UNDIP, Semarang (September 29, 2025) – In the digital era, online dating is no longer merely a means of finding a partner but has become a space filled with symbols, values, and power dynamics. This phenomenon took center stage in the online Visiting Professor session titled “Gender Politics and Online Dating”, organized by the Department of Communication Science, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP), through the Research Cluster on Media, Culture, and Gender.
The academic forum featured Lik Sam CHAN, Ph.D., a lecturer in Digital Cultures from The University of Sydney, widely recognized for his research on the intersections of digital media, gender, and culture. CHAN emphasized that online dating platforms are not neutral spaces. Their features, algorithms, and interaction patterns reflect how gender relations are produced, negotiated, and contested. In other words, digital technology not only facilitates encounters between individuals but also represents broader social structures.
The event was opened by Dr. Drs. Teguh Yuwono, M.Pol.Admin, Dean of FISIP UNDIP, who underscored the importance of students gaining global insights through academic forums like this. According to him, international guest lectures not only enrich knowledge but also sharpen students’ ability to interpret social phenomena with critical and contextual perspectives.
Dr. Hapsari Dwiningtyas Sulistyani, Head of the Media, Culture, and Gender Research Cluster, noted that the discussion was highly relevant to contemporary society. “The issue of gender politics in online dating reflects the evolving dynamics of society. Through academic forums like this, both students and lecturers can critically examine and better understand how gender relations are produced and negotiated in digital spaces,” she explained.
Participants showed great enthusiasm through a variety of questions during the discussion session. Some linked online dating issues to gender stereotypes on social media, while others highlighted how local cultures influence global practices in digital spaces. The interactive discussion demonstrated that the topic was not only academically engaging but also deeply connected to the real-life experiences of younger generations.
Through this event, the Department of Communication Science at FISIP UNDIP reaffirmed its commitment to providing internationally oriented learning that is not only theoretical but also contextual to everyday life. The Visiting Professor on Gender Politics and Online Dating served as evidence that academia can be a critical arena for reflecting on how digital technology transforms social relations, identity, and gender politics in the modern era. (Public Communication/ UNDIP/ Naomi/ Ed. Nurul)