Societies

19 pages, 12857 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Data Are Power: Addressing the Power Imbalance Around Community Data with the Open-Access Data4HumanRights Curriculum

by Monika Kuffer, Dana R. Thomson, Dianne Wakonyo, Nicera Wanjiru Kimani, Divyani Kohli-Poll Jonker, Enyo Okoko, Rasak Toheeb, Bisola Akinmuyiwa, Mohammed Zanna, Dezyno Imole and Andrew Maki

Societies 2025, 15(2), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15020029 - 3 Feb 2025

Viewed by 128

Abstract

Data4HumanRights’ training materials have been developed as open-source and tailored to limited-resource settings, where community data collectors often live and work. Access to training on data collection, analysis, and visualisation to support the advocacy of vulnerable groups is essential, particularly in the context [...] Read more.

Data4HumanRights’ training materials have been developed as open-source and tailored to limited-resource settings, where community data collectors often live and work. Access to training on data collection, analysis, and visualisation to support the advocacy of vulnerable groups is essential, particularly in the context of increasing human rights challenges such as land rights, adequate housing, conflicts, and climate justice. This paper provides an overview of how the training materials were co-developed with community data collectors in Nigeria and Kenya, offering insights into the fundamental principles (i.e., inclusiveness, adaptive, limited resources, and being gender- and incentive-sensitive) and the structure of the open-access training materials. The development process resulted in 28 modules, each designed to be delivered in a face-to-face format in less than one day by a local trainer. To maximize adaptivity, the training modules can be mixed and matched (e.g., as individual modules or a learning path of several modules around a specific training need). The individual modules cover a range of methods and tools that are useful to human rights work and community advocacy, e.g., documenting evictions, performing rapid needs assessments after acute crises, community profiling, and monitoring community development indicators. The training materials contain instructions for the training facilitator(s) and all necessary training materials. To ensure inclusivity, the training covers both basic and advanced topics, with most modules designed to address basic needs that can be followed using a mobile phone, thereby avoiding the need for computers or printed handouts. The training results in Nigeria and Kenya showcase applications, including mapping waste problems and addressing forced evictions. Trained community groups produced maps of waste piles to prioritize community actions, such as finding space for urban agriculture, and conducted rapid needs assessments during a massive eviction. This approach helps reduce power imbalances and empowers community groups to effectively manage and utilise their own data. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vulnerable Groups Protection and Rights for Advocacy: From the Perspectives of Community-Based Policy Making and Initiatives)

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15 pages, 953 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Trends and Gender Dynamics in Professional Certification Growth in Saudi Arabia

by Turkiah Alotaibi, Norah Almusharraf, Muhammad Imran and Kelum A. A. Gamage

Societies 2025, 15(2), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15020028 - 31 Jan 2025

Viewed by 330

Abstract

This study explores the trends and gender dynamics in professional certification growth in Saudi Arabia, a key driver of workforce development and economic transformation. While professional certifications are increasingly valued across various industries, there has been limited research exploring demographic trends and disparities [...] Read more.

This study explores the trends and gender dynamics in professional certification growth in Saudi Arabia, a key driver of workforce development and economic transformation. While professional certifications are increasingly valued across various industries, there has been limited research exploring demographic trends and disparities in their attainment. Using publicly available data from the KSA Open Data Platform (n = 990), this study analyzes certification growth between 2020 and 2022, revealing a steady rise in holders, particularly in advanced certifications like the SOCPA Fellowship. However, despite this growth, the findings highlight a persistent gender gap, with men significantly outnumbering women at all levels, especially in advanced qualifications. These trends raise questions about access and equity, emphasizing the need for targeted initiatives to close the gender gap. While constrained by the representativeness and scope of the available data, this study provides a robust foundation for future research to explore the socio-economic impacts of professional certifications in Saudi Arabia, integrating more comprehensive datasets and qualitative approaches to deepen understanding. Full article

18 pages, 1236 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Adaptive Strategies in the Link Between Sexual Harassment and Burnout in Higher Education: A Three-Path Mediation Model

by Abu Elnasr E. Sobaih, Hassane Gharbi, Riadh Brini and Tamer M. Abdelghani

Societies 2025, 15(2), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15020027 - 31 Jan 2025

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Abstract

Like many other sectors, women in higher education have had negative experiences with sexual harassment. This study examines the coping mechanisms used by female lecturer/researchers and their impact on burnout. Based on Occupational Stress Theory, this research specifically analyzes the mediating role of [...] Read more.

Like many other sectors, women in higher education have had negative experiences with sexual harassment. This study examines the coping mechanisms used by female lecturer/researchers and their impact on burnout. Based on Occupational Stress Theory, this research specifically analyzes the mediating role of three coping strategies, i.e., problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, and avoidant coping. A quantitative survey was conducted among 800 Tunisian women teacher-researchers, with 613 complete responses that are valid for analysis. The results revealed that under the influence of sexual harassment, women in Tunisian higher education institutions suffer increased burnout. Structural equation analysis shows that emotion-focused coping has a partial mediation effect, while avoidant coping fully mediates the link between harassment and burnout. This research adds to the literature on sexual harassment and suggests implications for the prevention and support of victims in higher education institutions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gender and Class: Exploring the Intersections of Power and Inequality)

14 pages, 507 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can Trust in Climate-Skeptical Governments Inhibit Pro-Environmental Action? Implications for Public Participation and Democratic Innovations

by Mirko Duradoni, Franca Paola Severino, Gabriele Neri, Maria Fiorenza, Norma Lindemann, Luisa Puddu and Andrea Guazzini

Societies 2025, 15(2), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15020026 - 31 Jan 2025

Viewed by 281

Abstract

In the scientific literature, being a woman and citizens’ trust are factors that are often linked to a higher frequency of pro-environmental behaviors. However, when a government adopts a skeptical narrative on climate change, describing natural disasters as mere ’tragedies’, extreme weather events [...] Read more.

In the scientific literature, being a woman and citizens’ trust are factors that are often linked to a higher frequency of pro-environmental behaviors. However, when a government adopts a skeptical narrative on climate change, describing natural disasters as mere ’tragedies’, extreme weather events as ’bad weather’, and simplifying climate change to ’unpredictable weather’, does citizens’ trust still serve as a factor that promotes pro-environmental behaviors? This study aimed to conduct a sex-sensitive analysis of the relationship between trust in the current Italian government (i.e., Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni) and pro-environmental behaviors related to conservation, transportation, environmental citizenship, and food consumption in a sample of 501 Italian citizens (65.1% cisgender women). This study reveals that greater trust in a climate-skeptical government is associated with lower implementation of pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) and that this effect is less pronounced among women compared to men. These results highlight the importance of considering citizen’s trust in public participation, particularly in contexts where governmental narratives do not favor pro-environmental policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Embedding Public Participation in Planning, Governance and Climate Action: A Cross-Disciplinary Overview)

17 pages, 265 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sociopsychological Analysis of a Highly Vulnerable Category of Adolescents: Victim-Perpetrators of Cyberbullying from a Wide National Survey of Italian Adolescents

by Antonio Tintori, Giulia Ciancimino and Loredana Cerbara

Societies 2025, 15(2), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15020025 - 31 Jan 2025

Viewed by 317

Abstract

The increase in screen time observed in recent years has exposed adolescents to a heightened risk of involvement in cyberbullying, negatively affecting their relational and psychological well-being. This study analyses data from a 2022 representative survey of Italian adolescents employing an interdisciplinary approach. [...] Read more.

The increase in screen time observed in recent years has exposed adolescents to a heightened risk of involvement in cyberbullying, negatively affecting their relational and psychological well-being. This study analyses data from a 2022 representative survey of Italian adolescents employing an interdisciplinary approach. Through bivariate analyses and logistic regression models, it investigates the key sociodemographic characteristics of perpetrators, victims, and victim-perpetrators, alongside the sociological and psychological factors associated with these roles. The findings reveal that cyberbullying victimisation disproportionately affects girls and foreign adolescents, though it spans across various family backgrounds, age groups, and school types. Of particular concern are those who are both perpetrators and victims (14.2%), as they represent the most vulnerable group. These adolescents, who react to online and offline violence with further online aggression, suffer from poor-quality relationships, adherence to racist stereotypes, tolerance for violence, and scarce psychological well-being, in terms of low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. The study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive prevention and intervention strategies, highlighting the crucial role of teachers and parents in in addressing and mitigating the impact of cyberbullying. Full article

13 pages, 248 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Using the Conference on the Future of Europe to Consider a Multilingual Continental Deliberative Model

by Lionel Cordier

Societies 2025, 15(2), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15020024 - 31 Jan 2025

Viewed by 367

Abstract

This article examines the linguistic and political dimensions of deliberation at a transnational level, using the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) as a case study. The CoFoE, held from 2021 to 2022, involved European citizens deliberating in 24 official languages of [...] Read more.

This article examines the linguistic and political dimensions of deliberation at a transnational level, using the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) as a case study. The CoFoE, held from 2021 to 2022, involved European citizens deliberating in 24 official languages of the European Union. This multilingual setting provides insights into the challenges and opportunities of fostering a multilingual continental democracy. While the European Parliament’s translation services were largely effective, the study reveals how linguistic diversity can both enhance and impede deliberative processes. By comparing the CoFoE with other multilingual forums such as the European Social Forum and traditional European Parliament deliberations, this paper explores the implications of multilingualism on participatory mechanisms and democratic engagement in the EU. This research employs an ethnographic methodology grounded in non-participant observations conducted during Panel 2 of the Conference on the Future of Europe, focusing on field notes, video recordings, and a live interpretation to document the dynamics of deliberative exchanges. The approach aimed to capture the diversity of interactions in plenary sessions and smaller discussion groups. The findings highlight the complex interplay between language use, political representation, and social inclusion, and suggest that true multilingual deliberation requires more than just technical translation services; it demands a commitment to linguistic equity and the accommodation of diverse voices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Embedding Public Participation in Planning, Governance and Climate Action: A Cross-Disciplinary Overview)

16 pages, 587 KiB

Open AccessConcept Paper

Exploring AI Amid the Hype: A Critical Reflection Around the Applications and Implications of AI in Journalism

by Paschalia (Lia) Spyridou and Maria Ioannou

Societies 2025, 15(2), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15020023 - 28 Jan 2025

Viewed by 792

Abstract

Over the last decade, AI has increasingly been adopted by newsrooms in the form of different tools aiming to support journalists and augment the capabilities of the profession. The main idea behind the adoption of AI is that it can make journalists’ work [...] Read more.

Over the last decade, AI has increasingly been adopted by newsrooms in the form of different tools aiming to support journalists and augment the capabilities of the profession. The main idea behind the adoption of AI is that it can make journalists’ work more efficient, freeing them up from some repetitive or routine tasks while enhancing their research and storytelling techniques. Against this idea, and drawing on the concept of “hype”, we employ a critical reflection on the lens often used to talk about journalism and AI. We suggest that the severe sustainability crisis of journalism, rooted in growing pressure from platforms and major corporate competitors, changing news consumption habits and rituals and the growing technologization of news media, leads to the obsessive pursuit of technology in the absence of clear and research-informed strategies which cater to journalism’s civic role. As AI is changing and (re)shaping norms and practices associated with news making, many questions and debates are raised pertaining to the quality and plurality of outputs created by AI. Given the disproportionate attention paid to technological innovation with little interpretation, the present article explores how AI is impacting journalism. Additionally, using the political economy framework, we analyze the fundamental issues and challenges journalism is faced with in terms of both practices and professional sustainability. In the process, we untangle the AI hype and attempt to shed light on how AI can help journalism regain its civic role. We argue that despite the advantages AI provides to journalism, we should avoid the “shiny things perspective”, which tends to emphasize productivity and profitability, and rather focus on the constructive synergy of humans and machines to achieve the six or seven things journalism can do for democracy. Otherwise, we are heading toward “alien intelligence” which is agnostic to the core normative values of journalism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence in Participatory Environments: Technologies, Ethics, and Literacy Aspects)

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22 pages, 1613 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Intersection of AI, Ethics, and Journalism: Greek Journalists’ and Academics’ Perspectives

by Panagiota (Naya) Kalfeli and Christina Angeli

Societies 2025, 15(2), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15020022 - 25 Jan 2025

Viewed by 699

Abstract

This study aims to explore the perceptions of Greek journalists and academics on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Greek journalism, focusing on its benefits, risks, and potential ethical dilemmas. In particular, it seeks to (i) assess the extent of the use [...] Read more.

This study aims to explore the perceptions of Greek journalists and academics on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Greek journalism, focusing on its benefits, risks, and potential ethical dilemmas. In particular, it seeks to (i) assess the extent of the use of AI tools by Greek journalists; (ii) investigate views on how AI might alter news production, work routines, and labor relations in the field; and (iii) examine perspectives on the ethical challenges of AI in journalism, particularly in regard to AI-generated images in media content. To achieve this, a series of 28 in-depth semi-structured interviews was conducted with Greek journalists and academics. A thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes and patterns. Overall, the findings suggest that AI penetration in Greek journalism is in its early stages, with no formal training, strategy, or framework in place within Greek media. Regarding ethical concerns, there is evident skepticism and caution among journalists and academics about issues, such as, data bias, transparency, privacy, and copyright, which are further intensified by the absence of a regulatory framework. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence in Participatory Environments: Technologies, Ethics, and Literacy Aspects)

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9 pages, 399 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of the 1742–1743 Plague Epidemic on Global Excess Deaths and Social Dynamics in the City of Córdoba and Along the Camino Real Between Buenos Aires and Lima

by Jorge Hugo Villafañe

Societies 2025, 15(2), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15020021 - 24 Jan 2025

Viewed by 391

Abstract

The 1742–1743 plague epidemic profoundly impacted populations along the Camino Real, the main colonial trade route connecting Buenos Aires and Lima, with Córdoba, Argentina, as a critical focal point. This research examines the multidimensional repercussions of the epidemic, emphasizing its demographic, social, and [...] Read more.

The 1742–1743 plague epidemic profoundly impacted populations along the Camino Real, the main colonial trade route connecting Buenos Aires and Lima, with Córdoba, Argentina, as a critical focal point. This research examines the multidimensional repercussions of the epidemic, emphasizing its demographic, social, and economic consequences. Utilizing parish records as primary sources, this study quantifies the excess mortality, revealing a dramatic increase, with death rates in Córdoba peaking at 12 times the pre-epidemic average in May 1743. Marginalized groups, particularly enslaved and Indigenous populations, were disproportionately affected, which exacerbated existing social inequalities. Through a comprehensive analysis of historical data, this study contributes to understanding epidemic responses in colonial Latin America, illuminating how public health crises intersect with demographic and socio-economic structures. The findings provide insights that are relevant to contemporary public health perspectives on crisis management and resilience, highlighting how historical epidemics offer valuable understanding into the social dynamics of health emergencies. Full article

5 pages, 162 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial: Cultural Differences and Migrant Mental Health in the Age of COVID-19

by Vsevolod Konstantinov and Andrés Alexis Ramírez Coronel

Societies 2025, 15(2), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15020020 - 23 Jan 2025

Viewed by 439

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–2023 has become a worldwide tragedy [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Cultural Differences and Migrant Mental Health in the Age of COVID-19)

19 pages, 274 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experiences and Meanings of the Existence of a Generation of Women

by Eduardo Duque and José F. Durán Vázquez

Societies 2025, 15(2), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15020019 - 22 Jan 2025

Viewed by 376

Abstract

This study examines a generation of women born in the 1940s–1950s in the Braga region, northern Portugal. It analyzes their relationships with family, school, work, leisure and consumption, and religion. The sample considers generation, gender, and social class, focusing [...] Read more.

This study examines a generation of women born in the 1940s–1950s in the Braga region, northern Portugal. It analyzes their relationships with family, school, work, leisure and consumption, and religion. The sample considers generation, gender, and social class, focusing on low, medium-low, and medium classes, which predominate in Portuguese society. A qualitative methodology was employed, using Focus Groups and Open Interviews to understand how subjects interpret their life experiences in the analyzed areas and how these experiences’ meanings transform across generations. The initial hypothesis, supported by previous and current research, is that people of the same generation share certain bonds, manifesting in a particular way of being and understanding the world. This distinguishes them from other generations, creating complex intergenerational relationships. These relationships are sometimes oppositional, while other times they result in breaks or separations, and most of the time they transform the experiences and the meaning of the existence of the subjects involved. This reality is what we propose to describe and analyze in the present text, taking as reference the generations of women mentioned above. Full article

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Societies, Volume 15, Issue 2 (February 2025) – 11 articles

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