Laurens Bakker

Laurens Bakker is a Researcher at the University of Amsterdam's Department of Anthropology, affiliated with the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. His work focuses on law, justice, land use, resource conflicts, and non-state violence in Indonesia. He has conducted extensive research on militias, land rights, environmental governance, and the intersection of traditional authority with modern legal systems. His research often addresses the complexities of post-Suharto Indonesia, examining how oligarchic influences, decentralization, and grassroots movements shape political and socio-economic dynamics.

Key research areas include land acquisition laws, oil palm and coal mining governance, indigenous rights (hak ulayat), and the role of vigilantism in maintaining social order. Bakker has contributed to debates on Indonesia's legal pluralism, particularly in East Kalimantan and West Kalimantan, where he has documented conflicts between local communities, corporations, and the state. His work also explores the digital dimension of public violence and the policing of religious groups during the pandemic.

Publications highlight his interdisciplinary approach, blending anthropology, law, and political science to analyze topics like coal mining governance, environmental management, and the socio-legal dimensions of land conflicts. He has co-edited volumes on citizenship, democratization in Southeast Asia, and the evolving roles of security groups in Indonesia.

• Research interests: Law, violence, land rights, environmental governance, and Indonesian politics.
• Notable projects: Analysis of land acquisition laws, militia dynamics in Kalimantan, and the impact of decentralization on resource conflicts.
• Publications span peer-reviewed articles, edited volumes, and policy-relevant studies on Indonesia's socio-legal landscape.