Confronting the Unknowable: Resilience, Adaptation, Change

  • Time: 9:45 – 11:15
  • Location: G.10 LT
  • Chair/Discussant: TBD

Creating and Evaluating a Professional Learning Community in an Omani Higher Education Context – Badriya Al Masroori, School of Education (Online)

Abstract: Professional learning communities (PLCs) are widely discussed and established worldwide. This is because of their positive impact on the development and professional learning of staff that contribute to bolstering students’ learning. However, there are contexts that have not established them in a formal and systematic way such as the Omani higher education context. This study discusses the establishment of an online PLC in this context that aims to understand the participants’ experiences and perceptions towards the PLC. Data is collected via three tools: preliminary content analysis of the documents produced by the staff development committee in the target institution, interviews, and observations of the PLC meetings.

The findings reflect positive impressions of the participants towards the PLC where they could sense a positive learning environment that encourages sharing reflections and classroom practices. However, the findings show some limitations and weaknesses in the PLC that were pointed out during interviews and observed by the researcher during meetings. The PLC was evaluated using a comprehensive evaluation framework for the purpose of suggesting ways to create a sustainable and successful PLC. In addition, the study suggests some implications for teachers and policy makers if the PLC is to be established in their institutions.

Antecedents and Consequences of Knowledge Hiding – Yang Shen, School of Management (Online)

Abstract: Knowledge is an important resource for the development of individuals and the successful operation of companies, yet knowledge hiding within organizations is universal. Based on the social bond theory, conservation of resources theory and so on, this study investigates the antecedents and consequences of knowledge hiding from individual and organization levels. Data is collected from employees working in the UK and Chinese corporations. Implications for theory, practice and future research are also discussed.

Is the current categorisation of personal property fit for purpose in the digital age? – Katie McCay, Law School

Abstract: English law has traditionally divided personal property into two mutually exclusive and exhaustive categories. Firstly, the thing in possession, the term for all tangible movables. This type of property is capable of possession and exists irrespective of a legal system to recognise the thing as property. Secondly, the thing in action, a type of intangible property. This type of property has no physical manifestation; instead it consists of rights enforceable by legal action. The very existence of the property depends on a legal system to recognise and enforce the right.

Technological developments have created new types of digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens. The case law has started to recognise these assets as property. However, in doing so, this raises a challenge; namely into what category do these new types of property fit? These types of property cannot be things in possession, because they are virtual, nor can they be things in action as they have a virtual existence irrespective of the legal system.

This presentation considers the development of the case law in categorising personal property. It argues that the rigid categorisation has never been a comfortable fit. As more assets falling outside the traditional categorisation are recognised as property, the best solution is to create a third category to accommodate this development.

Understanding disaster vulnerability through an intersectional lens: A case study from Kathmandu – Rachana Upadhyaya, School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies

Abstract: Nepal is ranked 4th in global climate risk and 11th in occurrence and impacts of earthquakes globally, which makes it one of the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of multiple hazards. Following the critical vulnerabilities turn, we are focused upon how disasters, and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies have differential impacts on individuals and communities and start from the position that the root causes of disasters are not ‘natural’ phenomena, but rather the socio-political contexts. The study of vulnerability(ies) requires an understanding - of their existence prior to, and beyond, a particular hazardous event. In this paper, we draw attention to the dynamic and complex nature of vulnerability, that is, how vulnerability changes according to context and hence cannot be encapsulated under a static and monolithic socio-demographic category. As an alternative to current policy discourse and in tune with more critical scholarly work, an intersectional understanding of vulnerability(ies) is proposed. The use of this intersectional lens allows us to understand vulnerability as the result of different and interdependent societal stratification processes that result in multiple dimensions of marginalization. We then illustrate how a lack of appreciation of these complex context-specific dynamics can impede the development and implementation of effective DRR policy in a post disaster context.