Hodges' Model: Welcome to the QUAD

Hodges' Model: Welcome to the QUAD

Hodges' model is a conceptual framework to support reflection and critical thinking. Situated, the model can help integrate all disciplines (academic and professional). Amid news items, are posts that illustrate the scope and application of the model. A bibliography and A4 template are provided in the sidebar. Welcome to the QUAD ...

Saturday, August 08, 2026

Mathematical terms: domain, plane, 'field' ...

individual
|
INTERPERSONAL
: SCIENCES             
humanistic ------------------------------- mechanistic
SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL   
|
group


Such is the innocence of youth, of all children, that should they be ensnared by the new-age 'scrolls' ...


... they will miss out on the life-affirming experience of the playing field.


This is a great shame, a tragedy no less, of missed opportunities to learn social and life-skills, to know joy, and make friends, who might just be lifelong ...

... as they prepare to make their way in the [un-] level playing field.


Friday, August 07, 2026

'From Tree to Sea [5] - The Bare Necessities' c/o BBC R4

My name is not Robinson Crusoe, but I feel privileged to live on an island. The sea has always been close. Liverpool (Scouser) has a history, to celebrate and seek forgiveness for. It was a surprise and yet wasn't from the map in the Bluecoat of the slave ships that plied the route to West Africa, to the West Indies and USA to see the same reflections in the dock area of Nantes in May 2025.

These reflections followed a BBC Radio 4 programme this afternoon (one of a series):

5. From Tree to Sea - The Bare Necessities

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002ztzy

'We are living in turbulent times and it is easy to feel anxious about the state of the world. The pace of change is fast, and the future often seems uncertain and out of our control. Given our reliance on technology, any sort of outage could be catastrophic. Could you survive - and thrive - in a world without global supply chains, the internet and 24-hour energy?

In this series the writer Dan Richards seeks out the tradition bearers and carriers of ancient knowledge who actively choose to live in close connection with the natural world around them. A return to first principles of what it means to be human and the kind of people you would like to be around if things fell apart.

Dan heads to Whithorn in Dumfries and Galloway where he meets Traditional Boat Builder Gail McGarva who is putting the finishing touches to a skiff before its launch. Gail has gathered knowledge of the ancient craft of wooden boat building through her relationship with tradition bearers and mentors, without whom the knowledge would disappear completely. What Dan finds is that this small wooden boat represents not only an evolution of form and process, but soul. The souls of all who have gone before and how they might influence a sustainable future with community at the heart of it.'

In making the skiff there is a marvellous observation about:

 "when the boat hits the water it knows what to do ..".

For students entering a profession or trade (any) that strikes a chord.

Thursday, August 06, 2026

Writing - next project - parts 1 & 2 in search of titles

Currently, I'm pulling together what have become two drafts, that consider Hodges' model as a mathematical object. Part 1, put-down in the new year, and picked-up now; a good start as there is more than I thought. There's a cost of that, of course? Part 2 is a gathering of tatters. Well, it is an effort.

As I don't work in academia where connections may more readily follow, can I claim that Hodges' model also does work? That the model can help in finding potential collaborators and co-authors? Once the fundamentals are understood, and again - it's not rocket science - for some people thankfully, something clicks. It clicks absolutely where it is should.

The model can be quite addictive in a positive way, as one of many among the vast array of assessment, evaluation and other tools. It is complementary.

So, with much needed support to follow, including from previous publication (please see the bibliography in the sidebar), plus April's WCCS26 conference, I'm working away to share them in 12 days or so. Then the work really begins as I benefit from collegial input, new perspectives, views, critique and the reward of constructive debate, experience and knowledge of others. I hope the drafts reward the curiosity that's been displayed. It is still quite exciting. Hoping too that students and early career researchers might pick this up ...

Wednesday, August 05, 2026

"It's an equation Jim, but not as we know it!"

Silver (2013) in “The Signal and the Noise” refers to Drake’s equation, which has fascinated me since my teens. It is a formula that provides a framework for predicting the number of intelligent extraterrestrial species in the galaxy. Due to the high number of parameters and uncertainties that make up Drake's equation, Silver describes how the extreme range of results depend on the initial ‘inputs’. Given the variables presented they are estimates. I made a connection to Drake's work through BBC BASIC programming:

'The Nursing Process'
'Computer-Aided Patient Assessment'
'Blood Groups'
'Shades of Grey'

As time went on the simplicity of 'The NP' gave way to DIM arrays, which can provide data structures, and DEF PROC and DEF FN with parameters. 

The evidence for the elements of Drake's equation has made great strides since the 1990s. Despite the remaining uncertainties, Silver notes that Drake's equation has provided a useful lens for astronomers, plus - philosophers and the lay-person to think about life, the universe and everything.

Is there an implicit theory – an equation – in Hodges’ model?

See also: BBC BASIC

Previously: 'Sagan' : 'SETI' ; 'math' : 'Publication list (2024)'

Nate Silver (2013). “The Signal and the Noise”, Notes 89, London: Penguin. p.488.

Title Ack. the original is often misattributed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCARADb9asE

Tuesday, August 04, 2026

Brief introduction to Hodges' model

Hodges’ model is a conceptual framework of universal value in theoretical work, practice, policy and care management. While this model is a product of the health-education sector, it is global in scope, taking in the current situation, history and future as complicated by scientific, socio-political, technology and climate change. Practice-based, Hodges’ model is a tool simple in form and yet powerful in terms of how it can help users frame the problems and opportunities of the 21st century. The model was originally taught in studies for the post-registration certificate of care of the mentally ill in the community and other courses. Student assessment included the completion of a case study (vignette), demonstrating competence in application of the model and its embedded (implicit) values.

Access to education, especially early years, is emphasised as foundational for personal and community growth and development. For individuals this can set the course for lifelong learning and an ability to contribute to society and the economy. Given this primary challenge, global institutions and policy makers point to the need for curricula that are relevant. In turn employers and industry leaders need a (global) workforce who are: 

  • reflective practitioners;
  • critical thinkers;
  • able to see the ‘big-picture’; and focus on detail and priorities when needed (risk and triage);
  • decompose a problem, but also integrate (care);
  • work as team-members;
  • and extend across several literacies.
These challenges are ongoing for education (being health literate, so as to address personal, social, health and economic education, and the sustainable development goals), and increasingly climate impacts.

Monday, August 03, 2026

The Sciences: Points, lines, angles and perspectives on Domains

In Hodges' model the axes are presented - by convention - as perpendicular. From this it follows that the resulting four domains, or quadrants appear as equivalent in terms of the space they each occupy. There are many posts on the blog that present a 2x2 table. When in template form Hodges' model is also a potential corpus, empty apart from its structure, then there must surely be a gross asymmetry in the SCIENCES domain compared with the others, including the SPIRITUAL. Discuss?

#simplicity #complexity #folktheory #humanities #arts #humanistic #emotion #balance

See also: https://hodges-model.blogspot.com/2026/06/h2cm-domains-symmetry.html

Sunday, August 02, 2026

Study invitation: Examining the Experiences of Black African Nurses in the UK Healthcare System

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET

Examining the Experiences of Black African Nurses in the UK Healthcare System

You are being invited to take part in a research project exploring the experiences of Black African nurses working in the UK healthcare system.

For the purpose of this study, Black African nurses refers to male and female nurses aged 18 years and above who migrated from an African country to the UK and have worked within the UK healthcare sector for at least one year. This includes nurses who arrived in the UK on a work visa and are currently working in the NHS, care homes, or private healthcare organisations. It does not include individuals who later changed their education or career pathway after settling in the UK. Please read the following information carefully to help you decide if you want to take part. 

What is the purpose of Study?

The purpose of this study is to better understand the experiences of Black African nurses who have migrated from African countries and are working within the UK healthcare system. Research and workforce reports suggest that internationally recruited and racially minoritised nurses may face unique professional and personal challenges, yet their lived experiences are often under-represented in research and policy discussions. This study aims to bring greater awareness to how race, culture, identity, and migration background may interact with workplace environments and organisational systems to shape nurses’ professional experiences and wellbeing. By giving participants the opportunity to share their perspectives in their own words, the research seeks to highlight areas where support, inclusion, and fair practice can be strengthened.

It is hoped that the findings will contribute to improved understanding, inform future policy and workplace practices, and support ongoing efforts toward equity, inclusion, and culturally appropriate support within the UK healthcare workforce.

What will happen if I decide to take part?

If you agree to take part in this study, you will be invited to an online interview using Microsoft Teams at a time that is convenient for you. Before the interview begins, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions about the study before confirming your consent to participate.

During the interview, you will be asked some brief background questions, such as your professional background and migration route. The interview will focus on your experiences of working as a Black African nurse in the UK healthcare system, including workplace experiences, identity, support, challenges, and sources of strength or resilience.

With your permission, the interview will be audio-recorded to ensure your views are captured accurately.

... ... ...

WHO CAN I CONTACT? [... and for the FULL DETAILS ]

This study has been reviewed and approved by the University of Edinburgh Research Ethics Board

If you have any questions or concerns about the study, you can contact the researcher:

Oluchi Mellor – O.D.Mellor@sms.ed.ac.uk

My source: Oluchi via RCN NWMG 

https://www.rcn.org.uk/northwest/Get-Involved/NW-Multicultural-Group

Saturday, August 01, 2026

Koln 75

The film Koln 75 was very enjoyable ...
'Brandes quit the music business a few years ago, after a very successful career. Why? "Digital formats were taking over the record industry, which was giving away entire repertoires to companies like Apple with a completely idiotic accounting system in the background, which would never, ever allow for the artists to get properly remunerated for their rights. The whole industry thought that digital would be the biggest portion of whipped cream on top of the cake that they would continue to be eating until the end of all time.'"

Instead, inspired by a 1993 study that found that listening to classical music-specifically Mozart-enhances spatial-temporal reasoning, and by Don Campbell's bestselling 1997 book The Mozart Effect: Tapping the Power of Music to Heal the Body, Strengthen the Mind, and Unlock the Creative Spirit. Brandes studied psychology at university and then, funded by the Austrian Ministry of Culture, established the Research Program for Music-Medicine at the Paracelsus Medical University in Salzburg. "Being a music producer, I dreamt about doing scientific research on the effect of music and trying to figure out what effects music has on us - cognitive, emotional, whatever," she says. "Since then I have developed a method to use music to help people with chronic depression."
individual
|
INTERPERSONAL
: SCIENCES             
humanistic ------------------------------- mechanistic
SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL   
|
group


cognitive
emotional
chronic depression

 




Jazz



Stuart Jeffries, How a teenager helped to make jazz history, Life&Arts, FTWeekend, 30/31 May 2026. p.15.

See also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CrFdGMj4cM

Friday, July 31, 2026

10 years of Money and Mental Health

An update from Helen Undy OBE - Chief Executive of Money and Mental Health.

Marking a full decade since we were founded, we've put together a short film summarising who we are, what we do, how we put lived experience at the heart of our work and our impact so far. We're particularly grateful to the members of our Research Community - Suzanne, Rob and Catherine - for giving up their time to appear in this film. If you're interested, please watch below. And please do feel free to share with friends or colleagues who might be interested in learning more about our work.


Sometimes the most basic of formulations speaks volumes and distances ...


individual
|
INTERPERSONAL
: SCIENCES             
humanistic ------------------------------- mechanistic
SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL   
|
group

Mental health




Money

Thursday, July 30, 2026

Remembering Dr. Gilberto Cárdenas - Self Help Graphics

 Continued ...


My source:  Self Help Graphics & Art, 1300 East 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, United States