Lisa Lau

Biography

I am a Malaysian of Chinese descent who left home (Kuala Lumpur) to indulge a passion: to read for a degree in English Literature. This was followed by an MA (by research and thesis) on African American Literature, which then opened the floodgates of my interests in cross cultural, world literature. My PhD (at Durham University) was done in the Geography Department, positioning my thesis on Postcolonial South Asian Literature at the crossroads of literary, cultural and geographical studies. I am currently an interdisciplinary Human Geographer, primarily working on postcolonial studies and gender studies. My interests lie in issues of knowledge, narrative, power, class, and identity.

Research and scholarship

I am a postcolonialist with an international reputation for pioneering re-orientalism theory and discourse. As an expert on South Asian Literature, I have worked on gender studies, literary geographies, diaspora and migration, urban studies. I have published on issues of representation, narrative, identity construction, class, power, precarity, commercial surrogacy, and hospitality. I have also worked with the World Bank on 10 consultancies. Alongside my research in postcolonialism, I am currently working on Decolonising the Curriculum and associated issues.

Teaching

FELLOW OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACADEMY (FHEA)

Year 1

• GEG-10013 - Human Geographies (Module Leader)
• GEG-10012 Practising Human Geography
• ESC-10035 Geographical Skills II

Year 2

• GEG-20015 Space and Society
• GEG-20010 Practical Human Geography
• GEG-20018 - Concepts and Debates
• GEG-20009 Geographical Research Training (and Singapore Fieldcourse Leader)
• ESC-20049/50 Dynamic Geographies

Year 3

• GEG-30006 - Single Dissertation- Module Leader
• GEG-30008 - Double Dissertation- Module Leader
• GEG-30031 Postcolonialism Decolonisation - Module Leader

Masters Programs

• MA in Human Geography and Sustainability
• MA Geographical and Environmental Research