Inclusive Process Research Articles

Using participatory and inclusive methodologies to explore inclusive education in Africa.

This paper presents researchers' experiences using participatory, inclusive research methodologies to explore aspects of inclusive education, with children with disabilities, parents, and teachers in Nigeria and Kenya. The objective is to describe working with children and adults with disabilities, as research collaborators, alongside local INGO staff and OPD partners. In Kenya we worked with 9 peer researchers with disabilities to run focus groups and interviews with children with disabilities, parents and teachers about inclusive pre-school education. In Nigeria we ran participatory workshops with children with disabilities, and their parents discussing what makes school and community settings inclusive, to inform the design of a Wellbeing and Inclusion checklist. The studies were based in pilot primary schools and Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE or pre-school) classes in Nigeria and Kenya respectively. The data produced were recordings and notes from focus group discussions, interviews and activities and reflections from the peer researchers. Data analysis was an inclusive participatory process of thematic analysis carried out in person and online. These innovative approaches demonstrate that with careful planning and support, both adults and children with disabilities can be involved very directly in research processes not just as participants but as researchers. We argue that using participatory, disability-inclusive approaches helps to make the findings more nuanced and genuine and the data and outputs generated uniquely grounded in people's realities and perspectives. These methods can potentially inform the mainstreaming of a disability inclusion approach into international development debates and activities.

How is feasibility in local climate politics constructed? Balancing between appropriateness and consequence in advancing urban low-carbon plans

ABSTRACT How does ambitious climate action become politically feasible? The literature has tended to understand political feasibility through interactions between citizens and governing institutions, conditioned by the various costs and benefits for the actors involved. Instead, by considering the work of bureaucratic actors, this paper examines the practices of constructing feasibility in local climate planning. We draw on sociological institutionalism, focusing on the dynamics of fine-tuning between logics of appropriateness and consequence in achieving what is deemed ‘politically feasible.’ Taking climate politics in the City of Bergen (Norway) as a case study, this paper advances that what is deemed politically feasible is a product of calibrating (1) relevant policies with the city’s climate ambitions, (2) specific actions with open and inclusive processes, and (3) radical and ambitious solutions with the city’s current political climate. We discuss the implications of these results for the legitimization of climate planning locally.

Effect of telomere shortening on disease progression in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains a major public health challenge worldwide. In recent years, it has been discovered that a link between telomere shortening and disease progression in IBD patients has been present. However, there is controversy as to whether telomere shortening precipitates disease progression or disease progression causes telomere shortening. There is also a shortage of systematic reviews and data synthesis to explain the association between telomere shortening and disease progression in individuals with IBD. We aimed to systematically review the association between telomere shortening and disease advancement in individuals with IBD to inform future studies. We will undertake a thorough search of the electronic database from the beginning until December 31, 2023. We will search the databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP, Wanfang Database (Wanfang), CMB, Cochrane Library, Cochran Clinical Trials Registry, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Two reviewers will assess the discovered citations for eligibility based on the title and abstract before proceeding to the full-text and data extraction phases. These reviewers will debate and settle any conflicts that arise during the inclusion process; a third reviewer will settle any issues that remain. The validated data extraction form will be used to collect data for eligible research. The included studies will undergo a quality and bias check and will proceed meta-analysis. This systematic review and meta-analysis will reveal a positive correlation between illness progression and telomere shortening in individuals with IBD, perhaps demonstrating three causal links between them. This study will conduct the first systematic review and meta-analysis examining the correlation between telomere shortening and illness advancement in individuals with IBD. Exploring the connection between these two situations can enhance the comprehension of the development and advancement of IBD. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024501171.

Inclusive Faculty Hiring: Promising Practices for Increasing Higher Education Faculty Diversity

This paper reviews and synthesizes the extant work on promising practices in recruiting and hiring diverse college faculty in an equitable, inclusive process. First, I discuss the substantial demographic mismatch between faculty, the general working-age population, and undergraduate students. I then discuss the evidence that representational faculty diversity benefits students. I then integrate the literature on promising practices in inclusive faculty recruitment to recommend four strategies: better position advertisements, ongoing, proactive recruitment, thoughtful committee assignment and training, and a more deliberate, deliberative process. I offer multiple tactics within each strategy and urge institutions to adopt and prioritize whatever mix of these and other strategies/tactics makes the most sense for them.

Primary health care as the main guarantor of a healthy population in the country and a global challenge in the world: a systematic review

Background Primary health care (PHC) is a fundamental aspect of healthcare systems globally, playing a crucial role in maintaining the health of the population. Despite its importance, there are still gaps in the delivery of PHC services. This study aims to analyze the healthcare system and the existing gaps to develop strategies for improving PHC services. Methods This study is a mixed method a combination of documentary analysis and narrative synthesis as an alternative to meta-analysis. For our systematic review, we primarily focused on articles published within the last 10 years. However, we also included some older articles (published between 2003 and 2009) that provided valuable insights into the historical context and evolution of primary healthcare systems. Data of each article reviewed during the review - Study, Article, Study setting, Study design, Study assessment, Study suggestions are presented in Table 1. A total of 38 articles were reviewed. The data sources include peer-reviewed articles and other relevant literature on PHC services. With appropriate keywords. Results The study identifies gaps in PHC services, including issues with access to care, affordability, and quality of care. It provides insights into the challenges faced by PHC systems worldwide, highlighting the need for strategies to address these issues. Conclusions The study contributes to a better understanding of the challenges faced by PHC systems worldwide and provides insights for policymakers and healthcare providers to improve healthcare services. The systematic review, which focuses on PHC, was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. The PRISMA diagram of study selection was used to illustrate the process of article inclusion and exclusion. Table 1 provides a summary of the key information from the selected articles.

Barriers and Opportunities in the Discoverability and Indexing of Student-Led Academic Journals

Introduction: Student-led journals are not commonly included in academic indexes and databases. This study explores the barriers that indexing requirements may present for student journals, as well as editors’ attitudes toward discoverability strategies and opportunities. Methods: An environmental scan of select eight indexes looks at potential barriers to inclusion and at indexing rates among Canadian student-led journals (n = 202). A survey of Canadian student editors (n = 47) and follow-up interviews (n = 7) focus on editors’ attitudes toward discoverability, indexing challenges, and opportunities. Results: Only 15% (n = 30) of Canadian student journals are indexed in at least one of the seven indexes included in this study, and 74% (n = 146) of open-access journals appear in Google Scholar, with Open Journal Systems (OJS) having the highest Google Scholar indexing rate (97%) as a platform. Student editors generally prioritize reaching their audiences via social media, word of mouth, and targeted promotion. For editors who seek indexing, the biggest challenges come from confusing inclusion criteria and processes, lack of knowledge and comfort, and lack of capacity for such projects. Discussion: Most reviewed indexes have some requirements that may be challenging, but not exclusively to student journals. The main challenge comes from editors’ self-perception of not belonging in academic indexes, lack of understanding about the process, and insufficient capacity for discoverability and promotional activities. Conclusion: The lack of discoverability puts student journals at risk of being invisible to readers and potential authors. Although academic indexing may not be a high priority for student editors, regular outreach and support from libraries and faculty advisors could help editors better use various discoverability opportunities.

A INCLUSÃO DE ALUNOS COM TDAH NAS INSTITUIÇÕES DE ENSINO SUPERIOR NO BRASIL

This study analyzes the inclusion of higher education students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the possible repercussions on the interaction of the process of instruction and knowledge acquisition, its implications on the process of inclusion in higher education institutions from the legislation and scientific articles. The central problem investigated consists of researching the legislation that supports the inclusion of students with ADHD in higher education institutions. The progression of the inclusion process for students with ADHD is evaluated. The traits expressed by students diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) stand out. It addresses the understanding and vision of educators regarding the elements that facilitate and hinder the teaching and learning process for students diagnosed with ADHD.

An unequal health policy landscape? Examining socioeconomic differences in acceptability and preferences for policies that aim to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in health

BackgroundThis study explores socioeconomic differences in acceptability and preferences for policies that aim to reduce socioeconomic health inequalities. The investigated policies range from structural policies, requiring no individual agency, to...

Inclusive innovation processes in Tanzania: From national policies to local practices in innovation hubs

Inclusive innovations have the potential to foster socio-economic development and actively involve local communities in innovation processes in sub-Saharan Africa. The importance of inclusive innovations is emphasized in the public strategies and development programmes in the region. Nevertheless, despite some donor-funded initiatives, there remains a lack of systematic knowledge on how to effectively implement inclusive innovation in communities. This research aims to scrutinize the role of inclusive innovation in Tanzania. We conduct policy analyses of the country's official innovation strategies and investigate the inclusive innovation activities undertaken by 12 innovation hubs. These hubs facilitate interactions among diverse actors, provide necessary facilities and technologies, and offer mentorship and peer support. Our results reveal that the definition and significance of inclusive innovation are presented within the national policies. However, implementation programmes are currently modest and scattered. With a few exceptions, innovation hubs have inadequate understanding and limited resources for implementing inclusive innovations in practice. This research contributes by underscoring the need for comprehensive strategies, capacity-building initiatives, and collaborative efforts to fully leverage inclusive innovation for sustainable development in the region.

Gendering Ocean Management for Sustainable Ocean Care in Ghana

UNESCO presently offers a universal regime and policy environment for the identification and management of natural and cultural heritages. However, heritage does not merely signify cultural diversity; it can also facilitate greater equity and equality. The research problem addressed in this article is that in Ghana, the national government perceives and treats the small-scale fishing (SSF) sector as a masculine space and endeavour, ignoring the gendered aspects of this environment, of SSF practice and ocean care. In the article, it is hypothesized that if the SSF sector is treated as a socially differentiated space, and if the concern of ocean care is prioritized as a key imperative in Ghanaian ocean management, it is likely that a more inclusive and sustainable ocean management process and SSF sector will emerge in Ghana. Mindful of the socially differentiated nature of the SSF sector in Ghana, the goal of the research presented in this article is to use mixed qualitative research methods (participant-observation and semi-structured interviews) to investigate gendered knowledge forms and gendered practices in ocean care in the central region of Ghana. A key finding of the research is that gendered ritual practices, including canoe building and use in Ghana, are critical to long-term, sustainable, and inclusive ocean management in the country. Recognition of the gendered dimensions of ocean management in Ghana may also result in more inclusive ocean governance policies and nature management policies in Ghana in general. The conclusion of the article is that ocean governance in Ghana should consider and mainstream a gendered perspective of the SSF sector, to advance transformative, sustainable, and inclusive ocean care. The article draws on theories of intersectionality, African indigenous feminist thought, and critical heritage studies to analyse the data gathered, to support the discussion, and to propose the way forward for the national government.

Selecting and ranking female candidates under PR: Evidence from a two‐stage conjoint experiment with party elites

AbstractDoes gender affect candidate selection and list placement under proportional representation (PR)? Existing research argues that PR systems have a positive effect on women's representation due to a more inclusive candidate selection process. However, analysing the actual process of candidate selection under PR before observing the final party list is challenging, and little is known about the preferences and strategies of party elites when selecting and ranking candidates. To address this lacuna, we conduct a novel two‐stage conjoint experiment with party elites in Austria, which allows us to differentiate between two distinct mechanisms in candidate nomination under PR: selection and ranking. Our findings indicate that women generally have an advantage with respect to selection but find themselves subject to same‐sex preferences when it comes to ranking on the list, for which they otherwise benefit from being low in supply. These findings have important implications for understanding patterns of female under‐representation in PR systems.

Exploring operating room staff engagement in the planning and design of the built environment in Australia: Development of a constructivist grounded theory.

This study aimed to explore Australian health professionals' perceptions and experiences regarding built environment planning for operating rooms. We conducted semi-structured interviews and a focus group using exploratory qualitative methods, involving 16 participants: anaesthetists, surgeons, nurses, theatre technicians and designers of operating rooms. Four core concerns of participants were analysed: Engagement, Respect & Collaboration; Foreseeing & Responding to Safety Concerns; Enhancing Design Planning to Minimise Internal & External Consequences; and Ambiguous Application of Standards in Operating Room Design Planning. Health professionals highlighted safety impacts related to patients and staff due to the built environment and emphasised the need for improved engagement, respect and collaboration in design processes. Consideration needs to be given to the lived experiences of health professionals in design planning to address safety concerns effectively. Hierarchies and cultural factors were identified as barriers to inclusive design processes.

Intergenerational poverty persistence in Europe – Is there a ‘Great Gatsby Curve’ for poverty?

While the influence of poverty in childhood on adulthood outcomes has been extensively studied, little is known about how the strength of intergenerational persistence in poverty itself varies across countries. Here we examine the intergenerational persistence of poverty in a comparative analysis of 30 European countries using data from the 2019 ad hoc module of the EU-SILC dataset. We construct proxy measures of poverty in the parental household employing information on the inability to meet basic needs and financial hardship when growing up, together with parental education and occupational social class. The strength of the association between current poverty based on the indicators at the core of the EU’s social inclusion process and these measures of parental poverty is assessed and compared across countries. The cross-country variation in poverty persistence is probed concerning its relationship with the current and past extent of poverty: persistence tends to be stronger where current or parental poverty is higher, analogous to the Great Gatsby Curve relating intergenerational income mobility to income inequality at the country level. Mediation analysis highlights the role of own education as well as occupation in underpinning the observed relationship between current and parental poverty.

STUDENT INTEGRATION STRATEGIES WITH DISABILITIES IN A REGULAR SCHOOL

The aim of this article was to introduce the topic Strategies for the Integration of Students with Disabilities in a Regular School. To present, with the aim of advancing the debates on inclusion in the school environment, to understand and evaluate the challenges faced in this process, through various ways and means, strategies for the effectiveness and permanence of students with disabilities in the regular schools of Brazil. As well as, analyze this process of inclusion, as a support for creating an environment in which differences are recognized and then encourage interaction and conviviality with other students and teachers of the institutions. The student is the protagonist of his own journey and for them, teachers need to recognize and seek improvements in their teaching methodologies, aimed at the effectiveness of education and the right of the student. With this, this article addresses pedagogical strategies to promote inclusion in school, its importance and a tool that can be very useful for the teacher and student that is the PEI Individualized Educational Plan, with it the teacher can observe the performance of these students and think in them as individuality, since each has its peculiarities and needs to be respected in its time. Quality education is a right of all to equal conditions to learn and to develop together in the school and social environment.

AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDER

This article is part of the conclusion of the Postgraduate Course in Special Education from Favimo University. It focuses on discussing some educational proposals aimed at students with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which are inserted in the regular school classrooms. It is the classroom teacher who will mediate the whole of the inclusive process, he is the one who promotes the child's initial contact with other children in the class and is responsible for including him in everyday activities. In this perspective, this theme reaffirms the need that everyone understands and accepts human diversity, and can contribute to the construction of a fairer and more egalitarian society. The article will be divided into three great moments. In the first one will be made a global contextualization of special education. Then the autistic spectrum disorder will be presented- Tea its main characteristics and needs. Finally, some pedagogical proposals that can be used in the classroom will be presented. It is concluded that a lot has changed since the beginning of history when we talk about people with ASD. Of schizophrenics there are numerous distinct characteristics even in the same disorder. Of communication difficulty to high skills. Autism is one of the syndromes as the largest variants of behavior, without modeled patterns.

Parental involvement in the inclusive transition to school: preschool teachers’ transition practices in a German context

ABSTRACT Parental involvement (PI) in the transition from preschool to primary school is an important prerequisite for children with disabilities to start school successfully. Therefore, the present study looks at PI practices that are conducted to support successful inclusive transition processes in Germany. The focus is on practices that take place in the institutional context of early childhood facilities. The data base consists of qualitative guideline-based interviews with n = 22 preschool teachers. The data analysis comprises two steps: 1) a qualitative content analysis and 2) a systematic comparison of teachers and their transition practices according to specific teacher characteristics, such as professional experience. The results show that communication formats between teachers and parents regarding a child’s development or general issues such as the course of the last preschool year are most widely established to involve parents in the transition process. Some teachers also claim to inform parents about additional support for their child and involve parents in preschool or school visits. Moreover, findings indicate that parental involvement hardly differs systematically between teachers with different backgrounds (e.g., different levels of professional experience).

Innovative approaches to promote inclusive processes for noise barriers landscape integration

Noise barriers, in addition to their own functions as specific mitigation interventions to protect health, can represent important architectural elements, both in urban environment and natural context. In this perspective the design stage cannot ignore an integrated evaluation of the reference social and natural context based on the peculiarities and vocations of the territories involved. Aiming to the primary objective of identifying the "right" project that best fits into the reference territorial context, also for acoustic barriers it is therefore necessary to carry out a preliminary analysis of the socio-territorial and landscape context to understand specific local features of the territories and promote barriers as an essential part of the urban environment and landscape in a synergistic vision between innovation and sustainability also through new models of co-design and co-management with the communities involved. This paper aims to describe the approach adopted by RFI - the National Manager of the Italian Railway Network - to promote effective integration and synergy between noise mitigation interventions and the territorial reference context with the aim of creating a "tailor-made" project with the contribution of citizens and stakeholders.

Need for a More Objective, Inclusive, and Equitable Selection Process for Gastroenterology Fellowships.

Diseases related to the digestive system account for a significant proportion of the diseases burden in the United States and result in 36.8 million ambulatory visits, 3.8 million hospital admissions, and 22.2 million gastrointestinal endoscopies. To meet the challenge that this quantum of gastroenterological disorders poses, we are obligated to select and train competent gastroenterologists. Admission into a Gastroenterology (GI) fellowship program is highly selective. In 2023, only 62.7% of candidates who applied were successful in matching into a fellowship program, making it even more competitive than a cardiology fellowship (match rate of 68.4%). Therefore, it is imperative that we ensure that the selection process is fair and transparent. Additionally, we need to be socially more responsible by emphasizing diversity and inclusivity to produce gastroenterologists who reflect the changing society we live in. An analysis of current practices indicates that the process of selection is not standardized and is more subjective than objective. This review is an attempt to identify deficiencies that can be rectified by the introduction of a standardized system that includes structured interviews, Standard Letters of Recommendation (SLOR), and objective scoring protocols-all of which would make the process of selection more equitable, diverse, and inclusive. Newer methods like Casper exam, Psychometric testing, and Preference Signaling can also be explored to this end.

The fabrication of special education mathematics students as knowers through mandatory assessment in preschool class

ABSTRACT In Sweden, there has been a development of continuously more and earlier mandatory assessments in schools in the last decades. One of the latest is mandatory assessment in preschool classes from 2019, with one of the purposes to identify students in need of Special Education in Mathematics (SEM students). Preschool class is a compulsory school year for 6-year-olds which precedes compulsory school. The study at hand explores how teachers create knowledge of mathematics and the SEM student during their work with this mandatory assessment. Results show that mandatory assessment might affect how teachers assess knowledge, develop their teaching, and (re)produce knowledge of the six-year-olds as knowers and of knowledge in mathematics. We join the vast amount of research that has shown that mandatory assessment is a potentially sensitive situation for students who are already unprivileged, who face obstacles in their learning or who struggle with mathematics. Awareness of processes of inclusion, exclusion and (in)equity during assessment and in the following education is central to not count (SEM) students out as competent learners with valuable knowledge.

Innovative Leadership for Social Impact: A Study of Benin’s Accounting, Finance and Economic Strategy

This study delves into the innovative leadership strategies employed in Benin to drive social impact and economic growth. Despite global economic challenges, Benin has emerged as a model for leveraging innovative leadership to address socioeconomic issues. Through a combination of surveys and semi-structured interviews with policymakers, business leaders, and community stakeholders, this research explores the core elements of Benin’s accounting and economic strategy. The study employed qualitative analysis methods to process the data, identifying transformative policies and initiatives that have spurred sustainable development and social progress. The findings reveal that Benin’s success is attributed to robust leadership frameworks, inclusive decision-making processes, and strategic implementations. Specifically, the research highlights how visionary leadership has effectively contributed to accounting and economic resilience, poverty reduction, and improved quality of life for citizens. Additionally, the study underscores the critical role of accounting leadership in fostering inclusive growth and provides actionable insights for policymakers and leaders aiming to replicate Benin’s success in other contexts. By adding to the academic discourse on accounting leadership and economic development, this study offers practical implications for enhancing accounting socioeconomic outcomes through innovative accounting leadership strategies.