SMERU has always been a top-notch research institute in Indonesia. Most of their publications not only bring “fresh insights”, but are also products of long-term research projects. Some of SMERU's studies are the continuation of related projects in the past. In fact, people who have been following SMERU, including me, are pleased to read the updates on monitoring and evaluation, for instance, which also serve as beneficial resources for researchers outside SMERU. To sum up, as one of SMERU's followers, I became inspired to work and collaborate with SMERU's research team. :)
Being able to work with SMERU's research team was remarkable. At first, I thought I would struggle to mingle with researchers of other areas of expertise, as they had had outstanding research projects in collaboration with national and international donors. However, my anxious thinking was proven wrong, as most of the researchers are grounded, humorous, professional, and willing to help their juniors.
Previously, I had mostly handled projects on women and sexual minority groups. However, since I joined SMERU, I was challenged to delve into development issues that focused more on child poverty. Surprisingly, the case I never thought I would be interested in has recently become one of my research interests!
Besides professionally working with the research division, I worked with SMERU colleagues from other divisions, whom I am also thankful to. Many internal meetings, training sessions, and informal conversations have made my day! One thing is for sure, SMERU has always been a “home”, as I was surrounded by the humblest research professionals I could ever ask for!
