Dr. Sabri Sulaiman is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Anthropology and Sociology, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Malaya. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Administration and Justice with a minor in Anthropology and Sociology, a Master’s in Social Intervention, and a PhD in Social Services from the University of Malaya. His academic training is grounded in applied sociology, social policy, social work, and evidence-based intervention research. Dr Sulaiman is an applied sociologist whose research lies at the intersection of social policy, evidence-based intervention, and the sociology of vulnerability, with particular emphasis on child and family welfare and wellbeing, social inequality, social exclusion, contextual safeguarding, and community-based social care systems. His work critically examines the socio-ecological and structural dimensions of protection, violence, health, social well-being, and human development among vulnerable and marginalised populations. His early research examined social deprivation and the well-being of Malaysian children, while his doctoral work developed a community-based social care model for vulnerable populations. This scholarship contributes to broader sociological debates on prevention-oriented intervention, contextual safeguarding, and socio-ecological approaches to child and family well-being, as well as vulnerable populations. A close integration of empirical research, sociological theory, and policy relevance characterises his work, which is situated within a comparative and globally engaged sociology spanning the Global South and the Global North.

As a sociologist specialising in evidence-informed intervention, his work focuses on the structural, institutional, and policy conditions that shape the lives of children, families, and other vulnerable populations. His research, supervision, and consultancy centre on:

• How global and local social processes shape the lived experiences of children, families, and vulnerable populations, particularly in relation to poverty, violence, health inequities, justice system involvement, and intersecting forms of social exclusion.
• How social, economic, and policy environments influence child and family wellbeing, including the effects of parental employment, mental health, and economic insecurity on developmental outcomes and intergenerational inequality, with attention to racial and ethnic disparities.
• The role of welfare systems, public policy, and health and social institutions in producing or mitigating inequalities in wellbeing among children and families, including research on social protection, universal health coverage, poverty alleviation, health equity, and the development of social indicators of child and family wellbeing.
• The reproduction of structural inequalities through institutions and social arrangements, and their consequences for children’s health, education, care, and life chances across the life course.
• The development and reform of child protection systems, family policy regimes, governance structures, and social care institutions to strengthen equitable access to services, including social protection, disability support, education, and family-centred care.
• The social and behavioural dynamics of violence, adversity, and (anti)social behaviour among children, young people, and families living in contexts of social risk and disadvantage.
• The design, evaluation, and implementation of evidence-based, prevention-oriented interventions aimed at improving outcomes for children and families across health, education, and social care systems.
• The application of sociological and social policy perspectives to strengthen interventions that improve the welfare, wellbeing, and long-term trajectories of children, families, and vulnerable populations.
• The implications of globalisation, migration, and transnational processes for children and families, particularly in relation to welfare regimes, labour mobility, social protection systems, and inequality.

His broader research interests include applied sociology, sociology of health and well-being, social policy, social intervention, child and family welfare, social care, human rights, inclusive development, and comparative welfare and protection systems in Malaysia, Southeast Asia, and the wider Global South. Beyond academia, Dr Sabri is actively engaged in applied research, consultancy, and collaboration with government agencies, international organisations, and civil society. His work reflects a sustained commitment to translating sociological research into policy, practice, and measurable social impact. He currently serves as a Consultant to the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), Malaysia. He is currently a project leader and consultant for the following projects:

• A national study on risk behaviours among at-risk adolescents in Malaysia, focusing on life-course vulnerabilities, violence exposure, and prevention-oriented interventions.
• A project on inclusive digital education for students with disabilities in higher education, addressing accessibility, equity, and rights-based digital inclusion.
• The development of the Malaysia Family Wellbeing Index (FWI-5).

Dr Sabri is the author of the forthcoming book Community-Based Social Care Models for Protecting the Rights and Well-being of Street-Connected Children in Malaysia, which advances rights-based and evidence-informed approaches to child protection and social care. He has also published Deprivasi Sosial Kanak-kanak Malaysia, a study examining social deprivation and child well-being from children’s perspectives, alongside policy and intervention strategies to address inequality. His work is internationally recognised, and he is affiliated with several professional bodies, including the Social Policy Association, the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, the Malaysian Association of Social Workers, the British Sociological Association, and the International Sociological Association. He has published widely in peer-reviewed journals, contributed to edited volumes, and presented at international conferences. He welcomes collaboration with scholars, practitioners, and institutions engaged in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusive systems of care.