Yogyakarta (20/09/2024) – The Cultural and Media Studies (KBM) program at the School of Graduate Studies, Universitas Gadjah Mada (SPs UGM), organized a specialized workshop aimed at strengthening doctoral students’ understanding of research methods and dissertation proposals. The event took place at Grand Keisha Hotel, focusing on students who have not yet passed their comprehensive exams, particularly those from the 2021, 2022, and 2023 cohorts.
The workshop was initiated in response to the challenges many students face in translating abstract research methodologies into clear operational methods. Although they had completed the mandatory course on “Research Methodology in Cultural and Media Studies,” many students still struggled to formulate their dissertation proposals. To address this issue, SPs UGM invited several experienced researchers to share their knowledge and guide students in applying appropriate research methods.
Two keynote speakers, Prof. Dr. Juliasih and Prof. Dr. Partini, provided valuable insights. Prof. Dr. Juliasih, with her expertise in textual research methods, and Prof. Dr. Partini, an expert in empirical research, guided participants through the complexities of selecting and applying research methodologies that suit their dissertation needs. The discussions offered practical insights, helping students better understand the concrete application of research methodologies.
In addition to the presentations, the event included a dedicated dissertation proposal workshop, where students had the opportunity to present early drafts of their proposals. During this session, two reviewers, Dr. Budiawan and Dr. Ratna Noviani, provided constructive feedback and suggestions to help students strengthen their arguments, methods, and proposal structure.
The success of this workshop helped students refine their dissertation proposals and demonstrated SPs UGM’s commitment to supporting its doctoral students in overcoming academic challenges. It is expected that this initiative will contribute to the production of high-quality research relevant to contemporary issues in cultural and media studies.
This workshop is hoped to serve as an important milestone for doctoral students, helping them approach their dissertation work with greater confidence while enhancing academic excellence at SPs UGM.
Writer: Arfikah Istari