Introducing Dr. Vilashini Somiah, SEAC Visiting Fellow, a Feminist Anthropologist from Sabah, Malaysia, and a Senior Lecturer at the Gender Studies Programme, Universiti Malaya.
1.What will you be working on during your time as SEAC Visiting Fellow?
During my time as a SEAC Visiting Fellow, I will focusing on a recent research project that investigates how Indigenous and migrant women in a mountainous district in Sabah, Malaysia, navigate and reclaim gendered spaces in the wake of rapid urban transformation, gentrification, and economic recovery post-COVID-19. Central to the study is the role of Mount Kinabalu, a revered spiritual entity, in shaping their connection to land and identity. The research is grounded in gender, identity, and place-making theories, shedding light on how these women balance traditional roles and emergent responsibilities in their evolving communities.
2.What led you to your field of study/what inspired your interest in these topics?
As a feminist anthropologist deeply interested in more-than-human relationships with people and as a scholar working on Borneo, I have often found that empowering narratives of women from this region in Southeast Asia are missing from the literature. My interest in the intersection of gender, migration, and identity in rural environments stems from my long-term anthropological research in Sabah, particularly among Indigenous and migrant communities. The resilience and adaptability of women in the face of socio-economic pressures, religious transformations, and urbanisation have always fascinated me. The pandemic exacerbated these challenges, pushing many women into new roles as breadwinners while still navigating traditional expectations. This intersection between gendered spaces and identity, especially in rural settings inspired me to explore the intricate ways in which women assert their socio-political agency and preserve their cultural heritage.
3. How do you like to relax and unwind?
I enjoy watching local television, as it offers unique insights into the cultures and socio-political inclinations of different communities. Another pastime of mine is exploring lesser-visited parts of cities, where I immerse myself in local cuisines and subcultures. During my visit, when not occupied with writing and researching , I plan to continue this practice, walking around to better understand the local environment and its people.
