Keynote 2

Women in Tropical Peatland Research

Dr Lulie Melling
Director, Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute
MALAYSIA

Women in TropicalPeatland ResearchDr. Lulie Melling

SARAWAK TROPICAL PEATRESEARCH INSTITUTE
14th October 2021

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What is the future of our Children?
• Do these children knows what is• Climate Change• GenderMother’s Unconditional
Love for their Children•••••
•
•
••
•

Education
Plenty of nutritious foods]
Shelter
Medical and health care
Clothes
SafetyMorals & values
Self-esteem
Mutual respect
Discipline (‘tough love parenting’)
5OUR RURAL WOMEN➢ Rural women play a key role in supporting theirhouseholds and communities in• achieving food and nutrition security,• generating income, and• improving rural livelihoods and overall wellbeing➢ Women’s empowerment in rural areas will be an
important strategy to eradicate hunger, foodinsecurity and malnutrition.

What is their future ?

Tropical Peatland Research
GLOBAL AGENDA – Western Agenda• Climate Change & Gender

LOCAL AGENDA• People, Social and Environment• Local Ecosystem is NOT to benefit theRich Western Countries when they arethe ones that had been exploiting theresources through the history• Here, we look into how to ensure thesustainability of the peatland ecosystem
to benefits the local people .

• i.e. how to eradicate poverty and increase
the income of the people via a Balanced
Approach• Agriculture development is an important
engine for rural economic growth and plays
a very strategic role in• economic development and poverty
reduction;• The primary source of income &employment;• improving food security and nutrition.
• Thus the importance of Tropical Peatland
ResearchWomen and Education➢➢➢

Education is an indicator of the status of women and,more importantly, as an agent for the empowerment ofwomen (Jayaweera, 2010).

You educate a man; you ONLY
educate a man.

Education enables them to respond to challenges,
confront their traditional role and improve their lives(Shetty and Hans, 2015).

You educate a woman; you educatea GENERATION.

BUT- Brigham Young -With better education, you can have more women
doing STEM and having an opportunity to do TropicalPeatland Research

Expanding women’s educational opportunities is an effective
way to promote economic growth in developing countries(Altuzarra et al., 2021).
9Percentage of Female Researchers(Source: UNESCO, 2020)

Women account for a minority of theworld’s researchers, particularly in Asia.

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TROPICAL PEATLAND
OUR WEALTH➢ World’s most important resources - ARABLE
LAND, water, energy and minerals.
➢ FOR MALAYSIA & INDONESIA – TropicalPeatland is one of the most important ARABLE
LAND – that will generate the “NATION’sWealth”.
➢ Environment and sustainability issues oftropical peatland:• Climate change (GHGs, carbon source)• Peat fire
• Subsidence• Flooding• Water quality degradation• Biodiversity loss

TROPICAL PEATLAND– What is so sexy about it ?
1. Tropical Peatland has been arousing
different levels of interest among different
groups of people.
2. It was once a no man’s land and is considereda wasteland.

3. Man has been exploiting tropical peatlands asa hunting ground and for timber extraction.
4. Peatland is a problematic soil with marginal
agricultural capability due to its:
• High water table,• Low bulk density• High acidity and• Low fertility

SOIL SCIENCE & TROPICAL PEAT
• Being the last exploited land resource, it is also the least
researched and understood soil type among tropical soils.
• As compared to Temperate & Boreal Peat, Tropical Peatland
Research is a New Research Frontier
Tropical Peatland was suffering from a“Cinderella Syndrome” was an
unknown and, therefore, unloved

Virgin peat – Less decomposed peat

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Non-Virgin Peat - Well-humified peatBeauty of Tropical Peat Swamp Forest

CHALLENGES ON TROPICAL PEATLAND
TROPICAL PEATSWAMP FOREST

MANAGED PEATLAND- COMPACTION &WATER MANAGEMENTUNMANAGED PEATLAND- NO COMPACTION &WATER MANAGEMENTSHRUBLAND / BELUKAR

PEATLAND FIRE

CHALLENGES IN TROPICAL PEATLAND RESEARCH

Anguish of walking in soft soil & wet whole day

Crossing the river infested withcrocodiles

Fieldwork in harsh work environment;• Walk on wet, porous, uneven peat surface, tree roots andbuttresses• Wade through flooded part of the forest to go to the study site
• Heat exhaustion (> 40°C) in opened-canopy peatland.
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Woman’s Challenges In TropicalPeatland Research (1)• Combining an enriching career and nurturing aloving family relationship is a goal for many people.
• But for women, this nobel goal still presents
higher hurdles, even in the most gender-equalcountries in the world.
• Regardless of our background and culture, issues
concerning women in the workplace are common.
• Fieldwork in tropical peatlands is not for the fainthearted being demanding and challenging, both
physically and mentally
BUT FIELDWORK is the INESCAPABLE heart ofTropical Peat ResearchWoman’s Challenges In
Tropical Peatland Research (2)• Fieldwork means trampling the challenges and dangers.
• But women face additional challenges that makes their gender,such as modesty and menstruation.
• Experience pressure to adhere to certain gender roles during
fieldwork (e.g. expectation for women to cook and washing inthe field).
• Risk of facing harassment and jealous power dynamics withmen, both in the field and in academia.
• Dealing with the politics of peatland science.
• Challenges with childcare and safety while conducting fieldbased research.
• Major challenges – Being at decision-making tables. “To bepresent and welcome is step one. To be heard and respected
would be the second ‘.

To Pioneer in Tropical Peatland Research▪ What appeals to me most about tropical peatland research is thecomplexity and interconnectedness of all belowground processes, bothabiotic and biotic. There is never a dull moment when studying the soil.

▪ It allowed me to be outdoors to be one with nature, get my hands dirty,
and still study science and answer complex environmental questions.
▪ Initially, when I first started as a soil surveyor, I was extremely nervous
and some aspects of the fieldwork I found challenging, physically andmentally▪ In the early years, women’s roles in soil survey appear to have been limited to clerical work,
copyediting of manuscripts, and cartographic drafting of maps, and women with appropriate
academic training soon began to work in the laboratories.
▪ Soil survey remained resistant to women in field parties. There was still uneasiness with having
women in the field with an all-male crew.
▪ When you are able to prove your survival in doing the soil survey, you get Obstruction andSabotage.

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To Pioneer in Tropical Peatland Research
1) OBSTRUCTION can bein the form of➢ Gender prejudice➢ Last to be selected➢ No choice given

2) SABOTAGE can be in theform of➢ Budget,➢ Logistic,➢ Equipment,➢ Manpower➢ Harassment➢ Character Assasination▪ At the time, I felt that I could not express this for fear of being perceived as weak or a‘typical girl’ and that people would question my suitability for the role.

▪ Through the difficulties of fieldwork and being women working in one of the mostchallenging environments out there, the swamp has also taught us lessons about ourown resilience for survival.
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To Pioneer in Tropical Peatland Research• Before I had my PhD, I had difficulties, E.g. when meetingpeople who may have already heard of my work and do notentirely agree with my findings and recommendations.
• I have been ‘scolded’ by older, mostly male practitioners (bothprivately and publicly) who think that I am sending the ‘wrong
message’ with my work.
• As long as we are confident in our methods, we should not beintimidated by those who disagree with us.

You can be Good
BUT
You cannot be Great.

• Fieldwork and its emotional and physical challenges help build
my self-confidence and resilience, shaping who I am today andcreating as an example a pathway for the younger femaleresearchers.
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Scenario of Sarawak Peat & Peatland
TROPI’sDiscovery

L2Peat Water Sample from edge of the peat dome21

Foundation of Tropical Peatland Research22

COMMUNICATION OF SCIENCE TO SOCIETY

SARAWAK TROPICAL PEATLAND RESEARCH
1. PEAT RESEARCH INSTITUTE

2. EDDY FLUX TOWER

MALAYSIAN PEAT SOCIETY

INTERNATIONAL PEAT SOCIETY

International Peat Congress 2016
• The Malaysian Peat Society (MPS) in 2010 to join the bidding
to host the 15th International Peat Congress (IPC)• MPS successfully organised the 15th International Peat
Congress in 2016 – 15th IPC 2016.
• IPC held for the first time outside Europe & North America;
also first time in South East Asia
• Hailed as the Best and The Biggest Peat Congress since 1954
• Dr Lulie; the first female Congress General

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FIELD & ADVISORY WORK ON TROPICAL PEATLAND

TROPICAL PEATLAND RESEARCH is an exciting and new field, with plenty of future
opportunities and endless career paths to choose.

Tropical Peatland Research Activities

Soil Survey & Peat Depth Checking

Peat Profile

Litter Decomposition
Study

Greenhouse Gases
Measurement

Eddy- Covariance Study27

AGRO-ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENTOFTROPICAL PEATLAND

Bika Ambon
Swiss Cheese

KEEP IT TIGHT&MOIST

Drainage
Mechanical
Compaction
Water Management

Honeycomb
Decrease
Soil CO2 emission
Prevent Peat Fire

TIGHT MOIST PEAT
ensures Good Oil Palm
Growth & High Yield.

Cheese CakePALM OIL

2006

2.30

2007

3.84

2008

5.38

2009

4.55

2010

6.43

2011

8.27

2012

7.96

2013

7.34

2014

8.53

2015

8.27

2016

8.94

2017

11.05

2018

9.17

2019

9.12

2020

12.00

2021

19.20

SARAWAK - Export Revenues for Oil Palm (RM ’million)
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RM (' MILLION)

YEAR

20151050Year

FEMALE ROLE MODEL• Effective in encouraging women into tropical peatland research.
• Female role models for researchers in tropical peatland havebeen acknowledged at Sarawak Tropical Peat ResearchInstitute (TROPI),• Break down gender stereotypes about women participating infield research in remote environments.
• Fieldwork empowers and enables us to explore and discover ourown resilience and independence.
• Another invaluable aspect of building this resilience is the strong
support of the team.

• Ability to balance motherhood with a successful career.
• The role model demonstrates that women can voice broader
debates about sustainability and responsible environmental
management.
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TEAMWORK &MENTORING• The role of senior female researchers to mentor
and support other young female researchers
would inspire other female researchers in tropicalpeatland exploration.
• Mentoring, peer support and teamwork are vital.
• Change in cultural perspective that supports
women in tropical-peatland research is required.
• Working with female colleagues or with men, whotake substantial responsibility for childcare isalso helpful in terms of having a supportive
environment

Inspired other Young Female Researchers in Tropical Peatland Research• For some of the women later in their careers, they feel responsible for addressing these concernsand showing their apprentices that obtaining a work-life balance is more than achievable.
• Provide active support and encouragement to your peers and those attempting to follow in yourfootsteps.
• This has nurtured pride in being where we are and with a sense of resilience that are central to
our identities as women and as researchers.
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PEAT TROOPERS• Physical and psychological resilience is vital inenabling women researchers to wade theirway through their way into the deepest oftropical peat swamp forest.
• The challenging environment will not dampen
their spirit in explore and enjoy the charms oftropical peatland.
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Inspired other Young Female Researchers in Tropical Peatland Research

Sharon Lau, PhD
Hokkaido University
Japan (2015)

Angela Tang, PhD
Montana University
USA (2017)

Faustina Sangok, PhD
Nagoya University, Japan( 2018)

Auldry Chaddy, PhD
Nur Azima, MSc
Hokkaido University, Japan ( Universiti Putra Malaysia
2020)(2019)➢ Life stories of early career scientists and shared worries, which can be overcome, create a sense of hope,
optimism, and inspiration by their experience.

➢ We must continue to inspire and nurture one another through our collaborative network.
➢ As your career develops, take care not to climb the ladder ALONE; instead, pull other women with you.
➢ Women can be part of scientific research findings and how they fit the bigger picture. – bringing in data,
exploring different ideas on developing sustainable management systems, soil fertility, and productivity.
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RECOGNITIONSSARAWAK TROPICAL PEAT RESEARCH INSTITUTE - TROPIMOTHER’S SURVIVAL SKILLS•Balance motherhood with a successfulcareer:•For women already in parenting roles, youjust need to do the following:•••Set your priorities
Be organized and efficient.
Plan all your Menu and cook meals fora week▪

When I am at work, we try your best tofocus entirely on work so that when I am at
home, you can focus entirely on your family
and yourself.

•Have a Support System –• have extended family,• reach out to other parents, neighbours,
colleagues,

Women in Tropical Peatland Research – The Way Forward▪ Every individuals must take the initiative whenembarking on any project.
▪ Possible strategies to overcome gender-bias
problems faced by women:a) Concept of partnership or teamwork
regardless of whether the leader is awoman or a manb) To work together with the full participationof everyone.
c) Adopt the process of consultation andcollective decision making.
▪ Empowering women, or even gender equality,
should not mean that women must expected to
be able to do anything that men can do, and viceversa.
▪ It is not necessary to have women in all areas ofdevelopment.

▪ Society must:a) Change its mindsetb) Have the right to a personal choice ofreference
BUT respect and empowerment of women is an
economic necessity for any nation

FEMINIST• Instead of labelling a group as “FEMINIST”
why not take a neutral point of view of social
justice?
• A good example is the environmental issue
where there are area of activision foreveryone of both genders from all walks oflife with the common objective of asustainable world for future generation

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My Dream
Opportunity
to have better
Education