Biography

Dr. Litz has an EdD in Educational Leadership from The University of Calgary, Canada. His current research utilizes mixed methods to investigate the cross-cultural applicability of Western leadership models within global/international K-12 school contexts and the links between emotional intelligence and leadership practices. Some of his other research interests and expertise include globalization and education, comparative education, cross-cultural understandings of leadership and management, leadership preparation, educational equity and social justice, international educational development, and educational policy.

Before joining UNBC, Dr. Litz taught in various K-12 contexts in Ontario, British Columbia, and international schools. He has also worked as a faculty member at several higher educational institutions in South Korea and the Middle East. In addition, Dr. Litz has been involved with several government-funded and UNESCO educational projects in the Middle East / North Africa (MENA) region and Azerbaijan on curriculum improvement and innovation, program assessment, school leader performance standards, teacher licensure, educational policy implementation, and capacity-building and quality assurance within K-12 and higher education sectors.

Selected Publications

Referreed Journal Articles

Azaza, M., Litz, D., & Blaik Hourani, R. (2023). Investigating teacher professional learning in a context of change: A UAE case study. Leadership and Policy in Schools, 22(1), 1-29.

Blaik Hourani, R., Litz, D., Ali, N., Parkman, S. (2023). Abu Dhabi school leaders’ emotional intelligence dimensions, deficits, and capacity-building for school improvement. Educational Research for Policy and Practice, 22, 259-282.

Blaik Hourani, R., Litz, D., Parkman, S. (2023). Linking emotional intelligence to professional leadership performance standards. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 26(6), 1005-1036.

Blaik, R., Litz, D., Ali, N., Azaza, M., & Parkman, S. (2023). Emotional intelligence dimensions and professional standards: Trajectories for building capacities for school improvement. Leadership and Policy in Schools, 22(4), 825-856.

Blaik Hourani, R., Litz, D., Azaza, M., & Smith, A. (2022). Emotional intelligence and educational transformation: School leaders’ voices in the United Arab Emirates. International Studies in Educational Administration, 50(1), 44-83.

Blaik Hourani, R., Litz, D., & Parkman, S. (2021). Emotional intelligence and school leaders: Evidence from Abu Dhabi. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 49(3), 493-517.

Gromik, N., & Litz, D. (2021). Study benefits of smartphones: Perceptions of female Emirati pre-service teacher undergraduates. Education Sciences, 11(12), 817.

Litz, D., Blaik Hourani, R., & Scott, S, (2020). Leadership challenges in an educational program at a UAE juvenile detention center: A contextual analysis. International Journal of Educational Development. 76, 102193.

Scott, D. E., Scott, S., Anne, A., Crosby, S. L., Dudar, L. M., Fournier, E., & Litz, D. R. (2020). Contemporary expectations for entrepreneurship: Lessons to be learned from a case about the shift in Canadian decanal responsibilities. Canadian Journal of Educational Administration and Policy, (192), 6-19.

Kennetz, K., Litz, D., Riddlebarger, J., Tennant, L., Dickson, M., & Stringer, P. (2020). Placing elementary-school teachers at the vanguard of modernisation: Language use and emergent identity among English-medium teachers in the UAE. English in Education, 54(1), 74-92.

Blaik Hourani, R, Litz, D., & Jederberg, S. (2020). Perceived value of the Abu Dhabi Educational Care Centre for enhancing juvenile education within the spectrum of social justice: Confronting challenges. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 23(2), 199-222.

Blaik Hourani, R., Litz, D., & Smith, A. (2020). Multi-dimensional leaders’ roles and responsibilities: Dynamics, constraints and policy change in a UAE juvenile correctional educational center. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 48(4), 682-702.

Blaik Hourani, R., & Litz, D. (2019). Aligning professional development, school self-evaluation and principals’ performance standards: A UAE case study. School Leadership & Management, 39(2), 222-249.

Parkman, S., Litz, D., & Gromik, N. (2018). Examining pre-service teachers’ acceptance of technology-rich learning environments: A UAE case study. Education and Information Technologies, 23(3) 1253-1275.

Blaik Hourani, R., & Litz, D. (2018). Juvenile education in Abu Dhabi: Insights from and implications of school policies for educational equity. Journal of Correctional Education, 69(2), 33-58.

Litz, D., & Scott, S. (2017). Transformational leadership in the educational system of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 45(4), 566-587.

Carroll, K. S., Al Kahwaji, B., & Litz, D. (2017). Triglossia and promoting Arabic literacy in the United Arab Emirates. Language, Culture and Curriculum, 30(3), 1-16.

Blaik Hourani, R., & Litz, D. (2016). Perceptions of the school self-evaluation process: the case of Abu Dhabi. School Leadership & Management, 36(3), 247-270.

Litz, D., Juma, Q. A., & Carroll, K. S. (2016). School leadership styles among educators in Abu Dhabi. International Journal of Comparative Education and Development, 18(2), 81-99.

Refereed Book Chapters

Blaik Hourani, R., Litz, D., & Ali, N. (2023). UAE school reforms and leadership: What can be learned from Muslim scholars’ perspectives and contemporary insights? In K. Arar, R. Sawalhi, A. Decuir, and T. Amatullah (Eds.), Uncovering Islamic-based educational leadership, administration, and management: Challenging expectations through global critical insights (pp. 179-195). Routledge.

Dickson, M., & Litz, D. (2023). Using EMI in teaching STEM subjects on the Arabian Peninsula to support Arabic-speaking learners. In M. Wyatt and G. El Gamal (Eds.), English as a medium of instruction on the Arabian Peninsula (pp. 187-201). Routledge.

Litz, D. R., Areepattamannil, S., & Parkman, S. (2022). Relationships between out-of-school-time lessons and academic performance among adolescents in four high-performing education systems. In G. Trajkovski, M. Demeter, and H. Hayes (Eds.), Applying data science and learning analytics throughout a learner’s lifespan (pp. 27-55). IGI Global.

Amatullah, T., & Litz, D. (2022). Evidence-informed teaching practice in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In C. Brown and J. R. Malin (Eds.), The handbook of evidence-informed practice in education: Learning from international contexts (pp. 107-119). Emerald Publishing Ltd.

Litz, D. (2021). Transformational teacher leadership: A global perspective. In M. Khosrow-Pour (Ed.), Handbook of research on modern educational technologies, applications, and management (pp. 521-536). IGI Global. doi: 10.4018/978-1-7998-3476-2.ch031

Litz, D., & Blaik Hourani, R. (2020). Transformational leadership and change in education. In R. Papa (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of educational administration. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780190264093.013.631

Litz, D., & Blaik Hourani, R. (2016). Developing educational capital in times of change: The experience of Abu Dhabi. In I. R. Haslem and M. S. Khine (Eds.), Leveraging social capital in systemic education reform (pp. 115-141). Sense.

Van Den Hoven, M. & Litz, D. R. (2016). Organizational metaphors and the evaluation of higher education programs, management practices, and change processes: A UAE case study. In E. Espinosa (Ed.), Handbook of research on systemic knowledge-based assessment of higher education programs (pp. 43-68). IGI-Global.

Published Conference Proceedings and Official Reports

Litz, D., Azaza, M., Ali, N., Chabot, G., & Addam, H. (2021). Policy implementation in the MENA region: lessons learned and recommendations. UNESCO-Regional Center for Educational Planning.

Litz, D., & Blaik Hournai R. (2019). Diagnosing the Abu Dhabi education system: Past achievements, current strengths, and future challenges. In Proceedings of symposium: Developing UAE education - keeping pace with the times (pp. 92-121). Sultan bin Zayed Culture and Media Centre.

Litz, D., & Smith, A. (2015). Proofreading policies for ESL/EFL learners: The uses, functions, and shortcomings of university writing centers. In P. McLaren, M. Al-Hamly, C. Gunn, J. Riddlebarger, S. Calladine, D. Anderson & S. Troudi (Eds.), Proceedings of the 20th TESOL Arabia Conference: Methods and means in ELT (pp. 146-157). TESOL Arabia.