Sophie Lemière

Political Anthropologist, Researcher, Consultant and Social Entrepreneur.

Sophie Lemière’s research focuses mainly on Malaysia and Southeast Asia since 2006. She has also conducted extensive research in post-revolutionary Tunisia and the Caribbean region. She obtained her Master’s and PhD from Sciences-Po Paris and has received fellowships and grants from prestigious research institutions in Europe, Asia and the US. As of 2021, Sophie is permanently based in Malaysia where she has launched World Wonderers a global non-profit social enterprise for the political empowerment of minorities and SoCo a political consulting firm offering services to private and public entities. She is currently an Adjunct Fellow at the Center for Strategic Research and International Studies (CSIS-Washington DC), a Senior Fellow at The Steven J.Green School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)-Florida International University (Miami-USA), an Associate Researcher at Collège de France, Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique (Paris-France) and at The History Workshop at the University of Witwatersrand (Johannesburg-RSA) in Washington DC.

Photo by: Alexandra Radu

Featured Works

A Tumultuous Year in Malaysian Politicking

Malaysia’s intricate political games have intensified since 2018, and the tectonic politics have shifted back and forth. The democratic transition many had hoped for with the end of 61 years of single-party rule did not materialize. The unexpected resignation of...

Forget 1MDB, could Najib Razak be Malaysia’s next prime minister?

Three years after being booted from office amid a global financial scandal, the disgraced former leader’s brand, and that of his Umno party, is resurrecting Najib’s second coming has parallels to Mahathir’s messianic return. In his case it is based on an appeal to...

Malaysia’s political pendulum has already swung back to Umno. Is Muhyiddin next?

The country has a new prime minister in Ismail Sabri, but its cabinet is mostly the same as Muhyiddin’s – signalling a return to conservative Malay politics The former premier’s position heading the National Recovery Council is another sign of his survival instinct....

Spotlight – Malaysia: July 3, 2023

With six state assemblies dissolved in advance of elections to be held within the next couple of months, the ruling and opposition coalitions are in order of battle. The Negeri Sembilan assembly was dissolved on July 1, the Kedah, Terengganu, and Penang assemblies...

In Malaysia, Religious Controversies Threaten Anwar Ibrahim’s Government

In his attempts to mollify Malay nationalists and Islamic conservatives, Anwar risks alienating his liberal and multi-ethnic support base. Malaysia has long been portrayed as a peaceful mosaic of cultures and a fascinating example of Arab, South, and Southeast...

Spotlight – Malaysia: May 30, 2023

The historic alliance between Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) to form government last November has left many voters in both coalitions confused. With no less than six state elections to be held by July (in Kedah, Terengganu, Kelantan, Penang, Selangor...

Malaysia’s Backwaters: Women and Children’s Rights

After two decades of struggle for democracy, Anwar Ibrahim finally became the 10th prime minister of Malaysia last November. His election comes with very high expectations on human and civil rights reforms. However, after more than 100 days in power, Anwar’s promises...