Students in England and the legacy of the First World War

This publication explores a transformative moment in the history of UK higher education. After the First World War, British universities received an influx of students who had undertaken wartime service in different forms. In what ways did this development reshape university life, and what were the implications for student activism? We shed light on these questions through case studies from London and the North East of England, focusing on University College London (UCL) and Durham University (including Armstrong College, Newcastle). Special emphasis is placed on gender relations at these institutions as well as students’ attempts to foster dialogue, cooperation and reconciliation in the wake of international conflict

Student Funding and University Access after the Great War: The Scheme for the Higher Education of Ex-Servicemen at Aberystwyth, Liverpool, and Oxford

This article makes a fresh contribution to the literature on student funding and its history by drawing attention to a pioneering government initiative, launched in the aftermath of the Great War. From the winter of 1918–1919 until 1923, the Scheme for the Higher Education of Ex-Servicemen provided grants to university students in England and Wales. We argue that it amounted to a major educational reform venture: it supported students on an unprecedented scale, covering fees and maintenance across a broad range of courses and institutions. In order to produce an in-depth analysis of this scheme and its local operation, we have drawn on archival evidence from the Board of Education, the University of Liverpool, the University of Oxford and the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. Our discussion addresses the application process, means-testing and funding decisions as well as the profiles and experiences of grant recipients. The scale and impact of the ex-service scheme raises wider questions about the societal value accorded to higher education within the context of reconstruction after the Great War

Student Funding and University Access after the Great War: The Scheme for the Higher Education of Ex-Servicemen at Aberystwyth, Liverpool, and Oxford

This article makes a fresh contribution to the literature on student funding and its history by drawing attention to a pioneering government initiative, launched in the aftermath of the Great War. From the winter of 1918–1919 until 1923, the Scheme for the Higher Education of Ex-Servicemen provided grants to university students in England and Wales. We argue that it amounted to a major educational reform venture: it supported students on an unprecedented scale, covering fees and maintenance across a broad range of courses and institutions. In order to produce an in-depth analysis of this scheme and its local operation, we have drawn on archival evidence from the Board of Education, the University of Liverpool, the University of Oxford and the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. Our discussion addresses the application process, means-testing and funding decisions as well as the profiles and experiences of grant recipients. The scale and impact of the ex-service scheme raises wider questions about the societal value accorded to higher education within the context of reconstruction after the Great War

Dangerous work: The gendered nature of bullying in the context of higher education

This paper discusses results from a research project which set out to investigate gender differences in the nature and experience of bullying within the higher education sector. Gender differences emerged in the form and perception of bullying as well as in target response. Results also indicate that, irrespective of gender, bullies can capture and subvert organizational structures and procedures (official hierarchies, mentoring systems, probationary reviews) to further their abuse of the target and to conceal aggressive intent. These outcomes are discussed in relation to gendered assumptions behind management practices and in relation to the masculinist ethic that underpins many higher education management initiatives. Overall, results indicate that bullying cannot be divorced from gender and that such behaviour needs to be seen in a gendered context

Developing workplace menopause policies: four reasons why, and how

Menopause is increasingly – if finally – being acknowledged as an important workplace issue. Five experts from different fields discuss the social, business, legal and ethical cases for improving support at work for women transitioning through the menopause, and explain how to start and sustain the conversation with employers. Menopause – when a woman stops having periods for good – is currently receiving an increasing amount of attention. Celebrities including Kirsty Wark, Davina McCall, Gillian Anderson, Jenny Eclair, Meg Mathews, Carol Vorderman and Cynthia Nixon have shared their experiences of this natural, and yet often taboo, mid-life transition with the wider world. Also noticeable is a groundswell among employers across a variety of sectors that are acknowledging the significant effects menopause symptoms

Democratization and the Diffusion of Shari'a Law: Comparative Insights from Indonesia

The democratization of politics has been accompanied by a rise of Islamic laws in many Muslim-majority countries. Despite a growing interest in the phenomenon, the Islamization of politics in democratizing Muslim-majority countries is rarely understood as a process that unfolds across space and time. Based on an original dataset established during years of field research in Indonesia, this article analyzes the spread of shari’a regulations across the world’s largest Muslim-majority democracy since 1998. The article shows that shari’a regulations in Indonesia diffused unevenly across space and time. Explanations put forward in the literature on the diffusion of morality policies in other countries such as geographic proximity, institutions, intergovernmental relations and economic conditions did not explain the patterns in the diffusion of shari’a regulations in Indonesia well. Instead, shari’a regulations in Indonesia were most likely to spread across jurisdictions where local Islamist groups situated outside the party system had an established presence. In short, the Islamization of politics was highly contingent on local conditions. Future research will need to pay more attention to local Islamist activists and networks situated outside formal politics as potential causes for the diffusion of shari’a law in democratizing Muslim-majority countries

Service planning and delivery outcomes of home adaptations for ageing in the UK

In response to the impact of demographic change on the healthcare system, ‘ageing in place’ was introduced as a national policy to support elderly people living independently in their homes. Housing adaptation is essential for successful independent living and has been given increased political priority. However, adaptation policies and practice vary regionally, reflecting statutory limits, policy choices and local planning. This study investigated the current status of adaptation provision in different regions in the UK and assessed the effectiveness of local service planning and management. A mixed-methods sequential explanatory research strategy was employed. In the first quantitative phase, a questionnaire survey was carried out involving all 378 local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales. This was followed by a second qualitative phase involving individual interviews with five professionals and two clients and a focus group meeting with six key stakeholders. The study found that the current number of adaptations was relatively small compared with potential demands in most local areas, as was funding for adaptations. On the operational side, the adaptation process was fragmented, involving different service groups in many local authorities. There were disconnections between these groups, which often caused inefficiencies and poor effectiveness. Moving forward, local authorities need to have a clear vision of the overall need for adaptations and allocate sufficient resources. Practical guidelines are also needed for better integrated working and performance management

Optical Design for Li Beam Zeeman Polarimetry Measurements on Diii-D

Measurements of the magnetic field pitch angle are obtained from the polarization characteristics of the {sigma} component of the Zeeman triplet of Li emission at 670.8 nm. A four element optical system images a horizontal Li beam on an array of 3 x 32, 1 mm diam. optical fibers, providing 32 spatial channels with 5 mm radial resolution in the plasma. Low Verdet constant glass is used for all optical elements near the DIII-D vessel to minimize the effects of Faraday rotation caused by stray magnetic fields. Before entering the fiber optics, the light passes through two crossed (45 degrees) photoelastic modulators (PEM) and a linear polarizer, which convert the various polarization states into an intensity modulated signal at the fundamental and 2nd harmonic of the PEM frequencies. For each spatial channel, light from a three fiber bundle is collimated and passes through a temperature tuned etalon (free spectral range, FSR = 0.3 nm; finesse, F = 5.7) in order to select only one {sigma} line of the triplet. The FSR is large enough to adequately cover the expected Zeeman triplet and small enough to achieve a low bandwidth (0.06 nm) at reasonably low F. A 1.0 nm wide interference filter is used to block all but 4-5 peaks of the etalon. The light is then focused on GaAs photo multiplier detectors. Details of the design and performance are presented

Remote exercise testing in pulmonary hypertension (PHRET)

Remote exercise tests for patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) would improve the telemedicine strategies in this disease. The PHRET study assessed the validity and feasibility of four remote exercise tests performed by PH patients at home. Participants undergoing diagnostic assessment for PH were included. At baseline, patients completed a 6MWT followed by a range of study tests including a Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, a Sit-to-Stand (STS), a Step Test (ST), and a tele-6MWT (T6MWT) performed outside using a GPS-enabled smartphone. Patients performed these tests at home following discharge and at first follow-up. Analysis focused on comparing the results of study tests to the standard 6MWT. The discontinuation rate was 15%. Ninety-seven percent of patients were able to complete a TUG, 92% a STS, 73% a ST, and 49% a T6MWT. At baseline, correlation between the standard 6MWT and study tests, respectively, was T6MWT 0.93, ST 0.78, STS 0.71, and TUG −0.76 (p < 0.001). Direction of change in the study test agreed with the standard 6MWT in 68% of the follow-up ST, 68% of the STS, 71% of the TUG, and 79% of the T6MWT. Patients were able to complete the tests at home, there were no adverse incidents and ≥92% of patients were happy to continue performing home tests. Remote exercise testing is feasible. The T6MWT was a valid remote measure of exercise capacity, but could only be performed by a limited number of patients. The high discontinuation rate may impact the utility of remote tests