ABOUT D-Techs LAB CBDS

We are a research cluster under the Center for Business and Diplomatic Studies (CBDS) dedicated to advancing knowledge at the intersection of democracy, technology, and security, established in 2025. Based at the International Relations Department of BINUS University, we serve as a platform for interdisciplinary research, policy engagement, education, and capacity building to address contemporary security challenges in Indonesia and beyond.

We believe that technological transformation, democratic resilience, and responsible security governance must develop together. Through rigorous research, strategic partnerships, and public engagement, we contribute to evidence-based policymaking while promoting transparency, accountability, and ethical innovation.

Research Areas

We conduct research across several interconnected themes, including:

• Democracy and governance
• Technology and disruptive technologies
• Cybersecurity and digital resilience
• National and international security
• Defense diplomacy
• Security policy and strategic affairs
• Feminist foreign policy

Research Outputs

We produce a diverse range of research outputs that contribute to academic scholarship, policy debates, and public discourse. Our work is disseminated through peer-reviewed journal articles, scholarly book chapters, and research reports that provide evidence-based analysis on issues related to democracy, technology, and security. Beyond academic publications, our researchers actively engage with broader audiences by writing op-ed articles that offer timely insights and policy perspectives on emerging national and international issues. We also cooperate with diverse partners, holding seminars and workshops, to disseminate our research. 

Strategic Partnerships

We actively collaborate with universities, think tanks, government agencies, and industry partners. Our recent collaborations have included projects and activities with institutions such as the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), GND Cyber Solutions, Bitdefender, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Lab 45, covering topics ranging from persuasive technologies and national resilience to cybersecurity, defense diplomacy, and defense industry research. We also partner with Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, providing policy simulations for their diplomats.

Our Team

We bring together academics, researchers, practitioners, research fellows, and students from diverse disciplinary backgrounds. With support from our core team, research fellows, experts, and research interns, we encourage interdisciplinary collaboration to generate innovative, policy-relevant research.

Our Core Team

1. Curie Maharani S., Ph.D (D-techs Lab Coordinator)
2. Cynthia S. R. Sipahutar, Ph.D (candidate) (External Affairs Coordinator)
3. Wendy A. Prajuli, Ph.D (candidate) (Research Coordinator)

Our Experts

1. Tangguh Chairil, MSi (Han) (Maritime Security)
2. Ganesh Aji Wicaksono, M.Sc (Military Technology)
3. Elisabeth E. Kembaren, M.A (History of Indonesian Politics)

Our Intern

1. Stefanie Thamrin, S.Sos (Project Officer and Social Media Specialist)
2. Fifany Junyana Putri (Research Assistant)
3. Ghiffari Tezza Kramawardhana (Research Assistant)
4. Virgie Cerenata Nahusuly (Research Assistant)
5. Okta Widhyadana (Research Assistant)

Our Events

1. Workshop on AI integrity: Strengthening National Resilience through Technical and Narrative Security, in cooperation with CBDS, GND, Bitdefender, Alphacode, and ADIGSI. Binus University, 9 February 2026. 

Our Publications

1. Maharani, C., Andriani, R., & Prajuli, W.A. 2025. Dilema Transparansi dan Kerahasiaan dalam Pengadaan Alutsista Indonesia, Jurnal Prisma, Vol. 44, (2&3).  https://prismajurnal.com/artikel/dilema-transparansi-dan-kerahasiaan-dalam-pengadaan-alutsista-indonesia/. 
2. Prajuli, W., Sipahutar, C., & Maharani, C. 2026. Algorithmic Blind Spots: Operational Risks of Gender Bias in Indonesia’s Defense AI. IR-UI Commentaries, Vol. VII (1). https://ir.fisip.ui.ac.id/en/irc_viino1feb2026/. 
3. Thamrin, S., & Prajuli, W. 2026. Revisiting Civil–Military and Gender Relations in Top Positions of Indonesia’s Ministry of Defense. Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia, Issue 42. https://kyotoreview.org/issue-42-mar-2026/indonesian-civil-military-gender-relations/. 
4. Chong, D.X, & Pratama, S.J. 2026. Obvious but not Easy: Uncrewed Systems Should Surveil Indonesia’s Seas. The Strategist. https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/obvious-but-not-easy-uncrewed-systems-should-surveil-indonesias-seas/. 
5. Chong, D.X, & Pratama, S.J. 2026. Someone is Showing a Lot of Underwater Interest in Indonesia’s Straits. The Strategist. https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/someone-is-showing-a-lot-of-underwater-interest-in-indonesias-straits/. 
6. Thamrin, S. & Nahusuly, C.N. 2026. Indonesia’s C-130 MRO Dilemma: Strategic Lift-off or Sovereignty Trap?. Modern Diplomacy. https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2026/07/21/indonesias-c-130-mro-dilemma-strategic-lift-off-or-sovereignty-trap/. 

Our Activities:

• The AI Integrity Architecture: Strengthening National Resilience through Technical and Narrative Security; 9/2/2026
• Kijang Initiative Forum (KIF) on Critical Perspectives on Cybersecurity – Feminist and Post Colonial Interventions; 31 January 2025
• Focus Group Discussion (FGD) about Persuasive Technologies and National Resilience; 13 February 2025.`