I am an anthropologist by training and I am involved in research on community development and engagement. All of my work with the communities have been supporting and creating a structure for them to participate in circular economy by empowering them with skills and knowledge that are relevant for them to establish community-based enterprise or to enhance their knowledge on being an Indigenous entrepreneurs at the rural regions. For this purpose, I adopt participatory community-based action research and ethnographic study, particularly when I conduct social impact assessment before conducting the research and after the implementations of the projects. My primary research focusing on community-driven development project that includes the applications of Indigenous knowledgeas tools for the community livelihood development in the circular economy on community-based cultural and knowledge conservation by engaging the makers, artisans and women to actively participate in the projects. The most successful research and sustainable community engagement has been the development of the Indigenous knowledge of the traditional textile, the Iban pua kumbu that has led to a series of educational polysensory exhibition, the “Textile Tales of the Pua Kumbu since 2015. I am also an art curator, curating cultural exhibitions and based on the HIR (2013-2016), I created a community-based enterprise that promotes the traditional Iban Pua Kumbu internationally.

Lead UM Neuroscience Research Group (NeuroRG), a group of multi-disciplinary based researchers focusing on the Nervous System. The focus of each research with its approach specifically suited to its nature: a) laboratory based researches; eg, comparative neurobiology of non-mammalian vertebrates nervous system; animal behavioral model for memory; neurohistological characterization  b) non-laboratory based researches; eg, comparison of issues from Islamic and Neuroscience established perspectives on learning and related factors like sleep for normal and autistic children; coping strategies of Muslim parents with autistic children One of the works being conducted by NeuroRG team is on substances/food that are encouraged by Islam; eg, Prophetic substances -- food like Habbatus Sauda (Nigella sativa) and honey.  Specifically, studies are on the effects of consumption on spatial and/or non spatial memory, neurohistology of specific brain structures and neurocytology of the neurons, and their neuroprotective effects.  Also have collaborated researches on the effects of these substances on other physiological systems, e.g. reproductive physiology, wound healing to skin.  Have received grants from government bodies and the University of Malaya for related researches.  Outputs of grants include publications in journals and books, and presentations at local and international scientific meetings.  In addition, have successfully supervised students at both the undergraduate and post-graduate levels (MSc, MPhil, MBiotech, PhD). Teaching include subjects/modules such as Neurobiology, Diseases of the Central Nervous System, Histology, and Animal Use and Care Bioethics.

  Dr. Siaw Yan Li is an Associate Professor from the Department of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Universiti Malaya. She obtained her PhD in Educational Psychology and began her academic career at the Institute of Educational Leadership, Universiti Malaya, in 2016. Her expertise and research area include educational psychology, individual and family development, sexuality education, special education, and psychometric studies. Throughout her career, she has been awarded several grants and impactful publications, which have enabled her to continue her research and contribute to the academic community. She teaches a range of courses, and to date there are a total of 21 graduated postgraduate students under her supervision. These have been recognised for her engaging teaching style and commitment to student success.  Link: CV Siaw Yan-Li