Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), organized a Visiting Scholar Series from 23–26 June 2026, featuring Firman Witoelar Kartaadipoetra, Ph.D., Associate Professor at the Australian National University (ANU) and Lead Editor of the Bulletin of Indonesian Economic Studies (BIES). The series was held at the Project Based Learning (PBL) Laboratory of FEB UNS and attended by faculty members and students.

Vice Dean for Academic and Research Affairs, Prof. Tri Mulyaningsih, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D., noted that Firman Witoelar was already familiar with UNS, having previously participated in a collaborative project with the university approximately a decade ago. His return as a visiting scholar reflects FEB UNS’s commitment to strengthening international academic engagement.

“Starting this year, we have initiated both the Visiting Professor and Visiting Scholar programs. We do not want to limit ourselves to learning only from our own environment. We believe there is a wealth of knowledge beyond our institution, and we are grateful to colleagues who are willing to share their expertise with us,” she said.

The series began on Tuesday (23/6) with Econometrics Workshop I: Contemporary Empirical Methods & Frontiers in Economics Publishing. The workshop introduced participants to advanced empirical research methods, including Propensity Score Matching (PSM), Synthetic Control, Difference-in-Differences (DiD), Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD), and Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). The session was attended by FEB UNS faculty members and students from the Doctoral Program in Economics.

On Wednesday (24/6), FEB UNS hosted an International Research Seminar titled Nature Heals: Interdisciplinary Insights on Environment, Mental Health, and Cognitive Functions. The seminar, attended by faculty members from the Development Economics Study Program, explored the relationships among environmental conditions, mental health, and cognitive function through an interdisciplinary perspective.

The program continued on Thursday (25/6) with Econometrics Workshop: Navigating Imperfect Data and Dynamic Population in Empirical Research. The workshop addressed challenges commonly encountered in empirical research, including data limitations and population dynamics in policy analysis and evaluation.

The Visiting Scholar Series concluded on Friday (26/6) with an Advanced Publication Workshop attended by early-career faculty members as well as master’s and doctoral students at FEB UNS. The workshop featured two sessions: Strategic Research Framing: Aligning Domestic Issues for Top Tier Journal and Strategic Writing and Publishing for BIES (Bulletin of Indonesian Economic Studies).

On the final day, Prof. Tri explained that the workshop theme was selected because academic writing and international publication remain significant challenges for many researchers, including doctoral students and faculty members. “Many research projects actually have strong novelty and publication potential. However, when the manuscript does not yet meet academic writing standards, it may be rejected by journal editors at the initial stage,” she explained.

She added that researchers often face challenges in identifying the contribution of their studies, reframing research questions, and presenting their findings in ways that meet the expectations of leading international journals.

Prof. Tri also highlighted the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in academic writing, noting that its application has become an important consideration among international journal editors. She emphasized the importance of understanding both the opportunities and limitations of AI in the preparation of scholarly manuscripts.

In addition, she encouraged researchers to position Indonesia’s local issues within broader academic discussions so that their work can contribute more meaningfully to the advancement of knowledge.

“Sometimes we conduct research on Indonesia, even on very specific local contexts. The challenge is presenting those studies in a way that enables editors and reviewers to recognize their broader contribution to knowledge,” she remarked.

Through the Visiting Scholar Series, FEB UNS provided a platform for faculty members and students to exchange knowledge and experiences with an international scholar while strengthening their understanding of advanced research methods, research development, and publication strategies for internationally reputable journals.

The program also supported the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through the enhancement of academic capacity and research competencies, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by strengthening international collaboration in higher education.