Angie Bexley
Tell us about yourself!
In February, I will join the new flagship Australia-Indonesia Knowledge Partnership Platform, called KONEKSI. This is a $50 million, 5 year program (2022-2027) designed to support partnerships between Australian and Indonesian organisations to carry out and disseminate high-quality, multidisciplinary, and applied research on the complex socio-economic issues facing both countries.
My role is the Head of Technical, Partnerships, Gender and Social Inclusion. I will be based in Jakarta and am super excited to bring together my networks and experience to support research coalitions and build an evidence base for gender equality and social inclusion. So get in touch, I would love to hear from you and about your research!
Where does your interest in Indonesia stem from?
I grew up in a rural town, and was super lucky to study in Indonesian in high school in the mid-90s. Our teacher was learning with us, so we had lots of laughs about mixing up words like kelapa and kepala. I loved the playfulness of the language. My year on the ACICIS program in 2000 was completely formative for me both professionally and personally. The people, dynamism, the playfulness, these are all things that drew me there and that keep me hooked on the place!
What is the nature of your engagement with Indonesia – are you an academic, a professional, an alumni…
I have been engaged with Indonesia in so many different, but interlinked ways over the past two decades. As an anthropologist, I have conducted fieldwork and published on young people, gender, intersectionality and inequality. As a development professional, I have managed and advised Australia-funded programs in Indonesia on issues of gender equality and social inclusion. Now I’m returning to Indonesia to design and implement this new research program. There are so many ways to be engaged with Indonesia!
What are some of the challenges and opportunities in the Indonesia-Australia relationship?
In terms of research, Australia and Indonesia have different settings and systems, but there are immense opportunities to work together on the big issues that face both countries such as climate change how to build a just and equal society. There are some amazing researchers in both countries and I’m looking forward to exploring ways to support more research collaborations.
Tell us about your favourite Indonesian food experience
SOO many! I love learning the different sounds of the kaki lima food carts that move around in the late afternoon. Each place has its own distinct cacophony of sounds. My favourite is the whistle of the putu cart in Yogya signalling that delectable mix of glutinous rice, palm sugar and coconut.
Do you speak Indonesian and where did you start learning it?
Yes! At high school but I have ACICIS to thank for getting me to a point of fluency.
What’s your favourite Indonesian food and why?
If I have to say one, it is without a doubt sambal. There are so many different varieties from each island. I love them all.
What’s your favourite Indonesian idiom?
Siapa yang cepat dapat! The English equivalent is probably the early bird gets the worm, but I like to translate it as seize your opportunities, make the best of them and go for it!
[Previous PAY IT FORWARD question]: Of the approximately 718 traditional languages recorded in Indonesia, which one you would be interested in learning? 😊
I spent some time with Kajang indigenous community in Bulukumba, South Sulawesi when I managed the social inclusion program, Peduli. Their language has a beautiful song-like quality to it.
PAY IT FORWARD: Finally, it’s YOUR turn to ask a question… Please suggest a question we can ask our next member!
What is your best (read: worst) Indonesia transport story?