University of the West

Purpose This paper evaluates the application of a tiered mentoring model to increase the recruitment and retention of women in male-dominated Degree Apprenticeships (DAs). The aim was to assess whether structured mentoring, alongside outreach, could diversify DAs to fill regional and green skills gaps. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods case study evaluated the “Women in Industry” programme at a UK university in 2024, using demographic/application records and interviews with 17 mentees and 9 mentors across Engineering and Construction standards. Findings Mentees reported greater confidence, visibility and belonging; mentors highlighted reflective practice and cultural awareness. Key themes included navigating male-dominated environments, peer support and role models. In the first six months, female applications across six apprenticeship standards rose by 60%. Originality/value This paper demonstrates that mentoring and representation are important to increase diversity as well as the sheer numbers of people applying to DAs, embedding support structures within employer–university partnerships. The project demonstrates how mentoring can be a dual strategy for recruitment and retention in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) fields, particularly when coupled with inclusive policy shifts and outreach.

Abstract Background Hyperglycaemia and consequently, GDM, is the predominant medical condition encountered during pregnancy in Trinidad and Tobago, leading to significant maternal and neonatal complications. Thus, there was a need to reduce mortality and morbidity through the early detection and management of GDM while empowering women to take long-term control of their health. Methods This cross-sectional study used two-stage stratified random sampling across all five Regional Health Authorities (RHAs). Data were collected via telephone surveys with 323 eligible women aged 18–40 who had received blood glucose monitors between September 2023 and September 2024. Composite scores for knowledge, practice, and satisfaction were derived from validated survey sections. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Tukey’s post-hoc tests, and multiple linear regression models. Sampling weights were applied to adjust for proportional RHA representation. Results Most participants were from SWRHA (28.9%) and NCRHA (28.0%), with the majority aged 25–34 (49.1%). Mean scores were Knowledge = 6.9 (SD = 1.9, possible range 0–11), Practice = 11.5 (2.7, 0–16), and Satisfaction = 49.6 (5.1, 8–56). Older age (\(\:\beta\:\)=0.156, p = 0.006), current pregnancy status (\(\:\beta\:\)=0.114, p = 0.041), and higher perceived prior knowledge (\(\:\beta\:\)=0.198, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher knowledge scores. Older age showed a significant association with diabetes management practices (\(\:\beta\:\)=0.231, p < 0.001). Lower satisfaction scores were observed among women pregnant during the interview (\(\:\beta\:\)=–0.124, p = 0.037) and those diagnosed later in pregnancy (\(\:\beta\:\)= − 0.225, p < 0.001). All analyses were performed using IBM SPSS version 25. Conclusions Among women enrolled in the HSSP-DiP initiative higher knowledge and self-management scores were observed in older participants and those with prior awareness. BMI did not significantly influence knowledge, practices, or satisfaction, which suggests equitable reach across weight categories. However, currently pregnant women and those diagnosed later in pregnancy reported lower satisfaction with their care, indicating a need for more responsive support during late diagnosis and active pregnancy. These findings suggest age-sensitive and timing-specific considerations may be important for improving maternal experiences and outcomes.

Abstract Ocelots, Leopardus pardalis , are Trinidad’s apex predator. This geographically isolated island population is under threat from habitat loss, fragmentation, hunting, and depredation-related conflict. Yet no peer-reviewed studies have assessed their population status in Trinidad. We conducted a dry season camera-trap survey in Chaguaramas, north-west Trinidad, to estimate density, activity, and occupancy. Eight individuals were identified, and spatially explicit capture-recapture models estimated density at 0.24 km⁻² (95% CI 0.09–0.61). Occupancy was high (Ψ ≈ 0.99), whereas detectability was low (p ≈ 0.04). Ocelots were primarily nocturnal and showed greatest temporal overlap with red brocket deer Mazama americana trinitatis , an unidentified murid, and Robinson’s mouse opossum Marmosa robinsoni , but low overlap with red-rumped agouti Dasyprocta leporine. Habitat type and elevation did not influence ocelot occupancy. To capture seasonal variation and improve precision, future surveys should include dry and wet season sampling, reduce camera spacing to increase spatial recaptures and expand coverage to more areas of the island.

Background: Firsthand accounts by autistic people describe a need for regular time alone. However, there is little in the literature that explores (1) why time alone is desired, (2) how that time is spent, or (3) where that time is spent. This article describes a neurodiversity-informed, qualitative study that demonstrates the importance and purpose of “alone-time” for autistic adults. Methods: We interviewed 16 autistic adults living in the United Kingdom about how and where they spent their “alone-time” and the benefits experienced from this time. We conducted the interviews online, some using a video link, and some using a synchronously accessed text-based document, according to the participants’ preferences. Results: We used Reflexive Thematic Analysis with the interview data to generate four qualitative themes as follows: (1) reacting to social and sensory overwhelm; (2) retreating from social and sensory overwhelm; (3) regulating, recovering, and recharging; and (4) ready to reconnect with others. Conclusions: These themes highlight a need for balancing social activities and spaces with time and space alone and the benefits of creating or protecting spaces, which encourage recovery from overwhelm.

Effective coparenting communication after divorce or separation is essential to children’s well-being and post-separation family functioning. While existing literature recognizes coparenting as a contested and culturally embedded practice, limited research has examined these dynamics within Caribbean families. This qualitative study draws on semi-structured interviews with divorced and separated parents in the Trinidad and Tobago to explore how coparents navigate communication, the challenges they encounter, and the cultural influences shaping their interactions. Findings indicate that while coparents often contend with conflict, financial strain, and differing parenting philosophies, they employ adaptive strategies such as third-party mediation, formalized agreements, and reliance on extended family and community networks. Caribbean cultural norms, including gendered expectations and family role ideologies, significantly shape these communication patterns. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of post-separation parenting in Caribbean contexts and offers culturally grounded insights to inform interventions and support systems for families across the region and diaspora.

Brazilian women experience a high level of appearance pressures, which are associated with risky health behaviours and adverse outcomes. Yet, the involvement with fashion clothing, a central aspect of appearance-related practices, has not undergone exploration among Brazilian women. This evokes concern, due to the popularity of image consulting interventions (providing advice on clothing, style, and colour coordination), which could be potentially harmful, given the current lack of understanding regarding the impact of fashion clothing involvement on body image and mental health. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore these associations, whereby 710 Brazilian women (M age = 34.20, SD= 8.70) completed measures of fashion clothing involvement, self-objectification, body shame, disordered eating attitudes, self-esteem and acceptance of cosmetic surgery. Bivariate correlations revealed associations between higher fashion clothing involvement and higher self-objectification, higher acceptance of cosmetic surgery and higher self-esteem. Partial correlations, controlling for self-objectification, revealed higher fashion clothing involvement to be associated with higher self-esteem, lower body shame and lower disordered eating attitudes. Confounding testing suggested that the fashion clothing involvement negative associations may be partially explained by self-objectification. Overall, findings suggest that fashion clothing involvement may be positively or negatively associated with Brazilian women's mental health, highlighting the need for future research to further elucidate this complex relationship.

Abstract Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is a common oculo-visual problem reported among active screen users. This study reports the prevalence of CVS among university students in Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE), Zimbabwe.A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among students in BUSE. Eligible participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Data was collected using a self-administered online questionnaire comprising three sections: socio-demographic information, verified prevalence of computer vision syndrome (CVS-Q), and knowledge and awareness of CVS.Data was collected from 374 undergraduate students. The majority were from the Faculties of Science and Engineering (30.7%) and in second year (32.1%). Smartphones (81.8%) were the predominant devices used. The prevalence of CVS was 35.6% (n = 133), with a higher, prevalence among females (38.7%) compared to males (31.5%, p = 0.158). Most affected students reported moderate symptoms, with headaches, dryness, and blurred vision being the most frequent complaints. While 48.4% of participants had heard of CVS, detailed knowledge remained limited. Significant associations were found between CVS symptoms and prior knowledge of CVS, screen use duration (≥ 5 years), continuous screen use, medium screen size, refractive error, perceived health impacts, and mandated computer program enrolment (all p < 0.001).A considerable number of university students experience CVS with various common symptoms. The presence of Limited knowledge and several modifiable risk factors underscore the importance of targeted education, ergonomic interventions, and routine vision screening within university settings to mitigate the burden of CVS.

Accurate and real time flood prediction in coastal cities remains challenging due to the nonlinear and dynamic nature of the hydrological processes, coupled with limitations in long-term historical data availability. This study introduced a hybrid deep learning model, CNN-Transformer-SKANs, that combines convolutional neural networks (CNNs), Transformer layers, and Swallow Kolmogorov Arnold Networks (SKANs) to forecast the hourly water level in Venice, Italy. The model is trained on two years of high resolution meteorological and hydrological data, including variables such as wind speed, tide level, humidity, atmospheric pressure and prior water level. Comparative results with baseline models such as LSTM, CNN-LSTM, Transformer and their KANs enhanced variants demonstrate that proposed CNN-Transformer-SKANs achieves superior accuracy (Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency, NSE ≈ 0.99; Root Mean Square Error, RMSE <0.03m) and robustness even under reduced training data scenarios and synthetic extreme value simulations, achieving RMSE as low as 0.02-0.03m and NSE up to 0.99, outperforming traditional LSTM and CNN-LSTM baselines (RMSE 0.04-0.07m; NSE 0.90-0.97). The proposed architecture exhibits strong generalization performance, making it a reliable tool for an operational flood early warning system in climate sensitive regions.

ABSTRACT Much research on children’s digital gameplay focuses on measuring detrimental effects, excluding more complex relational dynamics of family literacy practices. Approaches that focus on how families adapt available resources in novel and resilient ways to suit their own socio-cultural aspirations are under-utilised. We partnered with game developers to investigate how parents view emerging AI capacity within games for young children, particularly the degree to which technology increasingly constructs a digital self of users. A story-based learning game with machine learning capacity that adapts to children’s skills and interests was trialled with 11 families. Observations, focus groups and exit survey gave important insight into the ways families adapt traditional literacy practices in game space, and their understanding of AI developments including the tensions they felt between concerns about surveillance, on the one hand, and their desire that children not miss out or fall behind their peers’ developing digital literacy.