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Irfan Hermawan is a social researcher with experience in qualitative and quantitative research, literature review, thematic analysis, and academic writing. His research interests focus on gender, social issues, digital society, and social development, with particular attention to how social identities, inequalities, and contemporary social realities are constructed and experienced within society.

His research experience includes work on gender, education, community development, and digital society. As a Research Associate and Social Researcher, he has conducted literature reviews, interviews, focus group discussions, social and digital data analysis, and thematic analysis. He has also contributed to the development of research reports, policy briefs, and academic publications, working both independently and collaboratively with multidisciplinary and international research teams.

Irfan's academic and research interests have developed around questions of gender and masculinity, religion and society, digital platforms, social inequality, and the construction of social realities. His publications have explored toxic masculinity in contemporary Indonesian society, religious narratives and influencers on TikTok, transgender identity, women's representation in digital media, and the relationship between digital platforms and social behaviour.

Alongside his research activities, Irfan has been involved in academic and organisational work. He previously served as Secretary of Commission I at the Student Representative Council of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, where he supported organisational coordination, documentation, internal policy recommendations, and communication among student representatives and faculty stakeholders. He has also participated in research student activities and academic collaborations.

Irfan holds a Master’s degree in Sociology from Universitas Gadjah Mada, with a focus on Digital Society and Social Policy, and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology Education from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, where he focused on Social Data Analysis. He has received five competitive research grants as a principal investigator and has presented research at international academic forums, reflecting his continued engagement in social research and knowledge production.

At DEEP EnGender, Irfan contributes his experience in social research, data analysis, and academic writing to support research on gender, social justice, and social change. His interdisciplinary background allows him to engage with social issues through both empirical and critical perspectives, while contributing to DEEP EnGender's commitment to producing inclusive, evidence-based, and socially relevant knowledge.

Education

• 2025 — Master of Arts in Sociology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia
• 2017 — Bachelor of Sociology Education, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Selected Publications

Hermawan, I., & Hidayah, N. (2023). “Toxic Masculinity dan Tantangan Kaum Lelaki dalam Masyarakat Indonesia Modern.” DIMENSIA: Jurnal Kajian Sosiologi, 12(2), 171–182. https://doi.org/10.21831/dimensia.v12i2.60991\

Hermawan, I., Supraja, M., & Onitiu, A. (2025). “Hijrah Goes Viral: Millennial Religious Narratives through Influencers on TikTok.” European Review of Applied Sociology, 18(31), 73–82. https://doi.org/10.2478/eras-2025-0014

Hermawan, I. (2026). “The Fragile Future: Interpreting Well-being and Uncertainty in the OECD Data on Life Satisfaction.” Critical Issue of Sustainable Future, 3(1), 67–86. https://doi.org/10.61511/crsusf.v3i1.3271

Hermawan, I., Aini, S. N., Septiawan, F. E., & Safitri, R. D. (2023). “Unveiling the Complexity Between Religion’s Role in Understanding and Embracing Transgender Identity in Society.” International Conference of Humanities and Social Science (ICHSS). Conference publication record

Pawestri, E. A., Hermawan, I., & Yanti, M. (2022). “Shopee and Voluntary Slavery in Expedition Courier of Indonesian Massive Consumptive Society.” In Proceedings of the International Conference of Social Science and Education (ICOSSED 2021), Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 692, 17–24. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-494069-55-8_4

Selected Conference Presentations

• International Conference Presenter, University of Melbourne, Universitas Indonesia, Universitas Gadjah Mada, and Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, 2025.
• Presenter, Presented peer-reviewed research in an international academic forum and communicated qualitative research findings to a multidisciplinary audience.

Scholarships, Awards, and International Recognition

• Research Grant Awardee, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada & Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, 2021–2025. Selected as principal investigator for five competitive research grants.
• Awardee, Beasiswa Unggulan, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Indonesia, 2023.