Curriculum Vitae

DR. RUSASLINA BINTI IDRUS

Senior Lecturer
  • Gender Studies
    Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
  • rusaslinaum.edu.my
  • 0379675452

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

  • PhD (Social Anthropology), (SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY)
    Harvard University, Cambridge
  • MA (Anthropology), (ANTROPOLOGI)
    Harvard University, Cambridge
  • MEnvSc (Ecology & Development), (SOCIAL ECOLOGY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT)
    University of Yale, New Haven
  • BSc (Natural Resource Management), (NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT)
    Cornell University, Ithaca

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

  • Ahli Jawatankuasa Semakan Kurikulum Rancangan Pengajian Gender
    04 Dec 2013 - present (Gender Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)
  • Ahli Jawatankuasa, Jawatankuasa Ijazah Dasar
    15 Jan 2013 - present (Gender Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)
  • Panel Penilai dan Penasihat, UMCARES
    01 Aug 2015 - 31 Jul 2017 (University Malaya)
  • Programme Coordinator
    07 Jul 2014 - 31 Aug 2016 (Gender Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)
  • Ahli Jawatankuasa, Jawatankuasa Penyelidikan, Penerbitan, Persidangan dan Perundingan
    01 Feb 2013 - 31 Jan 2014 (Gender Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)
  • Auditor, Audit Dalaman Universiti
    06 May 2013 - 23 Sep 2013 (University Malaya)

MEMBERSHIPS

  • NATIONAL CHIAO TUNG UNIVERSITY, CONSULTANT
    2018 to 2019 (International)
  • INDONESIA AND THE MALAY WORLD, ARTICLE REVIEWER
    2018 to 2019 (International)
  • INSTITUT WANITA BERDAYA, CONSULTANT
    2018 to 2018 (University)
  • UMCARES, FELLOW
    2018 to 2018 (University)

AWARD AND STEWARDSHIP

  • Certificate of Excellent Service
    2024, Universiti Malaya
  • Sijil Perkhidmatan Cemerlang
    2019, UM,  (Ptj/ Faculty)
  • Anugerah Cemerlang UM 2019-Hadiah Khas
    2019, Universiity Malaya,  (University)
  • Certificate of Excellent Service
    2017, University Malaya,  (University)
  • Anugerah Cemerlang Universiti Malaya- Ketegori Jalinan Masyarakat
    2017, University Malaya,  (University)
  • Certificate of Excellent Service
    2017, Universiti Malaya
  • The Star Golden Heart Award
    2016, The Star Foundation,  (National)
  • Certificate of Excellent Service
    2016, Universiti Malaya

PUBLICATIONS

Article in Journal
WoS
  1. Chandrabalan, Dorothy; Thambiah, Shanthi; Idrus, Rusaslina (2025). Challenges in Agrobiodiversity Maintenance in Southwest Bangladesh: An Intersectional Analysis, JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENT & DEVELOPMENT. . doi:10.1177/10704965241284009
  2. Julis, Helsheila; Khoo, Gaik Cheng; Idrus, Rusaslina (2025). Durian imaginaries: reclaiming Temuan indigenous heritage through storytelling and rebranding Derian Bukit in Malaysia, CONTINUUM-JOURNAL OF MEDIA & CULTURAL STUDIES. . doi:10.1080/10304312.2024.2447330
  3. Khoo, Gaik Cheng; Idrus, Rusaslina (2025). Countering durian plantationocene visuality and the erasure of natureculture histories in Malaysia, CONTINUUM-JOURNAL OF MEDIA & CULTURAL STUDIES. . doi:10.1080/10304312.2024.2321305
  4. Idrus, Rusaslina (2023). Engaged Social Anthropology and Indigenous Land Claims in Malaysia, ANTHROPOLOGICAL FORUM. . doi:10.1080/00664677.2023.2257898
  5. Loh, Benjamin Y. H.; Idrus, Rusaslina (2023). Some Orang Asli Still Think Najib Is PM: Representations and Self-Representations of the Orang Asli in the Cameron Highlands By-election, NEW MEDIA IN THE MARGINS. , 39-64. doi:10.1007/978-981-19-7141-9_3
  6. Idrus, Rusaslina (2021). The Refugee Festival: Power and Hope in the Face of Precarity, SOUTH ATLANTIC QUARTERLY. 120(3), 677-683. doi:10.1215/00382876-9155395
  7. Idrus, Rusaslina (2016). Humanizing the Sacred: Sisters in Islam and the Struggle for Gender Justice in Malaysia, CONTEMPORARY SOUTHEAST ASIA. 38(3), 546-548. doi:10.1355/cs38-3n
  8. Idrus, Rusaslina (2016). Multicultural Hang Tuah: Cybermyth and popular history making in Malaysia, INDONESIA AND THE MALAY WORLD. 44(129), 229-248. doi:10.1080/13639811.2015.1133135
  9. Idrus, Rusaslina (2016). Temiar Religion, 1964-2012: Enchantment, Disenchantment and Re enchantment in Malaysia's Uplands, ASIAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE. 44(4-5), 633-635. doi:10.1163/15685314-04404010
  10. Thambiah, Shanthi; Man, Zanisah; Idrus, Rusaslina (2016). Orang Asli Women Negotiating Education and Identity: Creating a Vision of the Self with Socially Available Possibilities, MALAYSIA'S ORIGINAL PEOPLE: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF THE ORANG ASLI. , 449-468
  11. Idrus, Rusaslina (2011). Submitting to God: Women and Islam in Urban Malaysia, AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST. 113(4), 672-673. doi:10.1111/j.1548-1433.2011.01387_10.x
  12. Idrus, Rusaslina (2010). From Wards to Citizens: Indigenous Rights and Citizenship in Malaysia, POLAR-POLITICAL AND LEGAL ANTHROPOLOGY REVIEW. 33(1), 89-108. doi:10.1111/j.1555-2934.2010.01094.x
ESCI
  1. Douangphachanh, M., Idrus, R., Phommavong, S., & Jaquet, S. (2021). AGRICULTURE TRANSITION AND WOMEN'S DECISION-MAKING POWER IN COFFEE-FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN LAO PDR. Jati-Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 26(1), 49-71. doi: 10.22452/jati.vol26no1.3
  2. Idrus, Rusaslina (2018). Becoming Arab: Creole Histories and Modern Identity in the Malay World, KAJIAN MALAYSIA. 36(2), 165-167. doi:10.21315/km2018.36.2.8
Scopus
  1. Idrus R., Nan I.B. (2023). Orang Asli Community Learning Centers and Indigenous Resurgence, Education and Power in Contemporary Southeast Asia. , 218-230. doi:10.4324/9781003397144-17
  2. Chua L., Idrus R. (2022). Introduction: Unpacking Indigeneity in Southeast Asia, Sojourn. 37(1), 1-26. doi:10.1355/sj37-1a
  3. Idrus R. (2022). Competing for the 'Indigenous' Slot: Layered Histories and Positionings in Peninsular Malaysia, Sojourn. 37(1), 58-84. doi:10.1355/sj37-1c
  4. Idrus, R., Man, Z., Williams-Hunt, A., & Chopil, T. Y. (2021). Indigenous resilience and the COVID-19 response: a situation report on the Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia. AlterNative, 17(3), 439-443. doi: 10.1177/11771801211038723
Others
  1. Idrus, R. 2019. The Forgotten Voters: the Orang Asli in the Malaysia Baru. New Mandala: ANU. 29 May 2019.
  2. Idrus, R, 2011, The Discourse of Protection and the Orang Asli in Malaysia, in Kajian Malaysia, Vol. 29, No.1, Special Issue, Abdul Rahman Embong and Chin Yee Whah, Eds. Pp. 53-74
  3. Idrus, R, 2011, Review of Leaves of the Same Tree by Leonard Andaya, Sojourn. October 2011. Pp 345-348.
  4. Idrus, R, 2011, Review of Submitting to God: Women and Islam in Urban Malaysia by Slyva Frisk, American Anthropologist, Pp 672-673
  5. Idrus, R, 2010, Invited commentary to "Indigeneity, Capitalism, and Countermovements" by Tania Li, Current Anthropology, Vol.51, No.3, June 2010, Pp.403-404
  6. Idrus, R. 2010, Indigenous Rights and Citizenship in Malaysia, Political and Legal Anthropology Review, Vol.33, No.1, May 2010, pp. 89-108
Books
  1. Brenda Danker and Rusaslina Idrus, Editors. 2019. Kami Pun Ada Hak Bersekolah: Wanita Orang Asli Bersuara. Freedom Film Network.
  2. Overview of Women s and Gender Studies in Malaysia / Editors: Cecilia Ng, Rusaslina Idrus, and Lai Wan Teng
Chapter in Books
  1. Idrus, R. and Ita Bah Nan. 2023. Orang Asli Community Learning Centers and Indigenous Resurgence in .Education and Power in Contemporary Southeast Asia (1st ed.). Tayeb, A., Metro, R., & Brehm, W. (Eds.) Routledge.
  2. Loh, B. Y., & Idrus, R. (2023). Some Orang Asli Still Think Najib Is PM: Representations and Self-Representations of the Orang Asli in the Cameron Highlands By-election. In New Media in the Margins: Lived Realities and Experiences from the Malaysian Peripheries (pp. 39-64). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
  3. Rusaslina Idrus and Ezrena Marwan. 2023. The Right to Information: COVID-19 Public Health Information for the Orang Asli Community in Peninsular Malaysia. REVISITING COVID-19 IN MALAYSIA: PLIGHT AND PERSEVERANCE. Editors Vilashini Somiah Nur Dayana Mohamed Ariffin. Universiti Malaya Press: Kuala Lumpur, pp 268-286
  4. Thambiah, Shanthi; Zanisah Man; Rusaslina Idrus. 2015. Orang Asli Women Negotiating Education and Identity: Creating a Vision of the Self with Socially Available Possibilities. Edited by Kirk Endicott, NUS Press
  5. Idrus, Rusaslina (2014), "Transforming the Orang Asli Development Policy" in Transforming Malaysia: Ideas for the Next Decade, Sanchita Basu and Lee Poh Onn, Eds. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
  6. Idrus, R. 2013. Hang Tuah Revisited, in Figures of Southeast Asian Modernity, Barker et al. Eds. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.
  7. Idrus, R. 2013. Left Behind: Orang Asli under the New Economic Policy in The New Economic Policy in Malaysia: Affirmative Action, Ethnic Inequality and Social Justice. Eds.Terence Gomez and Johan Saravanamuttu, SIRD, NUS Press and ISEAS Publication.
  8. Idrus, R., 2011, Malays and Orang Asli: Contesting Indigeneity in Melayu: Politics, Poetics and Paradoxes of Race, Maznah Mohamad and Syed Muhd Khairudin Aljunied, Eds. Singapore: NUS Press
  9. Idrus, R. and J. Nais. 1999, Country paper-Malaysia in Collaborative Management of Protected Areas in the Asian Region Oli, Krishna Prasad, Ed. Kathmandu: IUCN Nepal.
Other Publications
  1. Wan Ya Shin and Rusaslina Idrus 2020 Contextualising Education Policy to Empower Orang Asli Children, IDEAS: Kuala Lumpur. - Policy Paper
  2. Keep calm and vote, 4 May 2013. Elections roundtable, Info Pilihanraya Malaysia. - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)
  3. The great dog debate revisited, 4 August 2013. The Malaysian Insider. - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)
  4. Time to listen to the people, 15 April 2013, Elections roundtable, Info Pilihanraya Malaysia. - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)
  5. Interview on Indigenous land rights court case in Sarawak. Channel News Asia. 28 April 2011. - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)
  6. A village's fight against 'drowning' by development, 14 August 2010, Straits Times (Singapore) - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)
  7. Basic human rights for the Orang Asli, 10 March 2010, Malaysian Insider - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)
  8. Malaysia as a role model: what not to do, 15 Jan 2010, Malaysian Insider - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)
  9. This land is our land (Orang Asli land crisis), 6 May 2010, Malaysian Insider - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)

RESEARCH PROJECT

National
  1. 2020 - 2023, RU Geran - Fakulti Program
    Investigating Indigenous Foodways And Traditional Ecological Knowledge Towards Understanding Food Security And Ecological Changes In The Coastal Sites Of Pulau Carey ( Principal Investigator(PI))
  2. 2018 - 2020, RU Geran - UMCares
    Digital Stories To Advocate For And To Improve Orang Asli Education Experience ( Principal Investigator(PI))
  3. 2013 - 2015, High Impact Research (HIR)
    Traditional Knowledge: Nurturing Indigenous Niches, R&D and Domestic Industries (henceforth " Traditional Knowledge Project") ( Consultant)
Private
  1. 2020 - 2023, Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS)
    FRGS: Developing a sustainable and ecological model for durian as a commercial crop in Malaysia with a focus on producers (FRGS/1/2020/SS03/UNIM/02/1)., University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus ( Co-Researcher)
International
  1. 2023 - 2024, International Funding
    Refugee Women - Key To The Global Compact On Refugees ( Principal Investigator(PI))
  2. 2018 - 2021, International Funding
    Beyond Resistance And Acquiescence : Indigenous Rights And Citizenship In Malaysia. ( Principal Investigator(PI))

CONSULTANCY PROJECT

  • Board Member and Resource Person, ENACT (Energy Action Partners) ( NGO )
    01 Jan 2015 - 01 Jan 2020 (International)
  • Scoping Studies of Gender Studies in Selangor, Institut Wanita Berdaya
    01 Dec 2018 - 01 Dec 2018 (National)
  • Resource Person for Oral History Workshop, Organized by Pusat Sejarah Rakyat, Pusat Sejarah Rakyat
    01 Dec 2015 - 01 Dec 2016 (National)
  • Advocacy Policy Paper On The Issues, Challenges and Rights of Orang Asli Women in Peninsular Malaysia, EMPOWER
    01 Jan 2014 - 01 Jan 2015 (National)
  • Resource Person, Training Session for The Energy Access, Ethics and Development Workshop, Jointly Organised by The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Mit), Masdar Institute in Abu Dhabi, and The Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (Secmol), Ladakh, India. 8-15 June 2014., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Masdar Institute in Abu Dhabi,
    01 Jan 2015 - 01 Jan 2014 (International)

PAPER PRESENTED

PLENARY SPEAKER
  1. COVID-19 and Anthropology in Malaysia, COVID-19 and Anthropology, International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences (International) (14 Jan 2022 - 14 Jan 2022)
INVITED SPEAKER
  1. We have to make them understand : The labour of translation across different worlds, Anthropology Seminar Series, Anthropology Dept, University of Sydney (International) (19 Dec 2022 - 19 Dec 2022)
  2. Researching community history, Orang Asli youth camp, Malaysia Care (National) (14 Dec 2022 - 14 Dec 2022)
ORAL PRESENTER
  1. Like Cucumber to Durian : Indigenous land rights, environmental justice and the criminalization of land protection in Malaysia , Orang Asli Symposium, Orang Asli Archives, Keene State College (International) (11 Oct 2022 - 18 Oct 2022)
  2. Durian plantation occupation and 'natureculture' violence in Malaysia (co-author with Khoo Gaik Cheng), Association of Southeast Asian Studies UK Conference, Association of Southeast Asian Studies UK (International) (08 Sep 2022 - 10 Sep 2022)

ACADEMIC/ PROF. SERVICES

Contribution to external organisation
  1. (2023) Ahli Kumpulan Kerja Teknikal (Technical Working Group - Twg) Laporan Teknikal: Status Kesihatan Masyarakat Orang Asli, 2012 2021, National, (Technical Advisor)
  2. (2022) International Advisory Board, International, (Expert Advisor)

SUPERVISION

Postgraduate Student
PhD/ Doctoral
  1. (2024) Singlehood among Educated Professional Women and Men: Negotiating Gendered Experiences of ‘Singlism’ in Malaysia, TAN JENNY
  2. (2024) Different Forms of Relationships Between Indonesian Migrant Domestic Workers and Their Malay Female Employers in Malaysia, SHARIFAH ZALIKHA BINTI SYED ISKANDAR
  3. (2023) A Gender Analysis Of Farmers' Agrobiodiversity Choices and Participation in Decision Making in South West Bangladesh: Towards Understanding Empowerment in Vulnerability, DOROTHY CHANDRALEKHA A/P CHANDRABALAN
  4. (2020) SINGLISM IN MALAYSIA: CONSTRUCTING IDENTITIES AND NEGOTIATING SINGLEHOOD ON SOCIAL MEDIA (PROPOSAL), TAN JENNY
  5. (2020) A GENDER ANALYSIS OF FARMERS' AGROBIODIVERSITY CHOICES AND PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING IN SOUTH WEST BANGLADESH: TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING EMPOWERMENT IN VULNERABILITY, DOROTHY CHANDRALEKHA A/P CHANDRABALAN
  6. (2019) SINGLISM IN MALAYSIA: CONSTRUCTING IDENTITIES AND NEGOTIATING SINGLEHOOD ON SOCIAL MEDIA (PROPOSAL), TAN JENNY
  7. (2018) GENDER DIVISION OF LABOUR AND WOMEN'S DECISION-MAKING POWER IN COFFEE FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN SOUTHERN LAOS, MALIPHONE DOUANGPHACHANH
Master
  1. (2020) MY TRUTH MAKES YOU UNCONFORTABLE: ASIAN AND AFRICAN YOUTH REVOLT AND RECLAIM THE BODY (PROPOSAL), GNEI MEGHANA BAHAR
  2. (2019) MY TRUTH MAKES YOU UNCONFORTABLE: ASIAN AND AFRICAN YOUTH REVOLT AND RECLAIM THE BODY (PROPOSAL), GNEI MEGHANA BAHAR

TEACHING

Master
  1. (2022) AQD7003 - Feminist and Gender Theories
  2. (2022) AQD7005 - Gender and Sustainable Development
  3. (2022) AQD7001 - Methodology and Gender Studies
  4. (2022) AQD7010 - Women S Movement in Southeast Asia
Bachelor
  1. (2022) AIO2002 - Gender and Environment
  2. (2021) AZEA1104 - Gender and Development
  3. (2021) AZEA3307 - Gender and Sosial Work for Social Justice
  4. (2013) AZEA1102 - Gender, Society and Culture
  5. (2013) AZEA1104 - Gender and Development
  6. (2013) AZEA3307 - Gender and Sosial Work for Social Justice

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ACTIVITIES

  • Board Member, Pusat Sejarah Rakyat, (01 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2022) (National)
  • Coordinator, Kedai Jalanan, (22 Mar 2015)
  • Board of Directors, Pusat Sejarah Rakyat, (04 Aug 2013 - 31 Dec 2017)
  • Coordinator and Co-Founder, Sejarah Wanita.Org, (22 Mar 2013 - 31 Dec 2018)
  • Coordinator and Founder, Mari Kita Membaca, (01 Sep 2010 - 31 Dec 2017)