Risa holds a master's degree in development studies from the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Erasmus University Rotterdam. Before pursuing her master programme, Risa worked at LabSosio, Center for Sociological Studies, University of Indonesia. She had also been involved in various social research projects with a number of institutions, such as Center for Communication Studies-Universitas Indonesia, REED+ task force, University of Groningen, University of Tokyo Summer Internship Program (UTSIP), and the National Family Planning Coordinating Board (BKKBN).