On Thursday, December 4, 2025, the Master of Science and Doctoral Program (MD) of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a guest lecture on the topic “Adolescent Girls, Agency, and Appetite: Evidence from a Food Voucher Experiment in High Schools in Indonesia.” The keynote speaker was Dr. Robert Sparrow from Wageningen University and Research. The event was held offline from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM WIB in the BRI Auditorium, 3rd Floor of the Master of Science and Doctoral Building, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UFG).
In this guest lecture, Dr. Robert Sparrow presented the results of experimental research on the use of food vouchers in high schools in Indonesia, focusing on adolescent girls’ behavior, decision-making ability (agency), and consumption choices. He explained how voucher-based interventions can influence eating patterns, food preferences, and adolescents’ levels of control and freedom in making nutritional choices. Participants showed great enthusiasm, especially when Dr. Sparrow reviewed empirical evidence linking adolescent girls’ empowerment with access to resources and changes in healthier consumption behavior.
The discussion session was interactive, with students raising questions about experimental methodology, policy implications, and opportunities for further research. Through this activity, participants are expected to gain new insights into experimental approaches in social policy research and a deeper understanding of nutrition and youth empowerment issues in Indonesia. The event concluded with a group photo session as a token of appreciation for the inspiring and highly academic presentations.
