Meet the Scientist
Thina
‘Meet the Scientist’ is a short feature series in which we get to know the people behind the work done at Borneo Futures
‘Meet the Scientist’ is a short feature series in which we get to know the people behind the work done at Borneo Futures – who they are, where they came from, and where they are going. The voices of young and junior scientists are often lost in a sector often dominated by big names and institutions. This series aims to give back the voice to the changemakers of tomorrow and showcase the hard work they do to make Borneo Futures what it is today.
In this special edition, I spoke to Thina Ariffin, who is currently on sabbatical from Borneo Futures to pursue her Master’s in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainability at the prestigious National University of Singapore. We caught up via video call from the University library in a rare free moment within Thina’s intense and demanding study schedule.
Thina joined Borneo Futures in 2020 as a part-time research assistant, and later took on a full-time role in 2021 as an environmental analyst and external engagement coordinator, where she worked closely with the directors to establish first contact with stakeholders, environmental consultancies, and communities. Prior to Borneo Futures, Thina held a job in occupational health and safety. She tells me that this was not her preferred profession, but as many other team members have commented, the career market in Brunei is limited – “finding a job in the environment sector is almost impossible”.
Having studied environmental science and technology at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Thina was intrigued when she saw an opening at Borneo Futures and knew she had to apply. Her employment introduced her to the possibilities of work related to conservation, the environment, and sustainability, and helped to develop the skills she gained in her undergraduate studies as well as allow her to find her niche, which has led to her pursuing her current Master’s.
Thina’s proudest achievement during her time at Borneo Futures was leading the Baseline Study of Sun Bears in Brunei, a collaborative effort with the government and university. Under the supervision of Professor Erik Meijaard, Thina coordinated a country-wide interview survey on the species, which led to the development of a conservation priority map and key recommendations for future conservation efforts. This project not only allowed her to work closely with diverse stakeholders but also deepened her understanding of conservation science in action.
As for the future, she isn’t sure, but she’s grateful for the experience she gained at Borneo Futures and the work helped her to discover her passion first ignited in a small high school project on sustainable materials. She values continuous learning and professional development and believes that this will set her up for a long and rewarding career. Right now, she tells me, she is just trying to survive her degree and come out with the best results she can. Ultimately, Thina sees herself working at the interface of environment and policy.
