Biography
I am a PhD researcher (external) in Communication and Media Studies at Ludwig Maximilians Universität München. My work sits at the intersection of science communication, science journalism, and health policy, with a particular focus on how scientific knowledge is translated, negotiated, and mobilized within political and media processes, especially during public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. My doctoral project examines collaboration between scientists and journalists in Indonesia, analyzing how credibility, uncertainty, and authority are constructed in pandemic reporting.
Beyond academic research, I am actively engaged in professional and public-facing science communication. I am a scientist member of the Society of Indonesian Science Journalists (SISJ) and an international member of the National Association of Science Writers (NASW). I also serve on a university-based research ethics review committee and regularly contribute popular science and policy analysis to The Conversation Indonesia, The Jakarta Post, Kompas and other media outlets. In parallel, I have initiated and supported science communication initiatives that advocate for open science, research integrity, and equitable access to scientific knowledge in Indonesia, linking empirical research practice with health policy debates and public discourse.
I am a PhD researcher (external) in Communication and Media Studies at Ludwig Maximilians Universität München. My work sits at the intersection of science communication, science journalism, and health policy, with a particular focus on how scientific knowledge is translated, negotiated, and mobilized within political and media processes, especially during public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. My doctoral project examines collaboration between scientists and journalists in Indonesia, analyzing how credibility, uncertainty, and authority are constructed in pandemic reporting.
Beyond academic research, I am actively engaged in professional and public-facing science communication. I am a scientist member of the Society of Indonesian Science Journalists (SISJ) and an international member of the National Association of Science Writers (NASW). I also serve on a university-based research ethics review committee and regularly contribute popular science and policy analysis to The Conversation Indonesia, The Jakarta Post, Kompas and other media outlets. In parallel, I have initiated and supported science communication initiatives that advocate for open science, research integrity, and equitable access to scientific knowledge in Indonesia, linking empirical research practice with health policy debates and public discourse.
Education Background
I am currently a doctoral researcher in Communication and Media Studies at Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, where my PhD project examines collaboration between scientists and journalists in covering the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. I hold a Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Universitas Airlangga.
Alongside my doctoral studies, I serve as an Assistant Professor in Health Policy and Administration at the Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Airlangga, a position I have held since 2015.
I am currently a doctoral researcher in Communication and Media Studies at Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, where my PhD project examines collaboration between scientists and journalists in covering the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. I hold a Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Universitas Airlangga.
Alongside my doctoral studies, I serve as an Assistant Professor in Health Policy and Administration at the Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Airlangga, a position I have held since 2015.
Experience in Research
My research has been supported by competitive funding from international organizations, bilateral programs, and national institutions across different stages of my academic career. From November 2021 to March 2022, I received a research grant from the World Health Organization Indonesia to conduct a scoping review and bibliometric analysis of national COVID-19 research in Indonesia, focusing on patterns of knowledge production and their relevance for policy response. Between March 2021 and April 2022, I was awarded funding by the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, Washington DC, to design and implement a science communication campaign addressing misinformation surrounding COVID-19 vaccination. In the period 2023 to 2024, I received support from the Australia–Indonesia Institute under the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for a project on advancing science communication for planetary health, emphasizing international collaboration and public engagement.
My research has been supported by competitive funding from international organizations, bilateral programs, and national institutions across different stages of my academic career. From November 2021 to March 2022, I received a research grant from the World Health Organization Indonesia to conduct a scoping review and bibliometric analysis of national COVID-19 research in Indonesia, focusing on patterns of knowledge production and their relevance for policy response. Between March 2021 and April 2022, I was awarded funding by the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, Washington DC, to design and implement a science communication campaign addressing misinformation surrounding COVID-19 vaccination. In the period 2023 to 2024, I received support from the Australia–Indonesia Institute under the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for a project on advancing science communication for planetary health, emphasizing international collaboration and public engagement.
At the national level, I obtained project-based funding from the Center for Indonesia’s Strategic Development Initiatives in Jakarta between October and December 2023 to examine crowdfunding mechanisms and disparities in access to primary health services in Indonesia. In addition, I secured Early Lecturer Research grants from Universitas Airlangga in two cycles, first from March 2018 to December 2018 and subsequently from March 2020 to August 2021, supporting empirical work in health policy and health communication. Across these funded projects, I was responsible for proposal development, study design, ethical approval, coordination with partner institutions, financial management, and dissemination through academic publications and public-facing outputs.
Project
Indonesian Science Communication Lab (IDSCL)
The Indonesian Science Communication Lab (IDSCL) mulai dibentuk pada tahun 2023 dengan inisiasi yang dibangun atas kesadaran bahwa diperlukan sebuah wadah jejaring kolaboratif bagi peneliti, komunikator sains, jurnalis dan masyarakat pemerhati sains.
ScienceWatchdog.id is a non-profit, independent blog committed to critical oversight and deep reflection on how science is communicated, understood, and operationalized in the public sphere.
What is the Role of Journalism in the Political Advocacy of Health Policy in Indonesia?
In this short commentary article, the complex association between journalism, health policy, and political campaigning in Indonesia is explained, in need of more scholarly expansion. Within those limitations, the paper does alert to the necessary function journalism serves intrinsic to the public discourse that drives health policy recommendations, as well as noting how this has been perverted by misinformation and dwindling faith in the media. The article examines how journalism (including digital and social media) has shaped health policy advocacy and public opinion and highlights the role of the media in health communication campaigns and policy reform. Through scrutiny of its role in health policy advocacy, with a broader look at how journalism roles have shifted over time. In this article, the author demonstrated that journalism is a bridge between health policy experts and the public, enabling a more informed democratic engagement with health policy. These conclusions highlight the need to build a nexus between democratic journalism and health policy advocacy for public health priorities in Indonesia. The commentary was published in the Indonesia Journal of Health Administration
Post-Publication Review: The Role of Science News Outlets and Social Media
This article explores the significant role of post-publication review in maintaining research integrity and the potential of science news outlets and social media to improve the process. By examining recent cases, this article reveals the vulnerabilities of pre-publication peer review and suggests a more inclusive approach. The importance of broader public scrutiny is emphasized, as retractions in these cases occurred only after gaining significant attention on social media. The term "peer-review" should be expanded to include various experts and platforms beyond traditional academic journals. The incidents examined in this study underscore the necessity of openness and vigilance in maintaining research integrity, especially in the era of artificial intelligence and digital platforms. Researchers need to understand that research integrity extends beyond journal-led pre-publication reviews. They should also apply their scientific intellect by conducting post-publication reviews. The article was published in Annals of Library and Information Studies
Frequency and specificity of health issues in local political campaigns
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The study suggests limited coverage of health issues during election campaigns, but candidates’ positions reveal its impact on their platform and success. The media’s crucial role in informing the public and ensuring comprehensive coverage of health issues and policies is highlighted. The study underscores health issues’ significance as a political agenda and the media’s responsibility in promoting informed decision-making among voters. In conclusion, the study highlights the need for comprehensive and accurate coverage of health issues in election campaigns. The significance of health issues as a political agenda is demonstrated, emphasizing the importance of candidate positions on health issues. The research underscores the crucial role of the media in informing the public about health issues and the need for them to prioritize coverage of these issues during election campaigns. The study can improve health policies and outcomes in the local election campaign by raising awareness of health issues and promoting informed decision-making among voters. The study was published in International Journal of Health Governance
Open Access in Indonesia
Despite the absence of funding pressures that explicitly mandate a shift to open access (OA), Indonesia is a leader in OA publishing. Indonesia subscribes to a non-profit model of OA, which differs from that promoted by Plan S. The penetration of bibliometric systems of academic performance assessment is pushing Indonesian scholars away from a local non-profit model of OA to a model based on high publication charges. This article considers whether Plan S promotes or undermines the ability of Indonesian scholars to develop systems of OA adapted to local resource constraints and research needs. The study was published in the International Institute of Social Studies, Development and Change
See here for more of my publications.
Oxford’s Rafflesia Messaging Sparks Debate Over Representation, Scientific Credit, and Global South Visibility
A rediscovery of the rare Rafflesia hasseltii in West Sumatra has sparked an unexpected debate over how international institutions frame conservation stories, who receives scientific credit, and how Global South researchers are represented in global media ecosystems. While the University of Oxford’s press and social media materials have circulated widely, scientists and netizens in Indonesia argue that the narrative structure used by international media reinforces imbalances that echo older colonial patterns in science communication. Read more
Journal indexation: The misconception of guaranteed quality
Journal indexation cannot be the only appraisal of research performance. The evaluation system must prioritize impact-focused indicators. Higher education institutions and research institutes are no strangers to commercial scientific journal indexers such as Scopus and Web of Science (WoS). These platforms serve as primary benchmarks for academic success and research performance evaluation. Within the scientific community, indexers function as a credibility currency for research’s perceived prestige and reliability. This requirement has led to the misconception that indexation equates to research quality, while it does not necessarily guarantee high-quality research. Read more
Journal indexation cannot be the only appraisal of research performance. The evaluation system must prioritize impact-focused indicators. Higher education institutions and research institutes are no strangers to commercial scientific journal indexers such as Scopus and Web of Science (WoS). These platforms serve as primary benchmarks for academic success and research performance evaluation. Within the scientific community, indexers function as a credibility currency for research’s perceived prestige and reliability. This requirement has led to the misconception that indexation equates to research quality, while it does not necessarily guarantee high-quality research. Read more
Gabung WHO Pasifik Barat, Indonesia berpeluang tingkatkan layanan kesehatan lansia
Indonesia resmi menjadi anggota Organisasi Kesehatan Dunia (WHO) Wilayah Pasifik Barat alias WPRO pada Mei 2025. Sebelumnya, negara kita tergabung dalam Wilayah Asia Tenggara WHO (SEARO), yang menjadi wadah kolaborasi kesehatan masyarakat antarnegara berpendapatan rendah dan menengah. Perpindahan Indonesia ke WPRO (yang dihuni beberapa negara ekonomi maju, seperti Singapura dan Jepang) berpotensi membuka peluang baru bagi kerja sama kesehatan yang lebih inovatif dan berbasis teknologi. Salah satunya soal tata kelola layanan kesehatan lansia yang populasinya terus bertambah di Tanah Air. Laporan Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS) pada 2024 menunjukkan sekitar 12% (lebih dari 33 juta) penduduk Indonesia sudah masuk kategori lansia (60 tahun ke atas). Pada 2045, jumlah ini bisa mencapai 20%, artinya satu dari lima warga merupakan lansia. Selengkapnya
Indonesia resmi menjadi anggota Organisasi Kesehatan Dunia (WHO) Wilayah Pasifik Barat alias WPRO pada Mei 2025. Sebelumnya, negara kita tergabung dalam Wilayah Asia Tenggara WHO (SEARO), yang menjadi wadah kolaborasi kesehatan masyarakat antarnegara berpendapatan rendah dan menengah. Perpindahan Indonesia ke WPRO (yang dihuni beberapa negara ekonomi maju, seperti Singapura dan Jepang) berpotensi membuka peluang baru bagi kerja sama kesehatan yang lebih inovatif dan berbasis teknologi. Salah satunya soal tata kelola layanan kesehatan lansia yang populasinya terus bertambah di Tanah Air. Laporan Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS) pada 2024 menunjukkan sekitar 12% (lebih dari 33 juta) penduduk Indonesia sudah masuk kategori lansia (60 tahun ke atas). Pada 2045, jumlah ini bisa mencapai 20%, artinya satu dari lima warga merupakan lansia. Selengkapnya
See here for an overview of media coverage, interviews, and Op-Eds in english and indonesian.
Blogpost
Bagaimana Seseorang Memahami Hubungan Sains dan Agama ?
Sebelum manuskrip masuk perpustakaan pusat di LMU Munchen, saya membuat catatan atau apalah ini resume kali ya untuk menjelaskan paparan disertasi Rizqy Amelia Zein yang kemarin. Semoga kurang lebihnya ini dapat menjadi telaah awam pertama sebelum dia ... (Link)
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