Professional Capacity Research Articles

Health communication materials use in providing health education among health professionals working at health-care institutions in Gondar City: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Health communication affects people’s decision-making that promotes health. Well-designed health communication materials have the potential to impact social norms and behaviors and lead to a healthier life. This study assessed health communication materials use among health professionals working at health-care institutions in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia. A health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics were computed, and logistic regression analysis was fitted to identify factors associated with health communication materials use. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value <0.05 were used to measure the strength of the association and declare significant variables, respectively. A total of 298 health professionals participated in the study with a response rate of 96.40%. Approximately two-thirds (67.50%) of the study participants ever used health communication materials. Being a midwifery (AOR = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.85) and laboratory (AOR = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.93) professional, and not delivering health education (AOR = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.21), were negatively associated with use of health communication materials. On the other hand, working at a health center (AOR = 3.60, 95% CI: 1.52, 8.54), availability of the materials (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.10, 4.53) and having good knowledge about the materials (AOR = 2.69, 95% CI: 1.36, 5.32) were positively associated with health communication materials use. Health professionals’ health communication materials use is critical in promoting pro-health attitudes and behaviors. Improving the availability of health communication materials, harmonizing health communication activities, and building the capacity of health professionals need to be emphasized.

Law dissemination and education for ethnic minorities in mountainous areas in Vietnam

The law dissemination and education for ethnic minority people in Vietnam is still facing challenges and suffering from shortcomings; hence, the effectiveness of law popularization is limited. Based on the aforementioned facts, this paper is dedicated to highlighting some important achievements in the law dissemination and education for the ethnic minorities, analyzing the drawbacks with the law dissemination and education for these populations and the causes of these drawbacks, and accordingly suggesting some radical solutions to the dissemination and education of law for ethnic minority people in Vietnam in the coming time. Thereby, the author proposes 4 groups of solutions in the coming time: First, improving professional capacity and skills for the contingent of legal reporters and propagandists who directly do legal education for people in ethnic minority and mountainous areas; Second, renewing the content of legal for these people; Third, innovating legal education methods; Fourth, reforming the form of legal education.

Research capacity and culture in an Australian metropolitan public mental health service: scoping the skills and experience of social workers and occupational therapists

BackgroundInvestment in a clinical research culture appears to be associated with benefits for consumers, staff, and overall organisational performance. The validated 55-item Research Capacity and Culture (RCC) tool was developed specifically to gauge the research capacity and culture of health professionals and workplace settings within which they work. Results of some individual studies suggest that professional discipline and workplace setting may impact RCC results however it has never been used in a dedicated public mental health setting. Therefore, this study will explore the research capacity and culture of allied mental health clinicians (Part 1). Another aim is to explore potential connections between workplace settings, locations and disciplines based on published RCC-based data to help signpost potential impediments to service improvements (Part 2).MethodsPart 1: An RCC-based online survey canvased Australian Social Workers and Occupational Therapists (n = 59) based in a metropolitan public mental health service. Non-parametric analyses explored links between research-related experience and participant characteristics.Part 2: Comparative analyses explored the potential influence of workplace settings and professional disciplines on published RCC results.ResultsPart 1: Overall, the research capacity and experiences of mental health Social Workers and Occupational Therapists seemed modest. Discipline was statistically associated with level of research-activity experience, weighted towards occupational therapy; demographic characteristics were not. Only two items in the RCC were rated high; many more items were rated low.Part 2: Published studies exploration found no link between RCC ratings and workplace location, setting, or professional discipline. Sampling biases and use of modified, non-validated RCC versions likely impacted the results.ConclusionsAllied mental health clinicians may not be sufficiently experienced, knowledgeable, or confident with a range of research-related activities given the emphasis on workforce research capability in policy and practice nowadays. This may be commonplace across health-based organisations. We recommend the systematic implementation of research training programs in (mental) health services, and a ‘whole-of-service levels’ approach be used i.e., transform policy, culture and leadership as well as provide practical resources with individual training. Potential benefits include a positive impact on organisation functioning, clinicians’ confidence and practice, and improved consumer outcomes.

Leadership of School Principals to Improving Teacher Professionalism at Muhammadiyah School

The principal's leadership increases teachers' work motivation and improves education quality. The study examined the principal's leadership in improving teacher professionalism at SD Nitikan Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta. This qualitative descriptive research uses interviews, observation, and documentation. This study involved the principal and 25 teachers as informants. The principal's strategy to improve the quality and professionalism of teachers is to motivate, encourage, and organize training on IT development, reward, and punishment. Principals must also meet content, process, graduation capacity, facilities and infrastructure, management, funding, teacher and staff, and teacher education standards. Supporting factors provide teachers with equal opportunities to develop their pedagogical and professional skills through teaching and training activities based on knowledge and adapted to needs and budgets. Lack of internal motivation from teaching priorities is a barrier. This research contributes to the development of Islamic education by analyzing principals' efforts to increase teachers' professional capacity in Islamic schools.

(مورفولوجيّة) السكن في محافظة القدس في ضوء التحديات (الديموغرافيّة) والسياسيّة

This study aims at focusing on the change that occurred in the morphological and demographic characteristics of the population of the Jerusalem governorate during the period from 1997-2022, and its impact on the housing situation, and to identify the indicators of the housing problem and its impact on the residents of the Jerusalem governorate, especially the Holy City.&#x0D; Among the most important results: that since the occupation's control over Jerusalem in 1967, it has been practicing a series of continuous policies and procedures aimed at creating a Jewish majority in the city, and fragmenting Palestinian lands, starting with settlement projects, the apartheid wall, and complete control over the city. Classified Area C and other actions.&#x0D; The Palestinian urban expansion collides with the accelerating colonial colonialism, which is practiced by the occupation in order to fragment the Palestinian lands. This affected the morphology of the urban environment and exacerbated the housing crisis. It seems that political détente is a prerequisite for improving the economic situation and housing development.&#x0D; Despite the ongoing Judaization policy in Jerusalem, the Palestinians in Old Jerusalem constitute an absolute majority of 91.4%, compared to 8.6% for the Israeli occupiers, and the percentage of the Palestinian population in East Jerusalem exceeded 60.42%, compared to 39.58% for the Israeli settlers.&#x0D; Among the most important recommendations: that the difficult reality in the governorate of Jerusalem and the city of Jerusalem and its suburbs requires smart and rational initiatives and strategies by Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims to face challenges through political pressure on the occupation to stop its occupational procedures, and reinforce the steadfastness of the Palestinians by maintaining their demographic superiority, and solving various problems facing the Palestinians; By developing the institutional and professional capacity of the various sectors of sustainable development.&#x0D;

MỘT SỐ GIẢI PHÁP ĐÀO TẠO GIÁO VIÊN MẦM NON THEO HƯỚNG TIẾP CẬN NĂNG LỰC CẢM XÚC – XÃ HỘI

Preschool teachers are an important factor in determining the quality of preschool education. Currently, the new Early Childhood Education Program (ECE) is being renewed in the direction of a competency approach, especially with SEL (emotional-social) as the focus. Social contact is a necessary requirement to improve the professional capacity of preschool students at preschool teacher training institutions. In this article, we focus on introducing core social-emotional (SEL) competencies, thereby recommending some solutions to training preschool teachers towards a competency-based approach (SEL) in schools. Vietnam's colleges and universities contribute to further improving the quality of training to meet the current requirements of reforming preschool education in the direction of approaching learners' capabilities.

Climate Change ECHO: Telementoring to Improve Climate Literacy for Health Professionals

Climate change is a global public health crisis. Most clinicians and public health professionals do not receive adequate education to manage and communicate climate-related health impacts to their patients. From July 2021 to February 2022, the Project ECHO Climate Change and Human Health program completed 22 weekly trainings for health professionals. These virtual telementoring sessions were designed to improve both knowledge and self-efficacy about climate-related health impacts and climate change‒related communication skills. Between July 2021 and February 2022, a total of 804 unique participants (from 44 states and 25 countries) attended the sessions. Participants were nurses (24.7%), physicians (16.8%), and public health professionals (8.5%). They completed weekly Zoom polls measuring their knowledge and self-efficacy. On average, participants strongly agreed or agreed that they had learned skills taught in each session (average percentage of those who strongly agreed or agreed=94.6%, range=66.7%-100.0%). Participants (31%) also completed a weekly postsession survey. A total of 91% rated the sessions as excellent or very good regarding evidenced-basis, and 89% rated sessions as excellent or very good regarding improved communication skills with patients and colleagues. Given the global climate crisis, the Climate Change and Human Health ECHO is successfully building resources and capacity for clinicians and public health professionals.

Leadership practices and indicators of quality, connected through internal evaluation processes in the New Zealand ECE sector

The last few years has seen a significant increase in the attention paid to leadership in the New Zealand early childhood education (ECE) sector, particularly in guiding documents. While these provide greater clarity than previously on expectations around leadership practice, a greater understanding of what leadership means and how it is implemented in different contexts is still needed. This article is based on a study exploring how educational leadership is practised through internal evaluation processes in New Zealand ECE services, and how these practices support the professional capabilities and capacities of teachers. Previous research has highlighted that a practice approach to leadership removes the focus on the individual leader and allows leadership to emerge from collective action. The objectives of this research study were: to develop a better understanding of how educational leadership is practised through internal evaluation processes; explore what challenges or enables teachers to become involved and practise educational leadership through internal evaluation processes; and to understand how services monitor the impact of changes on teaching practice, made as a result of an internal evaluation.&#x0D; This qualitative research, which took the form of an interpretive case study, was framed around a single case design with multiple units of analysis. Data were gathered from three participating ECE services through interviews, focus groups and observations, and drew on the perspectives of both teachers and positional leaders. A reflexive thematic data analysis approach was employed, and four key themes were developed: identification with leadership; supportive workplace culture; continuous improvement; and effective leadership practices in ECE services. Seven effective leadership practices were also identified: relational leadership; creating the conditions for teamwork; engagement; knowledge expertise and sharing opinions; shared decision making; facilitating and guiding and accountability and organisation. This article contributes to our further understanding of educational leadership practices in New Zealand ECE services.

KEPEMIMPINAN KEPALA SEKOLAH DALAM MENINGKATKAN PROFESIONALISME GURU DI SD NITIKAN MUHAMMADIYAH YOGYAKARTA

The principal's leadership is very effective in increasing teachers' work motivation in carrying out their responsibilities and impacting the quality of education. The study aimed to determine the principal's leadership in improving teacher professionalism and the supporting and inhibiting factors at SD Nitikan Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta. This research is descriptive qualitative, data collection through interviews with purposive sampling technique, observation, and documentation. Sand sources of data from school principals and teachers amounted to 25 people. The results of the research on the principal's strategy to improve the quality and professionalism of teachers are to motivate, encourage and organize seminars/training related to knowledge and understanding of the development of information technology, reward, and punishment for teachers. In addition, school principals strive to meet content standards, process standards, graduation capacity standards, facilities and infrastructure standards, management standards, funding standards, teacher and staff standards, and teacher education standards and standards. While the supporting factors are providing equal opportunities for teachers to develop their pedagogical and professional capacities by participating in various teaching and training activities, based on knowledge and adapted to needs and budget allocations. The inhibiting factor is the lack of internal motivation due to busy teaching time for priority reasons.

Revisions of evidence-based governance: The case of the Austrian quality management system SQA

Throughout the last 30 years, many European countries have ‘modernized’ their governance of education. For the Central European school systems of Austria and the German Bundesländer it has been claimed that this ‘modernization’ was characterised by a sequence of reform ‘waves’ which culminated in introducing ‘evidence-based governance’ models characterised by nation-wide comparative performance testing, new school inspections, etc. This paper argues that we recently see the emergence of revisions of the original ‘evidence-based governance’ models which may be understood as a new ‘wave of modernization’ of school governance. These models aim to react to increasing criticism of the evidence-based philosophy, in particular to its ambivalent attitude to teacher professionalism. The paper at hand analyses the specific aspirations and features of ‘revised evidence-based governance instruments’ to discuss their potential as a policy future. In a second step, we take the Austrian quality management system SQA as an example for these new governance models. In an explorative study, we use case data to understand how teachers and school leaders evaluate this reform and its impact on their work. In particular, we are interested whether or not educational professionals feel that this reform conveys appreciation of and trust in their professional capacities.

An Adlerian-Based Narrative Inquiry of Temporal Awareness, Resilience, and Patient-Centeredness Among Emergency Physicians-The Gyroscope Model.

Although extensive research examined time perceptions among patients in the emergency department (ED), studies on temporal awareness among emergency physicians is scant. Salutogenics is the theoretical anchor. The sample comprised ten emergency resident physicians from an Israeli public tertiary hospital. Narrative interviews were conducted. To determine the theme of the study, Adlerian narrative analysis was performed. To identify categories, semantic and content analyses were performed. Adlerian narrative analysis highlighted temporal awareness as a strong theme across interviews. Semantic and content analyses identified categories within temporal awareness. Analyses revealed a movement among three subcategories: A clinical task in which physicians rapidly shift along seven distinct times, temporal awareness shaping their work experience, and temporal awareness as inhibiting or enabling relationships with patients. Data-analyses identified two groups of physicians, one group driven by the need to control the time to avoid errors, experiencing anxiety and poor wellbeing, and the other, shifting from clinical tasks to patient-centeredness while removing the time factor from their considerations and experiencing resilience through manageability and meaningfulness. We introduce the "gyroscope model" for physicians to illustrate these findings and propose recommendations for practice. Understanding the complexity of the temporal continuum and the influence of shifting from the clinical task to relationships with patients may contribute to resilience of resident physician in the ED and to their self-efficacy, enriching their professional skills and capacity to cope and grow while facing the complexity of the ED.

Identifying the capacity needs of built environment professionals to deliver environmentally sustainable buildings: a scientometric review

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify the capacity needs of building professionals to deliver environmentally sustainable buildings (ESBs) globally, from a unique systems approach. Through a review of extant literature, this study contributes to knowledge of the global delivery of ESBs by identifying research trends and gaps that can be tackled in future research, and current hotspots in capacity building (CB) research within the built environment (BE). The adopted systems approach to CB postulates that the construction industry is systemized in nature, and thus, CB solutions within the industry should be approached from a systems approach.Design/methodology/approachA literature search was conducted using the Scopus search engine, augmented by Google Scholar and Web of Science, to produce 54 relevant articles for analysis. The scientometric analysis was undertaken with the use of VOSViewer to better understand the broad literature on CB in the construction industry which would not have been possible with traditional data analysis. The content analysis allowed, for a systematic review of selected articles, to reveal key themes in this study.FindingsThrough a content analysis, four levels of CB were identified within the construction industry; individual level, organizational level, industry level and state level. Nine sub-capacities were subsumed under the four identified levels adopted from Potter and Brough (2004), including but not limited to Performance capacity, Workload capacity, Supervisory capacity, Industry Role capacity and Systems capacity. Under each sub-capacity, key questions were posed to aid identify the capacity needs of BE professionals. A framework for identifying capacity needs in the BE is proposed.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study serve as a useful reference for practitioners and policymakers to assess their level of commitment to CB efforts for ESB delivery. The findings of this study have revealed that building the capacities of BE professionals to deliver ESBs should be addressed as part of a broader framework, interdependent on the other levels of CB in the systemic construction industry.Originality/valueAs a review study identifying capacity needs for BE professionals to deliver ESBs, this study enhances knowledge of CB within the construction industry.

Cultivating capacities in community-based researchers in low-resource settings: Lessons from a participatory study on violence and mental health in Sri Lanka.

Participatory methods, which rely heavily on community-based data collectors, are growing in popularity to deliver much-needed evidence on violence and mental health in low- and middle-income countries. These settings, along with local researchers, encounter the highest burden of violence and mental ill-health, with the fewest resources to respond. Despite increased focus on wellbeing for research participants and, to a lesser degree, professional researchers in such studies, the role-specific needs of community-based researchers receive scant attention. This co-produced paper draws insights from one group's experience to identify rewards, challenges, and recommendations for supporting wellbeing and development of community-based researchers in sensitive participatory projects in low-resource settings. Twenty-one community-based researchers supporting a mixed-methods study on youth, violence and mental health in Sri Lanka submitted 63 reflexive structured journal entries across three rounds of data collection. We applied Attride-Stirling's method for thematic analysis to explore peer researchers' learning about research, violence and mental health; personal-professional boundaries; challenges in sensitive research; and experiences of support from the core team. Sri Lanka's first study capturing experiences of diverse community-based researchers aims to inform the growing number of global health and development actors relying on such talent to deliver sensitive and emotionally difficult work in resource-limited and potentially volatile settings. Viewing participatory research as an opportunity for mutual learning among both community-based and professional researchers, we identify practice gaps and opportunities to foster respectful team dynamics and create generative and safe co-production projects for all parties. Intentional choices around communication, training, human and consumable resources, project design, and navigating instable research conditions can strengthen numerous personal and professional capacities across teams. Such individual and collective growth holds potential to benefit short- and long-term quality of evidence and inform action on critical issues, including violence and mental health, facing high-burden, low-resource contexts.

Strengthening capacities of multidisciplinary professionals to apply data science in public health: Experience of an international graduate diploma program in Peru

Nowadays it is necessary to strengthen health information systems and data-based solutions. However, there are few graduate training programs in Peru to use tools and methods of data science applied in public health. This article describes the development process and the initial assessment regarding the experience of the participants in an international multidisciplinary diploma in data intelligence for pandemics and epidemics preparedness, which was carried out from January to May 2021. The diploma was structured in 7 modules and 40 Peruvian professionals participated, of which 11 (27.5%) were women, and 16 (40%) came from regions outside of Lima and Callao. We discussed the need to strengthen institutional and health professionals’ capacity to adequately manage large volumes of data, information, and knowledge through the application of emerging technologies to optimize data management processes to improve decision-making in health.

Content and process: using continuous quality improvement to teach and evaluate learning outcomes in quality improvement residency education

BackgroundPsychiatry has not prioritised quality improvement and patient safety (QIPS) to the same degree as other medical specialties. Professional capacity building in QIPS through the education of residents is essential...

Impact of the industrial environment on the health of workers in titanium and magnesium production

The results of a study of the health status of employees of metallurgical enterprises under the conditions of exposure to rare earth elements (on the example of employees of titanium and magnesium production) are presented. 107 workers (men) of the observation group exposed to harmful production factors and 72 employees of the administrative apparatus without exposure to harmful production factors were examined. An analysis of the working conditions of workers, research on the content of rare earth elements in the air of the working area and in bioassays, and a sociological survey were carried out. The general clinical, biochemical, immunological parameters of the blood of workers in the titaniummagnesium production were studied. A functional study of the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems was performed. According to the results obtained, the final class of working conditions at the workplace corresponded to classes 3.1–3.3. Exceeding the MPC of rare earth elements and estimated safe exposure levels have not been identified. An increase in the content of europium, which can replace calcium and magnesium in the body, was found in the workers of the observation group. The revealed dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system and impaired adaptation of the body are formed as a result of exposure of workers in the titanium-magnesium production to a harmful production environment. Exposure of chemicals in workers causes a change in humoral immunity in the form of hyperproduction of IgA, and with an experience of more than 5 years, activation of cellular immunity (increased absolute phagocytosis, CD16+56+ and CD3+25+). Recorded changes in the parameters of rhinomanometry and spirography in the observation group may indicate the presence of the process of aseptic inflammation in the airways under the combined effect of irritating chemicals and rare earth elements. Low-symptomatic or asymptomatic liver damage, characterized by non-specific structural changes (hepatomegaly, increased echogenicity) and a laboratory symptom complex of a simultaneous increase in AlAt and AsAt, LDH. The emerging dysfunction of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems is transformed into cardiorespiratory and hepatopulmonary pathology, increasing the risk of sudden death. The combined impact of production factors «rejuvenates» the age of formation of production-related and occupational diseases, contributes to the loss of professional working capacity by employees even before retirement age.

A qualitative study exploring challenges and solutions to negotiating goals of care at the end of life in hospital settings.

Negotiating goals of care (GoC) with patients is an essential skill for all health-care professionals (HCPs) in hospitals. End-of-Life Essentials (EOLE) is a Commonwealth-funded project that delivers free, peer-reviewed, evidence-based, online education and practice change resources. To date, around 26 000 doctors, nurses and allied health professionals have registered to access the education. 'Planning End-of-Life Care-Goals of Care' features in the suite of EOLE modules and includes education around negotiating GoC with patients and families. The aim of the study was to explore the views of module learners (HCPs) on challenges they have faced when negotiating GoC at the EOL with patients and families. Participants were learners (HCPs) who registered to the EOLE website and engaged with the GoC module. Learners' responses to the question posed at the end of the module 'What are the hardest or most challenging things about negotiating GoC with patients and families?' were extracted for a 12-month period. Qualitative data were analysed thematically in NVivo V.12, guided by the theoretical framework of pragmatism. An open, inductive approach was used to code the data, with axial coding used to refine and organize themes and subthemes. A total of 451 learner statements were analysed. Five themes emerged from the data: (i) differing views and opinions; (ii) challenges to understanding; (iii) managing emotions; (iv) initiating the EOL conversation and (v) lack of professional knowledge or capacity. Five subthemes were also organized under the theme 'differing views and opinions'. Planning EOL care demands high-level, compassionately skilful and sensitive care and services, which are in line with the patient's and family's wishes. In practice, however, there are many challenges to this, such as ensuring that patients, families, and HCPs are aware of different expectations regarding future health-care possibilities, and that HCPs are prepared for negotiating GoC to achieve quality and safe EOL care in hospitals.

The mental health and suicide prevention training module of the French sanitary service: Effectiveness on health students

AbstractSince 2018, a Sanitary Service for Health Students (SSHS) is being implemented throughout France. All French health students must complete their SSHS choosing one of the modules proposed by their institution to be trained to the principles of prevention and then bring them to carry out prevention and health promotion actions in their respective region. A controlled pre/postdesign was conducted to assess the impact of the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (MHSP) training module on health students. Students assigned to this module were considered as exposed, and students assigned to any other module as unexposed. Health students from the Nord‐Pas‐de‐Calais region involved in the SSHS during the school year 2018–2019 were asked to answer a self‐administered questionnaire before (September 2018), and after completing their SSHS (May 2019). A total of 144 matched participants (48 in the exposed group and 96 in the unexposed group) were analyzed. When comparing the exposed group to the unexposed group, satisfaction with the training was greater (4.7 vs. 3.6 out of 5, p &lt; 0.001), self‐confidence in professional capacities improved (+1.8 vs. −0.2, p = 0.038), students were more likely to report having identified (68% vs. 48%, p = 0.043) or helped (66% vs. 18%, p &lt; 0.001) someone, as well as having consulted for a mental health issue (13% vs. 4%, p = 0.008). In conclusion, the MHSP training module improves health students' confidence in their professional abilities to help distressed people, promotes supportive behaviors of health students, and reinforces their help‐seeking behaviors. It could be a useful tool for suicide prevention.

8.E. Workshop: Climate crisis and public health: public health practitioners are key to successful litigation

Abstract Encouraged by wins on asbestos and against Big Tobacco, the public health community and environmental advocates are turning to litigation to sue governments and private sector interests for public health harms from environmental pollution and climate change. Legal systems are as varied as health systems, yet there are principles common to all jurisdictions. In particular, the choice of legal forum is key: which court is best placed to hear a given case? Questions also arise regarding legal ‘standing’ - who can initiate legal proceedings? What is the most suitable legal basis for the claim? - it could be under a national constitutional protection of the right to life, a human rights treaty, or environmental or tort law. And, what evidence is required and what evidential standard should be met? Since 2020, four cases have been filed with the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg on States’ responsibilities for the physical or psychological impacts of climate change on human health. Moreover, in May 2021, the Dutch District Court in The Hague ordered Shell to reduce CO2 emissions by 45% by 2030, globally. To reflect on these developments, in October 2021 EUPHA co-hosted a webinar on public health, climate change and strategic litigation which highlighted how strategic partnerships between public health practitioners, environmental advocates, legal experts and affected communities can win cases, raise public awareness and push governments to act. In March 2022 EUPHA-LAW co-hosted a webinar on climate change litigation at the European Court of Human Rights. Sound scientific evidence is as critical to successful litigation as to effective public health policies. Increasingly, public health practitioners are asked to testify in court about the known health impacts of environmental harms. Collecting this evidence requires foresight, meticulous record-keeping, peer-support, and the courage to withstand questioning of professional capacity. In response to this need the Faculty of Public Health (UK), EUPHA-LAW, the Groningen Centre for Health Law in collaboration with Lancet Countdown, will publish a training package and toolkit for public health practitioners on public interest litigation to address climate change and environmental pollution. The workshop will review the role of litigation in advancing public health, and the outline and proposed uses for the toolkit, building on collaboration with environmental and legal organizations such as Greenpeace International and ClientEarth. Opportunities to engage with public health practitioners in regions outside Europe will also be explored. Key messages • Strategic alliances between public health practitioners, environmental advocates, legal experts and affected communities can use litigation and legal process to address common goals. • Public health practitioners are increasingly asked to testify in court about the known health impacts of environmental harms. Relevant knowledge and skills must be strengthened. Speakers/Panellists David Patterson University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands Farhang Tahzib Faculty of Public Health, Haywards Heath, UK Anniek de Ruijter University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands Scott Burris Center for Public Health Law Research, Temple University Beasley School of Law, Philadelphia, USA

Allies and Allyship in LIS

Given the social tumult over the past few years, the concept of being an ally, or allyship, has become a popular talking point for many in the LIS professions. Acting as an ally is a common step in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) strategies. The term is used to describe individuals with power and privilege providing support and assistance to marginalized groups and individuals, including LIS professionals, staff, library users, or community members. Despite the prevalence of its use, the concept of ally is not well-defined resulting in different understandings and expectations. Ally and Allyship is applied to a variety of intentions and actions, ranging from declaring support on social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to speaking up in public to actively engaging through volunteering, protests, and funding. Many of these actions, however, are not always perceived as helpful by the groups they are intended to help. In order to effectively engage in allyship, it is important to build a common understanding of what it means to be an ally and how that translates to the practice of allyship.&#x0D; In LIS, there needs a better understanding of what it means to be an ally and to engage with allyship, as well as how these concepts are perceived and defined by both those who are carrying out actions, as well as those who are receiving the intended support. This research focuses on the definitions of and the behaviors associated with being an ally and participating in allyship amongst professionals in LIS in the United States. The study builds on the work of Erskine and Bilimoria (2019), which proposed a definition of white allyship in support of Afro-Diasporic women and identified motivators and detractors of allyship behavior. The behavior of professionals with privilege and power can support or impede the career development of professionals from marginalized groups (p. 320). As a result, understanding the factors that support white allyship behavior can inform professional development and personal actions to increase the capacity of other white professionals to enact allyship behavior, with long-term potential for increasing the number of professionals of color in LIS organizations.