Engaging the Wider Public

Engagements with the wider public are important in making the scholarly research that is done at Monash University relevant to people beyond university walls. In turn, these engagements ensure that scholars remain grounded and in touch with issues of general importance. Below are just a few of the appearances and engagements that Monash University Arts staff in the general public and popular media. 

Mr Benjamin McKay

In March 2008, Mr Benjamin McKay was interviewed by KLUE magazine for his views on life in Kuala Lumpur (left).

In August  2008, he reflected on Malaysian Cinema after 50 years of independence (right).

In February 20008, he gave a prose reading at NoBlackTie (KL) with other well-known Malaysian performers.

Along with Drs Sharon Bong and Julian Lee, and honours student Melody Song, Benjamin participated in Seksualiti Merdeka celebrations at the The Annexe Gallery, Kuala Lumpur. Click here to read Julian Lee's article in The Star on the event.

Dr Helen E.S. Nesadurai

Dr Helen Nesadurai took part in a public symposium at Waseda University in Tokyo on 12 April 2008. The symposium was also held to commemorate the 20^th anniversary of The Pacific Review, a leading journal on the international politics of the Asia-Pacific region based at the University of Warwick in the UK. The symposium, which was open to all members of the public, focused on the question of “Where is Japan Headed?”, with eight panelists providing views and expectations on Japan’s role in the Asia-Pacific region.

Dr Julian C. H. Lee

During the 2008 Malaysian General Elections, Dr Julian Lee was engaged with the Women's Candidacy Initiative (WCI) which sought to put more women in parliament. He (centre top)appeared with WCI on the cover of Options, 8 March 2008.

Dr Sharon A Bong

Dr Sharon A Bong was invited to speak at a panel on ‘Current issues from a faith-based perspective’ at the 26^th Biennial Delegates Conference of the Young Women’s Christian Association of Malaysia (YWCA), 24 May 2008, Kuantan. She is the out-going First Vice-President of the YWCA and editor of its quarterly newsletter, The Blue Triangle.  

Sharon was invited to serve as an international consultant at the World YWCA Council 2007 (Young Women’s Christian Association), Nairobi, Kenya in 2007. Expertise was offered on religion and sexuality to facilitate global networking for the World YWCA that comprises a network of 25 million women in 122 countries leading change through five priority areas: peace with justice, human rights, women’s health and HIV/ AIDS, sustainable development and leadership development of women and girls.     

Sharon was the First Vice President (2007-2008, 2004-2006) of the YWCA of Malaysia and editor of the Blue Triangle, a quarterly newsletter of the YWCA of Malaysia that aims to synergize the link between local practices of the YWCA of Malaysia and global visions of World YWCA.

Sharon also is a participant in the Ecclesia of Women in Asia.

Sharon has also engaged in social commentary on sexuality education contributed to Kakiseni, an online publication dedicated to performing Arts in Malaysia, ‘Positions That Matter’ in http://www.kakiseni.com/articles/features/MTAzMw.html (30 January 2007)

Prof James Chin

Prof Chin gave many interviews to the media about the recent Malaysian General Elections. Among there were:

• Radio Singapore International's Inside Malaysia, Abdullah begins renewed reforms, April 24, 2008

• Voice of America, Malaysian Prime Minister Faces Calls for Resignation, 9 March, 2008

• Voice of America, Malaysian Police Interrupt Opposition Leader's Speech, 15 April 2008

• The Star, Keeping up with the new politics, 30 March 2008

Prof Chin also wrote a few commentaries:

• ‘A healthy dose of democracy’, The Edge (Malaysia), 14 April 2008

• ‘Significant outcomes of the General Election’, The Edge (Malaysia), 31 March 2008

• ‘Political Perfect Storm’, The Edge (Malaysia), 24 March 2008

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