Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) continues to demonstrate its commitment to building inclusive and disability-friendly higher education through an international research collaboration with the University of Exeter, United Kingdom, under the project “Disability Rights and In/Equalities in Higher Education.” Two lecturers from UNY’s Department of Special Education, Pujaningsih, Ed.D and Nur Azizah, Ph.D, recently conducted an academic visit to the University of Exeter as part of the project’s implementation.

The joint research project, funded by the British Academy with a grant of £280,000, aims to examine the experiences of students with disabilities in Indonesia and the United Kingdom through an interdisciplinary approach encompassing education, sociology, critical disability studies, and media studies. The research investigates how social and cultural factors, as well as media representation, shape access, experiences, and the positioning of persons with disabilities in higher education systems in both countries.

The UNY team’s week-long visit served as a crucial moment to strengthen shared momentum—a form of collaborative energy that is difficult to cultivate through remote communication alone. A range of activities were carried out, including research discussions, workshops with leaders of disability support services, and exploration of inclusive practices at the Streatham Campus of the University of Exeter.

Pujaningsih, Ed.D emphasized that the collaboration created valuable opportunities for reflection and mutual learning. “Meeting directly with Exeter researchers allowed us to engage in deeper discussions about the Indonesian and UK contexts. Many good practices can be adapted, while also reinforcing UNY’s position as a university committed to inclusive education,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Nur Azizah, Ph.D highlighted the broader policy impact of the research. “This study does not only produce data, but also strategic recommendations to improve services and accessibility for students with disabilities. We hope the findings will serve as a strong foundation for policy change, both at UNY and across other higher education institutions,” she noted.

The UNY–Exeter collaboration is expected to generate policy guidelines, institutional recommendations, and resources for higher education stakeholders, including university leaders, lecturers, and disability support staff. Comparing the social contexts of the two countries also enables the identification of best practices, service gaps, and cultural factors influencing the success of inclusive education.

Following the series of activities, the teams agreed on several follow-up actions, including continuing the collection of comparative data on the experiences of students with disabilities in Indonesia and the UK; preparing academic publications to strengthen the research’s influence on campus policies and practices; organizing cross-country training sessions and workshops based on research findings; and developing global inter-university dialogues on challenges and strategies for realizing inclusive campuses.

This collaboration represents a concrete step by UNY in advancing equitable, just, and barrier-free education. Moreover, the partnership aligns with global efforts to achieve SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).