Syafiq Faliq Alfan, also known as Sefa, is a performing artist, educator, and cultural researcher deeply interested in the discourse on the history of Asian Traditional Performing Arts from the perspective of Cultural Evolution Theory. He earned his Doctoral Degree from the Faculty of Integrated Arts and Science at Hiroshima University, Japan, in 2022 through his research on the methodological construction of analysis towards traditional dance of Mak Yong and Noh using motion capture technology. As an artist, Sefa has been a member of the Ipoh artist collective called Projek Rabak since 2011, where he currently serves as the director. Since 2007, he has actively participated in numerous local and international performances, focusing on the intersection of Corporeal Mime by Etienne Decroux and the improvisational techniques of Malaysian traditional performing arts. His interest in performance research centers around the body as subject and its entanglement with elements within its environment including space, audience and technology. Sefa is also a creative writer, with notable works such as 'Melankolia Bisu' (2014) and 'Novel Eksperimental' (2013), among others. Currently, his research interests revolve around the pragmatism philosophy and philosophy of history to enhance the historical narrative in Mak Yong and other Malaysian performing arts. He believes that further enriching the discourse in Malaysian traditional performing arts will lead to a better understanding of its role in shaping the identity of the local community. He is also interested in looking at Digital Humanities within the intersection of discussion in aesthetics, ecology, local wisdom, identity formation and arts biomechanics through the use of media and technology (specifically motion capture technology) to understand various experiences and cultures.  As a cultural research critical generalist, he believes the role of the performing arts extends beyond the discourse of performativity and should include discussion on the issues of sustainability, environmental impact, socio-economic, education, architecture, technology, among others.  Potential postgraduate students should be prepared to have an integrated approach in mind to provide practical and high impact solutions in research for the benefit of society.

Dr. Ezlika M. Ghazali is an Associate Professor of Marketing at the Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She holds an MBA from the University of Malaya and a Ph.D. in Marketing from Warwick University, United Kingdom. Dr. Ghazali’s career is marked by significant contributions to academia through teaching, research, and administration, as well as active engagement in social causes. Academic and Professional Background Dr. Ghazali’s academic journey is underpinned by rigorous training and extensive experience. She served as the Head of the Management Department at her institution, demonstrating strong leadership and administrative capabilities. In addition, she is a member of several professional bodies, including the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Academy of Marketing, reflecting her commitment to ongoing professional development. Research Contributions With an output of over 130 scholarly publications, Dr. Ghazali’s research interests span consumer behaviour, sustainability, and cultural influences in marketing. Her work has been published in high-impact international journals such as the Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Electronic Markets, Internet Research, Industrial Management & Data Systems, Journal of Consumer Behaviour, Journal of Service Theory and Practice, International Journal of Hospitality Management, and the International Journal of Consumer Studies, among others. She has investigated diverse topics ranging from digital consumer engagement to pro-environmental consumption patterns in different cultural contexts. Several of Dr. Ghazali’s publications are highly cited in the field. For example, her study on consumers’ values in purchasing organic personal care products (published in the Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services) has been cited over 430 times, reflecting its significant impact. Another notable paper, exploring pro-environmental behaviours through the lens of Value-Belief-Norm theory (in Sustainability), has garnered over 250 citations, underscoring her influence in sustainability research. Additionally, her work on mobile commerce adoption in Malaysia (in the Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics) has accumulated over 200 citations, highlighting her contributions to understanding technology adoption in emerging markets. Teaching and Mentorship Dr. Ghazali is dedicated to education and mentorship, having developed and taught numerous marketing courses such as Strategic Marketing, Marketing Research Methods, Marketing Data Analysis, and Consumer Behaviour. She has supervised multiple Ph.D. candidates and over 30 Master’s theses, contributing significantly to the academic growth of her students and the next generation of scholars. Internationalisation and Global Impact A hallmark of Dr. Ghazali’s career is her extensive international collaboration and global engagement. She has co-authored journal articles and conference papers with scholars from more than ten countries – including the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Indonesia, Oman, and Australia – reflecting a truly global research network. She has also co-edited academic volumes with international collaborators and contributed chapters through leading publishers such as Springer, Elsevier, and Emerald, showing the global reach of her scholarly work. Dr. Ghazali actively contributes to international conferences: notably, she was on the organizing committee for the IBA-UM International Marketing Conference 2016, and she presented her research at global forums such as the Academy for Global Business Advancement (AGBA) World Congress and the Association for Consumer Research (ACR Europe) conference. Her professional affiliations further highlight her global outlook, as she holds memberships in worldwide networks like APA, the Academy of Marketing, and ServCollab, and she serves on the editorial boards of international journals as well as on global research and grant review committees. Through internationally funded research projects – including a collaborative initiative on innovative insect-based protein sources and various sustainability-focused studies – Dr. Ghazali works with cross-border teams to address pressing marketing and consumer challenges around the world. Awards and Recognitions Dr. Ghazali’s work has been acknowledged through numerous awards, including a Best Paper Award and two Wiley “Top Cited Article” honors. As of 2025, her scholarly output has achieved an h-index of 25 and an i10-index of 38 on Google Scholar (along with an h-index of 17 on Scopus), reflecting the influence and reach of her research contributions. Social and Community Engagement Dr. Ghazali is deeply committed to social causes, particularly the well-being of children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She has contributed to translating autism-related literature from Malay to English, enhancing accessibility to critical resources for families and practitioners. Her community engagement efforts demonstrate a dedication to leveraging her expertise for social good. Dr. Ezlika M. Ghazali’s impactful research, innovative teaching, and dedicated societal engagement exemplify her significant contributions to the field of marketing and academia. She continues to explore the intricate intersections between technology, culture, and sustainability in marketing, ensuring her ongoing influence and leadership in her field.

Dr. Goh is a fellowship-trained Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgeon who completed his specialty training at the University of Malaya. He further pursued subspecialty training in sleep surgery and medicine, with exposure to trans oral robotic surgery (TORS) and hypoglossal nerve stimulation therapy, at the SingHealth Duke-NUS Sleep Center in Singapore. He is also recognized as an International Sleep Specialist by the World Sleep Society.Currently, his clinical practice is at the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) and UM Specialist Center (UMSC) , where his interest is on General Otorhinolaryngology disorder, Sleep disorders in Otorhinolaryngology and Functional airway surgery.