Emeritus Professor
Overview
Emeritus Professor Robert Elson’s research interests include the modern and contemporary history of Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia.
His recently completedresearch project, entitled "the history of maritime territoriality in the Indonesian seas since 1850” was published in 2017.
Professor Elson's other research interests include Indonesian political thinking, leadership in Indonesia; changing identity in Indonesia; the social and economic history of Southeast Asia; social and economic change in nineteenth and twentieth century Java; colonialism and its impact in Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia; the economic history of peasant production in Southeast Asia, 1800-1990.
He is involved in the following activities:
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Member, Editorial Board, Southeast Asia Publications Series, Asian Studies Association of Australia.
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Member, Academic Commission (Wetenschapscommissie), NIOD Instituut voor Oorlogs-, Holocaust- en Genocidestudies (Institute for War, Holocaust- and Genocide Studies) (2004-2014).
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Adjunct Professor, University of the Sunshine Coast.
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External Examiner University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur for Bachelor of Arts (International and Strategic Studies); Master of Strategic and Defence Studies); Bachelor of Arts (Southeast Asian Studies): Master of Arts (Southeast Asian Studies); Bachelor of Arts (History); Master of Arts (Malaysian History) and Master of Arts (Southeast Asian History) (2014- ).
Research Interests
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The modern and contemporary history of Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia.
The modern and contemporary history of Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia; maritime territoriality in the Indonesian seas after 1850; the history of secularism in modern Indonesia; Indonesian political thinking, leadership in Indonesia; changing identity in Indonesia; the social and economic history of Southeast Asia; social and economic change in nineteenth and twentieth century Java; colonialism and its impact in Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia; the economic history of peasant production in Southeast Asia, 1800-1990.
Qualifications
- Academy of Humanities, Academy of Humanities
Publications
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Book: Sovereignty and the sea: how Indonesia became an archipelagic state
Butcher, John G. and Elson, R. E. (2017). Sovereignty and the sea: how Indonesia became an archipelagic state. Singapore: National University of Singapore.
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Journal Article: Two failed attempts to Islamize the Indonesian constitution
Elson, R. E. (2013). Two failed attempts to Islamize the Indonesian constitution. Sojourn, 28 (3), 379-437. doi: 10.1355/sj28-3a
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Book Chapter: Engineering from within: Habibie the man and Indonesia's reformasi
Elson, Robert E. (2013). Engineering from within: Habibie the man and Indonesia's reformasi. Democracy take off? the B.J. Habibie period. (pp. 27-47) edited by Dewi Fortuna Anwar and Bridget Welsh. Indonesia: PT. Sinar Harapan Persada.
Grants
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(2008–2010) Griffith University
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The Origins And Trajectory Of Secularism In Modern Indonesian Politics
(2006–2008) ARC Discovery Projects
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The Idea of Indonesia: a history
(2003–2005) ARC Discovery Projects
Supervision
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The Asian Destiny of Australia
(2014) Doctor Philosophy
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The American connection and Australian policy in Southeast Asia, 1945-1965
(2010) Doctor Philosophy
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(2010) Doctor Philosophy
Publications
Book
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Sovereignty and the sea: how Indonesia became an archipelagic state
Butcher, John G. and Elson, R. E. (2017). Sovereignty and the sea: how Indonesia became an archipelagic state. Singapore: National University of Singapore.
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Suharto : A political biography
Elson, R. E. (2008). Suharto : A political biography. Cambridge, England, U.K.: Cambridge University Press.
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The idea of Indonesia: Sejarah pemikiran dan garasan
Elson, R. E. (2008). The idea of Indonesia: Sejarah pemikiran dan garasan. Jakarta, Indonesia: Serambi.
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The idea of Indonesia: a history
Elson, R. E. (2008). The idea of Indonesia: a history. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
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Suharto: Sebuah biografi politik
Elson, R.E., Wahono, Satrio and Sasono, Eka Santi (2005). Suharto: Sebuah biografi politik. 1 ed. Jakarta: Pustaka Minda Utama.
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Elson, Robert (2004). Soeharto : een biografie. Utrecht, The Netherlands: Het Spectrum.
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Suharto: A political biography
Elson, R. E. (2001). Suharto: A political biography. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Book Chapter
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Engineering from within: Habibie the man and Indonesia's reformasi
Elson, Robert E. (2013). Engineering from within: Habibie the man and Indonesia's reformasi. Democracy take off? the B.J. Habibie period. (pp. 27-47) edited by Dewi Fortuna Anwar and Bridget Welsh. Indonesia: PT. Sinar Harapan Persada.
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(Indonesian) history and its uses: theory, lessons, activism and policy
Elson, Robert (2012). (Indonesian) history and its uses: theory, lessons, activism and policy. Knowing Indonesia: intersections of self, discipline and nation. (pp. 37-51) edited by Jemma Purdey. Victoria, Australia: Monash University Publishing.
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Absent at the creation: Islamism's belated, troubled engagement with early Indonesian nationalism
Elson, R. E. (2012). Absent at the creation: Islamism's belated, troubled engagement with early Indonesian nationalism. Anthony Reid and the study of the Southeast Asian past. (pp. 303-335) edited by Geoff Wade and Li Tana. Singapore: ISEAS Publishing.
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Problems of identity and legitimacy for Indonesia's place in the world
Elson, R. E. (2012). Problems of identity and legitimacy for Indonesia's place in the world. Indonesia rising: The repositioning of Asia's third giant. (pp. 170-185) edited by Anthony Reid. Singapore: ISEAS Publishing.
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Sartono Kartodirdjo: Serious, profound, masterly
Elson, R. E. (2008). Sartono Kartodirdjo: Serious, profound, masterly. Sejarah Yang Memihak: Mengenang Sartono Kartodirdjo. (pp. 198-205) edited by M. Nursam, T. Baskara, S. J. Wardaya and A. W. Adam. Yogyakarta, Indonesia: Ombak bekerjasama dengan Rumah Budaya TeMBI.
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Time, timing, and the historical moment in Suharto's politics
Elson, Robert E. (2008). Time, timing, and the historical moment in Suharto's politics. The inclusive regionalist: a festschrift dedicated to Jusuf Wanandi. (pp. x-x) edited by Hadi Soesastro and Clara Joewono. Jakarta, Indonesia: Center for Strategic and International Studies.
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An eccentric road to reform: Habibie’s presidency, 1998-99
Elson, R. E. (2006). An eccentric road to reform: Habibie’s presidency, 1998-99. Komentar & pendapat: Detik-detik yang menentukan oleh Backharuddin Jusuf Habibie. (pp. xx-xx) edited by Singh, Bilveer and et al. Jakarta, Indonesia: THC Mandiri.
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Reinventing a Region: Southeast Asia and the Colonial Experience
Elson, R. E. (2004). Reinventing a Region: Southeast Asia and the Colonial Experience. Contemporary Southeast Asia : regional dynamics, national differences. (pp. 15-29) edited by M. Beeson. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
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In fear of the people: Suharto and the justification of state-sponsored violence under the New Order
Elson, R. E. (2002). In fear of the people: Suharto and the justification of state-sponsored violence under the New Order. Roots of violence in Indonesia: Contemporary violence in historical perspective. (pp. 173-195) edited by Freek Columbijn and J. Thomas Lindblad. Leiden, The Netherlands: KITLV Press.
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The Americans and the 1965 ‘coup attempt’: new insights?
Elson, R. E. (2002). The Americans and the 1965 ‘coup attempt’: new insights?. Macht en majesteit: opstellen voor Cees Fasseur. (pp. 304-323) edited by J. Thomas Lindblad and Willem van der Molen. Leiden: Opleiding Talen en Culturen van Zuidoost-Azië en Oceanië, Universiteit Leiden.
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Brief reflections on Indonesian political history
Elson, R. E. (2001). Brief reflections on Indonesian political history. Indonesia today: challenges of history. (pp. ---) edited by Grayson Lloyd and Shannon Smith. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
Journal Article
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Two failed attempts to Islamize the Indonesian constitution
Elson, R. E. (2013). Two failed attempts to Islamize the Indonesian constitution. Sojourn, 28 (3), 379-437. doi: 10.1355/sj28-3a
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Elson, R. E. and Formichi, Chiara (2011). Why did Kartosuwiryo start shooting? An account of Dutch-Republican-Islamic forces interaction in West Java, 1945-1949. Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 42 (3), 458-486. doi: 10.1017/S0022463411000361
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A note on the sources for the 1945 constitutional debates in Indonesia
Kusuma, A. B. and Elson, R. E. (2011). A note on the sources for the 1945 constitutional debates in Indonesia. Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences of Southeast Asia and Oceania, 167 (2-3), 196-209. doi: 10.1163/22134379-90003589
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Elson, R. E. (2011). Indonesian exports, peasant agriculture and the world economy, 1850-2000: Economic structures in a Southeast Asian state. By Hiroyoshi Kano. Agricultural History, 85 (1), 110-111. doi: 10.3098/ah.2011.85.1.105
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Nationalism, Islam, 'secularism', and the state in contemporary Indonesia
Elson, R. E. (2010). Nationalism, Islam, 'secularism', and the state in contemporary Indonesia. Australian Journal of International Affairs, 64 (3), 328-343. doi: 10.1080/10357711003736493
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Another look at the Jakarta Charter Controversy of 1945
Elson, R. E. (2009). Another look at the Jakarta Charter Controversy of 1945. Indonesia, 88, 105-130.
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Disunity, distance, disregard: The political failure of islamism in late colonial indonesia
Elson, Robert E. (2009). Disunity, distance, disregard: The political failure of islamism in late colonial indonesia. Studia Islamika, 16 (1), 1-60.
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Elson, R. E. (2008). Book review: Legitimizing Military Rule: Indonesian Armed Forces Ideology, 1958-2000. By Salim Said (Jakarta: Pustaka Sinar Harapan, 2006) and Soeharto’s Armed Forces: Problems of Civil Military Relations in Indonesia. By Salim Said (Jakarta: Pustaka Si. Australian Journal of Politics and History, 54 (1), 164-165.
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Islam, Islamism, the Nation, and the Early Indonesian Nationalist Movement
Elson, R. E. (2007). Islam, Islamism, the Nation, and the Early Indonesian Nationalist Movement. Journal of Indonesian Islam, 1 (2), 231-266. doi: 10.15642/JIIS.2007.1.2.231-266
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Clifford Geertz, 1926-2006: Meaning, method, and Indonesian economic history
Elson, R. E. (2007). Clifford Geertz, 1926-2006: Meaning, method, and Indonesian economic history. Bulletin of Indonesian Economic Studies, 43 (2), 251-263. doi: 10.1080/00074910701408081
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Elson, R. E. (2007). Marginality, morality, and the nationalist impulse: Papua, the Netherlands and Indonesia. A review article. Bijdragen en Mededelingen Betreffende de Geschiedenis der Nederlanden, 122 (1), 65-71.
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An Indonesian frontier: Acehnese and other histories of Sumatra
Elson, R. E. (2006). An Indonesian frontier: Acehnese and other histories of Sumatra. Australian Journal of Politics And History, 52 (2), 343-344. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8497.2005.00421.x
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Book Review: Reluctant saviour: Australia, Indonesia and the Independence of East Timor
Elson, R. E. (2006). Book Review: Reluctant saviour: Australia, Indonesia and the Independence of East Timor. Australian Journal of Politics and History, 52 (1), 156-157. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8497.2006.00412a.x
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Indonesia and the West: An ambivalent, misunderstood engagement
Elson, R. E. (2006). Indonesia and the West: An ambivalent, misunderstood engagement. Australian Journal of Politics and History, 52 (2), 261-271. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8497.2005.00418.x
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Constructing the nation: Ethnicity, race, modernity and citizenship in early Indonesian thought
Elson, R. E. (2005). Constructing the nation: Ethnicity, race, modernity and citizenship in early Indonesian thought. Asian Ethnicity, 6 (3), 145-160. doi: 10.1080/14631360500226556
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Book review: Nationalism and ethic conflict in Indonesia by J Bertrand
Elson, R.E. (2005). Book review: Nationalism and ethic conflict in Indonesia by J Bertrand. Global Change, Peace & Security, 17 (3), 317-318. doi: 10.1080/14781150500277628
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Book review of Theodore Friend: Indonesian destines
Elson, R.E. (2004). Book review of Theodore Friend: Indonesian destines. Asian Studies Review, 28 (3), 203-204. doi: 10.1080/1035782042000291123
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Book review: Indonesian politics and society: a reader
Elson, R. E. (2004). Book review: Indonesian politics and society: a reader. Australian Journal of International Affairs, 58 (1), 159-161. doi: 10.1080/1035771032000184827
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Elson, R. E. (2004). Book review: Geoffrey Benjamin and Cynthia Chou (eds), Tribal communities in the Malay world: Historical, cultural and social perspectives. Asian Ethnicity, 5 (1), 133-134. doi: 10.1080/1463136032000168943
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Review of 'The Thai Village Economy in the Past'
Elson, R. E. (2003). Review of 'The Thai Village Economy in the Past'. The Journal of Economic History, 63 (1), 265-266. doi: 10.1017/S0022050703331808
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Elson, R. E. (2003). Southeast Asia: a testament. Australian Journal of International Affairs, 57 (2), 388-389. doi: 10.1080/10357710301751
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Review of 'Shallow waters, rising tide: Shipping and trade in Java around 1750'
Elson, R. E. (1998). Review of 'Shallow waters, rising tide: Shipping and trade in Java around 1750'. Journal of Asian Studies, 57 (1), 288-290. doi: 10.2307/2659102
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Elson, R. E. (1998). Review of 'Riding the Dutch tiger: The Dutch East Indies company and the northeast coast of Java, 1680-1743'. The Journal of Asian Studies, 57 (1), 288-290. doi: 10.2307/2659102
Other Outputs
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Engineering from within: Habibie the man and Indonesia’s reformasi
Elson, R. E. (2007). Engineering from within: Habibie the man and Indonesia’s reformasi.
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Elson, R. E. (2006). Marginality, Morality, and the Nationalist Impulse: Papua, The Netherlands and Indonesia: A Review Article.
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Elson, R. E. (2005, 06 01). Engage not rage The Courier-Mail 25.
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Elson, R. E. (2004). Orde Baru (New Order).
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Suharto (1921-) the Shrewd Pupppeteer
Elson, R. E. (2004). Suharto (1921-) the Shrewd Pupppeteer.
Grants (Administered at UQ)
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(2008–2010) Griffith University
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The Origins And Trajectory Of Secularism In Modern Indonesian Politics
(2006–2008) ARC Discovery Projects
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The Idea of Indonesia: a history
(2003–2005) ARC Discovery Projects
PhD and MPhil Supervision
Note for students: Emeritus Professor Robert Elson is not currently available to take on new students.
Current Supervision
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A Political Biography of Sumitro Djojohadikusumo: Power and Influence in the Political Development of Modern Indonesia
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Completed Supervision
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The Asian Destiny of Australia
(2014) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
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The American connection and Australian policy in Southeast Asia, 1945-1965
(2010) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
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(2010) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
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(2010) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
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Making them Indonesians: Child transfers out of East Timor
(2009) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
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TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE AND SOUTH AFRICA: JUS AD BELLUM, JUS IN BELLO AND THE PROMOTION OF NATIONAL UNITY AND RECONCILIATION ACT (34) 1995
() Master Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
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Australia's Defence and Foreign Relations with Indonesia, 1997-2010
(2012) Master Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
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Negotiating Empires: "British" dragomans and changing identity in the 19th century Levant
(2011) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
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How the Pathet Lao seized power in Laos in 1975
(2009) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
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Women and power in Burmese history
(2009) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
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'FRUITLESS AND FRIENDLESS': AUSTRALIA AND THE WEST NEW GUINEA DISPUTE, 1949-1962
(2007) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
