Semarang — The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at Universitas Diponegoro (Undip) successfully held an International Visiting Lecturer program under the theme “Media, Power, and Women’s Resilience in the Digital Age.” The event brought together international scholars and local academics in a vibrant exchange of ideas and perspectives.

The session featured Lailatul Fitriyah, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Interreligious Education at the Claremont School of Theology, United States, alongside Dr. Phil. Nuriyatul Lailiyah, M.I.Kom., lecturer at the Department of Communication Science, FISIP Undip.

The event was officially opened by the Dean of FISIP Undip, Dr. Drs. Teguh Yuwono, M.Pol.Admin., who expressed deep appreciation for the guest speakers’ contributions.

“Media and power play a pivotal role in shaping today’s society. By bringing together speakers from different countries, we learn that women’s experiences across the globe are interconnected and provide valuable inspiration for us all,” he remarked.

The head of the Department of Communication Science, Dr. Agus Naryoso, M.Si., emphasized that the program was not merely a discussion forum but also a catalyst for future collaborations.

“We hope this event will pave the way for research partnerships, joint publications, and international knowledge exchange,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Dr. Nurul Hasfi, M.A., Head of the Media Sociology Academic Expertise Cluster, highlighted the ongoing structural and cultural challenges faced by women journalists. She also praised the book “Sekolahlah Tinggi-Tinggi” (Pursue Higher Education), co-authored by the two speakers, describing it as both a symbol of resistance and a concrete contribution to media literacy and women’s advocacy in Indonesia.

In her keynote, Lailatul Fitriyah, Ph.D., discussed the role of media as a critical space for women-led and faith-based social movements. She underscored how media serves as an arena for negotiating identity, challenging patriarchal systems, and articulating cultural resistance. She highlighted the #MosqueMeToo movement as a powerful example of how digital platforms open global conversations on sexual harassment in places of worship.

As the second speaker, Dr. Phil. Nuriyatul Lailiyah, M.I.Kom., explored the concept of digital resilience for women. She explained the paradox of the internet: while it can create fatigue and vulnerability, it also fosters solidarity and advocacy. She stressed the crucial role of women as agents of social change who, through digital media, can strengthen networks of solidarity and introduce alternative discourses.

This event reaffirmed FISIP Undip’s commitment to advancing internationalization, strengthening global academic networks, and enriching the field of digital media studies on an international scale. (Muhammad Rif’at Al-Razi).***