Hamilton College - Exploring Borneo

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Exploring Borneo

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315-859-4680

Michael Singer '09 and Professor Craig Latrell Studying Globalization in Borneo

Travel and Research Funded by Emerson Student-Faculty Collaboration Grant

Michael Singer '09 and Craig Latrell with residents of Rumah Bain longhouse in Borneo.

Michael Singer '09 and Associate Professor of Theatre Craig Latrell spent several weeks in May - June 2007 visiting East Malaysia on an Emerson Student-Faculty grant concerning the effects of globalization on local cultures. Singer was interested in studying how industrialization affected the island of Borneo, whose rainforests are among the oldest in the world and whose shoreline serves as an incubator for the eggs of sea turtles. In Borneo. village cultures represent primarily agrarian and traditional ways of life that are rapidly being eroded by various global forces such as multinational corporations. Singer studied how these residents regarded, contributed to and resisted the forces of globalization.

Created in 1997, the Emerson Foundation Grant program was designed to provide students with significant opportunities to work collaboratively with faculty members, researching an area of interest. The recipients, covering a range of topics, are exploring fieldwork, laboratory and library research, and the development of teaching materials. The students will make public presentations of their research throughout the academic year.

"The Penan are suffering greatly and are in desperate need of food and medicine. Helicopters used to visit some of these remote villages but the visits have been suspended, and the poor roads make it difficult for any help to access the longhouses. Driving home that day, I was extremely angry as I tried to find an answer to their problem. What could save the Penan? ... My journey into the jungle that day was both rewarding and frustrating, and one I will never forget." Read more of Michael Singer's reflection ...