Semarang, September 24, 2025 — The phenomenon of online dating is no longer viewed solely as a form of personal interaction, it has also become a significant arena for the construction of identity, social relations, and gender politics. This theme took centre stage in the Visiting Professor Online Lecture titled “Gender Politics and Online Dating”, organized by the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Diponegoro University (FISIP UNDIP) through the Media, Culture, and Gender Research Cluster of the Department of Communication Science.

The lecture featured Lik Sam Chan, Ph.D., an academic from The University of Sydney widely recognized for his scholarship on digital media, gender, and culture.

The event opened with remarks from Dr. Drs. Teguh Yuwono, M.Pol.Admin, Dean of FISIP UNDIP, who emphasized that this kind of international guest lectures reflects the faculty’s commitment to strengthen global networks, enrich academic perspectives, and offer students learning opportunities that remain relevant to contemporary social developments.

In his presentation, Dr. Chan asserted that online dating platforms are not merely tools for social interaction, but also spaces where issues of gender, representation, and power relations are continuously produced and contested. This perspective highlights that digital technology is far from neutral; instead, it is deeply embedded in broader social, cultural, and political contexts.

According to Dr. Hapsari Dwiningtyas Sulistyani, Chair of the Media, Culture, and Gender Research Cluster, the theme was highly relevant to current societal dynamics. “The issue of gender politics in online dating reflects ongoing social changes. Through academic forums such as this, both students and lecturers can critically engage with and gain deeper insights into how gender relations are produced and negotiated in digital spaces,” she remarked.

The lecture attracted hundreds of participants from various backgrounds, including students, faculty members, and researchers. The interactive discussions demonstrated strong interest in examining the intersections between digital technological developments and gender issues.

More than just a guest lecture, the event reinforced FISIP UNDIP’s commitment to provide international-standard education while fostering critical and relevant academic dialogue that is relevant to the challenges of the present era.

(Naomi Putri Bahari Simeon)***