Centre for Indonesian Law, Islam and Society
Indonesia matters. It matters more in the world today than ever before — and in particular it matters for Australia.
Since 2013 the Centre for Indonesian Law, Islam and Society (CILIS) has been devoted to the study of Indonesian law and Islamic legal studies. We aim to create a global centre of excellence for research on Indonesian law, governance and legal culture at the University of Melbourne with a particular focus on the state legal system, Islamic legal traditions and their relationships to Indonesian society.
CILIS is linked to the Melbourne Law School's Asian Law Centre (ALC), and grew out of the ALC's longstanding programmes on Indonesian law.
Featured content
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Indonesia at Melbourne Blog
The only scholarly blog in Australia focused exclusively on Indonesia, presenting analysis, research and commentary on contemporary Indonesia.
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Podcasts - Asian Law Voices and Talking Indonesia
List to interviews presented by experts on a variety of topics related to Indonesia.
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Australian Journal of Asian Law
A forum for debate for scholars and professionals concerned with the laws and legal cultures of Asia, a region characterised by rapid growth and social change.
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Obstacles to Contract Enforcement in Indonesia
ARC grant project aims to investigate why predictable and fair contract enforcement in Indonesia is so inaccessible and explain the causes of this situation.
Stay connected
CILIS strives to continuously engage in innovative and important research projects that relate to Indonesia and Islamic legal studies both nationally and internationally.
Featured content
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Research Grants
Research projects currently undertaken by members of CILIS.
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Publications
CILIS academic staff produce a wide range of publications. CILIS also publishes its own series of Briefing Papers.
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Resources
CILIS aims to provide resources about Indonesian and Islamic legal studies, including the Indonesia @ Melbourne Blog, publications and podcasts.
CILIS runs numerous research activities throughout the year, many of them open to the public. Please also follow our activities on Facebook and on Twitter.
CILIS Public Lectures
CILIS Public Lectures are presented by high-profile speakers. These seminars are relevant to academics, government and business organisations, as well as the community.
Research Seminars
The CILIS Research Seminars are informal seminars, which are often presented by postgraduate students. These seminars are open to the public, but are usually attended by the University community. Students are able to gain feedback on their current research, while contributing to the continued research in Islamic legal studies.
Annual Conference
CILIS hosts an annual Islamic Studies Postgraduate Conference in conjunction with the National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies. This conference is open to students both locally and internationally, who are researching Islam-related topics. Information on the annual conference is usually available from mid-June each year.
Please check our Events listings for further information or contact CILIS. Please also see the conference Facebook page.
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Indonesia at Melbourne Blog
The Indonesia at Melbourne blog present analysis, research and commentary on contemporary Indonesia from academics and postgraduate students affiliated with the University of Melbourne. It aims to stimulate debate and provide a forum for exchange of information and opinion on current events in Indonesia.
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IDeHaRI
The Indonesia Democracy Hallmark Research Initiative (IDeHaRI) seeks to build a cohesive Indonesian studies community at Melbourne, create new collaborations between scholars working on Indonesia, democracy or Islam, and boost external recognition of Melbourne's Indonesia expertise.
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Ibrahim Sjarief Assegaf Fellowships
These Fellowships honour the life and legacy of Ibrahim Sjarief Assegaf (1971–2025), an alumnus of Melbourne Law School, providing opportunities for Visiting Fellows (Postdoctoral Level) and Visiting Fellows.
Events
News
Featured content
CILIS is devoted to the study of Indonesian law and Islamic legal studies.
Aims and objectives
Global
Create a global centre of excellence for research on Indonesian law, governance, legal culture and Islamic legal traditions.
Interdisciplinary
Promote interdisciplinary approaches to understanding contemporary Indonesian legal issues at the University of Melbourne.
Excellence
Attract researchers and specialists of the highest calibre in the study of contemporary Indonesian legal issues.
Knowledge
Function as a think-tank and enhance community understandings of issues related to Indonesian law, Islam and society.
CILIS is closely linked to the Melbourne Law School's Asian Law Centre (ALC), as CILIS has grown out of the ALC's longstanding programmes on Indonesian law, and Professor Tim Lindsey remains an Associate Director of the ALC.
CILIS runs numerous research activities throughout the year, including:
- Public Lectures presented by high-profile speakers, these seminars are relevant to academics, government and business organisations, as well as the community.
- Research Seminars open to the public, but are usually attended by the University community. Students are able to gain feedback on their current research, while contributing to the continued research in Islamic legal studies.
- Annual Conference Islamic Studies Postgraduate Conference in conjunction with the National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies. This conference is open to students both locally and internationally, who are researching Islam-related topics. Information on the annual conference is usually available from mid-June each year.
If you have any queries about any of the activities or research of CILIS, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our history
- 2005
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The Centre for the Study of Contemporary Islam was formed
- 2007
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Renamed the Centre for Islamic Law and Society (CILS)
- 2013
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Renamed the Centre for Indonesian Law, Islam and Society (CILIS) to better reflect the focus of its research and seminar programmes