“During the preparation and execution of my fellowship, I have had very supportive relations with AIFIS, my host institution, and supervisor Prof Webb Keane. During the AIFIS fellowship, I had the opportunity and sufficient time to engage in theoretical reflection, finalize my dissertation and submit it for the doctoral defense, and start my book project with the help of AIFIS fellowship. Key milestones in this effort included: formulating the main arguments of the book, identifying key books to engage with in developing the arguments, defining the academic field of the book, and selecting the targeted book series and publisher. This will be my long-term project, not only a one-year project.” - Muzayyin Nazaruddin
Meet Muzayin Nazaruddin, an AIFIS-Luce research fellows who traveled to the US September-October 2024 to advance research on the topic of, “Living with Risk: Exploring Local Narratives on Hazard and Disaster,” which is also the title of his book project. His visit led him to the Dept of Anthropology, University of Michigan to explore the collections and collaborate with his supervisor, Prof. Webb Keane. He also participated in academic discussions and gained insights from the host institution's resources and scholarly community.
The fellowship provided the time and opportunity for theoretical reflection and intensive writing. He worked on a proposal for Living with risk. The book itself examines the interplay between indigenous and modern scientific knowledge in disaster mitigation, particularly in the context of Mount Merapi, Indonesia. It also highlights the historical, cultural, and practical dynamics of Javanese disaster management practices and their hybridization with modern volcanology. In the realm of practical disaster policy, his book aligns with global strategies for disaster risk reduction which emphasize the integration of traditional and indigenous perspective alongside the scientific knowledge in disaster risk assessment. Regular consultations with Prof. Webb Keane helped refine his ideas and approach.
The fellowship was instrumental in helping with the completion of his dissertation, initiating his book project, and building academic collaborations.
Congratulations Muzayin, on a successful research trip to the US! AIFIS is honored to support the scholarly advancement of Indonesian scholars like Muzayin, and in turn to advance interdisciplinary scholarship about Indonesia by Indonesian scholars in the United States.