Yogyakarta, May 18, 2026 — Often, the production of knowledge and social science discourse, especially sociology, resonates exclusively within classrooms, academic journals, or limited discussion forums. The confinement of knowledge beneath the roof of the ivory tower frequently makes it difficult for the wider public to access and understand the urgency of existing social theories. Stemming from this concern, the Social Research Centre (SOREC) of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL) UGM has officially introduced an innovative breakthrough called the “SEKOCI Project.”
This pioneering initiative is spearheaded by a collaborative team consisting of M. R. A. Adhikaputra S., Aisya Sabili, Azrul Fatih, Fatihah Salwa, Shafri Naufal, and Niesriendya S. Essentially, SEKOCI serves as an alternative visual-based communication mode designed to be easily digestible by the public while maintaining the sharpness of the academic traces within it.
More than just content, SEKOCI is interpreted as a sense of communication. The behind-the-scenes team does not merely produce passively but practices comprehensive active production work; starting from the issue brainstorming process and material curation to the selection of captivating visual elements. Through this approach, SEKOCI holds an important mission to reintroduce sociology to future generations through relevant visual language and implement it in situations close to the community.
“More sharply, it’s about how we can translate complex sociological theories, which can only be found under an academic roof, so that they can be grasped by others more easily,” stated Dhika. He emphasized that the main target of this platform is to break down barriers so that audiences outside the university can properly absorb scientific information.
Since its launch, SEKOCI has successfully released three discourse-provoking works. Its premiere episode aired on April 6, 2026, with the title “Perpetuation of the Spiral of Violence” (Perpetuasi Spiral Kekerasan), whose material was directly dissected by the Head of SOREC, Dr. Andreas Budi Widyanta. Following this success, two new episodes have also been released, namely “Higher Education and Epistemicide” (Pendidikan Tinggi dan Epistemisida) presented by UGM Sociologist Arie Sujito, and the third episode entitled “Algorithmic Prison & Digital Precarity” (Penjara Algoritma & Prekarisasi Digital) presented by SOREC researcher Odam Asdi A.
Moving forward, SEKOCI will not only be a stage for senior researchers. SOREC representatives stated that they are also opening the doors of participation as widely as possible to undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students, and not exclusively those from a sociology background. This inclusive space provides an opportunity for young academics to submit compelling research with the potential to be adapted into impactful visual presentations. This step serves as a tangible manifestation of the commitment to expanding inclusive and equitable lifelong learning opportunities for all levels of society, without being confined by the boundaries of formal institutions.