Practical Vision Research Articles

Living in the Skin of a Theory

Abstract This essay argues for an imaginative reading practice in which the “trans” and the “study” of transgender studies are shown as coconstitutive. Arguing that the problem of incommensurability leads transgender studies to spend more time on the signifier trans than on the study of transgender studies, this essay uses the intuitive, ambivalent, and nuanced methodology of Toni Cade Bambara's Salt Eaters to open up space for a trans study that is more capacious, yet still tethered to the experience of living in one's skin as not only content but also form. Ultimately, this essay wonders how transgender studies can learn to live in the skin of a theory, in all its contradiction and strange negotiations, using the same imagination we use to make sense of our own embodied selves.

The Consequences of School Dropout in the Kadey Division of Batouri; East Region of Cameroon

The agenda for sustainable development 2030 has been established and approved by the general assembly of the United Nations in 2015. This agenda includes 17 goals adopted by several countries to promote the development of local communities by tackling and reducing the consequences of school dropout. The continent of Africa through the agenda 2063 endorses different aspirations that have to be met by the year 2063 to minimize the consequences of school dropout, which would lead to a peaceful and protected Africa. The Cameroon Vision 2035 also defined a practical vision of long-term development in the country of Cameroon founded on the eradication of the consequences of school dropout. However, school dropout remains a reality worldwide and generates several consequences which drastically impact the lives of people. It is on this evidence that this research work aimed at exploring the consequences of school dropout in the Kadey Division, East Region of Cameroon. This study refers to the qualitative research method using the subjectivism ontology and the inductive approach. The epistemology is interpretivism and the axiology is value-bias. The research also employs interviews as the sampling strategy, and 20 respondents gathered in 4 focus groups representing the educational stakeholders of the Kadey Division have volunteered to participate in these interviews. Data were analyzed through the various coding of the grounded theory including open coding, axial coding, and selective coding. The social, education, and economic consequences of school dropout were identified as well. Parents and educators must acknowledge that school failure has this particularity that it penalizes a child for the rest of his life. Any student who stops his studies before having completed his secondary school or vocational training has fewer opportunities to grow within the society. This study recommends that the community stakeholders in the Kadey Division, East region of Cameroon must work collaboratively on minimizing the consequences of school dropout to contribute to the sustainable development of this locality

EU Policies Driving Entrepreneurial Competences—Reflections from the Case of EntreComp

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals promote entrepreneurial competences as a means of supporting young people to innovate, start businesses, and create jobs. Furthermore, the European Union considers entrepreneurial skills to be essential in creating welfare and economic sustainability. Empowering individuals with entrepreneurship education, an entrepreneurial mindset and behaviors, are tools to develop human capital. This article explores how European policies can drive development of entrepreneurial competences by examining the case of the European Framework for Entrepreneurial Competences (EntreComp) and its integration into education and training development in different countries. With this research, we contribute education development from the practical point of view by analyzing how a cross section of actors, using EntreComp as a European framework for entrepreneurial competences, see that entrepreneurial learning has been realized and could be further supported in transnational education contexts. We will also expand the theoretical discussion of entrepreneurship education from the perspective of education sciences, as we have not previously obtained clarifying results or conclusions on how, for example, the educational change related to the development of entrepreneurship education should be implemented. The research data was collected through a case study, for which an online survey including both quantitative and qualitative approaches was conducted in 2020. Responses from 348 respondents from 47 countries were analyzed through an extended model for learning originally conceptualized by Shulman and Shulman (2004). The findings suggest that EntreComp has been widely recognized as a critical driver of competence in entrepreneurial education. However, a lack of shared vision and development of practice in the use of EntreComp can hinder the effective implementation of the framework. Thus, further support and guidance are needed in promoting the learning process of policymakers, educators, trainers, and other stakeholders, on both micro- and macro-level education design, to support successful adoption and adaptation of the policy-driven frameworks.

КОМУНІКАЦІЙНІ ПЛАТФОРМИ:СУЧАСНЕ БАЧЕННЯ

The aim.Тhere is a theoretical justification for the phenomenon of «Communication Platform».Theapplied social and communication technologies there is a layering of terminological apparatus: classification and identification of terms and theoretical and methodological basis. One of such phenomena is the development of communication platforms, which are separated into an independent definition and depart from Internet platforms and social networks. It is important to study the development of platforming as a process of forming platforms of different types and cluster formation.Research methods.The method of theoretical analysis is used to study the existing points of view and clearly derive the definition of «communication platform».A method of comparison to derive the author's vision of the existence and functioning of the characteristics of the definition of «Communication Platform»and distinguish it from other types of platforms.The method of sociological survey contributed to the practical vision of the communication platform as an independent unit that is able to raise socially important issues and help solve difficult issues.The resultsof the study showed the difference between the terms «Social Networks»and "Communication Platform". There is a classification of platforms, the difference between them. The own vision of the terminological unit is given. This approach demonstrated the need for further scientific study of the phenomenon, the need to unify the approach to the description of platforming as a process in applied social and communication technologies.Social networks as a communication unit are considered in detail, the features that distinguish platforms and social networks are described.The conclusionsemphasize the further need to study communication platforms as applied scientific units. The definition of the phenomenon taking into account the author's vision is offered. Emphasis is placed on the features inherent in communication platforms.

Professional competencies of the imam and preacher of the mosque and methods of developing religious education in Iraq

The imam and preacher of the mosque plays a great educational and social role that requires his possession of professional competencies that qualify him to communicate with listeners of different ages, cultures, functional and scientific levels, and this task is more difficult than the task of the teacher who deals with a group of students of similar ages and cultures with a predetermined approach, and religious education that produces imams and preachers . Either high school or university students often attract the weakest students at the scientific level, and it is intended for him to succeed in his educational and social mission, and accordingly the current research aims to determine the professional competencies of the imam and preacher of the mosque, as the researcher did not find a previous study in this field, and to suggest methods for the development of education In Iraq, in order to draw an educational implementation plan, and use the descriptive and analytical approach, and to achieve these two goals, two research tools were built, each of which (40) paragraphs divided the first into three areas and the second into seven, presented to a sample of (30) experts in religious education. And the university, and the results of the competencies showed: The progress of the mastery sections in the field of specialization, and the sincere desire for reform, and the paragraphs won: The polarization of outstanding students, adding scientific subjects and the English language to the curricula, paying attention to public speaking skills, defining a value system and its application, the highest percentages in methods of developing religious education, and the researcher recommended studying the difficulties facing the Imam and the preacher in his work, and developing a practical vision to confront destructive cultures and ideas.

Mosquito species identification using convolutional neural networks with a multitiered ensemble model for novel species detection

With over 3500 mosquito species described, accurate species identification of the few implicated in disease transmission is critical to mosquito borne disease mitigation. Yet this task is hindered by limited global taxonomic expertise and specimen damage consistent across common capture methods. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are promising with limited sets of species, but image database requirements restrict practical implementation. Using an image database of 2696 specimens from 67 mosquito species, we address the practical open-set problem with a detection algorithm for novel species. Closed-set classification of 16 known species achieved 97.04 ± 0.87% accuracy independently, and 89.07 ± 5.58% when cascaded with novelty detection. Closed-set classification of 39 species produces a macro F1-score of 86.07 ± 1.81%. This demonstrates an accurate, scalable, and practical computer vision solution to identify wild-caught mosquitoes for implementation in biosurveillance and targeted vector control programs, without the need for extensive image database development for each new target region.

Socioeconomic Role of Women in the Light of Islamic Teachings and Constitution of Pakistan

Pakistan is the sixth largest populated country estimated to have 200 million persons. Nearly half of its population is comprised of Women. Pakistani Women are contributing to advancement of this country by playing a vital role in core fields. But there are some areas where women are facing challenges like gender discrimination, limited access to education, domestic violence etc. Islam bestowed women a significance value in Islamic community. It is Islam that transforms women from symbol of shame to mark of an honor in Man dominated society. Beside this Glory there are also certain limits for women described by Islam. Muslim Women of Prophet Muḥammad (PBUH) era is the perfect exemplary Models for us. Besides being a dutiful Mother, Wife, Daughter and sister they did engage in worldly affairs too. It is true that home and family should be women’s first priority but in present time importance of women role cannot be denied in particular fields. Constitution of Pakistan provides equal rights to women. In 21st century we need a balanced and practical vision that ensures socio-economic development of Pakistani women without disturbing social Islamic structure. Briefly In this article these issues will be analyzed with practical approach by concluding applicable proposals.

Inside the Ensete Garden, Beyond the Plantation: Perennial Polycultures for Radically Sustainable Food Systems

Against a backdrop of increasingly simplified ecologies—in the form of plantation and monocultural thinking—this article elaborates a call to radical change in sustainable food systems as being fostered by multispecies assemblages and rooted in a less anthropocentric vision of farming practices and the natural environment. Multiplicity in practice (and as a philosophical guiding principle in the quest for sustainable food systems) is analyzed through the lens of edible perennials and the functional role they play in specific integrated farming systems. The analysis starts from the case study of a perennial root tuber crop in Southwestern Ethiopia, and further expands into the related ramifications of home gardening, polycultural farming, multistoried landscapes, and integrated agriculture. This multilayered story then branches out from the Ethiopian home garden to touch upon the broader category of improved agroforestry practices, which are based on solid and ecologically sound perennial components. It is argued that multifunctional mosaics hold untapped potential to address the call for sustainable food systems in times of profound socio-natural crisis. A bold paradigm shift sustains this vision—from plantations back to forest-like intricacies.

LIBRARY ONLINE SERVICES DURING COVID-19: THE EXPERIENCE OF LIBRARIES IN CROATIA AND UKRAINE

The purpose of the article is to identify activities in providing online services during forced quarantine on the example of public libraries’ activities in Croatia and university libraries in Ukraine. The study aimed to identify, analyse, and characterise online services offered by libraries to establish remote customer service during the forced quarantine. The results of the study are presented in three sections. The first analyses the work of Croatian public libraries; the second, presents the experience of Ukrainian libraries; in the third, there is the case of the Scientific Library of Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts is displayed. The scientific novelty of the article is to identify practices for providing online services by libraries in Croatia and Ukraine during the COVID‑19 pandemic. The study shows that Croatian public librarians, as well as Ukrainian librarians, have demonstrated they can quickly adapt and use digital technologies on behalf of their supporters. Libraries went from developing imaginative practices to create online spaces in a matter of weeks. The result was a massive amount of produced content like workshops for children and adults; streamings of online events, organisation of virtual exhibitions, and collecting verified reference sources for research and learning. Another one of the impacts of this crisis was the accelerated development of digital library services, including online membership registration and the acquisition of e-books by public libraries. Public response was more significant than ever, including following, commenting, and sharing digital content created or shared by public libraries. The study found that the challenges of the COVID‑19 pandemic have intensified the digitisation of Ukrainian libraries and led to changes in activities. University libraries quickly adapted to remote work, offering their users a variety of remote services. The authors hope that the considered practices will contribute to disseminating better experience of libraries during quarantine in general and online services in remote maintenance in particular.

Traceability and transparency for sustainable fashion-apparel supply chains

PurposeThe relationship between sustainability, traceability and transparency in the fashion-apparel industry, characterised by complex, labour-intensive and geographically dispersed supply chains (SCs), needs further clarification. The first goal of this study is to revise, refine and adapt to the scope of this industry, the conceptualisation of traceability and transparency and their interrelations with sustainability. The second goal is to uncover the key elements responsible for fostering and hindering their relationship in the fashion-apparel practice.Design/methodology/approachA Delphi study with fourteen experts representing key stakeholders in the entire fashion-apparel SC was carried out.FindingsOperational definitions for and clear boundaries amongst sustainability, traceability and transparency are identified, and a relational model including stakeholder groups and roles, drivers and barriers is developed. Traceability, defined as an ability, together with transparency, conceptualised as an internal decision and assisted (inter alia) by cross-sector collaboration are found to be necessary but not sufficient conditions to achieve SC sustainability, which is conceived as an outcome.Originality/valueThe work adapts concepts from the sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) literature to the particular fashion-apparel context, incorporating the practical vision and nuances of all the key stakeholder groups and highlighting the mutually reinforcing relationship among traceability, transparency and cross-sector collaboration for effective SSCM in the fashion-apparel industry.

Michael O’Brien’s Theological Aesthetics

This essay introduces and examines aspects of the theological aesthetics of contemporary Canadian artist, Michael D. O’Brien (1948–). It also considers how his philosophy of the arts informs understandings of the Catholic imagination. In so doing, it focuses on his view that prayer is the primary source of imaginative expression, allowing the artist to operate from a position of humble receptivity to the transcendent. O’Brien studies is a nascent field, owing much of its development in recent years to the pioneering work of Clemens Cavallin. Apart from Cavallin, few scholars have focused on O’Brien’s extensive collection of paintings (principally because the first catalogue of his art was only published in 2019). Instead, they have worked on his prodigious output of novels and essays. In prioritising O’Brien’s paintings, this study will assess the relationship between his theological reflections on the Catholic imagination and art practice. By focusing on the interface between theory and practice in O’Brien’s art, this article shows that conversations about the philosophy of the Catholic imagination benefit from attending to the inner standing points of contemporary artists who see in the arts a place where faith and praxis meet. In certain instances, I will include images of O’Brien’s devotional art to further illustrate his contemplative, Christ-centred approach to aesthetics. Overall, this study offers new directions in O’Brien studies and scholarship on the philosophy of the Catholic imagination.

Socioeconomic role of women in the light of Islamic teachings and Constitution of Pakistan

Pakistan is the sixth largest populated country estimated to have 200 million persons. Nearly half of its population is comprised of Women. Pakistani Women are contributing to advancement of this country by playing a vital role in core fields. But there are some areas where women are facing challenges like gender discrimination, limited access to education, domestic violence etc. Islam bestowed women a significance value in Islamic community. It is Islam that transforms women from symbol of shame to mark of an honor in Man dominated society. Beside this Glory there are also certain limits for women described by Islam. Muslim Women of Prophet Muḥammad (PBUH) era is the perfect exemplary Models for us. Besides being a dutiful Mother, Wife, Daughter and sister they did engage in worldly affairs too. It is true that home and family should be women’s first priority but in present time importance of women role cannot be denied in particular fields. Constitution of Pakistan provides equal rights to women. In 21st century we need a balanced and practical vision that ensures socio-economic development of Pakistani women without disturbing social Islamic structure. Briefly In this article these issues will be analyzed with practical approach by concluding applicable proposals.

A vision of teaching learning practices in mathematics education through open educational resources

A vision of teaching learning practices in mathematics education through open educational resources

Planning and damming: know-how, logistics, and organization of Italian corporates in Africa

ABSTRACT This contribution offers a new perspective on the planning of post-colonial Africa focusing on the role of Italy. Weak and underdeveloped due to significant war losses, Italy could not rely on the investment potential of its Atlantic allies. Moreover, after WWII, its political influence across the continent had substantially reduced to zero. Yet, it emerged as an unexpected outsider whose eccentric – and somehow contradictory – position has been often largely underestimated. The peculiarity of the Italian condition, in fact, has been crucial to implement and put the Atlantic developmental vision in practice. To some extents, Italy has been the veritable builder of post-colonial Africa, first as a free-lance actor and then as a partner of the global agencies (IBRD, UNESCO) involved in the re-making of the continent. How could a nation substantially underdeveloped like Italy emerge as one of the leaders in implementing development planning actions abroad, although not being directly involved in decision-making process? This paper aims at answering these questions focusing on logistical, organizational and planning competences deployed by Italian corporates and technicians during the construction of four African major dams, between 1956 and 1966.

Developing a university learning, teaching and research framework through practice conversations

PurposeThis project engaged faculty, students, alumni and staff in re-visioning their university's learning, teaching and research framework. An extensive consultation process allowed participants to explore, discuss and critically reflect on effective practice.Design/methodology/approachThis action research project provided a process for university community members to engage in practice conversations. In phase 1, focus groups and campus community discussions elicited the diverse perspectives of the community. The design-thinking process of discovery, ideation and prototyping aligned with the action research cycles to help a working group create a learning and teaching framework prototype based on the findings. In the second phase, surveys were used to elicit community members' responses to the prototype, which was then refined.FindingsThe prototype was organized into three overarching categories, each containing several attributes. The attributes of the “Applied and Authentic” category were: interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary; experiential and participatory; flexible and individualized; outcomes based; and openly practiced. The attributes of the “Caring and Community-Based” category were: inclusive and diverse; community-based; supportive; team-based; co-creative; and place and virtual space-based. The attributes of the “Transformational” category were socially innovative; respectful of Indigenous peoples and traditions; impactful; and reflective.Originality/valueThis article should interest higher education institutions seeking to engage faculty, staff, students and others in practice conversations to develop a learning, teaching and research strategy. This research demonstrated that fostering practice conversations among diverse community members can be a powerful process for creating a common and integrated vision of excellent learning, teaching and research practice.

Governing the future through scenaristic and simulative modalities of imagination

In this article, I examine several expressions of imaginative practices to unpack the umbrella term scenario. Drawing on my long-term fieldwork on Israel’s annual Turning Point exercises, I examine actual uses of scenarios and distinguish between two different logics of imaginative practices and the modalities in which the future is governed by them, which I refer to as the scenaristic and the simulative. As I demonstrate, these two modalities can be distinguished from each other in terms of their approaches to future uncertainty, their temporalities and the role of imagination within their enactment. To further conceptually develop the logics of imagination, I draw on Deleuze’s and Bergson’s discussions of the concept of fabulation, and I suggest that scenarios and simulations represent two different logics of future-governing that are based on practices of imagination.

Advanced pharmacist practice: where is the United Kingdom in pursuit of this 'Brave New World'?

Pharmacy has developed many novel patient-facing roles across the globe, typically delivered through the lens of pharmaceutical care. The macro-level implementation of such interventions is, however, fraught with difficulty. At an individual-level, psychological barriers of pharmacists and their ability to deliver autonomous complex clinical care are key considerations. As the United Kingdom imminently plans to launch a new advanced pharmacist practice curriculum and credentialing process to support advanced skills development, this commentary discusses where progress to date has taken us and what other developmental, environmental and cultural changes are needed to support this. The commentary also challenges some of pharmacy's historic dogma, discusses a requirement for teaching to transcend simplistic concepts of medicines-harm, considers the need for the standardisation of clinical skills and discusses the necessity of formal advanced practice programmes and preceptorship models. It finally proposes the concept of Advanced Pharmacist Practitioners as the ultimate future vision of autonomous practice and the need for Government Policy to support their creation.

What if We Selected our Leaders by Lottery? Democracy by Sortition, Liberal Elections and Communist Revolutionaries

ABSTRACTWhat if we selected our leaders by lottery? Zooming out from the mud huts of indigenous communities in the forested hills of eastern India, this article compares three different models of leadership and democracy: liberal electoral democracy; Marxist‐Leninist Maoist democracy; and democracy by sortition — the random selection of rotating leaders. The significance of sortition is introduced into discussions of democracy in India (showing connections with practices in Nepal and China) as part of a broader attempt to make scholarship on South Asia more democratic. The author also re‐reads ideals of leadership among indigenous people, showing that we need a theoretical and practical vision arguing not for societies without leaders but for societies in which everyone may be a leader. In India, this compels us to push back against the critique of its indigenous communities for not producing leaders and enables a profound re‐reading of the history of subaltern anti‐colonial rebellions. The final aim of the article is to highlight the virtues of the potential of sortition in creating democratic society globally. How we think about democracy and leadership is thus turned on its head to provide a new vision for the future.

A Practical Vision of Heritage Tourism in Low-Population-Density Areas. The Spanish Mediterranean as a Case Study

Heritage tourism bases its definition on searching for different, authentic, and somewhat unexplored places. Recent literature speaks of the growth of new forms of tourism based on the tradition that seeks to surprise visitors with popular culture, traditional activities, or actions that bring traditional culture closer to tourists. However, the reality is that the influx of tourists to small mountain villages is marked by the most “monumental” historical and architectural values, leaving aside some other minor attributes. This article uses the historical centres of rural villages to place inhabitants’ knowledge at the centre of tourism initiatives. The aim of the study was to develop cohesive and inclusive tourism activities in historic centres by analysing the built environment’s attributes and values. A participatory methodology marks the cultural change to enhance collaboration through transparent and ethical foundations and respect these places’ distinctive character. The study of values helped to conduct an in-depth analysis of local realities to document and map historical centres’ tangible attributes through crafts, traditional culture, and local heritage forms.

Stacking Complexities: Reframing Uncertainty through Hybrid Literacies

In a context increasingly defined by post-normal science (Funtowicz and Ravetz 1993), it is acknowledged that complex world problems cannot be addressed by one discipline in isolation. To face increasingly uncertain futures, it is therefore crucial to develop approaches that work with uncertainty. Because of its future-facing nature and current drive to tackle complex world challenges, design has a leading role to play in this endeavor. The article proposes a research framework informed by the development of hybrid literacies – transversal toolkits across design, technologies, and futures studies – that can furnish learners with transdisciplinary skills. These are deemed necessary to address uncertainty and complexity by deploying speculative-pragmatic, imaginative practices that foster modes of working, learning, and unlearning together. To illustrate this approach, the article draws on the ongoing collaboration between two academic institutions renowned, respectively, in the field of Art and Design (Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London) and Science and Technology (Tokyo Institute of Technology) to offer a personal reflection and insights around transdisciplinarity and hybrid literacies in action.