Community Values Research Articles

Valuing collective authorship in practice as research

ABSTRACT Practice as research is a critically informed, experimental and reflective process of art making fostered within academia and based on methods and values evident in the contemporary art world. Western educational institutions, such as art schools, have tended historically to reinforce a convention of individual authorship, with students and artists – effectively competing for grades and critical recognition respectively – considered primarily responsible for the value that is in fact bestowed on their work by others. However, art schools are also responsible for the tendency for students and practicing artists to be well versed in the range of theoretical and cultural frameworks that question individualism and anthropocentrism: the post-structuralist challenge to authorship; post-humanist notions of distributed agency; the collectivism of Indigenous cultures. Signs that values of cooperation, collaboration and community are gaining traction include the 2021 iteration of Aotearoa New Zealand's prestigious Walters Prize, awarded to the Mataaho Collective and Maureen Lander, not on the basis of their exhibited installation, but rather to celebrate the ethos of collaboration behind the work. This article speculates on the significance of this case study for the development and assessment of practice as research.

Perspectives of Hispanic and Latinx Community Members on AI-Enabled mHealth Tools: Qualitative Focus Group Study.

Mobile health (mHealth) tools have the potential to reduce the burden of chronic conditions that disproportionately affect Hispanic and Latinx communities; however, digital divides in the access to and use of health technology suggest that mHealth has the potential to exacerbate, rather than reduce, these disparities. A key step toward developing health technology that is accessible and usable is to understand community member perspectives and needs so that technology is culturally relevant and appropriately contextualized. In this study, we aimed to examine the perspectives of Hispanic and Latinx community members in Washington State about mHealth. We recruited English- and Spanish-speaking Hispanic or Latinx adults to participate in web-based focus groups through existing community-based networks across rural and urban regions of Washington State. Focus groups included a presentation of narrative slideshow materials developed by the research team depicting mHealth use case examples of asthma in children and fall risk in older adults. Focus group questions asked participants to respond to the case examples and to further explore mHealth use preferences, benefits, barriers, and concerns. Focus group recordings were professionally transcribed, and Spanish transcripts were translated into English. We developed a qualitative codebook using deductive and inductive methods and then coded deidentified transcripts using the constant comparison method. The analysis team proposed themes based on review of coded data, which were validated through member checking with a community advisory board serving Latino individuals in the region and finalized through discussion with the entire research team. Between May and September 2023, we conducted 8 focus groups in English or Spanish with 48 participants. Focus groups were stratified by language and region and included the following: 3 (n=18, 38% participants) Spanish urban groups, 2 (n=14, 29% participants) Spanish rural groups, 1 (n=6, 13% participants) English urban group, and 2 (n=10, 21% participants) English rural groups. We identified the following seven themes: (1) mHealth is seen as beneficial for promoting health and peace of mind; (2) some are unaware of, unfamiliar with, or uncomfortable with technology and may benefit from individualized support; (3) financial barriers limit access to mHealth; (4) practical considerations create barriers to using mHealth in daily life; (5) mHealth raises concern for overreliance on technology; (6) automated mHealth features are perceived as valuable but fallible, requiring human input to ensure accuracy; and (7) data sharing is seen as valuable for limited uses but raises privacy concerns. These themes illustrate key barriers to the benefits of mHealth that communities may face, provide insights into the role of mHealth within families, and examine the appropriate balance of data sharing and privacy protections. These findings offer important insights that can help advance the development of mHealth that responds to community values and priorities.

Community Mobilisation Through Translation: A Sustainable Framework for Participatory Planning

Participatory planning in neighbourhood regeneration faces challenges, including engagement difficulties, consensus-building, implementation complexities, and expectation management. This article investigates participatory planning processes aimed at addressing the aforementioned challenges in Bijiang Village, China. Using the framework of translation, it explores how this approach facilitates community mobilisation and engagement to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically focusing on fostering sustainable communities. Translation theory comprises four moments: problematisation, interessement, enrolment, and mobilisation. The empirical studies demonstrate that these moments are dynamic and iterative. Initial problem framing, focused on historical landscapes, was unclear at first but became more defined through interest assignment, recruitment, and mobilisation. The interessement phase identifies stakeholders with shared concerns and values, empowering them early in the decision-making process. Enrolment effectively expanded participation by mobilising key stakeholders, such as clan elders and parents, through context-specific social networks and social ecology. This approach ensures that planning outcomes reflect community values and priorities. Mobilisation in Bijiang expanded participation, turned consensus into action, and fostered collective ownership and unity. Workshops, exhibitions, and focus groups translated public issues into defined community planning problems, facilitating the co-construction of solutions. These participatory methods made complex planning terms accessible, fostering deeper community involvement. The cyclical nature of problem framing and consensus-building in Bijiang Village underscores the importance of local socio-cultural context in rural regeneration. Translation theory offers a robust framework for managing complexities in participatory community planning. It demonstrates how continuous negotiation and realignment of interests through translation address immediate concerns and foster long-term engagement, contributing to sustainable development.

Waterfront property owners' shoreline preferences amid salt marsh to mangrove transitions

Abstract We examined the influence of mangrove encroachment into salt marsh areas along the northern Gulf of Mexico (USA) on waterfront property owners' perceptions of coastal health and preferences for shoreline management. Using mail‐in and online surveys, we targeted over 3000 waterfront property owners across four jurisdictions experiencing or anticipating mangrove encroachment. Our findings revealed a nuanced perception of coastal health, with many respondents recognizing the potentially environmental impacts of mangrove encroachment but favouring low‐cost management strategies, such as maintaining current shoreline or passive monitoring. This reluctance to engage in active management highlights a perception‐behaviour gap, likely influenced by the gradual nature of mangrove transitions, which diminishes urgency for active intervention. Socio‐demographic factors such as age, gender, income, residency and reliance on coastal resources significantly shaped preferences for shoreline management and regional responses. These preferences varied across jurisdictions, reflecting the importance of incorporating localized community values into management decisions. Our findings highlight the need for a balanced approach to shoreline management that integrates ecological insights with the socio‐cultural priorities of local communities. By aligning adaptation strategies with regional perceptions and values, it is possible to protect individual properties while enhancing the long‐term resilience of coastal ecosystems under climate change pressures. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Tradisi Mudik dan Halal Bihalal dalam Pandangan Islam

Homecoming (Mudik) and Halal Bihalal are significant traditions in Indonesian society, especially during Eid al-Fitr, reflecting social, cultural, and religious values. Mudik, the journey back to one’s hometown, is not only a moment for family reunions but also a symbol of respect for parents and the strengthening of intergenerational bonds. Meanwhile, Halal Bihalal plays a crucial role in maintaining and strengthening social ties through Islamic values such as mutual forgiveness, reinforcing brotherhood, and fostering harmony, even promoting interfaith tolerance. These traditions embody positive values such as mutual cooperation (gotong royong), empathy, and tolerance while serving as a medium for preserving local culture and reinforcing national identity. By integrating moral, spiritual, and communal values, the traditions of Mudik and Halal Bihalal symbolize harmony and strengthen human relationships in a diverse society.

"Unveiling the 'Empty Pool/Pull'": Gambling Disorder's Impact on the Sense of Belonging to the Jewish Ultra-Orthodox Community.

Closed religious communities cultivate a robust communal identity, shared faith, values, and norms among their members, providing them with social and emotional support. Deviance carries significant consequences, specifically disintegrating members' sense of belonging. Gambling disorder (GD) is characterized by harmful gambling behaviors that negatively affect individuals' lives. While gambling is a prevalent recreational activity, within closed religious communities, addiction, including GD, is viewed as a violation of religious teachings, values, and communal norms. This study explores GD's impact on the sense of belonging of Jewish Ultra-Orthodox men and their spouses in Israel. This research employed constructivist grounded theory, interviewing twenty-two men with GD and eleven spouses and uncovered two complementary themes. The first, "Depleting versus replenishing of the personal aspects of sense of belonging," elucidates GD's different effects on the men and spouses' sense of belonging. The second, "Paying the toll," illuminates the emotional experiences and actions of the men and the spouses in reaction to societal conditional negative regard directed at them, disintegrating the sense of belonging of the men, but also that of the spouses who did not deviate from communal norms. The paper introduces the novel concept of "an empty pool/pull," portraying these individuals' limbo state. The "empty pool" represents the depletion of faith, adherence to religious commandments, and communal values for the men, while the "empty pull" signifies the inclination of the men and the spouses to conform amid the community's unfulfilled promise of protection. The study advocates for further research and offers clinical insights for therapists.

한국형 사회정서역량 증진을 위한 부모교육의 필요성

This study was conducted to establish a theoretical foundation for the necessity of parent education based on the Korean social-emotional competencies proposed by the Ministry of Education. To this end, the concept and educational significance of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) were examined. Next, CASEL's core competencies were compared with Korean social-emotional competencies to analyze the commonalities and differences between them in relation to educational direction and cultural specificity. As a result, the findings revealed that both frameworks emphasized ‘self’ and ‘relationship’competencies. Additionally, ‘community values’ and ‘mind health’competencies were identified as distinctive features reflecting Korea’s cultural and educational characteristics. For social-emotional learning to have an educational impact, a cooperative relationship between schools and families must be established. Therefore, to ensure the stable implementation and promotion of Korean social-emotional education, family engagement is essential. Based on each core competency, this study proposes a framework for a parent education program aligned with Korean social-emotional competencies.

Reusing the Ghoufi’s vernacular buildings within the context of sustainable conservation, an action put to the test

PurposeVernacular architectures are now seen as sustainable construction models for their quality and environmental solutions. This study examines Ghoufi’s Chaouie constructive culture, which adapted to harsh climates by optimizing resources and integrating vegetation, construction and animal husbandry. Yet, modernization efforts have often endangered this heritage through harmful rehabilitation. Our main goal is to preserve this resilient architecture through sustainable conservation that respects its cultural integrity.Design/methodology/approachAn experimental method, based on the principles of integrated conservation, was employed to evaluate the reuse and readaptation potential of vernacular buildings. The research involved an initial discovery phase to examine the building practices, environmental context and Chaouie cultural heritage. Evaluation is conducted through a pilot study, where we conduct a rehabilitation trial on a model house, followed by a public survey, to refine the experimentation and obtain reliable and quality results.FindingsThe study concludes with methodological guidelines for a sustainable conservation strategy for Ghoufi. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of reviving traditional techniques, leveraging local expertise and resources and promoting environmentally responsible practices in the conservation of vernacular architecture.Originality/valueThe study lies in its holistic, field-based approach to sustainable conservation, centered on Ghoufi’s cultural and environmental context. Unlike prior interventions, this research integrates traditional construction, Chaoui community values and ecotourism as drivers of sustainable territorial development. It demonstrates the feasibility of reusing vernacular structures through an inclusive, community-focused conservation strategy that preserves Ghoufi’s identity while supporting long-term sustainability.Highlights(1)The Algerian civil war, known in Algeria as the black decade, lasted from 1992 to 2002.(2)The name of the local population of the Aures region I, including Ghoufi.(3)Tourist expansion zone.(4)Permanent Plan for the Conservation and Enhancement of the Protected Sector [Author’s translation].(5)These are development and planning schemes in Algeria at the regional territorial level and at the level of the province (wilaya).(6)These are agencies supporting youth employment, micro-credits and support units for assisting young entrepreneurs in job creation.

The Rise of Aging Influencers: Exploring Aging, Representation, and Agency in Social Media Spaces

Objective: This study investigates the rise of aging influencers on social media, aiming to understand their roles in reshaping societal perceptions of aging, promoting inclusivity, and bridging generational divides. Theoretical Framework: The research is grounded in theories of ageism, the social construction of aging, and the attention economy. These frameworks provide a robust foundation for analyzing how digital platforms mediate representations of aging and influence societal narratives. Method: A systematic literature review was conducted using databases such as Scopus, Google Scholar, and CNKI. The review synthesizes findings from 10 studies published between 2015 and 2024. Thematic analysis identified recurring patterns in content strategies, representation, and audience engagement. Results and Discussion: Aging influencers challenge ageist stereotypes by emphasizing vitality, creativity, and resilience, while also facing pressures from commercialization and algorithm-driven visibility. Cultural variations reveal that Western influencers often highlight individuality, while those in collectivist societies emphasize family and community values. Challenges include marginalizing diverse experiences of aging and ethical concerns regarding influencer autonomy. Research Implications: The study highlights the potential for aging influencers to advocate for systemic change, promote healthy aging, and inspire intergenerational dialogue. It suggests practical applications in policy development, marketing strategies, and public health initiatives. Originality/Value: By synthesizing current research, this study contributes to the emerging discourse on aging influencers, emphasizing their unique role in fostering age inclusivity and redefining digital engagement across generations.

Venturing into the Heartlands: Comparing Trauma-Informed Spaces in Urban and Rural Jurisdictions through Field Observations

<i>This study explores trauma-informed practices within courtroom settings in a Midwestern state, comparing urban and rural judicial districts through in-depth field observations. Using a semi-structured observational approach, we examined courtroom dynamics, environmental factors, and community influences to assess how trauma-informed design principles are applied. Our findings reveal notable contrasts: rural courtrooms grappled with resource limitations and conservative cultural influences, while urban settings displayed a fast-paced, often impersonal atmosphere. Socio-political factors, such as community values and political symbolism, emerged as significant influences on courtroom practices, shaping the receptiveness and implementation of trauma-informed approaches. Guided by Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis framework, we identified themes including resource constraints, courtroom decorum, community socio-political influences, and privacy considerations. The study highlights the need for adaptive trauma-informed policies and judicial training that account for socio-cultural differences, advocating for increased support to rural jurisdictions to enhance the implementation of trauma-informed judicial practices</i>

Do we have too much choice?

Abstract In institutional design, public policy and for society as a whole, securing freedom of choice for individuals is important. But how much choice should we aim for? Various theorists argue that above some level more choice improves neither wellbeing nor autonomy. Worse still, psychology research seems to suggest that too much choice even makes us worse off. Such reasons suggest the Sufficiency View: increasing choice is only important up to some sufficiency level, a level that is not too far from the level enjoyed by well-off citizens in rich liberal countries today. I argue that we should reject the Sufficiency View and accept Liberal Optimism instead: expanding freedom of choice should remain an important priority even far beyond levels enjoyed in rich liberal countries today. I argue that none of the arguments given for the Sufficiency View work. Neither psychological evidence nor any broader social trends support it. If anything, they support Liberal Optimism instead. I also show why further increases are possible and desirable, and sketch some implications for debates around immigration, economic growth, markets and the value of community.

Problematika aplikovateľnosti noriem medzinárodného humanitárneho práva v kontexte súčasného medzinárodného práva

One of the strengths of international law is its dynamism, its capacity to develop in response to the changing realities of international life and the evolving values of the international community. Two phenomena in particular have led to astonishingly rapid developments in the substance of international law and even in the very structure of the international legal system. The first is the universal recognition that the protection of human dignity is a proper concern of international law, and the second is the accumulation and exercise of power by nonstate actors. Outline development shows particularly in those bodies of international law, such as international humanitarian law (IHL), that has as its purpose the amelioration if suffering and protection of individuals. Likewise this evolution brings the situations in which the issue of application of IHL becomes disputed. The study focuses current affairs on the field of IHL, the specific disputable character of application IHL and reflection of international law on these issues.

Culturally informed risk perceptions among young adult drinkers in Denmark, Estonia and Italy

Alcohol researchers have debated whether increased globalisation has reduced national differences in alcohol consumption and thus made alcohol cultures more similar. Building on this interest, this article examines the cultural perceptions of alcohol risk among young adult drinkers in Denmark, Estonia and Italy to find out if important cultural differences still exist in Europe. The study is based on 24 focus groups (n = 128) in the three countries with people aged 20–30 and 30–40. Our study shows how each of the three countries had different narratives about risk and drinking. Estonian participants described how heavy drinking could lead to neglecting one’s responsibilities as an adult, which could result in a loss of social status. Italian participants’ alcohol risk assessments were more related to the value of togetherness and social community and the embarrassment that could be felt if this was compromised. Danish participants mentioned few alcohol-related risks and these were primarily linked to the individual and not, as among the Italian and Estonian participants, to the social group or family. The findings of the study are analysed and discussed in the light of overall cultural narratives in each of the three countries and we conclude that alcohol cultures and everyday risk assessments of alcohol may be changing but only slowly.

Community Efforts to Care for Animals During Climate Disasters: Experiences and Recommendations from an Australian Bushfire Affected Region

Abstract Formal disaster prevention, preparation, risk management, and response remain highly anthropocentric, with non-human animals afforded minimal attention, resourcing, and support. This article reports on informal community efforts to care for non-human animals during and after the 2019/2020 “Black Summer” bushfires in Australia, when over three billion animals were killed, injured, or displaced. We conducted 56 in-depth interviews with community members, government officials, and experts, and ran four full day workshops with community members to investigate: how communities sought to protect and care for domesticated, farmed, and wild animals; the factors that facilitated and impeded their efforts; and the changes they believed would lead to better outcomes for animals in disasters in the future. Key findings are that: human communities understood and treated non-human animals as part of their communities; humans went to extraordinary lengths to care for and rescue animals; these efforts were largely invisible to, and unsupported—even condemned—by formal emergency management agencies. We conclude that human-centric emergency and disaster management policies are at odds with community values and behaviors. We argue that disaster management must evolve to accommodate and support the realities of community-based rather than individual-based approaches, and must simultaneously expand to consider communities as multispecies.

Who cares about caring? Gender stereotypes about communal values emerge early and predict boys' prosocial preferences.

Communal values (i.e., valuing care for and connection with others) are important to individual well-being and societal functioning yet show marked gender differences, with girls valuing communion more than boys do. We examined whether endorsement of gender stereotypes associating communal values more with girls than with boys relate to children's own communal values and interests, potentially giving rise to gender differences in preferences. We tested this relation across two studies with Canadian children between the ages of 4 and 11 years (N = 379; 92 girls, 287 boys; majority White and East Asian or Pacific Islander). We assessed children's stereotypes about communal values (Studies 1 and 2; e.g., "Who do you think cares more about always helping other people, even if it takes effort? Boys or girls?"), as well as the extent to which children themselves (a) valued communion and (b) displayed interest in communal activities (Study 2). In both studies, we found that children older than 6 consistently associated communal values with girls more than with boys. Younger children, in contrast, exhibited an ingroup bias-they associated communal values with their own gender. Study 2, which included only boys, found that endorsement of stereotypes associating communal values with girls predicted lower personal endorsement of communal values and lower interest in communal activities among boys older, but not younger, than 6. These results suggest that gender stereotypes about communal values are learned early and predict boys' disengagement from communal domains. Implications for gender differences in values and behavior are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Developing a co-designed, culturally responsive physical activity program for Pasifika communities in Western Sydney, Australia.

Pasifika communities in Western Sydney experience significant health disparities, particularly related to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular conditions and diabetes. Physical activity is known to improve both physical and mental health, yet access to culturally responsive physical activity programs for Pasifika communities is limited. This study leveraged expertise from an Advisory Committee to adopt community-based participatory research (CBPR) through Talanoa to co-design a physical activity program specifically tailored for Pasifika people in Western Sydney. Pasifika mothers were identified as a priority population due to their central role in family health and well-being. The co-design process followed the four stages of Engage, Gather, Understand and Improve, guided by the Fonofale Model of Health to ensure a culturally responsive approach. We report on each stage of the co-design process and the results gathered, highlighting key findings such as the need for culturally safe environments, flexible scheduling, ensuring programs are community-led and addressing key barriers including caregiving responsibilities, sociocultural expectations and health status. The results from this study will guide the implementation of a culturally tailored physical activity program that meets the unique needs and values of the Pasifika community in Western Sydney.

Delayed onset of ocean acidification in the Gulf of Maine

The Gulf of Maine holds significant ecological and economic value for fisheries and communities in north-eastern North America. However, there is apprehension regarding its vulnerability to the effects of increasing atmospheric CO2. Substantial recent warming and the inflow of low alkalinity waters into the Gulf of Maine have raised concerns about the impact of ocean acidification on resident marine calcifiers (e.g. oysters, clams, mussels). With limited seawater pH records, the natural variability and drivers of pH in this region remain unclear. To address this, we present coastal water pH proxy records using boron isotope (δ11B) measurements in long-lived, annually banded, crustose coralline algae (1920–2018 CE). These records indicate seawater pH was low (~ 7.9) for much of the last century. Contrary to expectation, we also find that pH has increased (+ 0.2 pH units) over the past 40 years, despite concurrent rising atmospheric CO2. This increase is attributed to an increased input of high alkalinity waters derived from the Gulf Stream. This delayed onset of ocean acidification is cause for concern. Once ocean circulation-driven buffering effects reach their limit, seawater pH decline may occur swiftly. This would profoundly harm shellfisheries and the broader Gulf of Maine ecosystem.

S G ang Gwaay and World Heritage preservation in a time of climate change

S G ang Gwaay, a UNESCO World Heritage site located on Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands), British Columbia, was inscribed as a World Heritage property with very little initial involvement of the Haida, the Indigenous descendant community native to Haida Gwaii who originally built and inhabited S G ang Gwaay. Since the site’s inscription, Haida have begun playing a major role in site management. The Haida have only agreed to non-invasive preservation on S G ang Gwaay due to their belief that the poles and structures that constitute S G ang Gwaay should return to the earth. This article argues that this belief, which conflicts with standard conservation practices, exemplifies a conflict of interest central to the World Heritage programme, ie whether precedence should be given to the values of rights-holding communities – whose interests may not align with site preservation – or to the longevity of the sites themselves. The accelerated rate of degradation brought on by climate change will force a compromise to be struck on how the site will be preserved, if at all.

Understanding household food waste using a psychographic segmentation: the cautious-engage-creative framework

ABSTRACT Cultural norms, traditions and values shape household food waste behaviours, but this perspective has received little attention. This article investigates household food waste from a cultural perspective and proposes a novel cautious-engage-creative framework based on diverse cultural community values. We conducted 18 focus groups with 151 respondents. Seven culturally focused food behaviour profiles were identified, including two segments reported by previous research: health-conscious consumers and time-poor consumers. Some of our findings echo the existing literature confirming the link between household size, a lack of cooking skills, convenience-seeking behaviour and food waste. We contribute by presenting five additional segments, specifically comfort eaters, family meal organisers, feasters, novices and snack junkies. We suggest targeted interventions under the cautious-engage-creative framework based on dominant behaviour characteristics within a segment. The findings suggest that the ‘cautious’ approach involves never shopping hungry, using food lists and boxes, considering hybrid meal plans for guests and experimenting with small packs of new foods. The ‘engage’ strategy focuses on learning food management skills and engaging children in food-related discussions. The ‘creative’ approach involves making healthy meals, including strategies to manage cravings, buying bulk and freezing food. Practical suggestions outlined within the framework present actionable steps for reducing food waste.

Supplemental Material for Who Cares About Caring? Gender Stereotypes About Communal Values Emerge Early and Predict Boys’ Prosocial Preferences

Supplemental Material for Who Cares About Caring? Gender Stereotypes About Communal Values Emerge Early and Predict Boys’ Prosocial Preferences