Junior Talent Programme: my experience working with aspiring young professionals

The Junior Talent Programme supports fresh university students in the sustainability field, offering them opportunities to shape a future where our choices promote a sustainable world. “This programme not only nurtures young professionals and prepares them for the future, but it is also beneficial for the organisation to gain fresh perspectives for learning and growth”, stated Bridget. 

Having worked with many junior talents before, Bridget shared a memorable visit to Sabah, Malaysia, where she collaborated with our junior researcher Julika Winterstein and gained insights from her research work.

In April 2023, I had the pleasure of first meeting Julika in our Copenhagen office. Julika, a dynamic student from the University of Copenhagen, was pursuing her final year of Master of Science in Forest and Nature Management. She was preparing to write her master’s thesis when she joined us. 

Before her junior researcher position officially began, Julika met with us several times to prepare her research arrangements. This included obtaining a research permit, securing the appropriate visa, locating suitable in-field accommodation and planning her fieldwork. These preparations were important to finalising the details of Julika’s three-month research trip to Sabah, Malaysia to work on our ecosystem restoration project.

Almost a year later, in February 2024, I met Julika again in Sabah, Malaysia. I joined her and two members of our Climate and Restoration team to visit the planned restoration site in the Silam Coast Conservation Area (SCCA). Preferred by Nature aimed to restore approximately 100 hectares of heavily degraded forest in the SCCA with our long-time Malaysian partner, Yayasan Sabah.  

Julika had been in Silam Coast and the surrounding area since November 2023. During this period, she conducted research for both an ecological and social baseline study for the planned restoration project. She was mentored by Pablo Rodríguez-Noriega, Climate and Restoration Manager at Preferred by Nature, who worked closely with Julika to prepare the methodology for her research.

Exploring forest conservation areas with Julika

Upon our arrival in SCCA, Julika eagerly shared her recent findings with our Climate and Restoration colleagues. Together with four conservation rangers, she guided us through the planned restoration area using the grid-net Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) map she developed with the help of local colleagues. 

What immediately struck me was how Julika could chat with the rangers like they were old friends. It showed her adaptability and the strong relationships she was able to build during her field research. 

Julika explained that she divided the restoration area into four strata based on her observations and with the help of a local tree expert identified and recorded several trees, plants, and species and classifications as part of the forest inventory to conduct the ecological baseline study. In total, she identified 79 species from 37 families in the restoration area. 

During the tour, she also detailed her methodology for mapping and measuring the plots for further biomass calculations and strata classifications, including counting a total of 2,077 stems for the forest inventory. As Julika shared her research findings, it was clear that she had a real enthusiasm for the work she conducted.

Engaging with Silam Coast communities in conservation efforts

Julika's research in Malaysia also focused on conducting the social baseline study with communities near the conservation areas. Spending three weeks in the surrounding villages, she immersed herself in their daily lives and local customs. During our visit to the communities, we were warmly welcomed by a member of the village council and his wife, who supported Julika and her work during her stay in Sabah. Julika had earned their trust and respect, as evidenced by the genuine warmth of our reception. 

Julika shared insights from her workshops and interviews conducted during her fieldwork. She discovered the communities' strong interest in engaging and participating in conservation efforts, a crucial finding for the future planning of the restoration project.

Reflection on research outcomes

Our time with Julika ended with a kayak trip along the Silam Coast Conservation Area. Reflecting on her enriching research experience, Julika expressed strong gratitude for the opportunity to conduct impactful research and for the cultural immersion and relationships she built locally and within Preferred by Nature. 

"I would like to express my gratitude to Pablo Rodríguez-Noriega, Climate and Restoration Manager, for supporting me in preparing the research methodology and Mateo Cariño Fraisse, Senior Manager, Land Use Programme at Preferred by Nature, for his guidance throughout the social baseline study of my research. I also received tremendous support from the local Preferred by Nature staff, including Hue Su Wah, a Sustainability Specialist, and Nicholas Fong, an Ecosystem Restoration Specialist. Their support was invaluable not only during the preparatory phase of my research work but also during and after my stay in Sabah," said Julika Winterstein, Junior Researcher, Preferred by Nature.

"Preferred by Nature's extensive network and collaboration in the region, along with the helpfulness of their local staff, were incredibly beneficial," added Julika.

Having submitted her master’s thesis and returned to Germany, Julika's research not only fulfilled her academic goals but also significantly contributed to Preferred by Nature’s restoration project. Her work will continue to support our ongoing efforts in Malaysia.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Junior Talent Programme as a researcher. I encourage other new researchers to take advantage of similar opportunities to learn and grow in this field," stated Julika.

My visit to Malaysia, guided by Julika's acquired knowledge and dedication, was an eye-opening experience. It underscored the importance of our Junior Talent Programme in nurturing young researchers who can make a tangible difference in holistic conservation efforts. 

Julika's work exemplifies the impact that passionate and well-supported young researchers can have on our global projects. As we continue our work in Malaysia and beyond, the contributions of junior researchers like Julika will remain a cornerstone of our success. 

To learn more about our Junior Talent Programme and for more such stories, please click here.

Cover photo courtesy by Julika Sophie Winters (first from the left) / Preferred by Nature