Pub Date : 2025-01-26DOI: 10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100105
Fang Lei
Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Early detection through lung cancer screening and primary prevention by smoking cessation are critical strategies in reducing its mortality. This paper details our research efforts at the University of Minnesota and previously at the University of California, Los Angeles, focusing on increasing awareness and participation in lung cancer screening and smoking cessation among minority populations. Our research series includes a variety of methodologies such as cross-sectional surveys, qualitative studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and large-scale secondary data analysis studies. By detailing our approaches and initial findings, we aim to highlight the short-term and potential long-term societal impacts of our work, especially in underserved populations.
{"title":"Promoting lung cancer screening and smoking cessation among minority population: Methodologies and societal impacts","authors":"Fang Lei","doi":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100105","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100105","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Early detection through lung cancer screening and primary prevention by smoking cessation are critical strategies in reducing its mortality. This paper details our research efforts at the University of Minnesota and previously at the University of California, Los Angeles, focusing on increasing awareness and participation in lung cancer screening and smoking cessation among minority populations. Our research series includes a variety of methodologies such as cross-sectional surveys, qualitative studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and large-scale secondary data analysis studies. By detailing our approaches and initial findings, we aim to highlight the short-term and potential long-term societal impacts of our work, especially in underserved populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101167,"journal":{"name":"Societal Impacts","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100105"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143154475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-18DOI: 10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100104
Marion Dreyer , Christian D. León , Andreas Püttner
The pressure to act on the energy transition and contribute to clean and affordable energy as one of the Sustainable Development Goals continues to rise. However, the energy transition is a socio-technical challenge that harbors considerable potential for social conflict. To address this issue, this article presents research that has developed a set of options for dealing with existing and possible future conflicts in the energy transition in Germany focussing on the electricity sector. The use of these conflict management instruments, including economic measures, adjustments to different laws, and measures to strengthen participation, can make the transition in this sector more resilient. To increase the chances that this desirable societal impact is achieved, the instruments were developed in a mutual science-practice learning process. The article describes this process which was inspired by transdisciplinary approaches and based on feedback workshops with a variety of practice actors. It concludes by emphasizing that there is a good chance of multiplier effects in relation to a published impulse paper on the key results of this process and promising conflict management instruments. The importance of energy and climate protection agencies participating in the workshops is also emphasized.
{"title":"Conflict management instruments for the energy transition","authors":"Marion Dreyer , Christian D. León , Andreas Püttner","doi":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100104","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100104","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The pressure to act on the energy transition and contribute to clean and affordable energy as one of the Sustainable Development Goals continues to rise. However, the energy transition is a socio-technical challenge that harbors considerable potential for social conflict. To address this issue, this article presents research that has developed a set of options for dealing with existing and possible future conflicts in the energy transition in Germany focussing on the electricity sector. The use of these conflict management instruments, including economic measures, adjustments to different laws, and measures to strengthen participation, can make the transition in this sector more resilient. To increase the chances that this desirable societal impact is achieved, the instruments were developed in a mutual science-practice learning process. The article describes this process which was inspired by transdisciplinary approaches and based on feedback workshops with a variety of practice actors. It concludes by emphasizing that there is a good chance of multiplier effects in relation to a published impulse paper on the key results of this process and promising conflict management instruments. The importance of energy and climate protection agencies participating in the workshops is also emphasized.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101167,"journal":{"name":"Societal Impacts","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100104"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143153926","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100103
Nikolaos A. Kazakis
A new research project (ALGEBRA) has been launched, offering a green approach to heavy metal removal from wastewater, aligning with the principles of circular economy. The project involves the use of living cultures of microalgae, i.e., Chlorella vulgaris or Spirulina platensis, for the bioremediation of contaminated water bodies, while cultivating the microalgae at the same time. Experiments are conducted at both laboratory and large scales, under both controlled and real conditions, towards the investigation of the underlying mechanisms. Advanced instruments are used to determine the quantitative and qualitative properties of the produced biomass and the liquid medium. Efforts are also made to explore potential applications of the contaminated or regenerated cells. Machine learning techniques are also employed to analyze the acquired data and develop a model for the prediction of cell growth based on cultivation parameters, which will be validated in real case studies.
{"title":"Green approaches to heavy metal removal from wastewater: Microalgae solutions in a circular economy framework","authors":"Nikolaos A. Kazakis","doi":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100103","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100103","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A new research project (ALGEBRA) has been launched, offering a green approach to heavy metal removal from wastewater, aligning with the principles of circular economy. The project involves the use of living cultures of microalgae, i.e., Chlorella vulgaris or Spirulina platensis, for the bioremediation of contaminated water bodies, while cultivating the microalgae at the same time. Experiments are conducted at both laboratory and large scales, under both controlled and real conditions, towards the investigation of the underlying mechanisms. Advanced instruments are used to determine the quantitative and qualitative properties of the produced biomass and the liquid medium. Efforts are also made to explore potential applications of the contaminated or regenerated cells. Machine learning techniques are also employed to analyze the acquired data and develop a model for the prediction of cell growth based on cultivation parameters, which will be validated in real case studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101167,"journal":{"name":"Societal Impacts","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100103"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143153930","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-08DOI: 10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100102
Lars Louis Andersen , Ole Henning Sørensen , Joaquín Calatayud , Rubén López-Bueno
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) cause widespread pain and suffering worldwide. Ergonomic advice on lifting technique and sitting posture has been ineffective in preventing MSDs. Through a series of studies conducted over 15 years, the National Research Centre for the Working Environment in Denmark has developed and documented the effectiveness of micro-exercise for MSDs across a range of job groups. Micro-exercise refers to brief and manageable bouts of efficient physical exercise that can easily be integrated into the workday, such as strength training with an elastic band. The national communication campaign, ‘Job & Body,’ promoted these exercises across Denmark. National surveillance of the working environment shows a notable increase in workers offered micro-exercise at their workplace, from 15.2 % in 2012 to 25.2 % in 2023. This societal impact reflects the success of continuously refining research to meet workplace needs and overcoming practical, ideological, and cultural barriers.
{"title":"Societal impact of micro-exercise for work-related musculoskeletal disorders: The case of Denmark","authors":"Lars Louis Andersen , Ole Henning Sørensen , Joaquín Calatayud , Rubén López-Bueno","doi":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100102","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100102","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) cause widespread pain and suffering worldwide. Ergonomic advice on lifting technique and sitting posture has been ineffective in preventing MSDs. Through a series of studies conducted over 15 years, the National Research Centre for the Working Environment in Denmark has developed and documented the effectiveness of micro-exercise for MSDs across a range of job groups. Micro-exercise refers to brief and manageable bouts of efficient physical exercise that can easily be integrated into the workday, such as strength training with an elastic band. The national communication campaign, ‘Job & Body,’ promoted these exercises across Denmark. National surveillance of the working environment shows a notable increase in workers offered micro-exercise at their workplace, from 15.2 % in 2012 to 25.2 % in 2023. This societal impact reflects the success of continuously refining research to meet workplace needs and overcoming practical, ideological, and cultural barriers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101167,"journal":{"name":"Societal Impacts","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100102"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143153929","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-12-16DOI: 10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100101
Kanchana Dissanayake , Rudrajeet Pal
This paper explores the societal implications of used clothing supply chains, a topic often overlooked in favor of economic and environmental considerations. Based on the data collected from 20 organizations involved in used clothing supply chains, this study revealed the societal implications concerning three key themes: sustainable lifestyles and environmental justice, circular job creation and skill gaps, and stakeholder engagement for ecosystem development. The findings point to socio-economic dichotomies and propose three strategic imperatives to address them, which include (i) education, training, and awareness, (ii) policy and practice, and (iii) ecosystem collaboration. The findings of this study aim to inspire further discussions and empirical research in this field.
{"title":"Toward a just circular economy: Exploring societal implications of used clothing supply chains","authors":"Kanchana Dissanayake , Rudrajeet Pal","doi":"10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100101","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100101","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper explores the societal implications of used clothing supply chains, a topic often overlooked in favor of economic and environmental considerations. Based on the data collected from 20 organizations involved in used clothing supply chains, this study revealed the societal implications concerning three key themes: sustainable lifestyles and environmental justice, circular job creation and skill gaps, and stakeholder engagement for ecosystem development. The findings point to socio-economic dichotomies and propose three strategic imperatives to address them, which include (i) education, training, and awareness, (ii) policy and practice, and (iii) ecosystem collaboration. The findings of this study aim to inspire further discussions and empirical research in this field.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101167,"journal":{"name":"Societal Impacts","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100101"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143153928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In Japan, with rising longevity actively “designing a second life” is vital including the potential to work, which is key for those retiring from employment and women after child-rearing. This brings vitality to local communities, given demographic trends and the health and well-being benefits of appropriate employment. Yet, existing local labour market mechanisms do not serve well many such individuals. This paper provides insights into an ongoing action research programme to achieve social impact by developing a platform to support people’s second life related to employment. The initial focus is on a city in which to develop a prototype. The approach involves forming a consortium of local stakeholders, and then pursuing initiatives to develop the platform’s two sides: bringing potential employers onboard and attracting people in their second life. In the next phase, the aim is to develop a model to support other cities’ learning and adaptation. The initial priority in the focal city is to have a durable local impact by ‘going slow’ to establish the platform with local stakeholders, to then ‘go fast’ in increasing impact through matching: in practice, however, once established, accelerating impact locally is challenging. Nonetheless, the focal city provides a base for transfer of learning to other cities so as to increase impact on people’s second life and thereby contributing to achieving a sustainable society.
{"title":"Designing a second life: An action research project implementing an employment platform in Japan","authors":"Hiroko Costantini , Nobuhiro Maeda , Mitsuteru Makino , Tatsuya Nakamura , Yoko Nihei , Shogo Hoshi , Yusaku Ohnishi","doi":"10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100099","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100099","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In Japan, with rising longevity actively “designing a second life” is vital including the potential to work, which is key for those retiring from employment and women after child-rearing. This brings vitality to local communities, given demographic trends and the health and well-being benefits of appropriate employment. Yet, existing local labour market mechanisms do not serve well many such individuals. This paper provides insights into an ongoing action research programme to achieve social impact by developing a platform to support people’s second life related to employment. The initial focus is on a city in which to develop a prototype. The approach involves forming a consortium of local stakeholders, and then pursuing initiatives to develop the platform’s two sides: bringing potential employers onboard and attracting people in their second life. In the next phase, the aim is to develop a model to support other cities’ learning and adaptation. The initial priority in the focal city is to have a durable local impact by ‘going slow’ to establish the platform with local stakeholders, to then ‘go fast’ in increasing impact through matching: in practice, however, once established, accelerating impact locally is challenging. Nonetheless, the focal city provides a base for transfer of learning to other cities so as to increase impact on people’s second life and thereby contributing to achieving a sustainable society.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101167,"journal":{"name":"Societal Impacts","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100099"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143153927","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-12-04DOI: 10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100100
Luis Felipe Coimbra Costa , Carlos Eduardo Barbosa , Luciana Maria Azevedo Nascimento , Larissa Galeno , Yuri Lima , Ana Moura Santos , Geraldo Xexéo , Jano Moreira de Souza
The Heroine’s Learning Journey (HLJ) is an educational framework addressing gender disparities in STEM. Supported by the FOSTWOM project, it motivates young women through innovative practices and international collaboration. Drawing on heroic narratives from Campbell’s Hero’s Journey and Murdock’s Heroine’s Journey, HLJ integrates these stories with the Heroines Learning System (HeLaS), a digital platform for scalable and adaptable learning environments. This model aims to enhance female participation in STEM courses and assess the societal impact of HLJ. The Heroine’s Learning Journey has been implemented in educational settings, including online courses and a case study in the rural community of Recreio, Brazil. We collected quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate the model’s effectiveness. The results demonstrate the HLJ’s potential to inspire systemic change by fostering a more inclusive and diverse STEM landscape. This research highlights the importance of innovative educational approaches in driving societal transformation and shaping the future of STEM education.
{"title":"Societal impact of the Heroine’s Learning Journey: Inspiring women in STEM through the power of role models","authors":"Luis Felipe Coimbra Costa , Carlos Eduardo Barbosa , Luciana Maria Azevedo Nascimento , Larissa Galeno , Yuri Lima , Ana Moura Santos , Geraldo Xexéo , Jano Moreira de Souza","doi":"10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100100","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100100","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Heroine’s Learning Journey (HLJ) is an educational framework addressing gender disparities in STEM. Supported by the FOSTWOM project, it motivates young women through innovative practices and international collaboration. Drawing on heroic narratives from Campbell’s Hero’s Journey and Murdock’s Heroine’s Journey, HLJ integrates these stories with the Heroines Learning System (HeLaS), a digital platform for scalable and adaptable learning environments. This model aims to enhance female participation in STEM courses and assess the societal impact of HLJ. The Heroine’s Learning Journey has been implemented in educational settings, including online courses and a case study in the rural community of Recreio, Brazil. We collected quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate the model’s effectiveness. The results demonstrate the HLJ’s potential to inspire systemic change by fostering a more inclusive and diverse STEM landscape. This research highlights the importance of innovative educational approaches in driving societal transformation and shaping the future of STEM education.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101167,"journal":{"name":"Societal Impacts","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100100"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143153931","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100097
Prasanna G. Tillu , Abhijeet K. Digalwar
This study investigates the societal benefit of willingness to pay (WTP) green cess on polluting vehicles, to build an ecosystem for promoting zero emissions electric mobility in Western India. A survey method employed enabled data collection from 492 commuters and analysed using an open-ended contingent valuation method (CVM). As per the findings, about 67 % of commuters are in favour to pay green cess to help building an ecosystem for faster adoption of electric vehicles, but at comparatively low price. On positive note, around acknowledged electric mobility adoption needs a supportive ecosystem, while were not so forthcoming. The findings depicted that the average open-ended WTP for green cess evaluates to Rs 370 per month. The study engages commuters as stakeholders, helps analyse their sustainability orientation in terms of WTP and suggests recommendations for utilizing key learnings and monetary tool for inclusive developments towards a cleaner environment.
{"title":"Indian residents willingness to pay green cess to support electric mobility ecosystem: A societal benefit perspective","authors":"Prasanna G. Tillu , Abhijeet K. Digalwar","doi":"10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100097","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100097","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the societal benefit of willingness to pay (WTP) green cess on polluting vehicles, to build an ecosystem for promoting zero emissions electric mobility in Western India. A survey method employed enabled data collection from 492 commuters and analysed using an open-ended contingent valuation method (CVM). As per the findings, about 67 % of commuters are in favour to pay green cess to help building an ecosystem for faster adoption of electric vehicles, but at comparatively low price. On positive note, around acknowledged electric mobility adoption needs a supportive ecosystem, while were not so forthcoming. The findings depicted that the average open-ended WTP for green cess evaluates to Rs 370 per month. The study engages commuters as stakeholders, helps analyse their sustainability orientation in terms of WTP and suggests recommendations for utilizing key learnings and monetary tool for inclusive developments towards a cleaner environment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101167,"journal":{"name":"Societal Impacts","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100097"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142759376","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100098
Christian Klaus , Dora Il’yasova
Recently, interest in geospatial cancer analysis involving smaller geographic areas, such as sub-county regions in the US and districts in Germany, has been expressed by concerned citizens. At the same time, locally elevated cancer incidence sparks public concern as attributed to potential environmental factors, impacting citizens’ sense of well-being and property values. In these periods of collective anxiety, the scrutiny of the quality of cancer surveillance data, which is primarily the responsibility of CCRs, increases tremendously as well as the public pressure to explain uncertainty in the data. Residential geolocation harbors the highest level of uncertainty compared to other patient’s characteristics. Residential geolocation involves geocoding record linkage across different information sources. Uncertainty arises when a patient’s characteristics diverge among various sources. Here, we present how a simple index of confidence in residential geolocation can explain uncertainty in cancer surveillance data. Efforts invested in clarifying confidence in residential geolocation to citizens may improve relationships between CCRs and the public and also improve georeferenced data in areas that need such improvement badly. The purpose of this publication is to set up the stage for a discussion within the cancer surveillance community and possibly the public.
{"title":"Public interest in localized cancer incidence and uncertainty in cancer surveillance data: Clarifying uncertainty in residential geolocation to concerned citizens","authors":"Christian Klaus , Dora Il’yasova","doi":"10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100098","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100098","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Recently, interest in geospatial cancer analysis involving smaller geographic areas, such as sub-county regions in the US and districts in Germany, has been expressed by concerned citizens. At the same time, locally elevated cancer incidence sparks public concern as attributed to potential environmental factors, impacting citizens’ sense of well-being and property values. In these periods of collective anxiety, the scrutiny of the quality of cancer surveillance data, which is primarily the responsibility of CCRs, increases tremendously as well as the public pressure to explain uncertainty in the data. Residential geolocation harbors the highest level of uncertainty compared to other patient’s characteristics. Residential geolocation involves geocoding record linkage across different information sources. Uncertainty arises when a patient’s characteristics diverge among various sources. Here, we present how a simple index of confidence in residential geolocation can explain uncertainty in cancer surveillance data. Efforts invested in clarifying confidence in residential geolocation to citizens may improve relationships between CCRs and the public and also improve georeferenced data in areas that need such improvement badly. The purpose of this publication is to set up the stage for a discussion within the cancer surveillance community and possibly the public.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101167,"journal":{"name":"Societal Impacts","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100098"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143153932","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-26DOI: 10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100096
Connor Smith
Against a backdrop of increasing levels of discontent and division reported in democratic societies, meaningful social interactions (especially between strangers) are clearly important to study. Drawing on observations during previous research projects, this article explores whether and how online focus groups (OFGs) can be leveraged to facilitate meaningful social interactions between unfamiliar interaction partners, and the extent to which these interactions have the potential to create societal impact. Our findings suggest that OFGs can facilitate a combination of “emotional”, “informational”, and “tangible” impacts for participants, helping to make social interactions meaningful. Meanwhile, these “individual impacts” could translate to “societal impacts” by empowering people to better participate (and participate better) in the public sphere. This outcome could be accelerated if individuals share newly acquired knowledge onwards with their community, generating a positive feedback loop of further meaningful social interactions. Our findings imply that researchers should strive to ensure that qualitative social research delivers direct value to the participants who take part, separate from the potential (thematic) value it has for the academic(s) involved. This ambition could be supported by academic funding frameworks that recognize “direct value for participants” as a desirable (and assessed) criterion.
{"title":"The societal impact of meaningful social interactions during online focus groups","authors":"Connor Smith","doi":"10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100096","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100096","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Against a backdrop of increasing levels of discontent and division reported in democratic societies, meaningful social interactions (especially between strangers) are clearly important to study. Drawing on observations during previous research projects, this article explores whether and how online focus groups (OFGs) can be leveraged to facilitate meaningful social interactions between unfamiliar interaction partners, and the extent to which these interactions have the potential to create societal impact. Our findings suggest that OFGs can facilitate a combination of “emotional”, “informational”, and “tangible” impacts for participants, helping to make social interactions meaningful. Meanwhile, these “individual impacts” could translate to “societal impacts” by empowering people to better participate (and participate better) in the public sphere. This outcome could be accelerated if individuals share newly acquired knowledge onwards with their community, generating a positive feedback loop of further meaningful social interactions. Our findings imply that researchers should strive to ensure that qualitative social research delivers direct value to the participants who take part, separate from the potential (thematic) value it has for the academic(s) involved. This ambition could be supported by academic funding frameworks that recognize “direct value for participants” as a desirable (and assessed) criterion.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101167,"journal":{"name":"Societal Impacts","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100096"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142721845","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号