Forschung
Haikel Latiff
Researcher with expertise in data analytics, culture and politics with a keen interest in sociological perspectives. Experienced and focused marketing and communications professional. An organized and effective project manager, skilled at learning new concepts and processes and identifying tasks to facilitate timely and cost efficient completion. A critical and creative thinker, keen on understanding social phenomena with grounded and refined methods. A confident and concise communicator, able to research on diversified projects and clearly give results to multiple audiences. A strong team player, adept at supporting team members to achieve personal and professional goals.
Education & Training
Doctor of Philosophy Candidate (Sociology)
Bielefeld University | Bielefeld | 2016-Present
Phd candidate in sociology. Currently conducting research on contested masculinity in Southeast Asia and the influence of social media in the development of identity. Expected completion in Summer 2021.
Masters of Arts in Applied Quantitative Research
New York University | New York City | 2013-2014
MA in Applied Statistics and Sociology. Coursework included Research Design, Econometrics, Law and Urban Studies. Designed and conducted in-depth statistical analysis on the influence of high-density living and loneliness.
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Nanyang Technological University | Singapore | 2008-2012
BA in Sociology, Culture, Media and a Minor in Psychology. Coursework included Marketing, Communication, Policy Analysis, Gender studies, Organizational Strategy & Psychology. Designed and conducted in-depth qualitative study on social influence and gender identity. Completed Certificate in Teaching Methodology.
Conferences/Presentations/Leadership
Panel Chair | Cambridge University | United Kingdom | June 2016
Contested Politics of Religious & Cultural Diversity and Belonging, at the European Migration and Refugee Crisis Seminar
President | Tampines Junior College | Singapore | 2004-2005
Elected student representative leading 30 councillors in the Student’s Council to advance the welfare and interests of the student body
Contested Masculinity in Southeast Asia - Social Media as a Canvas for Belonging
Summary
Islamic communities in Southeast Asia are part of a post-colonial, multi-ethnic and multi- religious environment where Muslims are the majority in most communities. With the increasing Muslim consciousness in the region, this has led to tensions amongst religious, ethnic and national dimensions of belonging, interlaced with gender. Below the surface of growing Muslim hegemonic aspirations, masculinity is becoming of increasing importance as a contested marker of social positioning: Internally Islamic masculinity legitimizes institutionalized patriarchy and maintains relations of power between genders and within multiple masculinities. Externally Islamic masculinity is the tool for boundary making and maintenance of socio-political hegemony, particularly as Islamic communities are confronted with the considerable presence of other non-Muslim based communities in their national consciousness.
The proposed project hypothesizes that Islamic masculinity and claims to patriarchy have become contested due to challenges and changes on various social fronts: the shifting of gender relations, the negative impressions of Islam and Muslim men as depicted e.g. in the media largely attributed to a dangerous masculinity often associated with terrorism, surveillance by the state, and the 'call of the Ummah' which conflicts with national and ethnic belonging. Therefore, the tense relation between ethnic, religious and national affiliation have resulted in challenges to men's ability in constructing belonging. Islamic masculinity then becomes contested as males are forced into negotiating different, overlapping and contesting social dimensions of belonging with the need to reassess normative and performative aspects of the 'ideal' Muslim man.
The subject of this research is how and to what extent men turn towards strengthening the Islamic aspect of their masculinity (in various, alternative forms) and how far this conflicts with their ethnic and national belonging. Consequently the central question of this research is: due to their assumed contested position, how do Muslim men navigate the overlapping tensions of multiple belonging? This will be examined taking the social media canvas as an empirical stage where men present, negotiate and mold their belonging and understanding of Islamic masculinity in three selected contexts: Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. Theoretically the project focuses on the social construction of belonging from a sociology of knowledge based social constructivist perspective. The objective of this research is to understand the challenges of negotiating the overlapping tensions of multiple belonging and the relevance of Islamic masculinity in this regard.