DORA
DORA (De Montfort Open Research Archive) is De Montfort University's research repository. It forms the primary public and institutional record of DMU research outputs. The breadth of research at DMU means that these outputs include articles, conference papers, books, book chapters, and other material available in a digital form. The record for each item contains descriptive information as well as, where possible, a version of the final research output. DORA also provides access to DMU PhD theses. This includes most PhD produced from 2009 onwards.

Communities in DORA
Select a community to browse its collections.
Recent Submissions
Revealing Emergence
(Intellect, 2025-01-23) Dalenius, Tove Noorjahaan
The artist and technology researcher Tove Noorjahaan Dalenius shares the journey of discovery, creative practice, technological research and academic dissemination, as well as face-to-face exhibition of the direct-write digital hologram Emergence, which visualizes the full extent of the clitoris in its anatomical setting. The intent is to invite readers to consider the entire endeavour through an organic and integrated approach. The project was built through a multidisciplinary process, using a practice-based research method. Through active collaboration and using collage visual methods, Dalenius created a well-researched transplane work of art which engaged audiences. The description of the exploration includes both facts and figures and some personal reflections to situate the journey. This article covers the inception of the project through to the exhibition of the artwork, a time span of fifteen years. The research concerning the anatomy of the clitoris by urologist Helen O’Connell and a visualization model by researcher and anti-sexism activist Odile Fillod are introduced. The reader is familiarized with the creative and technical medium of direct-write digital holography (DWDH). The work of art Emergence is revealed and details of the work are discussed. Finally, Dalenius describes displaying the work at the SPIE Photonics West conference, and The Women’s Building community centre in San Francisco, United States. Dalenius also brings the reader along to the Women in Tech 2023 conference in Stockholm and shares how Emergence became cover news for the feminist magazine Feministiskt Perspektiv (FemPers). The article is illustrated by ample images. By mixing innovative research in both the fields of anatomy and imaging technology, the artist/researcher/technologist has been able to create both beautiful and informative piece of art which engages the viewer. Through interaction with global audiences in different communities and settings, the work and the artist have informed, entertained and raised further questions and curiosity about anatomy, holography and societal issues.
Exploring Student Experience in Block Teaching: A Pedagogic Inquiry at a Post 1992 University
(IBILTA, 2025-06-19) Nichols-Drew, Leisa; Johnston, Emma; Allman, Zoe; Turgoose, Di
Block teaching is an emerging transformative approach in higher education, aimed at
enhancing student engagement, retention, and success. De Montfort University has
implemented a block curriculum model to enhance the student learning experience. While
previous research has focused on student attainment (Buck and Tyrrell, 2022), this study
expands the discourse by examining student transitions, sustainability, and the work-life-study
balance within this delivery model.
Responding to the need for deeper understanding of block delivered student experience, a
research initiative was launched in 2023. This study investigates the effectiveness of block
teaching by exploring student perspectives on key aspects of their academic journey, focusing
on transitions, well-being, and sustainability, influenced by the research methodology of
Wilson et al (2024). The research builds upon previous projects, including a Quality Assurance
Agency Collaborative Enhancement Project (QAA 2024), yet distinguishes itself through the
use of primary data collection.
Following ethical approval, qualitative data was collected via a series of semi-structured focus
groups. These focus groups were designed to explore students’ lived experiences and
perceptions of block delivery, particularly regarding transitions, balancing academic, work, and
personal responsibilities, and sustainability.
Thematic analysis identified patterns in student narratives. The findings are communicated in
this presentation under the core areas of transition, well-being, and sustainability, linked to the
critical factors in shaping the student experience. We also discuss the impact of these findings
on next steps.
This research advances scholarly knowledge on block curriculum delivery, moving beyond
attainment-focused studies to capture a holistic understanding of student experiences. The
findings will inform institutional policy, pedagogic strategies, and student support, while
contributing to the broader academic discourse on delivery models in higher education. Further,
scholarly outputs will share insights with the sector, reinforcing our university’s role in leading
innovative curriculum design.
References
Buck, E., & Tyrrell, K. (2022). Block and blend: A mixed method investigation into the impact of a pilot block
teaching and blended learning approach upon student outcomes and experience. Journal of Further and
Higher Education, 46(8), 1078-1091. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2022.2050686
QAA. (2024). Evaluating the Impact of Block Delivery. https://www.qaa.ac.uk/membership/benefits-of-qaa-membership/collaborative-enhancement-projects/learning-and-teaching/evaluating-the-impact-of-block-delivery
Wilson, E., Roche, T., Goode, E., & McKenzie, J. W. (2024). Creating the conditions for student success
through curriculum reform: The impact of an active learning, immersive block model. Higher Education,
1-21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-024-01283-1
From Imagining Block to Enacting Block: Insights into Design and Delivery of Educational Change
(IBILTA, 2025-06-19) Forde-Leaves, Natalie; de Main, Leanne; Allman, Zoe; Roche, Thomas; Wilson, Erica; Goode, Liz
EXPLORING THE BUSINESS MINDSET OF SERVICE SME OWNERS TOWARDS DIGITAL CONTENT MARKETING ADOPTION IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA
(De Montfort University, 2024-12) Nnabuife, Izuchukwu
The adoption of digital content marketing (DCM) has become vital for the growth and competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) globally. Amid intense competition, SMEs are increasingly leveraging digital content marketing to implement sustainable strategies(Ijomah et al., 2024). However, in Nigeria, the service SME sector demonstrates varying levels of engagement with DCM, influenced by the owners’ mindset, and readiness for digital adoption. This study explores the mindsets of service SME owners in south-west Nigeria towards adopting DCM using a qualitative approach. Through semi-structured interviews with a diverse group of 29 SME owners across different service industries, the research delves into their attitudes, perceived benefits, challenges, and barriers to DCM adoption.
The findings reveal that while SME owners recognize the potential of DCM in expanding market reach and enhancing customer engagement, they are often constrained by limited digital literacy, resource allocation concerns, and scepticism about returns on investment. Consequently, creating a mindset gap that inhibits the lack of localized digital strategies, hence contributing to the slow adoption rates. By analyzing these insights, the study offers practical recommendations for SMEs in Nigeria, policymakers, digital marketing educators, and technology providers to address the barriers and foster a supportive ecosystem for DCM adoption among Nigerian service SMEs.
This research also contributes to the broader discourse on digital marketing adoption in emerging economies and underscores the importance of aligning digital strategies with the unique contexts of SMEs in the service sector.
An economical single-vendor single-buyer framework for carbon emission policies
(Springer, 2024-04-16) Sepehriar, Abbas; Eslamipoor, Reza
Previous research indicates that it is feasible to incorporate carbon considerations into production and inventory management by making informed decisions based on total costs and other relevant factors. In this article, the inventory model of single-vendor single-buyer with fixed demand is considered and carbon emission costs are added to the model according to the two policies of carbon tax and emission trading, and the model is also discussed through environmental concerns. The objective of this study is to establish an equilibrium between the costs associated with single-vendor single-buyer (SV-SB) and carbon emissions, utilizing carbon tax and carbon trading policies to regulate the quantity of carbon generated. The results show using the carbon trading policy is more economical although it is much more complicated in implementation than carbon tax policy.