Career Summary

Ika Krismantari is a highly qualified communications expert with over 18 years of experience in her field. In 2012, she received a scholarship from the Australian government for her outstanding contributions at The Jakarta Post, allowing her to complete her Masters degree in Journalism and International Relations at Monash University in 2014.

Throughout her studies, Ika discovered a passion for research. She excelled in her thesis – which compared business models between Indonesian and Australian alternative media – and won the award for Best Journalism Masters Thesis in 2014.

Currently, Ika holds the position of Chief Editor and Content Director at The Conversation Indonesia, where she helps researchers and academics share their work with a wider audience. She has received international recognition through fellowships with Reuters, Radio Netherlands Training Centre and GIZ, and these opportunities have allowed Ika to gain invaluable experiences and expand her expertise in the field of communications.

Career Pathway

Present – Chief Editor and Content Director, The Conversation Indonesia
2020 – Head of Editorial
2019 – Deputy Executive Director
2018 – Deputy Politics and Society Editor
2017 – Part-time Lecturer, Universitas Multimedia Nusantara
2017 – Senior Officer, The ASEAN Secretariat
2016 – Deputy Editor and Multimedia Producer, The Jakarta Post
2009 – Features Reporter
2005 – Business Reporter
2014 – Part-time Reporter, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
2013 – Master of Journalism & Master of International Relations, Monash University
2004 – Reporter, Gramedia Majalah

What made you decide to study a Master of Journalism and International Relations at Monash University?

I decided to pursue a Master of Journalism because I had been working in that sector for the past six years already, and I thought it’d be a great way to learn even more in my profession. When I first started researching universities to apply to, I saw that Monash offered an exciting double-degree program with several different options, but it was the Journalism and International Relations double degree that most appealed to me and allowed me to study and learn about a broad range of subjects.

In 2012, I received a scholarship from the Australian Government. I was pregnant at the time, so I deferred for a year, and by the time I got to Australia, I had a little baby. I knew that pursuing a degree with a longer duration would be more suitable for my little family. The Masters programs in Australia at that time were mostly 1.5 years long, but Monash also offered a two-year double degree program. I thought it was the best option for my family to have the opportunity to stay longer in Australia and make enough adjustments before moving back to Indonesia.

Monash seemed to be the perfect option because I only wanted to study at one of the best universities, and that’s when I discovered the Group of Eight – a collection of Australia’s leading universities. When I saw that Monash is one of them, it became a no-brainer.

What are some opportunities or experiences you had while studying at Monash?

Studying at Monash was a very enlightening experience. In my first year, I predominantly stuck to coursework, but in my second year, I decided to switch to research to really challenge myself. That’s when I began researching the media in Australia and Indonesia and comparing their business models. Taking on this a research project piqued my interest in ways I never could have imagined. I knew that conducting research would be taxing, especially whilst caring for a baby, but I was lucky to have a wonderful supervisor who was very understanding of my situation and very supportive, which helped me to do well.

I also had the opportunity to intern at the ABC. This was an enriching experience, and I learned so much working with staff from so many different countries. It was amazing to learn about how they work and coordinate here in Australia.

I think there are so many opportunities as part of the internship program at Monash that allow you to focus on something you’re genuinely interested in. All the infrastructure is there, and the support is readily available for whatever avenue you wish to take. All you have to do is choose what’s right for you.

How do you apply the skills you’ve learned through your Master’s degree to your current role?

During my year of research, I was comparing the business models of various media organisations in Australia, including The Conversation, Crikey, and New Matilda. I chose these organisations because they are successful alternative, non-mainstream, independent media. After researching their business models, I began to see if I could implement these into Indonesian alternative non-mainstream media.

Some time later, I saw an opening for a Deputy Editor position at The Conversation Indonesia. I applied and got the position, finding that my research and experience helped me greatly, especially given that one of my key findings was uncovering the strategy the Indonesian media could use to adopt the Australian media business model. It felt like it was meant to be. Some of my friends even say it was almost like fate.

Now, as Chief Editor and Content Director at The Conversation, I have the opportunity to implement all the strategies that I uncovered throughout my research. This has made studying my Masters extremely helpful for the advancement of my career.

What do you find most rewarding about being the Chief Editor and Content Director of The Conversation in Indonesia?

I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to engage with many researchers in my role and help them communicate their research to a wider audience. Most of them simply publish their work in little-known journals, but at The Conversation, we allow these researchers to engage with the wider public and substantially increase the impact of their work. Not only that, but we also connect them with important stakeholders and policymakers in relevant industries as well. That’s the most rewarding thing about my role here at The Conversation.

How has completing the Master of Journalism and International Relations elevated your career?

While at Monash, I had the opportunity to study the theoretical perspective of the media industry. This information enriched my knowledge of the media industry, both globally and in Indonesia, and gave me the essential and robust tools I needed to help improve the media industry in Indonesia. While practical experience is one thing, getting this theoretical understanding of how to map out challenges and design solutions for the media industry was invaluable to me.

What advice would you give international students looking to do a Master’s at Monash University?

Don’t forget to enjoy the process. It can be challenging at times, but it’s important not to forget to connect and make friends with people from different countries and enjoy the time you spend at university. It’s great to have so many connections in other countries when you graduate.

Embrace all the opportunities that go beyond the classroom, because there are so many different experiences that you can gain to help with your future career.

Would you recommend studying a Master of Journalism and International Relations at Monash University?

Most definitely. If you’re a journalist, I believe that studying your Master of Journalism and International Relations at Monash is the best thing you can do. I think it’s important for us as journalists to study other areas, particularly international relations, the environment, or even business. Journalism is an investigative tool, and having this knowledge in other areas can allow us to understand a particular topic even better.