Dr. Ata Hanifee is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of English at Universiti Malaya. His academic and professional identity is defined by a singular ethos: being the bridge. Holding a PhD in Translation and Adaptation Studies (Queen Mary University of London), an MA in English Literature (Universiti Malaya), and a BHSc in English Language and Literature (IIUM) (Hons.), his foundational expertise in literary stylistics and adaptation seamlessly bridges the gap between linguistics and literature, and text and performance.

Interdisciplinary Research: Adaptation, AI, and Pedagogy

Dr. Ata’s research agenda navigates three intersecting, cross-disciplinary strands:

• Adaptation Studies: Investigating cross-medium adaptation, it's potential for invigorating creative industries and as an experiential learning tool to cultivate intercultural empathy.
  
  
• Experiential Learning & Gamification: Integrating creative pedagogical tools with rigorous curriculum design to heighten classroom engagement.
  
  
• Ethical AI in Higher Education: Serving on Universiti Malaya's AI Module Taskforce to design strategies that ethically integrate generative AI, safeguard student cognitive ownership, and boost academic productivity.

Academic Leadership and Editorial Roles

Administratively, Dr. Ata holds several vital academic portfolios that support institutional research and international student mobility. He serves as the Managing Editor for the Q1 Scopus-indexed Southeast Asian Review of English (SARE) and is part of the UMExpert Faculty Approver Team, acting as a key reference point on managing key performance index data. Additionally, as the Department's Student Mobility Facilitator, he connects students with enriching global academic networks. Across these roles, he applies an inclusive, consensus-driven leadership style.

Creative Practice: Bridging Academia and the Arts

Beyond traditional academia, Dr. Ata unites theoretical frameworks with artistic practice through 15 years of experience with the Malaysian theatre collective EJKLSSeni. An award-winning practitioner—earning Best Scenography at the 2013 Kuala Lumpur Theatre Festival—he currently serves as their Publications Director, championing accessible arts through open textbook initiatives and digital self-publishing.