Abstract: Despite the expectation that young people will exercise their agency as they transition into adulthood, young forced migrants encounter administrative, legal and normative borders that impede their ability to shape their life courses. The present article aims to explore these borders, their consequences, and the ways in which young migrants can surmount these obstacles. Based on quantitative data from the French survey Trajectoires et Origines 2 as well as on interviews and observations conducted in Rennes (France), we outline the disruption of young migrants’ life courses. The findings highlight a porous border of adulthood that seems specific to young migrants’ experiences. Whether they arrived in France feeling as adults or not, they either feel that they were brought back to a state akin to that of a child or that their transition to adulthood was accelerated and their childhood robbed. Nevertheless, young migrants can leverage different strategies to regain control over their life trajectories. The present study demonstrates that artistic practices may act as a catalyst for the exercise of agency.

Abstract: Divorce represents a significant life transition with profound implications for emotional well-being, social stability, and economic security. This study examines the emotional, social, and economic realities of divorced women in Abu Dhabi, focusing on four major post-divorce challenges: financial insecurity, emotional distress, co-parenting difficulties, and struggles in forming new relationships. Utilizing data from the 5th Cycle Quality of Life Survey, this research explores how these challenges impact key well-being indicators, including life satisfaction, subjective health, mental well-being, social trust, and economic stability. The findings reveal that financial insecurity emerged as the most significant post-divorce struggle, with divorced women experiencing lower life satisfaction, increased stress, and greater financial instability, particularly among older individuals and those without a college degree. Co-parenting challenges were most pronounced among middle-aged women (35-49 years old), reflecting the complexities of managing childcare and legal custody post-divorce. Non-Emirati women were disproportionately affected by financial pressures, likely due to reduced access to social safety nets, while Emirati women reported higher stress related to co-parenting responsibilities. Social reintegration challenges were also evident, with women facing emotional distress and difficulty in forming new relationships reporting reduced social trust and increased reliance on digital platforms for engagement. Additionally, religious practices emerged as a coping mechanism, particularly among those struggling with social stigma and isolation. These findings highlight the multidimensional impact of divorce on women's well-being and underscore the need for targeted policy interventions, including financial assistance programs, mental health support, co-parenting resources, and social reintegration initiatives. By addressing these key challenges, policymakers can better support divorced women in achieving long-term stability and well-being.

Abstract: This paper intends to review social science studies of emergency evacuations to discuss the difficulties in understanding them as panic and to point out the continued misunderstandings in several computer and engineering science publications when panic is used to model them. The paper first presents five usages of panic in social science literature. It then shows how the conceptualization of one of these approaches on the panic flight, which assumes the prevalence of nonsocial and self-centered behaviors during crisis evacuations, has been transformed by recent studies of emergency evacuations from buildings to show that they are best understood as social behavior in which people exhibit means-end rationality and social solidarity, and as the behavior of collectivities of socialized individuals moving towards sources of actual or perceived safety. The conclusion suggests first that the continued usage of the irrationality formulation by a minority of engineers and computer scientists writing on the topic of emergency evacuation and their use of "herding," or the notion that during dangerous conditions, people follow the actions of others, leading to conformity, is not supported by a majority of findings in the social sciences, and second, that a likely solution to the disconnect between the two science communities is the increasing adoption of transdisciplinary collaborative research designs.

Abstract: The rapid development of digital technology has provided new opportunities for rural labor non-farm employment and income growth, thereby offering a viable pathway to narrow the income gap. This paper focuses on the impact mechanisms of digital technology infrastructure on rural labor employment and income gap in China since 2012. A dual analytical framework combining macro- and micro-level perspectives is adopted. Provincial panel data (2012-2023) are used to assess the aggregate impact of digital technology on income gap, and individual-level data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) are employed to investigate how digital technology adoption facilitates the transition of rural labor to non-farm employment. The results indicate that digital technology significantly narrows the urban-rural income gap, with each unit increase in digital technology advancement corresponding to an approximately 11.9% reduction in the income disparity. Furthermore, digital technology substantially promotes non-farm employment--the adoption of digital tools increases the probability of non-farm employment by 20.13 percentage points. Specifically, the contributions of information acquisition channels and skill enhancement channels to non-farm employment are 2.26% and 6.91%, respectively. This study provides theoretical and empirical foundations for future policy research on digital technology popularization and rural labor employment.

Abstract: This review paper examines two underutilized yet transformative drivers in addressing the climate crisis: (1) the role of cultural belief systems in fostering large-scale behavioral shifts toward sustainability, and (2) the use of participatory Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods to mitigate natural disaster risks, such as flooding. Despite their potential, both areas remain largely untapped. The first driver stems from persistent inertia in behavioral change, prompting the 2023 IPCC Report to call for an ‚inner transition‘—a cultural shift in which deeply held values shape socio-ecological behavior, encouraging individuals to move away from business-as-usual lifestyles. However, the mechanisms behind such a transition remain unclear, and empirical support for this approach is still emerging. The second driver highlights the untapped potential of advanced computational techniques in developing intelligent solutions for worsening ecological crises. AI development is often expert-driven, disconnected from societal needs and lived realities. To bridge this gap, inclusive technology co-design—engaging all societal groups, especially those most affected by climate change—is crucial. Additionally, effective mechanisms for networking, amplifying, and scaling these efforts are essential. This paper proposes an integrated, multi-method framework that unites both drivers, offering a novel approach to accelerating progress in climate action.

Abstract: Objective. Evaluate the validity and reliability of the Household Water Insecurity Experiences Scale (HWISE) as a tool to assess the experiences of households and the Argentine population regarding insecurity in access to water. Material and methods. The scale was administered as part of the Argentine Social Debt Survey (EDSA), on a probabilistic sample of 5,799 households. Results. The HWISE scale proved to be reliable globally and in each of its items (Cronbach's Alpha of 0.95 at a total level and greater than 0.94 in each of the items), and criterion validity in terms of correlation with a broad set of indicators of social deprivations, sanitary infrastructure, food insecurity, and psychological health. Finally, the scale showed internal consistency, with a total Omega coefficient value of 0.96, suggesting that all scale indicators refer to the same concept of deprivation in water access. Conclusions. The HWISE scale applied to the case of Argentina is deemed appropriate for estimating household water insecurity.

Abstract: The standard chi-square test, developed by Pearson (1900) determines whether significant differences exist between frequencies of data categories, each containing unique subjects. In other words, each subject provides data for only one category. This stipulation prevents analysis of longitudinal data pertaining to subjects’ categorization at more than one point in time. The McNemar test (1947) produces a chi-square value that, in contrast to the Pearson chi-square value, accounts for dichotomous data from a single sample measured twice. Although extremely beneficial for data analysis, the McNemar test cannot be used for situations involving more than two measurements of the sample. This article, therefore, establishes a formula to compare dichotomous data from three or more trials involving the same subjects. An example demonstrates the formula’s applicability in a three-trial situation. Further expansion of the formula used for this example, as described in subsequent text, makes it possible to evaluate differences in repeated-measures frequencies for any number of trials.

Abstract: A far-right populist nativist party is currently holding tangible powers, dictating the ambitions, content and process of Swedish politics. Nasty politics including hate speech and hate crime is systematically used to radically change politics and governance. In acts of demonisation and dehumanisation, the prime minister and other top political leaders use hate speech to silence scientist, journalists and activists in the public debate on climate policy. Embodying and resonating with my personal experiences of far-right hate speech and hate crime, I qualitatively analyse testimonies of 50 victims of hate speech and hate crime to understand the nature of nasty rhetoric. To victims, nasty rhetoric is perceived as an asynchronous or coordinated swarm of instants that keep coming in a vertical temporality. It leaves many victims with fear of crime and anxiety from not knowing when life will go normal. They resign or stay silent in the public policy debate. Nasty rhetoric also ignites anger, a holy wrath, radicalising some victims. Not to turn violent, but to intensify peaceful protests to pursue their science-based argumentation for strong climate policy. Thus, nasty rhetoric victimisation can also be seen as a traffic cone. Some victims hide in the wide end and turn silent, others use it to speak louder to backfire on the perpetrators of nasty rhetoric.

Abstract: In this essay we critically analyze the methodological and epistemological assumptions of qualitative data analysis. We develop the analysis taking into account the most popular approaches to qualitative analysis in academia and their theoretical implications, as well as criticisms sustained from neopositivist positions. Our thesis is based on the methodological and epistemological utility of the systematic skeptical approach as a critical and constant questioning of qualitative findings to certify the conclusions of qualitative research. We develop an epistemological-methodological analysis of the systematic skeptical approach and detail its value for the scientific legitimacy of largely qualitative studies, taking into account its relevance for evaluating the quality and validity of qualitative findings. We delve into key issues of qualitative analysis such as validity, reliability and objectivity. We discuss the challenges of demonstrating these qualities in a largely qualitative approach versus a quantitative one. We conclude by highlighting the importance of the systematic skeptical approach and how it is key to granting scientific legitimacy to qualitative data analysis.

Abstract: Transdisciplinary approaches have constituted a cornerstone of sustainability research in recent years. Tackling grand societal challenges, research in living labs promises innovations in real-world settings. In order to enable these innovations, living labs require the adoption of key design principles in everyday research, such as participation, co-creation and real-life experimentation, often resulting in challenges in terms of collaboration. Our study focuses on identifying and explaining the key challenges faced in everyday collaboration using data generated in a living lab research project targeting the transition to climate neutrality within the scope of a city corporation. Data was generated predominantly from twenty in-depth interviews and participant observations. The challenging reactions in transdisciplinary collaboration are manifest in uncertainties, frustrations, overburdening, tensions, conflicts and disengagement. Our analysis shows that these reactions are shaped by (1) heterogeneous interpretations of key living lab concepts, (2) heterogeneous perspectives on sustainability interventions, (3) difficulties in role positioning and allocation, (4) emergence of instrumentalisation and over-identification, and (5) embedded complexities of living lab governance. We argue that these proto-challenges are constitutive and implicitly inscribed into the key design principles of living lab research. By interpreting living lab research as an intrinsically wicked problem, we suggest three different strategies to cope with the challenges of collaboration: mitigate, embrace, tolerate.

Abstract:

Restorative justice has emerged as a comprehensive response to the over-incarceration of Indigenous peoples in Canada. Landmark developments – such as the 1999 Gladue decision and the creation of Indigenous People’s Courts (IPC) – have reshaped sentencing by integrating factors like discrimination and adverse socio-economic conditions. Beyond legal reform, restorative justice addresses colonial legacies and social inequalities. This article examines its role in recent Canadian initiatives – specifically the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and the Sentencing Reform Act (both enacted in 1996) – and draws on three months of fieldwork at the Indigenous People’s Court in Ottawa. The analysis focuses on the pivotal role of counseling and innovative restorative or communitarian programs within the IPC framework. Notably, many cases leading to trial do not stem from initial infractions but from failures to comply with conditional sentences under the Gladue principles – which emphasize diversion, probation, and “restoration” through counseling. The flexible notion of restoration – achieved by promoting resilience – facilitates ongoing behavioral profiling and supports emerging networks of experts. These mechanisms broaden the penal net by considering individual backgrounds more deeply and by expanding the range of interventions available that are not perceived as punitive sentences. It is proposed a nuanced perspective that views restorative justice and punitive measures as convergent, thereby revealing policy biases and contributing to the expansion of the penal system and its selectivity.

Abstract: This paper contributes to the literature on simultaneous processes of production and consumption – otherwise known as ‘prosumerism’ – in the context of sustainability transformations. We argue that prominent work on prosumerism in recent years has exhibited ‘capitalocentrism’ and that addressing this bias can bring alternative economic strategies to light. We proceed to define ‘postcapitalist prosumerism’, outline its potential importance in thinking about eco-social transformation, and identify a number of tentative underlying characteristics, including re-embedding and reterritorialising socio-economic activities, politicising technology, promoting participatory and collaborative governance. Empirical highlights are drawn from two recent projects on prosumer practices related to Community Renewable Energy (CRE) and Community Manufacturing (CM), respectively. We conclude that postcapitalist prosumerism is a heuristic concept which can be useful to explore the transformative potential of sustainable social innovation.

Abstract:

Women empowerment, a central focus in the pursuit of gender equality, has been significantly influenced by globalization in recent decades. This abstract explores how globalization has facilitated the advancement of women's rights and opportunities across various sectors. Through increased access to education, employment, and technology, globalization has opened new avenues for women to participate in the global economy and public life. However, this process is not without challenges, as the benefits of globalization are often unevenly distributed, with marginalized groups facing additional barriers. The paper examines how globalization, while offering opportunities for economic independence and social mobility, also exposes women to new forms of exploitation and inequality. It highlights key case studies of women in developing regions, illustrating both the empowering and disempowering aspects of globalization. The study suggests that to achieve true women’s empowerment, it is crucial to address the systemic issues that persist globally, ensuring that the benefits of globalization are inclusive and equitable.

Abstract:

Quality of Life (QOL) is a multifaceted concept encompassing a variety of factors that affect the overall well-being of individuals. The interrelationship between QOL and sustainable development is essential for promoting long-term social well-being and environmental protection given that QOL is the ultimate goal of sustainable development. This study aims to examine the impact of food security, spiritual well-being, access to health care, economic opportunities, social connections, and community assets on QOL. Data was collected through telephone surveys conducted in Guilford County, North Carolina in 2023. The ISAC Analysis Procedure and Best-Worst Scaling methods were used to identify and rank these factors in terms of their impact on QOL. The analysis revealed that spiritual well-being is the most important contributor to QOL, followed by access to health services and economic opportunities, while food security has a moderate impact. Social connections and community assets were identified as the least influential factors. The study also identified four distinct personalities representing different demographic groups, each with unique priorities and needs related to QOL factors. These findings emphasize the need for targeted policy interventions that consider the specific needs of different demographic segments to effectively improve QOL. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers aiming to efficiently allocate resources and design tailored strategies that promote social well-being through sustainable development practices.

Abstract: Intimate partner violence (IPV) continues to be a serious public health issue, particularly in Ghana. It is crucial to create evidence-based, preventative measures to stop this practice. The study empirically investigated the factors related to married women's perceptions of wife-beating or IPV. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (Goal 5.2) advocate for its elimination by governments, hence the study to monitor the progress being made. The study employed cross-sectional secondary data from Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) conducted in 2018 with a sample of 14237 women aged 15-49. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions, and results were presented in odds ratios (OR) with a confidence interval (CI) of 95%. Women's justification for IPV was correlated with socio-demographic factors such as education level, marital status, age of the woman, area of residence (rural), ethnic background, and economic disadvantage (wealth status). Higher educated women (OR 0.248 [95% CI 0.185-0.332, p 0.001]) were less likely to justify IPV than women with no/less formal education. Women who were in the richest quintile (OR 0.766 [95% CI 0.634-0.926, p = 0.006]) were less likely than those in the poorest/lowest quintile to rationalize/justify intimate partner violence. In terms of ethnicity of the household head, the Ga/Dangme (OR 0.86 [95% CI 0.714-1.036, p= 0.112]) had lower odds of justifying IPV compared to the Akan. The government, through the Ministry of Gender and Child Protection and women’s advocacy groups, should devise strategies, programs, and policies to empower women through formal education and economically through job training and employment support for women and victims to help them achieve financial independence and reduce negative attitudes and prevalence.

Abstract:

Although Zimbabwe has made significant progress regarding a policy framework that caters for the needs of people with disabilities through various pieces of legislation such as the Disabled Peoples Act (DPA), ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD) and adopting a new constitution which have provisions for disability rights, people with disabilities in Zimbabwe are yet to benefit from these policies as they are not fully implemented. Focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 youth aged between 18 to 35 with disabilities and 5 key informants in Gweru, to analyse their perceptions regarding disability policy framework in Zimbabwe. Most of the youth with disabilities lacked knowledge on the various policies on disability. This was attributed to poor implementation of such policies and a general negative attitude of society towards disability rights. Youth with disabilities are not fully benefiting from the current disability policies due to a lack of knowledge and some implementation gaps. The participants suggested full implementation of such policies and involvement of youth with disabilities in policy formulation and implementation.

Abstract: Climate change has become a prominent global issue, garnering the attention of governments and their populations due to persuasive scientific evidence concerning its sources and effects. Despite the fact that a strong commitment to finding ways of reducing individual emissions is an important element for coping with climate change, initiatives to enhance public awareness of climate issues and engage them in climate activities seem to be overlooked. Individuals' reactions to climate change are influenced by their understanding of its causes, consequences, and implications, which are impacted by public communication on the subject. However, the public discourse on climate change is problematic due to insufficient comprehension and oversimplification. There is also widespread debate regarding the causes and implications of climate change. Moreover, there is a scarcity of published literature on climate change communication in developing countries. To address these information gaps and current discussions, an analysis was performed on 397 articles from Vietnamese online newspapers. The research employed content analysis and framing to examine the communication of climate change to the public in Vietnam over the last two decades. The findings indicated an anthropocentric framing of climate change, highlighting institutional solutions and rendering a psychological distance for the general public. Moreover, the pervasive propaganda advocating for eco-friendly solutions and methods may generate an optimistic perception that this issue can be resolved without altering individual habits.

Abstract: Autonomy is an important factor in promoting the spatial reconstruction of industry associations' development. However, the Internet industry association's ability to play an active and functional role is insufficient, which is rooted in limited space for autonomy development. Through a case study of the W Association in Guangdong Province, China, it is concluded that the ideas and strategic judgments of key groups in the Internet industry association are consistent with government governance objectives in certain areas, gaining space for autonomy participation; by carrying out extensive social activities and consolidating the foundation of core business, autonomy resource extraction is formed; achieving a parallel development of stable political connections and government reverse dependence strategies, while paying attention to interaction and cooperation with social forces to enhance autonomy capacity building; relying on market-oriented means and professional service levels, shaping industry influence and promoting the implementation of autonomy development strategies.

Abstract: This study was conducted to understand how rice farmers living in the highlands of Lake Toba, both as irrigated and non-irrigated rice farmers, began not to follow the traditional knowledge (TK) that they had for generations due to climate change. They develop ways to adapt and use specific strategies to maintain rice as a source of income and their lives. Using a qualitative research approach with a total of 130 respondents. Convenience and purposive sampling were used to identify potential respondents, and thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Data was collected through interviews with rice farmers about every process of growing rice, from sowing seeds to harvesting by separating filled and empty rice seeds. The results revealed that both categories of rice farmers have their behavior in dealing with climate change but found similar views in adjusting traditional knowledge (TK), such as to cope with rice planting and crop failure, joining farmer groups, not relying on climate change information, changing crop varieties and pumping system. On the one hand, this study shows that rice farmers can still maintain their livelihoods with different infrastructure (irrigation and non-irrigation). On the other hand, climate change is interpreted with the fading of traditional knowledge (TK) and changes in new strategies to cope with it. This research implies that the government, through its populist policies, should be able to see the vulnerability of rice farmers to climate change. They can only survive for a subsistence life without being able to improve the economic welfare of the family. Future studies can be extended to the entire Lake Toba highland region, specifically supporting traditional knowledge in rice farming by collecting different perspectives, and quantitative approaches can be used to gather more perspectives of broad opinions.

Abstract:

Background: Ableism obstructs employment equity for disabled individuals. However, despite protective legislation, research lacks a comprehensive understanding of how ableism multidimensionally manifests across job types, disability types, stages of employment, and intersecting identities. Objectives: This scoping review examined how ableism affects disabled workers and jobseekers, as well as its impacts on employment outcomes, variations across disabilities and identities, and best practices for addressing these. Eligibility Criteria: Included articles were 109 peer-reviewed, empirical studies conducted in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland between 2018 and 2023. Sources of Evidence: Using terms related to disability, ableism, and employment, databases searched included Sociology Collection, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Web of Science, SCOPUS, Education Source, Academic Search Complete, and ERIC. Charting Methods: Data were extracted in tabular form and analyzed through thematic narrative synthesis to identify study characteristics, ableist barriers within employment, intersectional factors, and best practices. Results: Ableism negatively impacted employment outcomes through barriers within the work environment, challenges disclosing disability, insufficient accommodations, and workplace discrimination. Intersectional factors intensified inequities, particularly for BIPOC, women, and those with invisible disabilities. Conclusions: Systemic, intersectional strategies are needed to address ableism, improve policies, and foster inclusive workplace practices.