Sociocultural Dimensions Research Articles

Resilient planning pathways to community resilience to tsunami in Chile

There is growing urgency to develop resilient coastal communities worldwide due to an increase in destructive events. Many resilience assessment models, tools, and frameworks are being developed to guide planners and policy makers for planning resilient communities. However, many lack a multidimensional approach, while others disregard regional variations in indicators' importance, and neglect an adequate community involvement level. In turn, these factors hinder the development of a ‘Resilient Planning Pathway’ (RPP), or a set of planning strategies that consider key local environmental attributes and socio-cultural capacities. The RPP approach has been used in the context of vulnerable groups and urban and landscape planning worldwide. The objective of this study is to identify key resilience aspects to develop RPPs in Chilean coastal communities exposed to tsunami hazards. We used a cross-sectional participatory method with public servants and coastal communities which identifies regional variations in resilience dimensions, in order to define challenges for planners and policy makers. A systematic international literature review in Atlas.Ti revealed 78 resilience composite indicators and six resilience dimensions for tsunami hazards in Chile. Composite indicators were evaluated according to their importance and experience by 134 public servants within 42 coastal communities, revealing the aspects that guide the current development of RPPs. Public servants' responses are similar among macrozones and suggest that RPP development has focused on the physical, socio-cultural, and institutional dimensions, neglecting the ecological and economic dimensions. In contrast, the community opinions from 10 representative coastal settlements collected in 29 focus groups indicated that the importance of composite indicators varies among macrozones and with regards to the public servants' responses. This finding suggests commonalities and differences among macrozones regarding the challenges in developing Chilean coastal communities' RPPs. We believe that our methodological approach could help generate similar assessments in other world zones.

Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic: Promoting Vaccination and Public Health Resilience, a Narrative Review.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of adaptable and resilient public health systems capable of rapid response to emerging health crises. This paper synthesizes the lessons learned from the COVID-19 vaccination campaign and explores strategies to enhance vaccine uptake in the post-pandemic era. Key challenges identified include logistical, economic, sociocultural, and policy dimensions that impact vaccination efforts, particularly in low-resource settings. The analysis highlights the need for resilient supply chains, effective communication, community engagement, and equitable access to healthcare resources. The rapid development and deployment of mRNA vaccines exemplify the potential of innovative vaccine technologies, though public trust and acceptance remain crucial. Strategies such as partnerships with local leaders, tailored messaging, and integration of digital tools are essential for combating vaccine hesitancy. By applying these insights, future vaccination campaigns can be more efficient, equitable, and resilient, ultimately improving public health outcomes globally. This paper aims to inform policy and practice, ensuring that public health strategies are evidence based and context specific, thus better preparing for future health challenges.

Domestic Migrant Well-Being Orientations in Policy in a Developing Country (India): A Reflection

This article reflects on domestic migrant well-being orientations in policy in a developing country—India. Well-being has been conceptualized in many different ways, both in scholarly and practitioner literature. Given the lack of consensus on the well-being construct in general and especially so for domestic migrants, this study conceptualizes domestic migrant well-being in terms of three key dimensions—economic, sociocultural and health—and reflects on well-being orientations in policy in pre-COVID years and thereafter. The three-dimensional approach shows domestic migrant well-being in policy is more geared towards the economic relative to the sociocultural and health dimensions in the developing country context of India. This article also observes gaps and issues vis-à-vis standards recommended by global bodies. While the article commends the need to prioritize economic well-being, it also reflects on the current scope for improvement on all three dimensions and suggests measures to further strengthen the same.

Enhancing sustainable crop production through integrated nutrient management: a focus on vermicompost, bio-enriched rock phosphate, and inorganic fertilisers – a systematic review

Securing a consistent food supply remains a pressing global challenge, particularly for small-scale farmers grappling with obstacles in enhancing agricultural yields, especially in tropical soils. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) techniques, employing organic manures like vermicompost and bio-enriched rock phosphate, emerge as recommended solutions. Vermicompost is lauded for its nutrient richness and positive soil health impacts. At the same time, bio-enriched rock phosphate serves as a sustainable alternative to conventional phosphorus fertilisers, specifically tailored for tropical soil conditions. Despite individual studies assessing the effects of vermicompost, bio-enriched rock phosphate, and soluble fertilisers on plant growth, a comprehensive overview of their combined application is noticeably lacking. To fill this gap, this study employs the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) method to explore the synergies of combining these elements and their impacts on crop production and the environment. This review is among the first to comprehensively summarize the complexities of combining vermicompost, bio-enriched rock phosphate, and chemical fertilisers on various crops. It thoroughly examines potential advantages, disadvantages, effects on agricultural systems, socio-economic implications, and existing policies governing their usage. Our findings reveal that the combined application of vermicompost, bio-enriched rock phosphate, and soluble fertilisers leads to significant improvements in plant growth, yield, and soil properties. The optimal impact is observed when vermicompost constitutes 25% and soluble fertiliser comprises 75 or 100% of the recommended fertiliser dosage. Moreover, incorporating a mixture of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) strains in rock phosphate further enhances its positive effects. Despite these positive findings, we identified gaps in comprehensive approaches addressing socio-cultural dimensions and the lack of literature on prevailing policies regarding vermicompost use in agricultural systems highlighting the need for a more holistic understanding of vermicompost incorporation and a better grasp of the institutional frameworks guiding these practices. However, to secure sustainable crop production, farmers need to integrate vermicompost and biofertilisers with chemical fertilisers. In fostering the adoption of sustainable and inclusive agricultural practices on small rural properties, it is advisable to incorporate agricultural education into farmer training programs.

Educational technology, higher education discourses and the lived experience of lecturers as users

Abstract Technological innovations, under the aegis of ‘technology-enhanced learning’ (TEL), are high on policy agenda in higher education institutions (HEIs) in the UK and elsewhere. These developments have a direct impact on the conditions of teaching and learning. The socio-cultural dimension – the impact of change on working communities and their practices and beliefs on the ground – appears under-researched in empirical work (Selwyn, 2022). This paper reports on a qualitative study incorporating an analysis of linguistic metaphors that attempted to investigate that gap in one institutional context. It begins with a critical review of metaphors associated with policy and educational technology innovation in education discourses more broadly. Teaching staff were interviewed from across the institution’s main faculties. The interview transcripts formed a databank of naturally occurring language. Respondents used a range of metaphors, both conventional and novel, revealing insights into the affective and sociocultural dimensions of experience and understanding as well as perceptions of changing professional roles. For triangulation, linguistic analyses of relevant documentary sources, where available, were made and an example is included here. Overall, a more nuanced understanding of lecturers’ lived experience and engagement with educational technology was achieved by focusing on their metaphor usage.

Sociocultural dimensions of research on public health roles for community pharmacists in tuberculosis disease control in a developing country

Sociocultural dimensions of research on public health roles for community pharmacists in tuberculosis disease control in a developing country

Critical Discourse Analysis of Television News Coverage on the Relocation of Indonesia’s Capital City

The new phase of the State Capital Relocation (IKN) began in 2019, after President Joko Widodo inaugurated that Indonesia's capital would move to East Kalimantan. The relocation has been ongoing since then and has entered the infrastructure development stage. However, beyond the grandeur of the IKN construction, many aspects have been affected. This research aims to understand how the examined media construct discourse on capital relocation. This research employs a qualitative method, utilizing Norman Fairclough's critical discourse analysis model. Discourse analysis is conducted through three stages: text analysis, discourse practice analysis, and sociocultural analysis. Data collection methods were carried out using observation techniques, documentation studies through television media reporting, and in-depth interviews with informants representing Trans TV, Kompas TV, SCTV and NET. The research results in the text dimension indicate that the majority of the reporting is not in favour of the government's decision to relocate the capital because it is considered rushed in planning and has various negative impacts. In the discourse practice dimension, the reporting is heavily influenced by the media's socio-economic status (SES) in shaping the discourse. In the sociocultural dimension, it is shown that the capital relocation is one of the political strategies, and there is disagreement among various parties regarding the relocation. Therefore, the researcher suggests that the examined media should present balanced reporting and provide a balanced perspective in their coverage. Furthermore, caution is needed from the media to avoid being influenced by external media domination, ensuring that the information reported is accountable and prioritizes the public interest.

Nursing Care to Promote Comfort for People in Palliative Care: A Scoping Review

Introduction: Understanding the meaning and significance of comfort for people in palliative care can be a challenge for nurses when defining care. Objective: To map the available scientific evidence on nursing care that promotes comfort for people in palliative care. Materials and methods: This is a literature review based on the Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A complete search was conducted in the Medline Complete, Cinahl Complete, Scopus, Web of Science, Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal, and OpenGrey databases. Primary studies were included, with quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods designs, published between January 2014 and March 2023, in Portuguese, English, or Spanish. The search syntax was adjusted for each database. A combination of MeSH, text words, and indexing terms using the boolean operators AND and OR was used. Truncation * was used to enhance the search. Results: 681 articles were found, of which 239 were duplicates. A total of 442 studies were analyzed and 409 were excluded for not reflecting the theme. The full texts from 33 articles were retrieved, of which eight were included in the review. Comfort-promoting nursing care integrates the physical, psychospiritual, environmental, and sociocultural dimensions. Of particular relevance are the implementation of pharmacological measures, respect for religious and cultural beliefs, encouragement for the presence of family members, communication, and the relaxation of rules. Conclusions: Promoting comfort for patients in palliative care includes direct care and support for the family. The individualization of care and the response to specific needs can result in relief, ease, and transcendence.

Mapping for connection, a life beyond mapping for control: lessons from ‘mapping-as-performance’ with Empatheatre in South Africa

This paper critically examines the intersections of Science, colonialism, and cartography in shaping perceptions of the ocean and its human-nature relationships. Drawing on Postcolonial Science and Technology Studies (PCSTS) and Decolonial Theory, it scrutinizes historical mapping practices, revealing how they perpetuated ontological hierarchies and controlled narratives of the ocean. Through archival research spanning from the Revolution to colonial exploration, the paper exposes how maps framed the ocean as a controllable entity, obscuring socio-cultural dimensions of biodiversity. Focusing on a case study in Northern Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, the authors explore an Empatheatre mapping process, that challenges Western ontologies and promotes counter-hegemonic cartographic practices. Situating this within critical cartography and PCSTS literature, the paper reveals how colonial projects molded perceptions of oceanic space and influenced environmental governance. In the South African context, the ocean is haunted by a violent history of racial exclusion and ecological exploitation. Initiatives like Operation Phakisa’s Blue Economy plan underscore the tension between economic growth and ecological sustainability, leading to rapid coastal developments. Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) emerges as a tool to reconcile these interests, yet its implementation raises questions about inclusivity and community participation. Introducing the Empatheatre method, characterized by a ‘Call and Response’ approach, the paper invites local communities to co-create maps reflecting their concerns and relationships with the ocean. Through attentive listening and collaborative storytelling, Empatheatre challenges traditional consultation methods, prioritizing meaningful engagement and collective meaning-making. Mapping in this context is not merely a static representation but a dynamic process of collective thinking and relationality. By foregrounding the social, cultural, and ecological context, Empatheatre’s approach redefines the mapmaker-map relationship and empowers communities as active agents in shaping their narratives. The transformative potential of Empatheatre lies in its ability to shift power dynamics and foster empathy between diverse stakeholders. Through performative storytelling and visual representations, Empatheatre creates space for marginalized voices and alternative modes of knowledge transmission. In conclusion, this paper advocates for a decolonial approach to oceanic cartographies that acknowledges diverse ontologies and fosters inclusive governance structures.

Clear in advance to whom? Exploring ‘transparency’ of assessment practices in UK higher education institution assessment policy

ABSTRACT This study examines transparency in assessment practices within UK higher education institutions (HEIs), addressing a gap in how transparency is framed within policy documents. Employing content analysis on policy documents from 151 HEIs, we explore the multifaceted nature of transparency through techno-rational approaches, socio-cultural practices, and socio-material enactments to offer a nuanced understanding of transparency conceptualization and its intended audience. Findings indicate a predominant focus on techno-rational approaches – emphasizing clear documentation and information dissemination – while often overlooking the socio-cultural and socio-material dimensions crucial for thorough understanding and stakeholder engagement. We propose a nuanced framework integrating these three approaches, urging a shift beyond mere information disclosure to active stakeholder engagement with assessment criteria through dialogue and interaction. This research contributes to the discourse on transparency in assessment by offering theoretical and practical insights. Theoretically, it advances our understanding of transparency as a dynamic and contextually situated practice, challenging static conceptualizations. Practically, it provides a robust basis for refining assessment policies and practices, emphasizing clarity, comprehensibility, and inclusivity. By recognizing the diverse needs of stakeholders – students, educators, and assessors – the study advocates for policy enhancements that promote a deeper, actionable understanding of assessment practices. The findings lay the groundwork for future research on the conceptualization and impact of transparency in higher education, guiding more effective policy development and implementation. This study underscores the importance of comprehensive, well-articulated policies in fostering a shared understanding of transparent assessment practices within HEIs.

Applying the anthropological theory of didactics to enhance a multicultural approach to statistics education for engineering students

PurposeThis work aims to introduce basic principles of the Anthropological Theory of Didactics applied to enhance the multicultural sensitivity in engineering statistics classroom. The approach emphasizes understanding learners’ socio-cultural backgrounds to tailor educational practices that resonate more effectively with engineering students.Design/methodology/approachThis paper examines the application of the Anthropological Theory of Didactics within the context of statistics education for engineering students. This study aims to explore how integrating socio-cultural dimensions of learning can make teaching statistics more effective and engaging.FindingsThe application of the Anthropological Theory of Didactics reveals significant potential for enhancing the educational experience in statistics. By acknowledging and incorporating the diverse cultural perspectives of students, educators can develop teaching methods that are not only more inclusive but also more engaging. This methodology encourages a deeper connection between statistical concepts and engineering practices, aiding in the conceptualization of statistics among future engineers.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the field by providing concrete activities and pedagogical strategies that use the Anthropological Theory of Didactics in a novel context. These activities are designed to foster a better integration of statistical education with engineering, highlighting the theory’s versatility and its relevance to modern educational challenges. This innovative approach promises to enhance how statistics is taught to engineering students, potentially leading to more profound educational outcomes and a stronger grasp of statistical applications in engineering.

Learning processes and repercussions from handicrafts for social and popular education

The research incorporates the experiences of a group of artisans from Azuay and Cañar in Ecuador, aims to reflect on the professional practices of artisan collectives and their relationshipwith formal educational processes from a pedagogical approach focused on social and popular education. The study applies qualitative methodology with ethnographic focus. The results not only highlight that the spaces occupied by craftsmanship in the social imaginary are markedby obstacles and restrictions in professional practice, but also demonstrate that the knowledge they possess is conditioned by ethnic and sociocultural dimensions. Despite having experiencesand knowledge that are not far from the curriculum taught in the educational system, these are excluded and considered of lesser value. The research concludes that recognizing artisanal methods and procedures can be used as powerful formative elements to strengthen identity, democraticparticipation, dialogue of knowledge, social justice, and true intercultural education. Consequently, social and popular education can help promote the active participation of artisans and other collectives and contribute to the transformation and change of unequal structures from a socioeducationalperspective.

Analisis Wacana Kritis Norman Fairclough Pernyataan Megawati: “Pak Jokowi Kalau nggak Ada PDI Perjuangan duh Kasihan dah”

Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan (PDIP) held its 50th Anniversary celebration on January 10, 2023. During the celebration, Megawati as the Chairperson of the party mentioned, "Mr. Jokowi, if there is no PDI Perjuangan, I'm sorry,". The statement received applause from the audience at JIEXPO Kemayoran. The video of Megawati's statement was uploaded again by KompasTV through the Youtube channel and received various responses. This research uses a qualitative research method with a critical discourse analysis approach of the Norman Fairclough model. The purpose of this research is to dissect discourse in three dimensions, namely textual, discourse practices, and sociocultural practices. Textually, the use of linguistic elements in the form of diction and majas is found. The dimension of discourse practice can be seen from the parties involved in making the video from KompasTV media through the Youtube channel. The level of consumption of this discourse is not only consumed by subscribers, but the wider netizen can access the information and provide comments. The sociocultural dimension is divided into three, namely situational, institutional, and social. Situational saw the situation when Megawati's 50th anniversary of PDIP received a response of applause when delivering the discourse. Institutional shows that PDIP's vote share has decreased in the 2024 elections. Then the social level in the discourse consists of cultural and political elements.

Politics and Music in Iran (1980-2023)

Revolution in Iran, in 1979, established a new political system, known as Islamic Republic of Iran, which is based on strong relationship between religion and state. The preamble and many articles of it's constitution, including fourth article, stipulates that in this political structure all law and policies should be made according Islamic Law (Shariaا). So, music and other socio-cultural dimensions of life, has been made subjected to religious law, or at least this is the object of the government. But Iranians has followed their own ways of life, which in some major aspects is different from the formal ways of the government. This paper shows some major trends of music and their interactions or objections to politics in Iran (1980-2023).

A systematic review of residents’ perceptions towards tourism development in ethnic tourism contexts

ABSTRACT Ethnic tourism, an indispensable component of global tourism, has gained increasing scholarly attention recently. Despite the well-studied nature of residents’ perceptions, scant literature has scrutinized ethnic residents’ perceptions systematically. Therefore, this review aims to examine the current body of knowledge concerning residents’ perceptions in ethnic tourism contexts and contribute to a generalized conceptual model of residents’ perceptions. Following the PRISMA protocol, a literature search on the Scopus database yielded 1803 records, among which 64 journal articles were proven eligible. The review demonstrated that most residents’ perception studies in ethnic tourism contexts are qualitative, and predominantly conducted in developing countries. Given the distinct ethnic attributes and place-specific circumstances, the sociopolitical dimension has been introduced as the fourth dimension evaluating residents’ positive and negative perceptions jointly with economic, sociocultural, and environmental dimensions in ethnic tourism contexts. Additionally, ethnic values are recognized as a common thread in interpreting non-economic factors influencing residents’ perceptions, like place attachment, emotional solidarity, and perceived conflicts. Apart from the commonly examined support for tourism development and quality of life, citizen behaviours, as a significant consequence, have gained growing academic interest as of late. Correspondingly, some implications and recommendations for future studies are discussed in this review.

The socio-cultural dimension of the "culture of cancellation" as a phenomenon of the XXI century

The socio-cultural dimension of the "culture of cancellation" as a phenomenon of the XXI century

Conceptual Justification of the Political Future in the Three-Dimensionality of the Past-Present-Future

The article addresses the complicated issue of political future in a temporally three-dimensional manner. First, an attempt is made to dissect the conceptual contents of the idea of the “end of history” linking its historical evolution to contemporary international relations. Moreover, the article exposes the underlying connection between the “end of history” on the one hand and the “political future” on the other. In this sense, one may conculde that it is necessary to differentiate between the “end of history” as an arguable notion and the “desired end of history” as a universal direction of humankind. Second, an emphasis is made on the interrelationships among the individual, the society, the state and supranational entities revealing the sociocultural dimension of the political future. Finally, the article addresses the proposed matrix of “challenge-response to the challenge-counter-challenge” as a formula of an effective deal with contemporary sociopolitical phenomena. The general representation is, however, the anthropomorphizing effect of the political future in the context of global and local civilizations.

INTEGRATING MADANI VALUES INTO MALAYSIAN SPORTS: A CONCEPTUAL EXPLORATION

ABSTRACT MADANI is the acronym of a set of six core values introduced by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in 2023. These values are envisioned to shape Malaysia into a civilised, skilled, and inclusive society, with a particular emphasis on empowering the youth as a driving force for the nation’s future. Intended to permeate all levels of Malaysian society, including youth development and sports, these values embrace the multicultural diversity of Malaysia. While sports are often associated with elitism and competition, their socio-cultural dimension offers a platform for instilling human development values in the youth, fostering positive growth. This inclusive set of core values, MADANI, holds promise for being integrated into youth development programmes through sports, facilitating positive change. This exploration of incorporating MADANI values into youth development through sports serves as a model for leveraging sports and its ecosystem for socio-cultural development through a framework of R.E.C.O.G.N.I.S.E. that integrates MADANI values into the segments of the ecosystem of sports. This framework will guide MADANI into the socio-cultural dimension of sports for societal change and development. Keywords: MADANI, sports socio-culture, youth development, positive change, cultural inclusivity

Multicriteria Measures to Assess the Sustainability of Diets: A Systematic Review

Abstract Context Assessing the overall sustainability of a diet is a challenging undertaking requiring a holistic approach capable of addressing the multicriteria nature of this concept. Objective The aim was to identify and summarize the multicriteria measures used to assess the sustainability characteristics of diets reported at the individual level by healthy adults. Data Sources Articles were identified via PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search strategy consisted of key words and MeSH terms, and was concluded in September 2022, covering references in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Data Extraction This systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines. The search identified 5663 references, from which 1794 were duplicates. Two reviewers independently screened the titles and abstracts of each of the 3869 records and the full-text of the 144 references selected. Of these, 7 studies met the inclusion criteria. Data Analysis A total of 6 multicriteria measures were identified: 3 different Sustainable Diet Indices, the Quality Environmental Costs of Diet, the Quality Financial Costs of Diet, and the Environmental Impact of Diet. All of these incorporated a health/nutrition dimension, while the environmental and economic dimensions were the second and the third most integrated, respectively. A sociocultural sustainability dimension was included in only 1 of the measures. Conclusion Despite some methodological concerns in the development and validation process of the identified measures, their inclusion is considered indispensable in assessing the transition towards sustainable diets in future studies. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022358824.

Enhancing Socio-Economic Sustainability in South Africa: A Review of Local Municipalities in Managing Inward Migration from the Periphery to the Core

This conceptual paper aims to examine the prevailing patterns of migration from local municipalities to metropolitan areas in the context of socio-economic transformations. Emphasizing the crucial role of local municipalities in addressing and mitigating migration towards urban cores, the paper underscores that the effectiveness of such efforts relies on factors like good governance, enhanced economic prospects, basic service provision, infrastructure development, and tailored skills training within the unique context of each municipality. Migration is a multifaceted phenomenon entwining economic, socio-cultural, and security dimensions. The unsustainable influx from the periphery burdens metropolitans, particularly in rural regions, challenging the mandated responsibilities. The failure of local municipalities to adequately deliver services exacerbates the strain on metropolitans already grappling with limited resources. The migration exodus from rural to urban centers often stems from pervasive socio-economic disparities, making migration a perceived solution to enhance the quality of life. Despite the advent of democracy, developmental progress in rural areas remains limited, necessitating a comprehensive approach that integrates rural development strategies with urban planning, job creation in urban areas, and the resolution of systemic issues. It is crucial to acknowledge that addressing migration requires a holistic perspective, as rural development alone may not suffice to deter migration to urban centers, given the diverse opportunities and amenities they offer. The paper advocates for a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach involving governmental bodies, local communities, NGOs, and the private sector to achieve meaningful and sustainable results in curbing migration from local municipalities to metropolitan areas. In conclusion, the study underscores the importance of achieving a more balanced and sustainable population distribution across municipalities for overall societal well-being.