Abidah Setyowati's work focuses broadly on critical climate change studies, neoliberal environments, natural resources management and climate governance, indigenous politics, forest tenure reform and gender perspectives in these issues.  With RegNet, her research covers energy governance and climate finance. She has carried out studies on issues of forest access, biodiversity conservation, indigenous politics and local development as they relate to global climate policies (ie. REDD+ and Payment for Ecosystem Services). Prior to joining ANU, she has carried out advisory works and held positions with UNDP, FAO, USAID, ADB, DFID, UNEP-ROAP and other international/multilateral agencies. 

Her research has been supported by numerous grants and awards, such as APIP Research Development Award (2020-2021), APIP Research Excellence Award (2019-2020), the National Science Foundation – Dissertation Improvement Grant/NSF DDIG (2011-2013), UNDP Human Development Fellowship (2011-2013), Margaret McNamara Award (2013-2014), and Louise Bevier Dissertation Completion Fellowship (2013-2014) and Fulbright Fellowship (2008-2011).