Navigating the Quicksand: How Postsecondary Administrators Understand the Infuence of Affrmative Action Developments on Racial Diversity Work

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-40
Author(s):  
Liliana M. Garces ◽  
Darkhan Bilyalov

Background/Context Seeking to avoid litigation or a legal threat, many postsecondary institutions are responding to a legal and policy environment that seeks to end the consideration of race in education policies by adopting race-neutral policies and practices in admissions, even when not explicitly required to do so by law. Yet, such responses may introduce new barriers and challenges for administrators seeking to promote inclusive campus environments and support students of color, not only within admissions but in other areas of campus life after students enroll. Understanding the consequences of these institutional responses is critical for those addressing the potential limitations a race-neutral approach puts on diversity-related policies and practices. Purpose/Objective In this study, we examine how key players charged with implementing diversity-related policies and practices understand legal developments around affirmative action and the institutional responses to these developments, in particular, how they influence their efforts to support racial and ethnic diversity. To explore the wide-ranging influence of the current race-neutral policy climate, we focus our study on a public flagship university that has opted to employ race-neutral admissions policies and practices as a matter of institutional policy—not by law. Participants Informed by a bottom-up policy implementation framework, we examine the influence of the legal environment from the perspective of administrators who are tasked with carrying out the institution's mission as it relates to diversity. We particularly target administrators who are engaged in outreach and recruitment efforts and who help support students after they enroll. Research Design In this qualitative study, we draw from document analysis and semi-structured interviews of 13 administrators charged with implementing diversity policy at a public flagship institution to investigate how this legal and policy climate has shaped racial diversity work in areas outside admissions. Findings Our findings illustrate how a colorblind approach in policy-making takes hold through seemingly innocuous practices and responses that are called race neutral. These practices, which start in admissions, spill over into other areas of university policy, and shift the nature of diversity-work. Conclusions Findings point to the importance of intentional efforts to implement diversity policy through a race- and racism-conscious lens, develop narratives that counter distorted narratives about racial discrimination, and address legal terms and definitions that do not reflect a realistic understanding of inequality or discrimination.

2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessia Diana ◽  
Sylvia Snijders ◽  
Alison Rieple ◽  
Laura Ann Boyle

Abstract Background In addressing the threat of antimicrobial resistance, it is critical to understand the barriers to the uptake of strategies for the reduction of antimicrobial use (AMU) in the pig industry. In several EU countries, factors such as education level, habits and social pressures are recognised as affecting farmers’ decision-making process in relation to AMU. However, there is a lack of information on the Irish scenario. The aim of this study was to investigate pig farmers’ perspectives and their behaviour towards AMU to identify potential barriers to effectively reduce AMU in Irish pig production. We conducted face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 30 pig farmers, 5 pig veterinarians and 4 focus groups of pig farm personnel. We employed qualitative analyses to explore the objective of the study. Results Qualitative analysis revealed six convergent themes as potential barriers: perceptions about the need for AMU on farm, concept of animal welfare and associated management practices, legislation, culture, economics and standards of communication/type of advice-network. Overall, pig farmers believed that there is poor communication between stakeholders (i.e. farmers, vets and advisors) and a lack of reliable people to approach for advice. They considered themselves as operating responsibly in terms of AMU compared to their national and international colleagues and expressed the importance of a so-called ‘Irish solution’ to the problem of AMU because it was associated with what ‘has always been done’ and was therefore considered reliable and safe. Conclusions Barriers and challenges were in line with those identified in other EU countries highlighting similarities in behavioural and attitudinal patterns among pig farmers. Overall, farmers appeared to be more likely to rely on previous experiences or to wait for an imposed change (e.g. legislation) instead of taking personal action. Thus, considerable behavioural and attitudinal changes are needed to adopt a more responsible AMU in Irish pig production and to develop effective intervention strategies.


Author(s):  
Nouf Salem Alenezi, Bader Jassim Alqallaf, Hamed Jassim Alsa Nouf Salem Alenezi, Bader Jassim Alqallaf, Hamed Jassim Alsa

This research is a qualitative interpretive case study focuses on the perspectives of (6) students with physical and visual disability who study at college of basic education in Kuwait. It sought to elicit the “voice” of students with disabilities, seeking to identify their experiences of inclusive practice and any barriers to participation. The researchers conducted semi structured interviews. It was processed and analysed through data coding, categorising and emergence of themes. Participants of the current study showed a willingness towards the concept of inclusion with some concerns, which include the cultural, structural, and social barriers of implementing inclusive education. The results of this study emphasise the importance of increasing the knowledge of inclusion and how to deal with students with disability. Overall, recommendations include a need for training courses for the faculty members at the College of Basic Education in the field of disability and inclusion.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soleiman Ahmady ◽  
Zohrehsadat Mirmoghtadaie ◽  
Davood Rasouli

Abstract Background Interprofessional education is one of the most important educational methods for developing team work encounter with many challenges, especially in developing countries. The purpose of this study was to identify the important challenges of Interprofessional education in Iran's medical educational system. Methodology The qualitative content analysis was used to explain the perception and experience of 15 professors and experts regarding the challenges of Interprofessional education with semi structured interviews. The interviews were analyzed with Graneheim and Lundman qualitative approach in the MAXQDA software V.12 interviews were completed. Findings According to the participants, the important challenges to designing and implementation of Interprofessional education was: 1) educational challenges, 2) structural challenges and 3) cultural challenges. Conclusion Because of the importance of Interprofessional education to enhancing medical education, policymakers need to understand the importance of IPE and address the barriers and challenges they face. Also the Structures must be created and attitudes change.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer E Butterly

The changing demographics of illness necessitate the provision of complex care practices designed to meet the individual needs of families from diverse backgrounds. Providing psychosocial care to paediatric patients, child life specialists integrate processes designed to better understand their patients, thus informing their plans of care. Through the use of Grounded Theory, this study involves 7 child life specialists from a large city in Ontario and explores the processes implemented by child life specialists in getting to know their patients and families. Data obtained from semi-structured interviews and a reflective journaling exercise was examined for evidence of cultural influence and a greater understanding of child life specialists' perceived comfort and ability was explored. The results of this study suggest child life specialists engage in culturally responsive practices, however several barriers and challenges exist. Resource needs are identified and implications for practice are examined.


2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-20
Author(s):  
Gail Macdonald ◽  
Helen Boon

Students who have parents deployed to a war zone are more vulnerable to an increased level of stress and anxiety, health problems, behavioural disorders and academic under-achievement. Yet, little is known about the processes employed by schools to support these students. This study investigated the deployment support work conducted by Defence School Transition Aides who are employed in some Australian schools to support students from Australian Defence Force families to manage the transitions associated with school mobility and parental absence for service reasons. Fifteen parents, 17 teachers and 15 Defence School Transition Aides were asked, in semi-structured interviews, to describe students’ responses to parental deployment, how their schools supported students and what specific processes were employed by Defence School Transition Aides to assist students’ coping during parental deployment. Findings from qualitative analyses, suggest that Defence School Transition Aides assist school communities to build their schools’ capacity to support students with deployed parents by raising the school communities’ awareness of these students’ specific needs.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Isaza-Arias ◽  
Andrés A Agudelo-Suárez ◽  
Cielo J Chicangana ◽  
Julián Alfredo Fernández-Niño

Abstract Background gender-based violence is considered a phenomenon of importance in the field of public health and social sciences. From a social determinants’ perspective, it seems important to study this topic in social groups considered as vulnerable, in order to establish prevention strategies. This study aims to explore the experiences of gender-based violence and its social determinants in a group of undocumented pregnant women in the city of Barranquilla, Colombia.Methods qualitative study based on 15 semi-structured interviews with undocumented pregnant Venezuelans residing in the district of Barranquilla. The interview guide included various dimensions in order to discover the opinions and experiences of each participant related to their migration process, their health during pregnancy, experiences of gender-based violence, individual and institutional responses to violence and, lastly, the health care they have received in Colombia. Narrative contents analysis was carried out by means of emergent categories from the perspective of the interviewed women. Ethical considerations for gender-based violence studies were taking into consideration.Results interviewed women migrated from Venezuela to Barranquilla in Colombia motivated to improve their quality of life and for their families. In the adaptation process, some women reported having been victims of physical, psychological, sexual and economic violence, which can be associated with their vulnerability conditions related to their pregnancy and motherhood, economic dependency, lack of networks of support and insecurity of the sectors in which they resided. This situation affected their physical, mental and psychosocial health.Conclusion immigrant pregnant women in Barranquilla are in an especial situation of social vulnerability considering their experiences about gender-based violence, and its social determinants related to the migratory process and their adaptations to the Colombian territory.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Axel Hofmann ◽  
Donat R. Spahn ◽  
Anke-Peggy Holtorf

Abstract Background: Patient Blood Management (PBM) is an evidence-based approach in surgery and emergency care which aims to minimize the risk for blood loss and the need for blood replacement for each patient through a coordinated multidisciplinary care process before, during, and after surgery. In combination with blood loss, anemia is the main driver for transfusion and an independent risk factor for adverse outcomes including morbidity and mortality. Hence, identifying and correcting anemia as well as minimizing blood loss are important pillars of PBM. Evidence demonstrates that PBM significantly improves outcomes and safety while reducing cost by macroeconomic magnitudes. Despite its huge potential to improve healthcare systems, PBM is not yet adopted broadly. The aim of this study is to analyze the collective experiences of a diverse group of PBM implementors across countries reflecting different healthcare contexts and to use these experiences to develop a guidance for initiating and orchestrating PBM implementation for stakeholders from diverse professional backgrounds.Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 1-4 PBM implementors from 12 countries in Asia, Latin America, Australia, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Responses reflecting the drivers, barriers, measures, and stakeholders regarding the implementation of PBM were summarized per country, and key observations extracted. By clustering the levels of intervention for PBM implementation, a PBM implementation framework was created and populated.Results: A set of PBM implementation measures were extracted from the interviews with the implementors. Most of these measures relate to one of six levels of implementation including government, healthcare providers, funding, research, training/education, and patients/public. Essential cross-level measures are multi-stakeholder communication and collaboration.Conclusion: This implementation framework helps to decompose the complexity of PBM implementation into concrete measures on each implementation level. It provides guidance for diverse stakeholders to independently initiate and develop strategies to make PBM a national standard of care, thus closing current practice gaps and matching this unmet public health need.


Author(s):  
Basak Keskin ◽  
Baris Salman

Connectivity is key in this new era of smart infrastructure. Smart airports utilize new connected technologies to improve end-user experience while ensuring operational feasibility in aeronautical and non-aeronautical segments. The increasing need for digitizing the design-build-operate life cycles of airports can be met by implementing building information modeling (BIM) that enables accessing, managing, utilizing, and connecting physical and operational data in a digital collaborative environment. This study investigates the current state of practice in airport BIM (ABIM) and the use of ABIM processes in digital airport operations and maintenance by connecting existing data sources and integrating smart airport systems. The study proposes a comprehensive and adaptive ABIM management framework that depicts the alignment and connectivity of ABIM processes, resources and stakeholders with airport operational requirements by identifying gaps in the industry and literature, and developing a global understanding in ABIM visions. Research data are collected through literature and industry review, online surveys, and semi-structured interviews with aviation professionals. Mixed methods including non-parametric statistical analysis and qualitative analysis are used to determine the elements of the framework. Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) principles and language are used to generate the framework. For framework validation, a proof of concept (POC) is conducted by development and deployment of a web-based application. The developed ABIM framework is expected to guide major airport stakeholders in their BIM implementation processes to enhance airport operational efficiencies and in strategizing digital initiatives on a connected-BIM platform.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie C. Faure ◽  
Kasey M. Faust ◽  
Jessica Kaminsky

Sudden population influxes into cities—such as those seen during post-disaster migration—place unexpected demands on the urban housing system. Decisions made during these influxes are often controversial, potentially hindering the ability of the organizations involved to respond. This study’s objective was to explore strategies (e.g., types of information shared and types of accommodation chosen) that can be used during decision-making processes when providing emergency accommodations to increase stakeholder acceptance, and thus lead to sustainable institutional responses. This study specifically sought to shed light on how, during the Refugee Crisis in Germany of 2015 and 2016, stakeholders legitimized decisions made to provide centralized emergency accommodations to displaced persons. Making this study possible were 25 semi-structured interviews with utility, government, nonprofit, and company employees involved in the provision of centralized accommodations for displaced persons. Interviews were conducted in 2016 and underwent a qualitative analysis. Results indicate that stakeholders primarily legitimized the provision of centralized accommodations based on convictions of right and wrong (moral legitimacy), while they legitimized decisions to not provide such accommodations based on their understanding and experience of practical barriers (cultural-cognitive legitimacy). Recommendations arising from this study include the following: provide information to stakeholders about accommodations’ livability (to gain consequential legitimacy) and past successes (to gain comprehensibility legitimacy), adapt regulations to help stakeholders use procedural legitimacy, and prefer fully renovated buildings or modular housing to buildings with no major renovations or container housing (to gain consequential rather than procedural legitimacy).


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (13) ◽  
pp. 2071-2080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salini Mohanty ◽  
Amy Carroll-Scott ◽  
Marissa Wheeler ◽  
Cecilia Davis-Hayes ◽  
Renee Turchi ◽  
...  

Understanding how pediatric practices handle parental vaccine hesitancy is important as it impacts the efficiency and effectiveness of pediatric practices. In total, 21 semi-structured interviews with pediatric practice staff within a primary care network were conducted between May 2012 and March 2013. Thematic analysis focused on the barriers and challenges of vaccine hesitancy and strategies to reduce the burden at the practice level. Barriers and challenges of vaccine hesitancy included time constraints, administrative challenges, financial challenges and strained patient-provider relationships. Strategies to minimize the burden of vaccine hesitancy included training for vaccine counseling, screening for vaccine hesitancy prior to immunization visits, tailored vaccine counseling, and primary care provider visits for follow-up immunization. Pediatric practices reported many challenges when caring for vaccine-hesitant families. Multiple strategies were identified to reduce the burden of vaccine hesitancy, which future studies should explore to determine how effective they are in increasing vaccine acceptance in pediatric practices.


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