Noran N Hairi is the Deputy Dean for Research at the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, and Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health. Medically trained at Universiti Malaya (UM), she served in Malaysia’s Ministry of Health before earning both an MPH and an MPH (Epidemiology) with distinction from UM, and a PhD from the University of Sydney, Australia. Noran is best known for her work on the epidemiology of ageing, with a particular focus on sarcopenia, and frailty. She has made significant contributions to research on elder abuse, neglect, and financial mistreatment among older adults. She led the Prevent Elder Abuse and Neglect Initiative (PEACE), which adopted a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to address late-life abuse through professional training, public awareness campaigns, and policy advocacy. PEACE provided a platform for legislators and policymakers, leading to calls for better elder protection framework. The PEACE 1.0 study identified financial exploitation as the most common form of elder abuse, prompting the PEACE 2.0 project, a collaborative effort with Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) under Bank Negara Malaysia. Currently, the PEACE 3.0 team is working with the World Health Organization (WHO) to evaluate elder abuse assessment tools.

She has published extensively, supervised over 80 postgraduate students, and held key leadership roles including Dean (Health and Wellbeing Research Cluster), Chair (Research Cluster), and Head of Research Centres such as the Julius Centre University Malaya and the Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Practice. Dr. Noran has contributed significantly to research, policy development, and public engagement in Malaysia. As a Member of the National Senior Citizens Advisory and Consultative Council (MPPWEN) and a Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health, UK, she is deeply committed to advancing public health and championing critical ageing issues. Her work focuses on elder protection, combating age discrimination, and promoting social inclusion, reflecting her dedication to research excellence, education, and collaborative leadership to improve the lives of older adults.