Dr Tricia Yeoh
Dr. Tricia Yeoh is the Chief Executive Officer of IDEAS (Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs), previously serving as its Chief Operating Officer. She currently holds the position of Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at Monash University Malaysia and Campus Visitor at the Australian National University. Additionally, she serves as a Board Member of the IDEAS Foundation, which operates several autism centers for children from low-income households.
Dr. Yeoh earned her PhD in Political Science from the School of Politics, History, and International Relations at the University of Nottingham Malaysia. She was a Visiting Research Fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Dr. Yeoh is the editor of the books “The Spirit of Merdeka” and “The Road to Reform: Pakatan Rakyat in Selangor.” She is also the author of “States of Reform: Governing Selangor and Penang,” a compilation of articles critically examining the policies and programs of the Pakatan Rakyat state governments in Penang and Selangor.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Dr. Yeoh was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (Pingat Jasa Kebaktian, PJK) by the Sultan of Selangor in 2011. She has received the 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award from Monash University Malaysia, the Postgraduate Award Prize for 2020/21 from the University of Nottingham, and the Malaysian Australian Alumni Council’s Female Alumnus of the Year in 2022. In 2023, she was honored with the 25th Anniversary Alumni Award from Monash University Malaysia.
Dr. Yeoh is a frequent speaker and writer on national public policy and political issues and has been featured in prestigious outlets such as The Economist, CNN, Al-Jazeera, Bloomberg, and CNBC, among others. Her writings can be found on various national and international news platforms, including Channel NewsAsia, as well as academic websites like New Mandala and East Asia Forum. You can explore her work at www.triciayeoh.com.
In her limited spare time, she practices yoga and is a trained yoga instructor, although this is becoming increasingly scarce due to her responsibilities caring for her two young daughters.
Making an impact means ensuring public policies work effectively for all communities living in Malaysia. A nation that is well-governed on the principles of the rule of law and public accountability should ultimately see its people experience an improved quality of life. If society can live in greater peace, prosperity and freedom, I would consider having made an impact in the lives of many.