Asep is a qualitative researcher with a long experience conducting qualitative studies using various data collection techniques. As a researcher, Asep is responsible for developing research designs and instruments, collecting and analyzing data, and writing various research outputs, including research reports, working papers, and policy briefs.

Asep specializes in issues of village development governance, village democracy, and community empowerment. At SMERU, he has conducted various studies that explore the practice of village governance and how the community is involved in it. Asep was involved in a longitudinal qualitative study that monitored the implementation of Law No. 6 of 2014 on Villages (Village Law) during 2015–2018 in ten villages in five kabupaten in three provinces. The study produced four research reports, eight policy briefs, a number of articles published in books and popular scientific media, and several seminar/conference presentations. Furthermore, Asep also conducted research on village dynamics in the implementation of Direct Cash Transfer-Village Fund (Bantuan Langsung Tunai-Dana Desa/BLT-DD) at the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020.

Prior to joining SMERU, Asep worked as a part-time researcher at several government agencies and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).