UNU Jogja PGSD Lecturer Risda Nur Widia Earns Doctoral Degree with Research on Power Relations in Martin Aleida's Short Stories

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – Dr. Risda Nur Widia, a lecturer in the Elementary School Teacher Education (PGSD) Study Program at the Faculty of Education (FIP), Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja), has officially earned her doctoral degree after completing the Doctoral Program in Indonesian Language Education at the Faculty of Language, Arts, and Culture, Yogyakarta State University (UNY). Her dissertation is titled "Power Relations in Indonesian Literary Works (1966–2025)."

This achievement reflects UNU Jogja lecturers' commitment to enhancing academic excellence while strengthening scholarly contributions to the development of higher education in Indonesia. The doctoral degree is expected to enrich the quality of teaching, research, and community engagement within the PGSD Study Program.

In her dissertation, Risda Nur Widia examined the representation of power relations in the short stories of renowned Indonesian author Martin Aleida using the New Historicism approach. The study explored not only the forms of power relations during the New Order era but also the position of literary works within the broader discourse of Indonesian history.

The research employed a qualitative method with a dialectical approach. The study analyzed several of Martin Aleida's short story collections, including Mati Baik-Baik, Kawan, Tanah Air yang Hilang, Kata-Kata Membasuh Luka, Leontin Dewangga, and Ritus Panjang untuk Simon.

The findings revealed that power relations in Martin Aleida's short stories are represented through three primary forms: disciplining of the body, ideological discipline, and symbolic discipline. The research also identified literary discourse positioning these works as critiques of dominant historical narratives, counter-discourse literature, and spaces for the voices of historical victims in Indonesia.

These findings demonstrate that literary works serve not only aesthetic purposes but also function as a medium for social and historical reflection. Through this perspective, the dissertation contributes to the advancement of Indonesian literary studies, particularly in understanding the relationship between literature, power, and history.

The Dean of the Faculty of Education (FIP) at UNU Jogja, Dr. Mustaghfiroh Rahayu, expressed her appreciation for Dr. Risda Nur Widia's academic achievement. She stated that the accomplishment reflects the commitment of FIP lecturers to continuously improving their academic competence while strengthening the faculty's research culture.

"We extend our congratulations to Dr. Risda Nur Widia on earning her doctoral degree. We hope the knowledge and experience she gained during her doctoral studies will enhance the quality of teaching, inspire innovative research, and make meaningful contributions to the advancement of education, particularly within the PGSD Study Program at UNU Jogja," said Mustaghfiroh on Monday, July 27.

The addition of another doctoral-qualified lecturer further strengthens UNU Jogja's commitment as a university in Yogyakarta to improving the quality of higher education, expanding research collaborations, and producing graduates who are competitive, highly competent, and well-prepared to contribute at both the national and global levels. [Latifah]