“A research team from the Department of Anthropology UGM, led by Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si., during a visit to Airlangga University as part of the ‘EQUITY by Subject’ research project.”
Since February 2026, the research team from the Department of Anthropology, led by Prof. Dr. Setiadi and Dr. Sita Hidayah, assisted by Sekar Alifah Ramadhanti and Muhammad Syukur Shidiq as student assistants participating in the ‘EQUITY by Subject’ research project, visited three universities offering anthropology programs, including Airlangga University, Brawijaya University, and Udayana University. This research focuses on three main topics: the role of anthropology in addressing global crises, graduate career readiness, and institutional evaluation to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration.
The purpose of these visits was to explore best practices, institutional development strategies, academic governance, curriculum enhancement, research networks, and the contribution of anthropology to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, 10: Reduced Inequalities, 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Each visit included academic discussions, exchanges of experiences regarding the management of academic programs, research, and community service, and discussions on the challenges and opportunities for the development of anthropology in the global and digital era.
The implementation of these visits serves as a concrete manifestation of support for strengthening inter-institutional collaboration networks in the fields of education, research, and community development, and for documenting innovative practices that advance the implementation of the SDGs through an anthropological approach. The series of visits and comparative studies to the three institutions marks the first step toward initiating discussions on the future of anthropology through the framework of Future Studies and its contribution to achieving sustainable development. The future studies approach aims to shift from linear predictions to an exploratory approach to respond to changes in both the teaching and application of anthropology moving forward.
This research aims to formulate new possibilities (preferable futures) in which anthropology education becomes more adaptive, interdisciplinary, and capable of making tangible contributions to humanizing the future. The long-term hope for the field of anthropology is that it will transform from a passive observer into a decision-maker offering sustainable solutions.
As part of Universitas Gadjah Mada’s commitment to elevating higher education quality to international standards, this strategic initiative receives financial support from the EQUITY scheme. This step reflects the commitment of State Universities with Legal Entity Status (PTN-BH) to formulate policies that are more inclusive and resilient.
Author: Sekar Alifah Ramadhanti
Photo: Muhammad Syukur Shidiq
Editor: Okky Chandra Baskoro
