scholarly journals The Post-excavation Analysis and Archiving of Outputs from Complex, Multi-period Landscape Investigations: the example of Heslington East, York

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Roskams

This article discusses the post-excavation analysis and archiving of data generated by fieldwork undertaken at Heslington East near York in the UK. This project, stretching over two decades, involved two commercial companies and a student training and local community element, and recently concluded with a thematic publication (Roskams and Neal 2020). The article has twin objectives. First, on a theoretical level, it reflects on the complex challenges that arise when attempting to combine diverse stratigraphic, spatial and assemblage data from different sources to reach meaningful interpretations of an extensive, multi-period landscape. Second, on a practical level, it aims to act as an introduction to the project's archives to make them accessible to future audiences, something that is essential if we are to enable any re-interpretation of the site. I suggest that such archives embody a series of transformations. These comprise first the interpretation of reconnaissance and evaluation procedures, converted to generate an excavation strategy, something briefly summarised here. I then discuss at greater length: the processes of post-excavation analysis of stratigraphic and spatial data, and their relationship with the MoRPHE requirement (Historic England 2006) to select particular assemblages for detailed analysis; linking the latter, specialist reports on selected assemblages to preliminary interpretations of site evidence, an iterative process that creates more soundly based understanding; and the recasting of summaries of the most significant evidence in these secondary interpretations to fit the thematic organisation of the published report. I argue that each of these hierarchically ordered transformations needs to be understood if we are to facilitate effective re-use of site archives.

1998 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. LUCK ◽  
M. D'INVERNO ◽  
M. FISHER ◽  
FOMAS'97 CONTRIBUTORS

Interest in agent-oriented technology continues to grow, both at a theoretical level and a practical level, with the UK maintaining a strong representation in the area in both academic institutions and commercial organizations. In December 1997, the Second UK Workshop on Foundations of Multi-Agent Systems (FoMAS'97), held at the University of Warwick, built on the success of FoMAS'96 a year earlier (Luck, 1997; Doran et al., 1997; d'Inverno et al., 1997; Fisher et al., 1997) in seeking to provide a forum for academics and industrialists within the UK to present and discuss current directions in research and applications development. Supported by the EPSRC and HP Labs, FoMAS'97 was expanded to two days with invited presentations from Professor Ken Binmore of UCL, and Professor Cristiano Castelfranchi of the Italian National Research Council's Institute of Psychology, in addition to paper presentations and panel discussions. The aim again was to provide an opportunity for promoting and supporting activity in the research and development of multi-agent systems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-57
Author(s):  
Yusop Boonsuk ◽  
Ali Karakaş

AbstractIntroduction: In recent years, the number of test-takers of international tests of English has grown at an exponential rate. Those whose first language is not English, i.e. non-native English speakers (NNES), constitute the predominant majority of these test-takers, largely based in non-Anglophone contexts. Thus, the state of whether the international tests of English are fit for purpose and reflect the current realities of language users, especially in higher education institutions, has become a matter of serious concern recently. Hence, we aim to analyze the websites and language documents of two major international tests of English boards (i.e. IELTS and TOEFL) in relation to the kind of Englishes against which they judge their test-takers’ English proficiency - either by implication or by explicit expression.Methods: To analyse the websites and language policy documents of the major international tests of English boards, we adopted a qualitative research design in which our prime purpose was to collect a blend of textual, visual and audio materials from their websites as well as publicly available documents, such as skill-band-descriptors, sample test materials, and handbooks for test takers. The analysis of the data was multimodal, utilizing a mixture of qualitative frameworks to analyze the websites and documents.Results: The findings reveal that IELTS and TOEFL promote themselves as welcoming international test takers, while in practice, most of the contents in their examinations still draw on NES norms based on what is considered standardized English. Visual portrayals on their websites indicate that these tests are aware of English diversity and aim to embrace multicultural clients. However, no remedial measures seem to have been taken in practice as can be understood from their test and measurement criteria as regards writing and speaking.Discussion: Drawing on the results, it may be argued that the visual portrayals are merely the tools to attract NNES test takers and the covert message is that those who are NNESs should take these proficiency examinations. Moreover, many listening exams employ NESs to produce the voices or simulate the conversations. Although the tests claim that the voices are from diverse accents, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA; they fail to recognize that many more English varieties exist within the Outer and Expanding Circle countries.Limitations: This research has only dealt with two major international tests of English, namely IELTS and TOEFL. There are other major tests of English available in the market. Therefore, sufficient caution should be exercised while generalizing the results to other tests as there may have been some rethinking and awareness in other tests with respect to their future test-takers’ profile and linguistic diversity.Conclusion: The findings illustrate a degree of recognition of Global Englishes (WE and ELF) at a “theoretical level” in the international tests of English, but at the “practical level”, many crucial principles are absent as the tests, judging international test takers, remain confined within the native-norm territory. In short, the phenomenon demonstrates a theoretical level of awareness, but such awareness is not further applied at the practical level.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Refky Fielnanda

Abstract: The rapid development of the number of islamic banks should be balanced with the availability of infrastructure to carry out daily operational practices. The operational tools include hardware as like as representative office, computerized system, reliable human resources and software as like as method, culture and financial and islamic banking knowledge. In terms of development of Islamic finance is the paper "Alternative Calculation of Return Shahibul Mal on Mudharabah Scheme on Bank Syariah" was written. During this calculation of return shahibul mal has not been standardized in a formula, thus causing two serious effects. First, in the theoretical level, the formula has not yet created a difficulty. Secondly, in practical level, the formula is not impressive enough to recalculate the complexity of return calculations obtained by shahibul mall, causing laziness of the community using the services of islamic bank. This paper using mathematical and arithmetic equations with the help of modeling made by the author to refine and improve the method of calculation that has been available. The purpose of this paper is to create a standard formula that facilitates the calculation of return earned by a shahibul mal in a mudaraba scheme in a islamic bank.  


2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 81-90
Author(s):  
Krishna Poudel

Mountains have distinct geography and are dynamic in nature compared to the plains. 'Verticality' and 'variation' are two fundamental specificities of the mountain geography. They possess distinct temporal and spatial characteristics in a unique socio-cultural setting. There is an ever increasing need for spatial and temporal data for planning and management activities; and Geo Information (GI) Science (including Geographic Information and Earth Observation Systems). This is being recognized more and more as a common platform for integrating spatial data with social, economic and environmental data and information from different sources. This paper investigates the applicability and challenges of GISscience in the context of mountain geography with ample evidences and observations from the mountain specific publications, empirical research findings and reports. The contextual explanation of mountain geography, mountain specific problems, scientific concerns about the mountain geography, advances in GIScience, the role of GIScience for sustainable development, challenges on application of GIScience in the contexts of mountains are the points of discussion. Finally, conclusion has been made with some specific action oriented recommendations.


Author(s):  
M. John Foster

AbstractIn essence firms or companies are usually thought to exist to make products for or provide services of some sort to third parties, other companies or individuals. The philosophical question which naturally arises then is ‘to the benefit of whom should a firm’s activities be aimed?’ Possible answers include the owners of the firm, the firm’s employees or wider society, the firm’s local community or their host nation. It is because of firms’ location within a wider society that the issue of corporate social responsibility arises. The issue is do they contribute in a positive way to the fabric of society. In this paper we conduct an exploratory investigation whose research questions, broadly, are whether there is public evidence of corporate social responsibility activity by firms listed in the UK and to what extent, if any, such activities may amount to genuinely socially responsible management by the firms. We examined the most up to date annual reports of a split sample of 36 firms listed in the FTSE 350. The short answers to the two research questions above are: to some degree and no by some margin, based on data from the sample firms.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Séverine Saintier

The rise of renewable energy sources (RES) comes with a shift in attention from government and market energy governance to local community initiatives and self-regulation. Although this shift is generally welcome at domestic and EU level, the regulatory dimension, at both levels, is nevertheless not adapted to this multi-actor market since prosumers are not empowered and energy justice is far from achieved. The rise, in the UK, of Community Interest Companies (consumers and local actors’ collectives) in the energy sector provides an interesting perspective as it allows a whole system’s view. Research was conducted with six energy community organizations in the South West of England in order to evaluate their role and identity and assess whether this exemplar of “the rise of a social sphere in regulation” could be used as a model for a more sustainable social approach to the governance of economic relations. Findings illustrate that such organizations undoubtedly play an important role in the renewable energy sector and they also help to alleviate some aspects of “energy injustice”. Yet, the failure to recognize, in terms of energy policy, at domestic and EU level, the importance of such actors undermines their role. The need to embed and support such organizations in policy is necessary if one is to succeed to put justice at the core of the changing energy landscape.


Author(s):  
Mary Jane Kehily

Mary Jane Kehily considers the phenomenon of young motherhood in the UK through policy and popular discourse. She looks at how women make the transition to motherhood in new times, to argues that early motherhood occupies a distinctive place within the context of late modern social change, marked by changing gender relations and women’s increased participation in the workforce. At a time when most women are delaying the birth of their first child, differences between women may be polarised and compounded by the experience of becoming a mother. She explores the way social differences between women may be played out in the cultural sphere of representations and practices of consumption. She argues that the stigmatised figure of early motherhood, configured colloquially as the marginal ‘pramface girl’ can be understood within the context of the local – community, family, biography and intergenerational perspectives.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Waltereit

Abstract In this paper, I discuss critically the traditional view of reanalysis, taking into account recent debates about the concept. In particular, I argue that the debate about reanalysis tends to conflate two interpretations of reanalysis: reanalysis as a type of language change among other ones, and reanalysis as the recognition or “ratification” of any kind of change. I offer a possible explanation of that potential confusion. I then illustrate this distinction using the history of the French est-ce que question as a case study. I report original diachronic research on the history of that construction. Further, I discuss implications both at a conceptual-theoretical level and at a practical level for further diachronic research. The paper concludes with a summary and discussion of the findings.


2021 ◽  
pp. 93-121
Author(s):  
Jørund Aasetre

In the Norwegian outfields (utmark), traditional agricultural use, nature conservation, tourism and second home development are opposing interests. This chapter focuses on the municipality of Oppdal and key discourses regarding future land use. Furthermore, how those discourses can lead to continuity or changes in the balance of power in relation to land-use management. The chapter is based on different sources. One is a project focusing on drawing up a master plan for destination development in Oppdal. Other sources include three years of experience holding field courses for natural resource management students at NTNU, in addition to a literature search. Four different discourses related to management of the outfields are identified. Second home development has been an important economic driving force in the local community, and one can identify this as a dominant discourse in the Oppdal community. Against this discourse, there are two other critical discourses. First, there is a discourse considering second home development as a threat to agriculture and grazing rights. The second is a nature conservation-oriented discourse that views second home development as a threat to nature values. As an attempt to bridge these opposing perspectives, a “win-win discourse” has been developed with a focus on sustainable second home development. The question is, does this represent a sufficient reorganization of land use or, on the contrary, represent a “greenwashing” of second home industry? This is an open question, but if we look at other environmental conflicts, then critical discourses often develop in opposition to such “win-win discourses”. Either way, Oppdal is facing some major decisions in relation to future land management.


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