Associate Professor Minako Sakai

Associate Professor Minako Sakai

Deputy Head of School

PhD, Anthropology, The Australian National University

UNSW Canberra
School of Humanities & Social Sciences

Dr Minako Sakai, Associate Professor and Deputy Head of School (Research), has received numerous awards for her research. In October 2023, she received the Indonesian government's Culture Award (Anugerah Kebudayaan Indonesia), as well as the UNSW Vice Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Higher Degree Research Supervision. She examines how to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Indo-Pacific region, with a focus on Indonesia, as follows:

  • Islam, Gender and Development: Women Entrepreneurs and Business Empowerment in Muslim Countries for Gender Equality in Patriarchal Societies
  • Disaster Relief, Humanitarian Assistance, Climate Change and Community Resilience  
  • Just Development and Social Innovation: Digital Economy, Social Innovation, Community-Driven Poverty Reduction and Social Protection
  • Gender, Peace and Security in the Indo-Pacific region
     

She held research fellowships with  the ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences, ANU College of Asia and Pacific, Cornell University and the National University of Singapore.  In 2023 she held a Research fellowship at State Islamic University, Jakarta.  She is frequently invited for international conferences for keynote and plenary addresses. She holds a PhD in anthropology from the Australian National University. 

Phone
+61 2 5114 5076
Location
BLDG 28-115 HASS (Entrance from Bldg 29)
  • Books | 2022
    Sakai M; Fauzia A, 2022, Women Entrepreneurs and Business Empowerment in Muslim Countries, Palgrave MacMillan, Cham, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05954-4
    Books | 2021
    Fauzia A; Sakai M; Tan F; Hidayati S; Noor H, 2021, Pemberdayaan Ekonomi Perempuan Muslim Berbasis Teknologi Digital dan Nilai Toleransi, Social Trust Fund (STF) UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Jakarta
    Books | 2018
    Sakai M, 2018, Penggiat Bisnis Syariah: Muslimah, Kewirausahaan dan pemberdayaan Masyarakat, Dompet Dhuafa, Ciputat, Indonesia
    Books | 2017
    Sakai M, 2017, Kacang Tidak Lupa Kulitnya: Identitas Gumay, Islam, dan Merantau di Sumatra Selatan, Yayasan Pustaka Obor Indonesia, Jakarta, http://obor.or.id/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=773
    Books | 2012
    2012, Australian Journal of Social Issues, Saunders P; Sakai M, (ed.), Australian Council Social Service Inc, Strawberry Hills, NSW, Australia, http://search.informit.com.au/browsePublication;py=2012;vol=47;res=IELHSS;issn=0157-6321;iss=3
    Books | 2012
    2012, Review of Indonesian and Malaysian Affairs, Sakai M; Macknight C, (ed.), Association for the publication of Indonesian and Malaysian Studies, Australia, http://search.informit.com.au/browseJournalTitle;issn=0815-7251;res=IELIND
    Books | 2002
    2002, Beyond Jakarta, Sakai M, (ed.), Crawford House, Adelaide
  • Book Chapters | 2022
    Sakai M; Fauzia A, 2022, 'Women Entrepreneurs, Islam and the Middle Class', in Women Entrepreneurs and Business Empowerment in Muslim Countries, Springer International Publishing, pp. 1 - 43, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05954-4_1
    Book Chapters | 2022
    Sakai M, 2022, 'Exemplifying Muslim Mompreneurs in Indonesia', in Gender, Development and Social Change, pp. 169 - 206, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05954-4_5
    Book Chapters | 2022
    Sakai M, 2022, 'Negotiating Patriarchy as Contemporary Khadijah and Aishah', in Gender, Development and Social Change, pp. 245 - 258, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05954-4_7
    Book Chapters | 2022
    Sakai M, 2022, 'Post-Disaster Recoveries in Indonesia and Japan: Building Back Better', in James H; Sharma V; Shaw R; Lukasiewicz A (ed.), Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia Pacific Governance, Education and Capacity, Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore, pp. 291 - 322, https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-16-4811-3_15
    Book Chapters | 2022
    Sakai M, 2022, 'Predicaments of Unmarried Career Women', in Gender, Development and Social Change, pp. 131 - 168, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05954-4_4
    Book Chapters | 2022
    Sakai M, 2022, 'To Be or Not to Be a Muslim Mompreneur in Indonesia', in Gender, Development and Social Change, pp. 207 - 243, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05954-4_6
    Book Chapters | 2022
    Sakai M, 2022, 'Women and Entrepreneurship in Muslim Countries', in Women Entrepreneurs and Business Empowerment in Muslim Countries, Springer International Publishing, pp. 45 - 85, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05954-4_2
    Book Chapters | 2020
    Sakai M; Anoraga B, 2020, 'Education, digital enterprise, and Islam in the Indonesian modern embedded economy', in Shamani S; Marinova D (ed.), Muslim Women in the Economy Development, Faith and Globalisation, Routledge, Oxon, UK, pp. 214 - 228
    Book Chapters | 2020
    Sakai M, 2020, 'Modernising sacred sites in south sumatra: Islamisation of gumai ancestral places', in The Potent Dead: Ancestors, saints and heroes in contemporary Indonesia, pp. 103 - 116, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003118176-7
    Book Chapters | 2018
    Sakai M; Fauzia A, 2018, 'Performing Muslim Womanhood: Muslim Business Women Moderating Islamic Practices in Contemporary Indonesia', in Narratives of Muslim Womanhood and Women's Agency, Routledge, pp. 8 - 28, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9780203713129-2
    Book Chapters | 2018
    Sakai M, 2018, 'Fostering affinity through dreams and origin ritual practices among the Gumay of South Sumatra, Indonesia', in Fox J (ed.), Expressions of Austronesian Thought and Emotions, ANU Press, Canberra Australia, pp. 27 - 46, http://dx.doi.org/10.22459/EATE.04.2018
    Book Chapters | 2016
    Sakai M, 2016, 'Economics: Islamic Banks: Indonesia', in Suad J (ed.), Encyclopedia of Women & Islamic Cultures Online, Brill, the Netherlands, http://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopedia-of-women-and-islamic-cultures/economics-islamic-banks-indonesia-COM_002044
    Book Chapters | 2016
    Sakai M, 2016, 'Small Business: Indonesia', in Suad J (ed.), Encyclopedia of Women in Islamic Cultures (EWIC Online), edn. EWIC, Brill, the Netherlands, http://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopedia-of-women-and-islamic-cultures/small-business-indonesia-COM_002059
    Book Chapters | 2014
    Sakai M; Fauzia A, 2014, 'Key factors for capacity-building of disaster relief operations: Indonesian examples', in Zhang J; Thornton A; Sakai M; Jurriens E (ed.), Agency in Asia Pacific Disaster Relief, Routledge, Abingdon and New York, pp. 35 - 51, http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415711777/
    Book Chapters | 2014
    Sakai M; Jurriens E; Thornton A; Zhang J, 2014, 'Coping with disaster: Agency and resilience in the Asia-Pacific context', in Sakai M; Thornton A; Jurriens E; Zhang J (ed.), Agency in Asia Pacific Disaster Relief, Routledge, Oxton and New York, pp. 3 - 16, http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415711777/
    Book Chapters | 2014
    Sakai M, 2014, 'Fostering civil society oranizations for disaster relief in Japan: challenges and prospects for sustainable future operations', in Sakai M; Jurriens E; Zhang J; Thornton A (ed.), Agency in Asia Pacific Disaster Relief, Routledge, Oxton and New York, pp. 52 - 66, http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415711777/
    Book Chapters | 2014
    Sakai M, 2014, 'Resisting the mainland: The formation of the province of the Bangka-Belitung (Babel)', in Autonomy and Disintegration in Indonesia, pp. 189 - 200, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315016139-22
    Book Chapters | 2014
    Zhang J; Jurriens E; Sakai M, 2014, 'Lessons from disaster relief in the Asia Pacific', in Sakai M; Jurriens E; Zhang J; Thornton A (ed.), Agency in Asia Pacific Disaster Relief, Routledge, Oxton and New York, pp. 209 - 216, http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415711777/
    Book Chapters | 2012
    Sakai M, 2012, 'Introduction', in , pp. 1 - 7
    Book Chapters | 2012
    Sakai M, 2012, 'Pengembangan Masyarakat Melalui Keuangan Mikor Islam: Melayani Kebutuhan Keuangan Orang Miskin Melalui Cara yang Dapat Lestari', in Ustadz Seleb Bisnis Moral dan Fatwa Online: Regam Ekspresi Islam Indonesia Kontemporer, edn. Original, Komunitas Bambu, Depok, Indonesia, pp. 257 - 272
    Book Chapters | 2009
    Sakai M; Banks GA; Walker JH, 2009, 'Creating a New Centre in the Periphery of Indonesia: Sumatran Malay identity Politics', in Sakai M; Banks G; Walker JH (ed.), The Politics of the Periphery in Indonesia: Social and Geographical Perspectives, edn. First, NUS Press, Singapore, pp. 62 - 83
    Book Chapters | 2009
    Sakai M; Banks GA; Walker JH, 2009, 'Introduction: The Place of the Periphery', in Sakai M; Banks G; Walker JH (ed.), The Politics of the Periphery in Indonesia: Social and Geographical Perspectives, edn. First, NUS Press, Singapore, pp. 1 - 13
    Book Chapters | 2009
    Sakai M, 2009, 'From Bukit Seguntang to Lahat: Challenges Facing Gumay Origin Ritual Practice in the Highlands of South Sumatra', in From distant Tales: Archaeology and ethnohistory in the Highlands of Sumatra, edn. Original, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Newcastle Upon Tyne, pp. 485 - 500
    Book Chapters | 2009
    Sakai M, 2009, 'Reviving Malay Connections in Southeast Asia', in Cao H; Morrell E (ed.), Regional Minorities and Development in Asia, Routledge, London and New York
    Book Chapters | 2008
    Sakai M, 2008, 'Community Development Through Islamic Microfinance: Serving the Financial Needs of the Poor in a Viable Way.', in Fenly G; White S (ed.), Expressing Islam: Religious Life and Politics in Indonesia., ISEAS Publishers, Singapore, pp. 267 - 285
    Book Chapters | 2006
    Sakai M, 2006, 'The Environment, overview', in Encyclopedia of Women & Islamic Cultures, edn. Original, Brill Academic Publishers, Leiden, Netherlands, pp. 356 - 364
    Book Chapters | 2006
    Sakai M, 2006, 'The Origin Structure of Kute Among the Gumai', in Sharing the Earth, Dividing the Land, edn. First, ANU E Press, Canberra, pp. 39 - 63
    Book Chapters | 2003
    Sakai M, 2003, 'Publicizing Rituals and Privatizing Meanings: Negotiating an Identity of the Gumai of Sumatra', in Tannenbaum N; Kammerer C (ed.), Founders` Cults in Southeast Asia: Ancestors, Polity and Identity, edn. Original, Yale University Press, New Haven, Conn, pp. 159 - 183
    Book Chapters | 2003
    Sakai M, 2003, 'Resisting the Mainland: The Formation of the Province of the Bangka-Belitung (Babel)', in Kingsbury D; Aveling H (ed.), Autonomy and Disintegration in Indonesia, Routledge Curzon, London & NY, pp. 189 - 200
    Book Chapters | 2003
    Sakai M, 2003, 'The Privatisation of Padang Cement: Regional Identity and Economic Hegemony in the New Era of Decentralisation', in Aspinall E; Fealy G (ed.), Local Power and Politics in Indonesia, edn. Original, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore, pp. 142 - 163
    Book Chapters | 2002
    Sakai M, 2002, 'Introduction [Beyond Jakarta]', in Minako Sakai (ed.), Beyond Jakarta, edn. Original, Crawford House, Adelaide, pp. 1 - 11
    Book Chapters | 2002
    Sakai M, 2002, 'Modernising Sacred Sites in South Sumatra', in Chambert-Loir H; Reid A (ed.), The Potent Dead, edn. Original, Allen and Unwin, Honolulu, pp. 103 - 116
    Book Chapters | 2002
    Sakai M, 2002, 'Regional Responses to Resurgence of ADAT Movements in Indonesia', in Minako Sakai (ed.), Beyond Jakarta, edn. Original, Crawford House, Adelaide, pp. 245 - 269
    Book Chapters | 2000
    Sakai M, 2000, 'Batin', in Sekai Minzoku Jiten (World Encyclopaedia of the Ethnic Group), edn. Original, Kobundo, Tokyo, pp. 516 - 516
    Book Chapters | 2000
    Sakai M, 2000, 'Kerinci', in Sekai Minzoku Jiten (World Encyclopaedia of the Ethnic Group), edn. Original, Kobundo, Tokyo, pp. 232 - 232
    Book Chapters | 2000
    Sakai M, 2000, 'Lembak', in Sekai Minzoku Jiten (World Encyclopaedia of the Ethnic Group), edn. Original, Kobundo, Tokyo, pp. 758 - 758
    Book Chapters | 2000
    Sakai M, 2000, 'Muko-Muko', in Sekai Minzoku Jiten (World Encyclopaedia of the Ethnic Group), edn. Original, Kobundo, Tokyo, pp. 674 - 674
    Book Chapters | 2000
    Sakai M, 2000, 'Pasemah', in Sekai Minzoku Jiten (World Encyclopaedia of the Ethnic Group), edn. Original, Kobundo, Tokyo, pp. 511 - 511
    Book Chapters | 2000
    Sakai M, 2000, 'Pekal', in Sekai Minzoku Jiten (World Encyclopaedia of the Ethnic Group), edn. Original, Kobundo, Tokyo, pp. 574 - 574
    Book Chapters | 2000
    Sakai M, 2000, 'Rejang', in Sekai Minzoku Jiten (World Encyclopaedia of the Ethnic Group), edn. Original, Kobundo, Tokyo, pp. 750 - 750
  • Edited Books | 2018
    Sakai M; Yasmeen S, (ed.), 2018, Narratives of Muslim Womanhood and Women's Agency, Routledge, London
    Edited Books | 2016
    Sakai M; Yasmeen S, (ed.), 2016, Islam and Christian Muslim Relations Special Edition: Vol.27 (3) Narratives of Muslim Womanhood: Women's Agency, http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/cicm20/27/3?nav=tocList
    Edited Books | 2014
    Sakai M; Jurriens E; Zhang J; Thornton A, (eds.), 2014, Disaster Relief in the Asia Pacific: Agency and Resilience, Routledge, London, http://www.sponpress.com/books/details/9781315884356/
    Edited Books | 2012
    Sakai M; Macknight C, (ed.), 2012, Review of Indonesian and Malaysian Affairs, Association for the publication of Indonesian and Malaysian Studies, Australia, http://search.informit.com.au/browseJournalTitle;issn=0815-7251;res=IELIND
    Edited Books | 2012
    Saunders P; Sakai M, (ed.), 2012, Australian Journal of Social Issues, Australian Council Social Service Inc, Strawberry Hills, NSW, Australia, http://search.informit.com.au/browsePublication;py=2012;vol=47;res=IELHSS;issn=0157-6321;iss=3
    Edited Books | 2009
    Sakai M; Banks G; Walker J, (eds.), 2009, The Politics of the Periphery in Indonesia: Social and Geographical Perspectives, NUS, Singapore, https://nuspress.nus.edu.sg/products/the-politics-of-the-periphery-in-indonesia#:~:text=The%20Politics%20of%20the%20Periphery%20in%20Indonesia%20is%20a%20thought,Indonesia's%20geographic%20and%20social%20margins.
    Edited Books | 2002
    Sakai M, (ed.), 2002, Beyond Jakarta, Crawford House, Adelaide
  • Journal articles | 2023
    Anoraga B; Sakai M, 2023, 'From Pemuda to Remaja : Millennials reproducing civic nationalism in post-New Order Indonesia', Indonesia and the Malay World, 51, pp. 209 - 230, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13639811.2023.2225928
    Journal articles | 2022
    Mat Radzi R; Sakai M, 2022, 'Convergence of Values between Islamic Finance and Socially Responsible Investment (SRI): What are the Limits of SRI Sukūk Issuance?', Journal of King Abdulaziz University (JKAU): Islamic Economics, 35, pp. 76 - 95, http://dx.doi.org/10.4197/Islec.35-2.5
    Journal articles | 2019
    Sakai M, 2019, 'Embracing Islam, Work and Family: Women's Economic Empowerment in Islamising Indonesia', Intersections : Gender and Sexuality in Asia and the Pacific, http://intersections.anu.edu.au/issue43/sakai2.html
    Journal articles | 2017
    Sakai M, 2017, 'Still Remembering the Origins: The continuity of syncretic Islamic practice among the Gumay (Gumai) in South Sumatra, Indonesia', Indonesia and the Malay World, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13639811.2017.1274561
    Journal articles | 2016
    Sakai M; Fauzia A, 2016, 'Performing Muslim womanhood: Muslim business women moderating Islamic practices in contemporary Indonesia', ISLAM AND CHRISTIAN–MUSLIM RELATIONS,, Volume 27, 2016 - Issue 3, pp. 229 - 249, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09596410.2015.1114243
    Journal articles | 2016
    Sakai M; Yasmeen S, 2016, 'Narratives of Muslim Womanhood and Women’s Agency', Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, Volume 27, 2016 - Issue 4, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09596410.2016.1227046
    Journal articles | 2014
    Sakai M, 2014, 'Establishing Social Justice Through Financial Inclusivity: Islamic propagation by Islamic savings and credit cooperatives in Indonesia', Regional and National Studies of Southeast Asia (TRaNS), Vol.2, pp. 1 - 22, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/trn.2014.4
    Journal articles | 2014
    Sakai, M; Isbah M, 2014, 'Limits to Religious Diversity Practice in Indonesia: Case Studies from Religious Philanthropic Institutions and Traditional Islamic Schools', Asian Journal of Social Science, 42-(6), http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/15685314-04206003
    Journal articles | 2013
    Sakai M; Fauzia A, 2013, 'Islamic orientations in contemporary Indonesia: Islamism on the rise?', Asian Ethnicity, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14631369.2013.784513
    Journal articles | 2012
    Sakai M, 2012, 'Building a partnership for social service delivery in Indoensia: state and faith-based organisations', Australian Journal of Social Issues, 47, pp. 373 - 388, http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=225834167664260;res=IELHSS
    Journal articles | 2012
    Sakai M, 2012, 'Introduction', Review of Indonesian and Malaysian Affairs, 46, pp. 1 - 8, http://search.informit.com.au/browseJournalTitle;issn=0815-7251;res=IELIND
    Journal articles | 2012
    Sakai M, 2012, 'Preaching to Muslim youth in Indonesia: Dakwah activitities of Habiburrahman El Shirazy', Review of Indonesian and Malaysian Affairs, 46, pp. 9 - 31, http://search.informit.com.au/browseJournalTitle;issn=0815-7251;res=IELIND
    Journal articles | 2012
    Saunders P; Sakai M, 2012, 'Introduction to the Special Issue on Social Policy and Religion', Australian Journal of Social Issues, 47, pp. 273 - 279, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/j.1839-4655.2012.tb00248.x
    Journal articles | 2012
    Thornton A; Sakai M; Hassall G, 2012, 'Givers and governance: the potential of faith-based development in the Asia Pacific', Development in Practice, 22, pp. 779 - 791, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09614524.2012.685864
    Journal articles | 2010
    Sakai M, 2010, 'Growing Together in Partnership: Women's views of the business practices of an Islamic savings and credit cooperative (Baitul Maal wat Tamwil) in Central Java, Indonesia', Womens Studies International Forum, 33, July-August, pp. 412 - 421
    Journal articles | 2010
    Sakai M, 2010, 'Growing together in partnership: Women's views of the business practices of an Islamic Savings and Credit Cooperative (Baitul Maal wat Tamwil) in Central Java, Indonesia', Women's Studies International Forum, 33, pp. 412 - 421, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2010.02.015
    Journal articles | 2008
    Sakai M; Marijan K, 2008, 'Harnessing Islamic Microfinance', Policy Brief 9
    Journal articles | 2002
    Sakai M, 2002, 'Konflik Sekitar Devolusi Kekuasaan Ekonomi Dan Politik', Jurnal Antropologi Indonesia, 68, pp. 4 - 8
    Journal articles | 2002
    Sakai M, 2002, 'Sengketa Tanah Pada Era Reformasi', Jurnal Antropologi Indonesia, 68, pp. 40 - 56
    Journal articles | 2000
    Sakai M, 2000, 'Review of William Collins, The Guritan of Radin Suane', Southeast Asian Studies, pp. 112 - 113
  • Conference Papers | 2010
    Sakai M, 2010, 'Ethical self-improvement in everyday life: Propagating the Islamic way of life in Globalised Indonesia', in Crises and Opportunities: Past, Present and Future: Proceedings of the 18th Biennial Conference of the ASAA, 5-8 July 2010, Asian Studies Association of Australia, Adelaide Australia, pp. 1 - 14, presented at 18th Biennial Conference of the Asian Studies Association of Australia, Adelaide, 05 July 2010 - 08 July 2010
    Reports | 2008
    Sakai M; Marijan K, 2008, Harnessing Islamic Microfinance, ANU Crawford School of Economics and Government Colege of Asia and the Pacific
    Conference Papers | 2006
    Sakai M; Morrell E, 2006, 'Reconfiguring regions and challenging the state? New socio-economic partnerships in the outer islands of Indonesia', in Asia Reconstructed: Proceedings of the 16th Biennial Conference of the ASAA, Asia Reconstructed: 16th Biennial Conference of the ASAA, Wollongong, NSW, presented at Asia Reconstructed: 16th Biennial Conference of the ASAA, Wollongong, NSW, 26 June 2006 - 29 June 2006
    Conference Proceedings (Editor of) | 2002
    Sakai M, (ed.), 2002, 'Jurnal Antropologi Indonesia', Jurusan Antropologi, UI, Indonesia, presented at Not a conference

Recent Research Grants and International Engagements:
  • Dompet Dhuafa Republika Foundation, Research Grant, Islamic Social Engagement and Innovation  in Indonesia in partnership with the Dompet Dhuafa Foundation, Jakarta ($60,000, 2024-2025)
  • UNSW Women's Wellbeing Academy Small Grant, Building Back Better: Piloting post-Covid 19 disaster recovery initiatives for gender empowerment (2020) with Felix Tan and Nelia Hyndman-Rizk
  • The Ford Foundation, Indonesia (2018-2020, Muslim Women's Economic Empowerment USD 200,000) in partnership with UIN Jakarta.  
  • Australia-ASEAN Council Grant, ‘Fostering Women’s Empowerment through Digital Entrepreneurship’ with Felix Tan, Carmen Leong, Minako Sakai, Wing Wah Tham (2019-2020)
  • UNSW Indonesia Collaborative Research Scheme (2017 $10,000)
  • University of Gadjah Mada, Department of Sociology, FISIP, International Collaborator on Islamic Social Entrepreneurship (2016)   
  • UNSW Faculty Research Silver Start Grant (Islamic Conservatism and Women in Indonesian Economy, 2015-2016, $20,000)
  • The ANU AusAID Indonesian Project Research Grant (with Dr P.Ismalina, UGM). Project title: Building Community Resilience after the Merapi Volcano Disaster, A Case study of State and Private Scheme for Economic Livelihood Recovery Initiatives in Central Java (2013-2014, $15,000.)
  • UNSW Canberra Research Training Scholarship Scheme (to recruit an excellent PhD student under her supervision (with D. Lovell as a co-supervisor). 3-year scholarship with full fees and tuition Project title: The Role of Civil society in Social Development in Contemporary Indonesia (2014-2016, $213,000).
  • UNSW Canberra Special Research Grant, The Role of Civil Society in Enhancing Resilience in the Tohoku Disaster, Japan (2013-2014, $5,630)
  • The Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, academy workshop grant ($7,500, 2010-2011) with Prof. Peter Saunders (SPRC, UNSW)
  • Faith and Social Development in Contemporary Indonesia, Special Research Grant, UNSW, ($10,000, 2010-2011)
  • Civil Society Responses to Social Inequality and Natural Disasters in Japan after the 1990s, HASS Research Grant ($5,000, 2011)
  • Rector-funded Visiting Fellowship for Dr Amelia Fauzia from the Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University, Jakarta, Indonesia (2011)
  • Capacity Building for the Islamic Microfinance Providers for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises in Indonesia with Prof. Kacung Marijan, Australia Indonesia Governance Research Partnership ($60,000, 2008-2009)
  • Creating a New Indonesia: Region and Religion as Agents of Change, Faculty Research Grant (Silver Star Grant), UNSW ($20,000, 2008-2009)

My earlier research explored the impact of Islamisation upon ethnic identity among Malay-language speaking Gumay people of South Sumatra in Indonesia. My ethnography titled  Kacang Tak Lupa Kulitnya: Identitas Gumay, Islam, dan Merantau di Sumatra Selatan (The Nut Cannot Forget Its Shell) was published by an Indonesian major publisher, Obor to return knowledge to Indonesia. 

My interest expanded to examine the impact of Islamisation among middle-class Muslims in Indonesia with a focus on Islamic microfinance, entrepreneurship and community empowerment.  My second book, Penggiat Bisnis Syariah di Indonesia: Muslimah, Kewirausahaan dan Pemperdaayan Masyarakat (Indonesian Syariah Business Activists: Muslim Women, Entrepreneurship and Community Empowerment), was published by  Dompet Dhuafa, Jakarta.  

My third-book titled Women Entrepreneurs and Business Empowerment in Muslim Countries, co-authored with Prof Amelia Fauzia is forthcoming from Palgrave Springer in 2022.  This book analysed how emergent interpretations of Islam in Indonesia have facilitated women to play a main role in the economy, which ultimately impacts upon gender relations in a comparative perspective. 

In addition to these monographs I have published over 50 articles and book chapters on the theme of religion, community empowerment and local development policies with a focus on Indonesia.

My current research is

1) to explore financially sustainable social innovation beyond philanthropy in partnership with the Dompet Dhuafa Republika Foundation, Jakarta. 

2) to examine how the notion of power and trust is associated with political dynasties in the Indo-Pacific. 

 

Recent Keynote Addresses

2023  Does Religion Still Matter? International Conferences on Interreligious Studies Sciences and Technology, LP2M, State Islamic University, Jakarta (6-8 November)

2023  Building Back Better: Disaster Recoveries and Embeddedness in Indonesia and Japan.  Disaster Management Conference, Graduate School, Andalas University, Padang (3 November)

2023  Development and Women Entrepreneurship, The 2nd International Conference on Gender, Culture and Society (ICGCS) 2023, Andalas University (24-25 October)

2023  National Seminar on Islamic Finance and Syariah Financial Institutions, FEB (Faculty of Economics and Business, State Islamic University, Jakarta (8 September)

2023  Public lecture. FEB (Faculty of Economics and Business), Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia.

2022 Leaders’ Insight Series 3 Recent Issues in Women’s Economic Empowerment, Dompet Dhuafa, Jakarta (5 September)

2022 International Public Discussion: Overview of Women’s Economic Empowerment, Faculty of Economics and Business, UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta (31 August)

2022 Invited as keynote speaker for the 7th International Conference on Social and Political Sciences (ICOSAPS) 2022 with a main theme of ‘Transformation in Times of Crisis’ Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Sebelas Maret University, Indonesia (5 August).

2022 Invited as keynote speaker for the International Seminar with a theme of ‘Integarated Models of Science and Religion in Contemporary Muslim World’ State Islamic University, Jember, Indonesia (18 May).

2022 Webiner Strategic Talk Series 3: Women’s Economic Empowerment in Muslim Countries: An Indonesian Case. 26 April hosted by the Indonesian Embassy, Canberra

2021 Invited plenary webinar speaker for Optimalising Islamic Social Entrepreneurship for the Islamic Social Finance and Commercial Sector, held in partnership with UIN Jakarta and Ikatan Alih Ekonomi Islam (IAEI), 8 November 2021.

2021 Invited speaker, Muslim Women’s Economic Empowerment through Entrepreneurship” Challenges Arising from the Pandemic, International Conference: Pandemic of Humanity, Memory, Creativity and Solidarity, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Islamic State University, Jakarta 13 August 2021.

2021 UNSW Women’s Wellbeing Academy Small Grant Recipient Presentations (11 March)

2020 Invited keynote speaker for the International Seminar on Baitul Maal wat Tamwil (BMTs) Roles and its Opportunities for Improving the Welfare of Micro-Businesses, held in conjunction with the Annual Convention of the Association of Islamic Savings and Credit Cooperatives (BMTs), Indonesia 19 November.

2020 Invited keynote speaker for Universitas Sebelas Maret. Surakarta, Indonesia, FISIP International Seminar about “Covid 19 and Gender Issues: Experiences from Different Countries” on 11 November 2020 from 09.00 to 12.00 WIB.

2020  Invited keynote speaker for Islamisation of the Highlands of South Sumatra: Gumay Community, the 2nd International Seminar on Adab and Humanities (ISAH), Faculty of Adab and Humaniora, The State Islamic University, Palembang, 12 November.  

2020  Invited Plenary Speaker for Community Development: Entrepreneurship and Self-Study Practices. The 8th International Conference on Educational Research and Innovation. OCERI 2020. Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia 4-5 November (Online conference)

2020 Invited Plenary Speaker for a panel titledSocial Entrepreneurship and Impact Investing’ ASEAN Conference, UNSW Sydney, 10 October (online conference).

2020  Invited keynote speaker for Theory and Praxis Anthropology. Social and Religious Research Development, Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Ilmu Budaya, Gadjah Mada University, 7 September (online).  https://youtu.be/hg9L7KAjNSo

2020  Invited keynote speaker for Gender Perspective in Disaster Resilience of Covid 19, Gender and Development, Faculty of Creative Design and Digital Business, Department of Development Studies, Institut Teknologi Sepeluh Nopember. 3 June (online).

2019 Invited keynote speaker for Religion, Development and Women Empowerment Workshop, Graduate School, The State Islamic University, Yogyakarta.  5 September.

 

2018  1st International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches for Sustainable Rural Development ICMA-SURE, Jend Sudirman University, Purwokerto, Indonesia (Nov)

2018    The The 3rd International Conference on University-Community Engagement (ICON-UCE) 2018, Organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Republic of Indonesia, Hosted by the State Islamic University Malang (Oct)

2018    Public Lecture, ‘Women, Community Development and Entrepreneurship in Indonesia’, Faculty of Political and Social Sciences University of Sebelas Maret, Indonesia, Solo (Oct).

2018    International Conference on Reflection on Islamic Studies, ‘Development and Empowerment in Indonesia: Opportunities, Recent Development and Challenges’, State Institute of Islamic Studies (IAIN) Solo (Oct)

2018 ‘Fostering Community Resilience by Connectivity between Victims and Supporters in Post-disaster areas in the Asia-Pacific Region’, Plenary Panel Presentation, APRU 14th Multi-Hazards Symposium in Collaboration with the Research School of Earth Sciences, ANU (Oct)

2018  International Conference on Culture and Language in Southeast Asia (ICCLAS) of Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) Jakarta: Contemporary Intercultural Relation Between Islam in Southeast Asia and the Middle East Countries.  State Islamic University, Jakarta (August)

2017 Invited Plenary address. ‘Utilization of Social, Cultural, and Art Assets to Improve the Quality of Life’.  The 5th International Conference on Educational Research and Innovation (ICERI) 2017 in Yogyakarta, Optimizing Educational Research Findings to Improve the Quality of Life. Organised by the Ministry of Research and Technology and Higher Education, and Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta

 

2017 Plenary keynote address, ‘Community Empowerment, Institutional Transformation and Sustainable Economy’. International Conference on Religion, Microfinance and Community Empowerment (ICOFIN) 2017, Department of Islamic Banking and Economics, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, and University Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, July.

 

 

Forums and Workshops Convened (2018-2019) 

June 2019, Organising Committe member, Women in Asian Conference, UNSW Sydney.
April 2019, Workshop on Women's Economic Empowerment with Prof. Naila Kabeer  (co-hosted by Asia-Pacific Development and Security Research Group and IGD) 
November 2018, Urban Resilience in Asia Pacific (URAP), panel co-convenor, UNSW on Climate Security and Community Resilience: Debating Institutional Innovation from the Grassroots  
Oct 2018, One-day Forum Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Asia Pacific at Institute of Global Development UNSW.
July 2018, ASAA, Sydney University.  Panel Convenor and Presentation: Social Innovation and Digital Financial Inclusion for Community Empowerment in Indonesia including two of my HDR students.  My paper was titled ‘Muslim mompreneurs in Indonesia.’
June 2018 HASS Social Sciences Workshop on Women’s Empowerment and Gendered Violence, Workshop Convenor and presentation.

 

Research Collaborations and Sponsoring Visiting Fellows 

I am currently hosting the following UNSW Visiting Fellows to conduct joint research with a focus on the Asia Pacific region:

Past Research Collaborators:


 

 

 

 

I have built strong ties with Indonesia through my research and teaching. My research collaborative partnerships include partners from the State Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, The University of Indonesia, Gadjah Mada University and the Airlangga University.   I have been contributing the directions of Islamic studies by offering anthropological perspectives of Islamic studies.  As such  I am serving on the editorial board for the Asia Pacific Anthropology and Studia Islamika

Recent Media Coverage

Sep 2022 Using Indonesian examples for Muslim women's gender empowerment  

 

 

Professional Activities

I serve as an expert on the following international journals  in the field of Islamic Studies, Social Sciences and Islamic Finance.

Advisory Role for Civil Society Organisations

 

Other activities

 For her Engagement story please click

My Research Supervision

Current Students under my supervision are part of the Asia Pacific Development and Security Research Group

PhD in Southeast Asian Social Inquiry (code 1203)

  • Mr Hadi Noori (PhD, UNSW funded, community-driven development in Afghanistan)
  • Mr Ahmad Mufarih Hasan Fadly (PhD, LPDP Indonesian government-funded, Muslim Identity and Religiosity in Indonesia)
  • Mr Teguh Ilham (PhD, LPDP Indonesian government-funded, Gender, Islam and Politics in Indonesia)
     

Current Honours in Indonesian Studies

  • Mickaylah Guidi (Gender, Peace and Security in Indonesia)

Current CDF Undergradute Project

  • Jack Harrison (Development Policies in Indonesia)

My Teaching

My  teaching philosophy is to transfer passion for knowledge. I value  students' active learning and engagement in class and is among an approved peer teaching reviewer at UNSW Canberra. 

I learn greatly from students' questions and I enjoy classroom interactions. 

Since 2015 I have been running an annual students' conference which involve all the undergraduate students in Indonesian Studies at UNSW Canberra in partnership with the Indonesian Embassy, Canberra, and the Deference School of Foreign Languages (Melbourne).

Along with this conference she also has been coordinating the annual Indonesian speech contest convened by the Indonesian Embassy, Canberra.  

Courses Taught  
  • Development Policies and Social Contexts in Contemporary Indonesia
  • Islam and the Challenges of Modernity 
  • Gender, Class and Society in Indonesia
  • All levels of Indonesian Language and Culture courses 
  • Honours supervision 
  • Research Projects (CDF undergraduate and IPS Masters Course Work) on the issues of Islam, gender, radicalism, interfaith issues in Indonesia