The Graduation Ceremony Period II 2026 became an unforgettable moment for Asma Ningrum Abdurrahman, who was awarded the Best IUP Student Publication Manuscript (25/2/2026). When her name was announced, she was genuinely surprised. She shared that she did not expect it at all, especially knowing that many of her peers had also produced outstanding theses. For Asma, the recognition feels both humbling and meaningful. She hopes her work can now reach more readers and help raise awareness of political psychology, a field she believes is still underdiscussed despite its relevance to today’s political climate.
A Research Rooted in Political Curiosity
Asma’s manuscript explores public opinion surrounding Zohran Mamdani’s stance on Israel during the 2025 New York City mayoral debate. What initially caught her attention was how discussions about a local election quickly became connected to global geopolitical issues, particularly the Palestine–Israel conflict. She observed that online comment sections were not merely spaces for opinions, but arenas where individuals expressed ideological positions and signaled their identities.
Using big data analysis, Asma identified five recurring themes in the public discourse and highlighted how identity signaling shaped political conversations in digital spaces. For her, this reflects how social media has become a powerful environment for political positioning and intergroup dynamics. She believes there is still vast potential to explore political psychology in digital contexts, especially within Indonesia.
The Journey Behind the Achievement
Choosing this topic was deeply personal. Asma has long been interested in social and political psychology, particularly U.S. politics. She actively follows political developments, and researching something she genuinely cared about made the writing process feel meaningful and engaging. At the same time, growing global tensions strengthened her motivation to understand how international issues influence the way people evaluate political figures and make voting decisions.
The journey was not without challenges. Narrowing down her topic was initially difficult because she had many interests. She expressed deep gratitude to her supervisor, Haidar Buldan Thontowi, S.Psi., M.A., Ph.D., who patiently guided her throughout the process. During the analysis stage, determining the appropriate threshold for generating themes required multiple iterations, and she spent weeks refining her data. Although exhausting, she described the process as entirely worth it.
There were moments when she felt behind, as she began her thesis later than many of her peers. However, her genuine interest in the topic kept her motivated. She also credits the encouragement from her supervisor and the unwavering support of her parents for helping her stay confident and focused.
Asma acknowledges that her experience in the IUP program significantly shaped her research and writing skills. Research methods courses trained her to think critically and systematically, while classes such as Cultural Psychology helped her realize that her strongest interest lies in social psychology. The global perspective encouraged in IUP also influenced her engagement with international political issues.
For other IUP students who aspire to produce high quality publication manuscripts, Asma offers heartfelt advice: choose a topic you truly enjoy. Genuine interest will sustain motivation during challenging phases. She also encourages students to have as many discussions as possible. Throughout her journey, conversations with her supervisor, friends, seniors, and even others online helped sharpen her thinking and strengthen her arguments.
Asma’s achievement reflects not only academic excellence, but also curiosity, persistence, and the courage to explore complex political issues through a psychological lens. Her story reminds us that meaningful research often begins with simple curiosity and grows through dedication and support.
Writer: Thessalonica Faith Hill Joseph Kurnia