Amir is a syntactician who mainly conducts research on the syntax of copular constructions but also has an interest in other areas of grammar such as extraction, expletives, morphosyntax, historical syntax, and typology (especially that of the Austronesian languages). He was awarded a PhD in Linguistics and English language by the University of Edinburgh and an MA in Linguistics by University College London, the thesis of both of which focused on copular constructions in Malay specifically. In addition to his expertise in Malay theoretical/descriptive morphosyntax, he is also au fait with the literature on English morphosyntax and has a firm grasp on phonology as well as pedagogy, owing to his Bachelor's degree in TESL from UiTM. . . . . Those looking to conduct research in the fields of syntax, morphology, and their applications in other areas, are welcome to enquire. I am able to supervise students who would like to focus on languages other than English or Malay as well.

Born in Muar, Johor, Dr. Shafa is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Coordinator of Socio-Culture/Malay Arts at Academy of Malay Studies, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia. She is a Guest Researcher affiliated with Faculty of Humanities, Leiden University, Netherlands. Dr. Shafa was a Fellow at Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Centre (UMCares) for 2 years (2022-2023). Dr. Shafa experienced as Assistant Fellow (2006-2007) and College Fellow/Secretary (2008-2013) at Kolej Kediaman Tun Syed Zahiruddin (Ninth Residential College). In 2013-2019, Dr. Shafa lived in Leiden, Netherlands to continue her doctorate studies. Starting January 2024 until present, Dr. Shafa serves as College Fellow/Treasurer at the same residential college.  Dr. Shafa obtained her Doctoral Degree from Leiden University, Netherlands on a thesis titled "Malay Singing in Pahang Villages: Identity and Practice" under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Bernard Arps (promotor) and Dr. Suryadi (co-promotor) from Leiden Institute for Area Studies (LIAS), Faculty of Humanities, Leiden University, Netherlands. Dr. Shafa earned her Master of Malay Studies in Performing Arts and Bachelor of Science in Biohealth (Honors), both from Universiti Malaya. Dr. Shafa specialises in heritage/traditional music, Southeast Asia music history, alternative culture (including punk rock), arts community, popular media and music care. Currently, she is working on a project - music care for caregivers - with her team members from Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Business and Economics, Faculty of Creative Arts and Faculty of Education. This project is under IIRG grant (2022-2025). As an ethnographer whose research sites exist between the online and offline in hybrid fields, Dr. Shafa's interdisciplinary music and/or expressive culture research moves with performers, industry professionals and audiences. In 2016, Dr. Shafa with Associate Professor Dr. Salinah Ja'afar, Associate Professor Dr. Tengku Intan Marlina Tengku Mohd Ali and Datuk Dr. Zurinah Hassan (Malaysian National Laureate) published a book titled "Wacana Pantun Melayu" (Publisher: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka). In 2023, Dr. Shafa published her book titled "Malay Singing in Pahang Villages: Identity and Practice" (Publisher: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka). In 2024, Dr. Shafa received Darjah Paduka Mahkota Perak (P.M.P.) in conjunction with Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah's 68th birthday. Dr. Shafa was awarded Anugerah Penggiat Seni (Seni Berbahasa) Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur in 2023, Anugerah Biduan Syair ASEAN in 2022 and Anugerah Bitara Syair Nusantara in 2021. Also, Dr. Shafa was awarded Skim Latihan Akademik Fellowships (2008-2011 & 2013-2016) from Universiti Malaya. In 2025, Dr. Shafa received Anugerah Cemerlang Universiti Malaya (ACUM) for the category of Arts, Culture & Creativity (Academic Staff) 2024. Dr. Shafa is a traditional music practitioner in Malaysia and has recorded more than 300 songs. She experienced in performing music in Southeast Asian Countries, China, Tasmania and the Netherlands. Her videos of music performance can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/@syafasara/videos

Dr. Mumtaz Aini Alivi is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Media and Communication Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya. She earned her Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) with a double major in (i) Language and Malay Linguistics and (ii) Journalism from Universiti Putra Malaysia. She later obtained her Master of Corporate Communication and Doctor of Philosophy (Mass Communication) from the same university. Her research interests primarily focus on Journalism, Broadcasting, News, Online Media, Political Communication, and Mass Communication. Apart from her academic qualifications, Dr. Mumtaz has extensive experience in journalism, news broadcasting, and media industry management. She was a media practitioner for twenty-two years at Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), a government television station. For almost twenty years, she was attached to the News and Current Affairs Department, where she held multiple roles, including Broadcast Journalist, Newscaster, News Editor, and News Producer. Throughout her career, she was involved in various high-profile assignments, including accompanying the Prime Minister and other national leaders for international news coverage, conducting live news broadcasts from Parliament, and reporting on other significant national events, in addition to daily news coverage. After completing her PhD, Dr. Mumtaz transitioned to a different role at RTM, serving as Assistant Director in the Policy and Research Section. She later assumed the same role in the Strategic Planning Section before being transferred to the Quality Control for Creative Content Unit as an Evaluation Officer. These three divisions operate under the Strategic Development Department, where she contributed for an additional two years before leaving RTM. With over two decades of experience in the media industry—particularly in television news, along with some experience in radio and media management—Dr. Mumtaz has made significant contributions to the field. Her dedication and passion for journalism were recognized when she won the Best Broadcast Journalist Award at the national level in 2001. In addition to her industry experience, Dr. Mumtaz has been appointed by several organizations for various consultancy and evaluation roles. She has served as a panel judge for the prestigious Malaysian Journalism Award, organized by the Malaysia Press Institute (MPI). She was also a panel member for Pitching Evaluation (Private) and a panel member for Screening (Syndicated) for RTM programs. In 2021, Dr. Mumtaz transitioned from media practice to academia, joining the University of Malaya as a Senior Lecturer. She embraced this new career path with a bigger mission—to contribute to nation-building by sharing her knowledge and experience to shape future leaders in journalism and media.