Historical Roots and the Dialogue of Human-Nature Relations: An Exclusive Interview with Prof. Farish A. Noor

Abstract

Born and raised in Malaysia, Prof. Farish A. Noor’s scholarly journey has been deeply rooted in both Southeast Asian realities and Western institutional training, making him one of the region’s most prominent contemporary thinkers. He currently serves as a Professor of Political History at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII).

Prof. Noor’s academic credentials span some of the world’s most prestigious institutions. He holds a PhD from the University of Essex, as well as a Master’s and a Bachelor’s degree from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom.

Throughout his career, his work has focused on the critical intersection of political history, cartography, and Islamic studies. He has authored several landmark books, including The Discursive Construction of Southeast Asia in the 19^thCentury and Data-Gathering in Colonial Southeast Asia 1800-1900, both of which challenge traditional historical frameworks and advocate for a thorough decolonial understanding of the region.