Deakin University PhD candidate, Annisa Laura Maretha, investigates the role of social media in changing perceptions of Muslim Indonesian women.
With an estimated 7.21 million smartphones in the world as of 2024, it’s never been easier to share our identities, lives, beliefs, and cultures with a wider audience. The digital world has rapidly become a primary space for self-expression, while also opening our eyes to a diversity of people and ideas like never before.
Social media platforms have provided Indonesian Muslim women, particularly ‘influencers’, the opportunity to communicate their identities and, in doing so, reshape perceptions of Islam, femininity, and the modern-day roles of women.
For Annisa Laura Maretha, a Deakin University PhD candidate, this dynamic shift represents new opportunities to explore the diversity of Indonesian women and to break down the often assumed ‘conservative vs progressive’ stereotype.
Why study at Deakin?
Annisa’s interest in her subject grew from both personal experience and academic curiosity. Growing up in Indonesia, where Islam is practiced by over 85% of the population, she was no stranger to diverse interpretations of Islamic teachings. However, it was during the pandemic, as digital platforms like Instagram gained more prominence, that she noticed how influencers were creating a new and diverse representation of Muslim Indonesian women.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in English education in Indonesia and a master’s degree in discourse analysis from Mae Fah Luang University in Thailand, Annisa moved to Australia to pursue her PhD at Deakin University.
'I did a lot of correspondence with one of the supervisors who is now working with me. We corresponded for about six months, discussing theory and ideas. That was really the start of my thesis,' she explains.
'My supervisors, Dr Alistair Welsh and Dr Yanyin Lu, have been incredibly supportive. They encourage me to think critically and push me to explore new research methods.'
It’s been a collaborative experience, where their (supervisors) guidance has allowed me to refine my ideas and broaden my research scope.
Annisa Laura Maretha
PhD candidate, Deakin University
Social media and identity
By studying influencers’ posts, Annisa analyses the language, images and messages they share. Her research involves gathering qualitative data from surveys and interviews with the audiences of these influencers to understand how their content is perceived.
'I wanted to know how these women are reshaping perceptions. Through my surveys, I’ve found that social media is providing space for more moderate representations of Muslim Indonesian women, challenging conservative stereotypes.'
'Social media platforms have allowed women to represent themselves in ways that mainstream media has often overlooked or misrepresented, democratising the way they can represent themselves.'
Why is social sciences research important?
For Annisa, social sciences research is crucial because it provides us with a deeper understanding of how societies function, how people interact, and how historical, cultural, and structural factors influence our world.
'It offers valuable insights that can challenge stereotypes, inform policies, and promote social change. This type of research allows us to question long-held beliefs and engage with complex social issues, fostering critical thinking and helping to shape more equitable, inclusive societies,'
By studying how individuals and communities navigate their identities and societal expectations, social sciences research enables us to build a more nuanced understanding of human behaviour and social dynamics.
Annisa Laura Maretha
PhD candidate, Deakin University
Research goals and aspirations
By exploring these dynamics, Annisa 'hopes to contribute to more inclusive discussions on gender, identity, and social change, both in academic circles and within the broader community.'
'Through my work, I hope to inspire critical engagement with these issues, not only in academic contexts but also in everyday life, encouraging a more open-minded and just society.'
'I would love to continue my research and eventually publish my findings in academic journals,' Annisa shares. 'I’m also passionate about teaching. I really want to be challenged, if possible, to teach about the social sciences.'
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