Building research skills in Eastern Indonesia: ANU Indonesia Project launches Boot Camp series

The ANU Indonesia Project, in collaboration with KONEKSI, launched the first research boot camp aimed at strengthening the research capacity of academics from Eastern Indonesia. Held from 3–5 May 2025 in Bali, this program brought together 19 selected participants from regions such as Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, and Papua. This diverse group of scholars represents the richness and variety of Eastern Indonesia's academic and regional perspectives.  The focus of this inaugural boot camp was on equipping participants with practical, hands-on research methodology skills, ensuring they were well-prepared to develop research ideas that are both methodologically sound and regionally grounded.  By focusing on Eastern Indonesia’s unique challenges and opportunities, the program aimed to empower participants to conduct research that speaks directly to the issues faced by their communities.

Led by academic experts Budy Resosudarmo, Arianto Patunru, Eva Nisa, Marilyn Metta (KONEKSI) and Firman Witoelar, participants were led through sessions focused on GEDSI strategy in research, qualitative and quantitative research methods, non-market evaluation, RCT, and the role of GEDSI in rethinking research practices and development goals.  During the boot camp, participants were grouped into thematic clusters based on shared research interests, which fostered collaborative learning and an environment of peer exchange. These thematic clusters allowed for in-depth discussions on regional topics, ensuring that the research ideas developed would have a significant impact in the context of Eastern Indonesia’s socio-economic and cultural landscapes. 

Looking ahead, the second boot camp scheduled for July 2025 will build on the work done during the first session, offering participants the opportunity to refine and expand their research ideas into fully developed proposals. The final, polished projects will then be presented at the KONEKSI Special Session at the IRSA International Conference in Semarang, held on July 2025. This follow-up boot camp will provide participants with the necessary tools and feedback to ensure that their research proposals are impactful and ready for wider academic and policy attention.  This initiative exemplifies the ANU Indonesia Project’s commitment to amplifying the voices of scholars from Eastern Indonesia. This program represents a step forward in fostering inclusive, high-quality research engagement and broadening the scope of scholarly work across Indonesia’s archipelago.