title: Trauma-informed approaches for research in higher education: a guiding framework

authors: McChesney, Katrina

subjects: higher education

abstract: Trauma-informed practice is gaining increasing prominence across a range of sectors, including education. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, trauma has been increasingly considered in higher education settings, yet this has rarely extended beyond consideration of teaching practice. Trauma also needs to be considered when planning and conducting research in the field of higher education. This conceptual paper therefore explores what trauma-informed research in higher education might look like and why this is important as part of ensuring that all higher education research is safe and inclusive. The paper reviews existing literature connecting trauma with higher education, then draws on published guidelines for trauma-informed research in other settings to propose a framework for trauma-informed research in higher education. The framework comprises seven guiding principles: (1) anticipate the likely presence of trauma-affected people without requiring disclosure; (2) ensure researchers have a foundational understanding of trauma; (3) imbue a trauma-informed perspective across existing methodologies and methods; (4) reconceptualise the researcher – participant relationship; (5) design research to maximize participant agency, safety, and wellbeing; (6) support researcher safety and wellbeing; and (7) attend to intersectionality. It is hoped that the framework presented in this paper will support increased use of trauma-informed approaches within higher education research.

text: Trauma-informed approaches for research in higher education: a guiding framework Trauma-informed practice is gaining increasing prominence across a range of sectors, including education. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, trauma has been increasingly considered in higher education settings, yet this has rarely extended beyond consideration of teaching practice. Trauma also needs to be considered when planning and conducting research in the field of higher education. This conceptual paper therefore explores what trauma-informed research in higher education might look like and why this is important as part of ensuring that all higher education research is safe and inclusive. The paper reviews existing literature connecting trauma with higher education, then draws on published guidelines for trauma-informed research in other settings to propose a framework for trauma-informed research in higher education. The framework comprises seven guiding principles: (1) anticipate the likely presence of trauma-affected people without requiring disclosure; (2) ensure researchers have a foundational understanding of trauma; (3) imbue a trauma-informed perspective across existing methodologies and methods; (4) reconceptualise the researcher – participant relationship; (5) design research to maximize participant agency, safety, and wellbeing; (6) support researcher safety and wellbeing; and (7) attend to intersectionality. It is hoped that the framework presented in this paper will support increased use of trauma-informed approaches within higher education research.

year: 2025

title: Psychometric properties of the movement-specific reinvestment scale for Chinese children

authors: Ling, Fiona C.M.

abstract: The propensity for movement-specific reinvestment (conscious attention to and control of body movements) is associated with disrupted movement in a variety of circumstances. Movement-specific reinvestment has been shown in adults but not in children, as a validated psychometric instrument for children does not exist. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of a movement-specific reinvestment scale adapted specifically for Chinese children (MSRS-CC). Five hundred and thirty-two Chinese pre-adolescents aged 7–12 yrs completed the MSRS-CC and a sub-sample completed the questionnaire again three weeks later. Another sub-sample also completed the Coordination and Health subscales of the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (short form; PSDQ-S). All questionnaires were completed during normal school days. A random half of sub-sample two completed the MSRS-CC before the PSDQ-S and the other half completed the questionnaires in reverse order. Confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated sound internal validity for the Scale's two-factor model. Acceptable internal reliability and satisfactory test–retest reliability were evident. Convergent and discriminant validity with the Coordination and Health subscales of the PSDQ-S was also tested, but the former was unexpectedly low. Future research using objective measures of motor proficiency was recommended. The MSRS-CC is potentially a valuable tool for understanding movement control by children in research as well as in clinical and educational settings.

text: Psychometric properties of the movement-specific reinvestment scale for Chinese children The propensity for movement-specific reinvestment (conscious attention to and control of body movements) is associated with disrupted movement in a variety of circumstances. Movement-specific reinvestment has been shown in adults but not in children, as a validated psychometric instrument for children does not exist. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of a movement-specific reinvestment scale adapted specifically for Chinese children (MSRS-CC). Five hundred and thirty-two Chinese pre-adolescents aged 7–12 yrs completed the MSRS-CC and a sub-sample completed the questionnaire again three weeks later. Another sub-sample also completed the Coordination and Health subscales of the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (short form; PSDQ-S). All questionnaires were completed during normal school days. A random half of sub-sample two completed the MSRS-CC before the PSDQ-S and the other half completed the questionnaires in reverse order. Confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated sound internal validity for the Scale's two-factor model. Acceptable internal reliability and satisfactory test–retest reliability were evident. Convergent and discriminant validity with the Coordination and Health subscales of the PSDQ-S was also tested, but the former was unexpectedly low. Future research using objective measures of motor proficiency was recommended. The MSRS-CC is potentially a valuable tool for understanding movement control by children in research as well as in clinical and educational settings.

year: 2016

title: Gendered geographies of resistance, resilience and reworking in Aotearoa feminist geography scholarship

authors: Adams-Hutcheson, Gail

abstract: Aotearoa New Zealand feminist geographies involve alliances of connected and vibrant researchers who pay close attention to the politics of knowledge production, power, intersectionality and decolonisation. Safe spaces to speak and write together have been nurtured over time ‘down under’ due to a collective politics of care and mentoring. This special issue demonstrates the strength of collective thinking on resistance, resilience and reworking contemporary geographical practice in Aotearoa. The four empirically based and theoretically informed articles develop new thinking about resistance to colonialism, patriarchy, racism, metricisation and oppression. These critical articles contribute to feminist geographical knowledges both locally and globally.

text: Gendered geographies of resistance, resilience and reworking in Aotearoa feminist geography scholarship Aotearoa New Zealand feminist geographies involve alliances of connected and vibrant researchers who pay close attention to the politics of knowledge production, power, intersectionality and decolonisation. Safe spaces to speak and write together have been nurtured over time ‘down under’ due to a collective politics of care and mentoring. This special issue demonstrates the strength of collective thinking on resistance, resilience and reworking contemporary geographical practice in Aotearoa. The four empirically based and theoretically informed articles develop new thinking about resistance to colonialism, patriarchy, racism, metricisation and oppression. These critical articles contribute to feminist geographical knowledges both locally and globally.

year: 2022-11-22