Measuring the Performance of Livability Programs, MTI Report 12-06

This report analyzes the performance measurement processes adopted by five large “livability” programs throughout the United States. It compares and contrasts these programs by examining existing research in performance measurement methods. The “best practices” of the examined performance measurement methods for each program are explored and analyzed with respect to their key characteristics. The report entails an appropriately comprehensive literature review of the current research on performance measurement methods from the perspective of various stakeholders including the public and government agencies. Additionally, the results of this literature review are used to examine the actual performance measures of the target programs from the perspective of different stakeholders. The goal of the report is to determine what did and did not work in these programs and their measurement methods, while making recommendations based on the results of the analysis for potential future programs

Thermophysical and chemical characterization of charring ablative materials Final report

Thermophysical and chemical properties of charring ablative material

Starting Anew: Jewish Immigrants and Refugees sent to America’s Midwest from Nazi and Post WWII Germany

This paper serves to investigate the reasoning as to why Jewish refugees and immigrants were sent to places in the Midwest. Through the analysis of many primary sources, specifically interviews of Jewish refugees and immigrants, this investigation reveals that the general reasons as to why Jewish immigrants and refugees were sent to the rural Midwest were rooted in economics as well as their assimilation into American society. The rural Midwest offered more potential economic opportunities than other urban areas and allowed Jewish immigrants and refugees to more easily assimilate into American life through various means

The Decline of Tribal Sovereignty: The Journey from Dicta to Dogma in Duro v. Reina, 110 S. Ct. 2053 (1990)

In Duro v. Reina, the Supreme Court held that tribal courts do not have jurisdiction over Indians committing crimes within their territorial jurisdiction, but not belonging to their tribe. This holding is incompatible with judicial precedent as well as contemporary executive and congressional policy. The decision also creates serious practical problems for tribal, federal and state authorities by leaving a jurisdictional void over nonmember Indian criminals. A holding that tribal courts have jurisdiction over all tribal Indians who commit crimes on reservations would have been in harmony with judicial, congressional and executive precedent, and would not have created equal protection problems

Pākehā Working With Māori – Activists and Academics

How do we work together across difference? How can Pākehā work better with Māori? These were the questions at the heart of my PhD thesis, which examined how colonisation impacts the interpersonal relationships of Māori and Pākehā activists in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand. These questions also became central to the collaborative methodology employed as I grappled with moving from simply talking about power sharing, to meaningfully attempting to relinquish control within my research. This article discusses the collaborative methods I drew on, like anti-oppressive methodology, participatory action research, interactive interviewing and auto ethnography, in order to meet that challenge. This approach resulted in the formation of the ‘Black Rainbow’ collective, a small group of Māori and Pākehā activists (including myself) who undertook a collaborative research journey. This article shares part of that ‘Black Rainbow story’

Black Rainbow: Stories of Māori and Pākehā working across difference

This thesis examines the impacts of colonialism on the interpersonal experiences of Māori (indigenes) and Pākehā (settlers) involved in anarchist organising in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand. This research contributes to literature on urban Māori identity, processes of Pākehā change, and ‘biculturalism as lived’. It also contributes to international literature on indigene-settler relations, whiteness studies, activist studies and anti-oppressive praxis. The central research question is: how do Māori and Pākehā work together across difference? This question was also considered when developing a collaborative methodology, in response to Kaupapa Māori (indigenous) critiques of ‘traditional’ research. This involved establishing and working closely with Black Rainbow, a collective of five Māori and two Pākehā activists (including myself). We met over twelve months and recorded our discussions, as ‘interactive interviews’. These discussions have been transformed into ‘stories’ showing the rich shared meaning-making that occurred while we told tales of our experiences in the anarchist ‘scene’. The Black Rainbow discussions show the difficulties of working across difference in Pākehā dominated communities, where Pākehā often undermine or tokenise Māori identity, respond insensitively to Māori members’ concerns and fail to share power. Throughout this thesis I build on Uma Narayan’s work, arguing that ‘insiders’ epistemic privilege’ is based on lived experience and tied to identity, yet ‘repressive authenticity’ is often used to dismiss urban Māori identity and therefore, their epistemic privilege. Further, insiders’ epistemic privilege is experienced through emotional reactions, yet Māori ways of expressing emotion are often invalidated. Black Rainbow allowed Māori members to validate each other’s epistemic privilege, especially through humour. It also allowed a place for careful listening for Pākehā members. I argue that this listening is not passive, but also involved ‘learning to be affected’ by the ‘epistemological discomfort’ at the heart of ‘processes of Pākehā change’. I see this as the emotional cost of truly accepting insiders’ epistemic privilege, and I propose that sitting with this discomfort, shifts some of the emotional burden onto Pākehā, as well as the threat to identity that Māori may experience when working across difference

Hikitia te taki: An exploration of the internal and external challenges that Māori change agents experience within school reform

Māori change agents are often employed in educational initiatives that seek to redress Māori student achievement inequities in Aotearoa New Zealand. Their experience in this role is under researched. This qualitative research project uses a kaupapa Māori approach to investigate the experiences of Māori change agents working in mainstream educational institutions. Results indicated that these facilitators experienced different challenges that had both internal and external dimensions. The metaphor of the kaiwero (challenger) in a pōwhiri (formal Māori welcome) is used to explore the researcher’s interpretations of the experiences of Māori change agents. In order to be effective Māori change agents must be well prepared and understand the different dimensions of the change that they face when attempting to facilitate change. Key recommendations, associated with research results, highlight the importance of external supports and facilitator preparation and ongoing professional development. Creating a shared vision of change, with a clear understanding of the change agent’s roles and responsibilities is a key element of support. Prior to the introduction of programmes aimed at enhancing Māori student achievement, school communities must create a common understanding and vision for Māori student success which must be informed by an understanding of the power, race, colonisation and political issues

Joan Metge. Tuamaka: The Challenge of Difference in Aotearoa New Zealand

Review of Tuamaka: The Challenge of Difference in Aotearoa New Zealand

Joan Metge. Tuamaka: The Challenge of Difference in Aotearoa New Zealand

Review of Tuamaka: The Challenge of Difference in Aotearoa New Zealand