Educational Qualifications

2013
PhD in Anthropology, Harvard University

2008
MA in SE Asian Studies, National University of Singapore

2004
BA (Hons.) in SE Asian Studies, National University of Singapore

Academic and Professional Experience

2025-Present
Senior Lecturer, College of Interdisciplinary & Experiential Learning, Singapore University of Social Sciences

2020-2025
Research Associate, Institute of Asian Studies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam

2019-2025
Assistant Professor of Sociology and Anthropology, Universiti Brunei Darussalam

2017-Present
Member, Board of Trustees, SEASREP Foundation

2016-2019
Lecturer, Department of Southeast Asian Studies, National University of Singapore

2014–2019
Resident Fellow, Eusoff Hall, National University of Singapore

2014-2016
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Southeast Asian Studies, National University of Singapore

2011-2012
Visiting Fellow, King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies

2010-2012
Visiting Fellow, Institute for Southeast Asian Maritime States Studies, Prince of Songkla University

2009–2010
Teaching Fellow, Department of Anthropology, Harvard University

2005–2014
Teaching Assistant, Department of Southeast Asian Studies, National University of Singapore

2004–2005
Postgraduate Teaching Fellow, Department of Southeast Asian Studies, National University of Singapore

Selected Publications

  • Arafat, M., & Lai, A. (2025). Transnational Filipino-Bruneians: Language and food as conduits for homing. In Transnational Southeast Asia, Asia in Transition 29 (pp. 105–119). Springer.
  • Adi, M. and Arafat, M. (2024). Rolling Heritage: Gulintangan as inalienable gift in Brunei Darussalam (Working Paper No. 78). Institute of Asian Studies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
  • Arafat, M. (2022). Transculturality and the Hajj: diasporas as mediators of cross-cultural encounters. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 50(4), 1080–1097.
  • Arafat, M. (2022). Landscape of Grief: Place-Making in Thailand’s Deep South (Working Paper No. 68). Institute of Asian Studies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
  • Mohamad, M. A. B. (2018). Memories of collective victimhood and conflict in southern Thailand. Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 49(2), 204–226.
  • Arafat, M. (2018). To leave, or not to leave: Saudi nationhood and Mecca's diasporas. In DIASPORA: Exit, Exile, Exodus of Southeast Asia (pp. 39-45). MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum.
  • Arafat, M. (2017). Patani Semasa and the ‘rediscovery’ of art in Patani. In Patani Semasa. MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum.

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