This ethnographic study explores the ways in which a group of social actors participate in the everyday life of a woodland nature reserve, the relationships they establish with each other, the way they engage with the nonhuman materiality of the woodland and how they are affected by this engagement. An autoethnographic approach was taken which was based on the researcher’s immersion in the research setting. This made possible a deep understanding of the affective experiences of the research participants and facilitated an appreciation of the meanings of the woodland materiality for informants which were often ‘beyond words’. The study focussed on a group of staff and volunteers and the everyday practical tasks that they engaged in which were mainly coppicing the reserve’s ancient woodland and ecological surveying and monitoring of its woodland and wildlife. These activities are central to the everyday life of the reserve and take place in the context of the environment and wildlife conservation cultural fields. They are conceptualised as core activities and generate fulfilment for those who engage in them. The analytical framework used brings together the concepts of habitus (Bourdieu, 1997), dwelling (Ingold, 1993), and ‘becoming with’ (Despret, 2004; Haraway, 2008) and allows an understanding of how informants’ habitus (both general and specific) derived from the cultural fields they experienced during childhood and in employment, shape not only their participation in the everyday life of the reserve but also how this participation is experienced and their ways of being-in-the-woodland. These last are analysed as occupying a spectrum from an instrumental relationship, through becoming with and dwelling fleetingly to dwelling. Dwelling is associated with a woodland habitus. One of my key findings is that involvement in the practices of wildlife conservation immerses social actors in a nonhuman woodland world that for most transforms their way of being-in-the-world.

Background The world’s ageing population is frequently cited as presenting economic and social burdens and critical challenges to healthcare systems, with falls and mental health featuring as two of the biggest burdens. Whilst physical activity is recommended for older adults to optimise functional independence and guidelines for the intensity, duration and frequency of physical activity exist, there are few guidelines on the specific types of exercises that are recommended. As a physical activity that incorporates the recommended aspects of aerobic, strengthening and balance work, the aim of this study was to explore the influence of ballroom dancing on the physical, mental and social health of community-dwelling older adults. Method A qualitative-dominant, concurrent mixed-methods design was utilised. Ethical approval was granted via the University of Huddersfield’s research ethics panel. Participants were community-dwelling older adults (over 55 years of age) who were recruited from local ballroom dancing classes in West Yorkshire. They participated in ballroom dancing classes for at least one hour per week for 12 months and were tested during this period at baseline, and after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Demographic details were collected at baseline and the incidence of falls, changes to medical history or medications and levels of exercise were recorded at each data collection point. Quantitative measures of physical function were assessed using the Functional Reach Test (FR test), Timed-Up-and-Go Test (TUGT), the Four Square Step Test (FSST) and Tinetti’s test. In addition, balance was specifically assessed using a Biodex Balance System SD (BBS). The Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) was completed alongside the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Examination-General Population (CORE-GP) for well-being. The qualitative aspect of the study used semi-structured interviews at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Forty-one interviews were performed with participants individually or in dancing pairs. Qualitative data were managed and analysed using the Framework Analysis approach. Results Of the 26 older adult ballroom dancers recruited to the study who consented to participate, 23 (10 male, 13 female) completed the 12-months of data collection (mean age 66.5 years (SD 5.96 years; age range 58-83 years)). Using a Framework Analysis approach, 4 key themes were identified amongst the sample of older adults. ’Active ageing’ considers physical health perceptions, the acceptance, adaptation and frustrations of ageing and maintaining an active body and mind. The theme ‘class commitment and congruence’ highlights factors that were deemed important to the success of a dancing class and would encourage participants to keep dancing. The ‘Social dance community’ theme considers the influence and dynamics of dancing partnerships and the importance of building social networks. Finally, ‘enjoyment’ acknowledges the role of ballroom dancing for well-being. This study demonstrated a low attrition rate, no adverse effects due to ballroom dancing and a low falls risk in this sample of older adults. The primary outcome was assessment of functional changes between baseline and 12 months, with the 3-monthly intervals serving as interim data collection points. Over the 12-month period, whilst not expected in a feasibility study, there were no significant changes in the FR test, TUGT, FSST or Tinetti’s test. For the CORE-GP scale 97.5% of recordings were within the ‘healthy’ well-being score range, and there was a 10% decrease in points-score for the FES-I, indicating a possible substantive finding for clinical practice. The BBS tests demonstrated women had a statistically significant better level of postural stability then men, and as a group, their scores on the FR test were significantly lower than normalised scores for their age group. Discussion The findings suggest that ballroom dancing should be promoted by health professionals as a socially inclusive,safe physical activity that provides considerable pleasure. In addition to the current literature, the ‘pleasure of practice’and the ‘pleasure of community’are two types of pleasure suggested to be associated with ballroom dancing. Ballroom dancing also enhances opportunities for physical, psychological and social resilience in older adults by resisting age-related physical decline, assisting with acceptance of the ageing body, providing a strong sense of enjoyment and well-being and helping to form strong social connections, which are all important factors for resilient ageing. It is recommended that future comparative studies are of an adequate power to detect group differences that may exist in quantitative outcome measures, such as assessing balance with the BBS. A control group should be used for comparison with the ballroom dancing intervention group, with the intervention group all starting ballroom dancing at baseline. Given the findings of this study that the participants appeared to be high functioning when performing physical tests, it is recommended that alternative outcome measures are sought that will discriminate sufficiently amongst community-dwelling older adults.

The structure of this thesis is as follows: In the context of the study area of the Slovenský Raj National Park, section 2 looks into the process of institutional change in the CEE from the ex-post analysis. The ex-post institutional analysis helps to understand how the present came about and how the future might develop. In order to understand the process of the institutional change, this section highlights the importance and necessity of assuming the existence of previous institutions and the influence of this interaction on the durability and stability of new institutional forms. In search for driving forces behind and 15 barriers to sustainable development, Section 3 focuses on the current capacity of the study area to deal with slow and imperceptible changes in the circumstances of the transition countries. Special attention is paid to the concept of robustness, which plays an important role in the context of CEE, more precisely in the area of the SRNAP, where the economic and political transition process has been followed by an increased tourist inflow to the National Park and consequent slow environmental changes, without adequate strategies and considerable societal response. Analysing current situation of the study area helps to identify potential problems and understand what changes and innovation in the current conditions are needed to ensure sustainable development. By applying multi-criteria evaluation, section 4 explores different options with regard to tourism development in the study area and the necessary changes in the institutional arrangements in relation to these options. By analysing the process of institutional building from different time perspectives section 5 (conclusions) illustrates the driving forces behind and barriers of the study area towards robust and sustainable rural development and describes some policy implications.

Public health guidelines for (leisure time) physical activity evolved in the United States from scientific research which began in Britain and spread to North America during the second half of the 20th Century. This dissertation examines the guidelines' scientific and social construction. Research questions centre upon what has become known as the 'threshold-intensity vs volume-energy expenditure debate': Is a minimum intensity of physical activity necessary to achieve significant beneficial health outcomes? Or can that effective 'dose' be achieved by accumulating a sufficient total volume of expenditure (kcals) -- regardless of its intensity? The research questions are: 1. Why were public health guidelines switched from a focus upon vigorous intensity to moderate intensity, and was the science base sufficiently sound and uncontested to justify that switch on scientific (and social scientific) grounds? 2. Why were the guidelines so focused on cardiovascular disease (CVD) to the relative exclusion of other health outcomes? 3. Did a small, influential group of investigators play a disproportionate (anomalous) role in shaping the 1996 US Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health? Conclusions: The US Surgeon General's Report switched public health focus from vigorous to moderate intensity activities on a proclaimed 'emerging consensus' of scientific evidence. However, the science base remained complex and contested. This 'consensus' was, in large measure, socially constructed by a small group of investigators who had gained influence within the American Heart Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, and then the very taskforce selected to write the Report. This dissertation explores a new and relevant area of 'Regulatory Science' given current interest in sedentary lifestyles and illness, not least cardiovascular disease and obesity. Anomalies in scientific interpretation and policy making arose not from financial considerations, but primarily from motives of altruism and professional status.

My thesis, a theoretical-based work, concerns the effects of globalisation and tourism in context of Thailand, which the selected case studies are Damnoen Saduak and Pattaya Floating Markets. I particularly look at Baudrillard's theory to investigate to what extent his concept fits in context of Thailand. Also, my work uses Baudrillard's theory to study and conceptualise the effects of globalisation on Thailand's tourism.

This thesis explores what impact thirteen years of Britain’s New Labour government’s (1997-2010) social exclusion policy agenda had on the representation of non-white communities within England’s authorised heritage narrative, told through the places, objects and ‘things’ given heritage value by ‘experts’. This thesis finds that certain mainstream heritage organisations in England perceive there to be an ‘established’ heritage that is agreed, therefore cannot be challenged even as we uncover more about the diverse realities of the county’s past. Two ways are considered by which to understand the hegemony of this heritage and how it might be ‘used’ to the benefit of a more diverse national narrative: the first by accepting Laurajane Smith’s assertion that there is an authorised heritage discourse (AHD) in England and seek ways to harness it rather than subvert it. The second follows on from the first in proposing how communities of interest might participate equally in the process of heritage making. The first way is drawn out through an interrogation of heritage sector policy and practice – from organisations such as the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, national museums, amongst others – to decipher the meaning of heritage in England and who it is for, according to those mainstream organisations that create and manage it. The second utilises case studies of major heritage projects in England that have sought to engage with non-white audiences to understand the methods mainstream heritage organisations have used to do so. It is concluded that the model for heritage making in England acts as a barrier to a diverse heritage. Using the work of Rodney Harrison, an alternative ‘dialogic’ heritage is suggested that encourages it to be seen as fluid and contested and challenge the notion of any heritage being perceived as 'established'.

This thesis explored and evaluated the appropriateness of established psychological theories for understanding mental toughness development in adolescents. Initially, adolescent performers’ perspectives about mental toughness development were grounding in Bronfenbrenner’s (2001) bioecological model. Subsequently, self-determination theory (SDT, Deci & Ryan, 1985b, 2000) was considered. This theory was selected because of its consistencies with the bioecological model and initial findings, as well as its potential to inform applied protocols. Significant theoretically-expected associations were identified between SDT principles and mental toughness, as well as mental toughness and other meaningful outcomes. The effectiveness of an intervention informed by SDT principles was then evaluated. Although findings did not support the hypotheses, several barriers and obstacles to adopting SDT principles in practice were identified. To elucidate the hypothesised associations, a conceptual essay that detailed the value of SDT for understanding mental toughness was presented. This essay conceptualised mental toughness as comprising notions of striving, surviving, and thriving. It is hoped that researchers will continue to investigate the development of mental toughness along the lines pursued in this thesis and, at the same time, attend to recommendations proposed throughout.

The main purpose of this study was to develop a coach education system proposal for the Arab, Islamic country of Oman. As an emerging ‘sport-interested’ country, the lack of any coach education system of training or accreditation is one of the major obstacles confronting sport in Oman (Zayed, 2004). The current research into coach education was underpinned by globalization theory and was undertaken in two parts. First, an empirical investigation across Oman was conducted through which the realities, problems, needs and strategic ideas from those currently working in a sports coach capacity were identified. Second, in order to learn from other notable coach education systems in the world, the national systems of six countries and systems of some international sports organizations were analyzed. Three in-depth field case studies were also undertaken in Bahrain, Qatar and the UK. Four data gathering instruments were selected as methods of data collection: questionnaire (n = 109), interview (n = 80), documents analysis and research journal. Knowledge and understanding gained in these studies were used to underpin a proposal for a coach education system for Oman that included: an accreditation structure; curriculum outline; and management system. The proposal is in keeping with current sport structures, international developments in the field and cultural context of Oman.

Scottish strip clubs are a highly under researched area. While there is a plethora of research emanating from North America, strip club research is in its infancy in Scotland. The little research that has been conducted on Scotland?s strip clubs is unrepresentative (Bindel, 2004; AEWG, 2006). This project is an in depth participant observation based analysis of two Scottish strip clubs. The fieldwork was conducted over a period of seven years, with over 7000 hours of fieldwork based observations. Much like the work of Frank (2002) and Egan (2006) this research was conducted using a dancer-as-researcher role, giving me unrivalled access to a research setting and population that remains off-limits to most researchers. Drawing on North American based strip club studies, this research compares the interactions, service provision and operations of the Scottish clubs in relation to their North American counterparts. While a useful comparative tool, this research argues that the North American studies are not representative of Scottish strip clubs. North American clubs embody a strong customer service ethos in their service provision and organisational culture (Trautner 2005). The Scottish clubs in this study do not.There is a significant emphasis in North American studies on the use of counterfeit intimacy (Enck & Preston, 1988) as a standard sales technique used by dancers. This involves feigning intimacy and emotion in interactions with customers to elicit maximum financial gain; the dancer will aim to be ?anything you want her to be?. There is an assumption in these studies that service provision is dictated by a combination of club management and the customer?s wishes. This research highlighted that it was not the customer or management who determined service provision, but the dancers. Rather than embodying a fervent customer service ethos, Scottish strip clubs are non-customer oriented service providers. The impact of dancers on service provision and social control in the strip clubs used in this study contradict North American findings. Both clubs in this study embodied pro-dancer policies towards social control.While strip clubs throughout the world supply a similar service, the dancers in this study thought they were selling their nudity, not creating a fantasy. The sales technique most commonly used by dancers in this study to sell dances is ?Do you want to see me naked?? Their approach was in general brash, upfront and (arguably) more honest than the approaches reported in the North American literature.

The aim of this thesis is to investigate issues connected with planning urban futures from scratch and, conversely, with the development of long-term planning frameworks, by focussing on designs for the 'Legacy' transformation of the 2012 Olympic site. 2012 Games bid organisers claimed that Olympic-related investments would stimulate in east London - a region characterised by de-industrialisation and deprivation - the 'regeneration of an entire community for the direct benefit of everyone who lives there' (IOC, p. 19). The development of a long-term plan for the Olympic site post-2012 was said to be key in realising this objective, providing the basis for leveraging ongoing investment and restructuring east London's economy. I am interested in how conceptions of regeneration and legacy are formulated and evidenced in plans for the site's future and in what these mean for 'community' - historic, present and imagined constituencies of local residents and workers. Olympic sceptics argue that the problem with projected Olympic legacies is that there is all too little guarantee that they will actually come to fruition. Meanwhile, regenerations of other post-industrial sites in London are said to have produced unevenly distributed benefits, least advancing the prospects of those dispossessed by redevelopment and poorer, residual constituencies. This research considers how urban designs: a) frame future benefits connected with London 2012, and; b) mediate between the Olympic site as found, the needs and interests of local people and urban policy and planning objectives. Mixed methods and interdisciplinary perspectives are employed in examining conceptions and in empirically exploring the site's transformation from 2005 to 2010. Aside from the major themes of legacy and regeneration, chapters are linked through attention on how transforming relationships between authorities and owners influence forms of urbanisation and use. These transformations help to reveal both actual and potential outcomes of 2012's legacy plans.