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Hear from a public library director of a small library in Michigan. The author assumed the role as a first-time library director. This column explores the opportunities and challenges of taking on a directorship of a small public library. An emphasis on customer service and building the library into a community player is a key theme. The library's relationship to the city and other city departments is also discussed. Leading a public library through the COVID pandemic is touched on as well. This column is a glimpse into the operation of municipal government and public libraries. Smaller public libraries are special places in a community and this column helps you understand how they function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the impact of business-to-business (B2B) buying groups on buyer–supplier relationships. The authors outline two distinct initiatives—monitoring and community building—through which buying groups govern buyer–supplier exchange and impact supplier performance toward buyers. Two boundary conditions are identified for the performance efficacy of the buying group's governance efforts: the buyer's own governance of the supplier and the dependence relations among the focal parties. Analyses using two-wave primary data collected from the U.S. health care sector and replications using secondary outcomes indicate support for the proposed framework. The authors conduct a conjoint experiment to further enhance the generalizability of the findings and report that a buying group's monitoring of suppliers enhances supplier performance both by itself and with increasing supplier monitoring by the buyer firm. Further, the supplier's dependence on the buying group and the buyer's dependence on the supplier both sharpen the efficacy of the buying group's monitoring program. However, the performance effects of community building are weakened as the buyer–supplier relationship becomes stronger and as the buyer grows more dependent on the supplier. The authors thus uncover novel interplays between B2B buying groups and B2B dyads and document their consequences for firm performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This project explores the experiences of two Black women on the tenure track at a predominantly white university in California. Inspired by Lorgia García Peña's Community as Rebellion: A Syllabus for Surviving Academia as a Woman of Color, the authors engage in a duoethnographic journey, reflecting on their resilience and resistance in academia. Using García Peña's book as a catalyst, they share challenges and successes, discussing survival strategies and resisting pressures towards complicity with whiteness. The authors examine the prickliness of establishing trust with their colleagues, with students, and in the broader institutional context. They explore the metaphorical notion of standing in the gap as a symbol of advocating for future students and creating a trusting learning environment. The project is a testament to the importance of cultivating friendship, fostering community, and challenging institutional norms for Black women and women of color faculty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of rapid urbanization, leveraging community capital for health promotion to achieve sustainable community development has become a critical issue. This study examines 60 communities in Taipei City through a resource inventory, application analysis, and impact assessment to explore the effects of community capital and community building on sustainable development. Key findings include: Resource Inventory: The 60 communities identified a total of 3407 resources, averaging 68.14 resources per community. These resources encompass social capital (e.g., community organizations and volunteers), human capital (e.g., professional skills and education), physical capital (e.g., facilities and venues), and financial capital (e.g., funding and grants). Resource Application: of 752 resources applied, 48.5% were for teacher matching, and 24.7% for venue borrowing, highlighting a high demand for these resources in health promotion. Regression Analysis: The results show that social capital (β = 0.35, p < 0.01) and human capital (β = 0.29, p < 0.05) significantly enhance community sustainability. Additionally, the frequency of community-building activities (β = 0.31, p < 0.01) positively correlates with sustainable development. Overall, the study confirms the importance of community capital and community building in fostering sustainable development, emphasizing the need to enhance social and human capital for community health and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Picturebooks can be an effective resource to provide opportunities for classrooms to engage in community building conversations and activities. Community building mantras have been developed from several picturebooks that are used as a means of implementing the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) components of creating a caring community. The NAEYC components of creating a caring community of learners include: [1] each member of the community is valued by the others, [2] relationships are an important context through which children develop and learn, [3] each member of the community respects and is accountable to the others to behave in a way that is conducive to the learning and well-being of all, [4] practitioners design and maintain the physical environment to protect the health and safety of the learning community members, and [5] practitioners ensure members of the community feel psychologically safe [and] the overall social and emotional climate is positive. Each mantra has been developed from a picturebook and is formulated around a NAEYC component of creating a caring community of learners. The mantras explored are "stand tall", "we are a family", "mistakes are how we learn", "what if everybody did that", and "be a carrot." Book and author information, ideas for community building conversations, and related engaging activities are provided in relation to each mantra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread use of social media networks has significantly influenced protest-related activities globally, as seen in movements like the Arab Spring and Occupy Wall Street. This paper presents an in-depth case study of the 2018 student road safety movement in Bangladesh, analyzed through Facebook and Twitter. We explore how these platforms enabled the movement to spread rapidly across the country and internationally. By examining the spatio-temporal characteristics of the protest, we illustrate how real-world events influenced online activities and vice versa. Our analysis delves into the role of social media users in disseminating information, organizing activities, and sustaining momentum. The study reveals that online and offline actions are intricately intertwined, with social media conversations often spurred by real-world developments, leading to shifts in individual behaviors. This research highlights the vital role of digital media in modern activism, emphasizing its capacity to transcend traditional boundaries, facilitate coordination, and foster collective action. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how social media can drive social movements, particularly in under-researched regions. Our findings reveal that social media networks not only mobilized participants but also amplified the movement's reach and coordination. The study underscores the intricate relationship between online and offline spheres, highlighting how real-world events trigger significant online discourse and behavioral changes. This research contributes to the broader understanding of digital media's role in contemporary activism, especially in less-studied regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper details the importance of virtual and non-traditional information sharing mediums to create better information access outcomes for people experiencing multiple forms of oppression simultaneously. Non-mainstream media platforms and formats like Tumblr and zines, are a valuable potential contribution to the discourse on coloniality, decoloniality, and how resistant knowledges manifest according to the needs of the people who create them. The information sciences are limited as a result of the majority white, abled nature of the field, and Tumblr and zines create a forum for out of the box thinking and re-search that creatively and thoughtfully sidesteps censorship. The paper is via a personal lens of lived experience and aims to uplift the recognition and validation of non-standard methods of information sharing used by BIPOC, Queer, and disabled communities. It underscores how these methods serve as vital avenues for community building, education, and the preservation and dissemination of marginalized voices and experiences. The paper emphasizes the necessity of acknowledging and integrating these unconventional sources into the broader landscape of information sciences, arguing for their value and legitimacy alongside traditional information repositories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Danish Reproducibility Network (DKRN) is a grassroots initiative for establishing a peer-supportive reproducibility-focused academic network in Denmark. We modelled our approach on already existing national Reproducibility Networks. We consulted with researchers and research support professionals to identify the needs of the research community. Three themes emerged around policy implementation, training and the appropriate application of reproducible practices. The network aims to address these three themes in a strategic plan, which harnesses the benefits of grassroots initiatives. The mission of the DKRN is therefore to facilitate communication, peer-support, and the exchange of ideas through a network of topic and geographical nodes. The network is open to researchers and research support professionals from all career stages and disciplines. It aligns with broader international initiatives, and national institutions, positioning itself as a contributor to the Danish research ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores how some older residents in B Town, a residential estate in northern Singapore, engage in community building through their 'serious leisure' and 'devotee work' participation in a resident landscaper program. Using data from ethnographic fieldwork conducted from February to November 2020 with participants aged from 60 to 81, I analyze how they built connections with each other, and the wider B Town community, through their participation. Particularly, I examine how the shared identity marker of being former farmers in now-evicted kampungs (villages) before the 1980s drew them together, and informed their continued involvement as resident landscapers. The 'kampung spirit' that they built up through the program enabled the construction of not only social connections, but also exclusionary mechanisms that prevented more older adults from engaging in the activities. These findings highlight participants' agency, and complicate static and/or monolithic conceptualizations of 'aging in place/the community' and 'active aging'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This empirical study draws from the extensive academic literature on leadership as a phenomenon and a topic of study, the leadership and peace nexus, and business leadership theories such as resistance leadership, system leadership, and wise and ethical leadership. It examines actual leadership through in-depth interviews of three Japanese business leaders under three themes: how they understand the existing system, connect or envision connecting people, and care for human dignity. The study finds that the leaders appraise the existing system from a broad perspective, attempt to use business to change it, and connect people transnationally. In this process, they illustrate care for the dignity of the people involved. Their vision of transforming their businesses into transnational communities across stakeholders and to change the world for the better can be a model for peacebuilding through business. We also posit that the flexibility and speediness of business leaders' decision-making and actions are advantageous for peace leadership and that businesses have the potential to engage in peacebuilding sustainably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to identify, categorize and analyze the components of social responsibility in Iranian public libraries. Specifically, it seeks to determine the extent to which these components are realized within Iranian public libraries. Methodology: This research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative methods. In the qualitative phase, through a review of English-language research articles, the components of social responsibility in public libraries were identified and categorized into 5 primary dimensions and 11 sub-categories. A conceptual model was designed using a concept sorting method. In the quantitative phase, a questionnaire was developed based on the identified components. Content validity was established using the Content Validity Index (CVI), with a mean CVI of .80 per item. Reliability was assessed through the split-half method, yielding a Spearman-Brown coefficient of .891. Data collection occurred between January 2023 - June 2023. The sample size was calculated to be approximately 160 participants using Cochran's formula. Then, a systematic sampling technique was employed to select 80 participants from Hosseiniyeh Ershad Library and another 80 from Park-e Shahr Library, both located in Teh-ran. Data collection spanned a period of 45 days. For data analysis, a variety of statistical tests were utilized, including binomial tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and structural equation modeling. Findings: The study revealed a complex structure of social responsibility in public libraries, composed of five primary dimensions and eleven secondary dimensions. These dimensions include popularization of critical rationality, encompassing critical thinking and historical awareness; responsiveness, characterized by reasoned argumentation and a commitment to justice; dialogical rationality, emphasizing freedom of expression and inclusive dialogue; social inspiration, fostering social art and literature; and socialization, promoting privacy, community integration, and public awareness. The findings indicated a general gap between the expected and actual levels of social responsibility in the studied libraries. While no significant differences were observed between the responses of users from the two libraries, demographic factors such as age and income influenced perceptions of social responsibility. Younger individuals (aged 31-40) were less likely to perceive social inspiration as fulfilled, while those with higher incomes (10-15 million Tomans per month) reported lower levels of satisfaction in critical rationality, social inspiration and socialization. The results of structural equation modeling indicated that the paths of critical rationality, social inspiration, and socialization were the only significant paths in the model, meaning that dialogical rationality is a factor influencing social inspiration, and the combined effect of these two factors influences socialization. Furthermore, dialogical rationality had the most powerful indirect effect on socialization, suggesting that popularization of dialogical rationality is the most prioritized social responsibility of public libraries. Originality/Value: This research contributes to the field by providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the components of social responsibility in public libraries. Additionally, it highlights the significance of dialogic rationality in achieving the broader goals of social responsibility within these institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conducting student conferences similar to those used by English Language Arts teachers to improve reading skills can give middle school science students a sense of belonging and ownership in science. Once a set of conference goals is determined, a teacher can develop a form to elicit responses from students that address established goals. During each conference, the teacher will take detailed notes of student responses with the intent of learning more about a student's opinions toward science, strengths and weaknesses, expert skills, and suggestions for improving the learning environment. Information from conferences can be used to strengthen student–teacher relationships, implement activities that interest students, and provide a sense of community in the classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Danish Reproducibility Network (DKRN) is a grassroots initiative for establishing a peer-supportive reproducibility-focused academic network in Denmark. We modelled our approach on already existing national Reproducibility Networks. We consulted with researchers and research support professionals to identify the needs of the research community. Three themes emerged around policy implementation, training and the appropriate application of reproducible practices. The network aims to address these three themes in a strategic plan, which harnesses the benefits of grassroots initiatives. The mission of the DKRN is therefore to facilitate communication, peer-support, and the exchange of ideas through a network of topic and geographical nodes. The network is open to researchers and research support professionals from all career stages and disciplines. It aligns with broader international initiatives, and national institutions, positioning itself as a contributor to the Danish research ecosystem.

Pasirtanjung village has many young people who have an essential role in the village. However, although the number of youths is quite large, the Karang Taruna in Pasirtanjung Village is still unable to function optimally because members are not active enough to contribute. Therefore, Karang Taruna does not function like a youth organization. Meanwhile, to make the organization function optimally (achieve its goals), it is necessary to have contributions from each member. Community service activities are designed to build a better village community, in this case, Karang Taruna. This activity resulted in a program to improve team building for youth organizations. This is done to strengthen teamwork, improve group performance, and increase emotional attachment between group members and trust between members. Moreover, it optimizes the role of Karang Taruna in achieving its goal as one of the community institutions that helps build the village. The first step in building team building is strengthening group cohesiveness within the youth organization.A series of programs were designed to improve team building: 1) providing materials, 2) training, and 3) Focus group discussions. These team-building activities have been proven to help improve group performance. Systematic team-building activities can increase emotional attachment between group members and trust between members. This series of activities can ultimately be measured through pretest-posttest measurements related to group cohesion. The results show that the understanding of youth regarding group cohesion in youth organizations has increased after being given training. This training can provide new insights to the trainees that developing an organization requires an active and mutually supportive team.

Background: Since 2011 when the Canadian Institutes of Health Research launched the Strategy for Patient Oriented Research, there has been a growing expectation to embed patient-oriented research (POR) in the health research community in Canada. To meet this expectation and build capacity for POR in the field of neurodevelopmental disability and child health, in 2017 researchers and family leaders at CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research, McMaster University partnered with Kids Brain Health Network and McMaster Continuing Education to develop and implement a 10-week online Family Engagement in Research (FER) Course. Main text: From its inception, the FER Course has been delivered in partnership with family leaders and researchers. The FER Course is innovative in its co-learning and community building approach. The course is designed to bring family partners and researchers together to co-learn and connect, and to develop competency and confidence in both the theory and practice of family engagement in research. Coursework involves four live online group discussions, individual review of course materials, weekly group activities, and a final group project and presentation. Upon completion of the FER Course, graduates earn a McMaster University micro-credential. Conclusions: To meet a need in building capacity in POR, a novel course in the field of neurodevelopmental disability and child health has been co-created and delivered. Over six years (2018–2023), the FER Course has trained more than 430 researchers and family partners across 20 countries. A unique outcome of the FER Course is that graduates expressed the wish to stay connected and continue to collaborate well beyond the course in turn creating an international FER Community Network that continues to evolve based on need. The FER Course is creating a growing international community of researchers, trainees, self-advocates, and family partners who are championing the implementation of meaningful engagement in neurodevelopmental disability and child health research and beyond. The course is internationally recognized with an established record of building capacity in POR. Its uptake, sustainability, and scalability to date has illustrated that training programs like the FER Course are necessary for building capacity and leadership in family engagement in research. Plain English summary: In the last two decades there has been a clear commitment in Canada (and the world) to include patients and their families in health research—a process called patient-oriented research or as we refer to it—family engagement in research. In 2011, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research introduced the Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research to make this happen. To support POR in neurodevelopmental disability and child health, CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research teamed up with Kids Brain Health Network and McMaster Continuing Education. Together, a team of family caregivers and researchers co-created the Family Engagement in Research (FER) Course, a 10-week online course. The purpose of the FER Course is for researchers and family partners to learn about family engagement principles and how to use them in research. The course covers core areas in family engagement including how to find each other, how families and researchers can work together, and ways to overcome common challenges in research partnerships. The course uses online group sessions, discussion boards, and various resources such as research papers and videos. Through a group project, family partners and researchers collaborate to create a resource on family engagement. Completing the FER Course researchers and family members earn a McMaster University micro-credential and become part of a growing global community of FER Course graduates. Over six years (2018–2023), the FER Course has trained more than 430 researchers and family partners from 20 countries. The course has strengthened capacity in family engagement and is building a worldwide community of researchers, trainees, self-advocates, and family partners who are dedicated to improving neurodevelopmental disability and child health research through meaningful engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community screenings in this study are understood as the exhibition of moving images outside conventional theatres and commercial circuits. Based on fieldwork observations and interviews conducted between January 2019 and January 2020 with film workers, community groups, and venue providers who knitted together a rhizomatic community screening network in Hong Kong, this paper explores the (self-)making of urban cultural space by way of the reinvention of "screens" and the rebuilding of a place-based, people-centred community with ethical concerns for small businesses, artists, craftspeople, workers, and members of the public during the first two decades of postmillennial era. The paper concludes with some observations about the phenomenal shift in not only the mode, but also the site of film dissemination from Hong Kong to overseas diasporic communities before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and following the emigration wave in the 2020s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grow Free, a grassroots social initiative, emerged in South Australia in 2013. Grow Free advocates for the sharing and exchange of free seeds, seedlings, fruits, and vegetables among neighbors. The number of Grow Free participants grew to about 230 throughout South Australia as of 2022. This article explores the agri-social characteristics of Grow Free participants, drawing on 50 postal survey respondents and 17 semi-structured phone interviews. This study finds that diverse non-governmental organizations in addition to residential households are actively participating in the Grow Free network, including community gardens and community centers. Moreover, many household-type Grow Free participants are linked to an array of other grassroots social initiatives including Permaculture South Australia and Trees for Life. The study notes that Grow Free along with other alternative food networks has facilitated collaborative food production and consumption at a local scale. Through grassroots organizational mechanisms, Grow Free participants have been committed to fostering community building and resilience through food sharing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ETH-Library's Image Archive has been using the knowledge of volunteers for over 15 years to identify photographs (aerial images, documentary and scientific photographs, press photography, etc.) correct and improve image metadata or georeference images. The first big challenge in starting so-called crowdsourcing projects is how to find people who might be enthusiastic about such a project. The second big challenge is how to maintain a community and keep it going over a longer period. A variety of experiences, tips as well as do's and don'ts are discussed in the article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the development of digital history initiatives in Central Asia, focusing on Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. It examines the challenges, opportunities, and trends within digital humanities in the region, emphasizing the importance of incorporating postcolonial perspectives and practical digital methods for research and cultural heritage preservation. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, including literature reviews, interviews, surveys, site visits, and case studies to provide a comprehensive analysis of current digital history projects. Despite the growth of digital humanities in Central Asia, the paper identifies obstacles such as underrepresentation in international forums, limited research infrastructures, and the prevalence of Western or Russian viewpoints. Significant attention is paid to the development of the digital history community in Central Asia and the study of its needs. The article highlights the potential of digital humanities to decolonize historical narratives and enhance cultural heritage preservation through innovative means like 3D technologies. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of developing region-specific frameworks and fostering collaboration to advance digital history in Central Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study analyzes interview data with 12 Queer adults living in rural communities in one New England state in the United States. The paper determines how, if at all, participants implement resistant tactics, as defined by de Certeau, to navigate digital and physical spaces. Previous research on Queer rural spaces challenges metronormativity by showing that many Queer people make happy homes in rural communities (Gray, 2009; Schweighofer, 2016). Research into Queer rural communities challenges the established parallels between the metaphorical move from in-the-closet to coming out and the physical move from rural community to urban space. This study goes a step further by intertwining information practice with Queer rural space. The findings indicate that participants did use a range of resistant tactics, including 1) using digital space to resist gentrification, 2) engaging in rural communities as communities of care, and 3) leveraging digital space to build Queer communities amid disappearing queer spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2022 Oberammergau Passion Play – a giant applied theatre project with almost 2000 participants, running for 110 performances over five months with a run time of over 5 hours – provides an opportunity to study how community participants use applied theatre's 'dead time': the unstructured, unfacilitated time between onstage appearances. This study argues that in the tight spaces backstage, participants talk, play and engage in acts of care and mentorship, imbuing the dead time with tremendous social value. In fact, much to the initial surprise of the authors, most participants described their interest in the project as being primarily anchored in this dead time, rather than the staged action. These findings leave us with many salient questions for the field of applied theatre, and more research will be needed across varying contexts to better understand how to mitigate the social risks of dead time while invigorating its community-building potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As marginalized graduate students and faculty, we have stories to tell about our experiences within school psychology. Many of these stories center our oppression, trauma, and exclusion but some of them also center our joy and resistance. The purpose of this collaborative autoethnographic project was to create a counterspace in which we, BIWOC faculty and graduate students, could come together to engage in storytelling and build community amongst one another as a way to survive and thrive in academia. As a result of the counterspace, we are able to provide critical feedback and recommendations for school psychology programs to better support marginalized students and faculty. And we also offer critical hope and knowledge to marginalized graduate students and faculty who are currently in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Planning Education & Research is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Postdoctoral scholars (“postdocs”) occupy a distinct academic stage and therefore have unique career and professional development needs. We aimed to explore whether a cohort-based program could promote skill development, support career preparation, and facilitate community building among postdocs at our institution. We applied the design thinking process, commonly used in engineering and industrial design, to create a 4-month long leadership and project management program. Pre- and post-surveys with Likert-scale questions measured participants' self-confidence in and self-assessment of competencies related to leadership and project management (e.g., creating an inclusive environment, developing a project charter). Fourteen postdocs from STEM and humanities disciplines participated in the pilot program. Matched responses from participants indicated an 82% positive shift in leadership self-confidence (n = 11) and a 56% positive shift in project management self-confidence (n = 9). Postdocs also showed a positive shift in all 12 competencies related to leadership (n = 11), and a positive shift in nine of 10 competencies related to project management (n = 9). In the optional open-ended questions provided in the surveys, postdocs articulated that the cohort created an environment to share experiences, safely practice new skills, and discuss their career goals. Applying the principles of design thinking to develop a cohort-based professional development program resulted in participant learning gains and their feedback suggests that the program supported a greater sense of belonging. Administrators could use our approach to innovate programming that meets the professional and personal needs of postdocs at their institution.

Prozesse und Verfahren des Forschungsdatenmanagements befinden sich in der Ost-, Ostmittel- und Südosteuropaforschung im Aufbau und sind an vielen Institutionen, Universitäten und Lehrstühlen noch nicht fest institutionalisiert. Als eine Maßnahme des Community Buildings führte der Forschungsdatendienst OstData (2019-2022) eine Umfrage zur Bedarfsermittlung in den Bereichen Datenmanagement, Beratung, Publikation von Forschungsdaten und Vernetzung durch. Die Umfrage adressierte drei Zielgruppen, die in unterschiedlicher Weise mit Themen und Prozessen des Forschungsdatenmanagements in Berührung stehen: Forschende, Personen, die andere im Umgang mit Forschungsdaten beraten, und FDM-Entscheidungsträger:innen mit Leitungsfunktion. Der Beitrag präsentiert die Auswertung der Umfrageergebnisse und zeigt als eine Form der empirischen Umfeldanalyse zentrale Perspektiven für den Auf- und Ausbau des Forschungsdatenmanagements in der Osteuropaforschung auf.

In 2022, the University of Saskatchewan's University Library in Saskatoon, Canada launched the Creative Write-Ins program, which invites creative writers from the university and the broader community to come to the university library to work on their projects. The two-hour, monthly program adopted an informal community of practice (CoP) model, since it allowed for multi-directional learning along the spectrum of participants, from experienced writers to hobbyists. This paper will discuss the intrinsic case study of these hybrid creative write-ins through the lens of Wenger et al.'s (2002) CoP model. Reflections include the lessons learned, areas for improvement, perspectives on how academic libraries can collaborate with external partners, and reflections on how this program demonstrated the potential for multi-directional learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Work-integrated learning (WIL) environments are designed to assist students in consolidating their acquired knowledge and skills, apply them to real-world settings and develop a professional identity. Promoting industry engagement and assisting students make links between what they are learning and how it applies to professional practice is one of our key roles as educators. Studies in the relationship between well-being and learning confirm the need for tertiary educators to consider how personal values, health and behaviours radically interact with skills development in the designing and implementation of our teaching and learning programs. It is an imperative we keep abreast of contemporary media practices, but also build effective networks with community and industry and generate partnerships to assist students as they navigate their way through the academy in an increasingly complex world. Informed by studio and project-based learning and experiential methodologies that facilitate student centred approaches with high levels of self-directed learning we discuss our respective pedagogical approaches to the Yagan Square digital tower project, Perth Australia, to promote student engagement with their own communities and how to work with an external organisation who also act as a client and mentors to students . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After resettlement, refugees are situated to navigate new environments and social relationships with nonrefugee residents in the United States. This study focuses on the intergroup dynamics between refugees and native African American residents with whom refugees often share spatial boundaries in urban neighborhoods. Based on 30 in-depth interviews in Albany, NY and Clarkson, GA, our findings suggest that both groups share the experiences of social marginalization and disadvantageous neighborhood factors. On the other hand, each group differed in their views on the police and the type of poverty that they deal with. Although two groups rarely collaborated, solidarity was deemed possible and desirable. Several suggestions for community building were made, including cross-cultural activities for youth and neighborhood activism for adults. Future research can examine the space-making and rights-seeking processes of resettled refugees in the context of urban poverty and in their relation to other locals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study delves into the intricate relationship between cultural identity and localized aesthetics within the realm of Chinese science fiction cinema. As a genre that has gained significant prominence in recent years, Chinese science fiction films provide a unique lens through which to examine how cultural identities are expressed, negotiated, and reshaped in the global cinematic landscape. This research aims to explore the ways in which these films contribute to community building by engaging with themes of cultural identity and localized aesthetics. Materials and Methods: For this study, a diverse selection of Chinese science fiction films produced from the early 2000s to the present day was analyzed. These films were chosen based on their critical and commercial success, as well as their relevance to the themes of cultural identity and localized aesthetics. A comprehensive qualitative analysis of these films was conducted, focusing on narrative elements, visual aesthetics, and thematic content. Additionally, audience reception and critical reviews were considered to gauge the impact and reception of these films within and beyond the Chinese-speaking world. Results: Cultural Identity Representation: The analysis reveals that Chinese science fiction cinema often incorporates elements of traditional Chinese culture, mythology, and history into its narratives. These elements serve to reinforce cultural identity while simultaneously resonating with global audiences. Localization of Aesthetics: Chinese science fiction films exhibit a fusion of Eastern and Western visual aesthetics, resulting in a distinct visual style that appeals to a broad spectrum of viewers. This localized aesthetic contributes to the unique identity of Chinese science fiction cinema. Community Building: The films studied have fostered a sense of community among both domestic and international audiences who share an interest in Chinese science fiction. Online fan communities, film festivals, and academic discourse have played pivotal roles in bringing together enthusiasts and scholars. Conclusion: Chinese science fiction cinema not only reflects evolving cultural identities but also actively contributes to the formation of a global community of fans and scholars. By blending cultural elements and localized aesthetics, these films create a unique cinematic identity that resonates with diverse audiences. This study underscores the importance of understanding the interplay between cultural identity, aesthetics, and community building in contemporary cinema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of New Architecture is the property of New Architecture Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this, our opening editorial, we wish to guide readers through a delightful range of holistic education perspectives. One reason we enthusiastically embrace open-themed issues at the Holistic Education Review, is because of the rich diversity it brings in submissions. Open-themed issues allow our holistic education community to see into and across an abundance of approaches and pedagogies that are being implemented and reflected upon around the world. Further, it allows our journal to play an active role in "widening the circle" of holistic education, reflecting our values and mission as a space to share wisdom and disseminate knowledge. The order in which the editors have written about each article is the order in which we suggest our readers read each article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Libraries have long been essential for democratizing knowledge and providing reliable information, extending their services to meet diverse community needs, including educational programs and internet access (Pawley, 2022; Freudenberger, 2022). Librarians, as custodians of information and culture, possess core competencies in information organization, digital literacy, and research skills. The San José State University (SJSU) School of Information (iSchool) aims to educate professionals who significantly impact global communities through high-quality education, research, and technology innovation. This article examines the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program at SJSU iSchool, focusing on the evolution of its 14 core competencies to incorporate advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). As AI transforms educational curricula and administrative processes, updates are needed to include digital literacy, AI ethics, and data privacy, ensuring MLIS graduates are equipped to lead in an AI-integrated future. By aligning these competencies with the iSchool's strategic vision, the article provides suggestions for integrating AI into existing competencies and identifies potential new competencies to address emerging workplace needs effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though there is now a substantial body of research on the relationship between nonprofits and the state, examples from non-Western countries have been lacking in the nonprofit literature in English. This paper attempts to fill this gap using nonprofit cases in three key districts in Fukushima after the Great East Japan Earthquake. By focusing on these cases, this study captures the complex nature of the relationship between the nonprofit sector and state in Japan during a period of increased activity of both the nonprofit sector and the state. The idea of the nonprofit sector, state, and market as relatively separate and with different interests, influences discussions on themes related to the nonprofit sector (e.g., business-like behavior). The study suggests how the Japanese case can contribute in uncovering assumptions that are embedded in the existing understanding of the nonprofit sector, based primarily on Western examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Planning Education & Research is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)