Featured Stories
Coleman Champion: Briauna Rivers
HOUSTON, Texas, Sept. 28 -- Houston City College posted the following news:
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Coleman Champion: Briauna Rivers
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Name
Briauna Rivers
City/Town of Residence
Houston
Hometown & High School
Houston, Jersey Village High School
Current Degree or Certificate Program
Health Information Technology, AAS
Year & Class
2nd Year, Class of 2027
Jobs or Leadership Positions in Community
Special Education Bus Monitor & Volunteer Bible Educator
Talents or Hobbies, or Something People Don't Know About You
I love singing, painting and crocheting. I wrote and self-published a
... Show Full Article
HOUSTON, Texas, Sept. 28 -- Houston City College posted the following news:
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Coleman Champion: Briauna Rivers
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Name
Briauna Rivers
City/Town of Residence
Houston
Hometown & High School
Houston, Jersey Village High School
Current Degree or Certificate Program
Health Information Technology, AAS
Year & Class
2nd Year, Class of 2027
Jobs or Leadership Positions in Community
Special Education Bus Monitor & Volunteer Bible Educator
Talents or Hobbies, or Something People Don't Know About You
I love singing, painting and crocheting. I wrote and self-published achildren's positive affirmation book inspired by my daughter.
Why did you enroll at HCC Coleman?
I was inspired by my best friend Jenna who recently graduated from the Respiratory Therapy program at Coleman. When she was looking into schools, she spoke highly of Coleman's pass rate and reputation, so I knew that no matter which program I chose, I could benefit from going to a well-known and established college in our community.
Why did you choose your program of study?
I originally wanted to go into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography or Radiography program, but I wanted to keep my options open just in case I didn't get into either. Then Jenna mentioned that Coleman had a medical coding certification program that I could complete in a couple of short months.
After much research, I discovered Coleman had a HITT associate degree option and that the Health Information Technology and Health Information Management is a growing field where there is endless opportunity to advance and explore different roles. My ultimate goal was to get into a career field that would allow me to care for myself and my daughter, and this degree will help me accomplish that goal.
What do you like best about your college experience?
I've enjoyed being able to be on this journey with my best friend Jenna who's now an RRT Coleman alumnus. I've also enjoyed having professors who have taken a personal interest in me by being a listening ear and offering words of encouragement at just the right time.
What do you like best about your program of study?
I really enjoyed going to practicums 1 and 2 where we were able to hear from many different RHIT/RHIA professionals. It's helped me to have a better idea of the direction in my career path that I want to go post-graduation.
When you are tired, what motivates you to push forward?
My daughter. She is my world and heart walking outside my body. I went back to school later in life during a time when our life took an unexpected turn, but I knew I wanted to finish what I started so I can provide for her in a career that will allow me to still be a present mother for her.
What advice can you offer to help other students succeed?
Know what your "why" is because when things get tough, and they will get tough, you won't be so quick to give up all the hard work you've already put in. Remember to organize your time so you can complete assignments, but also take time to recharge so you don't burn out.
Any final thoughts?
Sometimes we think we know the path we're going to go down but don't end up there. Be willing to be flexible if you didn't get selected into your dream program. Sometimes the detours in life put us on the path we least expected but come with the biggest blessings soon to experience.
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Original text here: https://www.hccs.edu/news/2026/september/coleman-champion-briauna-rivers/
WKU recognizes 2026 Family of the Year
BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky, Sept. 26 -- Western Kentucky University posted the following news:
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WKU recognizes 2026 Family of the Year
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As part of Parent and Family Weekend, the family of WKU senior Carley Givens and WKU sophomore Clayton Givens was recognized as WKU's 2026 Family of the Year.
Carley Givens, a fourth generation Hilltopper and Marketing major from St. Louis, Missouri, nominated her family, Corey Givens ('99), Debbie Olsofka Givens ('97) and Clayton Givens, for the award.
In her essay, Carley Givens said, "Both of my parents were involved in Greek life. My mom was a member
... Show Full Article
BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky, Sept. 26 -- Western Kentucky University posted the following news:
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WKU recognizes 2026 Family of the Year
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As part of Parent and Family Weekend, the family of WKU senior Carley Givens and WKU sophomore Clayton Givens was recognized as WKU's 2026 Family of the Year.
Carley Givens, a fourth generation Hilltopper and Marketing major from St. Louis, Missouri, nominated her family, Corey Givens ('99), Debbie Olsofka Givens ('97) and Clayton Givens, for the award.
In her essay, Carley Givens said, "Both of my parents were involved in Greek life. My mom was a memberof Kappa Delta, and my dad was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho. They met at Kappa Delta's Barn Dance in 1995. I have WKU to thank not only for my college experience, but for bringing my parents together. After graduating, my parents continued to support Western. Every football season, we cheered on the Hilltoppers together. In our house, it was normal to randomly sing the Fight Song, wave the Red Towel and cheer for Big Red. Being a Hilltopper has always been part of our family."
Carley highlighted the excitement of having her younger brother, Clayton, a Construction Management major, join her on the Hill last fall.
"It has been so special to experience the same university that shaped my parents' lives and now watch it become an important part of my brother's and my life."
A selection committee of alumni and staff reviewed nominations for WKU's Family of the Year. The Givens family received a prize package including tickets to the weekend's events and a $900 student scholarship for the 2027 spring semester.
Contact: Julia Johnson, julia.johnson@wku.edu
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Western Kentucky University prides itself on positioning its students, faculty and staff for long term success. As a student-centered, applied research university, WKU helps students expand on classroom learning by integrating education with real-world applications in the communities we serve. Our hilltop campus is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which was recently named by Reader's Digest as one of the nicest towns in America, just an hour's drive from Nashville, Tennessee.
Back to News
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Original text here: https://www.wku.edu/news/articles/index.php?view=article&articleid=13259
University of Nebraska: Czech President Makes Historic Visit, Recognizing Long-standing Relationship
LINCOLN, Nebraska, Sept. 26 -- The University of Nebraska posted the following news:
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September 24, 2026
Czech president makes historic visit, recognizing long-standing relationship
By Deann Gayman | University Communication and Marketing
Czech President Petr Pavel visited the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on Sept. 24 -- a historic day highlighting more than a century of educational, cultural and familial ties between Nebraska and the European nation with which it shares deep historical connections.
Pavel is in the United States for the U.N. General Assembly and wanted to visit the
... Show Full Article
LINCOLN, Nebraska, Sept. 26 -- The University of Nebraska posted the following news:
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September 24, 2026
Czech president makes historic visit, recognizing long-standing relationship
By Deann Gayman | University Communication and Marketing
Czech President Petr Pavel visited the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on Sept. 24 -- a historic day highlighting more than a century of educational, cultural and familial ties between Nebraska and the European nation with which it shares deep historical connections.
Pavel is in the United States for the U.N. General Assembly and wanted to visit themost Czech state, Nebraska, during his travels. Per capita, Nebraska boasts the highest percentage of residents claiming Czech ancestry. Pavel's visit included a stop at the National Guard Armory in Lincoln, remarks at the university, a luncheon with Gov. Jim Pillen and invited guests, and a tour of Wilber, Nebraska, colloquially known as the Czech capital of the U.S.
During his remarks in Kimball Recital Hall to a crowd of about 450 people, Pavel thanked the university for its long-standing commitment to Czech language education, and the numerous educational exchanges the country and the university have launched and continued to develop. He recognized the importance of Nebraska in maintaining understanding and friendship between the U.S. and the Czech Republic.
"For a Czech president, Nebraska is not just another school in America," he said. "It is a place where an important chapter of the Czech story was written. Starting in the 19th century, tens of thousands of Czechs settled here in search of freedom and opportunity. They helped build Nebraska, and with it, a lasting bridge between our states. This university has been an important part of the story.
"More than a century ago, students here created the Komensky Club because they believed that language, culture and education could connect two worlds. They were right, and that connection still matters today. We need Americans who understand Europe and Europeans who understand America. Universities like yours help make that possible."
Interim Chancellor Katherine S. Ankerson introduced Pavel and NU system President Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold, noting that the university's Czech Studies Program has existed more than 100 years. Founded in 1907, it is the oldest and largest Czech studies program in the U.S. and was created through the efforts of UNL's Komensky Club, a group of Czech students who formed the club in 1904.
"They were students," Ankerson said. "And while they had no budget, what they did have was the conviction that the language spoken in their homes was worth teaching in the university classroom.
"But a language is not kept alive by an institution. It is kept alive by people, people who hand it to the next generation on purpose, and with a conviction and trust that the next generation will carry the torch onward."
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln now boasts more than 25 education abroad and exchange partnerships with Czech universities, which are driven by interest from students, said Maegan Stevens-Liska, assistant vice chancellor for global affairs.
"Students studying abroad often want to connect their academic experience abroad with their family heritage," she said. "Demand for programs in the Czech Republic has increased in recent years, and we continue to add and expand our Czech-based offerings."
Following remarks by Gold, Pavel delivered his address and took several questions collected from students enrolled in Czech studies, and from Paul Robitschek Scholars, a cohort of students from the Czech Republic currently attending UNL.
During the question-and-answer session, Pavel discussed topics ranging from cultural exchange and Czech history to current geopolitical challenges, including NATO's role in Europe and support for Ukraine. Pavel warned of Russia's aggression in Europe, calling the country's actions hybrid warfare, and keeping attacks just below NATO's Article 5 threshold.
"I am using the power of civil society today quite often when trying to convince coalition relationships with the Czech Republic, for example, about the need to support Ukraine," Pavel said. "That is not a matter of if we like or dislike Ukraine or Ukrainians. It's a matter of principle. It's a matter of our own protection and dignity."
A question from a Robitschek Scholar asked what American value or characteristic they should bring back with them to the Czech Republic when they return from studying at Nebraska. Pavel first encouraged all students to study abroad, citing his own experience when he was younger of traveling to Washington, D.C., before shifting to his answer.
"I think it's hard work, initiative, because this country was built on people who had to fight for the future," he said. "It's also a kind of individualism that is always a dual-edged sword, and I would take it from the positive side, taking responsibility for one life and then taking responsibility for the others."
Asked what Americans might take from Czech culture, Pavel paused before delivering a lighthearted answer.
"Our sense of humor," he said, drawing laughter from the audience.
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Original text here: https://news.unl.edu/article/czech-president-makes-historic-visit-recognizing-long-standing-relationship
University of Chile: Solar Energy Research Center Integrates Technology, Territories and Communities to Advance the Energy Transition
SANTIAGO, Chile, Sept. 26 -- The University of Chile issued the following news:
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Solar Energy Research Center integrates technology, territories and communities to advance the energy transition
The SERC, an inter-university initiative in which the University of Chile participates, was born with an interdisciplinary perspective and has worked with teams that include from engineers to sociologists. Anahi Urquiza, dean of FACSO and alternate director of SERC, explains that this work "involves not only looking at the technological or economic dimensions, but also how to respect territories
... Show Full Article
SANTIAGO, Chile, Sept. 26 -- The University of Chile issued the following news:
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Solar Energy Research Center integrates technology, territories and communities to advance the energy transition
The SERC, an inter-university initiative in which the University of Chile participates, was born with an interdisciplinary perspective and has worked with teams that include from engineers to sociologists. Anahi Urquiza, dean of FACSO and alternate director of SERC, explains that this work "involves not only looking at the technological or economic dimensions, but also how to respect territoriesand communities."
The energy transition is not only a challenge in technological terms, it has also become a social process. Within the framework of the 5th Congress of Research and Interdisciplinary Higher Education (IEI) 2026, which was held in the Central House of the University of Chile, members of the Center for Research in Solar Energy (SERC) showed how they have consolidated themselves as a reference to achieve interdisciplinary teams in which engineers, sociologists, economists and experts in public policies work to transform the solar potential of the country and move towards the energy transition.
The anthropologist and dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Chile, Anahi Urquiza Gomez, explained that "the SERC was built with an interdisciplinary view, therefore, since the design of the project has had that approach and the lines of work and the strategies of interlinear coordination have been designed to favor interdisciplinary. And in that sense, the work between social disciplines and engineering has been tremendously interesting and fruitful."
Anahi Urquiza, who is also the alternate director of SERC Chile, added that "the energy transition is a complex problem. Our center has previous experience and today continues to develop learnings in inter and transdisciplinary to build responses with a multidimensional perspective, which contribute to public policy on issues of national interest linked to an inclusive energy transition. That means not only looking at technological or economic dimensions, but also how to respect territories and communities."
A transition that combines science, technology and society
The specific work carried out by the SERC with the communities, which mixes technological knowledge with the social sciences, has been oriented to the search to incorporate the social and environmental dimensions of the energy transition, as well as local energy autonomy, territorial well-being and the need to deepen territorial dialogue and institutional cooperation. All this, hand in hand with projects and workshops that call on citizens to present their opinions and promote community participation.
The sociologist Tomas Ariztia, also a researcher at the SERC and who carries out social studies of technology, added that "interdisciplinary is born when there is a common interest, it costs a lot to reach it if there is no convergence and interest." The expert added that it is important for society to see how information is transformed, and "it is interesting to see what happens in these transdisciplinary spaces, how this type of knowledge is transformed."
Tomas Arritia, professor of Sociology at the Diego Portales University, heads a project on a backcasting methodology between energy modeling and social experience in Magellan, whose main objective is to put in dialogue the energy modeling and social experience of the territory when imagining the energy future in the southernmost region of Chile.
In the thematic table held in the Casa de Bello, Anahi Urquiza and Tomas Ariztia participated together with the main researchers of the lines of Sustainable Solar Solutions and Integrated Solutions Solar-to-X, Ricardo Salazar (UC) and Claudia Carrasco (UDEC), respectively, in addition to the Head of Transfer, Lorena Mondaca.
At the meeting, the exhibitors agreed on the relevance of understanding the energy transition not only as a technological approach to substitution of sources, but also from the way in which the various areas of science and public policy can articulate advances in social, environmental and economic dimensions in communities and territories.
In the instance, the academics exposed about the interdisciplinary between electrical engineering and chemistry; the methodology of backcasting between energy modeling and social experience in Magellan; the challenges of transforming scientific knowledge into effective capacity for action; and the monitoring of antimicrobial waste in aquatic ecosystems to advance public policy.
Claudia Carrasco explained that "transdisciplinary education and research is what we have been doing as a working group, both from the University of Concepcion and SERC Chile. Being able to talk to people from other areas of the social sciences and the humanities, who have the same problems as us, has been a learning and a wonderful experience for advancing our research."
"The energy transition cannot be addressed without an interdisciplinary look. Because technological changes are accompanied by social impacts, social acceptability and require an articulation between different perspectives to be able, on the one hand, to facilitate the energy transition and at the same time make this transition fair and equitable," insists Anahi Urquiza.
September 25, 2026
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Original text here: https://uchile.cl/noticias/245135/transicion-energetica-una-mirada-que-integra-ciencia-y-sociedad
UNC School of Medicine Launches Innovative Effort to Block Life-Threatening Peanut Allergic Reactions
CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina, Sept. 26 -- The University of North Carolina School of Medicine issued the following news:
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UNC School of Medicine Launches Innovative Effort to Block Life-Threatening Peanut Allergic Reactions
September 25, 2026
Researchers hope to create a therapy that reduces the fear, anxiety and lifestyle limitations associated with peanut allergy.
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A research team at the UNC School of Medicine has received a $3.5 million federal grant to develop a long-lasting, safer treatment for peanut allergy. The condition is one of the most common and potentially life-threatening
... Show Full Article
CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina, Sept. 26 -- The University of North Carolina School of Medicine issued the following news:
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UNC School of Medicine Launches Innovative Effort to Block Life-Threatening Peanut Allergic Reactions
September 25, 2026
Researchers hope to create a therapy that reduces the fear, anxiety and lifestyle limitations associated with peanut allergy.
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A research team at the UNC School of Medicine has received a $3.5 million federal grant to develop a long-lasting, safer treatment for peanut allergy. The condition is one of the most common and potentially life-threateningfood allergies in the United States.
Peanut allergy affects an estimated 2% of the U.S. population. For UNC School of Medicine's Mike Kulis, PhD, it's personal. He has experienced the reality of the allergy firsthand and has dedicated 20 years to researching therapies to target the condition.
"I live with both peanut and tree nut allergies, and my 7-year-old son has peanut and egg allergies," said Kulis. "I am hopeful there will be a variety of therapeutic options for those with food allergies in the coming years, so that we can lessen the fear and anxiety we often experience."
A new therapy approach
For many children and adults, even tiny amounts of peanut can trigger a severe reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate treatment with an EpiPen. Because of this risk, families often live with constant worry, strict food avoidance and major lifestyle limitations.
Current FDA-approved treatments, including oral immunotherapy and an injectable antibody drug, can help some patients but have critical drawbacks:
* Oral immunotherapy requires daily dosing and frequently causes allergic reactions during treatment.
* The injectable drug must be given indefinitely and does not change the underlying allergic response.
To address these limitations, Kulis and his collaborators are taking a different approach. The newly funded project, led by Kulis and in collaboration with Johanna Smeekens, PhD, assistant professor of pediatrics at the UNC School of Medicine; M.G. Finn, PhD, Regents' professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Georgia Institute of Technology; and Brian Vickery, MD, professor and chief of Allergy & Immunology at Emory School of Medicine, will build on promising early results from a prior National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) grant.
In that work, the team used tiny, noninfectious particles called virus-like particles (VLPs) to display small pieces (peptides) of a key peanut protein known as Ara h 2. When these VLPs were given to mice along with a clinical-grade immune booster (adjuvant), the animals developed strong protective antibody responses and did not become allergic to peanuts. In mice that were already allergic to peanuts, the treatment shifted the immune system away from allergy and toward protection. The new grant will allow the team to expand this approach and move it closer to human clinical trials.
"The overall goal of this project is to develop a new method for the immune system to produce protective responses to peanut," said Kulis. "Specifically, we aim to generate IgG antibodies focused on small segments, called peptide epitopes, of the major peanut allergens to prevent allergic reactions. We will use virus-like particles (VLPs) as a scaffold to display the peptides that will stimulate the immune system to make protective IgG antibodies."
New possibilities in peanut allergy protection
By the end of the project, researchers expect to have one or more leading candidates for a new peanut allergy therapy, with a clear understanding of how it works and supporting data to prepare for a first-in-human clinical trial.
"Our vision is to provide proof of concept using peanut allergy as a model, then expand to other food allergies such as egg, milk, cashew, and shrimp," said Kulis. "Ultimately, we hope to have a therapy that can make lasting changes to the underlying immune responses that make a person allergic to peanut or other foods."
This work is supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health.
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Original text here: https://news.unchealthcare.org/2026/09/unc-school-of-medicine-launches-innovative-effort-to-block-life-threatening-peanut-allergic-reactions/
Studio Uchile Shows How Well-maintained Vegetation Increases Perceived Safety in Public Space
SANTIAGO, Chile, Sept. 26 -- The University of Chile issued the following news:
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Studio Uchile shows how well-maintained vegetation increases perceived safety in public space
A research led by Pablo Navarrete-Hernandez, an academic at the Housing Institute of the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, and published in Nature Cities, compared three urban intervention strategies in an experiment with 2,028 participants in Chile. The progressive incorporation of well-maintained vegetation produced the greatest perceived safety increase, although the study warns that physical design alone does
... Show Full Article
SANTIAGO, Chile, Sept. 26 -- The University of Chile issued the following news:
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Studio Uchile shows how well-maintained vegetation increases perceived safety in public space
A research led by Pablo Navarrete-Hernandez, an academic at the Housing Institute of the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, and published in Nature Cities, compared three urban intervention strategies in an experiment with 2,028 participants in Chile. The progressive incorporation of well-maintained vegetation produced the greatest perceived safety increase, although the study warns that physical design alone doesnot eliminate gaps affecting women.
Should you remove all graffiti, open more windows to the street or incorporate vegetation? How much do you need to invest to make the greatest possible impact? These are common questions in the municipal management and public bodies that seek to improve the safety of streets, squares and other urban spaces, but that do not always have empirical evidence to decide.
A study led by Dr. Pablo Navarrete-Hernandez, academician at the Housing Institute (INVI) of the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism of the University of Chile and specialist in urban behavioral science, delivers new answers. Published in Nature Cities, the research compared different intensities of three urban design strategies and evaluated their effect on perceived safety.
The article, titled Urban design interventions reduces fear of crime in public spaces in gender-sensitive ways, was developed together with Tom Schlesser and Davide Luca, researchers from the University of Cambridge and the London School of Economics and Political Science. "In urban security it is not enough to ask if an intervention works. To make good public decisions we need to know which alternative works best, how much it is convenient to intervene and for whom it produces benefits," explains Navarrete-Hernandez.
The team conducted a randomized experiment with 2,028 participants in Chile, who generated 18,150 safety assessments in the face of photographic simulations of local streets, squares, low-level steps and public stairs.
In each space an initial deteriorated situation was compared with three types of transformation:
* Nature-based solutions: progressive incorporation of careful and orderly vegetation into urban infrastructure.
* "Eyes on the street": incorporation of windows on blind walls to reinforce the perception of informal surveillance.
* Wall recovery: progressive removal of graffiti and tags by neutral paint, in response to deterioration associated with the theory of "broken windows".
The interventions were applied in four intensities -- 12.5%, 25%, 37.5% and 50% of the image area -- which allowed to study not only its average effect, but also how the response changed by increasing the "dose" of each strategy.
All three alternatives significantly improved perceived security. However, nature incorporation produced the greatest effect: an average increase of 22.5% over the initial situation. The opening of windows reached an increase of 14% and the recovery of walls, of 13.6%. The difference between these two conventional strategies was not statistically significant, while nature-based solutions were the most effective alternative.
A progressive effect that distinguishes green infrastructure
The most relevant finding for urban policy is not only in the average. All three interventions followed different trajectories as their intensity increased.
In the "eyes on the street" strategy, incorporating windows produced significant improvements from low levels, but adding more windows delivered marginal benefits and, at the maximum level, perceived security even declined. In wall recovery, the main jump occurred by removing approximately 25% of the graffiti; after that point, the effect stabilized. These results question the idea that a total elimination or "zero tolerance" policy necessarily produces a proportional improvement.
Something different happened with the vegetation. The relationship between the amount of built-in nature and perceived safety was almost linear: within the range evaluated, the perception of safety continued to increase progressively as the presence of vegetation grew. Even from 37.5% to 50% -- the highest intensity analyzed -- a statistically significant further improvement was observed.
This means that it is not correct to summarize the study by simply saying that all interventions present decreasing returns. That pattern clearly describes conventional strategies, but nature-based solutions showed a cumulative effect and showed no evidence of having reached a plateau within the studied range. "Well-designed urban vegetation should not be understood as a merely ornamental element. Our results show that it can be part of a city's security infrastructure and that its benefits increase as its presence gains greater weight in space," says Navarrete-Hernandez.
The authors hypothesize that exposure to natural elements can reduce physiological activation associated with stress and favor a calm response, thus contributing to decrease fear. The experiment did not directly measure this physiological mechanism, so it should be examined in new research.
The result requires important accuracy. The evaluated intervention incorporated well-maintained, cut and visible vegetation during the day, without creating hiding places. Therefore, the study does not allow to conclude that all forms of vegetation increase the perceived safety.
Excessively dense shrubs, trees with low tops, deteriorated green spaces or poor lighting can hinder visibility and could produce the opposite effect, especially at night. The recommendation for public institutions is not simply to "add green", but to integrate nature through criteria of design, maintenance, visibility and lighting.
This distinction is relevant to municipal planning. If the green infrastructure is incorporated from the design and has sustained maintenance, it can contribute to perceived security objectives and, at the same time, articulate with climate adaptation policies, urban health and the quality of public space. Those complementary benefits were not measured directly in this experiment, but have been widely supported by scientific evidence. This reinforces the need to use nature-based solutions as a central urban infrastructure and not as a subsequent decoration in infrastructure projects.
Four implications for public policy
The results allow four guidelines for local governments, ministries and planning teams to be drawn:
Prioritize interventions according to evidence. In the face of deteriorated spaces comparable to those analyzed, well-maintained vegetation produced a greater increase in perceived safety than opening windows or removing graffiti.
Adjust the intensity to the type of intervention. Completely removing a spoilage signal or multiplying visual surveillance elements does not guarantee proportional benefits. Each strategy has a different response curve.
Evaluate before building. Photographic simulations and random experiments allow you to compare alternatives and investment levels before committing resources to permanent works.
Incorporate the gender perspective from diagnosis. Improving the physical environment is necessary, but it does not replace policies in the face of harassment, sexual violence and other forms of violence that condition women's experience in public space.
The contribution of the study is to identify how different interventions and intensities causally modify the perceived safety in the experimental conditions analyzed, offering a basis for future evaluations to integrate costs, feasibility, maintenance and observed results in the field.
A different impact on women and men
Another central result was that physical transformations did not have the same effect on women and men. In the spaces without intervening no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups. However, once the interventions were applied, the increase in perceived security was systematically higher among men, in the three strategies studied.
The gap was especially marked in nature-based solutions. This does not mean that the vegetation would not benefit women: significant improvements were also observed, particularly at the highest levels. The point is that the increase was lower than among men.
For researchers, this pattern indicates that women's perception of insecurity does not depend solely on physical signs of the environment. Vulnerability assessment of harassment, sexual violence and other forms of gender-based violence can impose a limit on what urban design achieves on its own.
"We must not interpret these results as an argument against physical investment, but as a warning against unique solutions. Green infrastructure and good design can improve the experience of public space, but an inclusive security policy must combine them with social, institutional and gender-based violence prevention measures," says Navarrete-Hernandez.
Experimenting Before Investing
In addition to its results, the work proposes a different way of designing urban policy. Through controlled simulations, public teams can compare scenarios, identify possible thresholds, and detect differentiated responses between groups before executing expensive work.
The research is part of the line of work that Navarrete-Hernandez has developed on urban behavioral science, solutions based on nature, emotions and security in the public space. This agenda combines randomized experiments, visual simulation and analysis of how people respond to environmental transformations, with the goal of translating rigorous evidence into urban design and policy decisions.
The investigator warns that the next step is to extend the evaluation to other social groups and urban contexts, as well as incorporate nighttime conditions and lighting and identify how incivilities and crimes affect perceived security.
The main conclusion for decision makers is clear: not all physical improvements produce the same effect or respond equally to increased investment. Under the conditions studied, nature-based solutions were the most potent strategy and showed cumulative benefits; conventional interventions earlier reached their stabilization point. And, in all cases, building truly inclusive spaces requires asking not only how much to intervene, but also for whom it is being designed.
Roxana Alvarado, Communications FAU U. of Chile
September 25, 2026
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Original text here: https://uchile.cl/noticias/245131/vegetacion-bien-mantenida-eleva-seguridad-percibida-en-el-espacio-publico-
Ashesi University: Building a Better Business, One MBA Lesson at a Time
ACCRA, Ghana, Sept. 26 -- Ashesi University issued the following news:
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Building a Better Business, One MBA Lesson at a Time
September 25, 2026
Many professionals pursue a Master of Business Administration(MBA) hoping the lessons they learn will prove useful someday. For Christian Boakye Yiadom M'27, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pizzaman Chickenman, a fast-food brand, that "someday" often arrives before the next class.
Currently enrolled in the Ashesi MBA, Boakye Yiadom has developed a new routine: learn on the weekend, apply the lesson at work, evaluate the results, and
... Show Full Article
ACCRA, Ghana, Sept. 26 -- Ashesi University issued the following news:
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Building a Better Business, One MBA Lesson at a Time
September 25, 2026
Many professionals pursue a Master of Business Administration(MBA) hoping the lessons they learn will prove useful someday. For Christian Boakye Yiadom M'27, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pizzaman Chickenman, a fast-food brand, that "someday" often arrives before the next class.
Currently enrolled in the Ashesi MBA, Boakye Yiadom has developed a new routine: learn on the weekend, apply the lesson at work, evaluate the results, andrepeat. "There's never been a single course in class that I haven't learned anything worth applying to my business from," he said. "And when I try it, it works."
That approach has turned his MBA into more than an academic experience. It has become an ongoing process of refining a business he has spent the past eight years building. Through the program, he says, he has gained a deeper understanding of the principles behind many of the decisions he previously made based on experience.
One area where that learning has made a difference is employee performance management. Insights from one of his favorite courses, Managing People, Culture and Performance, prompted him to rethink how the business approaches rewards, recognition and discipline. "Overall, these changes have started producing some good results just in the past few months," he said.
The changes have extended beyond individual policies. Leadership development programs across the business have been institutionalized and tailored to different levels of responsibility. Drawing lessons from his MBA classes, Boakye Yiadom also helped establish an internal e-learning platform where employees can access training modules and learning materials and complete assessments.
"Since this was instituted, I can attest to some level of shared leadership principles across the brand, coupled with a growing consistency across our operations," he said.
For Boakye Yiadom, however, the MBA experience has not only changed systems within the business. Learning alongside classmates from different industries has challenged him to become more patient and more open to perspectives different from his own. Classroom discussions on leadership, in particular, have encouraged him to spend more time explaining decisions to his employees before implementation begins. What he learns in class, therefore, does not always translate into a new policy or process. Sometimes, it changes how he leads.
Ashesi's culture has also shaped his thinking about building an organization. Observing how the University connects systems with people development has influenced how he approaches growth within his own business.
Perhaps the most valuable lesson of his MBA journey, however, has been recognizing the limits of what he knows."You cannot possibly know everything," he said. "And to learn, especially from your peers, you need to be humble." This mindset has changed how Boakye Yiadom thinks about both business and leadership. For him, learning is not separate from running the company. It is part of how the company continues to grow.
For fellow entrepreneurs, his advice is simple: "If you want your business to thrive even in your absence, the secret is to keep learning and implementing what you learn."
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Original text here: https://ashesi.edu.gh/building-a-better-business-one-mba-lesson-at-a-time/
