title: The analytics of “gendering” the post-neoliberal state

authors: Simon-Kumar, Rachel

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: “Post-neoliberalism” or “after neoliberalism”' is a term that is associated with forms of governance that emerged in the mid-late 1990s with the Third Way and social investment states in the UK, Canada, and Aotearoa/New Zealand. The post-neoliberal state combines features of both neoliberal and social-democratic welfare policies; significantly, it has introduced changes in areas conventionally noted by feminist scholars as having bearing on the lives of women, such as, in public-funded childcare, and women-centered approaches to governance. The core question posed in this paper is: is the post-neoliberal state also a feminist one? Based on a critical review of recent literature, the analysis focuses on the gender implications of post-neoliberal policies in four domains of society and polity: production–reproduction, the public–private, political participation, and the machinery of the state. The paper argues that whilst gains made by some women in these domains are noteworthy, the more fundamental ramifications of the post-neoliberal state are in the changing landscape of gender relations in these countries.

text: The analytics of “gendering” the post-neoliberal state “Post-neoliberalism” or “after neoliberalism”' is a term that is associated with forms of governance that emerged in the mid-late 1990s with the Third Way and social investment states in the UK, Canada, and Aotearoa/New Zealand. The post-neoliberal state combines features of both neoliberal and social-democratic welfare policies; significantly, it has introduced changes in areas conventionally noted by feminist scholars as having bearing on the lives of women, such as, in public-funded childcare, and women-centered approaches to governance. The core question posed in this paper is: is the post-neoliberal state also a feminist one? Based on a critical review of recent literature, the analysis focuses on the gender implications of post-neoliberal policies in four domains of society and polity: production–reproduction, the public–private, political participation, and the machinery of the state. The paper argues that whilst gains made by some women in these domains are noteworthy, the more fundamental ramifications of the post-neoliberal state are in the changing landscape of gender relations in these countries.

year: 2011

title: Automating vocabulary tests and enriching online courses for language learners

authors: König, Jemma Lynette

subjects: Computer science

abstract: The past decade has seen a massive growth in online academic courses, most of which are offered in the English language. However, although more people speak English as their second language than as their first, online course providers do not offer language assistance. Providing online learners with language resources would allow them to both learn about a subject through a foreign language and learn the foreign language through the subject. This is referred to as “content-based language learning”. 

Supporting content-based language learning using online courses raises several challenges, three of which are addressed in this thesis. First, courses teach subjects in particular domains, but supporting domain-specific language requires knowledge of specialised vocabulary. This thesis develops an automated approach to generating domain-specific corpora and wordlists, extracting domain-specific vocabulary in a way that can be applied to any online course. 

Second, acquiring and measuring language come hand-in-hand. Tools that help learners acquire new language should also include methods for testing. This thesis takes an existing vocabulary test and automates it. This has two main advantages: it requires no assumed knowledge of the language, allowing automatic generation of vocabulary tests; and the tests reflect the wordlists used to create them, allowing them to be targeted toward a particular domain.

Finally, for content-based language learning to be used successfully, the language components must be smoothly integrated into courses without disturbing the original content. Furthermore, vocabulary support should include multi-word lexical items as well as single words. The thesis describes a tool that enhances online course content, via a browser extension. It is completely automated, though would also lend itself to selective teacher intervention. It is illustrated here with reference to courses offered by the FutureLearn MOOC consortium.

text: Automating vocabulary tests and enriching online courses for language learners The past decade has seen a massive growth in online academic courses, most of which are offered in the English language. However, although more people speak English as their second language than as their first, online course providers do not offer language assistance. Providing online learners with language resources would allow them to both learn about a subject through a foreign language and learn the foreign language through the subject. This is referred to as “content-based language learning”. 

Supporting content-based language learning using online courses raises several challenges, three of which are addressed in this thesis. First, courses teach subjects in particular domains, but supporting domain-specific language requires knowledge of specialised vocabulary. This thesis develops an automated approach to generating domain-specific corpora and wordlists, extracting domain-specific vocabulary in a way that can be applied to any online course. 

Second, acquiring and measuring language come hand-in-hand. Tools that help learners acquire new language should also include methods for testing. This thesis takes an existing vocabulary test and automates it. This has two main advantages: it requires no assumed knowledge of the language, allowing automatic generation of vocabulary tests; and the tests reflect the wordlists used to create them, allowing them to be targeted toward a particular domain.

Finally, for content-based language learning to be used successfully, the language components must be smoothly integrated into courses without disturbing the original content. Furthermore, vocabulary support should include multi-word lexical items as well as single words. The thesis describes a tool that enhances online course content, via a browser extension. It is completely automated, though would also lend itself to selective teacher intervention. It is illustrated here with reference to courses offered by the FutureLearn MOOC consortium.

year: 2019

title: Te Rau Puawai 2002-2004: An evaluation

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

subjects: evaluation

abstract: Established in 1999 as a joint workforce initiative between the former Health Funding Authority and Massey University, Te Rau Puawai aimed to support 100 Maori students to graduate with mental health qualifications within a five year period. The goal of Te Rau Puawai is to contribute to the building of capacity for Maori in the mental health workforce. The programme exceeded its performance expectations in the first two years (1999-2001) with 56 bursars completing their qualifications. Bursars achieved an 80% pass rate compared with 65% for all students at Massey University as a whole. In 2004, this pass rate has continued, a significant achievement in light of increasing numbers of bursars being accepted and many without previously studying at the tertiary level.

In 2001 the Maori & Psychology Research Unit (MPRU) at the University of Waikato undertook an evaluation of Te Rau Puawai reporting on the programme's success and identifying any barriers the programme needed to address. The 2002 evaluation report outlines critical success factors and recommendations for improvement. In 2003 Te Rau Puawai negotiated further funding from the Mental Health Directorate (MeHD) of the Ministry of Health under the Mental Health Workforce Development Strategy (2002). Workforce development is critical in building capacity and capability in the mental health workforce to increase appropriately skilled workers required to meet the mental health needs of Maori communities. In 2004 the Ministry of Health requested a follow-up evaluation to provide a descriptive record of programme activities and progress from April 2002 to December 2004. This report provides an overview of Te Rau Puawai activities between 2002 and 2004; the progress and contributions made by bursars to the mental health workforce; and a reassessment of the programme's critical success factors.

text: Te Rau Puawai 2002-2004: An evaluation Established in 1999 as a joint workforce initiative between the former Health Funding Authority and Massey University, Te Rau Puawai aimed to support 100 Maori students to graduate with mental health qualifications within a five year period. The goal of Te Rau Puawai is to contribute to the building of capacity for Maori in the mental health workforce. The programme exceeded its performance expectations in the first two years (1999-2001) with 56 bursars completing their qualifications. Bursars achieved an 80% pass rate compared with 65% for all students at Massey University as a whole. In 2004, this pass rate has continued, a significant achievement in light of increasing numbers of bursars being accepted and many without previously studying at the tertiary level.

In 2001 the Maori & Psychology Research Unit (MPRU) at the University of Waikato undertook an evaluation of Te Rau Puawai reporting on the programme's success and identifying any barriers the programme needed to address. The 2002 evaluation report outlines critical success factors and recommendations for improvement. In 2003 Te Rau Puawai negotiated further funding from the Mental Health Directorate (MeHD) of the Ministry of Health under the Mental Health Workforce Development Strategy (2002). Workforce development is critical in building capacity and capability in the mental health workforce to increase appropriately skilled workers required to meet the mental health needs of Maori communities. In 2004 the Ministry of Health requested a follow-up evaluation to provide a descriptive record of programme activities and progress from April 2002 to December 2004. This report provides an overview of Te Rau Puawai activities between 2002 and 2004; the progress and contributions made by bursars to the mental health workforce; and a reassessment of the programme's critical success factors.

year: 2005-01-01