Selected Publications

BOOKS

Room for Me and You - children's book. Published by Luqoom (June 2022) 

Once upon a pandemic, the animals came out to  play while we humans were away, including three goats that–  frankly–think it’s much nicer when we’re not around. Yes, we’re not good  at sharing this beautiful planet we call home, but surely we can find  ways to make it an inviting place for everyone? 'Room for Me and You' was inspired by the true stories and amazing sightings of animals taking over cities during the 2020 lockdown. 

I'll Love You from Afar - children's book, published by Luqoom (October 2020) German edition published by ars Edition (May 2021), U.S. Edition published by HarperCollins Kids (Sep. 2021), Australian Edition published by Affirm Press (January 2022), Arabic Edition published by Luqoom (August 2023)

We all feel like we’ve missed out on our fair share of hugs and physical affection this year because of the coronavirus. '’ll Love You from Afar' is an ode to all the wonderful and imaginative ways we can still love  each other while we’re apart–like using singing whales and writing notes  in the stars! With whimsical illustrations and rhyming text, this book  is a sweet reminder for people of all ages that we can love each other  no matter how near or far.

55 Slightly Sinister Stories - flash fiction. First edition published by Luqoom (June 2019). U.S. edition published by  Andrews McMeel Universal (June 2020)

Size does matter in these delightfully tiny tales populated with narcoleptic drivers, bickering bakers, suspicious spouses and other memorable characters.

Full of dark humour, intrigue and absurdity, this collection of slightly sinister (and occasionally sweet) stories delivers a bite-size reading experience to satisfy any literary craving.

Swingers, Clingers and Other Amazing Animals in Motion - children's book. Published by Luqoom  (May 2018).  Arabic edition (Jan 2020)

Have you ever wondered how a monkey swings through the trees, or how a gecko can cling upside down to a leaf?  'Swingers, Clingers and Other Amazing Animals in Motion' explores the  wonderful ways animals move, from leaping lemurs to crawling crabs and more! With lush illustrations and simple explanations of animal locomotion, this book will delight animal enthusiasts of all ages.

LITERARY MAGAZINES

Prelude - short story published in Sukoon, an Arab-themed literary magazine (Summer 2018)

"She used to massage her body butter into his elbows after he showered. He would clasp his hands on top of his head and she would cup his protruding elbows with palmfuls of the lotion, first rubbing inwards, then outwards. She would then turn around and he would dig his softened elbows into her bare shoulders, grinding away the stubborn knots that had been resurfacing more of late."

Notes from a Writer's First Trek - travel article on trekking to Everest Base Camp. Published in 'A Dance Mag' (2018)

"More than a physical challenge, the trek was a test of endurance, one that was bolstered by the spirit and collective drive of over 20 people, who, in the space of two weeks, became dear friends. I don’t think any of us expected to laugh so much. There was fatigue, upset stomachs, occasional tears along the way, severe sunburn, worn out knees and a sprained ankle, but mostly a lot of laughter."

Le Tour du Mont Blanc - travel article. Published on LifeHappensOutdoors.com (October 2017)

"The Tour du Mont Blanc was a sensory assault, in the best and worst way [...] It was a journey of paradoxes, long lean corridors of forest enclosed by canopies of dense green that let in the splintered light; and wide-open mountain ranges for miles, swathed in swirls of cloud, dipping into valleys that cradled patches of sunlight."

The young and the restless: Beirut's new youth. - blog post. Published by OpenDemocracy.org (August 2008) 

"In many of these pictures, Beirut seems to be bustling with a vibrant and lively youth determined to enjoy themselves against all odds. But beyond that also lies the realization, for a generation of well-educated ambitious young Lebanese, that the incidents of the past few years aren't just bumps in the road, but a recurring pattern that can destabilize a promising career."

Lebanon Today: Land of Artists and Vagabonds - preview article for Sublime Magazine (September 2006)

"It was my first fishing expedition and a tranquil one at that, until the insipid techno beats wafted over from what I assumed was a nightclub, luridly lit and grotesquely poised on the edge of a city famed for its cobblestoned streets, rich archaeological sites and old marketplace. [...] But then, Lebanon has always been a land of incongruous neighbours."

OP-EDS

Virtual revolutions always begin with the people - Op-ed in The National, UAE's leading English Daily  (February  2011)

"With terms such as "Twitter revolution" and "Facebook revolution" floating around the recent uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, it's easy to overlook one thing. While social media can be an instigator of, catalyst for and witness to social change, it does not bring about social change - not singlehandedly anyway. People do."

ACADEMIC JOURNALS

Social Media in the Arab World: The Impact on Youth, Women and Social Change. Lead author. Published in IEMed Mediterranean Yearbook Med.2012 (2012)

The role of ICT in cultivating innovation: the case of the UAE. Lead author. Published in ICEGOV '10: Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (2010)

REPORTS

2014 UAE Social Media Outlook: Increasing Connectivity Between Government and Citizen - Co-author. Published by the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government (2014)

Arab Social Media Report Series - Lead author. Published by the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government. (six reports between 2011 and 2014)

The Arab Government Services Outlook 2014. Co-author. Published in the Government Summit Thought Leadership Series (2014)

Social Media, Employment and Entrepreneurship: New Frontiers for the  Economic Empowerment of Arab Youth. Lead author. Published by the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government (2012)

POLICY BRIEFS

Innovation Culture for Youth Empowerment in the UAE: The Role of ICT. Published by the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government (2010)