journal articles (17)

A/L Kulathu Ramaiyer N., Bala P., Pariyar A., Kee Man C. and Meenatchisundaram J. (2020). Preserving Cultural Knowledge through Community-Led MOOCs. IPSI BgD Transactions on Internet Research (TIR), 16(1), 1-11. Web of Science Core Collection:Emerging Sources Citation Index   

Yakup M.R., A.H.A., H.S., S.W.J., Poline B., D.M. and S.N.A (2019) Batuh Narit Arur Bilit of Pa Umur: A visual analysis onto a Carved stone from the Megalithic monuments of the Kelabit Highlands. International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering (IJRTE), 7(6): 912-917.   

Bin Mohd Rafee Y., Bin Awang Arshad A., Bin Siri H., Anak Jussem S., Anak Bala P., Bin Abol Hassan M., Bin Halim H., Aman Leong S. and Anak Maying D. (2018). Megalith Cultures of the Kelabit Highlands through Space and Time; Utilizing Digital Technology in Anthropological Exhibition. Research Update, 14(1), 24.

Weinberger A, Alario-Hoyos C, Bala P, Batangan D, Delgado Kloos D, Kulathuramaiyer N, Navera JC, Palis J, Sambul AM, Sy P, et al. Addressing Societal Issues Through MOOCs in Southeast Asia , in 2018 Learning With MOOCS (LWMOOCS). ; 2018: 78–80.     

Y.M R., A.H A., H. S., Sylvester Welding J., P. B., D. M. and S.N. A. (2018). Batuh Narit Arur Bilit of Pa' Umor; A visual analysis onto a carved stone from the megalithic monuments of the Kelabit Highlands. 4th ASIA International Conference 2018 (AIC2018), 1(1), 1.   

Bala P. (2017). An Overview of Anthropological and Sociological Research at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. , 1(4), 1.     
Goy, Siew & Wong, Swee Kiong & Abdillah, Kiky & Khatijah Zamhari, Siti & Shazani Masri, Mohd & Perumal, Christopher & Bala, Poline & Phoa, John. (2016). Applying territorial approach to rural agribusiness development in Malaysia's aboriginal (Orang Asli) settlements: A comparative study of Pos Balar, Kelantan and Pos Sinderut, Pahang. Geografia Online Malaysian Journal of Society and Space. 12. 109-115.   

Bala, P. (2015) "Old and valuable beads among the Kelabit of Sarawak, Malaysia" Sarawak Museum Journal (SMJ) Vol LXXV (96). Pp. 45-70.

Bala P. (2015). From highlands to lowlands: Kelabit women and their migrant daughters. , 1(1), 120-139.   

Samani, Mus & Bala, Poline & Maliki, Jamilah & Harris, Roger. (2013). Bario Community Radio: Engaging people making news. 1-6. 10.1109/CITA.2013.6637565.   

Bala, P. (2013) Conserving Ancient Beads Within Shifting Context. Journal Borneo International Beads Conference 2013.  Crafthub. 

Bala, P. (2012) Researchers- Community Engagement: Needs Analysis for Telecentre Development among Orang Asli, West Malaysia. Proceedings of National Conference on University- Community Engagement, New Directions in Humanities, 22-23 November 2012, Pulau Pinang.   

Gani, N., Bala, P. & Peter, T. (2012) Socio-cultural context and On-going Engagement with Social Change among the Orang Asli of Kelantan and Pahang: An Analysis for Telecentre Development. Proceedings of National Conference on University- Community Engagement, New Directions in Humanities, 22-23 November 2012, Pulau Pinang.   

Bala, P. (2009) An Engagement with “Modernity”? Becoming Christian in the Kelabit Highlands of Central Borneo. Borneo Research Bulletin, Vol.40: 173-186.   

Bala, P., Harris, R.W and Songan, P., (2003) ‘E Bario Project: In Search of a Methodology to Provide Access to Information Communication Technologies for Rural Communities in Malaysia’  in C.V.Slyke (ed.), Information Communication Technologies: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools and Applications (pp.826-839). Hershey P.A: Information Science Reference, Pennsylvania, USA.  
 
Harris, R.W., Bala, P., Songan, P., Khoo E., (2001) Challenges And Opportunities In Introducing Information and Communication Technologies To The Kelabit Community of North Central Borneo, New Media and Society, Vol. 3, No. 3, September 2001.   

Bala, P (2001). Interethnic Ties: the Kelabit and Lun Berian in the Kelabit-Kerayan Highlands, Borneo Research Bulletin, Vol.32: 103 – 111

Conference refereed proceedings (9)

Poline Bala (2002). “e-Bario: a case for empowering rural communities through Information communication technologies.” Proceedings of Asian Regional Consultation on Rural Women in Knowledge Societyedited by Usha Raman    

Poline Bala (2000). “Space, Place and Identity: Changing meanings at the Border in Highland Borneo”. Proceedings of the Sixth Biennial Borneo Research Conference edited by Michael Leigh.    

Poline Bala, Elaine Khoo Guet Lien, Peter Songan and Roger Harris (2000) “Potential Users Profile and Existing Communication Pattern Among the Rural Community of Bario: A Need Analysis for the Development of a Telecentre”. Proceedings of the Sixth Biennial Borneo Research Conference edited by Michael Leigh.    

Roger Harris, Peter Songan, Elaine Khoo Guet Lien and Poline Bala (2000) “Methodologies for developing Community Information Systems in Remote Communities of Sarawak”. Proceedings of the Sixth Biennial Borneo Research Conference edited by Michael Leigh.    

Peter Songan, Roger Harris, Poline Bala and Elaine Khoo Guet Lien (2000). “Awareness and Usage of Information Technology in a Rural Community of Bario, Sarawak”. Proceedings of the Sixth Biennial Borneo Research Conference edited by Michael Leigh.    

Elaine Khoo Guet Lien, Peter Songan, Roger Harris, Poline Bala and Tingang Trang. (2000). “Information Technology Literacy of Rural Secondary School Teachers: A Study in the Kelabit Highlands of Bario”. Proceedings of the Sixth Biennial Borneo Research Conference Borneo edited by Michael Leigh.    

Roger Harris, Poline Bala, Peter Songan and Elaine Khoo Guet Lien (2000) “Challenges and opportunities in introducing information and communication technologies to the Kelabit Community of North Central Borneo”. Proceedings of the Second International Conference in Cultural Attitudes towards Technology and Communication edited by Fay Sudweeks and Charless Ess.     

Elaine Khoo Guet Lien, Tingang Trang, Pon Won Sia, Peter Songan, Roger Harris and Poline Bala. (2000). “Rural Secondary School teachers’ attitudes towards information technology: A study in the Kelabit Highlands of Bario, Borneo”. Proceedings of the Second International Conference in Cultural Attitudes towards Technology and Communication edited by Fay Sudweeks and Charless Ess.    

Poline Bala (2000). “Informal Economies at the border region of Highland Borneo: Lessons and opportunities for BIMP-EAGA”. Proceedings of the Regional Conference on BIMP-EAGA 2000 edited by Mohd Faisal Syam Abdol Hazis, Suseela Devi Chandran and Ahi Sarok.

Encyclopedia entries (8)

Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life, 2nd edition Eastword Publications Development, a division of Lincoln Library Press, Inc. herein after referred to as EASTWORD, 812 Huron Road, Suite 401, Cleveland, OH   44115   


Articles on the culture groups of the world: 
Iban, 
Kadazan, 
Kelabit, 
Malaysian Chinese, 
Malaysian Indians, 
Malaysian Malays, 
Orang Asli, 
and Penan 

Featured in Film/Documentary

Tom Harrison: The Barefoot Anthropologist (2007) - A biography - presented by Sir David Attenborough - of the explorer, pioneering anthropologist, guerrilla fighter, award-winning documentary film-maker and conservationist, Tom Harrisson. By ICON Films, UK.

Rainforest Child of Malaysia – Two Way Ticket by ITV UK and Unicef 1981   

2020

Invited Speaker at the “Progam Latihan Borneo Leadership Talk Series 2/2020”, on 3rd September 2020 Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. Title Paper Presented: Voices of Local Community Leaders: Leaving no one behind in UNIMAS’s role in supporting SDGs.   

Invited Speaker “Empowering Dayak Women through Education” Zoom Event. 28th August 2020. Title Paper Presented: Dayak Women in Digital Age: Opportunities and Challenges.   

Invited Panelist “Forum Masa Depan Malaysia: Prospek dan Cabaran oleh Kaukus Parlimen Muda Parlimen Malaysia, 2020” on 5th February 2020 at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.   

2019

Keynote Address, eBorneo Knowledge Fair 2019 “Indigenous Connections Across Borders.” 22 – 24 October 2019, in Ba Kelalan. Title Paper Presented: Across Border Connections through Space and Time: Implications on Policy Planning of Cross Border Movements in the Highlands of Central Borneo.   

Speaker Plenary Panel “Energy Access for Sustainable Development hosted by United Nations Development Programme”, Pullman Hotel Kuching on 15-16th March 2019. Title Paper Presented: Looking Beyond Technologies.

Plenary Speaker at Dayak Chair Symposium on “Indigenous Identities and Cultures” Faculty of Social Sciences, UNIMAS 2019. Title Paper Presented: Sustaining Indigenous Identities and Cultures: what can we learn from around the world?   

Visiting Professor/Scholar, Center for World Austronesia and Indigenous Peoples (CWAIP) at National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan .12 November 2019 – 16th November 2019. Title Papers Presented: 1) We have Grown Cold: Technology and Society in the Kelabit Highlands of Central Borneo 2. Jars and Knowledge: Anthropology, Obligation and Development.   

Invited Talk Regional Workshop on “Unpacking Indigeneity in Southeast Asia” University Malaya 25th -26th April 2019. Title Paper Presented:Unpacking Indigeneity: FORMADAT, the Alliance of the Indigenous Peoples of the Highlands of Borneo  

2018

Invited Talk Kongres Seni Sarawak 2018 Merancang Ke arah Pelestarian dan Pemerkasaan Seni by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Cawangan Sarawak on 21 – 22 February 2018. Title Paper Presented:Melestarikan dan Memperkasakan Persembahan dan Kesenian Etnik Sarawak sebagai penghubung ilmu: sebuah nota dan isu dari aspek mendokumentasikan tradisi.     

Plenary Speaker at Plenary Session 2: Special MOOC Panel on Women’s Empowerment through Technology. KANITA International Conference on Gender Studies (KICGS 2018) Press for Change: Re-imagining and Co-creating Women's Empowerment by Centre for Research on Women and Gender University Conference Hall, USM 27th & 28th November 2018. Title Paper Presented: MOOC for Women at the Fringe. A note from single mothers in Bario and Ba Kelalan, Sarawak.  

2016

Invited Speaker at the Law Faculty University of Malaya on June 17, 2016. Paper Presented: Needs Analysis and Asset Based Community Development for Telecentre Programme among Orang Asli West Malaysia.   

Speaker University-Community Partnership by Sarawak Development Institute Bilik Gerakan Negeri Wisma Bapa Malaysia 2016. 

2015

Plenary Speaker 2nd International Conference on Media and Society, University Malaysia Sarawak 2015. Title Paper Presented: e-Inclusion and Media for Asia’s Indigenous Peoples: Lessons Learnt from e-Bario.   

Invited Speaker Forum on East Looking East At Sabah And Sarawak by ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore on 4th December 2015. Title Paper Presented: Building Fortitude: Negotiating Identities at the Margin of Malaysian Nation State.   

Invited Speaker 2nd Smart Village Workshop by Academy Sciences Malaysia and The Malaysian Commonwealth Studies Centre at Cambridge: Forum on Electricity Access for Indigenous Communities in Sarawak, 2015. Title Paper Presented: eBario Project.   

2014

Invited Speaker Social Transformation: Rethinking New Directions Conference and Facilitated Workshop organised by The Social Development Council, Ministry of Social Development Sarawak. Pullman, Kuching October 30th – Novermber 1st 2014. Title Paper Presented: Traditional and Cultural Sustainability and Social Transformation: What is the Way Forward?   

Keynote Address 12th International Borneo Research Council Conference: Diversity and Dynamism in Borneo (BRC2014), 2014 Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Diversity and Dynamism in Borneo – The (Re) Positioning of Agency in Sustainable Development    

2012

Invited Speaker at the Roundtable on Protecting Nature in the Heart of Borneo: Stocktake, Present Challenges, Future Directions. 5 – 6 September 2012 by ISEAS, Singapore. Heart of Borneo and the Impact on Indigenous Communities, Sarawak. Title of Paper Presented:  Protecting Nature in the Heart of Borneo (HoB): the Kelabit Perspective/Experiences on Conservation   

Invited Speaker at the Family as School of Peace, organized by WFWP Malaysia at Marriot Hotel, Miri, Sarawak on 29th September 2012. Title of Paper Presented:  Multicultural Perspectives and Practices of Peace.   

Invited Presenter at Borneo Studies Workshop: The State-of-the Art and Future Directions, 30 November – 1 December 2012 at UBD, Brunei. Title of Paper Presented:  Sociological and Social Science Research at University Malaysia Sarawak.  

2009-2011

Invited Presenter at the MIDAS@UCSI Malaysia Public Policy Dialogue: Marginalization, Poverty and Education: Social Reality and Policy Reform Option, 20 December 2011 at UCSI University, Malaysia. Title of Paper Presented: Marginalization, Poverty and Education Social Reality and Policy Reform Options: Some Observations/ Notes from Sarawak. Organized by MIDAS at UCSI   

Bala, P. (2010) “Old Beads among the Kelabit of Sarawak Conserving their values within a changing social and political context.” Paper presented at the Borneo International Beads Conference on 9 – 10 October 2010 at Parkcity Everly Hotel, Miri. Organized by CraftHub Sarawak and supported by World Crafts Council  

  Bala, P. (2009) “Documenting Traditional Knowledge: Some notes/issues from Sarawak.” Paper presented at the Seminar Pengetahuan Tradisi ke Arah Pembangunan Harta Intelek: Peranan Muzium dalam memartabatkan Warisan sebagai Penghubung Ilmu dan Harta Intelek by MyIPO at Kuala Lumpur Convention Center on 24-25 April 2009.  

2008

Bala, P (2008) “Redeploying Technologies: Information Communication Technologies for Greater Agency and Political Engagement in the Kelabit Highlands, Sarawak East Malaysia.” Paper presented at the Subversion, Conversion, Development: Public Interests in Technologies Conference by Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities University of Cambridge, UK. 24 – 26 April 2008. [Presenter]

 Bala, P. (2008) An engagement with “modernity”?: Becoming Christian in the Kelabit Highlands of Central Borneo.” Paper presented at The 6th International Malaysian Studies Conference (MSC6), Crowne Plaza Riverside Hotel, Kuching,  5 – 7 August2008 [Presenter]  

2007

Bala, P. (2007) Information Communication Technologies for Greater Agency: the Kelabit Engagement with e-Bario, Paper presented at e-Bario Knowledge Fair, Bario Telecentre, Bario Kelabit Highlands, 6-9 December 2007. [Presenter]   

Bala, P. (2007) E-Inclusion and Media for Asia’s Indigenous Peoples: Lessons Learnt from e-Bario, UNDP/e-Bario Agenda on ICTs for Indigenous People at the 3rd Knowledge Conference (GK3),organized by Global Knowledge Partnership. Kuala Lumpur Conference Centre (KLCC), 11-13 December, 2007. [Presenter]  

2006

Bala, P. (2006) “Issue of power & Community participation in “development” in the Kelabit Highlands: Lessons from e Bario project.” Paper presented at the 2006 Biennial BRC Conference – Borneo in the New Century. Organized by: Borneo Research Council and Institute of East Asian Studies, UNIMAS July 31 – August 1, 2006 at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Kuching Sarawak.  

2003

Bala, P. (2003) “Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D).” Paper presented at Special Event: Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D). Organized by Swiss Commission on the Information Society and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, in Berne Switzerland March 26th, 2003  

2002

Bala, P. (2002) “e-Bario: a case for empowering rural communities through Information communication technologies.” Paper presented at Asian Regional Consultation on Rural Women in Knowledge Society. Organized by FAO and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics. At Campus of International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patacheru Andhra Pradesh, India. 16 – 19 December 2002. 

Bala P. (2002) “eBario and ICT-enabled Development; South-South Exchange.” Workshop on ICT-enabled Development; South-South Exchange. Organized by M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), Chennai India in collaboration with Humanist Institute for Cooperation with Developing Countries (HIVOS), International Institute for Communication and Development and International Development Research Center of Canda (IDRC), at MSSRF, Chennai India. 21 – 28 October 2002. 

Bala, P. (2002) “Research Agenda – Experience and Lessons from eBario Project.” Paper presented at DAGS Workshop for Bridging the Digital Divide (BDD) Pilot Projects. Organised by National IT Council, Malaysia. Awana Genting Highlands Golf and Country Resort, Pahang Daul Makmur, 23 – 25 September 2002. 

Bala, P. (2002) “Providing equal access to information communication technologies for communities for rural communities in Malaysia: Experience Learned from the implementation of the e-Bario project.” Paper presented at the Information Technology in Regional Areas Conference 2002. Rockhampton Queensland, Australia. 26 – 29 August, 2002. 

Bala, P (2002) “Building Capacity at the local level for a Knowledge Society: Experience Learned from the Implementation of the e-Bario Project.” Paper presented at Infosoc Malaysia 2002 – K-initiatives for Improved Local Governance. Organized by National IT Council of Malaysia and Ministry of Housing and Local Government. At Magellan Sutera Hotel, Kota Kinabalu, 4 – 5 June 2002. 

Bala, P. (2002) “Teknologi untuk pembangunan Keluarga dan Masyarakat. Projek e-Bario, Sarawak.” Paper presented at Seminar Kebangsaan Tecknologi Maklumat: Pembangunan Keluarga dan Masyarakat. Organized by Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIM). Dewan Besar, IKIM Kuala Lumpur, 26 – 27 March 2002. 

2001

Bala, P (2001) “Multiculturalism, religion and state at the margins: the Kelabit Experience in the highlands of Central Borneo”. Paper presented at International Workshop on “Religion, State and Post-Nationalism: The Southeast Asian Experience” at University Malaya.  

2000

Bala, P. (2000) "Borders and Regional Economic Co-operation: Challenges for BIMP-EAGA", paper presented at Seminar Politik Malaysia dan Isu-isu Serantau anjuran Kumpulan Teras Politik dan Hubungan Antarabangsa, Fakulti Sains Sosial, UNIMAS  pada 22 Januari 2000 di Dewan Kuliah 2, UNIMAS.   

Roger Harris, Peter Songan, Elaine Khoo Guet Lien and Poline Bala (2000) “Methodologies for Community-Oriented Content" Paper presented at Infosoc 2000: Access and Equity Benchmark for Progress organized by NITC Malaysia, Sarawak State Government, Sarawak Information Technology Resource Council, Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd, MIMOS Bhd, PIKOM  di Crown Plaza Hotel, Kuching Sarawak (7-9 June 2000)   

Poline Bala, Elaine Khoo Guet Lien, Peter Songan and Roger Harris (2000) “Potential Users Profile and Existing Communication Pattern Among the Rural Community of Bario: A Need Analysis for the Development of a Telecentre.” Paper presented at Conference Borneo 2000 organized by UNIMAS and Sarawak Development Institute. (10-14 July 2000) Crown Plaza Hotel, Kuching Sarawak   

Bala, P. (2000) Space, Place and Identity: Changing Meanings at the Border in Highland Borneo. Paper presented at Conference Borneo 2000 organized by UNIMAS and Sarawak Development Institute. (10-14 July 2000) Crown Plaza Hotel, Kuching Sarawak   

Roger Harris, Poline Bala, Peter Songan and Elaine Khoo Guet Lien (2000) “Challenges and Opportunities in introducing information and communication technologies to the Kelabit Community of North Central Borneo.” Paper presented at Conference Catac 2000: Cultural Attitudes Towards Technology and Communication organized by Murdoch University. Di Tradewinds Hotel, Perth (12 - 14 July 2000)   

Bala, P. (2000) “Informal economies at the Border regions of Highland Borneo: Lessons and opportunities for BIMP-EAGA” Paper presented at Regional Conference on BIMP-EAGA 2000: Socio-economic Co-operation in BIMP-EAGA by Faculty of Social Sciences, UNIMAS  (October 18-19 2000) Merdeka Palace Hotel, Kuching.   

Bala, P. (2000)“e-Bario Telecentre Development Project.”  Paper presented at e-Rural Symposium on Rural IT Development organized by UNIMAS, IDRC, MIMOS Bhd., Sarawak State Government. Hilton Hotel, Kuching Sarawak. (22-23 November 2000)