Faculty of Psychology – Sanata Dharma University

July, 28 – 29, 2023

The theme of this conference is instigated by a number of aspirations that have inspired the inaugural of the master program of critical psychology at the Faculty of Psychology, Sanata Dharma University (SDU). These include aspirations for developing and advancing ways of studying and practicing psychology which are more responsive to the socio-historical and political context of the country. Such aspirations have generated our interests in exploring ideological, epistemological, ontological, methodological, pedagogical orientations as well theories and models of praxes which enable psychology, both as a field of study and an area of practice, to have meaningful contributions in fostering the social transformation of Indonesian society.

Encouraged by these aspirations, we are interested in promoting critical approaches to the discipline which we define broadly as ways of enacting psychology that: decenter microscopic or individual-based types of theorizations and interventions, emphasize ecological multilevel perspectives, situate psychology within the historical, political and cultural contexts of its society, address the issues of power, justice and equality, commit to oppressed and disadvantaged groups, and center on actions that promote social transformations.

In the Indonesian academic context, critical psychology as defined above has been rarely examined. On the other hand, the various social, economic, cultural and ecological challenges faced by the country, including the recent global pandemic, has highlighted the limitations of the microscopic and individual-based types of psychology in making its meaningful contributions to the society. In addition, outside the academic contexts, we have experienced and witnessed the significant roles of community-based initiatives and movements led by local activists, grassroots organizations, as well as community, religious and cultural leaders in promoting transformative social changes. Against this background, we expect that our master program can connects those who have similar concerns and aspirations, be a catalyst for the productions of knowledge and practices which are socially transformative, and amplify the voices of those advocating for more just and humane ways of being.

Informed by these considerations, we organize this conference to mark the official inauguration of our master program in critical psychology. This conference seeks to foster dialogues, connections and solidarities among scholars, practitioners, and activists, both from Indonesia and the neighboring regions around the themes of:

Despite having its general features, critical psychology is always a contextually-situated framework shaping by the specific socio-historical and cultural background of the society where it is developed and practiced. Drawing on this understanding, we do not intend to position the conference as a forum for imposing singular and fixed ways of defining critical psychology which are assumed as being universally applicable. Instead, we expect that the conference can bring together colleagues from various settings and regions to exchange ideas and have plurilogues around the notion of critical psychology and its diverse enactments.

         

There are three types of participation fees for this conference: workshop fee, conference fee, and workshop plus conference fee. The registration fee will cover lunch and conference kits during the event. Here is a list of the registration fees for conference participants:

This conference aims to involve those who are interested in the contemporary developments of the discipline of Psychology and its potential in facilitating social transformation. Researchers and students from any discipline, as well as non-academics with an interest in knowledge production, knowledge practices, global solidarity in social change, and the construction of a more just world, are welcome to exchange ideas at this conference. We seek to offer Psychology that is always faithful to its social, historical, and cultural context.

Papers presented at the conference will be published in Jurnal Psikologi Sosial (Nationally Accredited Journal: Grade 2 of SINTA) and Suksma: Jurnal Psikologi Universitas Sanata Dharma (ISSN Journal).