Dr. Abdul Latiff is a highly accomplished academician and researcher specializing in political sociology and social anthropology. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Sociology, an MA in Social Anthropology, and a BA (Hons), all from the University of Malaya (UM). With over 35 years of experience in government service, Abdul Latiff has made significant contributions to academia and research.
Currently, Abdul Latiff serves as the Head of Division for Research and Publications at the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies. Prior to this, he held the position of Associate Professor at the Perdana School for STI Policy, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Campus, until 2016. Throughout his career, Abdul Latiff has focused his research on the study of values and their influence on political, economic, and social behavior, with a particular emphasis on the Malay world and the Middle East.
His areas of research interest span a wide range of topics, including political behavior, governance, culture and values, policy analysis, Islam and society, and global issues affecting the Muslim world, particularly in the West Asia/Middle East region. Abdul Latiff has completed several research projects, including studies on voting behavior, internationalization of higher education, and the politics of the Malays. He has received research funding from various prestigious sources, including the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia and the Ministry of Science, Technology,
and Innovation (MOSTI), among others.
Abdul Latiff is also a prolific author, with numerous publications to his name. His works cover a diverse range of subjects, including higher education, voting behavior in Malaysia, and issues pertaining to the Middle East and Muslim communities.
In addition to his academic endeavors, Abdul Latiff is actively engaged in various professional affiliations. He serves as a Fellow at the University of Malaya Centre for Democracy and Elections (UMCEDEL), a Committee Member of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations (MAPIM), and a Senior Fellow at the Nusantara Academy for Social Research (NASR).
Abdul Latiff's expertise lies in the study of cultural elements in collective human action, with a particular focus on political culture, values, and behavior. He is deeply committed to understanding the dynamics of cultural and societal influences, particularly within the context of the Malay and Islamic values systems. His research not only contributes to academic scholarship but also provides valuable insights into contemporary social and political issues facing the Muslim world.