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- Håkansson, Michael, 1967-
(författare)
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Politisk tendens, politiskt ögonblick och kreativitet : Studier av miljö- och hållbarhetsundervisning
- 2016
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis takes its point of departure in the political dimension in Environmental and Sustainability Education (ESE). In the research field different views exist – containing both similarities and differences – regarding what is meant by ‘the political’ in the context of educational practice. What do different authors, policymakers, practitioners etc. mean when they refer to ´the political´ within the context of ESE? The ambiguity that characterises the discussions on the political dimension of (environmental and sustainability) education can impede and blur both research and professional reflection. This can create confusion, particularly amongst teachers, and a clarification of ‘the political’ through an investigation of how it appears in educational practice is vital.The thesis contributes with an educational typology and an analytical model of political moments to identify how the political dimension may emerge in different ways in educational practices. As part of these models the thesis also contributes with two theoretical-analytical concepts – educative moment and creativity – to be used to further discuss how education can use the political to explore new values and new behaviours regarding environmental and sustainable concerns.The theoretical frames of the thesis are poststructural and pragmatic theories, foremost by Chantal Mouffe and John Dewey. The thesis is especially built on a pragmatist and anti-essentialist approach, which argues that we socially construct the meaning of right and wrong, and of what works better in our lives in problematic situations. The thesis has four purposes and the results are presented in four studies. The first purpose examines how Environmental Sustainability Education (ESE) research literature conceptualize the political dimension, and how these findings impact the political dimension as educational content in teaching and learning activities in ESE practice. The second purpose examines different situations in which the political can be handled and experienced in environmental and sustainability education practice. This purpose is dealt with in the second study and the result is a didactical typology called the political tendency. The third purpose is to examine the political and politics in teaching and learning activities, both cognitive and emotional, about antagonism, conflicts, inclusion and exclusion. This purpose is dealt with in the third study and the results are illustrated by empirical examples. The fourth purpose examines the idea of creativity in relation to the political dimension, i. e. where new values can emerge or evolve. These purpose is dealt with in study 2, 3 and 4 and the results are presented as two theoretical-analytical concepts: educative moments and creativity concerning the political dimension in ESE.My ambition is that this thesis will contribute to the discussion about how teaching and learning activities that include a political dimension in ESE can use the presented models to identify educational content of the political dimension, and to further understand how individuals create their relation to their social and physical surroundings. Another ambition is to contribute to philosophical and methodological discussions about the relation between the political dimension, meaning making and embodiment within environmental and sustainability education.
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| 2. |
- Håkansson, Niclas
(författare)
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Occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields and chronic diseases
- 2003
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis consider two exposures from the electromagnetic spectrum extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF MF) and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. ELF MF are the lowest and UV radiation ranges among the highest frequencies of non-ionizing radiation. The exposure prevalence of these fields is high in the general population. Most people are exposed daily to either or both types and potential health effects are of great concern. The aim of the thesis was to study occupational exposure to ELF MF and UV radiation in relation to cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and cardiovascular diseases. A cohort with an increased prevalence of individuals highly exposed to ELF MF was created in order to be able to study exposure-response relations. In all, four cohort studies and one case-control study were performed. Exposure-response relationships were found for occupational ELF MF exposure and certain cancer diseases: malignant brain tumors among women, tumors of the pituitary gland among men. Welders were at an increased risk of tumors of the endocrine glands. The outcome might indicate an interaction with the hormonal system. A potential effect of occupational ELF MF exposure in cancer development cannot be rejected. In the study of neurodegenerative diseases, the risk of both amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer s disease increased with increasing exposure to ELF MF. The results confirm previous findings of an association, and further epidemiological studies are needed, preferably based on morbidity data and taking into account potential confounding from e.g. electric shocks. For acute myocardial infarction (AMI), a low level increase in relative risk was found as well as an exposure-response relation. Joint occurrence of ELF MF exposure and a genetic susceptibility for AMI showed a synergistic effect on AMI mortality. Effect modification from e.g. genetic predisposition to the disease deserves to be further explored in studies of ELF MF and AMI. Swedish construction workers exposed to sunlight from outdoor work were at an increased risk of myeloid leukemia, lymphocytic leukemia or non-Hodgkin s lymphoma and stomach cancer. These findings are possibly due to an effect of UV radiation on the immune system. Sunlight exposure was also associated with an increased risk of malignant melanoma of the eye. Extensive research has been carried out in relation to ELF MF. There is yet no evidence of any biological mechanisms that could explain how ELF MF might contribute to cause chronic diseases. Therefore, additional efforts to explore potential pathways are warranted. Also, the question of effect modification from individual sensitivity such as genetic predisposition and interactions with other environmental factors deserves to be further explored.
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