/library/oar/handle/123456789/248 2026-05-23T22:39:05Z 2026-05-23T22:39:05Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/146443 2026-05-13T14:38:17Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Research data management, drUM, & responsible data sharing Abstract: A hands-on workshop on making research data FAIR, improving data organisation and documentation, and depositing processed datasets in drUM. Through a practical overview of responsibilities, quality controls, metadata, reproducibility, permissions, licensing, and citation, participants will learn how to make research data more organised, secure, reusable, and compliant with funder or institutional expectations. The workshop is designed for researchers, students, and research support staff who want to improve the visibility, integrity, and long-term value of their research data. Description: Presentation given for Office for Professional Academic Development at the workshop: Research Data Management, drUM, & Responsible Data Sharing

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Mol, Stefan T. Vella, Nicholas C. /library/oar/handle/123456789/145791 2026-04-21T12:55:41Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Doctoral school annual lecture 2025 : mental health in academia : towards a more sustainable future Authors: Mol, Stefan T.; Vella, Nicholas C. Abstract: With what has been dubbed ‘the mental health crisis in academia’, and mounting evidence that mental health issues such as depression and burnout are more prevalent amongst academics than in the general population (with PhD candidates and postdocs most affected), it is time for the research community to introspect and to break the silence around researcher psychological well-being and ill-being. In his keynote address, Stefan Mol will talk about the state of mental health in academia, introduce a number of manifestos he collaborated on, and present the initial outcomes of the Sustainable Working Conditions in Academia Survey (STAIRCASE). This was the result of the Researcher Mental Health Observatory (ReMO) Cost Action project, focused on creating the largest ever European Benchmark of the contextual antecedents of Mental Health across more than 30 countries. In addition, some training opportunities that early career researchers may benefit from in nourishing and sustaining their own mental health, will be introduced.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/145617 2026-04-15T11:16:47Z 1876-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Officium Proprium Sancti Publii Episcopi et Martyris ac Primi Episcopi Ecclesiæ Melitensis ejusque Patroni Minus Princ. Sub Ritu Duplici Secundæ Classis Recitadum A Clero Sæculari et Regulari Kalend. Diœc. Utente. Abstract: This 1876 liturgical booklet, printed in Malta by Franciscus Cumbo, contains the "Proper Office of Saint Publius," the island's first bishop and martyr. Approved for use by both secular and regular clergy using the diocesan calendar, the text outlines the prayers and hymns for the feast celebrated on the second Sunday after Easter. Designated as a "Double Rite of the Second Class," the office underscores the historical and spiritual significance of Publius’s conversion following St. Paul’s shipwreck. Description: Translation of title: Proper Office of Saint Publius, Bishop and Martyr, and First Bishop of the Church of Malta, and its Lesser Principal Patron. To be recited under the Double Rite of the Second Class by the Secular and Regular Clergy using the Diocesan Calendar.

1876-01-01T00:00:00Z Scicluna, Ryan /library/oar/handle/123456789/145470 2026-04-10T12:54:29Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Breaking the ice : a social exchange study on gamification, library anxiety, and the willingness to return at the University of Malta Library Authors: Scicluna, Ryan Abstract: Purpose Grounded in Social Exchange Theory, this study investigates the efficacy of gamified orientation as an initiatory social transaction to mitigate Library Anxiety. It aims to determine if gamification lowers the psychological “cost” of entry and increases the “benefit” of return intention compared to traditional methods, while evaluating the moderating role of “Game Literacy.” Design/methodology/approach A quasi-experimental, post-test-only design was employed with 132 first-year undergraduates at the University of Malta. Following a pilot study to validate content, intact classes were assigned to either a traditional lecture (n = 65) or a gamified narrative quest (n = 67). Immediate affective outcomes were measured using the Library Anxiety Scale and Net Promoter Score. Findings Gamification produced a statistically significant reduction in Library Anxiety (d = 1.55) and higher return intentions compared to the control group. However, a significant interaction effect revealed a “literacy tax”: while gamification benefited all participants, students with low game literacy reported higher anxiety than their high-literacy peers, indicating that game mechanics can impose a secondary cognitive load. Originality/value Unlike studies focusing solely on learning outcomes, this research quantifies the affective impact of gamification through a social exchange lens. It provides empirical evidence that while gamification successfully “breaks the ice,” equitable implementation requires “low-threshold” mechanics to ensure non-gamers are not disadvantaged.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z