Yogyakarta, March 17, 2026 — Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is reinforcing the strategic role of its research centers in advancing the university’s Tridharma—education, research, and community service—by strengthening their contributions to regional and global studies.

This commitment was highlighted by Dr. Danang Sri Hadmoko, S.Si., M.Sc., UGM Vice Rector for Research, Business Development, and Partnerships, during a recent visit to the Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies (CESASS) and the Center for Policy Studies and Development (PSPD), two of UGM’s 23 research centers focusing on regional studies. read more

Yogyakarta, March 12, 2026 — Researchers from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) are strengthening collaboration with industry partners to advance the development of green skills and green jobs in Indonesia and across Southeast Asia. Through an initiative led by the Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies (CESASS), the UGM team, involving the School of Applied Sciences and the Department of Geodetic Engineering, recently engaged with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) to explore how national policy frameworks for green employment can be effectively implemented at the industry level. read more

Yogyakarta, February 27 & March 9, 2026 — Multidisciplinary dialogue is more important today because the challenges we face are indeed complex, interconnected, and global in scope. Issues such as climate change, artificial intelligence, public health, socio-cultural and environmental justice, Asean youth and (un)employment, and economic inequality cannot be solved solo by one field alone. For instance, climate solutions require collaboration between environmental scientists, engineers, economists, and policymakers, while advances from companies like OpenAI raise not only technical questions but also ethical, legal, and social concerns. As technology evolves faster than regulation and cultural adaptation, open dialogue across disciplines ensures innovation remains responsible, balanced, and aligned with human values. read more

Yogyakarta, February 27, 2026 — Eastern Indonesia is home to some of the most pristine marine and terrestrial ecosystems in the world, including coral reefs, mangrove forests, and endemic wildlife. Many of these eco-islands remain largely off the mainstream tourism map, offering unique opportunities for sustainable tourism that can support both environmental conservation and local communities. Promoting responsible travel can showcase the region’s natural wonders while preserving them for future generations, emphasizing the need for careful planning and sustainable infrastructure development. read more

Yogyakarta, Febuary 26, 2026 — There is growing public concern that poor waste management may contribute to the spread of disease—an issue that remains as urgent today as ever.

This topic was raised by Dr. Viola Schreer, a German anthropologist, during her recent visit to CESASS. Dr. Schreer, who currently works as postdoc researcher at the Institute of Social Anthropologist at the Austrian Academy of Sciences, has long-standing research experience in on human-environmental relations in Indonesia, particularly Central Kalimantan. She has been working in the region for since 2009, and is keen to further explore waste management challenges in Indonesia. Notably, Dr. Schreer speaks fluent Bahasa Indonesia and Ngaju Dayak, the lingua franca of Central Kalimantan, enabling her to engage directly and meaningfully with local communities. read more

Yogyakarta, Febuary 3, 2026 — Across Indonesia’s cities, rooftops stretch quietly under the tropical sun. Often unnoticed, rooftops hold more than shelter, representing untapped economic and environmental value.

These pressing issues framed the discussion at the latest CESASS Chat forum hosted by the Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM), under the theme “GeoSpectra: AI-Based Geospatial Modelling for Rooftop Photovoltaic Assessment and Property Tax Valuation in Indonesia.” read more

Yogyakarta, January 28, 2026 — Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) organized a multidisciplinary discussion involving scholars from the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, reaffirming the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration in responding to contemporary social and technological challenges.

The discussion highlighted the growing interconnection between technology and society, emphasizing that technological innovation both shapes and is shaped by social, political, and cultural contexts. Addressing complex regional and global issues therefore requires collaborative approaches that integrate technical expertise with social and political analysis. read more

Yogyakarta, January 15, 2026 — Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) is back with CESASS Chat #47. Kicking off the first CESASS Chat of the year, the session featured Hüdanur Yildirim (Culture, Organisation & Management, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) and Farrel Pradana Widodo (International Relations, Universitas Islam Indonesia).

In the session called “Artivism in Indonesia”, Hüda explored artivism as the intersection of art and activism, asking how art functions as a form of political resistance and soft power in Indonesia, and how this role has evolved over time. read more

Yogyakarta, December 18, 2025 — “How do political systems shape the way regional norms are practiced?” This question anchored CESASS Chat #46 hosted by the Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies, Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM), featuring Michael Alexander Budiman (International Relations, Satya Wacana Christian University).

In his Chat, “Regime Types in Southeast Asia and the Interpretation of ASEAN Norms”, Michael introduced ASEAN as a regional organization built on shared behavioral norms—such as sovereignty, non-interference, peaceful conflict resolution, and non-use of force—as well as procedural norms of consultation and consensus. While these principles are often portrayed as fixed and uniformly applied, he demonstrated that their interpretation varies widely across member states. read more

Yogyakarta, December 15, 2025 — Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies, Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) received a delegation from the Center of Peatland and Disaster Studies, Universitas Riau (CPDS UNRI). Representing the visit was Dr. phil. Vissia Ita Yulianto, Head of Program and Publication at CESASS, and Dr. Arifudin, S.P., M.P., Researcher at CPDS. Dr. Arif’s visit also served as a reunion with CESASS, as he was previously affiliated with the center as a doctoral student from 2016 to 2019. read more