title: Exploring bullying aganist academics in Pakistan:  A corrosive workplace issue

authors: Ali, Roshana Kamran

subjects: bullying and harassement

abstract: The issue of workplace bullying in academia, particularly within the realm of education, has garnered attention and concern in various Western and Asian countries. Workplace bullying poses significant risks to educators, not only compromising their well-being but also detrimentally affecting the overall learning environment. This study makes a novel contribution by examining staff being bullied within the higher education sector in Pakistan, an unexplored focus that has received modest attention.
The study aims to explore workplace bullying factors using qualitative methods, focusing on academic staff members' firsthand experiences and coping strategies in university settings.
The results showed several risk factors associated with workplace bullying in HEIs in Pakistan. The finding shows that gender and culture are linked and should be considered when examining workplace bullying in the educational sector. Key themes emerging from the study link instances of workplace bullying to the volatile economic conditions and heightened competition in Pakistan’s higher education sector that act as barriers to formally report bullying incidents. Moreover, organisational culture and socio-cultural norms were also identified as significant contributors to the occurrence of workplace bullying in academia.
Based on the study's findings, suggested strategies to combat workplace bullying may include raising awareness and fostering respect for cultural diversity among all university staff, including administrators and managers, within Pakistan’s higher education institutions (HEIs). The research aims to educate academics, particularly women, about workplace bullying, empowering them to develop effective strategies for prevention and resolution.

text: Exploring bullying aganist academics in Pakistan:  A corrosive workplace issue The issue of workplace bullying in academia, particularly within the realm of education, has garnered attention and concern in various Western and Asian countries. Workplace bullying poses significant risks to educators, not only compromising their well-being but also detrimentally affecting the overall learning environment. This study makes a novel contribution by examining staff being bullied within the higher education sector in Pakistan, an unexplored focus that has received modest attention.
The study aims to explore workplace bullying factors using qualitative methods, focusing on academic staff members' firsthand experiences and coping strategies in university settings.
The results showed several risk factors associated with workplace bullying in HEIs in Pakistan. The finding shows that gender and culture are linked and should be considered when examining workplace bullying in the educational sector. Key themes emerging from the study link instances of workplace bullying to the volatile economic conditions and heightened competition in Pakistan’s higher education sector that act as barriers to formally report bullying incidents. Moreover, organisational culture and socio-cultural norms were also identified as significant contributors to the occurrence of workplace bullying in academia.
Based on the study's findings, suggested strategies to combat workplace bullying may include raising awareness and fostering respect for cultural diversity among all university staff, including administrators and managers, within Pakistan’s higher education institutions (HEIs). The research aims to educate academics, particularly women, about workplace bullying, empowering them to develop effective strategies for prevention and resolution.

year: 2024-11-26

title: Improving face gender classification by adding deliberately misaligned faces to the training data

authors: Mayo, Michael

subjects: computer science

abstract: A novel method of face gender classifier construction is proposed and evaluated. Previously, researchers have assumed that a computationally expensive face alignment step (in which the face image is transformed so that facial landmarks such as the eyes, nose, chin, etc, are in uniform locations in the image) is required in order to maximize the accuracy of predictions on new face images. We, however, argue that this step is not necessary, and that machine learning classifiers can be made robust to face misalignments by automatically expanding the training data with examples of faces that have been deliberately misaligned (for example, translated or rotated). To test our hypothesis, we evaluate this automatic training dataset expansion method with two types of image classifier, the first based on weak features such as Local Binary Pattern histograms, and the second based on SIFT keypoints. Using a benchmark face gender classification dataset recently proposed in the literature, we obtain a state-of-the-art accuracy of 92.5%, thus validating our approach.

text: Improving face gender classification by adding deliberately misaligned faces to the training data A novel method of face gender classifier construction is proposed and evaluated. Previously, researchers have assumed that a computationally expensive face alignment step (in which the face image is transformed so that facial landmarks such as the eyes, nose, chin, etc, are in uniform locations in the image) is required in order to maximize the accuracy of predictions on new face images. We, however, argue that this step is not necessary, and that machine learning classifiers can be made robust to face misalignments by automatically expanding the training data with examples of faces that have been deliberately misaligned (for example, translated or rotated). To test our hypothesis, we evaluate this automatic training dataset expansion method with two types of image classifier, the first based on weak features such as Local Binary Pattern histograms, and the second based on SIFT keypoints. Using a benchmark face gender classification dataset recently proposed in the literature, we obtain a state-of-the-art accuracy of 92.5%, thus validating our approach.

year: 2008

title: Mai ngā reo pou tangata

authors: Nathan, Lisa Kiriwai

subjects: Maori

abstract: Globally the prevalence rate of dementia is estimated to be 50 million.  In 2016, Aotearoa New Zealand prevalence projections reported 62,287 people were affected by dementia.  Māori represented 5.1 per cent, which is expected to rise to 8 per cent by 2038.  Māori people prefer to care for ill kaumātua (older people) at home and are experiencing greater stress and increased caregiver burden due to the cultural expectations of caring for kaumātua at home.  The two aims of this study were first, to explore the perspectives of Māori whānau carers caring for kaumātua with dementia, and the second aim was to explore the perspectives of staff who work for dementia service providers, addressing areas such as staff’s experiences with Māori whānau carers and cultural competency in service delivery.
	Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight whānau (11 whānau carers) within the Waikato region of New Zealand and seven service provider staff participants. Whānau carers were interviewed first.  They were asked to share information about their kaumātua.  The topics explored the diagnosis process; the behavioural changes of the kaumātua living with dementia and the whānau caring experience.  Thematic analysis was conducted on the resulting transcripts to identify themes and to identify potential service providers to approach for interviews.  Five service provider organisations were selected, of which four service providers were able to commit to an interview.  One service provider could not commit to an interview due to thesis time constraints. Seven staff participants across the four service providers were recruited and invited to share their perspectives of working with Māori whānau.  Again, thematic analysis was conducted on the verbatim transcripts to identify salient themes.
	Two major findings amidst the perspectives of whānau carers was identified.  First, the systemic lack of support across three dimensions, and second the negative impact of caregiver burden. The first deficiency was the lack of support from whānau members, second, the lack of support from community services and third, the lack of support from the government.  Whānau experienced poor health as a result of caregiver burden. Staff participants findings were firstly staff believed they were culturally inclusive and responsive, second they reported going beyond their roles and the system to support Māori and third staff identified barriers which exist for Māori in terms of accessing services.
	Whānau carers are struggling to find support from other whānau members.  Some whānau members are critical of caring methods, while others place additional burden on the carers.  Whānau are often described as an interconnected unit, however findings show that Māori whānau carers are feeling isolated and alone, and as a result are experiencing poor health. 
	Whānau carers perceive a services in their community as not being culturally inclusive or appropriate.  Staff participants said that they incorporate respect and compassion into their service delivery.  Staff recognise that the numbers of Māori represented at services are low, compared to non-Māori clients.  Services need to be integrate cultural training on a regular basis to ensure Māori are comfortable with being Māori in service settings.

text: Mai ngā reo pou tangata Globally the prevalence rate of dementia is estimated to be 50 million.  In 2016, Aotearoa New Zealand prevalence projections reported 62,287 people were affected by dementia.  Māori represented 5.1 per cent, which is expected to rise to 8 per cent by 2038.  Māori people prefer to care for ill kaumātua (older people) at home and are experiencing greater stress and increased caregiver burden due to the cultural expectations of caring for kaumātua at home.  The two aims of this study were first, to explore the perspectives of Māori whānau carers caring for kaumātua with dementia, and the second aim was to explore the perspectives of staff who work for dementia service providers, addressing areas such as staff’s experiences with Māori whānau carers and cultural competency in service delivery.
	Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight whānau (11 whānau carers) within the Waikato region of New Zealand and seven service provider staff participants. Whānau carers were interviewed first.  They were asked to share information about their kaumātua.  The topics explored the diagnosis process; the behavioural changes of the kaumātua living with dementia and the whānau caring experience.  Thematic analysis was conducted on the resulting transcripts to identify themes and to identify potential service providers to approach for interviews.  Five service provider organisations were selected, of which four service providers were able to commit to an interview.  One service provider could not commit to an interview due to thesis time constraints. Seven staff participants across the four service providers were recruited and invited to share their perspectives of working with Māori whānau.  Again, thematic analysis was conducted on the verbatim transcripts to identify salient themes.
	Two major findings amidst the perspectives of whānau carers was identified.  First, the systemic lack of support across three dimensions, and second the negative impact of caregiver burden. The first deficiency was the lack of support from whānau members, second, the lack of support from community services and third, the lack of support from the government.  Whānau experienced poor health as a result of caregiver burden. Staff participants findings were firstly staff believed they were culturally inclusive and responsive, second they reported going beyond their roles and the system to support Māori and third staff identified barriers which exist for Māori in terms of accessing services.
	Whānau carers are struggling to find support from other whānau members.  Some whānau members are critical of caring methods, while others place additional burden on the carers.  Whānau are often described as an interconnected unit, however findings show that Māori whānau carers are feeling isolated and alone, and as a result are experiencing poor health. 
	Whānau carers perceive a services in their community as not being culturally inclusive or appropriate.  Staff participants said that they incorporate respect and compassion into their service delivery.  Staff recognise that the numbers of Māori represented at services are low, compared to non-Māori clients.  Services need to be integrate cultural training on a regular basis to ensure Māori are comfortable with being Māori in service settings.

year: 2019