Month: April 2024

Abstract

Equity is increasingly seen as a core value for higher education systems around the world. (In)equity is often measured through construction of achievement gaps, quantifying the relative outcomes of two populations of students. Institution-level gaps are embedded in the policy landscape of HE, becoming performance metrics in their own right. These gap metrics increasingly inform the actions of governments, regulators, institutions and educators. This theoretical article scrutinises the technical and conceptual construction of achievement gaps through using the dominant UK conception of the institution level degree classification ‘awarding gap’. Drawing on Adam’s Equity Theory of Motivation, Rawls’s Distributive Justice and the Capability Approach as theoretical perspectives, I highlight multiple structural weaknesses in the conception of the awarding gap. I illustrate the implications of this metric by analysing simulated awarding gap data for a fictional institution, and through the perspectives of five idealised stakeholders. I identify multiple technical and theoretical limitations of the institution level awarding gap metric, including examples where the threshold-based nature of the awarding gap fails to capture statistical differences between groups, thereby undermining its utility in identifying inequity. I call on the sector to develop metrics that more accurately capture (in)equity of outcomes and align better with theoretical frameworks, thereby creating more powerful explanatory metrics that can inform meaningful action.

Abstract

Background

Food insecurity and hunger are global concerns further exacerbated by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. There is a need to understand the depth of this impact, especially among smallholder farmers, and recognize specific coping strategies that offered resilience to inform preparedness in future. The present cross-sectional study assessed the impact of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic on different dimensions of food security among smallholder farmers of Ho indigenous community of Jharkhand, India. It also explored potential resilient attributes of their food systems.

Results

Most of the respondents (67.2%) reported reduced food consumption at the household (HH) level. Majority faced difficulty in accessing food from different food sources; however, easier access to government food security programmes was highlighted. Around 40% reported change in their ability to purchase farming inputs. Market vendors reported disruptions in food procurement owing to travel restrictions; however, no change was reported for home-produced foods in agricultural lands/kitchen gardens. Prices of indigenous foods produced locally decreased/remained same; however, for cereals, pulses, and other HH staples, prices increased during second wave. Difficulty in accessing wild food environment (OR: 1.7, CI 0.40, 7.75), change in food prices (OR: 19.9, CI 5.25, 76.02), decrease in HH income (OR: 9.2, CI 2.99, 28.60) were found to be significantly associated with reduction in HH food consumption (p < 0.01). The coping strategies adopted by the community included sale of cultivated and wild produce in local weekly markets to ensure additional income.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the need to reinforce the traditional ecological knowledge of the Ho community and focus on practices around their food systems, engrained into their socio-cultural ecosystems that may offer resilience against future stresses. In addition, the need of systemic support to ensure the social and economic well-being of the community needs to be prioritized.

Abstract

Background

The last decade saw the emergence of a new significant migration corridor due to the mass migration of Venezuelans to neighboring countries in South America. Since 2018, Brazil became the third host country of Venezuelan displaced populations. Little is known about how migratory processes affect needs, access to social programs, and public health services of migrant women. The goal of this study is to shed light on the socio-economic profile, living conditions, and use of health services of Venezuelan migrant women in two main reception cities in Brazil.

Methods

A survey was conducted using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) in the cities of Boa Vista (Roraima), and Manaus (Amazonas). The study included 2012 Venezuelan migrant women aged between 15 and 49 years old who migrated from Venezuela to Brazil between 2018 and 2021. Relative prevalence was calculated, and the χ² test was used to analyse the homogeneity of proportions. All analyses considered the complex sampling.

Results

The main reasons for migrating relate to difficulties obtaining food (54%) and accessing health services (37.8%) in their country of origin. They were young and mixed race (65.7%) and had high school education (69.9%). In Manaus, 3.7% of the interviewees declared that they had no family income in the last month, while in Boa Vista, it was higher (66.2%) (p-value < 0.001). Almost one-third of them sought health care in the last 15 days, and 95% of them received care. The residents of Boa Vista arrived more recently and family income and access to paid work improved with time of residence in Brazil.

Conclusions

Given the increasing flow of Venezuelan migrants crossing to Brazil, a reception system was established for the provision of food, shelter, access to health services, and income transfer programs to migrants. This was the case despite high unemployment and poverty levels and income inequality, particularly in the city of Boa Vista. However, the majority had legal migrant status and had access to the public and universal healthcare system in Brazil (SUS). The use of the SUS was similar in both cities, acting as a buffer for the differences in opportunities offered.

Abstract

Anti-capitalist subjectivities are produced through politically generative refusals of the divisive, profit-oriented, and manageable subject positions made available by capitalism’s socio-symbolic order. Pushing back against liberal political theories which presume subjectivity to be a priori or coherent, this article employs psychoanalytic theory to grapple with the flowing, changing, patterned, and disjointed nature of anti-capitalist subject formations. Although mainstream psychoanalysis has, historically, aligned with the dictates of capital, I argue that psychoanalytic theory nonetheless offers a useful resource for understanding how anti-capitalist refusal can foster emancipatory desires and situated political commitments within and among subjects. In fleshing out these arguments, I engage with the role that fantasy plays in forming anti-capitalist subjectivities. I also consider what solidarity building and political action mean with respect to anti-capitalist subjectivity. By way of conclusion, I argue why we should make the case for anti-capitalist subjectivity, offering some directions that future work may take.

Abstract

Objectives

Methods for enumeration and population-based health assessment for First Nations, Inuit, and Metis (FNIM) living in Canadian cities are underdeveloped, with resultant gaps in essential demographic, health, and health service access information. Our Health Counts (OHC) was designed to engage FNIM peoples in urban centres in “by community, for community” population health assessment and response.

Methods

The OHC methodology was designed to advance Indigenous self-determination and FNIM data sovereignty in urban contexts through deliberate application of Indigenous principles and linked implementation strategies. Three interwoven principles (good relationships are foundational; research as gift exchange; and research as a vehicle for Indigenous community resurgence) provide the framework for linked implementation strategies which include actively building and maintaining relationships; meaningful Indigenous community guidance, leadership, and participation in all aspects of the project; transparent and equitable sharing of project resources and benefits; and technical innovations, including respondent-driven sampling, customized comprehensive health assessment surveys, and linkage to ICES data holdings to generate measures of health service use.

Results

OHC has succeeded across six urban areas in Ontario to advance Indigenous data sovereignty and health assessment capacity; recruit and engage large population-representative cohorts of FNIM living in urban and related homelands; customize comprehensive health surveys and data linkages; generate previously unavailable population-based FNIM demographic, health, and social information; and translate results into enhanced policy, programming, and practice.

Conclusion

The OHC methodology has been demonstrated as effective, culturally relevant, and scalable across diverse Ontario cities.

Abstract

This study examines the representations of Asian American children and their families in children’s literature, utilizing Asian Critical Race Theory (AsianCrit) to analyze stereotypical portrayals and emphasize counter-narratives. In this study, we conducted a critical content analysis to identify themes in the underlying messages in the children’s literature. As a result, we identified four themes among the selected literature: (1) stereotypical representation of Asian American children and families, (2) counter-narratives against the perpetual foreigner myth, (3) counter-narratives against the model minority myth, and (4) literature as spaces for honoring Asian American voices. Our findings highlight the need to critically examine race discourse in children’s literature to acknowledge and validate the diverse experiences of Asian Americans, moving beyond the model minority and perpetual foreigner myths.

Abstract

Background

Despite decades of anti-racism and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) interventions in academic medicine, medical racism continues to harm patients and healthcare providers. We sought to deeply explore experiences and beliefs about medical racism among academic clinicians to understand the drivers of persistent medical racism and to inform intervention design.

Methods

We interviewed academically-affiliated clinicians with any racial identity from the Departments of Family Medicine, Cardiac Sciences, Emergency Medicine, and Medicine to understand their experiences and perceptions of medical racism. We performed thematic content analysis of semi-structured interview data to understand the barriers and facilitators of ongoing medical racism. Based on participant narratives, we developed a logic framework that demonstrates the necessary steps in the process of addressing racism using if/then logic. This framework was then applied to all narratives and the barriers to addressing medical racism were aligned with each step in the logic framework. Proposed interventions, as suggested by participants or study team members and/or identified in the literature, were matched to these identified barriers to addressing racism.

Results

Participant narratives of their experiences of medical racism demonstrated multiple barriers to addressing racism, such as a perceived lack of empathy from white colleagues. Few potential facilitators to addressing racism were also identified, including shared language to understand racism. The logic framework suggested that addressing racism requires individuals to understand, recognize, name, and confront medical racism.

Conclusions

Organizations can use this logic framework to understand their local context and select targeted anti-racism or EDI interventions. Theory-informed approaches to medical racism may be more effective than interventions that do not address local barriers or facilitators for persistent medical racism.

Abstract

Through a series of empirical studies involving native speakers of English, German, and Chinese, this paper reveals that the predicate “true” is inherently ambiguous in the empirical domain. Truth statements such as “It is true that Tom is at the party” seem to be ambivalent between two readings. On the first reading, the statement means “Reality is such that Tom is at the party.” On the second reading, the statement means “According to what X believes, Tom is at the party.” While there appear to exist some cross-cultural differences in the interpretation of the statements, the overall findings robustly indicate that “true” has multiple meanings in the realm of empirical matters.

Abstract

The intentional inclusion of various perspectives is critical in disaster and hazard research to advance science and promote equitable resilience in a rapidly changing climate. However, historically underrepresented scholars like Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA2S + community members, and women are frequently absent from these efforts. Such exclusions exist as disparities in obtaining grant support, the disproportionate validation of their research or skills, limited training or mentorship opportunities, and implicit biases towards faculty members and students. As a result, many of these scholars, who frequently study communities living in precarious conditions, are absent from utilizing equipment or have limited access to resources that can ultimately assist them in their research efforts. This paper examined the experiences of such underrepresented scholars involved in disaster and environmental-related work to understand the needs, barriers, and opportunities to accessing National Science Foundation (NSF) supported resources. Across 13 key informant interviews, participants reported a myriad of structural barriers that directly impact marginalized scholars and others that limit the capacity of institutions where such scholars frequently work. These barriers exist alongside competing demands placed on marginalized scholars that strain ongoing and meaningful engagement and integration in disaster and hazard research. This study revealed considerations and recommendations for intentionally expanding NSF-funded resources to support underrepresented scholars to advance disaster and hazard scholarship through action-orientation approaches and targeted outreach and engagement strategies.

Abstract

Urban areas and the fastest-growing cities in Africa are experiencing devastating impact of climate change. The changing climate requires a human response to reduce urban vulnerability in Africa. The purpose of this scoping review was to map evidence of climate vulnerability, existing adaptation, and associated barriers to inform policies and future research in Africa. Search done in four main databases (PubMed, Central, JSTOR, and Science Direct) produced 13,191 records, and an additional 25 records were retrieved from Google, Google Scholar and Dimensions. Finally, 34 studies were included in this scoping review based on the inclusion criteria. Findings indicate that climate change is harming urban populations and communities, especially poor urban populations in informal settlements through food insecurity, water stress, destruction of livelihoods and key infrastructure, physical and mental health issues, poor sanitation, stigmatisation, crime, disruption in school and healthcare delivery, migration and unemployment. Also, existing urban adaptation responses to climate risk are not at the level needed to build resilience to urban vulnerability. In addition, there is evidence of maladaptation which might worsen the climate burden on the poor urban population. In conclusion, climate change poses severe challenges for Africa's urban poor, heightening vulnerability through food insecurity, water stress, and infrastructure destruction. Current adaptation efforts are insufficient and may worsen adaptation efforts. Urgent actions are needed, including enhanced climate knowledge, early warning systems, robust policies, and targeted interventions addressing poverty and infrastructure deficits. Integrating climate research into urban planning is vital to build resilience and protect marginalized urban populations in Africa.