Fulbright student’s research on Indonesian
democratization attracts national attention The transference of security services to civilian control in the process of democratization is a focus of research for Sri Yunanto, a Fulbright doctoral student from Indonesia, who recently presented his findings in Washington D.C. at an enrichment seminar hosted by the Institute of International Education.
Yunanto, a native of Bekasi-Jakarta, Indonesia, was one of six Fulbright doctoral students selected from a pool of more than 200 to present their research in February at the three-day seminar for all Fulbright students. He is studying comparative politics in Western Michigan University’s political science doctoral program. The paper was a combination between Yunanto’s previous research and the outcome of the Civil Society course he is taking spring semester with Dr. Sybil Rhodes, WMU assistant professor of political science. The paper addresses how efforts from organized groups in society are needed to pressure the government and the security services to engage in further reform in Indonesia's further progress in democratization.  Sri Yunanto, fourth from left, with fellow
Fulbright students in Washington D.C. Dr. Jim Butterfield, professor of political science and director of graduate studies, said Yunanto has been a “welcome addition” to the political science Ph.D. program, especially because of his advocacy work in Indonesia. “He brings a wealth of experience and has a profound interest in the study of democracy and democratization—an interest he holds in common with many faculty and graduate students in our program,” Butterfield said. “The Civil Society course is helping him address how to approach the research of his institute back in Indonesia on reform of the security services and, in particular, how to bring them under civilian control.”
 Yunanto said his research interest stems from his experiences in Indonesia as the founder of an NGO, the Institute for Defense Security and Peace Studies, and serving as a media commentator and analyst on political and security issues.
Upon receiving notification last year that he had been nominated for a Fulbright, Yunanto began communicating with Butterfield to learn more about WMU’s political science program. He arrived in fall 2007 with a three-year Fulbright commitment and a matching grant from the Haenicke Institute for Global Education.
“The courses offered matched with my academic interests,” Yunanto said. “I believe the foundation and methodology of the program will enrich my previous academic experience and also my work as an NGO activist in Indonesia.”
Yunanto earned his undergraduate degree at Universitas Terbuka and his master’s degree in political science from the University of Indonesia in Jakarta, Indonesia. Post-graduation, Yunanto plans to return to his wife and three children in Indonesia and resume teaching political science at his alma mater. He also plans to expand his NGO and his work as a commentator.
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