Author Archives: Sunbul Akhtar

UCL Open Environment, a fully non-commercial, Open Science journal dedicated to high-impact, multi-disciplinary research on real-world environmental issues, has announced the publication of the first article in a special series on moisture in buildings.

The inaugural paper in this series, authored by Vismaya Paralkar and Rashmin Damle from the Faculty of Technology at CEPT University in Ahmedabad, India, explores moisture buffering and mould growth characteristics in naturally ventilated lime plastered houses. The article is available to read and download free here, with additional articles to be published here.

The special series is based on contributions from the 2nd International Conference on Moisture in Buildings (ICMB23), which collates the highest quality research from the event to serve as an archive of this focused academic gathering. It is edited by Dr Yasemin D. Aktas, Lecturer in the department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering (CEGE) at UCL and Deputy Academic Director of UKCMB. The full conference programme and details of individual presentations can be found here.

Moisture in buildings is a critical field of study with significant implications for climate change mitigation, built environment decarbonisation, and health and wellbeing. The ICMB23, organised by the UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings (UKCMB), is part of a biannual conference series aimed at consolidating the interdisciplinary research community around this vital topic. More information about the UKCMB can be found here.

The History Education Research Journal (HERJ) invites scholars to contribute to its special series, titled “Democratic Resilience and Regression in History Education since 1945.” This series seeks to explore the intricate relationship between historical consciousness and democratic values within the history curricula.

Context and Purpose:

In an era marked by geopolitical shifts, technological advancements, and evolving social norms, history education plays a pivotal role in shaping democratic consciousness. However, it is equally susceptible to biases, omissions, and distortions. This series aims to dissect historical narratives, examining how they either bolster democratic resilience or contribute to regression.

Key Questions:

1. Historical Narratives:Historical Narratives: How have historical narratives in curricula and syllabi influenced democratic ideals? What role do they play in fostering critical thinking and civic engagement?
2. Challenges and Opportunities: What challenges do educators face in balancing historical accuracy, inclusivity, and democratic values? How can history education be a catalyst for democratic renewal?
3. Global Perspectives: How do different countries address historical events related to democracy, human rights, and social justice? What lessons can be drawn from diverse approaches?

Submission Details:

• Abstract Submission: Expressions of interest are invited from authors in the form of a 300-500-word abstract, along with up to six references and a brief biographical statement, to the handling editors:
  • Heather Sharp (thea@newcastle.edu.au)
  • Jan Löfström (jan.lofstrom@utu.fi)
• Deadline: Expressions of interest are due by 16 September 2024, and full paper submissions by 17 January 2025.