Dr. Vilashini Somiah is a feminist anthropologist and Senior Lecturer at the Gender Studies Programme at Universiti Malaya. She earned her Ph.D. from the National University of Singapore, an MA from Ohio University, an MRes from Universiti Malaya, and a BA from Universiti Malaya. Her research focuses on underrepresented narratives of women, migrants, and Borneans living in the interiors. She co-edited Revisiting Covid-19 in Malaysia: Plight and Perseverance (UM Press, 2023) and Sabah from the Ground: The 2020 Elections and the Politics of Survival (SIRD/ISEAS, 2021). Her first single-authored book, Irregular Migrants and the Sea at the Borders of Sabah, Malaysia: Pelagic Alliance (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022), won the Universiti Malaya Award for Outstanding Achievement (ACUM) for Best Social Science Book of 2022 and has received international acclaim and reviews. Dr Somiah is currently working on her fourth book which explores the lives and resilience of Bornean women.  In 2024, Dr. Somiah was a Saw Swee Hock Southeast Asia Centre Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics, supported by the Henry Luce Foundation and SEANNET. In 2025, she was appointed a Harvard Asia Centre Associate (2025-2026) https://asiacenter.harvard.edu/vilashini-somiah . That same year, she was elected to the Southeast Asia Council at the Association for Asian Studies (AAS) in the United States, a position she will hold until 2028  https://www.asianstudies.org/about/governance/councils/southeast-asia-council-seac/.  Beyond academia, she writes ethnographic articles on Malaysia’s socio-political landscape. To learn more about her work, visit www.vilashinisomiah.com.      

Dr. Archina Buthiyappan is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Science and Technology Studies at the Faculty of Science, University of Malaya. Her research expertise spans Green Materials & Technology, Sustainable Waste Management, Advanced Wastewater Treatment, Cleaner Production Technology, and Inherent Safety and Health. She is particularly renowned for her work in green adsorbents, adsorption processes, waste management strategies, and initiatives aimed at achieving zero carbon emissions and carbon neutrality. In addition to her scientific contributions, Dr. Archina integrates Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into her research, emphasizing sustainable industrial practices, corporate environmental responsibility, and policy-driven frameworks for a greener economy. Her work extends beyond academia, collaborating with industries and policymakers to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and practical implementation. Dr. Archina has guided over 10 PhD and Master’s students and has contributed more than 50 publications to high-impact journals and conference proceedings. She is an active member of professional bodies such as Institut Kimia Malaysia (IKM) and the Institute of Materials, Malaysia (IOM). As a dedicated chemist and sustainability advocate, her research is deeply rooted in advancing environmental sustainability, driving innovation, and developing solutions for a cleaner, more responsible future.

DR. ZURAIDAH ABDULLAH  is a senior lecturer in Faculty of Education, University of Malaya. She received her Ph.D. degree from the University of Malaya, in Principalship Studies in 2010. Her career began as a teacher in SMK (P) Methodist Malacca, SMK Victoria Kuala Lumpur, Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid Kedah, SMK (P) Sri Aman Selangor,  and SMK USJ 23 Selangor  since 1989 until 2002. She was then appointed as a Senior Assistant (Academic) in SMK Seksyen 18 Selangor from 2002 until 2004 before she pursued her studies and becoming one of the lecturers in University of Malaya. She was also attached to University of Glasgow, United Kingdom for an academic internship in 2010.  Soon after, she was seconded to the  Centre For Civilisitional Dialogue, University of Malaya as a Deputy Director since 2011. In the year of 2014 to 2015, she has been appointed as a coordinator, representing Univerisity of Malaya in Outdoor Education And Leadership Programme with Providence University of Taiwan. Ever since she has been focusing on promoting  intercultural communication in civilisational dialogue. Her research is basically focusing on society from the perspective of education such as the issue of Professional Learning Community (PLC) in schools, Inclusive education programme, the National School Empowerment based on the PPPM 2013-2025, trans-genders, resiliency of university students and also promoting peace education to secondary level students in order to maintain peaceful and boosting unity. Currently, Dr. Zuraidah Abdullah involves in consultation project for social issues in collaboration with JAKIM, IPGM, BPSH, UNESCO Malaysia, DMDI and KPWPM. For her passion and great contribution in such critical areas, she has been conferred the Bintang Cemerlang Melaka  by TYT Yang di-Pertua Negeri Melaka and was awarded the Pingat Perkhidmatan Cemerlang (PPC) from the Ministry of Education (MOE) of YAB Tan Sri Dato ' Haji Muhyiddin Hj Mohd Yassin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister KPM (MOE). She received the medal for the high quality service based on her annual performance and contribution given which covers activities within and outside the Organization training, leadership and personal qualities.