This book argues for the positionality of the spirituality of queer Black women through the construction of an ecocosmological spiritual framework.

Conceptualizing the decolonial, Tomeka C. Jacobs travels through space, place, and time to rediscover the parts of queer Black women that have been quieted due to cisheteronormative, patriarchal, hegemonic, misogyny, and misogynoir systems of domination. She reflects on what it means to engage the decolonial through a theological and interdisciplinary lens, which includes epistemology, pedagogy, and ontology. Ecocosmological Spirituality of Southern Queer Black Women: (Re)Membering and Reconnecting Identity serves as a love letter to queer Black women who have often been overlooked in both academic and cultural milieus. Using queer autoethnography and decolonial methods, this book takes the reader on a journey of becoming. Jacobs presents themes of belonging, identity, healing, pain, joy, disconnection, reconnection, and the practice of (re)membering in the ecocosmological sphere. As an art form, she relies on scholars from disciplines beyond the scope of theology to address theological concerns and conscious positioning. This book is a call to unlearn, disconnect, deconstruct, and then (re)member, reconnect, and construct in life-giving, life-affirming, and life-altering ways.

This volume explores Paul's use of Scripture and Roman imperialism, finding hermeneutical and theoretical clarity and a fresh understanding of peace in Romans. Dain Alexander Smith interprets Romans with postcolonial intertextuality to reveal that Romans employs a consistent textual strategy for discussing the gospel, justice, and peace. Smith thus focuses on 12:17-13:14 and 14:17-19, to provide the reader with fresh interpretive insights on the text of Romans.

Smith proposes that Romans presents a political theology of peace that is intertextually "double-voiced", that the pairing of peace and justice in Romans is primarily informed by the political discourses of LXX Isaiah and LXX Psalms, but suggesting that this pairing is also presented in contrast to the Roman Empire's political ideals, as exemplified in the Pax Romana. Ultimately, Smith argues that placing Romans in postcolonial-intertextual dialogue reveals that Paul's ethics construct a community that represents the justice and peace of God's eschatological kingdom in contrast to the justice and peace of the Roman Empire.

This volume explores the range and richness of sexualities evoked in the biblical texts and their reception history. Contributors utilise theoretical and hermeneutical approaches to engage with different aspects of sexualities in/and the Bible, including the beliefs, behaviours, and bodies that haunt both the texts and their interpretive traditions.

The contributors cover themes that have previously been subject to much debate in biblical scholarship, such as LGBTQI+ identities, heterosexuality, marriage, sexual violence, and circumcision, but it also engages with issues that tend to receive less scholarly attention, including asexuality, homoeroticism, voyeurism, sex work, masturbation, menstruation, pornography, disability, mental health, and reproductive justice. Written from a diversity of disciplinary perspectives, including biblical studies, sexuality studies, theology, religious studies, gender studies, cultural studies, disability studies, psychology and philosophy, each chapter offers fresh, and at times surprising, insights about sexualities in/and the Bible and its reception history.

Bernd Huppertz brings together psychologists in organizational psychology to examine and address the psychology components of organizations.

This book examines systems of psychodynamic institutions at work, the history of organizations, leadership and group relations, and how to promote healthier dynamics.

This book offers a multidimensional analysis of task engagement in second language (L2) teaching and learning, with a particular focus on task-based language teaching (TBLT). It revisits key task-based theories and critically reviews the literature through the lens of task engagement, before presenting empirical findings on the factors that shape learners' engagement during task performance. The book offers theoretical and methodological insights into researching task engagement and links these insights to pedagogical implications for task design and implementation, as well as suggestions for teacher training and professional development. Bridging theory, research, and practice, this book helps researchers, language teaching practitioners, and postgraduate students develop a nuanced understanding of the nature and dynamics of task engagement in TBLT. It also provides practical guidance on how to design and implement L2 tasks that effectively engage learners in both face-to-face and virtual learning environments.

This book explores how sustainable urban development can drive global progress toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 by enhancing cities and communities. Through an integrative focus on public spaces, sustainable transportation, urban resilience, and cultural heritage, it presents actionable strategies and case studies from diverse global regions that address inclusivity, safety, and accessibility in urban environments.

This work examines how visual and sensory documentation of public spaces can improve perception, accessibility, and safety, by presenting insights on AI technologies and 3D simulations, it reveals how sensory design and mental mapping help create environments that feel more welcoming and secure, thereby fostering broader social engagement and utilization of these spaces, emphasizing the role of sustainable transportation and inclusive urban planning in supporting local economies and promoting tourism. Furthermore, the book delves into the critical relationship between urban resilience and the preservation of cultural and natural heritage, underscoring that resilient cities are better able to maintain and protect their historical assets, revealing strategies for safeguarding these treasures, offering examples from Europe, Latin America, and North Asia.

Through scenario analysis and urban risk management, it provides a roadmap for integrating urban resilience with cultural heritage conservation, ensuring these sites remain intact for future generations while boosting their appeal as tourist destinations. Green and public spaces are highlighted as pivotal components for sustainable tourism and social development, with a focus on creating "smart" cities that integrate green spaces designed to promote social interaction and enhance public health.

The book examines how urban spaces can be optimized to foster social cohesion, improve public well-being, and support economic growth. By discussing roles of stakeholders in advancing sustainable tourism creating urban environments that are not only visually appealing but also functionally inclusive and beneficial for communities, it concludes by exploring integrative approaches and future pathways for sustainable urban development, offering recommendations for policymakers, urban planners, and scholars.

This edited volume offers a timely and comprehensive exploration of Eastern Europe's evolving role in shaping the global political, economic, and security landscape. It presents a multi-dimensional analysis of the region's strategic importance, positioned as a bridge between East and West, amidst ongoing geopolitical realignments and international uncertainty. Through rigorous research and engaging case studies, contributors examine how the region's integration into global systems, such as the European Union, NATO, and international trade and technology networks, has positioned it as a critical player in the 21st century. From the Russia-Ukraine conflict and NATO expansion to the rise of Eastern Europe's innovation hubs and soft power diplomacy, this book sheds light on both visible and underexplored dimensions of the region's influence. It not only analyzes current developments but also anticipates future trends, offering actionable insights for global governance, economic development, and security planning.

This book offers a comprehensive, interdisciplinary framework for addressing the global burden of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Bridging neuroscience, mental health, and policy, this volume responds to the urgent need for integrated disability care, particularly in the wake of a post-COVID-19 surge in MDD cases worldwide.

The book explores advanced neurobiological insights, such as prefrontal-limbic dysfunction and fMRI-guided interventions, alongside evidence-based mental health strategies, including stigma reduction, cognitive-behavioral therapies, and digital health tools. Emphasizing person-centered care, it provides practical guidance for curriculum development, telehealth integration, and empowerment-driven approaches, with a focus on equity and access in low-resource settings.

Structured across seven chapters, the volume covers foundational disability care, neurological and mental health perspectives, systems-based integration, person-centered models, empowerment strategies, and policy innovations. Designed for clinicians, educators, researchers, and policymakers, this SpringerBrief equips readers with actionable tools to enhance resilience, recovery, and inclusive care for individuals living with MDD-related disability.

By combining rigorous science, innovative practice, and policy reform, this book fills critical gaps in the literature and serves as an essential resource for advancing disability care in mental health globally.

This edited volume addresses the development of young language learners' oracy which strengthens their abilities to speak and listen and use spoken language to deepen thinking and engagement with their world. It offers theoretical and pedagogical perspectives on oracy development and proposes ideas for teaching listening, speaking and thinking in contexts. The book consists of four parts: (1) Research and pedagogical overviews, (2) Classroom practices for the teaching of oracy, (3) Technology for the teaching of oracy, and (4) Developing thinking through oracy. Collectively, the authors address the teaching and learning of oracy in classroom settings as well as teacher-scaffolded informal learning beyond the classroom. With concise chapters written by international scholars and practitioners, this book is a valuable reference for teacher educators, teachers, graduate students and language education researchers interested in oracy. It is both empirically- and practice- driven, informed by theories of oracy development and the authors' own research and teaching experience. Although the discussions are mainly based on the teaching and learning of English, language educators and researchers of other languages may also find the theoretical and pedagogical perspectives in the book relevant. With its diverse global perspectives on developing oracy, this edited volume will contribute to current understanding of language development of young learners in a variety of second / foreign language and bilingual education contexts.

This book offers a comprehensive exploration of Chinese Buddhist rituals and their pivotal role in shaping both Chinese Buddhism and broader Chinese culture. Translated from the revised and enlarged Chinese edition of Zhongguo hanchuan fojiao liyi by Shengkai (Commercial Press, 2020), it addresses a significant gap in current scholarship: the underrepresentation of ritual practices in the study of Chinese Buddhism's development.

While previous research has largely focused on doctrinal, philosophical, and ethical dimensions, this volume emphasizes ritual as a dynamic site of cultural interaction. It argues that the encounter between Indian and Chinese civilizations during Buddhism's transmission to China was not merely theoretical but deeply embodied in ritual forms. These ceremonies served as a medium through which foreign religious ideas were localized, negotiated, and ultimately integrated into Chinese society.

Despite the abundance of surviving ritual texts, the book highlights the difficulty of reconstructing how these rituals were performed in practice. It calls attention to the need for a more nuanced understanding of ritual as lived experience, not just textual tradition. By foregrounding ritual, this book contributes to a richer, more holistic view of Chinese Buddhism and its cultural legacy.

This book investigates the urban crises of food insecurity and vacant land by examining how community gardens in Berlin and Rio de Janeiro serve as vital mechanisms for realizing the human right to food. Through a comparative study conducted between 2019 and 2023 involving 40 participants, the research explores urban commons' practices and how they address dimensions of food availability, accessibility, acceptability, and sustainability. The findings reveal distinct motivations and effects shaped by local socioeconomic contexts: while Berlin's gardens are primarily driven by socialization and environmental concerns, Rio de Janeiro's gardens focus on food security and social empowerment. Despite the differences, both cities demonstrate a shared commitment to agroecological production as a tool for urban resilience. Ultimately, the study confirms that urban food-sharing practices in these spaces advance the right to food across various dimensions, highlighting the urgent need for urban governance that protects community gardens to foster a global social-ecological transformation.

In 1955, Georges Bataille's Prehistoric Painting: Lascaux; or, The Birth of Art was published. It was the first comprehensive survey of the Lascaux cave, with lavish color photographs, and immediately translated into English for the international market. Bataille's text drew on concepts he had developed over the past thirty years, creating in the process one of the strangest publications on prehistoric art to ever be printed. This book is the first thorough contextualization of Bataille's work on Lascaux, positioning it within the vibrant post-War intellectual scene in France, and demonstrating how the concept of prehistory was a cornerstone of his thoughts from the late 1940's until his passing in 1962. Georges Bataille; or, The Birth of Art is an essential read for those interested in the connection between prehistory and Bataille's understanding of universal history, eroticism, expenditure, the birth of the sacred, and art making.

This book analyzes the contribution of cultural policy and the creative sectors of contemporary cities from the most advanced theories and concepts of cultural and urban sociology. Specifically, the book focuses on the phenomenon of cultural clustering, the transformation of urban cultural institutions and the emergence of artistic neighborhoods, taking the city of Barcelona as the object of study and paradigmatic of this process. Barcelona reveals the great possibilities that culture has to transform a post-industrial city into a tourist and service center, highlighting the contribution of politics and cultural institutions in this transformative process The limits, unexpected effects, and resistances to these dynamics that mark a new stage of culture in the 21st century of today's metropolis, are also confronted. This is a timely review of the main theoretical-methodological debates of the cultural field, applied to an urban context considered as a "cultural city" and in constant urban revitalization.

This book confronts one of the defining challenges of super-aged societies: the surging number of older adults living alone in Japan, the global leader in population aging. It delivers a rigorous, data-driven exploration of why solitary senior living is accelerating, how social isolation takes root, and what actionable policies can foster inclusion. Blending sociology, gerontology, ethics, and comparative policy analysis, it unpacks the intertwined forces fueling Japan's loneliness crisis-demographic shifts, eroding traditional family structures, evolving cultural values, economic strain, and the psychology of active and passive isolation. Using large-scale quantitative data, logistic regression, and grounded-theory interviews, the study reveals how loneliness, financial stress, and declining health create a vicious cycle that undermines senior well-being. Beyond diagnosis, it evaluates Japan's long-term care systems and anti-isolation policies, pinpointing successes and critical gaps. A pivotal comparison with China illuminates why some policy strategies transfer seamlessly while others falter without cultural and ethical adaptation. For researchers, policymakers, social welfare practitioners, and anyone invested in the future of aging societies, this book offers a comprehensive framework, cross-national lessons, and actionable recommendations to reframe aging as an ethical imperative-one that prioritizes dignity, autonomy, and inclusion for all solitary seniors.

This book provides an in-depth and timely analysis of a relevant and controversial issue: the relationship between European Union values and international law. It examines whether and to what extent the EU succeeds in influencing international law by upholding and promoting its values (listed in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union) globally, as explicitly provided for in Article 3(5) and in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union, through its international agreements. In particular, the book focuses on the free trade agreements concluded by the Union with States and other regional organisations. The reason for this choice is based on the assumption that this is the area where the EU can make the most effective use of its soft power, which derives from its commercial strength and namely from the attractiveness of the access to its internal market. What makes this volume unique is its approach to the topic, tracing the historical and philosophical foundations of European values, both from a historical perspective and through comparative legal analysis. This solid foundation enables the reader to gain an in-depth understanding of the values that the Union seeks to promote in the wider world. Thus, the analysis looks at how selected core values-such as democracy and the rule of law, peace and security, human rights and minority protection, sustainable development, data protection, dispute settlement, and respect for international law-are incorporated and promoted through EU free trade agreements. It investigates both the impact of individual agreements on the domestic legal orders of partner States and the cumulative effect of EU FTAs on the broader development of international law, questioning whether they contribute to shaping a rules-based multilateral order aligned with EU normative commitment. This reflection is particularly relevant and necessary in today's international context, which is marked by crises that challenge the very notion of a global order based on common principles and values.

This book offers a valuable resource for practitioners and academics, particularly those interested in international law, EU law, international trade law, as well as history of law, constitutional law, comparative law and international relations. In addition, the book contains policy recommendations, which makes it particularly useful for decision-makers and policy advisors.

This open access book examines the role of international law in Central Asian affairs and sheds new light on human rights issues in Central Asian politics. It provides various case studies on Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The book is divided into eight parts: Part I sets the context, and places the subsequent chapters in a broader context of decolonisation and development. Part II offers an overview of the role of international law in Central Asia, its relationship with domestic law, and the role of international organisations in its development in the region. Part III discusses selected issues pertaining to regional security. Part IV discusses some human rights developments in Central Asia, including social and economic, labour, digital, and family rights. Part V is devoted to international criminal law, and offers an overview of Uzbekistan?s experience in combating money laundering. Part VI on international trade and investment law discussed the WTO rules on fisheries subsidies, taxation in Central Asia, and stabilisation clauses in mining contracts. Part VII deals with international legal standards of animal welfare, and discusses several environmental case studies in Central Asia. Finally, Part VIII discusses the role of international law as an academic discipline in the region.

This edited volume explores the multifaceted dimensions of sexuality and its expressions through a range of social contexts. The authors investigate language(s) and bodies as vessels for research as postulated by carnal sociology (Wacquant, 2005), exploring the intricate relationship between language, sexuality and the mediatisation of the latter (De Ridder, 2017) and focusing on how these elements intertwine to shape our understanding of sexual narratives, sexual health, sex positivity, and sexual identities. Questions raised in this volume include:

• What are contemporary forms of gatekeeping in translation and ethnographic practices when dealing with sexual content?
• How does censorship in communication affect the representation of sexualities?
• How is sexuality presented in translation and ethnographic studies?
• Which innovative methods are being used in translation and ethnography when studying bodies and Others?

The authors explore how sexuality and desire manifest, along with their potential biases and resulting knowledge gaps, through practical methods, established best practices and lived-experience testimonies from diverse backgrounds. They examine the translation of sexual terms across several loci of expression (e.g. audiovisual translation, literature, digital sexual identities); discriminatory uses of language and censorship; and ethnographic experiences concerning sex, gender, desire and intimacy. This book will be relevant to professionals and researchers in the fields of Translation/Literary Studies and Ethnography/Social Sciences.

This book offers a groundbreaking moral analysis of the metaphysical empire-a concept that captures the lingering cultural and intellectual dominance of colonialism in postcolonial Africa. Drawing on African philosophy and ethics, Frank Aragbonfoh Abumere examines how colonial legacies continue to shape identity, culture, and thought, often in ways that are morally problematic. Rather than viewing the metaphysical empire solely through political or metaphysical lenses, Abumere approaches it as a moral phenomenon, evaluating whether it is ethically acceptable, reprehensible, or neutral. Through a nuanced exploration of African cultural identity, colonialism's enduring legacy, and the contested meanings of decolonization, the book challenges readers to reconsider the moral dimensions of cultural interaction and appropriation. It engages with both critics and defenders of the metaphysical empire, ultimately asking whether decolonization is a moral obligation or an unnecessary pursuit. This timely and thought-provoking work contributes to African philosophy, postcolonial theory, and decolonization studies, offering fresh insights into the ethics of empire and cultural transformation.

This handbook provides a comprehensive examination of age diversity at work. As with the previous edition, this fully updated and expanded resource remains unique in its coverage of multiple perspectives on this issue. It considers generational and ageing approaches to age diversity, and a variety of disciplinary perspectives.

This book contains contributions from leading scholars from across the world to discuss recent research findings about the nature and impact of age diversity, and how to manage this phenomenon. It contains both updated and entirely new chapters that reflect emerging research streams and contemporary issues related to age diversity and work, including menopause and work, flexible and hybrid working, post-COVID changes, sustainable work, workability approaches, third age entrepreneurship, and digitalisation and emerging technologies. It will be of great importance to scholars and students of HRM, diversity and inclusivity, organisation studies and sociology of work.

The contemporary geopolitical order is marked by profound instability: international law appears fractured and largely ineffective, might is often right as power prevails over principle. This book identifies one fundamental reason for the apparent gangsterish anarchy- lack of enforcement power for international institutions and the primary premise of international law being that of an effectively absolute national sovereignty. Drawing on the political philosophies of Hobbes and Kant this books advances a bold proposal: the creation of a supranational world authority endowed with genuine enforcement powers. Such an authority would require states to cede voluntarily limited aspects of sovereignty essential for sustaining global peace and addressing shared interdependent challenges. Far from being utopian, this vision finds precedent in and could be modelled upon the European Union, whose supranational institutions offer both lessons and cautionary tales for designing a global framework.

The book can be a starting point for a truly innovative and in our day much needed reflection on the future of geopolitical relations; and it sketches how a worldwide political cooperation, concretely inspired by values of solidarity and peace might be put in place. This book will be of interest to scholars of political theory, of international relations and of international law as well as political leaders and policy-makers the world over who are seeking truly lasting peace and prosperity.

This book examines the prospects and challenges of administering elections in Nigeria during the Fourth Republic. It highlights persistent flaws in the electoral process-lack of transparency, fairness, accountability, and popular participation-rooted in historical and systemic issues. The authors explore these problems from multiple perspectives, addressing the historical antecedents of Nigeria's democratic journey and proposing reforms to strengthen credibility. Key discussions include election observation and monitoring, the role of media, and the introduction of technology in voting systems. The book also analyzes the influence of incumbency on electoral outcomes and the complexities of party politics, such as ethnic and religious sentiments and intra-party conflicts during primaries. Additionally, it reflects on how practices from the military era continue to shape electoral manipulation. By combining historical insight with contemporary analysis, the book offers a comprehensive understanding of Nigeria's electoral challenges and pathways toward reform.

This technical book is designed to help you prepare patent or utility model applications on your own. It explains the required components of an application and provides suggested wording. Numerous practical examples offer additional guidance. The structure of the book follows the recommended process for drafting an application.

First, it describes how to present the state of the art in the application. The state of the art represents the starting point for the creation of the invention. By examining the state of the art, the inventor identifies shortcomings that lead to the invention. These shortcomings define the objective of the invention. This development process of the invention must be reflected in the application.

The next step in drafting the application is a description of the various embodiments of the invention. Finally, the claims are formulated. This sequence has the advantage that the most challenging step-drafting the claims-comes last. By this point, the inventor has a thorough understanding of the different aspects of the invention, which makes writing the claims significantly easier.