The Institute of International Studies (IIS), Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, has released IIS Monthly Review #9 (January 2026), addressing key global dynamics shaping Indonesia’s position in international affairs. The publication covers issues ranging from foreign policy direction and AI geopolitics to evolving traditional and non-traditional security challenges amid rising great-power unilateralism.

In the Indonesia and the World section, the review highlights Indonesia’s strategic role in ASEAN amid increasingly transactional foreign policy trends. It emphasizes strengthening regional multilateralism to sustain Indonesia’s position as a de facto leader in Southeast Asia. read more

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 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

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 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

Aceh, January 10, 2025─The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL) of Gadjah Mada University (FISIPOL UGM) deployed student volunteers through the FISIPOL Mengajar: Education Rehabilitation Volunteer Program at three locations in Aceh on Saturday (10/1). The three assigned locations include Km 60, Ateu Lintang, and Bintang, Takengon.

The FISIPOL Mengajar Program is an initiative of FISIPOL UGM as a contribution to supporting post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation efforts in the education sector in Aceh. This program is fully supported by Gadjah Mada University and implemented in collaboration with the Sukma Foundation as a strategic partner in implementing field activities. read more

Lecturers and students from the Department of Public Policy and Management, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, have published a national anthology titled “Public Policy Conflicts in Indonesia: Reflection and Transformation.” The book is co-authored by Gabriel Lele, Bagus Sulistiono, and students as part of a collaborative academic initiative. 

The anthology examines a wide range of public policy conflicts in Indonesia—from agrarian and environmental issues to socio-cultural tensions. Using a conflict transformation approach, it not only maps the roots and dynamics of conflict but also proposes more inclusive, participatory, and equitable policy alternatives.  read more

Yogyakarta, 2 October 2025–The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FISIPOL UGM) held a workshop entitled “Contesting Hegemony: Labor, Ideology, and the Limits of Resistance in Post-Authoritarian Indonesia” in the FISIPOL UGM’s 4th floor auditorium. The event featured four speakers: Vedi Hadiz (University of Melbourne), Hari Nugroho (Universitas Indonesia), Diatyaka Yasih (Universitas Indonesia), and Muhtar Habibi (Universitas Gadjah Mada). The discussion explored how power, ideology, and the working class interact in Indonesia’s post-New Order political and economic system, as well as the extent to which community survival strategies can develop into forms of resistance against hegemonic domination. read more