Dr. M. Taufiq al Makmun is a scholar focusing in American transnational and cultural studies, specializing in transnational identities, digital media, and Javanese-Indonesian socio-cultural practices. A Fulbright scholar and PhD graduate from Bowling Green State University (2024), his dissertation explored globalization’s impact on street vending cultures in Solo City, Indonesia. With nearly two decades of teaching and research at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), he has taught courses in American Studies, Media, and Cultural Identity. Dr. al Makmun has also held international academic roles, including Teaching Associate at BGSU (2023–2024) and Director of UNS International Office (2012–2019). His recent work advances critical AI studies, earning the 2024 Shanklin AI Innovation Award at BGSU.