19 Februari 2025

Emilia Yustiningrum

As Head of cluster of Foreign Policy and International Issues at National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Dr. Emilia Yustinigrum time as a PhD scholar in International Relations at Griffith University has helped her immensely.

“Studying in Australia has deepened my proficiency on foreign policy and made me confident to share the wisdom I gained,” Emilia said throughout her PhD studies.

Responding to Shifting Security Issue

Working in the everchanging world of research, Emilia upholds the principle to always seek for new knowledge, especially the ones that still uncommon in Indonesia. Looking at the state of the world in the 21st century, Emilia sees the security issues trend in South East Asia, especially in Indonesia has shifted from traditional security issue such as war and conflict to non-traditional security issue like natural disaster and immigrant.

In 2015, Emilia began her PhD study with a great start as she already received the support of Griffith University’s Professor of Political Science, Andrew O’Neil. Emilia joined an event held by Griffith University with LIPI (now BRIN) Indonesia University, Paramadina University and Ministry of Foreign Affairs for researchers to submit their PhD proposals.

“My proposal was nominated as the second best,” Emilia said.

Emilia noted she faced almost no academic difficulties during her time in Australia.

“The challenge turns out how to be a good mother for my children,” Emilia confessed although it turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Emilia to develop a strong bond with her children. She also appreciated how the Australian education system prioritized the wellbeing and mental health of students.

Writing a Masterpiece

Now working under BRIN, Emilia has written numerous publications and books on natural disaster such as ‘Memahami Erupsi Merapi and Bencana Alam’ and ‘Kerentanan Dan Kebijakan Di Indonesia – Studi Kasus Gempa Padang dan Tsunami Mentawa’i.

Emilia’s latest book soon will be published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2024 titled ‘Foreign Policy Decision Making: Explaining Indonesia's Approach toward Australia during the 2004 Aceh Tsunami’.

The book is written based on Emilia’s PhD thesis, focused on explaining the decision-making process of Indonesia government on accepting foreign military assistance in the time of natural disaster with study case Australian military operation in Aceh tsunami and earthquake in 2004.

“Professor Andrew always encouraged me to have a dream, my dream was I want my PhD thesis published as a book in international level as a masterpiece.”

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