From Journalism to International Research: How Marlene Millott’s Acicis Program Advanced Her Career

Marlene Millott completed the Journalism Professional Practicum in 2015, as part of her degree at Monash University.

When Marlene Millott envisioned a career focused on Indonesia, she wasn’t entirely sure how she would make that happen. After completing the Acicis Journalism Professional Practicum (JPP) in 2015 as part of her degree at Monash University, she quickly moved from her first role in communications to become Program Manager at the Australia-Indonesia Centre (AIC).

Now, as the lead of the Partnership for Australia-Indonesia Research (PAIR), Marlene oversees collaborative projects tackling climate change challenges in coastal communities in Indonesia, including in farming, energy, healthcare and social inclusion.

Reflecting on her journey, Marlene says, “I already had an interest in Indonesia before joining the program, but I knew it would be beneficial… I was really keen to join because I knew I would have the opportunity to build my language skills and also learn how to apply those in a professional setting.”

Marlene’s role at PAIR, funded by the Australian and Indonesian Governments, involves coordinating the research process from project consultation and design to implementation and advocacy. Working closely with Australian and Indonesian researchers, she ensures that evidence-based policy recommendations reach the right stakeholders, including government bodies. Her passion for the bilateral relationship has also extended to her work with the Australia-Indonesia Business Council (AIBC), where she serves on the Victorian Committee, connecting industry leaders with opportunities to support trade and investment.

Despite having visited Indonesia before, Marlene was unexpectedly fascinated by Jakarta and the opportunities it had to offer. “A really surprising part of my Indonesia experience was actually getting to spend a good amount of time in Jakarta… being confident and capable of moving around on my own and discovering all the hidden gems the city has to offer,” she says. Jakarta, often seen as an overwhelming metropolis, became a place where she not only developed her language skills but also grew as a professional.

Through the JPP, Marlene gained invaluable experience conducting interviews and building relationships with locals. One memorable project involved interviewing cattle farmers in Indonesia, testing her linguistic and journalistic abilities. “It was an incredible feeling to go out and meet different people… I was getting by with my Indonesian skills, and it was so rewarding to have those conversations,” Marlene recalls.

Reflecting on her journey, Marlene is proud of how her passion for Indonesia has shaped her career as she continues to build partnerships and deliver meaningful research that informs policy and strengthens the bilateral relationship.