Purpose: This research explores how protest events can change and develop over time, through an analysis of stakeholder perceptions of the EXIT festival in Serbia. In doing this, it builds on previous research into protest events from a critical events studies perspective and has implications for the management and understanding of events linked to social movements. Design/methodology/approach: This research took a neo-institutionalist perspective and is based on 18 stakeholder interviews, which were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Purposive sampling in the highly-networked city of Novi Sad, Serbia, allowed for the inclusion of diverse participants from politics, NGOs, media and the festival itself. Findings: The findings reveal that the EXIT festival has departed significantly from its original protest roots. Although it is now perceived as part of the dominant political culture in Serbia, it still has the potential to campaign on issues of relevance to the region, which is unrealised. This research demonstrates that the neo-institutionalist perspective can offer fresh insights for research into protest events. Taking this perspective suggests practical implications for the managers of events with protest roots and for social movements seeking to use protestival-style methods to achieve social change. Originality/value: This paper provides a new theoretical perspective on protest events and proposes a new model that can be used in future research into protest events that persist over time. It also suggests implications for the management and development of protest events within social movements.
LINK
Numerous medical studies have shown the positive effects of forests on different aspects of human health. This study deals with the content of major terpenes in dominant coniferous species in Tara National Park, Serbia, in order to explore the potential for the development of a novel health tourism programme based on forest therapy. Main terpenes were analysed using a headspace-sam-pling technique coupled with gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry (Head-space-GC/MS). Nee-dles of fir and spruce growing in the vicinity of hiking trails were investigated for possibilities to perform such therapy. Major detected terpenes were α-cadinol and spathulenol previously de-scribed as antiviral, antitumor, antimicrobial and immunomodulatory agents. The results of the study were favourable and worked well with the existing walking infrastructure in the observed area of the Tara Mountain, as they act as invaluable resources for designing the structured forest bathing walks. The study not only adds to the knowledge in the environmental and public health realm but also to tourism and sustainability studies.
MULTIFILE
This study, through the concept of biophilia, examines how we can restore a ‘love of life’ in a world often characterised by rationalisation, destruction and alienation from self and nature. Specifically, we observe how outdoor adventures during travels might contribute to the development of biophilic feelings. To this end, we employed a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to analyse the narratives from nine participants in the UK, Germany and Serbia. The findings suggest that adventure activities in the outdoors foster the development of meaningful relationships with the self, other humans and non-human nature, all contributing to the enhancement of eudaimonic wellbeing. The study adds to the tourism literature by arguing that more biophilic and ecological approaches, hitherto underutilised in studying the benefits of tourism from a positive psychology perspective, might serve as a lens through which to explore meaningful social transformation in times of polycrises.
LINK
Youth GEMS zal vijf jaar lang onderzoek doen naar genetische en omgevingsfactoren die van invloed zijn op de geestelijke gezondheid van jongeren. Doel Dit project beoogt middels vroegdetectie en het gebruik van vroegtijdige interventies het welzijn te bevorderen van jongeren die o.a. zijn blootgesteld aan traumatische ervaringen. Resultaten Het opzetten van een internationaal netwerk van jongere ervaringsdeskundigen, het ontwikkelen van instrumenten en tools. Looptijd 01 juni 2022 - 01 juni 2026 Aanpak Participatief actieonderzoek met jongeren in combinatie met neurobiologische en klinische studies maken deel uit van de aanpak. Samenwerking met kennispartners Universiteit Maastricht, (Nederland) UMCU, (Nederland) MPI, (Germany) RCSI & UCD (Ireland) UNEXE & Kings College London, University London, Cardiff University, EYMH (UK) University Barcelona & CRG, HGM (Spain) TU (Estonia) CNCPY, (Serbia) ABACUS, (Italy) University of Queensland Australia (associated partner) Relevantie/impact Vanuit UMC Utrecht en Hogeschool Utrecht zal in samenwerking met Euro Youth Mental Health gewerkt worden aan het opzetten van een Europese leergemeenschap van ervaringsdeskundige jongeren. Zij zullen op basis van collectieve ervaringen feedback geven op de verschillende projectonderdelen en mede helpen het bewustzijn onder jongeren én professionals te vergroten, onder andere met behulp van e-health. Deze e-health zal ook benut gaan worden in diverse onderwijssettingen.
