Call for Abstracts (for Publication): "Visual Narratives, Aesthetics, and Decoloniality: Imagery and the Construction of the Other"

Mappæmundi is pleased to announce a call for papers for a collective publication on 

"Visual Narratives, Aesthetics, and Decoloniality: Imagery and the Construction of the Other"

Please find all the details below.

We invite contribution proposals for the edited volume Visual Narratives, Aesthetics, and Decoloniality: Imagery and the Construction of the Other. The book aims to critically examine the persistent influence of colonialism in shaping modern subjectivities, tracing its historical roots in the formation of Western modernity and interrogating its continued implications in contemporary contexts. It positions media and visual narratives as central discursive spaces where colonial legacies are both perpetuated and, potentially, contested. This volume conceptualizes and critically interrogates aesthetics as a foundational condition that establishes a visual lexicon integral to Western modernity. The aesthetic framework not only shapes the development of visual narratives but also plays a crucial role in the construction and perpetuation of varied subjectivities.

In particular, we focus on the critical analysis of the role of visual narratives within the framework of epistemological colonialism. Visual narratives have been central in defining, reinforcing, and legitimizing colonial ideologies by shaping perceptions and controlling representations of colonized peoples and cultures. These visual narratives have played a fundamental role in constructing colonial time and space, which were systematically controlled by Western epistemologies. This volume positions itself as a counterpoint to this colonial legacy, offering critical perspectives that challenge and re/deconstruct the visual lexicon of Western modernity. Through this lens, the book seeks to uncover pathways for alternative visual expressions that resist colonial frameworks and promote inclusive, decolonized understandings of identity and, more broadly, cultural production.

The arts, the media, and communication are powerful forces that can either perpetuate or challenge colonial legacies. Addressing and dismantling these legacies is essential for the creation of just, inclusive, and equitable societies - i.e., societies that value, embrace and benefit from the diversity of reason. From a decolonial lens, the book seeks not only to question the validity of established forms of knowledge but also to question the very criteria by which knowledge is defined. The objective is to contribute to critical discourses on potential pathways forward by amplifying cultural voices marginalized within the colonial matrix of power.  To this aim, we invite contributions that engage with scholarship in diaspora studies, subaltern and postcolonial studies, critical race studies, decolonial aesthetics, visual culture, and visual practices, with a particular emphasis on non-hegemonic epistemologies.

When bringing together these critical issues and perspectives, the book shall offer a comprehensive and interconnected framework for understanding postcolonial experiences in the 21st century. It will explore the role of aesthetics in shaping modern subjectivities, tracing the roots of domination in multiple paths toward modernity. This book intends to serve as an essential resource for scholars, researchers, activists, and the general public, encouraging deeper engagement with colonial histories that continue to shape contemporary life.

We especially encourage contributions from scholars, artists, and practitioners from the Global South that:

• Engage in theoretical discussions on aesthetics and visual narratives from a decolonial perspective.
• Combine theoretical frameworks with analyses that directly engage with visual arts, such as photography and other forms of artistic expression.
• Discuss case studies that examine individual works of art, archives, photojournalistic projects, or other forms of visual narratives.
• Explore media as a space for resisting and challenging colonial legacies.
• Offer comprehensive analyses of how media and art contribute to the perpetuation or disruption of colonial ideologies.
• Provide practical strategies and share lived experiences that contest colonial-rooted narratives.
• Critique prevailing ideologies within the discursive spaces of media and art production and consumption.

Submission Details

The volume Visual Narratives, Aesthetics, and Decoloniality: Imagery and the Construction of the Other will be part of the Mappæmundi series published by Ventura Edizioni. It will be edited by Dr. Tomás Cajueiro (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) and Dr. Estevão Bosco (American College of the Mediterranean and the Latin American Social Science Faculty). The final publication will be exclusively in English. However, abstracts may be submitted in Portuguese, English, Spanish, or Italian. Once a proposal is accepted, authors will be responsible for translating their final chapters into English. Chapters should range from 20,000 to 40,000 characters, including spaces, and must incorporate visual materials to support the analysis of visual works. 

Proposals must be submitted to tomaskju AT gmail.com by April 4, 2025.

Theoretical and Textual Articles

Chapters may integrate theoretical insights with practical interventions or focus solely on theoretical exploration. Contributions can draw on real experiences from individuals, communities, and organizations. Potential research methods include literature reviews, case studies, comparative analyses, discourse analyses, and analyses of photographs and visual works. Abstracts should have a maximum of 5,000 characters, including references. Chapters should fall between 35,000 and 40,000 characters.

Visual narratives

For contributions focusing on the analysis of visual content, the textual component must range from 10,000 to 15,000 characters. The abstract, while limited to a maximum of 5.000 words, should also include an overview of the visual material being analyzed.

Important Dates 

Abstract Submission Deadline: April 4, 2025
Notification of Proposal Acceptance: May 11, 2025
Full Chapter Submission Deadline: September 11, 2025 
For more info: tomaskju AT gmail.com
--
Departamento de Filosofia, Comunicação e Informação
Faculdade de Letras da Universidade de Coimbra
3004-530 Coimbra, Portugal ... (and my source).

Consultation: Community Mental Health Services [ UK Parliament ]

Source: Health and Social Care Committee, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA

'Community Mental Health Services

Inquiry

The Committee is undertaking an inquiry into community mental health services. The inquiry will examine what good looks like from the perspective of service users and their families/carers. The Committee would like the inquiry to shine a light on case studies of innovative practice and high-quality care across the country, and to undertake meaningful and impactful engagement with people accessing these services. 

The inquiry will consider how service users’ wider health and social needs can be addressed, including in employment and housing, and to understand what policy interventions are required to improve how these needs are met. As part of this inquiry, the Committee also wants to assess to what extent the Community Mental Health Framework is driving improvements in the delivery of more integrated, person-centred care. 

This inquiry is focussing on adults with severe mental health needs in particular, which includes but is not limited to people with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and severe depression. The Committee recognises the scale of the challenge in children and young people’s mental health, and plans to do further work in this area in due course, building on its predecessor Committee’s 2021 inquiry. 

In line with the general practice of select committees, the Health and Social Care Committee is not able to take up individual cases or complaints. If you would like political support or advice you may wish to contact your local Member of Parliament.

This inquiry is currently accepting evidence

The committee wants to hear your views. We welcome submissions from anyone with answers to the questions in the call for evidence. You can submit evidence until Tuesday 4 February 2025.' 

Read the call for evidence before submitting:

https://committees.parliament.uk/work/8755/community-mental-health-services/

btw: A game in 4 moves*

INDIVIDUAL

|

INTERPERSONAL : SCIENCES              

humanistic ------------------------------- mechanistic

SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL   

|

GROUP

btw - by the way: "Are you working?" 'THE WORK ETHIC' MENTAL STATE MENTAL ILLNESS MOTIVATION MINDSET-ATTITUDE LIFELONG LEARNING	Economic activity Demographics Productivity PHYSICAL HEALTH PHYSICAL ILLNESS dis-ABILITY 'Plumbus oscillans?' EDUCATION - re-TRAINING
Social trends Social attitudes Social capital 'Living wage' 'Cost of Living' Social contract Social justice	Welfare spending, inc. Sickness-Incapacity Political: angst,bias,debate .. Policy^: incentives, action BACK TO WORK - btw

*Or 5 - [ ( sciences, intra- interpersonal, sociology, political ) spiritual ]?

^Fitness for purpose?

Master Philosophy in Biology and Medicine (for Sept 1, 2025)

The Master Philosophy in Biology and Medicine at Bordeaux is looking for interested candidates for the next academic year (starting September 1, 2025).

This program (presented here: www.philinbiomed.org/teaching) is aimed at philosophy students who have a strong interest in working with scientists, or scientists who have a strong interest in working with philosophers, especially - but not exclusively - in the fields of cancer, immunology, microbiota, systems biology, nutrition, neuroscience and aging. Students will have the opportunity to be involved in research in scientific labs and to be integrated into a very dynamic international community of philosophers and scientists.

Please keep in mind that the Master's program is exceptionally inexpensive but very competitive (as we only recruit 5 students per year). The program is 100% in English.

A letter of motivation, CV, and a writing sample (~10 pages) concerning a relevant topic should be sent to mael.lemoine AT u-bordeaux.fr by March 24, 2025. Late applications may be accepted but will not be eligible for regular consideration.

Shortlisted candidates will be offered Zoom interviews during the month after the deadline.

Candidates will be informed of their acceptance by May 28th 2025 at the latest.

Interested students can contact us from now on or at their earliest convenience, using the following address: mael.lemoine AT u-bordeaux.fr.

Thanks for forwarding this information to anyone you think might be interested, and thanks again to those who have already done so!

Best wishes,

Fridolin GROSS
fridolin.gross AT u-bordeaux.fr
Maître de conférences (associate professor)
Laboratoire IMMUNOCONCEPT
Bâtiment Bordeaux Biologie Santé
2, Rue Dr Hoffmann Martinot

https://www.u-bordeaux.fr

My source:
Philos-L "The Liverpool List" is run by the Department of Philosophy, University of Liverpool https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/philosophy/philos-l/ Messages to the list are archived at http://listserv.liv.ac.uk/archives/philos-l.html.

Follow the list on Twitter @PhilosL. Follow the Department of Philosophy @LiverpoolPhilos 

Living document - "Semantic Web: Past, Present, and Future"

Dear Semantic Web community

As the year ends, the question remains: How will the Semantic Web look in 2025?

Together with Katja Hose, Maria-Esther Vidal, Gerd Groener, and Petr Škoda, we contributed this year an article titled "Semantic Web: Past, Present, and Future", see

https://drops.dagstuhl.de/entities/document/10.4230/TGDK.2.1.3 to the new Diamond Open Access journal on Transactions on Graph Data and Knowledge (TGDK, https://tgdk.org/). This primer has been a living document for 13 years; see the link for details!

As many of us cannot resist checking emails over the break, I ask you to consider the question:
What is our future in 2025?

Many "classical" Semantic Web researchers have witnessed the rise of Linked Open Data, Freebase being bought by Google (largely seen as a big win), and the beginning and success of the Knowledge Graph era. Many of us have moved on to or added topics like graph representation learning, graph neural networks, language models, etc., to our research portfolio. So, how much of the classical topics are left? How much will come back? Should we work more on knowledge graph embeddings obeying OWL axioms? Shall we have federated queries not only over multiple data sources but also include hybrid queries using similarities in graph embeddings?

In the current 2024 version of the primer, we include the latest W3C standards developed by the Semantic Web community. But we also explain the journey from the famous Linked Data principles via Knowledge Graphs to the hot topic of machine learning on graphs!

*The article linked above is an invitation to contribute. Contact me if you are interested!* 

It will be updated from time to time. We like to receive your feedback, and perhaps you would like to contribute to a future version.

Best wishes and happy holidays,

Ansgar

PS: For 2025, there is a plan to update the German version of the article in an introductory textbook on artificial intelligence. It will add Shallow Graph Embeddings, Graph Neural Networks, and the interplay of Knowledge Graphs and Language Models. Once ready, I plan to ping this back to the English version.

My source:

Ansgar Scherp
From:mail AT ansgarscherp.net
To:semantic-web AT w3.org

4.3   3-12

'Domain Ontologies represent knowledge specific to a particular domain [48, 109]. Domain ontologies are used as external sources of background knowledge [48]. They can be built on foundational ontologies [110] or core ontologies [131], which provide precise structuring to the domain ontology and thus improve interoperability between different domain ontologies. Domain ontologies can be simple such as the FOAF ontology or the event ontology mentioned above, or very complex and extensive, having been developed by domain experts, such as the SNOMED medical ontology.' ...

3-13

'Foundational Ontologies have a very wide scope and can be reused in a wide variety of modeling scenarios [24]. They are therefore used for reference purposes [109] and aim to model the most general and generic concepts and relations that can be used to describe almost any aspect of our world [24, 109], such as objects and events. An example is the Descriptive Ontology for Linguistic and Cognitive Engineering (DOLCE) [24]. Such basic ontologies have a rich axiomatization that is important at the developmental stage of ontologies. They help ontology engineers to have a formal and internally consistent conceptualization of the world, which can be modeled and checked for consistency. For the use of foundational ontologies in a concrete application, i.e., during the runtime of an application, the rich axiomatization can often be removed and replaced by a more lightweight version of the foundational ontology.
 In contrast, domain ontologies are built specifically to allow automatic reasoning at runtime. Therefore, when designing and developing ontologies, completeness and complexity on the one hand must always be balanced with the efficiency of reasoning mechanisms on the other. In order to represent structured knowledge, such as the scenario depicted in Figure 1, interconnected ontologies are needed, which are spanned in a network over the Internet. For this purpose, the ontologies used must match and be aligned with each other.'

Health - See also 4.2 (A post in 2025 ...re. SKOS?).

Moving Online Symposium: 30th Jan 2025 - Coventry University, UK

In recent years, there has been increased attention paid to the ownership of dance. There has been important work done in the area of dance and copyright¹ as well as the examination of the way ownership is managed via social norms through the ‘commons’² and as a form of ‘gift’.³  The increased circulation of dance online through archives, video platforms and social media sites has led to multiple debates about the copying and re-embodiment of dances,⁴ reigniting important conversations about appropriation, acknowledgment and credit.⁵ At the same time, there has been a flourishing of work on dance and performance ontology. For example, long-standing debates about the ephemerality of dance and performance have been reframed through discussions about the ‘post-ephemeral’⁶and materiality.⁷ There have also been new perspectives offered on questions about the nature of dances and the way in which they exist.^8,9

The Moving Online symposium explores how these two areas intersect in the context of online dance and performance. The event builds on and shares the findings from Moving Online: Ontology and Ownership of Internet Dance (the project and event is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council [grant number AH/W01002X/1]).

The register for this event please complete this form. The draft schedule is available here.

The event is free to attend. We are offering limited number of £150 bursaries to support travel and participation by freelance artists. More information is available here. Deadline for applications 8th January 2025.

The symposium is taking place in-person at Coventry University. We plan to live stream some of the panels. If you would like to join the live stream, please select this option on the registration form.

For more information about Moving Online please see here and follow the project on X: @MovingOnlineCU and/or Instagram: @movingonlinecu

Please contact Hetty Blades with any questions: hetty.blades AT coventry.ac.uk

For notes and references please see here

Previously: 'dance' : 'movement' : 'ownership'

My source: 

Philos-L "The Liverpool List" is run by the Department of Philosophy, University of Liverpool https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/philosophy/philos-l/ Messages to the list are archived at http://listserv.liv.ac.uk/archives/philos-l.html. Follow the list on Twitter @PhilosL.

Follow the Department of Philosophy @LiverpoolPhilos 

Praying ... for PEACE

INDIVIDUAL

|

INTERPERSONAL : SCIENCES              

humanistic ------------------------------- mechanistic

SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL   

|

GROUP

PRAY	PREY
PRAY	PREY

Young Carers Choir - 'Love is Enough'

'Young carers face many challenges throughout the year and Christmas can be an especially tough time.

When their friends are having fun, young carers’ responsibilities don’t stop. That’s why we’re delighted Sir Ed Davey and the Bath Philharmonia’s Young Carers Choir have come together to record for a wonderful Christmas song – Love is Enough. 

The song, in support of young carers through Carers Trust and the Bath Philharmonia, has been written by young carers and shines a light on their lives.' 

continued ... 

'Nurse Emmanuel' by The Unthanks

'Nurse Emmanuel by The Unthanks is taken from the album The Unthanks - In Winter, out now. Listen to the whole album here: https://linktr.ee/theunthanksinwinter The song is written by Vanessa Lampert and Adrian McNally, set to the tune of O Holy Night, and is in tribute to the NHS, the work that medical professionals did over Covid, and the message that the NHS is in our hands, to protect and appreciate.'

My source: 'X' @TheUnthanks

Prev. 'music'

Comment: Menopause - a global health and wellbeing issue that needs urgent attention

On 'X', I noticed a comment piece from the Lancet:

Menopause: a global health and wellbeing issue that needs urgent attention
Gayathri Delanerolle, Peter Phiri, Sohier Elneil, et al. The Lancet Global Health, Volume 0, Issue 0.
Publication History: Published December 18, 2024 
DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(24)00528-X

As usual I searched 'Welcome to the QUAD' [W2tQ] for previous posts tagged 'menopause'. The result '0' was a surprise, as there are several posts re.'menstruation' 

https://hodges-model.blogspot.com/search?q=menstruation

And many tagged 'women':

https://hodges-model.blogspot.com/search?q=women 

And this despite, a partner and family members experiencing the effects and impact of menopause. I was also asked in the summer to sort a list of signs & symptoms for menopause that can be associated with mental health nursing.

Interesting to see reference to the Roy Adaptation Model in the paper:

Klotzbaugh R, Fawcett J. Gender minority persons’ perceptions of peer-led support groups: a Roy Adaptation Model interpretation. ANS Adv Nurs Sci 2023; 46: 59–74.

And to address the global health extent and context of menopause:

'The stigma is such that open dialogue is inhibited in the majority of LMICs and the first-generation migrants from these LMICs to high-income countries (HICs); the paucity of broader understanding and acceptance in society exacerbates the mental and emotional strain of menopause and can lead to social isolation, particularly in these stigmatised contexts.' [my emphasis]

If needed there may be a CPD exercise for student nurses, or those qualified with revalidation pending? Hodges' model (the template) can help in achieving a broader understanding of menopause, and women's health to include menstruation and social attitudes, beliefs and attitudes. The paper does not refer to shame, and self-stigma, which may prevent a person from seeking help? So, there is a reflective exercise in reading the text and mapping the recommendations in the paper:

Panel - Recommendations to improve health outcomes for individuals with menopause 

• Lifestyle modifications 
• Mental health support
• Holistic approaches
• Culturally competent care 
• Personalisation of hormone replacement therapy care 
• Peer support groups or social prescribing 
• Conduct comprehensive research 
• Improve accessibility
• Understanding various risk factors, such as lifestyles, environment, and climate

If anyone has events, journal special issues for 2025 ... I can help publicise, please let me know.

Ack. https://x.com/raj_psyc

See also:

Delanerolle, Gayathri & Forbes, Anna & Cavalini, Heitor & Taylor, Julie & Riach, Kathleen & Hinchliff, Sharron & Atkinson, Carol & Potočnik, Kristina & Briggs, Paula & Kurmi, Om & Talaulikar, Vikram & van Vlymen, Jeremy & Shetty, Ashish & Irfan, Muhammad & Kareem, Rabia & Kemp, Helen & Palo, Subrata & Rathnayake, Nirmala. (2024). An Exploration of the Mental Health Impact Among Menopausal Women: The MARIE Project Protocol (UK arm). American Journal of Biomedical Science & Research. 22. 10.34297/AJBSR.2024.22.002992. 

When a bomb goes off, ...^

INDIVIDUAL

|

INTERPERSONAL : SCIENCES              

humanistic ------------------------------- mechanistic

SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL   

|

GROUP

	.. whatever's     around .. "WHEN A BOMB GOES OFF, .. gets      weaponised"
	donate.redcross.org.uk msf.org.uk ideals.org.uk map.org.uk uk-med.org

Rosanna Dodds, Operation Gaza, HTSI, FTWeekend, December 9th, 2024. p.37-38.

Victoria Rose, Plastic Surgeon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzZjmG791Dk

^anywhere ...

New citations - Practice Without Theory: A Philosophical Inquiry into Contemporary Nursing in South Asia

It is always welcome news when I learn of a paper (Asmat, 2024) recognising and citing Hodges' model from the nursing and wider literature. In this case an educational journal, focussed upon health and social care:

Kainat Asmat (2024). Practice Without Theory: A Philosophical Inquiry into Contemporary Nursing in South Asia: Nursing Practice without Theory. International Journal of Practice-based Learning in Health and Social Care. 12. 125-131. 10.18552/ijpblhsc.v12i2.1068. 

I have quoted at length, but it is good to have a different 'excuse' (not just extending the tail of a relevant book, or paper). ... 

'Similarly, Hodges' Health Career Model exemplifies its use as a tool for reflection during clinical assessments, care planning, and decision-making processes (Doyle & Jones, 2013). The model encourages nurses to reflect on their practice through multiple lenses, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of patient needs and care strategies. The Interpersonal domain emphasizes the relational aspects of nursing, including communication and empathy. The Sociological domain highlights the impact of societal factors and social determinants on health. The Scientific domain focuses on evidence-based practice and the integration of scientific knowledge into care. Finally, the Political domain addresses the influence of healthcare policies and organizational structures on contemporary nursing practice. In contemporary nursing practice, a nurse might use Hodges’ model to provide holistic and personalized care by considering the patient's social background, the scientific basis of their care, interpersonal dynamics, and relevant political or policy-related factors. According to Jones (2017), using conceptual models like Hodges' can greatly enhance nurses' critical thinking, fostering a reflective and engaged nursing workforce.' p.126.

'Collectively, nursing theory remains a cornerstone of contemporary nursing practice, providing an essential framework that guides clinical decision-making, promotes critical thinking, and supports reflective practice. Peter Jones, in his seminal works, underscores the critical role of theoretical models in enhancing nursing practice. His insights provide compelling evidence for the continued relevance of theory in contemporary practice. In "Humans, Information, and Science", Jones (1996a), articulates the interrelationship between human factors, informational processes, and scientific principles in healthcare. He argues that nursing, as a discipline, uniquely integrates these elements to form a comprehensive approach to patient care. This integration is fundamental in moving beyond task-oriented care towards a practice that is reflective and evidence-based. Jones emphasizes that without a theoretical foundation, contemporary nursing practice risks becoming fragmented and superficial, lacking the depth required for truly effective patient care. Similarly, in "An Overarching Theory of Health Communication",  Jones (1996b) explores the necessity of robust communication theories in healthcare. He posits that effective communication is not merely a skill but a complex process grounded in theoretical understanding. This perspective is particularly relevant to nursing, where communication is pivotal in patient interactions, interdisciplinary collaboration, and health education. Jones’ work illustrates that theoretical frameworks in communication enhance nurses' ability to engage with patients and colleagues thoughtfully and effectively, fostering better health outcomes and professional practice. Jones’ analyses reinforce the argument that nursing theory is indispensable in contemporary practice. Likewise, McEwen and Wills (2021) also highlight that nursing theory is integral to the development of nursing as a discipline. They assert that without the theoretical underpinnings, nursing risks regressing to a technical occupation devoid of critical thinking and judgment that characterize nursing professional practice. Thus, the survival and progression of nursing as a distinct profession depend on the continued integration and application of theory in contemporary nursing practice.' p.127.

In addition, the short conclusion is supportive and encouraging for ongoing efforts. As with all discovered citations thus far, I'm not sure of how Kainat Asmat located the publications on Hodges' model? A literature search - no doubt, or perhaps the blog's sidebar listing? The selection made, fits the author's purpose. 

Over the years, I've tried to indicate the scope and scale that Hodges' model can 'reach'. Especially in self-care, family, local, global and planetary health. Now, c/o Asmat (2024), Hodges' model has a much valued connection with South Asia. The required scope of Hodges' model (its inter- and transdisciplinary potential^) is also conceptual, referred to previously as holistic bandwidth. Hence the model's relevance and potential in theory and practice.

Many thanks to Kainat Asmat and the journal's editorial team.*

I will read again and return to the paper in our New Year.

Listed in the bibliography:

Doyle, M., Jones, P. (2013). Hodges’ Health Career Model and its role and potential application in forensic mental health nursing. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. 20, 7, 631-640.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2850.2012.01961.x/abstract

Jones, P. (1996a) Humans, Information, and Science, Journal of Advanced Nursing, 24(3),591-598. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1365-2648.1996.23321.x

Jones, P. (1996b) An overarching theory of health communication? Health Informatics Journal,2,1,28-34.

Where I have now added this paper.

^Still on the agenda as a paper; as with 'revisiting' 1996a. Happy to support others in referencing, or writing more specifically about Hodges' model (a case study, mapping exercise?); especially student nurses, carers and personnel in social care and early career researchers. To which, I'd better add later career nurses, allied disciplines, nurses returning to practice (surely a UK and global policy focus?) and proof of reading (your choice of course on the paper, chapter, book...); and reflection for continuing professional development (CPD). If you're still unsure, it was a relief to put the 'pen' down, well writing is still a major challenge (and pain) here. 

*And, of course - Brian E. Hodges RIP - too.
https://hodges-model.blogspot.com/2023/08/brian-e-hodges-r-i-p.html

Just one library ... A world of difference

Born in Walton.

 'good prose is like a windowpane'

George Orwell, WHY I WRITE

<>

Walton, Liverpool, UK 12th December 2024

'Spellow Library, in Walton, Liverpool, was forced to close when it was set alight on 3 August amid unrest which swept across the country after the stabbings in Southport.

The city was determined to not let hatred win, with £250,000 raised and books being donated from the Queen and a host of celebrities.

An official ceremony marked the re-opening, including readings from Liverpool poet Levi Tafari while a letter from Queen Camilla was also read aloud.' ..

BBC News: Riot-hit library reopens after community campaign

Claire Hamilton/BBC: An official ceremony marked the re-opening on Thursday morning

Break the Windows on Learning and
New Ones Will be Found to Look Out on the World.

INDIVIDUAL

|

INTERPERSONAL : SCIENCES              

humanistic ------------------------------- mechanistic

SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL   

|

GROUP

My Learning My Literacies	'The World(s) of Learning'
Society - Community Social Justice	Justice Social/Public Services

Previously:

Related post: 'forms of Hygiene'

literature : window

Hornberger (1989) 'Continua of Biliteracy'. Review of Educational Research

The axes of Hodges' model present a problem in:

• theory
• practice
• evidence - research terms (data!).

The easiest to resolve is practice, which is were Hodges' model can lay claim to being a pragmatic solution. Of course, it isn't the axes that are the difficulty, it is the labels that Brian Hodges originally applied in the early-mid 1980's, followed by other users of the model since. From:

INDIVIDUAL <> GROUP - variations here in 'Welcome to the QUAD' [W2tQ] Patient <> Carer - Family : Client <> Health professional. You can progress to the "patient zero" and a population in an pandemic.

These are fundamental elements in clinical encounters, whether face-to-face, online, and across settings.

The same applies to the horizontal axis: HUMANISTIC <> MECHANISTIC.

As presented - in the sidebar, and the two-by-two table found in many posts - the model has a distinct dichotomous quality. It seems to set up, or invite opposition, or polarities. Sometimes I've viewed the axes as continua, but they are not graduated, incremental in a quantitative sense.

Do the axes of Hodges' model serve a need (do their work) by allowing the user to differentiate through opposition and relational appraisal (testing)? Perhaps, qualified in a respective profession / subject area, the user of Hodges' is employing other axes?

This brings us to intersectionality and the cognitive work of placing the person (couple, family, community ... biosphere) at the centre of our deliberations.

In biliteracy studies, Hornberger (1989) is perhaps more accurate in seeing a series of multidimensional and interrelated continua (p.273) which form a framework.

There are three figures in this paper and many other points of use:

"Contexts of biliteracy are defined, then, by these three continua. Any particular instance of biliteracy is located at a point of intersection among the three." p.280.

In health care this is readily understood given the varied contexts of the centre, the nexus of Hodges' model. When we say Hodges' model is situated, the centre of the model is the sweet and sour spot. For Hornberger, the context determines the use and significance of the continua.

This opens up Hodges' model as a potential tool to better understand the dimensions of diversity, inclusion and intersectionality.

Hornberger, N. H. (1989). Continua of Biliteracy. Review of Educational Research, 59(3), 271–296. https://doi.org/10.2307/1170183

No! This post hasn't been in draft since 1990. ;-)

NURSING -:- INFOTECH - worlds apart? Software testing

Another draft from over a decade ago ... duly revisited and updated:

https://www.statista.com/statistics/793628/worldwide-developer-survey-most-used-languages/

Reading up on Ruby and Rails and attending Scotland on Rails, I've been struck by the emphasis on testing. Testing in this context is about reliable software and building this into the 'product' from the outset. A book on Rails gets criticized because it leaves the chapter on 'Testing' until the end (even if the authors had their reasons - as they explained).

This take on testing is sufficient if (of course) it is appropriate and it is applied (as per the manual) to the application concerned. There are other more formal methods that extend to writing a specification for code which entails the use of formal specification languages such as Zed (as encountered in BA(Hons.) studies. This arises in situations were software is being developed for safety-critical situations. Clearly, robotic surgery, nuclear energy, and keeping an aircraft in the sky, take-off and landing are mission-critical. In the latter case a company is still dealing with life threatening loss of life that can follow, should the software system fail or more covertly introduce an error.

Reading about Rails, there are specific tests and these are provided as a result of scaffolding, a process whereby the bones of a web application are created within the Rails framework: with tests.

Rails creates a test directory for you as soon as you create a Rails project using bin/rails new application_name. If you list the contents of this directory then you will see:

$ ls -F test
application_system_test_case.rb  controllers/                     helpers/                         mailers/                         system/                          fixtures/                        integration/                     models/                          test_helper.rb

Source: https://guides.rubyonrails.org/testing.html

Rails uses a popular convention to organise and integrate the elements of a web application that includes a database, and dynamic interface. The approach is known as:

Models, Views and Controllers - MVC

MVC underpins several programming languages and frameworks. As displayed above, the tests that Rails creates have specific names and you can quickly see where they come from and how they encompass Rails (an essential property of course).

Today, I still wonder [ what's new! 😉 ] what is the equivalent to MVC in nursing? Models seems to fit! Over the years at many IT events, you can't help but reflect on nursing and its 'API' - application programming interface. Worryingly, in humanistic terms there is an instrumental potential in Hodges' model. If Nursing on Rails was a thing, what would the tests look like? Identity would be a feature, to demonstrate person-centredness, safety in medication and other treatment procedures. Is there a way to demonstrate the integration of care, and for a patient - the extent of holistic bandwidth? Of course, nursing comprises just a part of a clinical information system. It must be in sync in accord with other disciplines, medical and pharmacy and other multidisciplinary team members and yet ensure that 'nursing is visible'.

Previously: API : 'Waste not - want not'

Fragile: This way up - Frozen goods!

Apollo 17 'Blue Marble' Photograph

 

Apollo 17 1972 NASA Original Blue Marble Photograph

Or, some water 'heading your way' ...

'NASA’s archival designation for it is AS17-148-22727, and the original image was taken upside down with the South Pole at the top. In its myriad reproductions, it’s flipped up to match what we would normally expect to see.'

Text: https://www.thephoblographer.com/2013/12/09/behind-blue-marble/

Does the model still 'work' -

Group
|

 POLITICAL        :     SOCIOLOGY  

MECHANISTIC --------------------------------------  HUMANISTIC

            SCIENCES       :    INTERPERSONAL

|

Individual

POLITICAL	SOCIOLOGY
SCIENCES	INTERPERSONAL

- this way ...?

Image source: https://www.forum-conquete-spatiale.fr/t15428-apollo-17-1972

Prompt for 'Blue Marble' - Plate 1 in Brotton, J. (2024) The Four Points of the Compass: The Unexpected History of Direction, London: Allen Lane.

Previously: 'compass'

A planet is not just for Christmas.

Does the model still work - this way?

Does the model still 'work' -

Group
 |

 POLITICAL       :     SOCIOLOGY  

MECHANISTIC --------------------------------------  HUMANISTIC

          SCIENCES    :    INTERPERSONAL

| 

Individual

POLITICAL	SOCIOLOGY
SCIENCES	INTERPERSONAL

- this way ...?

The Science of Conceptual Systems - and Hodges' model

Wallis, S.E. The Science of Conceptual Systems: A Progress Report. Found Sci 21, 579–602 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10699-015-9425-z

From the conclusion:

'The approaches presented here do not provide a ‘‘map’’ for advancing the sciences. Indeed, none is available because we are advancing across that new terrain. What it does provide is a compass suggesting a new and potentially exciting direction to travel. Historically/traditionally, scholars have travelled about the countryside of the social/behavioral land making useful observations and gathering interesting data. They have often staked claims regarding the importance of their terrain. They could not advance more purposefully because they were guided only by intuition. So, they did not know what direction was ‘‘forward’’ although it seemed to have something to do with empirical analysis. Today, with the creation of a new science, we have a new direction.

When we do have a choice between theoretical maps, generally, and metaphorically, this paper suggests that we should choose to create and use roadmaps with many dots connected by many lines; not maps with few disconnected dots.' p.594.

There is also a glossary [pp.594-599] that includes:

'Integral thinking

Understanding (or attempting to understand) the world from a transdisciplinary perspective where those many perspectives are interrelated'

'Integrative propositional analysis (IPA)

Combined processes of qualitative and quantitative analysis involving rigorous hermeneutic deconstruction of propositions found in formal texts including the rigorous reintegration of propositions from those texts following a structured methodology. Also a process of meta-analysis for investigating conceptual systems to determine the Complexity of conceptual systems (diversity of concepts) and the Systemicity of the conceptual system (connectedness between concepts)'

'Mental model 

A representation within one’s mind about how the world works. Useful for understanding and engaging the world and for making predictions'

'Parsimony 

Generally, the understanding that a theory is better when it is smaller. Or, as small as possible while including ideas that are necessary or useful. Ockham’s Razor is a common example'

INDIVIDUAL

|

INTERPERSONAL : SCIENCES              

humanistic ---------------------------- mechanistic

SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL   

|

GROUP

more SUBJECTIVE	more OBJECTIVE
QUALITY	QUANTITY

'Reflexive dimensional analysis (RDA) 

A process for creating a unified conceptual system from multiple conceptual systems through a process of categorization, abstraction, dimensionalization, and the identification of causal connections'

'Theory 

An ordered set of assertions. Weick (1989, p. 517. Drawing on Southerland)'

Cited above: 

Weick, K. E. (1989). Theory construction as disciplined imagination. Academy of Management Review, 14(4), 516–531.

Previously:

terrain : landscape : line-of-sight (with overlap; of interest in itself)

COVID-19: a Stamp of protection

INDIVIDUAL

|

INTERPERSONAL : SCIENCES              

humanistic ------------------------------- mechanistic

SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL   

|

GROUP

	Austria - Embroidered COVID-19 mask - Mint souvenir sheet

Source: Nordfrim.com - https://www.nordfrim.com/austria-covid-19-maske?

.. with apologies for the reminder!

forms of Hygiene

A gift for Hodges' model:

 'good prose is like a windowpane'

George Orwell, WHY I WRITE

https://www.ft.com/content/83625fad-f101-4712-ba2b-483b87ef0e12

'How is it that Orwell has become the single answer to so many questions, in so many different subjects, for so many people? His name conjures an amorphous idea of fair play and “common sense”; his spare prose supposedly brings cool nonpartisanship to a world of impassioned blusterers. In keeping your sentences clean, the theory goes, you practise intellectual hygiene (“good prose is like a windowpane” and all that). A single word, “Orwellian”, evokes the great man’s foresight about the dangers of an overweening nanny state, a censorious far-left or whatever else may be getting your goat that day.'

Naoise Dolan, Why weak thinkers love Orwell, FT Weekend Magazine, October 19/20, 2024, pp.16-18.

INDIVIDUAL

|

INTERPERSONAL : SCIENCES              

humanistic ------------------------------- mechanistic

SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL   

|

GROUP

INTELLECTUAL MENTAL - EMOTIONAL - SPIRITUAL (Coping with the 21st Century) SELF-LIFE SKILLS (control anxiety - being organised) Health Literacy: Knowledge and aptitude for forms of HYGIENE	PERSONAL ENVIRONMENTAL DOMESTIC FOOD HANDS (How to sneeze, cough) ORAL - DENTAL CLOTHES BODY HAIR (frequency?) Sustainability - balance
SOCIAL COMMUNITY/RACIAL HYGIENE Insertion of memory lest we forget Insertion of a hook to do - think as we tolerance for x,y,z	POLITICAL HYGIENE aka. The Paradox To Vote : To be counted CIVIC

 

Reflecting about this in some contexts, more than others(?) I'm struck by the overlap between hygiene and literacy.

Completing, or attending to, being motivated to undertake - complete hygiene duties depends on knowledge and ability to act. Having basic needs met.

'

'Opening windows always ...'

literature : window

Reith Lectures: Gwen Adshead - 4 Questions about Violence

Individual
   |

      INTERPERSONAL    :     SCIENCES               

HUMANISTIC  --------------------------------------  MECHANISTIC      

 SOCIOLOGY  :   POLITICAL 

|

Group

Is there such a thing as Evil?	What is the relationship between trauma and violence?
Is violence normal^?	Can we change violent minds?

BBC Radio 4: Lecture 1 - Is there such a thing as Evil?

^'normal' -isation.

Webinar: 11 December - Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day 2024

"The UHC Compass and Social Participation:

empowering patient organisations to hold governments

 accountable for universal health coverage"

Register for the UHC Compass launch!

To mark Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day 2024, IAPO will officially launch the UHC Compass at an exciting webinar titled "The UHC Compass and Social Participation: empowering patient organisations to hold governments accountable for universal health coverage" on 11 December 2024, from 11:30 to 13:00 GMT via Zoom.

The webinar will be conducted in English with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish.

Panellists include:

• Dani Mothci – International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO) 
• Dr Pamela Cipriano – UHC2030 & International Council of Nurses
• Lara Brearley – Special Programme on Primary Health Care Universal Health Coverage - Life Course, World Health Organization
• Dumiso Gatsha – Success Capital NGO & Civil Society Engagement Mechanism for UHC2030 (CSEM)
• Nicola Bedlington – Global Patient Think Tank & Millwater Partners
• Smitha Sadasivan – Global Patient Think Tank, Inclusive Health Policy, Disability Rights India Foundation & CSEM 
• Paul Mendoza – Psoriasis Philippines and Psoriasis Asia Pacific & IAPO

The UHC Compass is a dynamic tool created by patients for patients, empowering local leaders and communities to advance universal health coverage (UHC). In the context of the World Health Assembly resolution on social participation and UHC Day 2024, this session will explore how the Compass can serve as a tool to hold governments accountable for investing in UHC.

Co-created by the Global Patient Think Tank (GPTT), a diverse group amplifying the patient voice in the UHC movement, the Compass is proudly hosted by IAPO. Our mission is to ensure this resource reaches and benefits our global network of patient organisations.

Join us to discover how the UHC Compass can help make UHC a reality for everyone!

Learn more & register [https://www.iapo.org.uk/node/15686] Share https://iapo.cmail19.com/t/d-fb-sfiudt-iuqjytrli-o/ Tweet https://iapo.cmail19.com/t/d-tw-sfiudt-iuqjytrli-b/ Share [https://iapo.cmail19.com/t/d-li-sfiudt-iuqjytrli-h/]

[http://www.iapo.org.uk]

The International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations is registered in England and Wales as charity no.1155577 and company limited by guarantee no.08495711.

Registered office: Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB, UK.

It is also the IAPO's 25th Anniversary.
More details at:

https://www.iapo.org.uk/node/15687

I will post again in the New Year.

My source: HIFA

Previously: compass : UHC : patients

Baseball: One of the games people play ... Fisher (2001) ii

Critical Thinking 
2nd Ed. Cover

Returning to Fisher's excellent book I mentioned an analogy from basket ball in discussion about Richard Paul's definition of critical thinking and 'thinking about your thinking'.

'Critical thinking is that mode of thinking - about any subject, content or problem - in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skilfully taking charge of the structures inherent in thinking and imposing intellectual standards upon them. (Paul, Fisher and Nosich,1993, p. 4).' pp.4-5.

Fisher's daughter aged eleven wanted to learn how to play basket ball and attended coaching sessions. At the first the raw recruits were divided into two teams and with simplified rules set to play. Initially, getting the ball and in a position to score: shoot.

After the chaos, the coach had them practice shooting after he demonstrated how they had been playing. He explained and pointed out the basics of technique and 'drew attention to how he held the ball, where he looked, how he stood and so on.' p.5. Acknowledging their efforts, they subsequently moved on to passing, then guarding, or marking - practising each skill. 

This is a great analogy and can be applied to health, social care, medicine, nursing and other novices. Hodges' model is the basket ball, tennis, squash court, football, hockey pitch. You might move to a position to obtain an advantageous point of view. In reflective, critical thinking terms, additional data to support or negate a line of thought.

The axes of Hodges' model, serve as a scaffold to help structure our 'game player', and possibly better co-ordinate a group or team's efforts. The domains of Hodges' model cover the knowledge or subject bases that will relate to any context. Hodges' model is situated. If there is need to consider spiritual matters - experiences, then a conceptual journey ... at least, as befits an individual's or group's beliefs and purpose can be made. So forms if intelligence (emotional, cultural, spiritual ...) can also be factored in, as necessary.

 

Are there relational, logical, even mathematical standards that can be applied (formally, in theory) to our thinking? Does 'subject, content or problem' equate with 'situated'? Another book to pass on.

Fisher, A. (2001) Critical Thinking: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England. PB. 

Previously: LANDscape : ground : line-of-sight : role-model : structure

Post: ... 'anyone for tennis'.

Critical thinking: several definitions

Critical Thinking 
2nd Ed. Cover

An original purpose of Hodges' model was to facilitate reflection, and so help to develop practitioners who were also competent reflective practitioners, and critical thinkers.

Continuing to clear books, I've arrived at:

Fisher, A. (2001) Critical Thinking: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England. PB. 

Now in a 2nd edition (2011), my copy has several definitions of 'critical thinking' quoted below, with my emphasis.

There is a pdf of this 1st edition online which may be useful. The reward of the book, however, is in the discussion about each definition and how more recent work has built upon Dewey's legacy.  There is also a baseball analogy, which I will return to soon, or append here. I have omitted a definition by Richard Paul, which is nonetheless important to me, as it draws on meta-cognitive qualities:

"1.1.1 John Dewey and 'reflective thinking' ...

In fact, people have been thinking about critical thinking and have been researching how to teach it for about a hundred years In a way, Socrates began this approach to learning over 2,000 years ago, but John Dewey, the American philosopher, psychologist and educator, is widely regarded as the 'father' of the modern critical thinking tradition. He called it 'reflective thinking' and defined it as: 

"Active, persistent, and careful consideration of a belief or supposed form of knowledge in the light of the grounds which support it and the further conclusions to which it tends. (Dewey, 1909, p. 9)."' p.2.

 'Glaser defined critical thinking as:

(1) an attitude of being disposed to consider in a thoughtful way problems and subjects that come within range of one's experience; (2) knowledge of the methods of logical enquiry and reasoning; and (3) some skill in applying those methods. Critical thinking calls for a persistent effort to examine any belief or supposed form of knowledge in the light of the evidence that supports it and the further conclusions to which it tends. (Glaser, 1941, p.5).' p.3.

1.1.3 Robert Ennis - a widely used definition ...

'Critical thinking is reasonable, reflective thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do. (Cf. Norris and Ennis, 1989).' p.4.

Notice the emphasis on being 'reasonable' and 'reflective', which picks up on earlier definitions, but notice also that Ennis speaks of 'deciding what to do', which was not explicitly mentioned earlier; so decision making is part of critical thinking in Ennis's conception. Unlike Dewey's definition, this definition needs no further explanation

A final definition of critical thinking 

One last definition is worth reviewing. Michael Scriven has recently argued that critical thinking is 'an academic competency akin to defines it thus: reading and writing' and is of similarly fundamental importance. He defines it thus:

'Critical thinking is skilled and active interpretation and evaluation of observations and communications, information and argumentation. (Fisher and Scriven, 1997, p. 21).' p.10."