My PhD (The University of Manchester, United Kingdom) focused on the relationship between financial development, financial literacy, financial inclusion and poverty. I have conducted numerous research projects using both quantitative as well as qualitative methods exploring various aspects of life of low-income communities in South East Asia. I have done research and published on financial development, taxation, fiscal policy, poverty and inequality, digital economy, and small medium enterprises. My research and project dissemination was funded by, among others, Asian Development Bank, The University of Manchester, Oxfam, Government of Indonesia and Gadjah Mada University. In 2021, I conducted fieldwork in remote areas of Indonesia, East and West Nusa Tenggara, looking at women and economic empowerment as well as market access for small medium enterprises.
Recently implemented research projects can be found below:
1. Leveraging Fiscal Policy to Reduce Inequality (2022)
This project is related to the SDG 10.4.2 particularly the adoption of Goal 10 had created an international mechanism to hold countries accountable for their effort to reduce inequality, encouraging governments to “adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality”. The main objective is to ensure that policmakers are aware with the CEQ tools (the tools to estimate the impact of fiscal policy) and use them for fiscal policy analyses.
2. Economic Resilience and Digital Adoption among Ultra-Micro Entrepreneurs in Indonesia (2022)
This project summarizes the most thorough research to-date on the ultra-micro entrepreneurs segment in Indonesia. This segment includes those who have access to an ultra-micro loan from the Government of Indonesia distributed through Pusat Investasi Pemerintah and its channelling partners, and those with similar business characteristics who have never accessed the loan.
3. Labour and Employment Challenges in the Gig Economy (2021)
This project was related to SDGs 1, 8, 9, 10 and 11 which aims to increase sustainable labour market and industrial development as well as reduced poverty and inequalities. This project examines the changing nature of work and the impact of gig economy. The expected output of this project was in the form of policy advocacy, workshops, working paper, and dissemination of research with policy makers in the ministries, local government, and private sector.
4. Sustainable Development Goals and Women Economic Empowerment (2021)
This project was related to SDGs 1, 5 and 8 which aims to increase gender equality in Indonesia and improve women’s economic empowerment, especially in Eastern Indonesia. The expected output of this project was in the form of policy advocacy, workshops, reports, and dissemination of research with policy makers in the regions and the ministries. This project involved hundreds of stakeholders and over 1000 people participated in the project.
5. Covid-19 and Inequality in Asia (2020-2021)
This project was associated with SDGs 1, 8 and 10 which aims to analyze the impact of Covid-19 on economic inequality in Asia. This project was in the form of a study on the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 in 6 countries in Asia, namely India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia, Cambodia, and the Philippines. The research did not only rely on secondary data but also primary data in the 6 countries. The output of this project was in the form of reports, as well as research dissemination activities in the forms of webinars with policy makers in these countries which were attended by hundreds of people. The research involved many policymakers and other relevant stakeholders.
6. Smart City and Indonesia’s New Capital (2021)
This project was related to SDGs 6, 7, 9 and 11. The activity carried out was training on the implementation of Smart City in Indonesia’s new capital in supporting sustainable cities and communities, clean water and sanitation, clean energy and innovative industrial cities. The expected output of this project was in the form of seminars and public discussions with policy makers in the regions and actors at the ministry level. This activity involved dozens of stakeholders and hundreds of people participated in this program.
7. Developing Entrepreneurship Models and Market Creation in Indonesia (2020)
This project was related to SDGs 8, 9 and 10 which aims to find the right entrepreneurship training model in Indonesia to improve the quality of human resources, strengthen the industrial world and reduce economic inequality. The expected output of this project was in the form of training models and training kits for entrepreneurial training in Indonesia. This activity involved intensive discussions with officials at the ministry level in Indonesia.
8. Evaluating the Impact of Indonesia Conditional Cash Transfer (2020)
This project focused on SDGs number 1, 8 and 10 which aims to evaluate social assistance programs in Indonesia in order to reduce poverty and economic inequality. The expected output of this project was in the form of policy analysis published in an international journal. This study used secondary data from the Indonesian government’s official dataset which represents the national population
9. Measuring Stakeholder’s Perception on the Omnibus Bill (2020)
This project concentrated on SDGs 8, 9 and 10 which aims to examine the effectiveness of the omnibus law in improving employment sectors in Indonesia, encouraging innovation, strengthening industry and reducing economic inequality. The expected output of this project was in the form of reports, books, and workshops with entrepreneurs, MSME activists, trade unions, academics and policy makers in the regional and the ministry levels. This activity involved important stakeholders at the ministry levels and more than 1000 people participated in this program.
10. The Future of Financial Technology in Indonesia (2020)
This project was related to SDGs 9, 11 and 12 which aims to increase financial inclusion in Indonesia in order to reduce poverty, economic inequality and encourage women’s empowerment. The expected output of this project was in the form of policy advocacy, workshops, reports, and research dissemination with policy makers. This activity involved stakeholders at the ministry levels and hundreds of people involved in this program.
11. Financial Literacy and Poverty in Indonesia (2020)
This project was related to SDGs 1 and 10 which aims to promote financial literacy and poverty eradication in Asia. The expected output of this project was in the form of scientific studies on financial literacy in Asia, as well as research dissemination with policy makers and academics from various countries in Asia.
12. Corporate Social Responsibility in the Mining Industry (2012-2014)
This project is related to SDGs n11, 13, 14, 15, and 17 which aims to help created a sustainable community, and support efforts to reduce global warming. The expected output of this project was in the form of policy advocacy, workshops on financial management, increasing access to education, planting trees and providing clean water. This activity involved hundreds of stakeholders and thousands of people involved in this program.
Besides research projects and academic articles, I am a regular contributor to the media in Indonesia and International, having commented for among others, the Huffington post, New Matilda, The Diplomat, Middle East Eye, The Conversation, Detik, Republika, Kompas, Seputar Indonesia, Haluan etc.,