Mochammad Arief Wicaksono
Doctoral Researcher
Department of Social Anthropology and Cultural Studies (ISEK)
University of Zurich, Switzerland
Beginnings
I was born and grew up in Malang, East Java, Indonesia. My secondary education was at a boarding school where I was awarded a scholarship from Putera Sampoerna Foundation. From this school, I was inspired by an Indonesian language teacher who introduced me to what anthropology is.
In 2014, I began my undergraduate studies at the Department of Anthropology, Universitas Indonesia. Throughout my studies, I had the privilege of learning from several inspiring lecturers, including the late Prof. Achmad Fedyani Saifuddin, Ph.D., who consistently captured my interest through fascinating ethnographic readings. I even had the opportunity to attend a postgraduate course on “Paradigms of Anthropological Theory” while I was still an undergraduate student.
Since my undergraduate years, I have actively participated in national and international academic conferences to engage with and learn about emerging ideas and debates in anthropology and the social sciences. In 2021, I continued my education by enrolling in the Master’s programme at the Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Universitas Indonesia, graduating in 2023.
I have gained extensive fieldwork experience in Eastern Indonesia, particularly in Flores and Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara. Between 2018 and 2022, I was also part of an interdisciplinary research team investigating gender-based violence in several Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Malaysia, and Singapore. The team was led by Dr. Lidwina Inge Nurtjahyo from the Faculty of Law, Universitas Indonesia.
In 2019, I began working as a Programme Officer at the Institute for Social and Political Research and Development (LPPSP), FISIP Universitas Indonesia. In 2025, I transitioned to the position of Department Secretary at the Department of Anthropology, FISIP Universitas Indonesia. In 2026, I begin a new chapter as a doctoral student in Social Anthropology at the University of Zurich, Switzerland.
Research and academic Journey
After completing my Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology in 2018, I began my professional research career with a project commissioned by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture. The project involved conducting in-depth research on the construction processes of traditional houses in West Sumba. The following year, I undertook a similar research project, this time in Central Flores. These two years of fieldwork in Sumba and Flores deepened my interest in exploring issues related to material culture.
My research interests subsequently expanded beyond traditional houses and vernacular architecture to include traditional textiles. The communities where I conducted my research have rich textile traditions. In 2020, I began focusing my research on traditional weaving in Ende, Flores, and since 2021, I have continued this work in East Sumba. Over time, my research has evolved beyond the material aspects of textiles to encompass their intangible dimensions and social lives, examining how these objects are embedded in social relationships, cultural practices, and everyday life.
After completing my Master’s degree in 2023, I became involved in teaching several undergraduate courses at the Department of Anthropology, FISIP Universitas Indonesia. The courses I have taught include Introduction to Anthropology, Introduction to Qualitative Data Analysis, Intangible Cultural Heritage, Tradition, Modernity and Social Change, Food, Nutrition and Health, Humans and Indonesian Society, and Academic Writing and Presentation.
In February 2026, I began my doctoral studies in Social Anthropology at the University of Zurich, Switzerland. My doctoral research focuses on changing gender relations in the processes of heritage-making and heritagization of East Sumba ikat textiles. The research is supervised by Prof. Dr. Annuska Derks and Prof. Dr. Ayami Nakatani. My doctoral studies are supported by a CanDoc Grant from the University of Zurich (2026–2028) and the Wadsworth International Fellowship from the Wenner-Gren Foundation (2026–2030).
Hobby and Collection
As an anthropologist, I find profound joy and fulfillment in conducting field research, immersing myself within communities far from my own. This process is not just about observation for me; it’s about building genuine connections, becoming friends with the individuals in the communities I study. These relationships enable me to understand their lives and cultures on a much deeper level, providing invaluable insights that enrich my research and academic work. This approach allows me to bridge the gap between being an outsider and becoming a part of the community, albeit temporarily, fostering a mutual exchange of knowledge and respect.
My passion for anthropology extends beyond mere academic interest. I have cultivated a hobby in photography, specifically focusing on cultural landscapes in my research locations. Capturing the essence of these communities through my lens allows me to document and share the beauty and complexity of their cultures with a wider audience.
Additionally, my interest in collecting cultural artifacts, especially traditional textiles (tenunan), enriches both my personal and professional life. Sometimes, these exquisite pieces of art are gifts from the people I meet during my research, a token of friendship and respect. Other times, I acquire them by purchasing directly from the makers, ensuring that they receive fair compensation for their craftsmanship. This collection not only serves as a tangible reminder of the communities I’ve had the privilege to study but also as a testament to the diverse and rich cultural heritage that exists around the world.
