A senior lecturer in Universiti Malaya’s gender studies programme at its faculty of arts and social sciences, Vilashini will serve on the council from 2025 to 2028, with her tenure as chair beginning in March 2026.

Vilashini will also sit on the AAS board of directors in the world’s largest academic organisation dedicated to Asian studies.

The Sabah-born anthropologist brings nearly 15 years of experience in ethnographic research across Borneo, and has held fellowships in Australia and the UK as well as at Harvard University.

“To be honest, I initially felt apprehensive about living up to the legacy of the previous SEAC chairs.

“But I’ve come to realise that this role is not just about personal achievement. It represents something greater for Southeast Asia’s many brilliant scholars, particularly those of Southeast Asian descent,” she said in a statement today.

Vilashini said the appointment was especially meaningful for “women and others from minority backgrounds, many of whom have had to work harder to be seen and heard in academic spaces”.

“I believe this moment signals potential for real change and progress in Malaysian and regional academia.

“It moves us towards a more inclusive and confident intellectual culture, where the richness of our diverse voices is recognised as central to the future of Asian studies on a global level,” she said.