In 1997, a backpacking trip from Bali to Lombok threw Jacqui and her friends, then aged 19, straight into the heady world of Indonesian politics — setting her on a career-long journey toward understanding more about this incredible archipelago.

Jacqui's countless experiences across the country have been nothing short of extraordinary — from hanging with jihadists to hearing songs of revolution — it is the country’s kaleidoscope of perspectives that makes the nation so incredible.

We speak with Jacqui Baker (2004 John Monash Scholar) about what makes Indonesia so special, and the role Australia ought to play in supporting its social and political stability. Jacqui is a Lecturer in South East Asian Studies at Murdoch University where she is President of the Indonesia Council. She is an editor at the Journal for Southeast Asian Studies and host of the podcast Talking Indonesia.