Dr. Shafa'atussara Silahudin, born in Muar, Johor, is a distinguished Senior Lecturer and Programme Coordinator of Socio-Culture/Malay Arts at the Academy of Malay Studies, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia. She was a Guest Researcher (2021-2022) at the Faculty of Humanities, Leiden University, Netherlands. Her academic journey includes a Doctoral Degree from Leiden University, after completing her thesis titled 'Malay Singing in Pahang Villages: Identity and Practice', supervised by Prof. Dr. Bernard Arps and Dr. Suryadi at the Leiden Institute for Area Studies. She also obtained her Master of Malay Studies in Performing Arts and Bachelor of Science in Biohealth (Honors) from Universiti Malaya.

Dr. Shafa's academic and community engagement roles span several years. She was an Assistant Fellow (2006-2007) and College Fellow/Secretary (2008-2013) at Kolej Kediaman Tun Syed Zahiruddin (Ninth Residential College) and held a fellowship at Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Centre (UMCares) from 2022-2023. Since January 2024, she serves as College Fellow/Treasurer at the same residential college.

Dr. Shafa specializes in traditional/heritage music, Southeast Asian music history, alternative culture (including punk rock), arts community, popular media and music care. She is actively involved in interdisciplinary research, notably a project on music care for caregivers and older adults, collaborating with faculties of Medicine, Business and Economics, Creative Arts and Education under an IIRG grant (2022-2025). Her ethnographic research covers hybrid online-offline expressive cultural fields involving performers, industry professionals and audiences. As a traditional music practitioner in Malaysia, Dr. Shafa has recorded over 300 songs and has performed across Southeast Asia, China, Australia and the Netherlands. Her music performance videos are publicly accessible online.

Dr. Shafa has an extensive publication record that includes:

• The book 'Malay Singing in Pahang Villages: Identity and Practice' published in 2023 by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) which was also the subject of her doctoral thesis.
• Co-authoring 'Wacana Pantun Melayu' in 2016, alongside Prof. Dr. Salinah Ja'afar, Associate Professor Dr. Tengku Intan Marlina Tengku Mohd Ali, and Malaysian National Laureate Datuk Dr. Zurinah Hassan, also published by DBP.
• Additional scholarly works from 2023 to present include topics such as music care for older adults and caregivers, Malay music in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and reflections on music education and music community post-COVID-19. 

Dr. Shafa has received multiple prestigious awards acknowledging her artistic and academic excellence:

• Darjah Paduka Mahkota Perak (P.M.P.) in 2024, awarded in conjunction with Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah's 68th birthday, recognizing her distinguished contributions to arts and culture.
• Anugerah Cemerlang Universiti Malaya (ACUM) in 2024 for Arts, Culture & Creativity (Academic Staff), highlighting her outstanding academic and creative achievements.
• Anugerah Penggiat Seni (Seni Berbahasa) Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur in 2023.
• Anugerah Biduan Syair ASEAN in 2022.
• Anugerah Bitara Syair Nusantara in 2021.
• Champion, International Dendang Syair Competition in 2019.
• Skim Latihan Akademik Fellowships by Universiti Malaya 2008-2011 & 2013-2016.

Significance and Impact:

Dr. Shafa's body of work consolidates traditional Malay music and cultural heritage with contemporary academic inquiry and community engagement. By marrying ethnographic research with artistic practice, she fosters greater understanding and preservation of Malay cultural identity. Her interdisciplinary approach, involving collaborations across various university faculties and international ties, notably with Leiden University, underlines her impact on music care, cultural sustainability and the arts both within Malaysia and beyond.

Her multifaceted achievements illustrate her role as key figure who bridges academia, arts, and community outreach, advancing Southeast Asian music and Malay arts scholarship while promoting cultural care practices and supporting artists and caregivers alike.