Suchergebnisse

Purpose
Service-learning (SL) shows potential to respond to the global policy agenda of education for sustainable development (ESD) by increasing pro-sustainability competences through direct involvement of students in projects that satisfy identified community needs. Nevertheless, there is a scarcity of studies that attempt to measure the impact of SL on students' sustainability competences, especially the action competence. This study aims to address this gap by examining the experiences of higher education students.


Design/methodology/approach
A pre-post survey design based on the Self-Perceived Action Competence for Sustainability Questionnaire was conducted on an interdisciplinary group of 219 students of two courses (Sustainable Development and Ecology) in Medellin, Colombia, half of which (109) participated in SL projects.


Findings
Sufficient empirical evidence was found to suggest that SL boosts the impact of academic courses regarding action competences in students (specially their willingness to act).


Research limitations/implications
The statistical analysis shows some contradictions that should be addressed in further research.


Practical implications
These results can encourage more educators and universities to implement strategies such as SL to move forward with ESD and thus help overcome the current socioecological crisis.


Originality/value
This paper not only discusses the theoretical potential of SL but also contrasts theory with empirical observations of 13 SL projects assessed in terms of self-perceived action competence for sustainability.

<b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> Ashkenazi Jews have a 1:40 prevalence of <i>BRCA1/2</i> mutations. Orthodox Jews are an understudied population with unique cultural and religious factors that may influence <i>BRCA1/2</i> genetic testing uptake. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Using a mixed-methods approach, we conducted a cross-sectional survey and focus groups among Orthodox Jewish women in New York/New Jersey to explore factors affecting decision-making about<i> BRCA1/2</i> genetic testing. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Among 321 evaluable survey participants, the median age was 47 years (range, 25–82); 56% were Modern Orthodox and 44% Yeshivish/Chassidish/other; 84% were married; 7% had a personal history of breast or ovarian cancer. Nearly 20% of the women had undergone <i>BRCA1/2</i>genetic testing. Predictors of genetic testing uptake included being Modern Orthodox (odds ratio [OR] = 2.31), married (OR = 3.49), and having a personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer (OR = 9.74). Focus group participants (<i>n</i> = 31) confirmed the importance of rabbinic consultation in medical decision-making and revealed that stigma was a prominent factor in decisions about <i>BRCA1/2</i> testing due to its potential impact on marriageability. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> In order to increase the uptake of <i>BRCA1/2</i> genetic testing among the Orthodox Jewish population, it is crucial to understand religious and cultural factors, such as stigma and effect on marriageability, and engage religious leaders in raising awareness within the community.

Cities play a major role in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic as many measures are adopted at the scale of cities and involve adjustments to the way urban areas operate. Drawing from case studies across the globe, this book explores how the pandemic and the policies it has prompted have caused changes in the ways cities function. The contributors examine the advancing social inequality brought on by the pandemic and suggest policies intended to contain contagion whilst managing the economy in these circumstances. Offering crucial insights for reforming cities to be more resilient to future crises, this is an invaluable resource for scholars and policy makers alike