Karel Karsten Himawan

Karel completed his Ph.D in Social-Clinical Psychology at the Faculty of Medicine, the University of Queensland. His research focuses on the interpersonal relationship issues, particularly on how marriage and marital status affects individual's well-being with respect to religious and sociocultural perspectives. He approaches the phenomena using psychological, sociological, and anthropological perspectives by outlining the perceived stigma and psychological dynamics of individuals who never married in relation to the issues of feminism, gender role, sexuality, quality of life, and religious belief and practice. Karel received award from the Indonesian Endowment Funds for Education (Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan - LPDP) for his doctorate study.

Karel is a faculty member in the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Pelita Harapan, Indonesia and a lecturer for Masters of Mental Health, the University of Queensland, Australia. He also serves as an Editor in Chief of Jurnal Psikologi Ulayat: Indonesian Journal of Indigenous Psychology, a nationally accredited, peer-reviewed journal, and an editorial board member of Mental Health, Religion, and Culture.

Besides his academic career, Karel is also a licensed clinical psychologist specialising in relationship issues and life adjustment, who practices at Experiencing Life Foundation, Tangerang.