Discussing Islam and Society with Prof. Stéphane Lacroix | The UIII Podcast - Part 3

Prof. Stephan Lacroix and the host discuss the challenges of studying Islam and Muslim societies in a post-9/11 world. They note how academia has often been pressured by politics and security agendas, with religion being blamed for terrorism and conflict. Lacroix emphasizes that serious scholarship must resist simplistic narratives, value complexity, and continue taking Muslim societies seriously on their own terms—even while competing with the oversimplifications of media and social media. They also reflect on the role of universities, especially in the Global South. UIII (Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia) is highlighted as a unique project—merging religion and social sciences, rooted in Indonesia’s own long intellectual traditions, while also engaging globally. They discuss the promise and challenges of new technologies like AI in education, and Lacroix stresses the importance of balancing tradition with innovation. He concludes by saying his year in Indonesia was just the beginning of a deeper journey, and he hopes to return for more research and collaboration. --- Producer: Prof. Farish A. Noor & Dadi Darmadi Director: Achmad Nurjaman Jatnika Camera Person: Fadhli Dzil Ikram, Alief Fathan, Atia Adjani Creative: Atia Adjani, Fransiska Aprilia, Supriyono Hemay Editor: Achmad Nurjaman Jatnika