Books on the topic 'University of Malawi. Centre for Social Research'

This book includes 25 peer-reviewed short papers submitted to the Scientific Opening Conference titled “Statistics and Information Systems for Policy Evaluation”, aimed at promoting new statistical methods and applications for the evaluation of policies and organized by the Association for Applied Statistics (ASA) and the Department of Statistics, Computer Science, Applications DiSIA “G. Parenti” of the University of Florence, jointly with the partners AICQ (Italian Association for Quality Culture), AICQ-CN (Italian Association for Quality Culture North and Centre of Italy), AISS (Italian Academy for Six Sigma), ASSIRM (Italian Association for Marketing, Social and Opinion Research), Comune di Firenze, the SIS – Italian Statistical Society, Regione Toscana and Valmon – Evaluation & Monitoring.

With the adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, the purpose of development is being redefined in both social and environmental terms. Despite pushback from conservative forces, change is accelerating in many sectors. To drive this transformation in ways that bring about social, environmental and economic justice at a local, national, regional and global levels, new knowledge and strong cross-regional networks capable of foregrounding different realities, needs and agendas will be essential. In fact, the power of knowledge matters today in ways that humanity has probably never experienced before, placing an emphasis on the roles of research, academics and universities. In this collection, an international diverse collection of scholars from the southern African and Nordic regions critically review the SDGs in relation to their own areas of expertise, while placing the process of knowledge production in the spotlight. In Part I, the contributors provide a sober assessment of the obstacles that neo-liberal hegemony presents to substantive transformation. In Part Two, lessons learned from North-South research collaborations and academic exchanges are assessed in terms of their potential to offer real alternatives. In Part III, a set of case studies supply clear and nuanced analyses of the scale of the challenges faced in ensuring that no one is left behind. This accessible and absorbing collection will be of interest to anyone interested in North-South research networks and in the contemporary debates on the role of knowledge production. The Southern African-Nordic Centre (SANORD) is a network of higher education institutions that stretches across Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Universities in the southern African and Nordic regions that are not yet members are encouraged to join.

Interdisciplinary Linguistic and Psychiatric Research on Language Disorders is a collection of scientific papers presented at the International Scientific Workshop on Clinical Linguistics, held on 20 November 2018 at the Education Centre of the University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče. The Erdeljac & Sekulić Sović research group in clinical linguistics, based at the Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, in collaboration with psychiatrists from the Department of Biological Psychiatry and Psychogeriatrics and the Department of Diagnostics and Intensive Care, both at the University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče, present a unique example of an academic publication designed to spotlight ongoing research on semantic processing in individuals diagnosed with psychosis spectrum disorders who are native speakers of Croatian. A further value of this book lies in the co-authors’ contributions, written by specialists in clinical linguistics and psychiatry to expand the focus of research in clinical linguistics to other domains of language disorders while showcasing the research being undertaken at prominent institutions such as University College London, the University of Cologne, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Philipps University Marburg, the University of Belgrade, the University of Novi Sad, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Various forms of academic co-operation criss-cross the modern university system in a bewildering number of ways, from the open exchange of ideas and knowledge, to the sharing of research results, and frank discussions about research challenges. Embedded in these scholarly networks is the question of whether a global template for the management of both higher education and national research organisations is necessary, and if so, must institutions slavishly follow the high-flown language of the global knowledge society or risk falling behind in the ubiquitous university ranking system? Or are there alternatives that can achieve a better, more ethically inclined, world? Basing their observations on their own experiences, an interesting mix of seasoned scholars and new voices from southern Africa and the Nordic region offer critical perspectives on issues of inter- and cross-regional academic co-operation. Several of the chapters also touch on the evolution of the higher education sector in the two regions. An absorbing and intelligent study, this book will be invaluable for anyone interested in the strategies scholars are using to adapt to the interconnectedness of the modern world. It offers fresh insights into how academics are attempting to protect the spaces in which they can freely and openly debate the challenges they face, while aiming to transform higher education, and foster scholarly collaboration. The Southern African-Nordic Centre (SANORD) is a partnership of higher education institutions from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. SANORDs primary aim is to promote multilateral research co-operation on matters of importance to the development of both regions. Our activities are based on the values of democracy, equity, and mutually beneficial academic engagement.

Between 2013 and 2016, Edinburgh’s Eidyn research centre hosted the AHRC-funded Extended Knowledge (AH/J011908/1) project (http://www.extended-knowledge.ppls.ed.ac.uk/). The papers presented in this volume are the direct or indirect products of workshops, conferences, and impact events held at the University of Edinburgh under that umbrella. The project’s main team consisted of the present editors, but the project itself comprised an international, interdisciplinary network spanning epistemology, philosophy of mind, cognitive science, cognitive and social psychology, computer science, Web science, and cybernetics. The goal was to provide, for the first time, a systematic exploration of the various ways of “externalizing” knowledge....

The debate on the equality of living conditions is on the agenda not only in Germany but throughout Europe. Thematic and/or functional aspects such as centre-periphery models, demographic change, consequences of digitisation, financing aspects, innovation aspects, regional funding - Europe of the Regions, regional funds, always also raise to the structural question of how to maintain the efficiency of public administration in all regions of Europe and Germany. What challenges for the design and performance of public administration and services of general interest arise in the context of increasing social, economic and spatial segregation, and what practical answers are possible, was the topic of the 3rd conference of the Practice and Research Network of German Universities for the Public Sector, which took place on 6 and 7 February 2020 at the University of Applied Sciences in Osnabrück. The anthology presents contributions by 35 authors on the topics "European Dimension", "Territorial, technical and social innovations" and "People and work". With contributions by Hans Adam, Barbara Bartels-Leipold, Kay Bonde, Cathrin Chevalier, Saskia Ehlers, Svenja Gödecke, Arnim Goldbach, Patricia Gozalbez Cantó, Prof. Dr. Johanna Groß, Dr. Norbert Jochens, Dr. Wolfram Karg, Frank Kupferschmidt, Joachim Lippott, Rainer Lisowski, Dr. Anne Melzer, Robert Müller-Török, Martina Röhrich, Prof. Dr. iur. Christoph Schewe, M.E.S. (Salamanca), Henning Schimpf, Andreas Schmid, Katrin Stegemann, Lisa Stegemann, Christiane Trüe, Dirk Villányi and Dr. Frank Vogel.

This anthology contains contributions by scholars from the fields of philosophy, engineering and law. It is being published to mark the ten year anniversary of the founding of the Robotics Law Research Centre at the University of Würzburg, which now has a proven track record of research and policy proposals in response to challenges posed by advances in the field of autonomous systems and digitization. This work includes interdisciplinary reflections on major technological developments of our time. It also focuses on the social and ethical foundations of the right to access technological innovation and civil, criminal and procedural law issu-es raised by recent progress in this fast-paced area. With contributions by Nikolaus Bauer, Prof. Dr. Susanne Beck, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Dieter Birnbacher, Kristine Böhm, Alfons Botthof, Prof. Dr. Jörg Eisele, Sven Elter, Dr. Jochen Feldle, Orlandino Gleizer, Prof. Dr. Armin Grunwald, Christian Haagen, Berthold Haustein, Prof. Dr. Dirk Heckmann, Prof. Dr. Joachim Hertzberg, Prof. Dr. Su Jiang, Prof. Dr. Jan Joerden, Prof. Dr. Maria Kaiafa-Gbandi, Dr. Clemens Kessler, Dr. Carsten Kusche, Prof. Dr. Genlin Liang, Dr. Severin Löffler, Anna Lohmann, Annika Schömig, Pia Mesenberg, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Mitsch, Prof. Dr. Julian Nida-Rümelin, Dr. Christoph Peylo, Prof. Dr. Frank Puppe, Prof. Dr. Tobias Reinbacher, Dr. David Roth-Isigkeit, Prof. Dr. Ronny Thomale, Prof. Dr. Frank Schuster, Prof. Dr. Gerald Spindler, Klaus Staudacher, Prof. Dr. Brian Valerius, Paul Vogel, Nicolas Woltmann, Prof. Dr. Feridun Yenisey and Dr. John Zuluaga.

The study is funded by Doha International Family Institute (DIFI), a member of Qatar Foundation, and is a collaboration between the Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration of London, Ontario; University of Guelph, Ontario; and University of Calgary, Alberta, all located in Canada; and the Doha International Family Institute, Qatar. The study received research ethics approval from the University of Guelph and the University of Calgary. This study aims to assess the impact of pre- and post-migration on marital relationships and family dynamics for Arab refugee families resettled in Canada. The study also examines the role of professional service providers in supporting these Arab refugee families. The unique experiences of Arab families displaced from their countries due to war and political conflict, and the various hardships experienced during their stay in transit countries, impact their family relations and interactions within the nuclear family context and their interconnectedness with their extended families. Furthermore, these families encounter various challenges within their resettlement process that interrupt their integration. Understanding the impact of traumatic experiences within the pre-migration journey as well as the impact of post-migration stressors on recently settled Arab refugee families in Canada provides insight into the shift in spousal and family relationships. Refugee research studies that focus on the impact of pre-migration trauma and displacement, the migration journey, and post-migration settlement on family relationships are scarce. Since the majority of global refugees in recent years come from Arab regions, mainly Syria, as a result of armed conflicts, this study is focused on the unique experiences of Arab refugee families fleeing conflict zones. The Canadian role in recently resettling a large influx of Arab refugees and assisting them to successfully integrate has not been without challenges. Traumatic pre-migration experiences as a result of being subjected to and/or witnessing violence, separation from and loss of family members, and loss of property and social status coupled with experiences of hardships in transit countries have a profound impact on families and their integration. Refugees are subjected to individual and collective traumatic experiences associated with cultural or ethnic disconnection, mental health struggles, and discrimination and racism. These experiences have been shown to impact family interactions. Arab refugee families have different definitions of “family” and “home” from Eurocentric conceptualizations which are grounded in individualistic worldviews. The discrepancy between collectivism and individualism is mainly recognized by collectivist newcomers as challenges in the areas of gender norms, expectations regarding parenting and the physical discipline of children, and diverse aspects of the family’s daily life. For this study, we interviewed 30 adults, all Arab refugees (14 Syrian and 16 Iraqi – 17 males, 13 females) residing in London, Ontario, Canada for a period of time ranging from six months to seven years. The study participants were married couples with and without children. During the semi-structured interviews, the participants were asked to reflect on their family life during pre-migration – in the country of origin before and during the war and in the transit country – and post-migration in Canada. The inter - views were conducted in Arabic, audio-recorded, and transcribed. We also conducted one focus group with seven service providers from diverse sectors in London, Ontario who work with Arab refugee families. The study used the underlying principles of constructivist grounded theory methodology to guide interviewing and a thematic analysis was performed. MAXQDA software was used to facilitate coding and the identification of key themes within the transcribed interviews. We also conducted a thematic analysis of the focus group transcription. The thematic analysis of the individual interviews identified four key themes: • Gender role changes influence spousal relationships; • Traumatic experiences bring suffering and resilience to family well-being; • Levels of marital conflict are higher following post-migration settlement; • Post-migration experiences challenge family values. The outcome of the thematic analysis of the service provider focus group identified three key themes: • The complex needs of newly arrived Arab refugee families; • Gaps in the services available to Arab refugee families; • Key aspects of training for cultural competencies. The key themes from the individual interviews demonstrate: (i) the dramatic sociocul - tural changes associated with migration that particularly emphasize different gender norms; (ii) the impact of trauma and the refugee experience itself on family relation - ships and personal well-being; (iii) the unique and complex aspects of the family journey; and (iv) how valued aspects of cultural and religious values and traditions are linked in complex ways for these Arab refugee families. These outcomes are consist - ent with previous studies. The study finds that women were strongly involved in supporting their spouses in every aspect of family life and tried to maintain their spouses’ tolerance towards stressors. The struggles of husbands to fulfill their roles as the providers and protec - tors throughout the migratory journey were evident. Some parents experienced role shifts that they understood to be due to the unstable conditions in which they were living but these changes were considered to be temporary. Despite the diversity of refugee family experiences, they shared some commonalities in how they experi - enced changes that were frightening for families, as well as some that enhanced safety and stability. These latter changes related to safety were welcomed by these fami - lies. Some of these families reported that they sought professional help, while others dealt with changes by becoming more distant in their marital relationship. The risk of violence increased as the result of trauma, integration stressors, and escalation in marital issues. These outcomes illustrate the importance of taking into consideration the complexity of the integration process in light of post-trauma and post-migration changes and the timespan each family needs to adjust and integrate. Moreover, these families expressed hope for a better future for their children and stated that they were willing to accept change for the sake of their children as well. At the same time, these parents voiced the significance of preserving their cultural and religious values and beliefs. The service providers identified gaps in service provision to refugee families in some key areas. These included the unpreparedness of professionals and insufficiency of the resources available for newcomer families from all levels of government. This was particularly relevant in the context of meeting the needs of the large influx of Syrian refugees who were resettled in Canada within the period of November 2015 to January 2017. Furthermore, language skills and addressing trauma needs were found to require more than one year to address. The service providers identified that a longer time span of government assistance for these families was necessary. In terms of training, the service providers pinpointed the value of learning more about culturally appropriate interventions and receiving professional development to enhance their work with refugee families. In light of these findings, we recommend an increased use of culturally integrative interventions and programs to provide both formal and informal support for families within their communities. Furthermore, future research that examines the impact of culturally-based training, cultural brokers, and various culturally integrative practices will contribute to understanding best practices. These findings with regard to refugee family relationships and experiences are exploratory in their nature and support future research that extends understanding in the area of spousal relationships, inter - generational stressors during adolescence, and parenting/gender role changes.