Is science typically for White men? Is science for 'people like us'? What are the barriers and opportunities? This book explores the science career aspirations of minority ethnic students. It investigates the views, experiences and identities of British Black Caribbean, Bangladeshi, Chinese, Indian and Pakistani youths in relation to science.

This book presents an exciting and novel approach to explore the concept of the ‘ideal student’. Written in the context of higher education, the concept aims to promote a more transparent conversation about the explicit, implicit and idealistic expectations of university students. It would address concerns that implicit rules or unspoken practices can result in diverse but patterned student experiences, widening social inequalities. The concept of the ideal student can provide students, especially those less familiar or confident with higher education, with a better and clearer understanding of what is valued, expected and rewarded at university. With increasing student diversity, there is an urgent need for greater openness and awareness of the different expectations and ideals of students. The key questions explored include: •How is the ideal student imagined and envisioned? •To what extent are these constructions realistic and achievable?  •Are certain students more likely to aspire, identify or embody these ideal characteristics?  •Are there any features of the ideal student that are widely shared and recognised?  •How do people from different social backgrounds construct their ideal student?  •How can staff support students to develop desirable characteristics for university? A number of issues are unpacked as the book discusses the nuances of what it means to be a university student. The Ideal Student is written for a general audience and will be of particular interest to those working or studying in higher education, especially staff, students and senior leaders. "This clearly written and engaging book will be of interest to HE practitioners, students and researchers who want to support more inclusive learning environments." Professor Louise Archer, Karl Mannheim Professor of Sociology of Education, UCL Institute of Education, UK "This is a rigorously informed and illuminating reconsideration of the notion of the Ideal Type of student in higher education." Professor Gill Crozier DPhil, FRSA, University of Roehampton, UK "Based on solid empirical work, combining qualitative and quantitative data, the book offers an insight into the perception of whom and what the ideal student is." Professor Lars Ulriksen, Department of Science Education, University of Copenhagen, Denmark "In their well-written and clearly structured volume Wong and Chiu summarise valuable data-driven research that sheds light on the important question of what characterises the ideal student." Stefan T. Siegel & Tobias Böttger, University of Augsburg, Germany Billy Wong is an Associate Professor in Widening Participation at the Institute of Education, University of Reading. Tiffany Chiu is Senior Teaching Fellow in Educational Development at the Centre for Higher Education Research and Scholarship and Programme Director for the PG Cert in University Learning and Teaching at Imperial College London. She is a Senior Fellow of the HEA.

"Global Civil Society 2011" combines activist and academic accounts of contemporary struggles to promote, negotiate and deliver justice in a global frame without a central authority. In their engagement with cultural diversity and their networked communication the contributors rethink and remake justice beyond the confines of the nation state.

5 action-packed tales for the price of 3 A collection of the first four Tales of the Gothic Warrior stories and their prequel, Gothic Genesis. This lighthearted (but violent) urban fantasy novelette/short story series revolves around an ultra-tough female brawler taking on monsters and other fantastic foes, along with more normal opponents, usually with her bare fists. Included in this omnibus are: Gothic Warrior and the Dark Man - Retired boxer Lincoln never imagined he would fight a girl, let alone be pushed to his limits by one. After meeting goth metal singer and ultimate bar brawler Freya in the drunken battle of a lifetime, he gets a surprise invitation to join her crew. He and the band develop a strong friendship as he shares his sports and life knowledge with them and they help him recapture his youth. But when evil seeks to claim a band member's soul along with her gift of foresight, the modern day warriors must confront the devil's own scholar... the Dark Man. Seeds of Despair - Fresh off a big win, mixed martial arts champion Gunner challenges his friend and rival, goth metal singer and ultimate street fighter Freya Blackstar, to a rematch of their past battle. But when the outcome is not what he wishes, his resulting misery leaves him vulnerable to a mind and body altering supernatural influence. In order to save him before he goes too far, his friends will have to use all their strength and wits... and maybe a little help from the internet. Gothic Gladiator - After winning her spot from a seven foot kickboxer, goth singer and self styled Gothic warrior Freya enters an evil billionaire's underground fighting tournament. She finds herself right at home battling aristocrats, sumos, thugs, ninjas and psycho killers for the title of "greatest in the world." But what will she face if she makes it to the final round against the mysterious Grand Champion? Best in the Elf-ing World - When the world's greatest mixed martial arts fighter challenges goth singer and ultimate brawler Freya to a match, she eagerly accepts the chance to battle a legend. To her surprise, she soon receives an offer of training from an otherworldly visitor. What she doesn't know is that her elvish benefactor has plans for her beyond just a celebrity cage fight. Gothic Genesis - After beating up a player from a rival football team, high school sports star Freya finds herself under investigation for his disappearance. Resolving to find him and clear her name herself, she teams up with psychic outcast Annabeth on a quest that will start a great friendship and change her life forever.

Action-packed fantasy adventure with a touch of romance and one or two badass female warriors. After losing his memory, Jack had moved on and started a family with the woman who saved his life. But when his former love finds him at his humble inn and reveals Jack was once a warrior king, he remembers her place in his heart. For all he adores his wife, he is hard pressed to reject the powerful queen who loves him. Urged to take back his throne and longing to complete his memory, Jack visits his homeland. There, he battles an elusive mage with ambitions to take the crown while his wife is terrorized by a ghostly stalker seeking revenge. But as he struggles to defend his loved ones from these mysterious foes, the mistakes of his own past may be prove to be his undoing. A full length novel.

Action-packed fantasy adventure with a powerhouse female epic warrior in the spirit of Achilles or Beowulf. The continuing saga of a warrior whose army-slaying sword belies her kind heart. Nearly indestructible heroine Rose gets a letter from a foreign king inviting her to discuss opening a new branch of the center for magical study she helps run. Upon arriving in his kingdom of Terlon, she learns that his true motive is to request her aid against invaders from a larger country. Though annoyed by his deception, her compassion does not allow her to turn a blind eye to the suffering of his people and she agrees to help. Following unfavorable developments in the war, Rose finds more and more responsibilities being heaped upon her shoulders. A bitter dispute breaks out over the leadership of Terlon with her caught in the middle, and a battle with the enemy nation's war god looms near. But even that might not be the most daunting trouble fate has planned for her. A full-length novel. Fifth in the Iron Flower series.

Action-packed fantasy adventure with a powerhouse female epic warrior in the spirit of Achilles or Beowulf. The continuing saga of a warrior whose army-slaying sword belies her kind heart. With the ultimate weapon in hand, treacherous prince Victor gathers allies from around the world to join him in his bid for Kayland. As civil war looms, Rose races against time to stop Victor's power from growing out of hand and save her country. Foes old and new gather under his banner, forming the fearful coalition of the Tri-Principality. But when Victor using another guise calls forth the last survivors of an ancient civilization, will his deception force Rose and friends to exterminate an entire race? A full length novel. Seventh in the Iron Flower series. Includes a bonus short story, "King of Heroes."

Years are only one way to age in this tale of a young warrior whose army-slaying sword belies her kind heart. One of the greatest fighters in the world, nearly indestructible Rose lets few things strike fear into her-but magic is one of them. Nonetheless, she seeks out the magical dangers left by the ancients alongside warrior partner Finn and curious scholar Derrick in order to protect others from them. Their mission is complicated by Rose and Finn's budding romance, as her choice of lifestyle conflicts with his expectations for the woman he loves. But after their quest pits against such titanic foes as a prince able to slay a thousand men in a day and a draconic archmage, will Rose be forced to embrace the very magic she fears? A full-length novel. Second in the Iron Flower series, but you do not need to have read the first to enjoy this one - either is a great starting point to the adventures of Rose.

The heroic fantasy saga of a boy searching for his mom. The adopted son of an earl, Mark fears he will never live up to his father's expectations. But when he learns his mother is a famous warrior who once saved their country from barbarian invasion, he sets out to meet her and become more than the underachiever he no longer wants to be. Joined by wild and brazen warrior princess Ann, Mark travels through barbarian lands and cursed wastes while ever hounded by the minions of an evil duke who plans to kidnap him to control his father. Will timid Mark find the strength to survive endless mercenaries, demonic shrubs, an awkward romance with the more experienced Ann, and the duke's conniving son who just happens to be named Marcus? A full length novel.