My
Anthropological Approach:
Lubah-lubah

Grounded in attentiveness, reciprocity, and a commitment to honoring the dignity and complexity of the communities I learn from, my approach is shaped by the Iban ethos of lubah-lubah—moving gently, slowly, and with care—inspired from years of ethnographic fieldwork among Indigenous longhouse communities in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo that included my own maternal ancestral longhouse community. Building on this foundation, I strive to create research and public scholarship that centers listening, witnessing, and relational ethics.

Methodologically, my practice combines participant observation, oral history, semi-structured interviews, and visual ethnography. I spend extended periods immersed in community life— joining in daily routines, co-creating field photographs and stories, and learning through shared labor, conversation, and silence. I am dedicated to collaborative methods that value local knowledge and seek ways to make research meaningful both within and beyond academia.

A core value in my work is relationality. Whether writing, curating exhibitions, or conducting interviews, I strive to reflect the bonds of trust, affection, and service that underpin ethnographic knowledge. My work also emphasizes reflexivity—a continual questioning of my positionality, assumptions, and the impacts of my presence and storytelling. I see the anthropological process as an ongoing dialogue, not only with research participants and communities but with broader publics and with myself as a learner.

My skills as an anthropologist have shaped my work on aging and social wellbeing among Indigenous Dayak Iban and Bidayuh communities across Malaysia and Indonesia; projects on identity and collective memory within diasporic Sikh Punjabi communities worldwide; and in fostering multicultural dialogues among Jewish, Christian, and Muslim women in Boston.

I believe anthropology can serve as a bridge—illuminating the intricacies of memory, resilience, and belonging while challenging reductive narratives. Through ethnographic writing, collaborative curation, qualitative analysis, and public engagement, I strive to uplift overlooked voices, celebrate the beauty of everyday life, and invite others to slow down, listen deeply, and see the world anew.