Sabina Puspita
Public Policy and Management
Helping students think, communicate, and lead like real policy professionals
Sabina prepares students to navigate complex policy environments by simulating real‑world work, fostering discipline, and building confidence through consistent practice and mentorship.
What do you teach?
I teach several units in the Master of Public Policy and Management program, including Field Studies in Urban Policy and Governance and Global Policy Challenge.
What qualifications or professional experiences are most central to your work as an academic?
My work is shaped by three key experiences:
- Serving as secretary and interpreter to former Taiwanese representative in Indonesia Andrew Hsia (2011–2014), which grounded my understanding of diplomacy and international relations.
- Leading sexual‑violence prevention policy initiatives for former education minister Nadiem Makarim (2020–2021), which strengthened my ability to manage complex systems, diverse stakeholders, and high‑stakes decisions.
- Completing my graduate and postgraduate training in political science at Northwestern University (2014–2023), which taught me to unlearn assumptions, think critically, and build intellectual endurance.
Together, these experiences shape how I teach, mentor, and support students in navigating Indonesia’s policy landscape.
Students grow when their motivation is paired with consistent action. ”
What are you doing differently in your field that you believe is driving real change?
I run my classes like real‑world work meetings. Students prepare readings and questions in advance, engage actively in discussions, and help shape the agenda for the next session. This approach requires me to listen closely, respond to their ideas, and follow through on their questions - just as colleagues would in a professional setting.
Over time, this consistency changes how students think, communicate, and work. I see it in their assignments, their emails, and how they carry themselves in class and public forums.
Tell us about a specific moment when you saw a student transform. What happened, and what role did you play?
In 2023, I supervised a student who was both a civil servant and a mother. She initially doubted her writing skills and her ability to complete a 9,000‑word research project. She committed to weekly consultations and followed every piece of feedback with determination. Her progress was visible almost every week, and even when she faced setbacks, she pushed through with resilience. She not only passed, she earned a High Distinction.
Her transformation reminded me how powerful consistent effort can be.
What's something about Monash University, Indonesia that would surprise people in a good way?
People are often surprised by how many locally based academics at Monash University, Indonesia completed their doctoral training at top universities overseas.
This is a reflection that the campus attracts Indonesian scholars back home, strengthening national talent, and that students benefit from both global perspectives and local expertise. It creates a uniquely rich learning environment.
What industry partnerships, research collaborations, or real‑world projects are you and your students currently involved in?
I'm working with five Master of Public Policy and Management program students and one Master of Public Health student on a policy brief for JALA PRT, the national advocacy network for domestic workers. The brief will support domestic workers’ advocacy to the Indonesian parliament (DPR‑RI) as they push for the ratification of the Domestic Workers Protection Bill (RUU PPRT). I'm proud of this project because students joined voluntarily, clearly driven by their commitment to social justice.
What's one thing you're working on right now that doesn't fit the traditional "academic" mould?
I stay connected with young people involved in social‑justice activism, joining their activities and exchanging views on current issues. It’s a way to support their growth and often it sparks their interest in public policy and further study.
If you had to explain your research’s impact and/or teaching philosophy to a prospective student's parents over coffee, what would you say?
Students grow when their motivation is paired with consistent action. My teaching aims to help them take those steps by building confidence, discipline, and the real‑world skills needed to create meaningful change.
What achievement, qualification, or milestone in your academic or professional journey are you most proud of, and why?
I'm most proud of my work advancing gender equality in Indonesian higher education, particularly leading the creation of Indonesia’s first ministerial regulation to prevent sexual violence on university campuses.
As lead policy analyst, I helped bridge protesters and policymakers, coordinated with NGOs, and shaped national strategies to protect students and improve gender equity. The regulation increased awareness across more than 4,000 higher‑education institutions and led hundreds of public universities to establish anti‑sexual‑violence taskforces.
What advice would you give a student who hopes to build a similar career or level of expertise?
Anything is possible when desire is backed by even the smallest steps forward. You won’t know what you’re capable of until you take action. Even small, steady steps can lead to extraordinary outcomes.