Student Spotlight: Khaila Meisya Turns Curiosity into Published Research
Jakarta, UIN News Online — For Khaila Meisya Permana, an undergraduate student in the International Relations Program at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, curiosity has become the foundation of academic achievement.
While balancing coursework and campus life, the 2023 cohort student successfully published her research article in the Journal of International Relations, Universitas Airlangga, a nationally accredited journal indexed in SINTA 2—an accomplishment rarely achieved by undergraduate students.
Her article, "Analysis of the Emergence of the Black Lives Matter Social Movement in the United States: Critical Theory Analysis," examines the rise of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement through the lens of critical theory.
Drawing on political and social analysis, Khaila argues that BLM should be understood not merely as a response to incidents of racial violence but as a broader movement challenging structural inequality and entrenched systems of power. Her research explores how state and non-state actors, power relations, and social structures have shaped the movement's development within the United States and beyond.
The publication was the result of an extensive research process involving literature reviews, theoretical analysis, and multiple rounds of revision under the supervision of Dr. Badrus Sholeh, M.A., a lecturer in the International Relations Program at UIN Jakarta.
Reflecting on the achievement, Khaila described academic writing as a transformative learning experience.
"Writing a research article challenged me to think more critically, organize my ideas systematically, and take responsibility for every argument I presented. I hope my experience encourages other students to pursue research and share their work through academic publications," she said.
Robi Sugara, M.Sc., Head of the International Relations Program, praised Khaila's accomplishment, noting that publication in a nationally accredited journal demonstrates the research potential of undergraduate students.
He also explained that scholarly publication has become an alternative pathway for completing undergraduate thesis requirements within the program, encouraging students not only to graduate but also to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of knowledge through academic research.
Khaila's achievement reflects UIN Jakarta's commitment to cultivating a strong research culture from the undergraduate level. Her success demonstrates that, with curiosity, perseverance, and academic guidance, undergraduate students can make meaningful contributions to scholarly discourse while developing the critical thinking and research skills essential for their future careers.