The Department of Sociology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, is ranked 1st in Indonesia, 3rd in ASEAN, and 201-250th in the world according to the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject. As a Phenomenology-based Ethnographer, I delve deeper into expertise on
1. Ethnicity (Digital Identity, Postcoloniality, Heritage, Diaspora, Social Inclusion)
2. Interreligious Studies (Digital/Lived Religion, Buddhist Psychology, Meditation, Indigenous/Folk Religions, New Ages Spirituality)
3. Sociology of Health (Digital Wellbeing, Mental Health, Youth, Family, Education, Transcultural Health Care)
Summary :
English : Fuji is an Assistant Professor of Sociology with expertise in "Sociology of Ethnicity" at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Indonesia. He has a bachelor's degree in Sociology from UGM (2012) and a master's degree in Anthropology and Development Studies from Radboud University Nijmegen in the Netherlands (2015). He is currently pursuing a doctorate in Interreligious Studies at the Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies/ICRS : UGM, Sunan Kalijaga Islamic State University, and Duta Wacana Christian University (2023–present). His doctoral research with a promoter from Psychology UGM discussed the intersectionality between mental health issues in transcultural health sociology with Javanese ethnicity and religion/spirituality in Buddhism. His academic forum residency or fellowship experience includes Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore (2024), ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore (2022), Lee Khong Chian Fellowship, and National Library Board of Singapore (2017). With ethnographic experience outside Indonesia, such as Madagascar, India, the Netherlands, Indochina, and others, he further deepens his expertise in Ethnicity with intersectionality on the issues of Religious Studies and Social Development. In addition to lecturing as of 2018, he has been involved in advocacy activities, applied research, and legal writing for the regional people's representative. His clients have included international organizations such as Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, SGP UNDP, Rutgers, the Asia Foundation, ICLD Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy and others. His social service includes roles as a volunteer counselor and interfaith meditation mentor, alongside his long-standing role in managing the global Javanese Diaspora Network under the patronage of HRH Prince Wironegoro of Kraton Yogyakarta since 2016 and as Director of the Golong Gilig Collective since 2017.
Bahasa Indonesia : Fuji adalah dosen setingkat Lektor dengan keahlian di bidang Sosiologi Etnisitas di Departemen Sosiologi UGM. Ia memiliki gelar sarjana Sosiologi dari UGM (2012) dan master Antropologi dan Studi Pembangunan di Radboud University Nijmegen, Belanda (2015). Saat ini, ia sedang menempuh pendidikan doktor di Studi Antar Agama di Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies/ ICRS : UGM, UIN Sunan Kalijaga dan Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (2023-sekarang). Penelitian doktoralnya dengan promotor dari Psikologi UGM membahas tentang interseksionalitas antara isu kesehatan mental dalam sosiologi kesehatan transkultural dengan etnisitas Jawa dan agama/spiritualitas dalam Buddhisme. Ia memiliki pengalaman residensi forum akademik atau riset pada Asia Research Institute, National University Singapore (2024), ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute Singapore (2022), dan Lee Khong Chian Fellowship, National Library of Singapore (2017). Berbekal pengalaman etnografi di luar Indonesia seperti Madagaskar, India, Belanda, Indochina, dan lainnya, ia makin memperdalam keahliannya di bidang Etnisitas dengan interseksionalitas pada isu Studi Agama dan Pembangunan Sosial. Selain mengajar sejak 2018, ia telah terlibat dalam kegiatan advokasi, konsultansi, penelitian terapan, dan penulisan Raperda untuk dewan perwakilan rakyat daerah. Kliennya mencakup organisasi internasional seperti Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, SGP UNDP, Rutgers, the Asia Foundation, ICLD Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy, dan lainnya. Pelayanannya di bidang sosial mencakup peran sebagai konselor sukarela dan mentor meditasi lintas iman, serta keterlibatannya dalam Diaspora Jawa di bawah patronase KPH Wironegoro Kraton sejak 2016 dan sebagai Direktur Golong Gilig Collective sejak 2017.
Publication Catalogue: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Fuji-Prastowo
Latest Publications (2025-2024): - Puspitasari, D. C., Astuti, Y., & Prastowo, F. R. (2025). Family caregivers of older adults with dementia and economic burden: A systematic review. In Proceedings of the National Conference on Population Studies 2025 (pp. 116–135). Thai Population Association. https://www.thaipopulation.org/Download/2025-Documents/2025-TPA-Proceeding-FInal.pdf
- Prastowo, F. R. (2025, June 4). Colonized by code: Indigenous resistance and the false promise of digital inclusion. Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies. https://www.icrs.or.id/news/colonized-by-code-indigenous-resistance-and-the-false-promise-of-digital-inclusion_1585
- Sutopo, O.R., Nilan, P., Prastowo, F.R. (2025). Young People and Inequality in Indonesia. In: The Palgrave Handbook of Global Social Problems. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68127-2_626-1
- Sopyan, MR & Prastowo, FR. (2024). "Reclaiming Authenticity in Transcultural Narratives: Decolonizing Coffee Through Flavor in Yogyakarta’s Cafe Culture in Indonesia". In Transcultural Media Narratives: Cross-Cultural Communication Insights, edited by Eduardo Camilo and Karima Bouziane, 123-151. Portugal : LabCom Laboratório de Comunicação, Universidade da Beira Interior. https://labcom.ubi.pt/transcultural-media-narratives-cross-cultural-communication-insights/
- Sutopo, O., Fandia, M., Prastowo., F., Astuti, E., Bhagawanta, J., & Aulia., H. (2024). Suara Dari Balik Jeruji: Menggugat Wacana Kaum Muda sebagai Folk Devils Kejahatan Jalanan di Yogyakarta. Satu Spasi. https://satuspasi.com/product/suara-dari-balik-jeruji-menggugat-wacana-kaum-muda-sebagai-folk-devils-kejahatan-jalanan-di-yogyakarta/
- Prastowo, FR & Sopyan, MR. (2024, June). "Towards Inclusive Public Arts: A Visual Sociology on the Photography Exhibition of “Through The Lens of Our Migrant Workers” at Bayfront MRT Singapore Station. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Multidisciplinary Studies (ICoMSi 2023). (Vol. 829. p, 641-651). Springer Nature. https://www.atlantis-press.com/proceedings/icomsi-23/126000674
- Prastowo, FR. (2024, February). "Buddhist Meditation, Ascetic Education, and Emotional Intelligence : An Autoethnography as a Temporary Monk". In Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Language, Literature, Culture, and Education (ICOLLITE 2023). (Vol.832, p.185-192). Springer Nature. https://www.atlantis-press.com/proceedings/icollite-23/125998790
- Prastowo, FR. (2024). “Youth and Religious Disaffiliation: A Study of Indonesian Millennials Learning Buddhism during Spiritual Disruption”. In Understanding the Role of Indonesian Millennials in Shaping the Nation's Future, edited by Ju-Lan Thung and Maria Monica Wihardja, 189-216. Singapore: ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. https://bookshop.iseas.edu.sg/publication/7884#contents
Notable/Selected Publications - Prastowo, F.R. (2019). “Homecoming : An Ethnohistory of Singaporean-Javanese Diaspora in Nurturing Javanese Identity and the Roots Journey”. In Chapters on Asia : Selected Papers from the Lee Long Chian Research Fellowship 2017-2018, edited by National Library Singapore Research Series, 61-93. Singapore : National Library Board of Singapore. https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/book-detail?cmsuuid=26d81021-01bf-4e32-952c-6162e317b493
- Prastowo, F.R et.al. (2017). The Chronicle of Javanese Diaspora in the Netherlands. Yogyakarta : Dinas Kebudayaan DI Yogyakarta. https://catalogue.leidenuniv.nl/discovery/fulldisplay/alma9940054806202711/31UKB_LEU:UBL_V1
- Prastowo, F.R, et.al. (2017). Wong Jawa ing Landa, Orang Jawa di Belanda, the Javanese People in the Netherlands. Yogyakarta : Dinas Kebudayaan DI Yogyakarta. https://libgen.is/book/index.php?md5=E540748D9BBA70FBCDDF5E8BD220A4A1
- Faridl, M., Dharma, LA., Primaswara, A., Prastowo, FR., Arifin, F. (2017). The Visual Story of Javanese in the Netherlands, Cerita Visual Orang Jawa di Belanda, Gambare Urip Wong Jawa ing Landa. Yogyakarta : Dinas Kebudayaan DI Yogyakarta. https://catalogue.leidenuniv.nl/discovery/fulldisplay/alma9940055006602711/31UKB_LEU:UBL_V1
International Research Reports - Widaningrum, A., Wicaksono, A., Prastowo, FR., Syahrina, A., Laksana, L., Nityasari, A., Ardinata, R. (2024). Development of a Participatory Engagement Model of Pentahelix Elements in the Implementation of the National Movement of Mental Revolution. Kementerian Koordinator Pembangunan Manusia dan Kebudayaan Republik Indonesia, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, DMKP UGM. https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/indonesien/21262.pdf
- Mas’udi, W., Rahmawati, A. D., Cahyafitri, R., Maika, A., Rahayu, M., & Prastowo, F. R. (2023). Morality policies and the prospect for inclusive citizenship in decentralized Indonesia: A study of West Java.ICLD Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy Research Report No.27, https://icld.se/en/publications/morality-policies-and-the-prospect-for-inclusive-citizenship-in-decentralized-indonesia-a-study-of-west-java/
- Termeulen, R., Prastowo, F., Page, A., van Reeuwijk, M. (2020) Navigating Complex,Conflicting Norms: Young Indonesians Experiences of Gender and Sexuality. Rutgers International Research Report. https://rutgers.international/resources/navigating-complex-conflicting-norms-young-indonesians-experiences-of-gender-and-sexuality/
- Pinandari, A., Page, A., Oktaviatie, I., Herawati, E., Prastowo, F.., Wilopo, S., van Reeuwijk, M. (2020). Early Adolescents’ Voices in Indonesia: A qualitative exploration of results from the Global Early Adolescent Study. Rutgers International Research Report. https://rutgers.international/resources/early-adolescents-voices-in-indonesia/
- Wilopo, S., Pinandari, A., Setiawan, A., Choiriyyah, I., Nugroho, A., van Reeuwijk, M., Page., A., Jannah, N., Blum, R., Prastowo, F., Asnani. (2019). Gender Norms and Adolescent Development, Health and Wellbeing in Indonesia. Rutgers International Research Report. https://rutgers.international/resources/gender-norms-and-adolescent-development-health-and-wellbeing-in-indonesia/
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ONGOING POSITIONS
- Permanent Faculty, Sociology Department, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). www.sosiologi.fisipol.ugm.ac.id (2018-present)
- Director, Golong Gilig Collective https://golonggilig.org/ (2016-present)
- Co-Founder, Yogyakarta Buddhist Initiatives https://yogyakartabuddhistinitiatives.org/ (2025-present)
- Researcher, at Youth Studies Centre, UGM (2011-present).
- Researcher at Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies, UGM (2023-present).
- Researcher, Social Inclusion Research Group, FISIPOL UGM (2019-present).
- The Curriculum Development Team of the Pelita Leadership Taskforce, Sub-directorate of Student Character Development, UGM (2024-present)
- Indonesian Journals Reviewer Jurnal Studi Pemuda (UGM; Sinta 3); Shahih: Journal of Islamicate Multidisciplinary (UIN Surakarta; Sinta 3) Jurnal Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik (UGM, Scopus Q3); Jurnal Antropologi Indonesia, Universitas Indonesia; Jurnal Humaniora, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jurnal Kawistara, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jurnal Pemikiran Sosiologi, Universitas Gadjah Mada
- International Journals Reviewer : Ethnography and Education (Taylor and Francis, Q2)
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Academic Awards
- Silver Award for Excellence Academic Research and Presenter, Fo Guang Shan, Humanistic Buddhism 3rd International Scholars Conference in the Philipines (April 2025)
- Best Paper at the 12th International Graduate Students and Scholars’ Conference in Indonesia (IGSSC), Graduate School, UGM (Nov 2023).
- The Best Novel Writer at Javanese Novel Writing Competition, Dinas Kebudayaan DIY (Aug 2017).
- Award for undergraduate graduate with the highest GPA, UGM (Nov 2012)
Research/Conference Fellowship
- Graduate Forum at Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore in 2024
- ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute Singapore in 2022
- Lee Khong Chiang Fellowship at National Library Singapore 2017-2018
- Dinas Kebudayaan Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta for writing 5 books on Javanese Diaspora in the Netherlands in 2017
- Oranje Fonds voor Sociale Initiatieven in Den Bosch, the Netherlands (2015)
- Biennale Jogja for Research Residency in Antananarivo-Madagascar and Bangalore-India in 2014
International Undergraduate Student Thesis Supervisor
- ACICIS Yogyakarta Field Study : Fois, M. (2023). A journey towards the spirit world and beyond: Ilmu Kasampurnan in the Kejawen dimension (Bachelor's thesis). The School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. https://alumni.acicis.edu.au/news/1696728
Samanera Temporary Buddhist Monk Trainings
- Theravada Dhammayutika Thailand Forest Tradition under the tutelage of Sangha of Indonesian Buddhist Vihara and Thai Watpa Buddhagaya, Bodhgaya-India, February-March 2024.
- Theravada Myanmar Tradition under the tutelage of Sayadaw Kheminda, Dhammavihari Buddhist Studies, Bogor-Indonesia, December 2022-January 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm3TSk8jKnI
Legal Drafting Consultant at Regional House of Representatives/ DPRD Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (DIY)
Successful Research Grant Initiator
- Proposal Initiator Member; ; Graduate School UGM with CRSC and University of Leeds UK on Buddhism and Environment (2025; Amount : Confidentiality)
- Proposal Initiator Member; UGM Academic Excellence with CRSC, Faculty of Medicine UGM, and University of Leeds UK on Religion and Mental Health (2024; Amount : Confidentiality)
- Proposal Initiator Member; Graduate School UGM with CRSC and University of Leeds UK on Religious Leaders and Mental Health (2024; Amount : Confidentiality)
- Research Manager, Proposal Initiator Member; ICLD Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy (2020-2022; Amount: 999.996 SEK; Publicly Audited)
- Lead Initiator of Proposal; Hibah Riset Fisipol UGM in collaboration with Opole University, Poland and Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands (2019; Amount : 200.000.000 IDR)
- Principal Investigator; the Asia Foundation on Anak Dalam Tribes in West Sumatra and Sawang Tribes in Bangka Belitung (2019; Amount; Confidentiality)
- Proposal Initiator Member; Hibah Riset Fisipol UGM in collaboration with Universidade da Paz, Timor Leste, Nusa Cendana University, Indonesia and National University Singapore (2018; Amount : 200.000.000 IDR)
- Principal Investigator; Dinas Kebudayaan DIY on Javanese Diaspora in the Netherlands (2017-2018; Amount : Confidentiality)
Consultant Portfolios
- The Climate and Land Use Alliance (CLUA), San Fransisco-USA
- Dinas Pemuda dan Olahraga Sleman DIY
- Senandika LARAP Pasuruan team (AFRY-Greencorp), PT Indonesia Power
- PT Permodalan Nasional Madani/BUMN PNM (2022)
- INKLUSI, DFAT Australia
- BPDAS, KLHK/ Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry (2023)
- the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Indonesia (2023)
- Kemenko PM/ Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Indonesia (2023)
- Juri, Duchy Palace of Pakualaman, DIY (2023)
- Dinas Kebudayaan Bantul DIY (2021)
- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation /APEC (2021)
- Rifka Annisa Women's Crisis Centre (2020)
- ICLD Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy (2020-2022)
- International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development (INFID) (2020)
- Ford Foundation (2020).
- Bappeda Gunungkidul dan Sleman DIY (2020).
- IRE DIY (2020)
- the Asia Foundation (2019, 2020)
- SGP UNDP (2019)
- UNESCO on Indochina Projects (2018-2019)
- Rutgers, Karolinska Institute Sweden, John Hopkins University USA (2018-2019)
- Bill & Melinda Gates (2018)
- USAID (2018)
- Dinas Sosial Kab. Bantul DIY (2018)
- National Library Board of Singapore (2017-2018)
- Dinas Kebudayaan DIY (2017)
- Diaspora Jawa, Sultanate Palace of Yogyakarta (2016)
- Oranje Fonds voor Sociale Initiatieven in Den Bosch, the Netherlands (2015)
- Biennale Jogja, with Fieldwork in Madagascar and India (2011-2014)
- Museum Anak Kolong Tangga (2009-2012)
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Languages in Use: English (Professional), Bahasa Indonesia (Native), Javanese (Native), Dutch (Beginner)
- Mastered Research Software:Nvivo, Vosviewer (Mastery), Atlas.ti (Advanced), Python, Matplotlib, NodeXL (Intermediate), ArcGIS, R (Beginner)
- Ethnographic Areas: Indonesia (Especially Timor/NTT-Bali), ASEAN and Timor Leste, Madagascar, India, Suriname, and the Netherlands
- Indochina Expertise: Siem Reap (Cambodia), Ayuthaya and Bangkok (Thailand), Saigon-Nha Trang-Da Nang (Vietnam), and Yangon (Myanmar)
- Indonesian Ethnics Expertise: Javanese (Including Javanese Diaspora in Suriname, Netherlands, Singapore, Malaysia, New Caledonia), Sunda, Betawi, Madura, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara Region (Sasak, Sumbawa, Bima), East Nusa Tenggara Region (Helong, Rote, Manggarai Flores, Atoni pah Meto/Dawan), Sulawesi Region (Kaili Palu, Bugis, Makassar), Sawang "Sea Gypsy" in Belitung Island.
----------------------------------------------------------------------- Accidental Ethnographic Encounter: Reuniting Javanese-Surinamese Families Across the Netherlands, Suriname, and Indonesia—Covered by National Media (2015) NOVELOGRAPHY ON MY JAVANESE NOVEL "KADANG SURINAME SANAK MERAPI" (2017) Several discourse analysis in literary works use my novel as research material. - Christianto, P.A & Setyani, T.I (2022). Cultural Identity Crisis in the Novel Kadang Suriname Sanak Merapi by Fuji Riang Prastowo. International Review of Humanities Studies. Vol 7, No1, January 2022, pp.166-177. https://scholarhub.ui.ac.id/irhs/vol7/iss1/13/
- Ernawati, Y. (2020). Memori Traumatis dalam Novel Jawa Kadang Suriname Sanak Merapi Karya Fuji Riang Prastowo : Kajian Postmemory. Lokabasa : Jurnal Kajian Bahasa, Sastra dan Budaya Daerah serta Pengajarannya. Vol 11. No 1 (2020). https://ejournal.upi.edu/index.php/lokabasa/article/view/25201
- Giarti, N & Ernawati, Y. (2019). Idhentiti Kultural Sajrone Novel Kadang Suriname Sanak Merapi Anggitane Fuji Riang Prastowo : Tintingan Poskolonial Stuart Hall. Jurnal Baradha : Jurnal Pengembangan Bahasa, Sastra dan Budaya Jawa, Vol 6. No 1 (2019). https://ejournal.unesa.ac.id/index.php/baradha/article/view/27423
- Giarti, N. (2019). Idhentiti Kultural Sajrone Novel Kadang Suriname Sanak Merapi Anggitane Fuji Riang Prastowo : Tintingan Poskolonial Stuart Hall. Undergraduate Thesis. Universitas Negeri Surabaya.
- Inusharts 2021. (2021, Sep 13). Cultural Identity Crisis in Novel Kadang Suriname Sanak Merapi by Fuji Riang Prastowo. [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tQFhAEOjow
- Khotimah, Siti (2019) Latar Sosial Budaya Ing Salebeting Novel Kadang Suriname Sanak Merapi anggitanipun Fuji Riang Prastowo. Undergraduate Thesis, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta. http://eprints.uny.ac.id/69252/
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