Manifestations of Neo-Liberalised and Politically Incapacitated Societies: Educational Response to the Pandemic in the Arab Region

This paper offers a commentary on the response to the pandemic in the Arab region and an analysis of pre-existing gaps and deficiencies in the educational systems. Due to the shortage in empirical studies in this area, this commentary was written based on current observations and an analysis of relevant literature and scholarly work, mainly Freire (1970) and Giroux (2011). This critical paper paints a gloomy picture but also offers hope for education in the Arab world. It concludes by discussing how the engagement and empowerment of teachers, students and parents can contribute to a possible reinvention and redesign of the educational system

Leadership in International Schools

This blog reflects ongoing research on learning-centred leadership in international schools. The study focuses on the practice of principals, leadership development, and the social impact of leadership. The blog aims to create dialogue and encourage the feedback of academics, professionals, and readers. This will ultimately enrich my research and help to constantly (re)shape my social construction of knowledge on leadership and schools

Cardiovascular effects of electronic cigarettes

Cardiovascular safety is an important consideration in the debate on the benefits versus the risks of electronic cigarette (EC) use. EC emissions that might have adverse effects on cardiovascular health include nicotine, oxidants, aldehydes, particulates, and flavourants. To date, most of the cardiovascular effects of ECs demonstrated in humans are consistent with the known effects of nicotine. Pharmacological and toxicological studies support the biological plausibility that nicotine contributes to acute cardiovascular events and accelerated atherogenesis. However, epidemiological studies assessing Swedish smokeless tobacco, which exposes users to nicotine without combustion products, generally have not found an increased risk of myocardial infarction or stroke among users, but suggest that nicotine might contribute to acute cardiovascular events, especially in those with underlying coronary heart disease. The effects of aldehydes, particulates, and flavourants derived from ECs on cardiovascular health have not been determined. Although ECs might pose some cardiovascular risk to users, particularly those with existing cardiovascular disease, the risk is thought to be less than that of cigarette smoking based on qualitative and quantitative comparisons of EC aerosol versus cigarette smoke constituents. The adoption of ECs rather than cigarette smoking might, therefore, result in an overall benefit for public health