MAD Stories: Stories of the Malaysian Academic Diaspora. A podcast that brings to the fore the stories of Malaysian and Malaysia-heritage academics based outside of Malaysia. Through their journeys, this podcast showcases the diverse expertise and experiences of the Malaysian academic diaspora while inspiring early-career academics as they navigate the challenges of building academic careers. Host & Producer: Ashraf Shaharudin. Instagram: @myacademicdiaspora
Khai Chung Ang - Indigenous Genomics, 3D Microanatomical Atlas, Ecotoxicology
In this episode, Dr. Khai Chung Ang shares his inspiring journey from Malaysia to the US, exploring his research in genetics, human adaptation, and innovative bioinformatics tools. Listen to his story on how integrative approaches and community engagement drive breakthroughs in biological sciences. Dr. Ang is currently an Assistant Professor at the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, USA.
30 May 2026
Aizuddin Anuar - Rural Education, Postcolonialism, and Development
In this insightful interview, Dr. Aizuddin Muhammed Anuar talks about Malaysia's 60-40 (STEM vs. Arts) policy, rural education, postcolonialism, and development. He also shares his academic journey from chemical engineering to education and his advice for early-career academics. Dr. Aizuddin is currently an Assistant Professor at Academy of Future Education, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China. His book, Postcolonial Education and Development in Peripheral Malaysia: Building Scientific Aspirations, is forthcoming in September 2026.
24 May 2026
Haizal Hussaini - Oral Cancer, Muslim Chaplain, and Returning to New Zealand
In this fascinating interview, Prof. Haizal Hussaini talks about returning to his alma mater in New Zealand after almost two decades in Malaysia, his research in oral cancer immunology, his public health engagement initiatives with the Māori and Pacific communities, and his role as a Muslim chaplain. Prof. Haizal is currently a Professor at the Department of Oral Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, New Zealand. He is now one of New Zealand’s only two active academic oral pathology specialists.
17 May 2026
Peng Weng Kung - Frugal Engineering, Multidisciplinarity, and Quantum Information
Professor Peng Weng Kung shares his academic journey that brought him to different continents, his innovative malaria diagnostic tool that led him and his team to be listed in the '100 Global Thinkers' by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2014, and his insights on multidisciplinary research and frugal engineering. Professor Peng is currently a Professor at the Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Biology, University of Osaka, Japan.
8 May 2026
Jasvir Kaur Nachatar Singh - Mentorship, Internationalisation of Higher Education, and Student-Centred Learning
In this interview, Dr. Jasvir Kaur Nachatar Singh shares her academic journey from Malaysia to Australia, her research on internationalisation of higher education, and her insights on teaching, mentorship, and balancing academic responsibilities. She also highlights the importance of passion and giving back. Dr Singh is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Management and Marketing at La Trobe Business School, La Trobe University, Australia.
29 Apr 2026
Guanie Lim - Political Economy, Research Dissemination, and Life in Japan
In this interview, Dr. Guanie Lim reflects on his academic journey from engineering to political economy, his experiences working in Singapore and Japan, and his efforts to make research more accessible to a wider audience through opinion pieces. He also offers practical advice for early-career researchers. Dr. Guanie Lim is currently an Associate Professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Japan. His main research interests are comparative political economy, value chain analysis, and the Belt and Road Initiative in Southeast Asia.
11 Apr 2026
Firdaus Muhammad Sukki - Solar Photovoltaics, Malaysian Academic Collaborations, Technology Marketability & Policy
In this in-depth interview, Dr. Firdaus Mohamad Sukki shares his academic journey and research on renewable energy, particularly low-cost photovoltaics, and highlights the importance of studying a technology’s market and policy dimensions alongside its technical aspects. He also discusses his international collaborations with fellow Malaysian academics based both within and outside Malaysia, including through grant-funded projects, illustrating how Malaysian academic networks can be leveraged to conduct research relevant to Malaysia. Dr. Firdaus is currently an Associate Professor at the School of Engineering and Built Environment, Edinburgh Napier University, UK.
2 Apr 2026
Azreen Azlan - Urbanism, Big Questions, and Field Experience
In this engaging interview, Dr. Azreen Azlan reflects on her academic journey from Malaysia to the UK, sharing insights into her research on urban spaces as well as her perspectives on academia and cross-cultural experiences. She also emphasises the importance of field experience for an academic career. Dr. Azreen is currently a Lecturer in Architecture and Urbanism at the Manchester School of Architecture, UK. Follow our Instagram: @myacademicdiaspora
27 Mar 2026
Qayyum Tamam - Decarbonisation, Combustion Engines, and Academic Culture
In this informative interview, Dr. Mohamad Qayyum Tamam shares his academic journey from Malaysia to the UK, his research in combustion engines and alternative fuels, and perspectives on decarbonisation and academic culture. He highlighted the importance of multi-pronged decarbonisation pathways, building international collaborations, and practical advice for early-career researchers. Dr. Qayyum is currently a Research Fellow at the University of Brighton, working for the UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub. Follow our Instagram: @myacademicdiaspora
13 Mar 2026
Sandra Khor Manickam - Southeast Asian History, Race & Genetics, Archives, and Public History
In this insightful interview, Dr. Sandra Khor Manickam shares her journey as a historian specialising in Southeast Asian history, her experiences across four continents, and her insights on the role of archives, public education of history, and the responsibilities of academics today. She is currently an Assistant Professor in History at Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands. Follow our Instagram: @myacademicdiaspora
11 Mar 2026
Kar Man Tan - Academic & Policy Research, Career Challenges, Living in Germany
In this interview, Dr. Kar Man Tan shares her academic journey from Malaysia to Germany. She discusses the challenges of academia, the differences in research cultures across countries, and the experience living in Germany. She also offers advice for aspiring academics, especially in the field of economics. Dr. Kar Man Tan is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB), Germany. Follow our Instagram: @myacademicdiaspora
7 Mar 2026
Idlan Zakaria - Sukan Bertanggungjawab, Aspek Sosial dalam Pengajaran, dan Peranan Universiti
Dalam temu bual ini, Dr. Idlan Zakaria berkongsi perjalanan akademiknya dari Malaysia ke UK, minat penyelidikannya dalam tadbir urus korporat, sukan dan perniagaan yang bertanggungjawab, serta pandangannya tentang peranan universiti dan nasihat untuk ahli akademik muda. Dr. Idlan kini adalah Professor Madya dalam perakaunan di University of Birmingham, UK. Ikuti Instagram kami: @myacademicdiaspora
28 Feb 2026
Amizan Omar - Public Sector Digitalisation, Multidisciplinary Experience, and Advices for Academic Career
In this insightful interview, Dr. Amizan Omar shares her multidisciplinary academic journey—including her 15 years' experience working in the public sector in Malaysia before joining academia in the UK—her research on public sector digitalisation, and advice for early career academics. Dr. Amizan Omar is currently an Associate Professor in Strategic Management at the University of Bradford, UK. Follow our Instagram: @myacademicdiaspora
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