Societal ImpactsPub Date : 2025-02-26DOI: 10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100110
Javier Marugán , Cristina Pablos , Loïc Le Goueff , Malad Mohamed Sidi , Fatimetu Omar Mohamed
{"title":"SAHARAPONICS project: Local production of food of high nutritional quality and minimal water consumption in refugee camps in arid areas","authors":"Javier Marugán , Cristina Pablos , Loïc Le Goueff , Malad Mohamed Sidi , Fatimetu Omar Mohamed","doi":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100110","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100110","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Due to water shortages, the Sahrawi refugee communities located in Tindouf (Algeria) suffer structural nutritional deficiencies derived from their diet based mainly on carbohydrates (rice, cereals, sugar) supplied by the World Food Bank due to the logistical difficulties of transport to the Sahara Desert. The SAHARAPONICS project has made it possible to develop systems for the local production of high-quality protein foods (fish) and vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals that can reduce the incidence of anaemia in fertile women in the communities and indicators of propensity to diabetes in the general population. To this end, a low water consumption aquaponic system has been designed based on locally available materials. The project has included the development of assembly and operation documentation in the local language and the training of responsible personnel to ensure the replicability and long-term use of the systems. Although the implementation generates significant changes in the daily lives of the inhabitants, increasing their workload, the long-term benefits, in terms of food security, economic development, and empowerment, outweigh the initial challenges. Beyond the expected impact on the improved use of water, provision of food and improvement of health, the technology also generated economic opportunities for vulnerable communities in a sustainable way. The users' feedback pointed out optimistic evidence and insights into the potential long-term impacts of the technology, supporting aquaponics as a successful concept that shows the community the possibility of producing high-nutritional-value food with very low water consumption using innovative systems based on locally available materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101167,"journal":{"name":"Societal Impacts","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100110"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143511824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Societal ImpactsPub Date : 2025-02-18DOI: 10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100108
Kaya Klaver , Amal Miri , Lore Van Praag
{"title":"“I don’t feel like I have a big role here in Belgium” The societal participation of migrantised women in Antwerp (Belgium)","authors":"Kaya Klaver , Amal Miri , Lore Van Praag","doi":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100108","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100108","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study looks at the societal participation of migrantised women in Antwerp, Belgium, through an intersectional lens, focusing on their roles within civil society organizations (CSOs). Dominant integration discourses, shaped by cultural notions of agency and work, often overlook the contributions of these women, such as ‘hidden voluntary social work’ or unpaid work. Using ethnographic fieldwork and semi-structured interviews, this research – part of a larger (Blinded for review) – to shed light on the diverse ways these women participate in society. Despite their active participation, many feel their contributions are inferior, due to societal barriers, discrimination, and internalized feelings of inadequacy. This study fosters a broader recognition of diverse participation modes in integration policies, using an intersectional lens, and challenges dominant narratives that marginalize these efforts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101167,"journal":{"name":"Societal Impacts","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100108"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143454051","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Societal ImpactsPub Date : 2025-02-12DOI: 10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100107
Prosenjit Kayal , Indrajit Roy Chowdhury
{"title":"Untangling the thread: Exploring maternal healthcare vulnerability amidst unequal health infrastructure in Islampur C.D. Block, Uttar Dinajpur District, West Bengal, India","authors":"Prosenjit Kayal , Indrajit Roy Chowdhury","doi":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100107","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100107","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study explores the spatial disparities in maternal healthcare services within the Islampur C.D. Block of Uttar Dinajpur district, West Bengal, through Geographic Information System (GIS) modeling. The research addresses four pivotal factors: accessibility of healthcare facilities, evaluation of government service areas, identification of underserved regions, and analysis of spatial disparities in healthcare utilization. By employing GIS techniques such as road network analysis, overlay analysis, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the study uncovers the significant influence of population pressure, the distribution of healthcare workforce, and proximity to healthcare facilities on the accessibility and quality of maternal healthcare services (MHCS). The PCA analysis identifies that areas with high population density and limited healthcare resources face considerable challenges in accessing maternal care, highlighting Gaisol-II Gram Panchayat (GP) as the area with the highest level of inequality in service access. In contrast, Gunjaria GP emerges with the highest positive Concentration Index for healthcare access. The study emphasizes the urgent need for targeted interventions, such as equitable healthcare service distribution, balanced allocation of healthcare professionals, and improvements in transportation infrastructure, to address these disparities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101167,"journal":{"name":"Societal Impacts","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100107"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143421077","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Exploring the economic and environmental benefits of Colombo wetlands in urban planning with nature-based solutions","authors":"Chethika Gunasiri Wadumestrige Dona , Geetha Mohan , Kensuke Fukushi , Nadeera Dissanayaka","doi":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100106","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100106","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Floods have become a significant economic and social issue in many cities around the world. Urban wetlands have garnered considerable attention as a nature-based solution (NbS) for urban flood control. However, due to rapid urbanization and the lack of economic recognition of wetlands' flood management functions, their role as an NbS is often undermined by unsustainable urban planning. This study evaluates the role of the Colombo Wetland Complex (CWC) in Sri Lanka as a nature-based solution for managing stormwater in the Colombo Metropolitan Area, and the impact of urbanization on this function. Between 2001 and 2024, the CWC complex has seen a reduction in the average annual area of 0.12 km²/year. Additionally, the unit value of the CWC for flood control purposes is approximately USD 72.08 per square meter. The findings of this study provide crucial insights for a wide range of stakeholders, including urban planners, hydrologists, engineers, decision-makers, environmentalists, and the public. These insights emphasize the economic, ecological, and social benefits of integrating the CWC into urban planning agendas and flood management plans as an NbS, compared to traditional flood intervention methods.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101167,"journal":{"name":"Societal Impacts","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100106"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143154476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Societal ImpactsPub Date : 2025-01-26DOI: 10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100105
Fang Lei
{"title":"Promoting lung cancer screening and smoking cessation among minority population: Methodologies and societal impacts","authors":"Fang Lei","doi":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100105","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100105","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Early detection through lung cancer screening and primary prevention by smoking cessation are critical strategies in reducing its mortality. This paper details our research efforts at the University of Minnesota and previously at the University of California, Los Angeles, focusing on increasing awareness and participation in lung cancer screening and smoking cessation among minority populations. Our research series includes a variety of methodologies such as cross-sectional surveys, qualitative studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and large-scale secondary data analysis studies. By detailing our approaches and initial findings, we aim to highlight the short-term and potential long-term societal impacts of our work, especially in underserved populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101167,"journal":{"name":"Societal Impacts","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100105"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143154475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Societal ImpactsPub Date : 2025-01-18DOI: 10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100104
Marion Dreyer , Christian D. León , Andreas Püttner
{"title":"Conflict management instruments for the energy transition","authors":"Marion Dreyer , Christian D. León , Andreas Püttner","doi":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100104","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100104","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The pressure to act on the energy transition and contribute to clean and affordable energy as one of the Sustainable Development Goals continues to rise. However, the energy transition is a socio-technical challenge that harbors considerable potential for social conflict. To address this issue, this article presents research that has developed a set of options for dealing with existing and possible future conflicts in the energy transition in Germany focussing on the electricity sector. The use of these conflict management instruments, including economic measures, adjustments to different laws, and measures to strengthen participation, can make the transition in this sector more resilient. To increase the chances that this desirable societal impact is achieved, the instruments were developed in a mutual science-practice learning process. The article describes this process which was inspired by transdisciplinary approaches and based on feedback workshops with a variety of practice actors. It concludes by emphasizing that there is a good chance of multiplier effects in relation to a published impulse paper on the key results of this process and promising conflict management instruments. The importance of energy and climate protection agencies participating in the workshops is also emphasized.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101167,"journal":{"name":"Societal Impacts","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100104"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143153926","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Societal ImpactsPub Date : 2025-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100103
Nikolaos A. Kazakis
{"title":"Green approaches to heavy metal removal from wastewater: Microalgae solutions in a circular economy framework","authors":"Nikolaos A. Kazakis","doi":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100103","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100103","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A new research project (ALGEBRA) has been launched, offering a green approach to heavy metal removal from wastewater, aligning with the principles of circular economy. The project involves the use of living cultures of microalgae, i.e., Chlorella vulgaris or Spirulina platensis, for the bioremediation of contaminated water bodies, while cultivating the microalgae at the same time. Experiments are conducted at both laboratory and large scales, under both controlled and real conditions, towards the investigation of the underlying mechanisms. Advanced instruments are used to determine the quantitative and qualitative properties of the produced biomass and the liquid medium. Efforts are also made to explore potential applications of the contaminated or regenerated cells. Machine learning techniques are also employed to analyze the acquired data and develop a model for the prediction of cell growth based on cultivation parameters, which will be validated in real case studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101167,"journal":{"name":"Societal Impacts","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100103"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143153930","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Societal ImpactsPub Date : 2025-01-08DOI: 10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100102
Lars Louis Andersen , Ole Henning Sørensen , Joaquín Calatayud , Rubén López-Bueno
{"title":"Societal impact of micro-exercise for work-related musculoskeletal disorders: The case of Denmark","authors":"Lars Louis Andersen , Ole Henning Sørensen , Joaquín Calatayud , Rubén López-Bueno","doi":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100102","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100102","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) cause widespread pain and suffering worldwide. Ergonomic advice on lifting technique and sitting posture has been ineffective in preventing MSDs. Through a series of studies conducted over 15 years, the National Research Centre for the Working Environment in Denmark has developed and documented the effectiveness of micro-exercise for MSDs across a range of job groups. Micro-exercise refers to brief and manageable bouts of efficient physical exercise that can easily be integrated into the workday, such as strength training with an elastic band. The national communication campaign, ‘Job & Body,’ promoted these exercises across Denmark. National surveillance of the working environment shows a notable increase in workers offered micro-exercise at their workplace, from 15.2 % in 2012 to 25.2 % in 2023. This societal impact reflects the success of continuously refining research to meet workplace needs and overcoming practical, ideological, and cultural barriers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101167,"journal":{"name":"Societal Impacts","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100102"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143153929","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Societal ImpactsPub Date : 2024-12-16DOI: 10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100101
Kanchana Dissanayake , Rudrajeet Pal
{"title":"Toward a just circular economy: Exploring societal implications of used clothing supply chains","authors":"Kanchana Dissanayake , Rudrajeet Pal","doi":"10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100101","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100101","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper explores the societal implications of used clothing supply chains, a topic often overlooked in favor of economic and environmental considerations. Based on the data collected from 20 organizations involved in used clothing supply chains, this study revealed the societal implications concerning three key themes: sustainable lifestyles and environmental justice, circular job creation and skill gaps, and stakeholder engagement for ecosystem development. The findings point to socio-economic dichotomies and propose three strategic imperatives to address them, which include (i) education, training, and awareness, (ii) policy and practice, and (iii) ecosystem collaboration. The findings of this study aim to inspire further discussions and empirical research in this field.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101167,"journal":{"name":"Societal Impacts","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100101"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143153928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Designing a second life: An action research project implementing an employment platform in Japan","authors":"Hiroko Costantini , Nobuhiro Maeda , Mitsuteru Makino , Tatsuya Nakamura , Yoko Nihei , Shogo Hoshi , Yusaku Ohnishi","doi":"10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100099","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100099","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In Japan, with rising longevity actively “designing a second life” is vital including the potential to work, which is key for those retiring from employment and women after child-rearing. This brings vitality to local communities, given demographic trends and the health and well-being benefits of appropriate employment. Yet, existing local labour market mechanisms do not serve well many such individuals. This paper provides insights into an ongoing action research programme to achieve social impact by developing a platform to support people’s second life related to employment. The initial focus is on a city in which to develop a prototype. The approach involves forming a consortium of local stakeholders, and then pursuing initiatives to develop the platform’s two sides: bringing potential employers onboard and attracting people in their second life. In the next phase, the aim is to develop a model to support other cities’ learning and adaptation. The initial priority in the focal city is to have a durable local impact by ‘going slow’ to establish the platform with local stakeholders, to then ‘go fast’ in increasing impact through matching: in practice, however, once established, accelerating impact locally is challenging. Nonetheless, the focal city provides a base for transfer of learning to other cities so as to increase impact on people’s second life and thereby contributing to achieving a sustainable society.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101167,"journal":{"name":"Societal Impacts","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100099"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143153927","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}