👥IMSPARK: Hawai'i Prioritizing Civic Education 👥

👥Imagine... Hawai'i Prioritizing Civic Education 👥

💡 Imagined Endstate: 

A Hawaii where civic education is prioritized, ensuring that every citizen is informed, engaged, and empowered to contribute to the community’s future.

🔗Link: 

Civil Beat Article

📚Source: 

Civil Beat. (2023, November 29). Prioritize Civic Education — But They Need More Help. 

💥 What’s the Big Deal: 

Civic education is crucial for nurturing informed and active citizens who can meaningfully participate in democratic processes🗳️. The article highlights the urgent need for enhanced support for civic education programs in Hawai’i🏫. Despite efforts, many students lack the resources and opportunities to fully understand their roles as citizens🌺. By prioritizing civic education, Hawai’i can cultivate a generation of engaged and knowledgeable individuals who can drive positive change and uphold democratic values🌍. This initiative is not just about education; it’s about empowering communities, fostering civic responsibility, and ensuring a resilient democratic society. Comprehensive civic education programs equip students with critical thinking skills, an understanding of governmental structures, and the motivation to participate in civic duties, ultimately fortifying the democratic fabric of society🧠. By investing in these educational foundations, Hawai’i can set a powerful example of community-driven change and inspire other regions to follow suit.

#CivicEducation,#PacificEducation, #CommunityEngagement, #EmpoweredCitizens, #DemocraticValues, #EducationForAll, #SustainableFuture,#IMSPARK,

(IMOA) Open Access: Sometimes Gray is not only Gray

  

(IMOA) Imagine Pacific Original Article 

Open Access: Sometimes Gray is not only Gray 

By James E. Faumuina, MBA, MPA 

Editor, Imagine Pacific Pulse    

7/24/2024

Access to current research is crucial for academic inquiry, with peer review as a hallmark of scholarly rigor. However, it's essential to acknowledge Ph.D. students and academics' challenges in navigating the vast and diverse landscape of literature sources. This discussion aims to shed light on these challenges and explore the roles of peer-reviewed journals, scholarly books, open-source materials, and gray literature in shaping research practices and information dissemination in academia. It leads us to question: is gray literature indeed as gray as its name suggests?

The peer review process equips professional academics with access to current research. However, Ph.D. students face limitations due to barriers to literature access (Marsh, 2015). Acknowledging that journal articles are the foundation for scholarly writing(Kaiser & Presmeg, 2019), articles that have gone through peer review should be utilized (Kelly et al., 2014). This is primarily because academic journals endure the rigor of the peer review process (DePoy & Gitlin, 2020). Lindgren (2014) provides an added benefit of peer review regarding the reliability of information, ensuring that what is taken from the peer-reviewed article is not subject to becoming vapor theory.

Much like the reliability gained by peer-reviewed articles, an added merit and dimension of scholarly books is what Paul & Elder (2004) described as depth. Currently, search tools such as Wikipedia (Lindgren, 2014) provide what Harris (2022) would consider superficial. Books tend to deliver consistency for readership, which Harris (2022) calls flowing. Though Harris attests that the peer review process is less rigorous for books, Paul and Elder provide an additional strength in that books provide structure and systems (Paul & Elder, 2004).

Though open-source and widespread press availability appeal, students risk compromising validity by relying on them for research (Depoy & Gitlin, 2020). Therefore, while it is recommended to use open source during the brainstorming and mapping process (Queirós et al., 2017), limiting its use to peer-reviewed books and chapters might restrict access to new and topical information.

Concerning gray literature, Marsh (2015) offers several examples of formats that can be considered. In the pursuit of a universal definition, these examples provided by Marsh could be described as non-traditional resources, as they do not undergo peer review. These types of literature include research reports, government white papers, and studies. If there is a prevailing benefit of gray literature, it provides additional value to institutional repositories. The promise of open access lies in how it enhances the value of institutional repositories, to the extent that it might even complement or eventually replace the mechanism of peer reviews.

To advocate for access in all forms, open access offers the benefit of serving as what Marsh considers a single source for students, faculty, and academic staff (Marsh, 2015). The drawback of institutional repositories is the reluctance of creators to contribute to the body of literature, potentially diluting the field's most current concerns and contributions.

From the perspective of research into the field of Global Resilience, gray literature holds significance in developing a current body of literature, with work conducted on the Sendai Framework, Economic Inclusion, and Disaster Risk Reduction(Aspen, 2021; United Nations, 2015; Valavanidis, 2023). Open-access articles provide more timely currency in innovation, aligning with what Paul and Elder (2004) would consider an essential exercise of the tenet of relevancy.

In conclusion, the debate surrounding literature access in academic research reveals the critical role of peer-reviewed journals as pillars of reliability and rigor. While scholarly books offer depth and consistency, open-source and gray literature provide valuable supplementary insights but require cautious validation. The advent of open access presents promising opportunities to significantly enhance the accessibility and relevance of research across institutional repositories, potentially reshaping scholarly communication dynamics. As academia navigates these diverse resources, it remains imperative to uphold standards of rigor and integrity, ensuring that research continues to evolve with the highest standards of scholarly practice.

Reference:

Aspen Instute, T. (2021). Building as Inclusive Financial System: A Global Economic & Social Imperative for this Decade. Aspen Institute.

DePoy, E., & Gitlin, L. N. (2020). Introduction to Research (6th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.

Harris, S. R. (2022). How to Critique Journal Articles in the Social Sciences. SAGE Publications, Inc. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781071878743

Kaiser, G., & Presmeg, N. (Eds.). (2019). Compendium for Early Career Researchers in Mathematics Education. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15636-7

Kelly, J., Sadeghieh, T., & Adeli, K. (2014). Peer review in scientific publications: Benefits, critiques, & a survival guide. The Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, 25(3), 227–243.

Lindgren, S. (2014). Crowdsourcing Knowledge Interdiscursive Flows from Wikipedia into Scholarly Research. Culture Unbound, 6(3), 609–627. https://doi.org/10.3384/cu.2000.1525.146609

Marsh, R. M. (2015). The role of institutional repositories in developing the communication of scholarly research. OCLC Systems & Services: International Digital Library Perspectives, 31(4), 163–195. https://doi.org/10.1108/OCLC-04-2014-0022

Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2004). And the Art of Close Reading, Part III. Journal of Developmental Education, 28(1), 36–37.

Queirós, A., Faria, D., & Almeida, F. (2017). Strengths And Limitations Of Qualitative And Quantitative Research Methods. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.887089

United Nations. (2015). Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015—2030.

Valavanidis, A. (2023). World Bank Report: Extreme Poverty is Rising Again. Scientific Reviews.

James is the owner of Imagine Pacific Enterprises and the Editor of Imagine Pacific Pulse (IMPULSE). He is a retired Lt Col, Hawaii Air National Guard. Former medical administrator, planner, program manager, and operations officer. Graduated from the USAF Air War College and is currently a Ph.D. student in the in Troy Global Leadership Program. He can be contacted at jfaumuina@troy.edu 

💼 IMSPARK: Diversifying the Pacific’s Economy for Sustainable Growth 💼

💼 Imagine: Diversifying the Pacific’s Economy for Sustainable Growth 💼

💡 Imagined Endstate: 

A future where Hawaii’s economy thrives through diverse industries, ensuring sustainable growth, resilience, and prosperity for all communities.

🔗 Link: 

Read the full report here

📚 Source: 

UHERO. (2024). Potential Opportunities to Diversify the Economy of Hawaii. Retrieved from https://uhero.hawaii.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/PotentialOpportunitiesToDiversifyTheEconomyOfHawaii.pdf

💥 What’s the Big Deal: 

Hawaii’s economy has long been reliant on tourism, which makes it vulnerable to global economic fluctuations and environmental challenges. The UHERO report identifies key opportunities to diversify Hawaii’s economy, including renewable energy, technology, and agriculture 🌿. By investing in these sectors, Hawaii can create sustainable jobs, reduce its carbon footprint, and enhance food security👩‍🌾. Diversifying the economy will not only protect against future economic downturns but also ensure a more resilient and self-sufficient Hawaii.

The renewable energy sector presents vast potential for harnessing Hawaii’s abundant natural resources like solar and wind power, reducing dependence on imported fuels🌞. The technology sector can spur innovation and attract high-tech jobs, fostering a knowledge-based economy. Enhancing the agricultural sector can improve local food production, reduce reliance on imports, and support local farmers. Embracing these opportunities will help build a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable economy that benefits all residents of the Pacific islands🌊. This forward-thinking approach ensures that Hawaii can weather economic storms and lead by example in sustainable development.

#ResilientHawaii, #SustainableGrowth, #EconomicDiversification, #RenewableEnergy,#Innovation, #PacificProsperity,

#UHERO,#IMSPARK

🏥IMSPARK... Radiology Innovation in the Pacific🏥

🏥Imagine... Radiology Innovation in the Pacific🏥

💡 Imagined Endstate: 

A Pacific region where cutting-edge diagnostic radiology enhances healthcare outcomes, ensuring early detection and precise treatment for all communities.

🔗 Link: 

Read the full article here

📚 Source: 

MedPage Today. (2024, June 20). AI in Radiology: Revolutionizing Diagnostics. 

💥 What’s the Big Deal: 

Diagnostic radiology is transforming by the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced imaging technologies🤖. This revolution holds significant promise for the Pacific region, where healthcare access can be challenging due to geographic and resource constraints. With its ability to streamline diagnostic processes, AI-driven radiology is also a reassuring presence in reducing human error and providing faster, more accurate results🌐. 

This means complex conditions such as cancers, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular diseases can be detected at earlier stages, significantly improving treatment outcomes and survival rates📈. Moreover, implementing these technologies can help address the shortage of specialized radiologists in remote areas by providing support through AI-assisted interpretations. 

By leveraging AI, healthcare systems in the Pacific can ensure that high-quality diagnostic services are accessible to all📊, bridging the gap in healthcare disparities and fostering a future where timely and precise healthcare is a reality for every Pacific Islander.

#PacificRadiology, #HealthcareInnovation, #AIinHealthcare, #RadiologyRevolution, #DiagnosticExcellence,. #EquitableHealthcare, #PacificHealth,#IMSPARK,

🤖IMSPARK… Pacific Communities Safeguarded by AI-Driven Flood Predictions🤖

 🤖Imagine… Pacific Communities Safeguarded by AI-Driven Flood Predictions🤖

💡 Imagined Endstate: 

A future where AI technology proactively predicts floods and facilitates rapid financial assistance to Pacific communities, minimizing disaster impacts and enhancing resilience.

🔗 Link: 

Google using AI to predict floods and send families cash before disaster hits

📚 Source: 

Fast Company. (2024). Google using AI to predict floods and send families cash before disaster hits. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/91144047/google-using-ai-to-predict-floods-and-send-families-cash-before-disaster-hits

💥 What’s the Big Deal: 

The Pacific region, facing the devastating effects of natural disasters, particularly floods🌊, is in urgent need of innovative solutions. With climate change exacerbating these threats, the role of AI in predicting floods and providing preemptive financial assistance, as demonstrated by Google, is a game-changer for vulnerable Pacific communities.

This AI system can accurately forecast flooding events by leveraging advanced machine learning algorithms and real-time data, providing crucial early warnings. This proactive approach allows residents to prepare and evacuate if necessary, significantly reducing the risk to life and property🏠. Additionally, the system facilitates the swift distribution of financial aid to families before the disaster strikes, ensuring they have the resources needed to secure their homes💵, gather essential supplies, and cover evacuation costs.

This technology enhances immediate response capabilities and fosters long-term resilience by enabling communities to recover faster and more effectively📡. The integration of AI in disaster management represents a significant step towards mitigating the impacts of climate change in the Pacific, promoting safety, and enhancing the well-being of its residents.

The collaboration between tech giants like Google and local governments is pivotal in scaling these innovations across the Pacific🌅. By adopting and adapting AI-driven solutions, Pacific nations can build a future where technology safeguards their communities, turning potential devastation into manageable challenges.

#PacificResilience, #AIPredictions,#DisasterPreparedness, #FloodSafety, #CommunitySupport,#ClimateAdaptation,#IMSPARK, 

🛠️IMSPARK: Pacific Infrastructure Resilience in Action🛠️

🛠️Imagine… Pacific Infrastructure Resilience in Action🛠️

💡 Imagined Endstate: 

A Pacific region fortified with robust, secure, and resilient critical infrastructure that withstands natural and human-made threats, ensuring the safety and well-being of its communities.

🔗 Link: 

National Security Memorandum on Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience

📚 Source: 

The White House. (2024, April 30). National Security Memorandum on Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/04/30/national-security-memorandum-on-critical-infrastructure-security-and-resilience/

💥 What’s the Big Deal: 

The National Security Memorandum on Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience highlights the urgent need for fortified infrastructure to protect communities against escalating threats. For the Pacific region🌊, this initiative is crucial. Enhancing infrastructure resilience is paramount with its unique geographic challenges, such as vulnerability to natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes, and its strategic importance. This memorandum calls for a collaborative effort to strengthen and protect essential services, ensuring that the Pacific can thrive despite adversity🚨.

In the Pacific, critical infrastructure such as transportation networks, communication systems, and energy grids are lifelines that connect remote communities, support local economies and facilitate disaster response and recovery🏗️. The memorandum highlights the integration of advanced technologies, such as AI and IoT, to monitor and secure these infrastructures in real-time, providing early warnings and rapid response capabilities🔒. It also underscores the critical need for comprehensive training and simulations to enhance response strategies, ensuring that local authorities and first responders are well-prepared for any eventuality.

Furthermore, fostering regional cooperation is essential for addressing cross-border challenges and sharing best practices. By working together

🤝, Pacific nations can build a unified front against common threats, leveraging collective resources and expertise to bolster resilience. This holistic approach enhances security and promotes sustainable development by ensuring that infrastructure investments are resilient and future-proof.

By prioritizing these measures, the Pacific can enhance its security, promote sustainable development, and ensure the continuous well-being of its residents🌍. This initiative represents a significant step towards a more resilient and secure future for the Pacific, demonstrating a commitment to protecting the region’s people, environment, and way of life.

#PacificResilience #InfrastructureSecurity #CommunitySafety #SustainableDevelopment #RegionalCooperation #CriticalInfrastructure #IMSPARK

🔬 IMSPARK: Unveiling New Climate Insights🔬

🔬 Imagine... Unveiling New Climate Insights🔬

💡 Imagined Endstate: 

A world enlightened by groundbreaking climate science, guiding targeted actions for environmental preservation and sustainability.

🔗 Link: 

Explore the Research

📚 Source: 

Nature. (2024). Latest advances in climate science. Nature, 602, 92-95.

💥 What’s the Big Deal: 

The article from "Nature" dives into transformative research in climate science that could redefine our approach to global warming🔬. This cutting-edge research not only enhances our understanding of climate patterns but also proposes novel strategies for mitigation and adaptation🌿. From innovative geoengineering techniques to breakthroughs in carbon capture technology, these insights are pivotal for shaping policies and actions that could effectively combat climate change📊. As our planet faces unprecedented environmental challenges, such informed science is vital for driving effective global responses, ensuring a habitable Earth for future generations.

#ClimateScience, #Sustainability, #Innovation,  #EnvironmentalResearch, #NaturalBasedSolutions, #globalwarming, #ScienceFrontier, #IMSPARK, 

🏛️ Imagine a Future Empowered by Federal Climate Action🏛️

💡 Imagined Endstate: 

A robust society where federal initiatives drive climate resilience, safeguarding communities against the evolving threats of climate change.

🔗 Link: 

Read the Full Document

📚 Source: 

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2024). Climate resilience and mitigation: The federal perspective.

💥 What’s the Big Deal: 

The document outlines a comprehensive federal strategy aimed at bolstering climate resilience across the United States🛡️. With an increasing frequency of extreme weather events, the federal government's role in climate mitigation is more crucial than ever📈. This strategy involves enhancing infrastructure, promoting sustainable practices, and integrating climate considerations into public health and safety frameworks🌍. By aligning federal resources and policies with climate resilience goals, the strategy aims to reduce vulnerabilities, especially in the most affected communities, ensuring a safer, more sustainable future for all🌱.

#ClimateAction, #FederalInitiative,#SustainableFuture,#CommunitySafety, #EnvironmentalPolicy, #ResilienceBuilding, #PublicHealth,#IMSPARK,