Culture, Religion and Gender
This area considers the intersection between religion, gender and
culture in Southeast Asia at least in three senses, all of which
involves the study of men and women’s status and history, and
of sexuality and other markers of diversity, at the same time.
First, it questions the extent to which religion and/or culture
influence gender development, and perpetuate inequality or
promote egalitarianism between genders. It also explores gender
issues in the context of international and constitutional human
rights law, and how the clash between religious or cultural
autonomy and gender equality has been addressed in international law and different constitutional courts. Second, it
investigates the significance of the various religious traditions to the
sociopolitical scenario of Southeast Asia including, for example,
their enlistment by the state to reinforce or challenge the
marginalisation of minority groups, and their negotiations with
modernity to remain dynamic. Finally, it addresses the way in
which culture and its various expressions are imbricated with, for
instance, ideology, race, nationalism, and others, in the formation
of Southeast Asia both in terms of its separate postcolonial,
sovereign states and as an integrated region.
“My research dwells on the
intersections between urban spaces,
religion, and civil society initiatives in
various places in Malaysia, Indonesia
and the Philippines. I also make
ethnographic documentaries arising
from these research activities. I am
interested in examining the social and
cultural complexities that are generated,
managed and appropriated between
differently positioned social actors as a
consequence of these varied human
encounters. Past research subjects
have included state and corporate
agencies vis-à-vis urban settlers, street
vendors, migrant workers, pilgrims, the
homeless, and environment groups. My
research has attracted competitive
funding from Malaysian and
international grant bodies”. “I am interested in human stories
that emerge from intersections of
gender, sexuality and faith. My
research thus concentrates on
queer, feminist, masculinity and
LGBTI studies, human rights,
sexual health issues, and diverse
studies on theology, spirituality
and religion. Although my
research is often considered
controversial, I am convinced of
its importance as I work on
issues that lie at the heart of
human existence and yet are
hardly discussed in the open. I
believe that what I do contributes
to the dynamics of a more
inclusive world, especially for
those who are marginalised on
various levels”.
Associate Professor
Yeoh Seng Guan Dr Joseph N Goh
Literature, Cine