University of Lincoln

About: University of Lincoln is a education organization based out in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 2341 authors who have published 7025 publications receiving 124797 citations.

Room for improvement? Leadership, innovation culture and uptake of quality improvement methods in general practice

Abstract: Background: Leadership and innovation are currently seen as essential elements for the development and maintenance of high-quality care Little is known about the relationship between leadership and culture of innovation and the extent to which quality improvement methods are used in general practice This study aimed to assess the relationship between leadership behaviour, culture of innovation and adoption of quality improvement methods in general practice Method: Self-administered postal questionnaires were sent to general practitioner quality improvement leads in one county in the UK between June and December 2007 The questionnaire consisted of background information, a 12-item scale to assess leadership behaviour, a seven-dimension self-rating scale for culture of innovation and questions on current use of quality improvement tools and techniques Results: Sixty-three completed questionnaires (62%) were returned Leadership behaviours were not commonly reported Most practices reported a positive culture of innovation, featuring relationship most strongly, followed by targets and information but rated lower on other dimensions of rewards, risk and resources There was a significant positive correlation between leadership behaviour and the culture of innovation (r = 057; P < 0001) Apart from clinical audit and significant event analysis, quality improvement methods were not adopted by most participating practices Conclusions: Leadership behaviours were infrequently reported and this was associated with a limited culture of innovation in participating general practices There was little use of quality improvement methods beyond clinical and significant event audit Practices need support to enhance leadership skills, encourage innovation and develop quality improvement skills if improvements in health care are to accelerate

The changing nature of communication and regulation of risk in Europe

Abstract: The regulation and communication of risk have changed significantly over the past 20 years or so, partially as a result of a number of regulatory scandals in Europe and elsewhere, which have led to greater public distrust of regulators and policy‐makers. This increase in public distrust has resulted in a phasing‐out of consensual‐style regulation, and the emergence of a newer model of regulation based on variables including public participation, transparency and increasingly powerful non‐governmental organisations (NGOs). This paper discusses some of the consequences of adopting this new model of regulation through a series of case studies.

Coordination and navigation of heterogeneous MAV-UGV formations localized by a 'hawk-eye'-like approach under a model predictive control scheme

Abstract: An approach for coordination and control of 3D heterogeneous formations of unmanned aerial and ground vehicles under hawk-eye-like relative localization is presented in this paper. The core of the method lies in the use of visual top-view feedback from flying robots for the stabilization of the entire group in a leader-follower formation. We formulate a novel model predictive control-based methodology for guiding the formation. The method is employed to solve the trajectory planning and control of a virtual leader into a desired target region. In addition, the method is used for keeping the following vehicles in the desired shape of the group. The approach is designed to ensure direct visibility between aerial and ground vehicles, which is crucial for the formation stabilization using the hawk-eye-like approach. The presented system is verified in numerous experiments inspired by search-and-rescue applications, where the formation acts as a searching phalanx. In addition, stability and convergence analyses are provided to explicitly determine the limitations of the method in real-world applications.

Citizen Social Science for More Integrative and Effective Climate Action: A Science-Policy Perspective

Abstract: Governments are struggling to limit global temperatures below the 2°C Paris target with existing climate change policy approaches. This is because conventional climate policies have been predominantly (inter)nationally top-down, which limits citizen agency in driving policy change and influencing citizen behavior. Here we propose elevating Citizen Social Science (CSS) to a new level across governments as an advanced collaborative approach of accelerating climate action and policies that moves beyond conventional citizen science and participatory approaches. Moving beyond the traditional science-policy model of the democratization of science in enabling more inclusive climate policy change, we present examples of how CSS can potentially transform citizen behavior and enable citizens to become key agents in driving climate policy change. We also discuss the barriers that could impede the implementation of CSS and offer solutions to these. In doing this, we articulate the implications of increased citizen action through CSS in moving forward the broader normative and political program of transdisciplinary and co-productive climate change research and policy.