PRME SIP Report 2019/20 | Page 21

21 research
JUSTICE AND INCLUSION : AN EARLY CAREER RESEARCHER ’ S PERSPECTIVE
Dr . Thaatchaayini Kananatu was part of a strategic collaboration between Monash University Malaysia , Monash University Australia and the Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network ( ADPAN ), to conduct research on drug offences and the death penalty in Malaysia . This project , a result of a research grant from Harm Reduction International , led to a crucial report entitled “ Drug Offences and the Death Penalty in Malaysia : Fair Trial Rights and Ramifications ”.
The report highlighted the impact of Malaysia ’ s drug trafficking laws and the death penalty on vulnerable groups such as foreign nationals and women ( particularly migrant workers and individuals from the lower socioeconomic groups who tend to be less educated ). The report was launched on 20th May 2020 by Malaysia ’ s former Chief Justice , Judge Tan Sri Richard Malanjum . The strategic collaboration with Monash University Australia is ongoing through the newly launched Eleos Justice platform , focusing on the abolition of the death penalty .
Dr . Thaatchaayini also achieved significant milestones in her academic career through the publication of impactful books which focused on marginalised minorities , and vulnerable groups with socioeconomic and legal issues . In her book publication , Minorities , rights and the law in Malaysia ( Routledge ), she analyses the mobilisation of race , rights and the law in Malaysia - by examining the mobilisation of the Indian community in Malaysia . The book covers a period from the colonial to the post-colonial period , and focuses on the former Indian Tamil plantation labour community , as well as the urban Indian middle-class .
In 2020 , Dr . Thaatchaayini was a co-editor for the book Gender and Sexuality Justice in Asia ( Springer ) with Dr . Joseph N . Goh and Associate Professor Dr . Sharon A . Bong . This book brought together a group of innovative scholars from different disciplines in examining the issues affecting gender and sexuality justice in the context of Asia . The book further expounds on notions of justice , equity and sustainable development , in relation to women and the LGBTIQA + community in Asia .
Dr . Thaatchaayini was also a co-editor of the book Vulnerable Groups in Malaysia ( de Gruyters ), with Dr . Sharon G . M . Koh from the Department of Economics . Together they assembled authors from various disciplines within the School of Business as well from other institutions to explore the social , legal , economic and political dimensions of vulnerability , and write about particular vulnerable groups ( women , transgenders , children , fisherfolk , indigenous people , stateless persons and socioeconomically marginalised minorities ) in Malaysia .
Dr Thaatchaayini Kananatu is an Early Career Researcher and is co-recipient of the School of Business Excellence Award 2020 for Stakeholder Engagement ( Early Career Researcher ).