I'm a Senior Lecturer at the English Language Department, Faculty of Languages and Linguistics. After more than two decades of working in language, communication and skills development, I joined UM in 2019 to contribute to progressing the field of health(care) discourse in Malaysia and beyond. In my current role, I teach languages and linguistics courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level, while supervising and conducting research.

Research Focus - Improving Health & Wellbeing by Applying a Discursive Toolkit
I study matters related to language, health(care) and wellbeing, applying qualitative and discursive perspectives to address problems and inform practice in provider-patient interaction, health education and other related topics. I am particularly interested in analysis of real-life interaction, to answer questions on how people "do things" with language in healthcare contexts. For example, how do doctors and patients collaboratively make decisions about treatment, manage chronic health conditions, and discuss concerns by interacting with each other in person or online?  My current funded  projects include studies on professional socialisation of house officers (FRGS) and an NIHR funded study on SOGIESC affirming interactions in mental health services.

Expertise - Skills and Competency Development in Diverse Settings
Beyond my research and academic duties, I help enhance language and communication in academic and professional settings, applying a diverse knowledge and skillset composed over 25 years of experience. This includes pre-academia appointments as consultant/independent contractor, where I provided language and content expertise to corporate and private clients in Malaysia and internationally. My work history is available at https://my.linkedin.com/in/ayeshah-syed-0468293

Leadership and Professional Contributions
At UM, I have been actively involved in advancement of research and academic practices. From 2022-2024, I led the research portfolio at the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics as the Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation, with other appointments including as the Protem-Deputy Head of the Medical Devices Centre of Excellence, UM and Taskforce member for UM's Programme Educational goals. Outside the university, I  am involved in professional associations related to languages and linguistics and social advancement, including Persatuan Bahasa Moden Malaysia (President, 2022-2024, Vice President-2024 - 2026, Exco member since 2013) and the citizens' movement organisation, the Association of Voices of Peace, Conscience and Reason (Exco member - since 2016, Treasurer-2025-present).

Research Collaboration and Supervision Opportunities

I welcome potential collaborations aligned with my expertise and enjoy connecting with other researchers to learn about their work, gain insight into new contexts, fields and perspectives and explore how I might contribute to their research activities. 

In terms of postgraduate supervision, I supervise projects that apply discursive approaches to address problems in health-related contexts, focusing on interaction.
Note to potential supervisees: Please include information about your proposed study if contacting me about potential supervision. I have limited availability for supervision in 2026/2027 and will prioritise those aligned with my area of expertise.