Paul Thomas

This interdisciplinary monograph examines the potential of Norwegian literary classics by Knut Hamsun, Sigrid Undset, and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson to advance diversity and inclusivity in education. Drawing on postcolonial theory, critical race studies, and gender critique, the book explores how these canonical texts can be reinterpreted as tools for fostering intercultural empathy and encouraging critical dialogue about societal norms, identities, and power structures. While acknowledging the complexities and controversies surrounding these authors, the book offers a balanced critique that both interrogates and celebrates their works. It provides innovative pedagogical strategies for integrating classic literature into contemporary educational practices, demonstrating how these texts can be used to challenge traditional narratives and promote inclusivity in the classroom. By bridging literary analysis with critical theory and educational practice, this work invites academics, educators, and students to reconsider the role of classic literature in shaping more equitable and empathetic learning environments. It positions Norwegian literary heritage as a dynamic resource for addressing pressing questions about identity, diversity, and social justice in today’s globalized world. This book is an essential contribution to the fields of literary studies, education, and critical pedagogy.

This open access book addresses the key educational challenges faced by marginalized communities in Norway, advocating for inclusive and equitable learning environments with a focus on decolonization and empowerment. Drawing on case studies and examples from across Norway's diverse cultural landscape, the book highlights the importance of integrating various cultural narratives into education, enhancing students' understanding of their own identities and histories. It covers issues and topics including whiteness, Jewish and Muslim education, Norwegian history, climate justice, AI, gender, the manosphere and trumpism, critical pedagogy and mass testing. The book offers actionable insights and strategies for researchers, educators and policy makers to implement decolonized and socially just practices in their classrooms and educational systems. The ebook editions of this book are available open access under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence on bloomsburycollections.com. Open access was funded by the University of South-Eastern Norway and Oslo Metropolitan University.

One of the biggest challenges that the newly ordained face is preparing to preside at the Eucharist for the first time. You may have sat through hundreds of such services, but mastering the liturgy, the actions, the postures, the silences, the private prayers, the gestures and at the same time choreographing the whole so that the entire congregation may participate, is truly daunting. Some clergy are thorough in training their deacons for this; others less so, and many deacons are simply left to fend for themselves. This book uniquely meets this very real need and addresses in practical and reassuring terms all that it is necessary to understand for conducting each stage of the Eucharistic liturgy so that all may worship: • The greeting and gathering • The penitential rite • The liturgy of the word • The liturgy of the sacrament • The blessing and sending out In providing a thorough grounding in liturgical theology and practice, this volume will allow ministers to develop their own presidential style with confidence and understanding.

This book offers an artist’s perspective on the intriguing relationship between quantum physics and fine art, focusing particularly on the role of probability, chance and uncertainty. The author, rather than approaching quantum mechanics as a scientist, explores how its concepts shape perception and creative expression. Drawing inspiration from Walter Benjamin’s approach to photography and art, Thomas reframes the question: not whether artists can interpret quantum mechanics, but how quantum ideas influence artistic thought. Through metaphors, signs and serendipitous experiences, the book examines how the language and imagery of quantum theory intersect with the intuitive, often contradictory nature of artistic practice. It argues that while science attempts to measure phenomena, art probes sensation—offering new ways to visualise, question and internalise complex realities and showing how intuition and uncertainty have always played roles in both scientific and artistic revolutions. This text is ideal for scholars and artists interested in art education, art theory and scientific approaches to art.

Tervetuloa Pohjoismaiden suurimpaan verkkokirjakauppaan! Adlibris kannattaa sananvapautta, ja haluamme edistää kirjallisuuden ja tiedon saatavuutta.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online. Racism remains a pervasive issue worldwide, affecting individuals and communities in both overt and subtle ways. In Norway, a country often seen as a model of equality, the challenges faced by Black individuals reveal the deep-seated nature of racial biases. This broader societal problem encompasses themes of white privilege, visibility, and systemic injustice, demanding urgent attention and action. Too Black to Be Here? Exploring Racism in Norway through Four Critical Case Studies offers an authentic perspective on race in Norway from a Black-Norwegian academic, a voice rarely represented in the literature. Author Paul Thomas explores four high-profile cases: the murder of Benjamin Hermansen, which starkly exposes the deadly impact of unchecked racism; Anders Breivik’s attacks, highlighting the violent anxiety rooted in white supremacy; Sumaya Jirde Ali’s racial abuse, revealing the silence and complicity surrounding racial injustice; and Johanne Ihle-Hansen’s adoption case, examining the structural racism in adoption practices. Employing an interdisciplinary approach that draws from critical race theory, whiteness studies, post-structural, and postcolonial theories, this work provides a nuanced and thorough analysis of these issues, offering both a scholarly and personal narrative. This important work is not only an academic inquiry but also a call to action, aiming to foster a more inclusive and equitable society. Educators, policymakers, advocates, and anyone committed to racial justice and equity will find valuable insights to inspire meaningful change and promote racial literacy in the global context.

In Media and Education: Addressing Racism in Norway, we explore critical questions about Norway's hidden history of racism and its implications today. Why has Norway largely overlooked its role in the transatlantic slave trade? How do media representations shape public perceptions of race? What can education do to confront and dismantle systemic racism? This book uncovers the complex interplay between historical narratives, media portrayals, and educational practices, offering fresh insights into the ongoing struggle for racial justice in a diversifying society. We present rare archival images and previously unpublished data that challenge conventional understandings of Norwegian identity and history. Through compelling case studies--like the "Human Zoo" exhibition and the tragic death of Eugene Obiora--we engage you with powerful stories that highlight the lived realities of racism in Norway. You will witness how these histories resonate within contemporary antiracist movements and educational discourse. This timely work is essential for educators, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding and addressing racial issues in Norway and beyond. Join us in sparking meaningful conversations and actions towards a more inclusive future.

This open access volume explores the complex dynamics of ethnic and racial segregation in Norwegian schools, particularly in Oslo. It examines how educational institutions can reflect and challenge societal norms regarding race, culture, and identity. The book argues that while Norway pursues an egalitarian ethos, recent trends in school segregation undermine these ideals. The major contribution of this book lies in its critical exploration of the intersectionality of race, culture, and education, grounded in critical pedagogy principles. Through case studies, personal narratives, and literary analyses, the authors highlight how marginalized students navigate their identities within systems that often stigmatize them. Topics include authentic multicultural education, the reclamation of space and identity by non-white students, and the examination of “ghetto schools” as sites of both challenge and empowerment. Special features include visual illustrations and engaging literary analyses. Ultimately this volume serves as a compelling call for educational reform and cultural dialogue, emphasizing the transformative potential of education in promoting social justice and community cohesion.

Vax Facts is a one-stop-shop for all the information parents and guardians need to make an informed choice about childhood vaccinations. The challenge for most who are wrestling with whether to give a vaccine is a lack of understanding about what information they really need to make an informed decision. Written by a pediatrician who witnessed the difference over decades in the health outcomes of the vaccinated, partially vaccinated, and unvaccinated children in his practice, Vax Facts will enlighten parents and guardians and provide the information needed for informed consent. Covering each of the vaccines recommended by the CDC and doctors, from pregnancy through the teen years, this detailed guide breaks down the ingredients, the lack of safety testing, and the side effects and risks of the vaccines. With the help of simple data tables that compare the rates of death from the diseases for which we have vaccines and the rates of death from the vaccines themselves, parents and guardians can easily decide what’s right for their children. With almost four million births per year in the United States, this useful resource will resonate with all who are pregnant or considering pregnancy, and all parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles who are considering whether vaccination is appropriate for a family member or loved one. At the end of each chapter, Just a Mom (coauthor DeeDee Hoover) shares personal stories and reflections that allow readers to connect with the information. This information-packed guide is for all those asking “Should I get my child vaccinated?” who want more than just a yes/no answer. After reading Vax Facts, parents and guardians will be able to decide with confidence whether vaccination is the right choice for their loved one.

In this evocative memoir, traversing more than three decades, the author recounts a life moulded through his experiences as a refugee, and then cab driver, and finally, the domain of academia as a professor in Norway. Much ink has been spilled, and careers - both academic and political - piggybacked, on writing about refugees, non-western minorities, integration, and the purported threat they face to western culture. Seldom are refugees given a voice to articulate their own perspectives. This memoir is the voice of the subaltern inspired by the postcolonial genre of the empire writing back. Personal reflections are intertwined with critical analysis in offering a distinctive outlook on the challenges and successes confronting people of colour. On a deeper level, the memoir is crafted as a “no holds barred” navigational tool for minoritized youth caught in the crossfire of political and social skullduggery. “A Somali-Norwegian Saga: My Journey from Refugee to Cab Driver to Professor”, weaves sociological theories into the narrative and serves as a call to broaden and accommodate new and emerging hybrid identities in what has been called the "browning" of the western demographic, openly addresses the conflicts posed by certain minority cultural practices misaligned with universal democratic ideals, and ultimately suggests that success is within reach despite the enormous hurdles. It is a tribute to the fortitude and resilience of countless, nameless refugees who took on the challenges of being outsiders and enriched the diverse fabric of Norwegian society.

When an athlete with an exceptional record of achievement and longevity comes to the end of their career, the numbers can speak for themselves. Ross Taylor has scored the most runs, made the most centuries and taken the most catches by a New Zealander in international cricket. He's the first New Zealand cricketer to play 450 international matches. He's the first player from any country to make 100 international appearances in all three formats of the game: test cricket, one-day internationals and Twenty20. The numbers are extraordinary but they don't tell the whole story. They don't capture the unlikely, if not unique, aspects of Ross Taylor's journey to becoming one of our true sporting greats: * the part-Samoan youngster, brought up in humble circumstances and a loving and supportive family environment, who quickly made his mark in a predominantly white sport; * the dashing batsman who found fame and fortune amidst the glitz and glamour of the Indian Premier League, then adapted his game in order to realise his ambition of becoming a champion in the most demanding format, test cricket; * the young captain whose dream of leading his country turned into a nightmare that took a heavy toll on his well-being; * the resilient performer who overcame rejection and adversity to play a central role in New Zealand cricket's golden era. Here is the whole story - in black and white.

Paul Thomas chronicles a multi-level reception study of the Bible at both the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter in Kentucky, USA. Thomas explores the commercial presentation of biblical narratives and the reception of those narratives by the patrons of each attraction, focusing upon three topics; what do young Creationists believe, how they interpret their beliefs from the Bible, and what is the user experience at the museums? The volume begins by explaining how Answers in Genesis (AiG) use Bible passages to support young-Earth creationist arguments, allowing for the chance to consider the Bible via physical means. Thomas then examines how the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter visitors receive the Bible (as presented by AiG) and how this presentation informs visitors’ understanding of the text, exploring concepts such as the most prominent displays of the two attractions, the larger context of museums and theme parks and the case studies of the Methuselah display and The Noah Interview. He concludes with the summary of the user experience generated by the attractions, analyzing the degree to which patrons accept, negotiate, or resist the interpretation of the Bible offered by AiG.

This book challenges the narrative of Northern England as a failed space of multiculturalism, drawing on a historically-contextualised discussion of ethnic relations to argue that multiculturalism has been more successful and locally situated than these assumptions allow. The authors examine the interplay between ‘race’, space and place to analyse how profound economic change, the evolving nature of the state, individual racism, and the local creation and enactment of multiculturalist policies have all contributed to shaping the trajectory of ethnic/faith identities and inter-community relations at a local level. In doing so, the book analyses both change and continuity in discussion of, and national/local state policy towards, ethnic relations, particularly around the supposed segregation/integration dichotomy, and the ways in which racialised ‘events’ are perceived and ‘identities’ are created and reflected in state policy operations. Drawing on the authors’ long involvement in empirical research, policy and practice around ethnicity, ‘race’ and racism in the Northern England, they effectively support critical and situated analysis of controversial, racialised issues, and set these geographically specific findings in the context of wider international experiences of and tensions around growing ethnic diversity in the context of profound economic and social changes.

Simulated test collections may find application in situations where real datasets cannot easily be accessed due to confidentiality concerns or practical inconvenience. They can potentially support Information Retrieval (IR) experimentation, tuning, validation, performance prediction, and hardware sizing. Naturally, the accuracy and usefulness of results obtained from a simulation depend upon the fidelity and generality of the models which underpin it. The fidelity of emulation of a real corpus is likely to be limited by the requirement that confidential information in the real corpus should not be able to be extracted from the emulated version. We present a range of methods exploring trade-offs between emulation fidelity and degree of preservation of privacy. We present three different simple types of text generator which work at a micro level: Markov models, neural net models, and substitution ciphers. We also describe macro level methods where we can engineer macro properties of a corpus, giving a range of models for each of the salient properties: document length distribution, word frequency distribution (for independent and non-independent cases), word length and textual representation, and corpus growth. We present results of emulating existing corpora and for scaling up corpora by two orders of magnitude. We show that simulated collections generated with relatively simple methods are suitable for some purposes and can be generated very quickly. Indeed it may sometimes be feasible to embed a simple lightweight corpus generator into an indexer for the purpose of efficiency studies. Naturally, a corpus of artificial text cannot support IR experimentation in the absence of a set of compatible queries. We discuss and experiment with published methods for query generation and query log emulation. We present a proof-of-the-pudding study in which we observe the predictive accuracy of efficiency and effectiveness results obtained on emulated versions of TREC corpora. The study includes three open-source retrieval systems and several TREC datasets. There is a trade-off between confidentiality and prediction accuracy and there are interesting interactions between retrieval systems and datasets. Our tentative conclusion is that there are emulation methods which achieve useful prediction accuracy while providing a level of confidentiality adequate for many applications. Many of the methods described here have been implemented in the open source project SynthaCorpus, accessible at: https://bitbucket.org/davidhawking/synthacorpus/

This book challenges the narrative of Northern England as a failed space of multiculturalism, drawing on a historically-contextualised discussion of ethnic relations to argue that multiculturalism has been more successful and locally situated than these assumptions allow. The authors examine the interplay between ‘race’, space and place to analyse how profound economic change, the evolving nature of the state, individual racism, and the local creation and enactment of multiculturalist policies have all contributed to shaping the trajectory of ethnic/faith identities and inter-community relations at a local level. In doing so, the book analyses both change and continuity in discussion of, and national/local state policy towards, ethnic relations, particularly around the supposed segregation/integration dichotomy, and the ways in which racialised ‘events’ are perceived and ‘identities’ are created and reflected in state policy operations. Drawing on the authors’ long involvement in empirical research, policy and practice around ethnicity, ‘race’ and racism in the Northern England, they effectively support critical and situated analysis of controversial, racialised issues, and set these geographically specific findings in the context of wider international experiences of and tensions around growing ethnic diversity in the context of profound economic and social changes.

COVID-19: Life-Saving Strategies The News Media Will Never Tell You By Paul Thomas, M. D. Want to Survive COVID-19? This Is The Book That Shows You How Written By A Respected M. D. Are you worried that you or a loved one might die from COVID-19? It is your healthy immune system that protects you and keeps you alive. In COVID-19: Life-Saving Strategies the News Media Will Never Tell You, Paul Thomas, M. D. provides possible solutions backed by sound science and his experience in his own clinical practice. In this book, you will discover: - The best type of immune-boosting diet. - Why a ventilator should only be used as a last resort. - 6 essential dietary supplements that support immunity and lung health (Hint: It's not just about vitamin C). - 1 possible way to get a conventional doctor to administer vitamin C while you're in the hospital. - Many other easy-to-implement key action steps to strengthen your immune system. This book provides a way to take your destiny into your own hands and dramatically increase your chances of staying healthy. The many scientific references included in the book also make it an ideal resource for health care providers.