
Overview
Background
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- ).
Availability
- Emeritus Professor Robert Elson is:
- Not available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Academy of Humanities, Academy of Humanities
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.
Works
Search Professor Robert Elson’s works on UQ eSpace
2002
Book Chapter
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.
2002
Book Chapter
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.
2001
Book Chapter
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.
2001
Book
Suharto: A political biography
Elson, R. E. (2001). Suharto: A political biography. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
1998
Journal Article
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
1998
Journal Article
Review of 'Riding the Dutch tiger: The Dutch East Indies company and the northeast coast of Java, 1680-1743'
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
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Emeritus Professor Robert Elson is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
A Political Biography of Sumitro Djojohadikusumo: Power and Influence in the Political Development of Modern Indonesia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Annie Pohlman
Completed supervision
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
The Asian Destiny of Australia
Principal Advisor
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
The American connection and Australian policy in Southeast Asia, 1945-1965
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Martin Crotty
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
The Islamic publication industry in modern Indonesia: Intellectual transmission, ideology, and the profit motive
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Peter Spearritt
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
Transitional justice and the politics of pragmatism: addressing historical injustices and atrocities through truth commissions - perspectives from the South African TRC and the East Timorese CAVR
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Bonnell
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Master Philosophy
TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE AND SOUTH AFRICA: JUS AD BELLUM, JUS IN BELLO AND THE PROMOTION OF NATIONAL UNITY AND RECONCILIATION ACT (34) 1995
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Bonnell
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2012
Master Philosophy
Australia's Defence and Foreign Relations with Indonesia, 1997-2010
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Martin Crotty
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2011
Doctor Philosophy
Negotiating Empires: "British" dragomans and changing identity in the 19th century Levant
Associate Advisor
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
How the Pathet Lao seized power in Laos in 1975
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Martin Stuart-Fox
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Women and power in Burmese history
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Martin Stuart-Fox
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2007
Doctor Philosophy
'FRUITLESS AND FRIENDLESS': AUSTRALIA AND THE WEST NEW GUINEA DISPUTE, 1949-1962
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Clive Moore
Media
Enquiries
Contact Emeritus Professor Robert Elson directly for media enquiries about:
- Colonialism - South-East Asia
- Economic history - South-East Asia
- Government - Indonesia
- History - Indonesia
- History - South-East Asia
- Indonesia - history
- Indonesia - politics
- Java- history
- Leadership - Indonesia
- Politics - Indonesia
- South-East Asia - history and economics
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