Building a Generation of Resilient Researchers: The Story Behind Genomics and Science Dojo 3.0
- SID Developer
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Amid ongoing efforts to strengthen Indonesia's genomics and biomedical research ecosystem, a capacity-building program is once again underway for the third time. Genomics and Science Dojo 3.0 is more than just a technical training program, it is a movement to cultivate a more critical, open, and collaborative scientific culture among Indonesia's young researchers.
The Uniqueness Behind the Dojo: A Different Kind of Method
Built on the philosophy of the "Dojo," with its strong undertones of martial arts and the Shinjitsu methodology, the program is grounded in a simple belief: great researchers are not made by working alone, but in discussion spaces that dare to question assumptions and build deep, well-reasoned arguments. The program is supported by the British Embassy Jakarta and co-initiated by the Summit Institute for Development (SID), together with GSI Lab and OUCRU-ID.
What sets Genomics and Science Dojo apart from typical research capacity-building programs is its distinctively tiered learning approach, known as the Dojo Method. This approach addresses not only the technical dimensions of research, but also the deeply human side of an academic's journey.
Entering Cycle 2: From the Screen to Face-to-Face Spaces
The journey of Genomics and Science Dojo 3.0 has now entered Cycle 2, which opened with a three-day Online Shinjitsu Class held from June 17–19, 2026. During this online session, participants from various regions began building rapport with their assigned sensei, while also re-presenting their research ideas and manuscript progress to receive initial feedback before moving on to the next stage.
Following that virtual warm-up, the program continued into an intensive minicamp held from June 21–25, 2026, at Novotel Cikini and Mercure Cikini, Jakarta. Over five full days, researchers from across institutions came together in an atmosphere that was demanding yet full of collaborative spirit, taking part in training sessions, engaging in discussions, and competing with one another in scientific debate.
The first stage takes the form of the Wounded Healer session, a warm and open dialogue between sensei and participants. In this session, the sensei open up about their own personal struggles and vulnerabilities, reaffirming that the Dojo is a safe space to grow, learn, and heal together. Participants are given the opportunity to reflect—an early step rarely found in conventional research programs, yet one that has proven essential for building trust and openness within the scientific community.
Once that emotional foundation has been laid, participants move into a more dynamic phase through Shinjitsu Ninja, a series of challenges that push participants to complete various scientific publication tasks quickly and with focus, ranging from abstract writing and data analysis to developing the discussion section of a manuscript. The intensive format is deliberately designed to help participants break through the common barriers they face in the scientific writing process.
This series of methods culminates in the Shinjitsu Tournament, a scientific debate competition where participant teams present their research ideas or manuscript drafts. Here, participants receive direct feedback and critique from their peers, making the competition not just a battle of arguments, but also a space for collective learning to strengthen the quality of each participant's research
Together, these three stages form a unified method that makes Genomics and Science Dojo more than just research training, it is a journey of transformation for researchers, both intellectually and personally.
The sensei also equip participants with material on genomic research design, strengthening data quality, and systematic data-processing strategies.
Anuraj H. Shankar, D.Sc., Ph.D., one of the founders of Genomics and Science Dojo, left a message that captures the spirit of the program:
"Science is always being wrong, because with being wrong, we always find the truth."
Comments