http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/23 2026-03-26T07:20:33Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33012 Title: A comparative study of responses to corruption in the Gulf: National efforts of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and UAE Authors: Aladwani, Athari Abstract: Corruption proves to be a complex issue, as it negatively affects all branches of social and political life. Corruption practices compromise trust in the political system, as well as hindering economic development (including investment flows) and preventing the recognition and the enjoyment of civil and political rights.¹ [...] Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/32953 Title: Artificial Intelligence & Human-Computer Interaction: The development and deployment of emotionally intelligent, LLM-augmented conversational agent software, utilising generative AI to improve pedagogical and educational management processes Authors: Yusuf, Habeebullah Abstract: Background: Viva voce examinations, a form of performance-based assessment (PBA), are valued for their ability to elicit deep insights into student understanding and oral articulation. However, they are often associated with challenges such as increased student anxiety, examiner inconsistency and high teacher workload. While artificial intelligence (AI) has seen broad adoption in education, its application in oral assessments remains limited and underexplored. Objectives: This research investigates the use of emotionally responsive AI conversational agents to address key challenges in formative viva assessments. It aims to develop two such agents; AIvaluate (a teacher-mediated agent) and AIvaluate2 (a fully autonomous agent), and evaluate their impact on student anxiety, teacher burden, assessment quality and student experience. Methods: The research follows a Design Science Research (DSR) methodology and employs the Rapid Application Development (RAD) framework for iterative prototyping. Four empirical studies were conducted in an education setting using a mixed-methods approach. Data collection methods included real-time emotional self-reporting, System Usability Scale (SUS), feedback quality scoring, grade comparisons, surveys and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data was analysed using statistical methods such as paired-sample comparisons and TOST equivalence testing. Qualitative data was subjected to reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Findings suggest that AIvaluate successfully reduced student anxiety and teacher workload during assessments. AIvaluate2 enhanced perceptions of assessment credibility, fairness and usability, contributing to a more emotionally supportive and consistent student experience. However, certain limitations, such as the absence of human-like empathy and rapport were noted in AI-led formats. Contributions: This thesis contributes: 1. A conceptual framework for categorising pedagogical AI conversational agents. 2. Empirical evidence supporting the educational utility of LLM-augmented AI conversational agents in oral assessments. 3. Two validated AI software artefacts (AIvaluate and AIvaluate2) designed for formative viva use. 4. Insights into the role of emotional responsiveness and usability in AI-led assessment environments. Conclusion: The study advances the application of AI in education by demonstrating how emotionally intelligent conversational agents can reduce affective and operational barriers in formative oral assessments. It offers practical, scalable tools for AI-enabled pedagogy with implications for further and higher education contexts. Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/32936 Title: The role of government initiatives in sustainability practice and performance in the UK hotel sector Authors: Peivand, Fahimeh Abstract: Sustainability has become increasingly important in today’s business world, with companies recognising the need to integrate ethical, social and environmental considerations into their operations. The hotel sector is no exception, and interest in promoting sustainable practices within the industry continues to grow. Although the UK government has introduced several initiatives to advance sustainability in hotels, a comprehensive understanding of their effectiveness as well as the challenges and opportunities that accompany their implementation remains limited. The main objectives and contributions of this research are to assess the impact of government initiatives on sustainability practices and performances in the UK hotel industry and to identify effective strategies and mechanisms to encourage sustainable practices. There is a lack of a holistic framework that not only explains how government initiatives drive sustainability practices and performance, but also how the various elements of government initiatives, sustainability practices, and performance influence one another, including the interrelationships among these elements. This study adopts institutional theory to examine how external drivers and pressures, i.e. government sustainability initiatives, shape sustainability practices and performance in organisations. Semi-structured interviews with hospitality managers and employees provide a fresh empirical perspective and add a new dimension to the existing body of knowledge. The findings of this research demonstrate that there are four key government initiatives that encourage sustainability practices in the hotel industry in the UK i.e. norms and culture, set of rules, decision-making process and innovative initiative entrepreneurship. The research outcome was the development of the new holistic framework based on empirical results, institutional theory and the previous literature discussion, which resulted in the final research framework, as being a significant theoretical contribution of this research. Policymakers, hotel‐industry stakeholders, and researchers can apply this framework to devise government strategies that advance sustainability practices and performance across the hospitality sector and the wider service economy. Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/32852 Title: Exploring the impact of training in psychological support for long-term injured athletes on sport psychologists’ professional development and practice Authors: Pickford, Helen Abstract: This research explores the professional development of sport and exercise psychologists in supporting long-term injured athletes. The objectives of this research were to design and deliver a theoretically grounded professional skills workshop (‘Injury informed Acceptance and Commitment Therapy’- IACT) for sport psychology practitioners and explore the practitioners’ perceptions of the impact of training on their practice. Injury is well-recognised to have significant psychological consequences for athletes, and while practitioners regularly work to support them, there is currently a paucity of training available on this important topic. The study used an applied interpretive methodology with principles of integrated knowledge translation and a practice-based approach to explore professional development. Sport psychology practitioners attended a one-day CPD workshop that aimed to equip practitioners with the necessary skills and knowledge to better support long-term injured athletes. The CPD was designed and developed to meet the needs of practitioners including understanding the injury journey and the associated mental health risks for athletes, ACT therapeutic skills, and evidence-based practice. Data were collected through questionnaires, focus-group interviews, and follow-up interviews with practitioners at 3- and 6-months post workshop. Results showed that the IACT workshop was effective CPD training, improving practitioners’ knowledge and understanding of the injury journey, the potential impacts on athlete mental health, and their confidence in being able to effectively support injured athletes. Results from follow-up interviews showed that practitioners perceived the workshop to have significant, wide-ranging impacts on their practice, and findings were organised into five general dimensions; ‘Self’, ‘Therapeutic Alliance’, ‘Working Alliance’, ‘Process and Organisation’, and ‘Beyond’, conceptualised as a ‘ripple effect’. This research adds important practice-based evidence and concludes that current training requirements for sport psychologists in this area are insufficient, and more training of this kind needs to be available to protect athlete wellbeing, bridge the research-practice gap, and develop the profession. Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z