The International Office (IO) of Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) recently hosted an insightful guest lecture featuring Farah Akbar, B.Ed., M.A., Ph.D., a distinguished scholar from the University of Edinburgh, UK. Held on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, at the Arsjad Rasyid Lecture Theater, the event was officially opened by the Head of IO, Andi Masyitha Irwan, Ph.D. (known as Ms. Citha). The lecture drew an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 100 participants, including lecturers, researchers, and students from across the UNHAS academic community.
The core of the session focused on Creative and Participatory Methods, a field Dr. Farah noted may still be unfamiliar to many traditional researchers. She highlighted that art-based research utilizes diverse mediums—such as visual arts (drawing, collage, and video), performance arts (drama and music), and creative writing—not just for aesthetic purposes, but as rigorous tools for data collection and the dissemination of findings.
Dr. Farah further emphasized the importance of the participatory approach, challenging the traditional view of respondents as mere “objects” of study. She advocated for a shift in perspective where research is conducted “with people” rather than “on people.” In this collaborative framework, participants are inseparable from the process, actively helping to define problems, collect and analyze data, and share the final results.
Moderated by Saaduddin, Ph.D. (IO Task Force), the event transitioned into a lively Q&A session. One participant raised concerns regarding the reliability of video data, suggesting it could be easily modified or manipulated. Dr. Farah offered a pragmatic response, advising researchers to “take the data as it is,” emphasizing that the primary responsibility of the researcher is to treat the captured medium as authentic evidence of a specific moment or perspective, regardless of its production style.
The lecture concluded on a high note with the International Office presenting a token of appreciation to the speaker for her brilliant presentation. The event officially wrapped up with a group photo session, capturing the spirit of academic collaboration between UNHAS and the University of Edinburgh.
