Curriculum Vitae

DR. VILASHINI SOMIAH

Senior Lecturer
  • Gender Studies
    Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
  • vilasomiah
  • 60379675479

BIOGRAPHY

 

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. Somiah is NO LONGER accepting PhD students for 2025 and 2026. 

 

 

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

  • PhD (Southeast Asian Studies), (Pengajian Asia Tenggara)
    National University of Singapore
  • MA (Southeast Asian Studies), (SOUTHEAST ASIAN STUDIES)
    Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
  • MA (Media Studies), (Media Studies)
    Universiti Malaya (um)
  • BA (Hons)(MediaStud), (Media Studies)
    Universiti Malaya (um)

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

  • Committee Members
    02 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024 (Deputy Dean's (research & Innovation) Office, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)
  • Committee Members
    01 Oct 2022 - 31 Dec 2023 (Gender Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)
  • Project Leader
    01 Jul 2022 - 30 Jun 2023 (Gender Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)
  • Editor-in-chief of Faculty e-bulletin - PULSE
    01 Jul 2020 - 30 Jun 2022 (Gender Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)

MEMBERSHIPS

  • CHAIR OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNCIL (SEAC) OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR ASIAN STUDIES (AAS), BOARD OF DIRECTORS
    2026 to present (International)
  • REPRESENTATIVE TO SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNCIL (SEAC) OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR ASIAN STUDIES (AAS), COMMITTEE MEMBER
    2025 to present (International)
  • OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR ASIAN STUDIES FOR 2024-2025, MEMBER
    2024 to 2025 (International)
  • THE INDO-PACIFIC CIRCLE, MEMBER
    2022 to 2024 (International)
  • ASSOCIATION FOR ASIAN STUDIES, ACTIVE MEMBER
    2019 to 2020 (International)

AWARD AND STEWARDSHIP

  • Excellence Service Award
    2025, Universiti Malaya
  • Certificate of Excellent Service
    2024, Universiti Malaya
  • Best Book Publication 2022 (humanities and Social Sciences)
    2023, Universiti Malaya,  (University)
  • Indo Pacific Circle Capstone Research Award
    2022, Centre for Policy Research ,  (International)
  • Anugerah Perkhidmatan Cemerlang Tahun 2022 (2022 Excellent Service Award)
    2022, Universiti Malaya ,  (University)
  • Excellence Service Award
    2022, Universiti Malaya
  • Anugerah Pensyarah Muda Cemerlang 2020 (outstanding Young Lecturer Award 2020)
    2021, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, UM,  (University)

PUBLICATIONS

Article in Journal
WoS
  1. Agyemang, Danielle; Somiah, Vilashini; Hooi, Khoo Ying (2024). Divine Mandates and Political Realities: Exploring Power, Religion, and Transition in The Gambia, AFRICA SPECTRUM. 59(1), 69-88. doi:10.1177/00020397241230565
  2. Somiah, Vilashini (2023). Romance Through Digital Avatars: Online Courtship, Representation and "Catfishing" Amongst Irregular Female Migrants in Sabah, NEW MEDIA IN THE MARGINS. , 67-90. doi:10.1007/978-981-19-7141-9_4
Scopus
  1. Agyemang D., Somiah V., Ying Hooi K. (2024). Divine Mandates and Political Realities: Exploring Power, Religion, and Transition in the Gambia, Africa Spectrum. . doi:10.1177/00020397241230565
  2. Low B.Y.H., Somiah V., Nie K.S. (2023). The Right to Cyberbully? A Gendered Analysis During COVID-19 in Malaysia, Jurnal Komunikasi: Malaysian Journal of Communication. 39(3), 292-312. doi:10.17576/JKMJC-2023-3903-16
  3. Padzil R.B., Somiah V. (2023). "Leaderless" resistance? An anatomy of female leadership in Orang Asli grassroots movements, Wacana. 24(2), 328-354. doi:10.17510/wacana.v24i2.1166
  4. Idrus R., Chua L., Bala P., Buadaeng K., Egay K., Leepreecha P., Lumenta D., Man Z., Mitot K., Paredes O., Thambiah S., Somiah V. (2022). Views from the Ground: Reflections on Studying Indigeneity in Southeast Asia, Sojourn. 37(1), 113-127. doi:10.1355/sj37-1e
  5. Loh B.Y.H., Somiah V., Ali S. (2022). Shame and shamelessness: Changing discourses in Najib Razak s social media campaign, SEARCH Journal of Media and Communication Research. 14(3), 41-57
  6. Somiah V. (2022). The Sea is Indigenous 'Land' Too: Negotiating Presence and Rights of Indigenous Maritime Communities in Sabah, Malaysia, Sojourn. 37(1), 85-112. doi:10.1355/sj37-1d
Others
  1. Jayawardena, P., Somiah, V., Phuttivanich, K., & Bonofer, A. (2025). Contemporary Readings of Colonial Borders of the Indo-Pacific. INDO-PACIFIC REVIEW, 2(2), 79–150. https://www.ipcircle.org/issue-list-new/issue-1%2C-volume-2
  2. Matsumura, K., Paidi, R., & Somiah, V. (2025). The Dilemma Of Dual Heritage: Nationality Selection Among Japanese - Singaporean Multinational Children, 14(1), 97–108. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.22452/IJEAS
  3. Somiah, V. (2025). Unmoored Boundaries: Bajau Laut and Mobility Perspectives in Maritime Southeast Asia. INDO-PACIFIC REVIEW, 2(2), 99–116. https://www.ipcircle.org/issue-list-new/issue-1%2C-volume-2
Books
  1. Somiah, V. & Ariffin, N. D. M. (2023). Revisiting Covid-19 in Malaysia: Plight and perseverance. Universiti Malaya Press.
  2. Somiah, V. (2021). Irregular Migrants and the Sea at the Borders of Sabah, Malaysia: Pelagic Alliance (Migration, Diasporas and Citizenship) (1st ed. 2021 ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.
  3. Welsh, B., Somiah, V. & Loh, B.Y.H., Sabah From The Ground: The 2020 Elections and the Politics of Survival, ISEAS: Singapore (2021)
Chapter in Books
  1. Ariffin, N. D. M. & Somiah, V. (2023). Malaysia: Pandemic recovery amidst the new normal .In V. Somiah & N. D. M. Ariffin (Eds.). Revisiting Covid-19 in Malaysia: Plight and perseverance. Universiti Malaya Press
  2. Somiah, V. & Ariffin, N. D. M. (2023). The pandemic in retrospect: Self-determination and agency. In V. Somiah & N. D. M. Ariffin (Eds.). Revisiting Covid-19 in Malaysia: Plight and perseverance. Universiti Malaya Press
  3. Somiah, V. (2023). Romance Through Digital Avatars: Online Courtship, Representation and Catfishing Amongst Irregular Female Migrants in Sabah. In Loh, B.Y.H. & Chin, J. (Eds.) New Media in the Margins: Lived Realities and Experiences from the Malaysian Peripheries (pp. 67-90). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
  4. Somiah, V., Baltazar, M. A., & Wong, Y. V. (2023). Discovering from the margins: Migrant mothers and Covid-19 vaccines in Sabah. In V. Somiah & N. D. M. Ariffin (Eds.). Revisiting Covid-19 in Malaysia: Plight and perseverance. Universiti Malaya Press
  5. Somiah, V. & Jalil, A., Incessant Political Narratives: Perilous Migrants and the Treacherous East Welsh,B., Somiah, V., Loh, B.Y.H. (eds.), Sabah From The Ground: The 2020 Elections and the Politics of Survival (ISEAS: Singapore, 2021)
  6. Somiah, V., Usman, M.R., & Baltazar, A. (2021). Remembering the undocumented of Sabah in a panicked Malaysia. In Baysa-Barredo, J.M., Khoo, Y. H. & Wiratraman, H.P. (Eds.) Southeast Asia, Infected and Interrupted: Elevating Critical Voices on the State of Human Rights and Peace in the Time of COVID-19. SHAPE-SEA.
  7. Welsh, B., Loh, B.Y.H., Somiah, V. (2021). Sabah after the Covid-19 Election Aftermath: Beyond New (and Old) Political Alignments. In Welsh, B., Somiah, V., Loh, B.Y.H. (Eds.) Sabah From The Ground: The 2020 Elections and the Politics of Survival. ISEAS: Singapore.
  8. Welsh, B., Loh, B.Y.H., Somiah, V., Introduction: Sabah goes to the Polls, Welsh, B., Somiah, V., Loh, B.Y.H. (eds.), Sabah From The Ground: The 2020 Elections and the Politics of Survival (ISEAS: Singapore, 2021)
Other Publications
  1. Somiah, V. (2025). Reclaiming Gendered Spaces Before the Mountain God: Exploring Women’s Resilience in Urbanising Kundasang, Sabah in Malaysia. In Southeast Asia Working Paper Series (No. 12). The Saw Swee Hock Southeast Asia Centre (SEAC), LSE. Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://www.lse.ac.uk/seac/research/Southeast-Asia-Working-Paper-Series - Policy Paper
  2. Loh, B. Y., Ali, S., & Somiah, V. (2024). 2024/84 “Bajau Laut Evictions and Home Demolitions in Sabah, Malaysia: Polarised Streams of Online Opinion” by Benjamin YH Loh, Sarah Ali and Vilashini Somiah. - Policy Paper
  3. Somiah, V. (2024). Gendering The Indo-Pacific Conversation. (Policy Brief). Council for Strategic and Defence Research.https://csdronline.org/upload/user/CSDR_IndoPac_Vilashini_Somiah_.pdf - Policy Paper
  4. All in for Development. (2023).Regional Assessment of the current state of Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) capability for preventing and countering radicalisation and violent extremism within ASEAN Member States (AMS). Internal Report (ASEAN) - Policy Paper
  5. ASEAN Regional Study on Women, Peace and Security. (2021, March). ASEAN. https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2021/03/asean-regional-study-on-women-peace-and-security - Policy Paper
  6. Loh, B.Y.H., Somiah, V., The right to cyberbully?, Malaysiakini, May 2021. - Mass Media(newspaper,radio,tv,popular Magazine)
  7. Somiah, V. & Sto. Domingo, J.R, (2021) Sabah s Unrelenting Exclusionary And Inclusionary Politics (RSIS Working Paper, no. 334) S. Rajaratnam School Of International Studies: Singapore - Technical Report
  8. Somiah, V. (2020, September 15). What Is the MA63? And Why it Is Important to Sabah and Sarawak. https://newnaratif.com/comic/what-is-ma63/. - Mass Media(newspaper,radio,tv,popular Magazine)
  9. Somiah, V., Usman, M., & Baltazar, A. (2020, March 22). Remembering Sabah's undocumented in a panicked Malaysia. Malay Mail. Retrieved from https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-think/2020/03/22/remembering-sabahs-undocumented-in-a-panicked-malaysia-vila-somiah-michelle/1848908 - Mass Media(newspaper,radio,tv,popular Magazine)

RESEARCH PROJECT

National
  1. 2019 - 2025, Others MOHE - Top 100 (IIRG)-HWB
    Dis/empowering Socio-cultural, Religious And Legal Aspects Towards Early Diagnosis Of Cancer Among Urban B40 Women ( Co-Researcher)
  2. 2020 - 2025, RU Geran - Fakulti Program
    Activism, Technology And Politics ( Co-Researcher)
  3. 2020 - 2025, RU Geran - Fakulti Program
    The Interdisciplinary Medical Humanities Book Project ( Principal Investigator(PI))
  4. 2022 - 2025, Others MOHE - Top 100 (IIRG)-SAH
    Wp3: Understanding Women?s Narratives And Strengthening Women?s Participation And Empowerment In Economic Development ( Principal Investigator(PI))
  5. 2020 - 2021, FSSS Book Grant
    Pelagic Alliance: Irregular Migrants and Sea at the Borders of the Malaysian State of Sabah (Book Project) ( Principal Investigator(PI))
Private
  1. 2022 - 2023, TAYLOR'S FSLM SEED FUNDING
    A study on Mental Health Struggles of Indigenous LGBTQ Sabahans During Covid-19 (FSLM-SEED/1/2022/SCM/001), Taylor's University ( Co-Researcher)
International
  1. 2022 - 2026, International Funding
    Narratives Of Progress In An Urbanizing And Ageing Neighbourhood ( Co-Researcher)
  2. 2022 - 2026, Henry Luce
    SEANNET Collective: Neighborhood network, focus on Seremban, Singapore Institute of Management, Singapore ( Co-Researcher)
  3. 2022 - 2025, International Funding
    Crisis And Coalescence: Flashpoints For Inter-asia Cultural Studies ( Co-Researcher)
  4. 2023 - 2025, International Funding
    Research On Migrant Agricultural And Domestic Workers In Sarawak, Malaysia ( Principal Investigator(PI))
University
  1. 2020 - 2025, Private Funding
    Pelagic Alliance: Irregular Migrants And Sea At The Borders Of The Malaysian State Of Sabah ( Principal Investigator(PI))
  2. 2023 - 2025, University Grant
    The Mental Health Struggles And Other Survival Issues Of Indigenous, Rural Sabahans Post Covid-19: A Gendered Analysis ( Principal Investigator(PI))
  3. 2023 - 2025, University Grant
    Child Trafficking: The Exploitation of Children in Malaysia ( Co-Researcher)
  4. 2023 - 2025, University Grant
    Affective Polarization in Malaysia: Perils and Implications ( Co-Researcher)

PAPER PRESENTED

PLENARY SPEAKER
  1. Mimang Songsang Bah (Of course we re inverted):Boasting Existence and Battling Subjectivities As Trans, Muslim, and Stateless in Sabah, The Association for Asian Studies 2025 AnnualConference, The Association for Asian (International) (13 Mar 2025 - 16 Mar 2025)
  2. Writing an Ethnography of Trauma and Resilience from Maritime Southeast Asia: Reflections from a Dyslexic Researcher, MALAYSIA-BRUNEI FORUM 2023, FASS, Universiti Malaya (International) (13 Dec 2023 - 13 Dec 2023)
INVITED SPEAKER
  1. Locating Movement in Southeast Asia, The Anthropology of Statelessness, World Anthropological Union (International) (25 Apr 2025 - 25 Apr 2025)
  2. From a Mongrel's Tongue: How Bornean Women's Wisdom Defies The Tyranny of Academic Truth, Southeast Asia Initiative, Harvard University Asia Center (International) (10 Mar 2025 - 10 Mar 2025)
  3. Charting Progress: Gender, Human Rights, Peace, and Sustainable Development in Southeast Asia, SHAPE-SEA Thematic Study Inception Workshop, Strengthening of Human Rights and Peace Education and Research in SEA/ASEAN (SHAPE-SEA) (International) (04 Mar 2025 - 04 Mar 2025)
  4. Navigating the depth of maritime security: Insights from ocean dependent communities, Ocean dependent communities in Southeast Asia s Maritime Security Governance: Reflections and Actionable Pathways, the Yokosuka Council on Asia Pacific Studies (YCAPS) and The Hollings Center for International Dialogue (International) (08 Feb 2025 - 09 Feb 2025)
  5. Academic Mongrelism: Challenging the Academe through the Provocative Wisdom of Women in Borneo, Tunku Abdul Rahman University Malay World Studies Seminar, Cambridge University Social Anthropology Society (International) (13 Nov 2024 - 13 Nov 2024)
  6. Reclaiming Gendered Spaces Before the Mountain God: Resistance and Resilience of Remote Women Amid Urban Transformation in the District of Kundasang, Sabah, Saw Swee Hock Southeast Asia Centre Seminar Series, Saw Swee Hock Southeast Asia Centre, LSE (International) (11 Nov 2024 - 11 Nov 2024)
  7. (Re-)Positioning Kampung in the City: From Conceptual Inquiry to Practices of Commoning, AAS-in-Asia 2024, Association for Asian Studies (International) (09 Jul 2024 - 11 Jul 2024)
  8. Indigenous Cultures and the Media, Gender, Sexuality and Media, University of Nottingham, Malaysia (International) (06 Dec 2023 - 06 Dec 2023)
  9. Melahirkan Keberanian (Giving Birth to Fearlessness): Overcoming Intergenerational Trauma in the Sabah Trans Woman Activist Movement. , Feminist and Queer Youth Activism in Asia: Identity Performance and Cultural Politics in Contemporary Mobilization, The New York Southeast Asia Network (NYSEAN) (International) (10 Nov 2023 - 11 Nov 2023)
  10. ONGOING DISCOURSES IN NUSANTARA MIGRATION & MOBILITIES: MARITIME BASED LESSONS FROM MALAYSIA, International Symposium on the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation- Mobilities among ASEAN and Japan: Its Future and How We Shape It, Japan Foundation (International) (25 Jul 2023 - 26 Jul 2023)
  11. Kami Urang Sini (We Are from Here ): Agency Across Equivocal Space, Standards of Decision-Making Across Cultures Guest Lecture Series , Friedrich-Alexander-Universit t Erlangen-N rnberg (International) (24 Apr 2023 - 24 Apr 2023)
  12. Movement: In, Between, and Beyond Myanmar and Malaysia, 2022 Inter-Asia Cultural Studies (IACS) Society Summer School, Inter-Asia Cultural Studies Association and Universiti Malaya (International) (17 Aug 2022 - 17 Aug 2022)
  13. The View from Southeast Asia: Building Shared Values of Equity, Indo Pacific Circle Chennai Residency , Indo Pacific Circle (International) (23 Jul 2022 - 27 Apr 2023)
  14. Water as Indigenous territory, Indigenous Peoples in Southeast Asia, UCLA Department of Asian Languages and Cultures (International) (20 Apr 2022 - 20 Apr 2022)
  15. Gender and Migration in Southeast Asia,, Roundtable on Gender and Migration in Southeast Asia, National University of Singapore (International) (22 Mar 2022 - 22 Mar 2022)
  16. Romance Through Digital Avatars: Online courtship, representation and catfishing amongst irregular female migrants in Sabah, Brunei-Malaysia Forum 2021, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (International) (14 Sep 2021 - 15 Sep 2021)
  17. Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world, UNFPA Malaysia s Special Presentation commemorating International Day of Women 2021 (IWD 2021), United Nations Population Fund (International) (08 Mar 2021 - 08 Mar 2021)
  18. Race and Ethnicity in Sabah, Wacana tentang Kajian Etnik, KITA, UKM (National) (05 Jan 2021 - 05 Jan 2021)
  19. The East Coast Swing, Sabah State Election Primer: Borneo Goes to Polls, University of Nottingham (International) (10 Sep 2020 - 10 Sep 2020)
  20. King Makers/King Breakers: Anthropological Perspectives on Sabah and Sarawak Politics , XPLORE: The International Young Scholars Xchange, Centre of Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) (International) (03 Dec 2019 - 08 Dec 2019)
PRESENTER
  1. An Interrogation of Sabah Through Anthropological Lenses, Malaysian Studies Beyond 2020: Crossing Disciplines and Rethinking Critical Approaches, FASS, UM (National) (30 Nov 2020 - 02 Dec 2020)
  2. Imagined Affinity, Veridical Effects: An exploration of Taiwan s ancillary impact on network and survival amongst irregular migrants living in Sabah, Malaysia, International Workshop on Culture Politics in Taiwan, National Chung Hsing University (International) (15 Nov 2019 - 19 Nov 2019)
OTHERS
  1. Governance and Strong Institutions, SDGs for Indigenous Peoples Stakeholder and Expert Roundtable on the Mapping Report, JEFFREY CHEAH INSTITUTE ON SOUTHEAST ASIA (JCI) (International) (20 Nov 2020 - 21 Nov 2020)

ACADEMIC/ PROF. SERVICES

Evaluation
  1. (2023) Proposal Defence for Iris Ng Pei Yi "institutional Role of Temple in Cultural Sustainability of Chinese Hokkien Potehi in Malaysia", University, (Reviewer)
  2. (2023) Proposal Defence for Elchin Huseynov The Question of The National Identity of Azerbaijanis: 1991-2021, University, (Reviewer)
  3. (2022) Yunhuan Tan - Inheritance and Innovation of Minorities Traditional Art in Sichuan Province, China Through Digital Media Design - Taking Yi Traditional Arts as An Example, University, (Reviewer)
  4. (2022) Maria Hani Mustaffa - Knowledge Management Framework Application in Improving The Quality of Orang Asli S Education in Perak., University, (Reviewer)
  5. (2022) Hao Zhang - Using Social Media for Adhd Education and Advocacy: a Case Study of Mental Health Influencer Dr. Ned Hallowell, University, (Reviewer)
  6. (2022) Christina Chin - Public Perception of E-cigarettes and Vape (ecv); User Health Belief Model (hbm) Perception of Ecv in The Klang Valley; and Stakeholder Recommendations: a Gender Analysis, University, (Internal Examiner)
  7. (2022) Yifei Dong- The Implementation of Government Regulation: a Crisis Communication Study Under Covid-19 Pandemic, University, (Reviewer)
  8. (2022) Meiqing Shao - The Changes of China S National Images in Foreign News Media and Online Public Opinion from 2018 to 2021, University, (Reviewer)
  9. (2021) Examiner for Ma (english)- Dalia Ahmed Elhashmi Idris Mohamed Ahmed, University, (Internal Examiner)
  10. (2021) Internal Examiner Phd- Iffat Ali Aksar, University, (Internal Examiner)
  11. (2020) IFFAT ALI AKSAR (AVA170050) - SOCIAL MEDIA NEEDS, SOCIAL CAPITAL, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG WOMEN IN PAKISTAN, (Panelist)
  12. (2020) Reviewer for East Asia: An International Quarterly (Journal) , (Reviewer)
  13. (2019) eTropic special issue on: 'Environmental Artistic Practices and Indigeneity: In(ter)ventions, Recycling, Sovereignty', (Reviewer)
  14. (2019) Sivagamavalli Selvarajan (RGK140001) - THE INFLUENCE OF FOURTH WAVE FEMINISM ON THE FEMALE ODISSI DANCERS IN MALAYSIA, (Panelist)
Contribution to external organisation
  1. (2025) Visiting Fellowship With Malaysian Studies Programme, Yusof-ishak Institute, International, (Adjunct/Visiting Professors)
  2. (2025) Appointment as Associate At Asia Center, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, International, (Research Fellow/Associate)
  3. (2025) Representative to The Southeast Asia Council, Association for Asian Studies, International, (Resource Person)
  4. (2025) Online Discussion With Nhs2063 Students (nus College), International, (Resource Person)
  5. (2024) Lse-seannet Visiting Fellowship, International, (Adjunct/Visiting Professors)
  6. (2024) Meeting With Suhakam On Bajau Laut Issue, National, (Resource Person)
  7. (2024) Csdr Exchange Academic Fellowship, International, (Research Fellow/Associate)
  8. (2023) Visiting Professorship, International, (Adjunct/Visiting Professors)
  9. (2023) To Guest Lecture, Organise Writing Clinic, Joint Publication With Faculty Members., International, (Adjunct/Visiting Professors)
Contribution to event
  1. (2021) A Talk On How to Participate and Contribute to Gendered Policy Making for Young Malaysian Women, National, (Panelist/Moderator)
  2. (2021) Panelist At National Level Talk - Language & National Unity, National, (Panelist/Moderator)
  3. (2021) Panelist for National Forum- Sabah S Covid-19 Responses, National, (Panelist/Moderator)
  4. (2021) Panelist At Talk, National, (Panelist/Moderator)
  5. (2021) Speaker At Workshop, National, (Panelist/Moderator)
Media appearance
  1. (2025) Pekerja Juga Perlu Dilibatkan Dalam Isu Tarif, Kata Cendekiawan - Free Malaysia Today, National, (Interview)
  2. (2025) 'where Are The Women?': Academic Slams Gender Gap in Media, Politics - New Straits Times, National, (Interview)
  3. (2025) Don’t Forget The Workers in Trade War Talk, Says Scholar - Free Malaysia Today, National, (Interview)
  4. (2025) Can Malaysia Emerge as a Mature Democracy? - World Questions Podcast, Bbc World Service, International, (Interview)
  5. (2025) Sabahan Lecturer Leads Us-based Southeast Asia Council - The Star, National, (Interview)
  6. (2025) The Future is Female: What Does Feminism Look Like from Here? - Astro Awani, National, (Interview)
  7. (2025) Sabahan to Chair Prestigious Southeast Asian Council - Bfm, National, (Interview)
  8. (2025) Sabahan Scholar Vilashini Somiah to Lead Southeast Asia Council - Freemalaysiatoday, National, (Interview)
  9. (2025) Sabahan Scholar Makes History as First Head of Regional Council - Daily Express Malaysia, National, (Interview)
  10. (2025) Dr Vilashini Somiah Makes History With Prestigious International Appointment - Astro Ulagam, National, (Interview)
  11. (2025) UM Scholar Vilashini Somiah Makes History as First Southeast Asian Chair At Prestigious Asia Council - Varnam Malaysia, National, (Interview)
  12. (2025) Pensyarah UM Dilantik Pengerusi Majlis Asia Tenggara - Utusan Malaysia, National, (Interview)
  13. (2025) Sabahan Elected Chair of Southeast Asia Council, Marking Historic First - Borneo Post Online, National, (Interview)
  14. (2024) Malaysia’s Eviction of Sea Nomads Casts Light On Precarious Lives- The Straits Times, International, (Interview)
  15. (2024) Malaysia's Eviction of Sea Nomads Sparks Debate | Reuters, International, (Interview)
  16. (2024) Malaysia's Eviction of Sea Nomads Casts Light On Precarious Lives- Reuters, International, (Interview)
  17. (2024) Their Homes Burned and Demolished, Bajau Laut People Face 'systemic Discrimination' in Malaysia- Abc News, International, (Interview)
  18. (2024) Kiniguide | The Plight of Stateless Bajau Laut in Sabah, National, (Interview)
  19. (2024) "consider This: Bajau Laut"- Astro Awani, National, (Interview)
  20. (2024) Consider This: Bajau Laut — Stateless At Sea- Astro Awani, National, (Interview)
  21. (2024) "the Forgotten Babies"-the Fourth, National, (Interview)
  22. (2024) "borneo's Famed Unity: Looking Under The Hood"-bfm Radio, National, (Interview)
  23. (2024) "rural Communities Still Reeling from Post-covid Trauma, Says Anthropologist"-the Star, National, (Interview)
  24. (2024) "don't Underestimate Rural Indigenous Women, Says Malaysian Anthropologist"-the Star, National, (Interview)
  25. (2023) Step Up and Speak Out for Fat People, National, (Interview)
  26. (2023) Fat People Need More Acceptance, Less Judgement, National, (Interview)
  27. (2023) UM Mental Health Study On Nabawan Residents, National, (Interview)
  28. (2023) Consider This: Public Transport (part 3) - Gender-segregated Coaches, Safer Commutes?, National, (Interview)
  29. (2023) "research On Rural Sabah Entrepreneurs Impacted by Covid-19", National, (Interview)
  30. (2023) "consider This: Social Media | Empowerment or Furthering Marginalisation?", National, (Interview)
  31. (2023) Radio Interview "what Should (or Shouldn't) Lecturers Do to Get Their Students to Class", National, (Interview)
  32. (2023) Gender Studies Teaches Us to Believe in Equality, for a More Respectful, Caring, Equal Society, National, (Interview)
  33. (2023) Cna Insight 2022/2023 - Lahad Datu: The Sabah-sulu Conflict, International, (Interview)
  34. (2023) The Discourse: Education for All, National, (Interview)
  35. (2022) International Day for The Elimination of Violence Against Women, International, (Panelist/Moderator)
  36. (2022) Getting The Lay of The Land in Sabah, National, (Interview)
  37. (2022) How Would Malaysia Be Different If Ma63 Were Honoured?, National, (Interview)
  38. (2022) Indo Pacific Voices - #ep16 Gender is Crucial: Migration in Southeast Asia, International, (Host)
  39. (2022) Book Review: Voices from The Sulu Sea, National, (Interview)
  40. (2022) Book Review | Sabah's Irregular Migrants Straddling Two Worlds, National, (Interview)
  41. (2022) Sabah's Stateless: Who Are Malaysia's Invisible People? | Cna Insider, International, (Interview)
  42. (2022) We Speak of Naughty Things : The Hidden Lives of Migrant Women: Gtlf Apple Podcast and Vlog, International, (Interview)
  43. (2022) Book Review - Migrants and The Sea At The Borders of Sabah, Malaysia: Pelagic Alliance, National, (Interview)
  44. (2021) Interview, Perpaduan Kaum Harus Terus Utuh, Rtm, Sept 2021, National, (Interview)
  45. (2021) Interview, Sabah from The Ground: The 2020 Elections & The Politics of Survival, Bfm, April 2021., National, (Interview)

SUPERVISION

Postgraduate Student
PhD/ Doctoral
  1. (2024) From Mobile Courts to AI: An Ethnographic Account of the Judiciary in Sabah, Oleg Vasilchenko (Friedrich-alexander-university Erlangen-nurnberg)
  2. (2024) Attitudes about fathers as active and engaged parents in Malaysia, SABRINA ARIPEN
  3. (2024) Reclaiming Invisible Power Through Negotiation: A Case Study on Rural Jola Girls in the Gambia, DANIELLE BENEWA AGYEMANG
  4. (2024) Deconstructing Malaysian Men's Emotional Intimacy in Male-to-Male Friendships, CHRISTINE MARYANNA GABRIEL
  5. (2024) SAFEGUARDING MIGRANT MOTHERS IN SABAH’S PALM OIL PLANTATIONS, MARY ANNE K BALTAZAR
  6. (2024) INDONESIAN UNDOCUMENTED CHILDREN OF MIGRANTS IN MALAYSIA, YULIANA NUR SAMAD LIA
  7. (2024) HYBRIDITY AND THE QUEST FOR SELF-ACTUALIZATION: ARAB WOMEN IN THE SELECTED WORKS OF AHDAF SOUEIF, FADIA FAQIR AND LEILA ABOULELA, GALAL ABDULGABAR AHMED AL-MOHAMMEDI
  8. (2024) The Role of Mothers and Fathers in Nationality Selection Among Japanese–Singaporean Mixed-Race Children in Singapore, KAYOKO MATSUMURA
  9. (2024) MALAYSIAN PUBLIC, USERS AND STAKEHOLDERS' PERCEPTION OF E-CIGARETTES AND VAPE (ECV): A GENDER ANALYSIS, CHRISTINA CHIN
  10. (2024) POSITIONING ANALYSIS OF NEW MOTHERS NARRATIVE IN THE TRANSITION BACK-TO-WORK AFTER CHILDBIRTH, WONG YEE VON
  11. (2020) HETEROSEXUAL MALAYSIAN MEN S SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS WITH OTHER MEN: THE INTERSECTIONALITY OF ETHNICITY AND RELIGION, Christine Maryanna a/P Gabriel
  12. (2019) Social Integration Among Japanese Singaporean Mixed-Race Children in Singapore: Ethnicities and Gender, Kayoko Matsumura
  13. (2019) Positioning Analysis of New Mothers Narrative in the Transition Back-to-work After Childbirth, WONG YEE VON
Master
  1. (2024) Narrative Analysis of Gender Roles, Financial Autonomy, and Health Priority Among Those with Cancer in Urban Poor Families in Selangor, NOOR HUSNA BINTI AHMAD TOHA

TEACHING

Master
  1. (2022) AQD7003 - Feminist and Gender Theories
  2. (2022) AQD7006 - Gender Issues in Contemporary Society
  3. (2022) AQD7009 - Gender, Migration and Diaspora
  4. (2022) AQD7014 - Gender, Traditional Local Knowledge and Community Engagement
  5. (2022) AQD7001 - Methodology and Gender Studies
Bachelor
  1. (2022) AIO1004 - Gender and Development
  2. (2022) AIO3010 - Gender and Sexuality
  3. (2021) AIX3001 - Ethics and Professionalism in Social Sciences
  4. (2020) AZEA2306 - Gender, Science and Technology
  5. (2019) AZEA3306 - Seksuality and Gender

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ACTIVITIES

  • Closing Commentary At The Opening Ceremony, Plenary Session of Aseanpeoples@asean2025, (24 May 2025 - 24 May 2025) (International)
  • Panelist for The Launch of Rumah Mandiri & The Documentary Film Discussion of "the Silent Riot" (2012), (15 Feb 2025 - 15 Feb 2025) (National)
  • Brown Bag Discussion On Feminist Unpacking of Ethnicity With Students of The Social Anthropology Department, Cambridge University, (14 Nov 2024 - 14 Nov 2024) (International)
  • Speaker for The "mapping Gaps and Pathways Towards Gender Equality in Citizenship" Academic Dialogue., (23 Sep 2022 - 23 Dec 2022) (National)
  • Modul Supervision for ‘gender Mainstreaming in Advocacy’ During The 'ndi National Workshop With Youth Csos'., (15 Sep 2022 - 15 Sep 2022) (National)
  • Interview, “consider This: Ph Plus - Playing The Sabah Card?',” Bernama News Channel, (26 Sep 2020 - 26 Sep 2020)
  • Interview, “#ltsk: Sabah Bangkit – More Than Youth Anthem?” Astro Awani, (19 Sep 2020 - 19 Sep 2020)
  • Interview, “tea With Tehmina - Episode 20 - Educating Sabah's Stateless Children,” Bernama News Channel, (17 Aug 2020 - 17 Aug 2020)
  • Interview, “consider This: Ph Plus - Playing The Sabah Card?',” Astro Awani, (29 Jun 2020 - 29 Jun 2020)
  • Interview, “consider This: Kimanis by-election - 'down to The Wire',” Astro Awani, (17 Jan 2020 - 17 Jan 2020)

COURSE ATTENDED

Internal/ External Course
  1. IPC RESIDENCY, CHENNAI, INDIA (21 Jul 2022 - 30 Jul 2022)
  2. THE INTERDISCIPLINARY MEDICAL HUMANITIES BOOK PROJECT, (22 Feb 2022 - 11 Mar 2022)
  3. PROGRAM TRANSFORMASI MINDA, ARAS 4 BILIK SENAT BANGUNAN CANSELERI (01 Aug 2022 - 04 Aug 2022)
  4. PENULISAN MANUSKRIP BUKU: THE INTERDISCIPLINARY MEDICAL HUMANITIES BOOK PROJECT, (01 Aug 2022 - 07 Oct 2022)
  5. SEANNET COLLECTIVE MEETING 2023, UNIVERSITI AIRLANGGA, SURABAYA (09 Feb 2023 - 15 Feb 2023)
  6. THE 50TH YEAR OF ASEAN ? JAPAN FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ?MOBILITES AMONG ASEAN AND JAPAN: ITS FUTURE AND HOW WE SHAPE IT?, BRIN GATOT SUBROTO CAMPUS, JAKARTA, INDONESIA (24 Jul 2023 - 27 Jul 2023)
  7. NARRATIVES OF RESILIENCE OF FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS IN SABAH DURING COVID-19 AND ENDEMICITY, (31 Jul 2023 - 13 Oct 2023)
  8. ?FEMINIST AND QUEER YOUTH ACTIVISM IN ASIA: IDENTITY PERFORMANCE AND CULTURAL POLITICS IN CONTEMPORARY MOBILIZATION.?, PACE UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK (09 Nov 2023 - 12 Nov 2023)
  9. "DEVISING A REGIONAL PEDAGOGY ON THE INDOPACIFIC", BANGALORE, INDIA (09 Mar 2024 - 15 Mar 2024)