The Asia Foundation

Expertise: Islam and Development; Islam in Indonesia; Politics in Indonesia; Islam and democracy; and Islam and women.

Robin Bush was appointed to the position of Deputy Country Representative, Indonesia in May 2006. Formerly, she was director of The Asia Foundation's Islam and Development programs in Indonesia. These programs include civil society, education, and anti-poverty programs that work with and through Muslim organizations. In this context, Dr. Bush works closely with local Muslim organizations to promote pluralism and tolerance, education reform, gender equity, and rule of law in Indonesia.  In addition, Dr. Bush assists The Asia Foundation field offices throughout Asia with development of Islam-related programs. Dr. Bush has lived in Indonesia for almost twenty years, and has worked closely with Muslim groups in Indonesia for the past eight years.

Dr. Bush completed her Ph.D. in political science at the University of Washington in 2002, writing her dissertation on Islamic politics in Indonesia. She is the author of numerous articles on Islam and democracy in Indonesia, and her book titled, Islam and Civil Society: the case of the Nahdlatul Ulama, is forthcoming from ISEAS press.

Education: B.A. in political science from the University of South Carolina; M.A. in international affairs from Ohio University; and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Washington.