Indonesia at Melbourne launches

The University of Melbourne has recently launched the Indonesia at Melbourne blog, a new platform for analysis, research and commentary on contemporary Indonesia by academics, experts and students affiliated with the university.

Gay pride parade in Indonesia

The blog aims to showcase the depth of expertise on Indonesia at the University of Melbourne, and stimulate debate and discussion among academics, students, journalists, activists and professionals interested in Indonesia.

Indonesia at Melbourne is a joint project of Melbourne Law School's Centre for Indonesian Law, Islam and Society (CILIS), Asia Institute in the Faculty of Arts, and the Indonesia Forum. It is also generously supported by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (International), Professor Simon Evans.

Malcolm Smith Chair of Asian Law and Director of the Centre for Indonesian Law, Islam and Society Professor Tim Lindsey says the blog is a valuable resource of detailed and up-to-date analysis of events in Indonesia.

"We want this site to be a first stop for people who want up-to-date, detailed and provocative analysis of what's happening in our most important near neighbour."

"Melbourne has now developed an impressive body of expertise on Indonesia.  Unlike many other universities, this expertise is not based in any one Faculty, and that sometimes means it can be hard to see."

"Indonesia at Melbourne aims to make this a strength by showcasing  a diversity of expertise spread across a wide range of disciplines. It will also build on the huge network of research partnerships developed by Indonesia scholars at Melbourne, with contributions from friends around Australia and Indonesia, and elsewhere in the world," he says.

The emphasis of Indonesia at Melbourne will be on politics but it will also cover law, anthropology, culture, history, economics, architecture and public health, reflecting the diversity of expertise on contemporary Indonesia at this university.

Recent posts have featured former deputy minister of law and human rights and MLS visiting Professor Denny Indrayana examining the Constitutional Court's recent decisions on regional elections and ex-criminals running for office, Melbourne Law School PhD candidate Rifqi Assegaf, writing on the Constitutional Court decision that has allowed a number of corruption suspects to successfully challenge their investigations in pretrial hearings, and Hendri Yulius looking at the impact that the US Supreme Court decision on marriage equality has had in Indonesia.

The site can be viewed at here. Please explore the site and follow Indonesia at Melbourne on Twitter or Facebook for more updates. The blog will also post pieces from external experts, so if you are interested in contributing, please get in touch.