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 ToolkitI 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 health-related 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? I'm also interested in communication in healthcare education, interprofessional discourse and patient education, alongside how people express and make meaning of health-related issues via their talk and stories. My current funded  projects include studies on professional socialisation of house officers (FRGS), patient experience of gum disease (IIRG, UM). Expertise -Enhancing Language and Communication in Diverse SettingsBeyond 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. Before joining academia, I was engaged in various positions mostly as a consultant/independent contractor, including as a language/content service provider for over 15 years and as a language/communication skills instructor for over 17 years. In these roles, I provided language consulting services and skills training for corporate and individual clients in Malaysia and internationally. I have a CELTA qualification and am a HRDF certified trainer. My work history is available at https://my.linkedin.com/in/ayeshah-syed-0468293 Professional Activities and LeadershipAt 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 also 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: I have limited availability for 2025-2026 due to a heavy supervision load. 

Dr. Fong Chng Saun is a senior lecturer at the Institute for Advanced Studies at Universiti Malaya. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and Technology from University Putra Malaysia in 2016. Recognizing his academic excellence, he was offered the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree at Universiti Malaya, where he completed his PhD in Environmental Science, specializing in Urban Ecosystem Management, in 2021. Dr. Fong's primary research interest lies in urban ecosystem management with a significant emphasis on the urban heat island effect in tropical cities. His expertise extends to various domains including environmental science and technology, sustainable development, and atmospheric-related research such as air pollution monitoring and its health impacts. His work in these areas has garnered him recognition as a finalist for the Young Scientists Network-Academy of Sciences Malaysia (YSN-ASM) Chrysalis Award in 2020 and a place among the top 100 Scientists of Malaysia in the same year. Beyond his core research, Dr. Fong is proficient in using automated weather stations and IoT systems for continuous environmental monitoring. He has also made significant contributions to outdoor thermal comfort assessments, the study of heat stress and related illnesses, 3D urban microclimate modeling and simulation, air quality assessment, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), environmental pollution assessment, and climate resilience and adaptation. Dr. Fong has been prolific in his academic contributions, regularly publishing technical research articles, reviews, books, and book chapters in reputable journals. He serves as an invited reviewer for high-impact journals such as Science of the Total Environment, Sustainable Cities and Society, Energy & Buildings, Sustainability, and Urban Science. His notable research projects include studies on the urban heat island phenomenon in tropical cities, evaluating walkability indices to promote sustainable transportation at Universiti Malaya, and spearheading a carbon neutrality acceleration initiative centered on greenhouse gas emission analytics. Currently, he is involved in the NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Respiratory Health (RESPIRE) Air Quality Study, which explores the impact of environmental and air quality indicators on asthma health outcomes in Greater Kuala Lumpur. Dr. Fong is also deeply involved in the field of planetary health, addressing the interconnections between human health and the health of our planet. His research on future cities focuses on creating sustainable urban environments that can withstand the challenges of climate change and urbanization. This includes investigating the effects of urban design and greening on human health and the environment, developing strategies for urban heat mitigation, and promoting resilience and adaptation to extreme weather events. He is currently leading the Universiti Malaya Planetary Health as program coordinator.  In addition to his research, Dr. Fong actively collaborates with various governmental bodies, private sectors, NGOs, and researchers from local and international universities. His dedication to the field of atmospheric technology has earned him membership in the Malaysian Board of Technologists. He is also a member of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities' Sustainable Urban Design Working Group and the Landscape and Human Health Working Group. He is also appointed as the research coordinator under Universiti Malaya Sustainable Development Center and a member of the Universiti Malaya Climate Change Advisory Panel for the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC). Dr. Fong welcomes all forms of collaboration, especially those closely linked to urban sustainability and well-being, aiming to foster healthier and more sustainable future cities.

Dr. Aqsa Isa is a Senior Lecturer based in the Department of English Language, Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya (UM), Malaysia and Research Associate at Rabdan Academy, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).Her teaching and scholarly interests are focused on the areas of Critical Discourse Studies, Social Semiotics and Multimodality. She is interested in multidisciplinary work and research involving (violent) extremism and (de) radicalisation, especially on social media, as well as religion and politics, among others. As a linguist, she has looked at various violent extremist and far right propaganda materials, exploring and understanding the ideologies and linguistic strategies used to garner support and attract potential followers. She is also exploring the recruitment, radicalisation as well as the reintegration processes, in which she has worked closely with former detainees, their family members and various local and international agencies. In addition, Dr. Aqsa has been invited as a speaker and resource person in various Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) programmes by agencies such as the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs (Security Division), Malaysian public universities, civil society organisations, the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the SEA Women Peacebuilders Network.  Currently, she is also the faculty's student mobility coordinator. Her main responsibilities include designing and implementing student mobility programs, promoting and recruiting students, providing support throughout the mobility experience, coordinating communication, and evaluating program effectiveness. Her goal is to enhance students' international experiences, promote cultural exchange, and contribute to their personal and academic development. Forthcoming publication:‘Dust Off the Dirt of Laziness and Break the Shackles of the Dunya’: The Language of Female Extremists in Daesh Propaganda Magazines, Journal of Gender and Language.