Irene Sondang Fitrinitia, Ph.D., Lecturer in the Urban Development Studies Study Program, School of Strategic and Global Studies (SKSG) Universitas Indonesia (UI), became the First Place Winner for the category of The Japanese Award for Outstanding Research on Development in the Global Developments Awards 2024. This award was given by the Global Development Network at the Global Development Conference 2024 which took place at the University of the South Pacific, Fiji, on November 26-28, 2024. The conference with the theme “Sustainable Climate Action for Human-Centered Development” was attended by more than 200 participants from 100 countries.
At the award, the Outstanding Research on Development category award was given to researchers who excel in the field of policy research related to development issues in low- and middle-income countries. Selected researchers receive international recognition, financial rewards, and the opportunity to present their research to global policymakers and development.
Irene received this award for her research proposal titled “A Longitudinal Study of Climate-Related Effects on Livelihoods and Spatial Movement: Assessing Poor Household Resilience for Integrated Policy Solutions.” She discussed the impact of climate change on livelihoods and spatial mobility of low-income households. This study aims to understand household resilience to long-term climate impacts, through observations of economic, social, and spatial changes.
The proposal assessment system is based on several aspects, namely originality, scientific contribution, and potential impact on development policy. Irene’s research is considered superior in structured planning and approach methodology, namely, the participatory longitudinal approach which has the advantage of bottom-up data with high validity, unique data, can follow trends, and is flexible. However, in the development of future research, there are potential obstacles in the form of differences in priorities between domestic stakeholders, capacity, and the working methods of cooperation partners.
“This challenge requires me to remain flexible and responsive to changing conditions. Solid cooperation must be built by various parties to achieve holistic and implementable research goals. In addition, the support of academic institutions, such as SKSG UI, also plays a significant role because it provides a platform to develop globally relevant methodologies, as well as supporting cross-sector and cross-disciplinary collaboration,” said Irene.
The study conducted by Irene is relevant to global challenges that require solutions based on scientific evidence and responsive policies. This innovation is in line with UI’s steps in developing research that focuses on adaptive social protection (Adaptive Social Protection) to integrate social welfare, disaster risk management, and climate policy in creating social resilience that is responsive to climate risk.
In addition, Irene’s achievement in the 2024 Global Developments Awards also emphasizes SKSG UI’s position as a center for developing cross-disciplinary science that is relevant to global issues. This international recognition will strengthen UI’s reputation in accommodating competitive interdisciplinary research institutions at the global level, producing globally competitive researchers and graduates, and excelling in international research partnerships and collaborations.
“The integrative cross-sector approach that is developing at SKSG UI is expected to strengthen UI’s position as an institution that plays a role in forming global policies. “Through solution-oriented research, SKSG UI can continue to be a source of innovation that opens up international opportunities, as well as strengthening global collaboration for a just and sustainable future,” said Irene.
