixed-methods, single-group pretest-posttest evaluation that included a) four quantitative self-assessments on leadership capabilities over the program period and b) three focus groups with mentored teams that explored fellows’ experiences applying leadership skills, managing team projects, and working with mentors. Results: All 12 selected fellows self-identified as women from at least one other underrepresented group. Half originated from low- or middle-income countries. At baseline, completing the team project was a common short-term (12-month) aspiration. Managing and leading teams emphasizing equity, mentoring, and participatory problem solving were common longer-term (1-5-year) aspirations. At baseline, fellows were least confident about negotiating their interests and most confident about making ethical decisions. Overall, fellows expressed high satisfaction with instructors (mean 8.8 of 10) and content (mean 8.3 of 10) of the leadership development workshop as well as increased confidence and proficiency in most leadership, team-management, and mentor-related skills at month one. Reported confidence and proficiency in most skills declined by program midline and then increased and peaked at endline. Conclusion: The EMERGE program supported sustained improvements in fellows’ leadership capabilities. The program’s multi-month and multi-component approach grounded in socio- ecological theory were key elements. EMERGE holds promise to train the next generation of women leaders in global health. Future work is needed to identify opportunities to support leadership pathways for women in global health in diverse work settings.