Dr Bintan Titisari

Can you tell us about your research, work and expertise in Southeast Asia?

I am a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Design at the University of Leeds, where my current work focuses on sustainability, colour innovation, and traditional craft practices of biocolourant. Originally from Indonesia, my early career and research were rooted in Indonesia region before I earned my PhD at the University of Leeds in 2020. I continue to maintain active research collaborations across Indonesia and the broader Southeast Asian region.

Prior to joining Leeds, I was a lecturer and researcher at the Faculty of Art and Design, Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Indonesia. I also taught at Universiti Teknologi Brunei as a visiting professor and held a part-time lecturer position at BINUS International University’s School of Design in Jakarta. The modules I taught were closely aligned with my research interests and included batik and resist dyeing, sustainable craft and fashion, entrepreneurship and craft management, and design and culture. I am a member of Craft and Tradition Research Group in ITB.

Throughout my practice, I’ve collaborated with Indonesian artisans, academics, SMEs, and organisations such as Balai Besar Batik dan Kerajinan (Yogyakarta), Komunitas Pecinta Sasirangan (Banjarmasin), and the Tracing Patterns Foundation. My research explores how traditional knowledge and local innovation can foster more resilient and sustainable craft and fashion ecosystems.

My research and publications span several areas in contemporary Indonesian textile crafts and fashion, including:
• Traditional textiles
• History and culture
• Community development
• The impact of globalisation on craft practices
• Entrepreneurship and SMEs
• Natural colourant
• Design research

Most recently, I co-curated the exhibition “Batik as Indonesia’s Living Art” at The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery, University of Leeds. The exhibition celebrates the cataloguing and digitisation of over 250 Indonesian textiles from The Coleman Collection, showcasing intricate batik designs made using the traditional wax-resist method across Java.

I also recently contributed a book chapter titled “Collective work systems in Indonesian craft communities”, published as part of Riset Desain Indonesia (Indonesian Design Research).

Any anecdote you would like to share?

In 2014, I worked with an international artist in residence in Bandung. She arrived expecting rural rice fields and water buffalo, but was instead amazed by the city’s vibrant fashion culture. We ended up going on a spontaneous shopping spree! That moment always reminds me of the rich contrasts and surprises in contemporary Indonesian life.