This research focuses on the role of English for engineers in the workplace in Turkey, with the aim of informing engineering programs to better equip prospective engineers with relevant workplace... Show moreThis research focuses on the role of English for engineers in the workplace in Turkey, with the aim of informing engineering programs to better equip prospective engineers with relevant workplace communication skills. To this end, it identifies how engineers perceive the importance of English, how frequently they use it for different tasks, and whether the perceived role and importance of English varies according to the type of company where engineers work. Findings show that English is perceived as relatively unimportant for daily tasks but more important for recruitment and promotion. Additionally, they highlight the importance of receptive skills in comparison to productive skills. Finally, they suggest that the type of company is significantly related to the status of English and how it is used in the workplace. Findings will contribute to engineering course designers in Turkey through detailed profiling of the role of English as perceived by Turkish engineers. Show less
Washbourne, C.L.; Dendoncker, N.; Jacobs, S.; Mascarenhas, A.; Longueville, F. de; Oudenhoven, A.P.E. van; ... ; Dijk, J. van 2020
The end of the first working program of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) provided an opportunity to draw lessons from its work. This... Show moreThe end of the first working program of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) provided an opportunity to draw lessons from its work. This perspective paper captures insights from ecosystem services (ES) researchers and practitioners, largely drawing from the European context (referred to herein as ‘ES community’), on this key science–policy interface. We synthesize reflections from a workshop on how (i) IPBES can engage the ES community; (ii) the ES community can engage with IPBES; and (iii) individual scientists can contribute. We note that IPBES constitutes a great advancement towards multidisciplinarity and inclusivity in ES research and practice. Key reflections for IPBES are that funding and visibility at ES research events could be improved, the contribution and selection processes could be more transparent, and communication with experts improved. Key reflections for the ES community include a need to improve policy-relevance by integrating more social scientists, researchers from developing countries, early-career scientists and policy-makers. Key reflections directed towards individual scientists include contributing (pro)actively to science–policy interface initiatives such as IPBES and increasing transdisciplinary research. These reflections intend to contribute to the awareness of challenges and opportunities for institutions, groups and individuals working on ES. Show less
