Blog

The thoughts and opinions presented on this blog do not represent any institutions or other organization with which I am affiliated. They are mine and mine alone, and should not be copied or reprinted (beyond fair use) without my written permission. My hope is that these entries will help to further discussion about Southeast Asia, Islamic History, academia in a time of technological change, and other subjects worthy of attention.

Woolgar on Ethnic Politics in West Java

Woolgar on Ethnic Politics in West Java

One of the great joys of teaching is when one's students begin to produce awesome work and expand the field in new ways. I worked...
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Indonesian Studies

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Indonesian Studies

At last week's fantastic AIFIS-MSU Conference on Indonesian Studies, I was delighted to join and moderate a panel on "Diversi...
Article on the “Reconciliation” within NW

Article on the “Reconciliation” within NW

Supporters of NW-Anjani protest at the provincial office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights on September 18, 2019 In the ...
Frank Porter Graham in Indonesia

Frank Porter Graham in Indonesia

I recently created a small digital exhibit on the role of UNC President Dr. Frank Porter Graham on the UN Committee of Good Offic...
Old Post: Revisionist NU History

Old Post: Revisionist NU History

This post was originally from May 22, 2018. In today’s Jakarta Post, K.H. Yahya Cholil Staquf (a leader in Indonesia...

Old Post: New Article on Charisma in Alkhairaat

This post was originally from May 25, 2018. This week, my article about " Reinforcing Charisma in the Bureaucratisation of Ind...

Old Post: Will, or Can, UMNO Follow Golkar’s Road Back into Government?

This post was originally from May 28, 2018. As everyone has now seen, Malaysia made history this month by breaking the hold of...

Old Post: Academic Freedom under Threat in Indonesia

This post was originally from June 10, 2018. Two news items from the last week have me seriously concerned about academic free...

Old Post: A Landmark for Indonesian Women in Politics

This post was originally from June 28, 2018. In yesterday's Indonesian regional elections, there was a major landmark for Indo...

Old Post: Islamic Organizations outside Java … and the Vice-Presidency!

This post was originally from August 6, 2018. Many readers will know about my sabbatical research a year ago, looking into&nbs...