Lecturer at Semarang State University, Indonesia
Dhoni Zustiyantoro is a lecturer at the Javanese Literature Study Program, Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), Indonesia. 📘 He specializes in literary and cultural studies, journalism, media, and postcolonialism. 🎭 With a Ph.D. in Language Education, his research explores Javanese novels through psychological and structuralist perspectives. A former journalist, he has also served as a visiting artist in the USA and represented Indonesia in international cultural events. 🌏 He is the Director of the Centre for Literary and Cultural Studies and Editor-in-Chief of the Abjad Journal, actively contributing to cultural preservation and academic freedom. 📚
✍️Professional Profile
Google Scholar
🎓Academic Background
Dhoni Zustiyantoro holds a strong academic foundation in Javanese language and literature. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Javanese Language and Literature Education from Universitas Negeri Semarang, focusing his thesis on the dramatic structure of traditional shadow puppet performances. He pursued a Master’s degree in Literature Studies at Universitas Diponegoro, where he analyzed horror stories in Javanese popular media through structuralist methods. In 2023, he completed his Doctorate in Language Education at UNNES with a dissertation examining modern Javanese novels through the lens of Suryomentaram’s psychology, demonstrating a deep integration of literature and indigenous psychological thought. 📘
💼Professional Experience
Dhoni Zustiyantoro has built a diverse professional career that bridges academia, journalism, and cultural advocacy. He served as a journalist for Suara Merdeka from 2013 to 2017 before transitioning fully into academic research and teaching at Universitas Negeri Semarang. He has been actively involved in cultural research as a member of the Centre for Coastal Cultural Studies and later became Director of the Centre for Literary and Cultural Studies. He is currently Editor-in-Chief of the Abjad Journal of Humanities & Education. His global engagement includes representing Indonesia at the Brest Festival in France and serving as a visiting artist in the USA. 🌍
🏅Awards and Honors
Dhoni Zustiyantoro has received recognition both nationally and internationally for his contributions to literature and cultural studies. He served as an Indonesian cultural ambassador at the Brest International Maritime Festival in France in 2012, showcasing traditional arts on a global platform. In 2025, he was invited as a Visiting Performing Artist at the Center for World Music in the United States, reflecting his international academic and cultural influence. His leadership roles, including Director of the Centre for Literary and Cultural Studies and Editor-in-Chief of a humanities journal, further highlight his distinction and commitment to advancing cultural scholarship. 🌟
🔬Research Focus
Dhoni Zustiyantoro’s research centers on literary and cultural studies with a strong emphasis on Javanese literature, cultural policy, postcolonialism, and media analysis. His academic work explores the intersection of traditional narratives and contemporary cultural expressions, often through structuralist and ethnopsychological frameworks. He has analyzed horror stories, shadow puppet performances, and modern Javanese novels to reveal deeper insights into identity, psychology, and cultural continuity. His studies also address the role of local languages in education and the preservation of cultural heritage, making his work significant for both academic development and cultural sustainability in Indonesia. 📖
📄Publication Top Notes
Pengembangan Novelet Berbahasa Jawa Bertema Sejarah Semarang untuk Pembelajaran Sastra Jawa SMA/Sederajat
Year: 2020 | Cited by: 14
Luwes and Philosophical: Dewaruci Puppet Performance in Suryomentaram’s Kasampurnan Concept
Year: 2022 | Cited by: 11
Recommendations without action: criticism of the Javanese Language Congress and the Javanese Cultural Congress in Indonesia
Year: 2024 | Cited by: 8
Urgensi Etnopsikologi dalam Kajian Novel Berbahasa Jawa
Year: 2022 | Cited by: 8
Kepribadian Sambangseta dalam Cerkak Nyaur Taun Karya Purwadmadi: Kajian Psikologi Analitik CG Jung
Year: 2022 | Cited by: 8
The Adaptation Strategy of Semarangan Dance Style’s Learning Method in UNNES during Covid-19 Pandemic Era
Year: 2021 | Cited by: 4
Lanskap Pembelajaran Bahasa Jawa Masa Pandemi Covid-19
Year: 2022 | Cited by: 3
Perempuan dalam Sastra Jawa Populer: Kajian Strukturalisme terhadap Cerita Horor di Majalah Panjebar Semangat
Year: 2019 | Cited by: 3
Kritik dan Pitutur dalam Cerita “Ngempet” Karya Suparto Brata: Kajian Semiotik
Year: 2018 | Cited by: 3
Guru bersertifikat wajib uji kompetensi
Year: 2012 | Cited by: 3
🏆Conclusion
Dhoni Zustiyantoro stands out as a highly qualified and deserving candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award, with his extensive contributions to literature, cultural studies, and language education. Holding a doctorate focused on modern Javanese literature through psychological perspectives, he has produced a rich body of peer-reviewed work spanning narrative analysis, postcolonial criticism, ethnopsychology, and traditional arts. His leadership roles—as Director of the Centre for Literary and Cultural Studies and Editor-in-Chief of a humanities journal—along with his international engagements in the USA and France, reflect his global impact and dedication to cultural preservation, academic freedom, and community-centered research.