Born in Muar, Johor, Dr. Shafa is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Coordinator of Malay Studies 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 in 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 2023, Dr. Shafa published her book titled "Malay Singing in Pahang Villages: Identity and Practice" (Publisher: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka). 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 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. 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

Growing up and residing in a longhouse nestled within Sarawak's interior profoundly influenced my research interests and dedication to disseminating knowledge from Borneo. Witnessing the impact of globalization on the socio-cultural landscape of our indigenous Borneo community has underscored the importance of preserving our cultural heritage, indigenous knowledge, and artistic expressions to safeguard our identity and ensure sustainability for future generations. This deep-seated concern motivates my passionate commitment to understanding and exploring this topic, aiming to bridge the divide between academia and our rich cultural legacy. As an academician at the Visual Arts Department, Faculty of Creative Arts, University of Malaya, my research journey led me to investigate the conservation of cultural artifacts within the Iban community at the Sarawak Museum. My doctoral thesis, titled "Conservation of Cultural Artifacts of the Iban Community in the Sarawak Museum," involved ethnographic studies of the Iban community's utilization of cultural artifacts, along with the Sarawak Museum's efforts to preserve these items as cultural heritage. Over the years, my scholarly contributions have included the publication of 24 peer-reviewed journals, one of which is indexed in SCOPUS Q2, and the others are recognized by Google Scholar. Additionally, I authored the book "PENGANAN," published by UNIMAS PUBLISHER. In 2022, I served as a paper review panelist for the Sarawak Museum Journal and took on the role of Academic Advisor for the Text Panel at the International Society for Academic Research on Shamanism (ISARS) Conference 2022 Temporary Exhibition, organized by the Sarawak Museum Department. My involvement in various research initiatives has encompassed projects such as the Long Pasia Heritage Research (in collaboration with UMS and the National Heritage Department in 2015), the Iban Legacy project under the Dayak Chair Foundation at UNIMAS, and the Transformation Project of the old DUN Building into the Sarawak Performing Arts Center (a collaboration between UNIMAS, Sarawak Arts Council, and Sarawak Public Works Department in 2019).

Dr Tahmina Akhter is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Finance of the Faculty of Business and Economics in Universiti Malaya. She completed her PhD in Behavioral Finance from the Graduate school of business of Universiti Kebanagsaan Malaysia. Her current research work focuses on the inter-linkages of behavioral finance with corporate finance, financial economics, sustainable finance and digital finance. An experienced educator with a career spanning 12 years she is passionate about nurturing the future leaders in the domain of finance and banking.