Crossing Cultures, Sharing Knowledge @ FISCO 2026

Abstract

Academic collaboration between Malaysian and Indonesian universities continues to play a vital role in strengthening regional partnerships through the exchange of knowledge, research, and expertise among lecturers, researchers, and students for the mutual benefit of both nations. As part of this commitment to international academic engagement, an invitation was extended to contribute as an international speaker at the FISIPOL International Short Course (FISCO) 2026, organised by the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL), Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, from 6–19 June 2026. Held under the theme "Digital Transformation in Indonesia's Civil Society: Challenges and Opportunities," the programme provided a platform for scholarly dialogue, interdisciplinary collaboration, and international networking. The lecture, "Researching Digital Methods for Studying Online Societies," explored how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming digital research methodologies, enabling more effective analysis of online social engagement and digital learning environments. It also highlighted the role of digital platforms in supporting collaborative learning and educational innovation. The session concluded by emphasising four essential competencies for digital research: data collection, interaction analysis, data visualisation, and the ethical and responsible use of AI, underscoring the importance of digital literacy and cross-border academic collaboration.