Yogyakarta, April 7-8, 2025 — Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) successfully held an Academic Writing Workshop titled “From Scratch to Publication: Meeting the Standards of Scopus-Indexed Journals.” The workshop was attended by participants from various universities, including Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, London School of Economics and Political Science, Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana Yogyakarta, Universitas Hasanuddin, and many more, as well as from diverse academic disciplines, such as Law, Forestry, Arts, and Engineering.
Moderated by Nurina Aulia Haris, M.A., the workshop was conducted over two days and divided into five intensive sessions. The first day featured three sessions focusing on foundational research and data integrity, followed by two sessions on the second day dedicated to reimagining research impact and final manuscript substance.
Dr. Indri Dwi Apriliyanti from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM opened the workshop by addressing the crucial transition from raw ideas to rigorous research. Dr. Indri emphasized that students often struggle to find literature because they focus too narrowly on a specific case rather than the broader topic, which is essential for accurately positioning a study within the academic discourse. To enhance research quality, she advised scholars to avoid “shallow” research questions by specifying clear dimensions, such as particular government branches or specific types of public service. Furthermore, Dr. Indri explained that establishing research novelty requires a deep understanding of the four types of research gaps: theoretical, phenomenon, knowledge, and empirical gaps.
Dr. Priyambudi Sulistyanto from the College of Business, Creative Arts, Law and Social Sciences, Flinders University, shared strategic insights on building a sustainable academic career and maintaining research relevance globally. Drawing from his experience in Australia, he emphasized that while specialization is the cornerstone of academic identity, scholars must be pragmatic. Dr. Budi suggested that when dealing with diverse interests, one should prioritize the expertise with the strongest network as a primary pillar. Furthermore, he highlighted that finding a “research gap” is only possible through extensive reading, as academic stagnation can only be overcome by consistently critiquing key publications to offer fresh or revised perspectives.
Dicky Sofjan, M.A., MPP., Ph.D. from the Graduate School of UGM and the Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies (ICRS), explored the philosophical and ethical dimensions of academic research. Dr. Dicky introduced the “power of observation” through the “Gorilla” metaphor, emphasizing that research extends beyond data collection to the sophisticated interpretation of implicit meanings. By mastering the ability to “zoom in” and “zoom out,” researchers can see beyond the surface to uncover deeper truths. He also placed a heavy emphasis on academic honesty, asserting that scholars must let the data speak for itself rather than forcing it to fit personal desires. Dr. Dicky concluded by encouraging researchers to seek out anomalies and adhere to Karl Popper’s principles of generalizability, replicability, and falsifiability to ensure their work remains scientifically robust and relevant.
I Made Andi Arsana, S.T., M.E., Ph.D. from the Faculty of Engineering UGM, opened the second day by challenging the “Publish or Perish” culture, advocating instead for research with real-world impact. Dr. Andi illustrated the “Knowledge Value Chain,” where data is transformed into information and knowledge, ultimately aiming to influence policy. He also sought to democratize the concept of research, arguing that it is not exclusive to laboratories but is an act of discovery accessible to everyone. In his advice on crafting proposals, Dr. Andi emphasized that novelty alone does not equal importance. He encouraged researchers to have “new eyes” by acknowledging existing studies, identifying untouched areas, and offering distinct contributions that move beyond traditional academic boundaries.
Dr. phil. Vissia Ita Yulianto from the Graduate School of UGM closed the workshop by emphasizing that a research title is a “promise” that must accurately reflect the abstract and the entire manuscript. Dr. Ita noted that scientific writing is not a platform to show off extensive knowledge, but a tool to demonstrate critical analysis and a deep understanding of a topic in a scholarly manner. Highlighting the importance of academic ethics, she urged researchers to remain evidence-based and avoid ahistorical claims by providing precise dates and sources. Ultimately, Dr. Ita explained that the introduction serves as a vital bridge between the researcher’s subjective perspective and the objective urgency of the academic community, focused on answering what new contribution the research offers.
