On Monday (25/3), the Forum for Dissemination of Research Results of the Media and Cultural Studies (MCS) Program in 2022 and 2023 was held. The event took place at Padiku Eatery and Coffee. Ratna Noviani, S.I.P., M.Si., Ph.D. (a lecturer in MCS), Rinta Arina Manasikana, M.A. (an alumnus of MCS), and Debora Dayu Ajeng Anggrahita, S.I.Kom (a master’s student in MCS) were the first to present their research findings titled “Digital Intimacy as the New Normal: Articulation of Intimacy and Construction of Social Capital by Online Dating App Users”. In their study, it was found that users of online dating apps not only use the apps to look for partners but also to accumulate social capital through establishing relationships and building new friendships.
The presentation continued with a report by Siti Aisyah Yasmin, M.A. (an alumnus of MCS), who conducted research with Dr. Dian Arymami (a lecturer in MCS) and Inas Widyanuratikah, M.A. (an alumnus of MCS). Their research titled “Hampers Action: The Meaning and Practice of Social Bonds in the Digital Era” found that the majority of those exchanging hampers, typically done by people in big cities, were women, accounting for 73% of total respondents. With the increasing role of social media today, all aspects of life are shared on social media, including moments when receiving hampers. The practice of sharing these moments on social media accounts, especially Instagram, has started to shift into an obligation to maintain relationships and good connections.
The forum continued with a question and answer session that was enthusiastically received by the participants, who asked many interesting questions about both studies. The event was then concluded with an iftar together.
