Tamara Magaw
Tell us about yourself!
I am a scholar, social justice advocate, traveller, enjoy learning about other cultures and having outdoor adventures. Currently I am undertaking a PhD at University of Sydney on community-led approaches to refugee protection in Southeast Asia and the social inclusion of gender and sexual minorities. I also work at the University of Technology Sydney’s Institute for Sustainable Futures as a Senior Research Consultant working on applied research for development effectiveness, gender and social inclusion, and climate change resilience.
Where does your interest in Indonesia stem from?
My interest began with personal friendships with Indonesians, a fascination with the diversity of people, subcultures and beautiful nature of the archipelago. Since then, much of my career in International Development practice, education, research and evaluation has been centred on Indonesia. It has been a constant source of challenge and personal reward.
What is the nature of your engagement with Indonesia – are you an academic, a professional, an alumni?
I contribute my strengths in qualitative, participatory and co-designed action research to partnerships with Indonesian organisations. I have worked with WRI Indonesia, BRIN, KIAT, KONEKSI, Universitas Indonesia, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yayasan Plan International Indonesia, Kesatuan Nelayan Tradisional Indonesia, Nuffic NESO and the Australian Volunteers for International Development program. I have worked on bilateral capacity bridging initiatives at the national level with City of Jakarta (Balai Kota DKI Jakarta), Executive Office of the Indonesian President (KSP) and Ministry of Education, as well as at local government level in Eastern Indonesia.
Have you ever been to an Indonesia Council Open Conference and if so, what is your fondest memory?
I have participated in the ICOC and I would say my favourite aspect is the diversity of topics that I got exposed to during the conference.
How do you think organisations like Indonesia Council can improve Australia-Indonesia relations?
Organisations like Indonesia Council can enable research and learning to build mutual understanding and institutional partnerships, which are based on connections between passionate individuals. As the postgraduate representative, I would like to support members in liasing with the Indonesia Council about their concerns related to postgraduate study and career development.
What are some of the challenges and opportunities in the Indonesia-Australia relationship?
There are many challenges and uncertainties impacting humanities in the higher education sector in both Australia and Indonesia, especially when working on social justice issues we have many commonalities. I believe it will be better to face these challenges together.
Tell us about your favourite Indonesian food experience
My favourite experience is going to the pasar traditional to shop and then learning to cook some Indonesian dishes at a class run by ViaVia Jogja.
Do you speak Indonesian and where did you start learning it?
I began studying Indonesian in middle school and then continued in senior high school through an open access program in South Australia. I studied a diploma of Indonesian language at Flinders University, and participated in an ACICIS exchange in Yogyakarta. I then developed my language skills further on-the-job working with Indonesian colleagues and conducting research. Most recently I took at University of Sydney course in Indonesian language.
What’s your favourite Indonesian food and why?
My favourite Indonesian food is tempeh goreng with sambal – it is so simple, tasty and nutritious for a vegetarian like me.
What’s your favourite Indonesian music/song/writer?
My favourite Indonesian band is Filastine & Nova, activist-artists who produce world electronic music blended with Javanese lyrics and gamelan melodies. I saw them perform at RRRECFest in Java and on their sailing boat on Darling Harbour, Arka Kinari, on a voyage to promote resilience to climate change and environmental awareness.
What’s your favourite Indonesian idiom?
My favourite idiom is “cuci mata”, meaning to enjoy or get refreshment from a nice view (literally washing one’s eyes). I’ve been lucky to see farms, mountains, volcanoes, rainforests and beaches in different regions of Indonesia during work trips and holidays.
[Last month’s PAY IT FORWARD question]:
What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever seen online from Indonesia? (feel free to include a link if you have one)
Tamara told us she didn’t spend enough time on the fun part of the internet (how refreshing!) to answer this one – so we will carry it forward to next month 😊