Dina Afrianty
Tell us about yourself!
I am an Indonesian national and lecturer at the Thomas More Law School, Faculty of Law and Business, Australian Catholic University.
I was previously a senior academic at the Syarif Hidayatuallah State Islamic University (UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta) and Deputy Director of the Centre for Islam and Society (PPIM) also the UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta.
My research focuses on law, religion and social change. Since arriving in Australia in 2014 I have developed a strong interest in the rights of people with a disability. In 2017, I initiated the establishment of the Australia-Indonesia Disability Research and Advocacy Network (AIDRAN) and together with Slamet Thohari from Brawijaya University we launched AIDRAN in Melbourne in 2018.
AIDRAN is a vehicle to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration between Australian and Indonesian scholars and advocates to enhance policy responses in the implementation of disability rights. With support from various international funding agencies, we conduct research, organise disability awareness raising through social media, organise workshop and biennial conference. All of these activities involved the participation of Australian and Indonesian researchers and disability advocates. We also publish newsletters to our members. Currently, there are about 500 members from Australia and Indonesia.
Where does your interest in Indonesia stem from?
I am passionate about development and social change in Indonesia. My career has included roles in international development projects, and I am continually looking for ways to enhance Indonesian research and policy making skills through practical initiatives.
What is the nature of your engagement with Indonesia – are you an academic, a professional, an alumni…
I have had the good fortune to develop a deep connection with Australia and have been a scholarship recipient on several occasions. I obtained Australian Development Scholarships for higher degree studies in Australia (MA and PhD) and was an Endeavour Post-Doctoral Fellow.
Have you ever been to an Indonesia Council Open Conference and if so, what is your fondest memory?
Yes, as a PhD student I attended and presented my research at ICOC organised by Monash University in 2007. When I started my professional academic career in Melbourne I presented my project at the ICOC hosted at Deakin Geelong Campus in 2015. As an early career researcher ICOC helped me to build my network and inspired me to be part of the wider Indonesian research community in Australia.
How do you think organisations like Indonesia Council can improve Australia-Indonesia relations?
There are a number of specialist Australian research networks for scholars of Indonesia. These have all in different ways been models for my current activities through AIDRAN. Peer-to-peer international networks whether among academics or practitioners are a very effective way to build a deeper understanding of common challenges in our communities.
What are some of the challenges and opportunities in the Indonesia-Australia relationship?
There are in my experience many more opportunities than challenges. I am always impressed by the way counterparts are able to respect each other’s experience and find common ground.
Tell us about your favourite Indonesian food experience
My parents are originally from West Sumatra, hence Padang Food is the best! 😀
What’s your favourite Indonesian music/song/writer?
I can’t go past the incredibly talented Putri Ariani who is a young vision impaired singer from West Sumatra who performed brilliantly in America’s Got Talent.
What’s your favourite Indonesian idiom?
Takuruang nak dilua, taimpik nak diateh is West Sumatran for always trying your best to get out of a difficult situation.
[Last month’s PAY IT FORWARD question]:
Aside from standard Bahasa Indonesia, what Indonesian languages do you know (or aspire to know)?
Bahasa Minang (West Sumatran) and a little Bahasa Sunda (from my student days) and Bahasa Aceh (from my PhD research)
?PAY IT FORWARD: Finally, it’s YOUR turn to ask a question… Please suggest a question we can ask our next member!
Have you ever used the wrong word or phrase in Bahasa Indonesia by mistake?