Yogyakarta – The Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), continued its Visiting Professor Program by organizing a Roundtable Discussion on Undergraduate and Master's Research Projects and a Workshop on Contemporary Research Methodology on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Meeting Room 1, Faculty of Education (FIP) UNY. The event featured Dr. Marieke de Vries from Utrecht University, the Netherlands, as the keynote resource person and academic mentor for students and faculty members.

The activity was designed as an interactive academic forum where undergraduate and master's students presented the progress of their thesis and undergraduate research projects. During the session, participants received direct feedback from Dr. de Vries on refining research questions, strengthening conceptual frameworks, selecting appropriate research methodologies, and developing rigorous data analysis strategies.

In her presentation, Dr. de Vries emphasized that high-quality research begins with well-defined research questions, robust methodological design, and the use of valid and reliable research instruments. She highlighted that methodological rigor is essential for producing credible findings that contribute meaningfully to the advancement of psychological science and evidence-based practice.

The discussion addressed a variety of methodological issues encountered by students, including research design, sampling strategies, data analysis techniques, interpretation of findings, and the preparation of scientific arguments for undergraduate and master's theses. Faculty supervisors also participated actively, creating a collaborative academic environment in which students, lecturers, and the visiting professor exchanged ideas and constructive feedback.

Beyond methodological issues, the workshop introduced participants to current international trends in psychological research and explored opportunities for developing research topics with global relevance. Through this exchange of knowledge and experience, students were encouraged to conduct research that meets international academic standards while contributing to the broader development of psychological science.

The Roundtable Discussion reflects the Faculty of Psychology UNY's commitment to strengthening students' research capacity and fostering an international academic culture. By facilitating direct interaction with an internationally recognized scholar, the Faculty continues to support the development of innovative, high-quality research and promote future international research collaborations.

Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This activity contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

• SDG 4 – Quality Education, by strengthening students' and faculty members' competencies in research methodology and scientific writing.
• SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, by promoting innovative, evidence-based psychological research.
• SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, through international academic collaboration between the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, and Utrecht University in research and higher education.