Create Change: Dr Dyah Pitaloka

The women ambassador

A Fulbright scholar, Dr Dyah Pitaloka is a Senior Lecturer in Communications and Media Studies at the School of Arts and Social Sciences (SASS), Monash University Malaysia.

Dr Dyah’s research spans the multifaceted dynamics of emerging technology, focusing on health and well-being, social inequalities, inclusion/exclusion, and justice across Southeast Asia.

Her research on digital resilience and community disconnection during the Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia and Vietnam, has been widely published, advancing our understanding of the social, cultural, and policy dynamics of emerging technology as well as the challenges and opportunities faced by the “disability community” in the digital era.

Motivated by women's absence and silence, Dr Dyah devoted her time and efforts to gaining a profound comprehension of their obstacles and hardships. She is a beacon of hope for women globally, advocating for their rights and serving as a role model through her unwavering commitment to understanding their struggles.

Creating a change through art

Beyond academia, Dr Dyah explores arts-based methods for health and social justice. Drawing on her experience as a traditional Balinese dancer, she incorporates dance into her research to explore issues related to gender, power, and identity. She has also been working closely with a group of women survivors’ choir to explore how music and songs help in the healing and recovery process.

Aiming to create a safe and inclusive Metaverse, Dr Dyah and her interdisciplinary team collaborates with diverse stakeholders to ensure women and others can access and navigate digital spaces without fear of harassment, discrimination, or mistreatment.

She strongly believes with concerted effort, we can create safer online spaces for everyone.

Explore Dyah's groundbreaking research contributions