Our research on digital authoritarianism is in collaboration with the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA). This research examines lawfare in the digital realm. Using the theoretical framework of digital authoritarianism and lawfare, this project conducts a within-case study in Indonesia and an MSDS study of cases from South and Southeast Asia. The project contributes to the analysis of its impact on democracies and civil liberties, and countermeasures for democratic resistance and resilience.
Waste-to-Energy technologies research examines the intersection of municipal waste management, environmental regulation, and energy policy. We analyze how state frameworks, political feasibility, and technology transfer shape the implementation and long-term sustainability of WTE projects in developing urban contexts.
Micro-Hydro Power Plants (MHPPs) are among the renewable energy projects deployed in Indonesia by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MoEMR), representing a pivotal shift toward the decentralization of renewable energy governance. However, while some MHPPs have been successfully deployed, others have experienced operational failures or been abandoned, demonstrating mixed implementation outcomes. This study conducts a comparative socio-political analysis of two contrasting cases with similar technical ambitions: the Rimba Lestari MHPP in West Java as a successful case and the Tokawi MHPP in East Java as an unsuccessful case. By comparing these cases, this study aims to generate insights to support more effective, socio-politically resilient MHPP development in the future.
Indonesia is among the first countries outside the West to introduce nationwide age-based restrictions on children’s access to digital platforms. The regulation is set out in Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 (PP TUNAS) and the related ministerial decree. The research on PP TUNAS is a policy review that examines the implementation of the regulation through a literature review and comparative analysis. The project aims to contribute to a better understanding of the policy’s potential effectiveness and implementation by examining its regulatory approach in comparison with similar policies in other countries.