Nurul Asmaa Akmal is currently serving as a Senior Lecturer at the Academy of Malay Studies, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Universiti Malaya, where she specialised in socio-cultural and labour studies with a particular focus on the Malaysian cleaning sector. Her academic trajectory bridges the intersections of social sciences, cultural studies, and contemporary labour realities, positioning her as an emerging scholar in socio-economic and 3D (dirty, dangerous, difficult) work research.

Her research interests are diverse yet interconnected, encompassing waste management, Malay cleaners, 3D workers, social labelling, quality of life, and sustainability issues aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). She has published several journal articles and presented research internationally on waste management and the lived experiences of workers in low-skilled and marginalised sectors.

In addition to labour studies, Dr. Nurul Asmaa Akmal is actively engaged in the field of Malay language pedagogy, particularly in teaching Malay as a second or foreign language. Her areas of interest include communicative approaches, situational Malay (Malay situational learning), and the integration of cultural context into language acquisition. Her commitment to language education reflects her passion for expanding global appreciation of the Malay language and enhancing the learning experience of foreign students.

Her scholarship also extends to Malay socio-cultural studies, including research on adat, traditional practices, and kearifan tempatan (local wisdom). She explores how cultural heritage, belief systems, and community-based knowledge shape identity, resilience, and the continuity of Malay civilisation in both rural and contemporary urban contexts. This includes work related to cultural rituals, community traditions, and intergenerational transmission of values.

Furthermore, her academic involvement includes the field of Malay economics and entrepreneurship, where she examines traditional and modern economic practices, entrepreneurial characteristics among Malay communities, and socio-cultural factors influencing business sustainability. Her insights contribute to discussions on economic empowerment, resilience, and the evolving landscape of Malay entrepreneurship in Malaysia’s socio-economic development.

Through her wide-ranging scholarly contributions, Dr. Nurul Asmaa Akmal remains committed to advancing knowledge in labour studies, socio-cultural research, language pedagogy, Malay entrepreneurship, and sustainability, while actively engaging in community-oriented initiatives in line with Universiti Malaya’s mission of academic excellence and societal impact.