La Ode Machdani Afala

Profile

Prior to joining Leeds, I completed my BA in Government Studies from Hasanuddin University, followed by my MA in Politics and Government from Gadjah Mada University. In October 2024, I began my PhD at the School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS), University of Leeds, funded by the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP). Since 2016, I have been a full-time lecturer in the Department of Government, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, at Brawijaya University.

Research interests

My primary research interest is local democracy. I have been actively involved in research projects exploring the politics of indigenous peoples, identity politics, social movements, elite studies, and village governance and democracy. For my PhD, I conduct a systematic analysis of the new politics of indigenous peoples in their struggle for land rights within Indonesia's democratic framework. This research aims to uncover the nature and the complexities of land-based indigenous politics in contemporary Indonesia. By examining local-level case studies, my study seeks to shed light on the impact of 25 years of decentralisation in post-reform Indonesia, offering insights into the broader implications for governance, policy, and indigenous autonomy.

Qualifications

• MA Politics and Government (University of Gadjah Mada)
• BA Government Studies (University of Hasanuddin)