scholarly journals Meeting the challenge of (co-)designing real-world laboratories: Insights from the Well-Being Transformation Wuppertal project

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 154-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Rose ◽  
Katrin Maibaum

As transdisciplinary and transformative research approaches, real-world laboratories (RwLs) come with many pitfalls. Their design and implementation place high demands on everyone involved, which means that realistically, things rarely go smoothly. The following Design Report shares the lessons learned about establishing and adjusting communication and organisational structures in RwLs.What should we take into account when setting up real-world laboratories (RwLs)? In our analysis of the experience of (co-)designing three RwLs within the Well-Being Transformation Wuppertal research project, we examine both the origin of the project proposal and its implementation, from management, communication and inter- and transdisciplinarity to actor dynamics and recruitment criteria for staff. We especially highlight the effects of the initial co-design phase (project proposal) on the RwL’s implementation, focusing on the challenges which arose and how these were addressed.We conducted 19 semi-structured interviews, analysed relevant project documentation and reflected on the research team’s own experiences. The transdisciplinary and transformative dimensions of the RwL approach are the areas where significant lessons were learned. RwLs are unique in their extraordinarily strong need to balance different roles and resources, even as many of their challenges and solutions resemble those which also arise in transdisciplinary research. The uniqueness of RwLs lies in their objective to co-produce not only socially robust knowledge but also tangible real-world change through experimentation.

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (01) ◽  
pp. 3-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonnie M. Vest ◽  
Victoria M. Hall ◽  
Linda S. Kahn ◽  
Arvela R. Heider ◽  
Nancy Maloney ◽  
...  

Aims The purpose of this qualitative evaluation was to explore the experience of implementing routine telemonitoring (TM) in real-world primary care settings from the perspective of those delivering the intervention; namely the TM staff, and report on lessons learned that could inform future projects of this type. Background Routine TM for high-risk patients within primary care practices may help improve chronic disease control and reduce complications, including unnecessary hospital admissions. However, little is known about how to integrate routine TM in busy primary care practices. A TM pilot for diabetic patients was attempted in six primary care practices as part of the Beacon Community in Western New York. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives of three TM agencies (n=8) participating in the pilot. Interviews were conducted over the phone or in person and lasted ~30 min. Interviews were audio-taped and transcribed. Analysis was conducted using immersion-crystallization to identify themes. Findings TM staff revealed several themes related to the experience of delivering TM in real-world primary care: (1) the nurse–patient relationship is central to a successful TM experience, (2) TM is a useful tool for understanding socio-economic context and its impact on patients’ health, (3) TM staff anecdotally report important potential impacts on patient health, and (4) integrating TM into primary care practices needs to be planned carefully. Conclusions This qualitative study identified challenges and unexpected benefits that might inform future efforts. Communication and integration between the TM agency and the practice, including the designation of a point person within the office to coordinate TM and help address the broader contextual needs of patients, are important considerations for future implementation. The role of the TM nurse in developing trust with patients and uncovering the social and economic context within which patients manage their diabetes was an unexpected benefit.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Somsanid Chidmany

<p>Over the past five decades, there has been growing awareness of the potential negative effects of development-induced displacement and resettlement. For example, resettlement can threaten people’s livelihoods and well-being and sustainable development. In response to this phenomenon, many international financial organisations led by the World Bank have adopted safeguard policies, standards, and guidelines, especially around forced resettlement. These safeguard documents maintain that organisational and financial arrangements – through livelihood restoration programmes – can possibly alleviate displaced people’s impoverishment risks if those risks are correctly identified early. This thesis explores claims that such risks in development-caused involuntary population resettlement can be addressed by effective planning processes. Specifically, this thesis examines how resettlement and livelihood restoration programmes related to the Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric project (NT2) in Lao PDR were able (or not) to address the livelihood sustainability of resettled communities.  In conducting fieldwork in Lao PDR, this thesis employed a mixed methods approach using both qualitative and quantitative methods including semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and analysis of quantitative and qualitative secondary data.  The key findings found in this study reflect NT2’s mixed performance of resettlement. On the one hand, the project provided enormous advantages to Lao PDR: a) the cooperation between Lao government and international stakeholders including resettled people in the preparation of resettlement strategies; b) introducing the Lao government and resettled people to a new global standard of resettlement practice. On the other hand, this project also caused a number of challenges: a) incomplete preparation of the resettlement strategies; b) unsuccessful implementation of livelihood restoration programmes; and c) the lack of precision in terminology – stipulated in the CA – to enable the effective establishment of measures, indicators and criteria which could be used to inform objective and fair decision making. These findings seem to hold NT2 back from successfully achieving the sustainable development for resettled people’s livelihoods and well-being.  The findings of this study should be of interest to development academics and practitioners working in the fields of energy development and development-induced displacement and resettlement. Specifically, the lessons learned from resettlement and livelihood restoration programmes implemented by Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric project are crucial, because it is considered a role model for other hydropower projects in Lao PDR. It is hoped that the results of this study can make a contribution to the on-going improvement of the Lao government’s existing policies on resettlement and livelihood restoration strategies in order to fulfil sustainable development goals.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Somsanid Chidmany

<p>Over the past five decades, there has been growing awareness of the potential negative effects of development-induced displacement and resettlement. For example, resettlement can threaten people’s livelihoods and well-being and sustainable development. In response to this phenomenon, many international financial organisations led by the World Bank have adopted safeguard policies, standards, and guidelines, especially around forced resettlement. These safeguard documents maintain that organisational and financial arrangements – through livelihood restoration programmes – can possibly alleviate displaced people’s impoverishment risks if those risks are correctly identified early. This thesis explores claims that such risks in development-caused involuntary population resettlement can be addressed by effective planning processes. Specifically, this thesis examines how resettlement and livelihood restoration programmes related to the Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric project (NT2) in Lao PDR were able (or not) to address the livelihood sustainability of resettled communities.  In conducting fieldwork in Lao PDR, this thesis employed a mixed methods approach using both qualitative and quantitative methods including semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and analysis of quantitative and qualitative secondary data.  The key findings found in this study reflect NT2’s mixed performance of resettlement. On the one hand, the project provided enormous advantages to Lao PDR: a) the cooperation between Lao government and international stakeholders including resettled people in the preparation of resettlement strategies; b) introducing the Lao government and resettled people to a new global standard of resettlement practice. On the other hand, this project also caused a number of challenges: a) incomplete preparation of the resettlement strategies; b) unsuccessful implementation of livelihood restoration programmes; and c) the lack of precision in terminology – stipulated in the CA – to enable the effective establishment of measures, indicators and criteria which could be used to inform objective and fair decision making. These findings seem to hold NT2 back from successfully achieving the sustainable development for resettled people’s livelihoods and well-being.  The findings of this study should be of interest to development academics and practitioners working in the fields of energy development and development-induced displacement and resettlement. Specifically, the lessons learned from resettlement and livelihood restoration programmes implemented by Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric project are crucial, because it is considered a role model for other hydropower projects in Lao PDR. It is hoped that the results of this study can make a contribution to the on-going improvement of the Lao government’s existing policies on resettlement and livelihood restoration strategies in order to fulfil sustainable development goals.</p>


2008 ◽  
Vol 2008 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-235
Author(s):  
Roger Paradis ◽  
Abderrahmane Dermoune ◽  
Scott F. McKay ◽  
Dany Sarrazin Sullivan

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (17) ◽  
pp. 1195-1204
Author(s):  
Florence D Mowlem ◽  
Brad Sanderson ◽  
Jill V Platko ◽  
Bill Byrom

Aim: To understand the impact of anticancer treatment on oncology patients’ ability to use electronic solutions for completing patient-reported outcomes (ePRO). Materials & methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven individuals who had experienced a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Results: Participants reported that the following would impact the ability to interact with an ePRO solution: peripheral neuropathy of the hands (4/7), fatigue and/or concentration and memory issues (6/7), where they are in a treatment cycle (5/7). Approaches to improve usability included: larger, well-spaced buttons to deal with finger numbness, the ability to pause a survey and complete at a later point and presenting the recall period with every question to reduce reliance on memory. Conclusion: Symptoms associated with cancers and anticancer treatments can impact the use of technologies. The recommendations for optimizing the electronic implementation of patient-reported outcome instruments in this population provides the potential to improve data quality in oncology trials and places patient needs at the forefront to ensure ‘fit-for-purpose’ solutions.


2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Abraham ◽  
Hazel Jones

ABSTRACT With the emergence of new sets of technological tools, university students are now offered more authentic learning experiences involving real-world, complex problems and their solutions. This focus on problem-based activities and case studies has produced a learning environment that is inherently multidisciplinary. This paper reports on the development of a scaffolded learning assignment with blended components applied in an accounting subject that was taught in a cross-disciplinary setting. The assignment was developed in a sociocultural context, based on a Vygotskian approach, and this paper details its design and development. The five stages of the assignment were carefully scaffolded and included elements of individual and group tasks, finishing with an individual reflection on the process. Formative assessment and associated feedback are important elements of the scaffolding and thus the paper reports both the design and implementation of the assignment, and provides qualitative feedback from students regarding how completing the assignment enhanced their learning in accounting. The paper concludes with suggestions for further applications for the learning design of the assignment.


2021 ◽  
pp. 104420732110275
Author(s):  
Alex Nester Jiya ◽  
Maxwell Peprah Opoku ◽  
William Nketsia ◽  
Joslin Alexei Dogbe ◽  
Josephine Nkrumah Adusei

Deplorable living conditions among persons with disabilities and the need to improve their living conditions cannot be overemphasized. This has triggered international discussion on the need for deliberate social policies to bridge the poverty gap between persons with and without disabilities. In Malawi, expansion of financial services has been identified as an essential tool to accelerate economic and inclusive development. However, empirical studies are yet to explore the preparedness of financial institutions to extend their services to persons with disabilities. In this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with managers from commercial banks in Malawi to understand their perspectives on extending financial services to persons with disabilities. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and a descriptive thematic analysis was performed. Although participants reiterated the need to provide persons with disabilities with financial services to improve their well-being, few initiatives have been undertaken to improve their participation. Particularly, participants stated that barriers, such as a lack of financial literacy and adaptive technologies, communication barriers, and high rates of unemployment, explained the reluctance of commercial banks to extend financial services to persons with disabilities. The limitations, recommendations for future research, and implications of the study for policymaking have been highlighted.


2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 9-16
Author(s):  
José Suárez-Varela ◽  
Miquel Ferriol-Galmés ◽  
Albert López ◽  
Paul Almasan ◽  
Guillermo Bernárdez ◽  
...  

During the last decade, Machine Learning (ML) has increasingly become a hot topic in the field of Computer Networks and is expected to be gradually adopted for a plethora of control, monitoring and management tasks in real-world deployments. This poses the need to count on new generations of students, researchers and practitioners with a solid background in ML applied to networks. During 2020, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has organized the "ITU AI/ML in 5G challenge", an open global competition that has introduced to a broad audience some of the current main challenges in ML for networks. This large-scale initiative has gathered 23 different challenges proposed by network operators, equipment manufacturers and academia, and has attracted a total of 1300+ participants from 60+ countries. This paper narrates our experience organizing one of the proposed challenges: the "Graph Neural Networking Challenge 2020". We describe the problem presented to participants, the tools and resources provided, some organization aspects and participation statistics, an outline of the top-3 awarded solutions, and a summary with some lessons learned during all this journey. As a result, this challenge leaves a curated set of educational resources openly available to anyone interested in the topic.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-30
Author(s):  
Stéphanie Caron-Roy ◽  
Sayeeda Amber Sayed ◽  
Katrina Milaney ◽  
Bonnie Lashewicz ◽  
Sharlette Dunn ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: The British Columbia Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program (FMNCP) provides low-income households with coupons valued at $21/week for 16 weeks to purchase healthy foods in farmers’ markets. Our objective was to explore FMNCP participants’ experiences of accessing nutritious foods, and perceived program outcomes. Design: This study used qualitative description methodology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with FMNCP participants during the 2019 farmers’ market season. Directed content analysis was used to analyse the data whereby the five domains of Freedman et al’s framework of nutritious food access provided the basis for an initial coding scheme. Data that did not fit within the framework’s domains were coded inductively. Setting: One urban and two rural communities in British Columbia, Canada. Participants: 28 adults who were participating in the FMNCP. Results: Three themes emerged: Autonomy and Dignity; Social Connections and Community Building; and Environmental and Programmatic Constraints. Firstly, the program promoted a sense of autonomy and dignity through financial support, increased access to high-quality produce, food-related education and skill development, and mitigating stigma and shame. Secondly, shopping in farmers’ markets increased social connections and fostered a sense of community. Finally, participants experienced limited food variety in rural farmers’ markets, lack of transportation, and challenges with redeeming coupons. Conclusions: Participation in the FMNCP facilitated access to nutritious foods and enhanced participants’ diet quality, well-being and health. Strategies such as increasing the amount and duration of subsidies, and expanding programs may help improve participants’ experiences and outcomes of farmers’ market food subsidy programs.


2021 ◽  
pp. 2-11
Author(s):  
Amy Dettmer ◽  
Hamed Okhravi ◽  
Kevin Perry ◽  
Nabil Schear ◽  
Richard Shay ◽  
...  

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