This handbook addresses the diversity and complexity of social work practice in the context of disasters. Drawing on international perspectives, with the inclusion of case studies, this handbook provides a resource for students, practitioners, educators, and researchers seeking to prepare the social work profession for contemporary challenges associated with disasters. Divided into five parts, it explores the following subject areas: 1. Conceptual aspects concerning social work’s relationship with disasters 2. Social work’s role in preventing and preparing for disasters, and response and recovery 3. Social work practice with specific populations 4. Social work education and training in disasters 5. Implications for social work organisations and policy Leading ideas, debates, and approaches from international authors will provide Global North and South perspectives. A critical examination of research and theories for practice, including concepts of human vulnerability and community resilience, will provide the foundation for detailing the practical contributions that social workers can make at the micro, meso, and macro levels of practice. Social work’s underpinning value base of social justice and human rights will also be explored in the context of the complex and dynamic nature of socio-cultural, political, and economic dimensions pertaining to disasters. It will therefore be of interest to all social work students, academics, and professionals as well as those working in allied disciplines, policy, and emergency management roles.

Lekha, Kumar M., and their team of contributors embark on a transformative exploration of 'Intersectionality' in the Indian context, where gender, culture, and development intersect to shape the destinies of diverse groups. Drawing from extensive research and nuanced analyses by scholars across the country and a few scholars on India from outside the country, the handbook uncovers the intricate connections between gender inequalities, cultural norms and practices, and developmental trajectories that illuminate how these factors intersect and shape the lives of individuals, communities, and societies beyond India's borders. The book encompasses discussions on the category of gender and the practice of gender studies, workspace economy, and technology. It explains the intricate intersections between gender, labour, migration, and informal economies, offering a deeper understanding of the composite factors that shape women as the workforce and their role within the workplace and the economy. It also delves into the multifaceted influences of culture on various aspects of society, including gender roles, language, agriculture, and development. The focus upon the sociocultural dimensions connected to the portrayal of gender in the media elaborated on how diverse media platforms, ranging from digital interfaces to televised serials, play a pivotal role in shaping and mirroring gender identities, roles, and societal norms within their specific environments. Most importantly, it critically engages with issues of education, marginalization, inclusion, and sustainable development. Case studies on marginalized communities such as the urban poor, elderly sweepers, and widows contribute to broader discourses on developmental paradigms vis-à-vis poverty and social exclusion. Academics, researchers, and students interested in gender, culture, and development studies will find this handbook invaluable in understanding and addressing gender inequities, cultural imbalances, and development complexities. Policymakers, NGOs, and activists committed to social progress will appreciate the evidence-based insights enabling them for informed actions and policies that transcend conventional boundaries.

Books can be dangerous. Fitz believes he is guardian of one of the most dangerous of all - The Winchester Codex was responsible for wiping out the entire draconic race, of which he is one of the last vestiges. Caught in a trap from the deep time of history, the dragon had vowed to protect the book’s author. Yet in the 21st century, what relevance does this ancient manuscript have? He hides the codex in his attic and tries to forget about it. A surprise visit from a friend leads to one last quest, forcing them both to confront their past. In Swansea, Fitz and his friend Perceval happen upon a temporarily homeless teenager who joins them on a walk around the coast of Wales to raise funds for charity and records everything on social media. But not all their followers are benign. Someone wants the codex that has lain neglected in Fitz’ attic for centuries and wants it badly. What started as a simple walk, ends with a journey into darkness and to the gates of death.

Discover the heartfelt, witty and inspiring first official autobiography from one of Britain's most beloved celebrities. 'Raw and revelatory' Sunday Times 'Showbiz memoir of the year' Daily Express 'A rip roaring and honest story that pulls absolutely no punches' Best 'A treasure trove of gems which even Elton John would be jealous of.' Daily Mirror You think you already know all there is to know about Vanessa? You don't know the half of it. Brace yourself for the achingly funny, deeply moving untold story: the behind-the-scenes lowdown on the parents who planned her wedding before she could walk, how she became the nation's second-most-famous fat person, life as the British Oprah, feuding with Madonna and Miss Piggy aboard the Big Breakfast bed, an excruciatingly public divorce, gruesome gastric band surgery, a sixteen-year skirmish with an ageing boybander and finding herself shockingly single at sixty-one. She's spent thirty-five years in the public eye and now, for the first time, Vanessa seizes her chance to set the record straight in this warm, witty, intensely human story. She spares no one's blushes, including her own. How could someone so clever make such cataclysmic mistakes? Vanessa's often wrong, but always relatable. She puts the 'Oh my goodness, I can never unread that paragraph!' into celebrity autobiography.

Fundamentals of Weed Science, Sixth Edition, places weed management in the context of weed research and science, presenting the latest advances in the role, control, and potential uses of weed plants. This book uses an ecological framework to explore the role of responsible and effective weed control in agriculture from the emergence and genetic foundation of weeds to the latest means of control and environmental effects. Fully revised, updated, and expanded, Fundamentals of Weed Science now includes insights into international trad eand consumer preferences, weed seedbanks, advancements in robotic weeding, weed flaming, and the potential of precision agriculture in weed science. • Includes an emphasis on herbicide resistance and molecular biology, both of which have come to dominate weedscience research• Covers all traditional aspects of weed science as well as current research• Provides broad coverage, including relevant related subjects like weed ecology and weed population genetics

Contemporary Illumination gives detailed instruction for artists wishing to add gold leaf to their work. It explains the techniques used in medieval manuscripts but shows how these same techniques can be used to stunning effect to enhance lettering and paintings in contemporary styles. Alongside step-by-step instruction, it also gives practical advice on how to fix common problems. For both the novice and the more experienced, this handsome book unlocks illuminated secrets from the fifteenth century and shows how they can be applied just as beautifully to art of today. With fully illustrated step-by-step instructions for gilding and painting using readily available off-the-shelf products. For those with more experience, there are detailed instructions on the making and use of both manuscript gesso and shell gold, with examples of how they might be used both to enhance a calligraphic text as well as a painting or drawing. There are also suggestions of how to paint on gold, and how to combine flat and raised gilding in new and innovative ways. This book is a visual treat and an invaluable guide for everyone who wants to appreciate the art of illumination and to learn how to use traditional techniques in contemporary applications.