The Media and Cultural Studies Master’s Program at the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held its routine academic agenda, the Thesis Proposal Writing Colloquium. This event forms part of the Proposal Seminar course and is specifically intended for master’s students from the class of 2025. Held offline on Friday, October 16, 2026, from 08:00 to 13:00 WIB, the event was centered in Unit 3 of the UGM Graduate School Building.
The Master’s Student Colloquium of the Media and Cultural Studies Program serves as an intellectual arena for students to present their draft thesis writing process. These designs are discussed alongside faculty reviewers, facilitators, and peers, enabling students to receive comprehensive feedback and suggestions. The outcomes of the colloquium discussions are expected to help students shape the future direction of their research. To optimize the discussions, the presentation forum was divided into five distinct clusters, with each cluster consisting of six students.
The first cluster was reviewed by Ratna Noviani, S.I.P., M.Si., Ph.D., and guided by facilitator Samuel Rihi Hadi Utomo, M.A. This cluster focused on gender and media research. The second cluster was led by Budiawan, S.S., M.A., Ph.D., as reviewer. Facilitated by Adhani Juniasyaroh Emha, M.A., the research presented in this cluster focused on religion and culture industry issues. The third cluster was conducted under reviewer Dr. Wiwik Sushartami and facilitator Laillia Dhiah Indriani, M.A., with studies largely raising topics around youth culture and the culture industry. The fourth cluster comprised students with research interests in gender and identity, reviewed by Dr. Phil. Ramayda Akmal, S.S., M.A., and facilitated by Rizky Indra Dewangga, M.A. The fifth cluster was led by reviewer Dr. Elok Santi Jesica, S.Pd., M.A., and facilitator Dedi Andriansyah, M.Si., featuring students interested in gender and culture industry research.
Each student was allocated 15 minutes for their presentation, followed by a 15-minute discussion session. The main focus of discussions in the forum centered on the corpus, locus, refinement of research questions, and the methodology to be utilized in the research.
The series of colloquium sessions across all clusters concluded toward noon. The closing session and ISHOMA (Istirahat, Sholat, Makan / Break for Prayer and Lunch) took place from 11:30 to 13:00 WIB, centered at the Unit 2 Building of the Graduate School. While enjoying the lunch provided, students continued to exchange thoughts regarding the research plans presented during the colloquium. Through the feedback discussed during this agenda, students are expected to refine their proposal drafts into comprehensive, in-depth, and impactful thesis research.
Contributor: Rakha Alfirdaus
Editor: Adhani J. Emha