Alifia Marina Syarfi, Arryman Scholar 2024
(linkedin.com/in/alifia-marina-syarfi/)
It may be unique to find a 23-year-old student who is pursuing three postgraduate degrees in the UK with all different majors, right after undergraduate studies. Hi everyone! I’m Alifia Marina Syarfi, you can call me Fia. I am honoured to be one of four Arryman Scholars 2024. I would love to share a bit about my journey as an Arryman Scholar and what it’s been like studying at SOAS under this remarkable scholarship programme.
I believe that improving societal welfare isn’t a one-dimensional task. It demands multidimensional thinking, collaboration across stakeholders, and—crucially—a multidisciplinary approach. Numbers can’t tell the whole story, just as interviews and narratives need statistical evidence to back them up. Solving real-world problems requires the integration of both quantitative and qualitative methods. They don’t compete—they complete each other.
Back in Indonesia, I studied Economics for my undergraduate degree at Universitas Gadjah Mada, thinking that this was the key discipline to solving issues like poverty and inequality. However, after working as a Project Consultant for the Asian Development Bank, I came to realise that economics alone cannot fully explain the complex and messy realities of development. Real-world outcomes are shaped not just by data and numbers, but also by power relations, institutions, culture, and political dynamics.
This led me to pursue an MSc in International Development at the University of Edinburgh, where I came to learn the richness of narratives, ethnography, and political context. I began to understand the ‘qualitative’ side of the story—yet, I also saw the need to connect it back to robust, data-driven analysis to effectively influence policy.
During my second semester in Edinburgh, I was excited to discover the superb bridge: the Arryman Scholarship brought me to SOAS for an MSc in Development Economics and a PhD in Economics. Studying economics at SOAS enables me to powerfully integrate my backgrounds in both economics and development studies within a programme that truly values pluralism.
The Department of Economics at SOAS is unlike any other. It’s refreshingly Global South-oriented, critical, and pluralist. We learn developmental challenges from the perspectives of the Global South—rather than imposing Western-centric models. SOAS encourages us to view development through the lens of countries like Indonesia—on our own situation and condition. This kind of economic thinking fostered at SOAS is hard to find elsewhere. It’s a place where heterodox economics thrives, and where hard questions are welcomed, not avoided. As the name suggests, the School of Oriental and African Studies is rooted in a commitment to amplify historically underrepresented voices in economic thought.
At SOAS, the Department of Economics is not just a place of 'quantitative' or of 'qualitative'; It is a space for embracing multidisciplinary perspectives in understanding Global South economies.
Studying here is both intellectually rigorous and incredibly inspiring. I’ve had the privilege of learning from the most influential thinkers in heterodox economics, like Prof. Anne Booth and Prof. Ha-Joon Chang.
Plus, SOAS regularly hosts rare, mind-expanding events that are hard to find anywhere else, such as the recent talk by Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz on his new book The Road to Freedom—an unforgettable moment where I also had the chance to get my book personally signed by him!
But being an Arryman Scholar isn’t only about academic excellence—it’s also about personal development and becoming a well-rounded global leader. Strong communication and public engagement skills are essential to translating research into real-world impact. SOAS offers various social activities for students to take advantage of. I am honoured to serve as the student ambassador for MSc Development Economics, sharing my stories at SOAS Open Days, and as the Treasurer of SOAS Indonesian Society. These activities give a great mix with my academic life, keeping me energised and lively.
Studying and living in London—one of the world’s leading economic centres and diverse cities—offers so many fascinating things, yet with comfortable vibes.
There’s always something happening—from museum exhibitions to weekly pop-up food markets right outside the SOAS campus, which is so convenient to grab lunch with friends!
Ramadan here was particularly memorable; SOAS’s Islamic Society hosted warm and welcoming iftars that made me feel right at home, and the Ramadan lights of London are worth seeing! The campus itself offers various study spaces and a vibrant atmosphere! As a student at the University of London, we can also use libraries other than SOAS, like the Senate House Library and the Birkbeck Library, which are both just beside SOAS buildings.
Pursuing a long-term, research-oriented academic journey like the Arryman programme requires stamina, balance, and healthy habits. Thankfully, London offers just that. The city is filled with green spaces—Hyde Park and Regent’s Park are two of my favourites—and are wonderful for morning jogs or simply unwinding after class.
With the continued support and guidance of the Arryman Scholarship and ISRSF, the academic environment at SOAS, and the vibrant life in London, I am honoured and grateful to be offered the incredible platform for pursuing my lifelong dream as an economist: serving the underserved and meeting the unmet needs.
Written by Alifia Marina Syarfi in London, June 2025.
