Mohammad Farid Budiono, a researcher from the Department of Social Development and Welfare at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, together with Prof. Susetiawan, has published a study examining state–community relations in rural electrification in Indonesia.

The study analyzes unequal contestations between the state and local communities in the implementation of rural electrification programs. Adopting a critical perspective, it shows that energy infrastructure development does not always align with community needs, but is often shaped by power relations, negotiation processes, and the marginalization of local voices.  read more

Yogyakarta, January 23, 2026—As an effort to encourage socio-economic empowerment of residents in the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL) of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), through the Department of Public Policy and Management (DPPM), has again deployed a community service team to Karanganom Hamlet, Sitimulyo Village, Piyungan District, Bantul Regency. For this activity, the DPPM Team partnered with the Ngudi Hasil Women’s Farmers Group (KWT) in a collaborative initiative involving lecturers and students from various levels, from Bachelor’s (S1), Master’s (S2), to Doctoral (S3). This academic synergy aims to provide comprehensive and sustainable support to the partner community. read more

Yogyakarta, January 22, 2026─The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL) of  Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) sent off the National Capital Expedition Team on Wednesday (January 22) at the Faculty’s Dean’s Office. The team will conduct social research in Penajam Paser Utara Regency, East Kalimantan, as part of the students’ academic contribution to development and environmental issues.

The IKN Expedition Team consists of 12 students from five study programs under the Faculty Student Activity Unit Sentrajana. During this expedition, the team will conduct social research in two villages: Pamaluan and Bumi Harapan, with a focus on understanding and identifying environmental issues arising from the development of the National Capital area on the surrounding community. In addition to social research, the team will also conduct various educational campaigns to raise public awareness and concern for the importance of environmental sustainability. read more

Yogyakarta, January 19, 2026—The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FISIPOL UGM), through its commitment to strengthening the research and community service ecosystem, has launched the 2026 Research Grant (HIBAH) Program. Beginning with an online socialization event on Monday (January 19), the Research, Publication, and Community Service Unit (UP3M) presented the latest scheme for the Grant, Facilitation, and Other Funding Program for the 2026 Fiscal Year.

This program, which has been running continuously since 2014, is aimed at lecturers, researchers, and students to encourage the development of quality proposals that contribute to strengthening scientific knowledge and social impact within FISIPOL UGM. FISIPOL UGM continues to evaluate and update its implementation year after year. read more

Yulida Pangastuti, a lecturer in the Department of Sociology at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, has published an international journal article titled “The Micropolitics of Care in Indonesia’s Neoliberal Universities” in Asian Studies Review. 

The study explores practices of care within Indonesian higher education amid the rise of neoliberal governance, which prioritizes performance, productivity, and measurable outputs. Using a feminist perspective and qualitative methods, it highlights how empathy, attention, and care work among academics are often marginalized despite their crucial role in sustaining healthy academic environments.  read more

Yogyakarta, January 5, 2026─The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Gadjah Mada University (Fisipol UGM), held a briefing and farewell event for the Fisipol Mengajar (Education Rehabilitation Volunteer Program) in Aceh on Monday (5/1). The Fisipol Mengajar program is an initiative of Fisipol UGM to contribute to post-disaster education recovery and rehabilitation efforts in Aceh. The program is fully supported by the university and is implemented in collaboration with the Sukma Foundation as a strategic partner. Twelve Fisipol UGM student volunteers will be deployed and placed in two different regions: Bireuen and Pidie Jaya. The twelve students will volunteer for 30 days, from January 10 to February 8, 2026. read more

Yogyakarta, January 15, 2026─The Department of International Relations (DIHI) of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a meeting with representatives from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday (January 15th) to discuss collaboration opportunities for developing diplomatic capacity. The meeting, held in the DIHI Meeting Room, was part of an effort to strengthen the quality of education and training for young diplomats and to open up opportunities for academic collaboration with universities. read more

Yogyakarta, January 15, 2026—The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL) of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a Public Discussion entitled “Sexual Politics in Indonesia: Depoliticization and Destruction of the Indonesian Women’s Movement” today (January 15). This event was held in a hybrid format, with the event taking place in the 4th-floor Auditorium of FISIPOL UGM and participating online via Zoom. This discussion provided a critical academic space to discuss the relationship between politics, power, and women’s position in the history and practice of democracy in Indonesia. read more

Yogyakarta, January 13, 2026—The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL) of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) held Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026 celebrations on Tuesday (January 13), at the West Corridor of FISIPOL UGM. Carrying the theme “God’s Love that Serves in the Midst of Crisis: Peace in the Heart, Peace on Earth,” this celebration serves as a space to return to God’s love that is present in peace, not merely talking about numbers or abstract futures. This is especially true in the midst of the crises currently facing the world, from the climate crisis and hydrometeorological disasters to social, political, and economic crises. read more

Prof. Suharko, a lecturer in the Department of Sociology at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, has published a study examining the challenges of Indonesia’s electric vehicle (EV) transition. The work highlights tensions between industrial downstreaming strategies and emerging risks of delocalization within the broader energy transformation agenda. 

Adopting a sociological perspective, the study critically assesses EV policies framed as part of green development and industrial modernization. It argues that downstreaming—while aimed at increasing resource value—may generate new inequalities if local communities and workers across the supply chain are not adequately protected.  read more