Meet Joey Siu, a Global Affairs student set to graduate in Fall 2025. Although originally from North Carolina, Joey spent much of her adolescence in Hong Kong, where she began her journey as an activist during the 2019 pro-democracy movement. That year, Joey became a vocal critic of the Hong Kong police’s treatment of protestors, which led to her being targeted by authorities. Eventually, she was forced to flee and resettle in Northern Virginia, where she matriculated at George Mason University, majoring in Global Affairs with a concentration in Global Governance. When asked why she chose her major, Joey explained, “Through my activism, I realized the fight for human rights is inherently global, and advocacy, diplomacy, and public policy are deeply interconnected,” so naturally, Global Affairs was the perfect fit!
Outside the classroom, Joey serves as the spokesperson and co-founder of Amnesty International Hong Kong Overseas (AIHKO), a newly established entity led by Hong Kong diaspora activists working in exile and committed to advancing human rights in their homeland. As a young activist, Joey has already made significant strides in advocating for democracy and human rights in Hong Kong. Over the summer, she made her fifth congressional appearance, testifying before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In her testimony, Joey addressed a new prison reform policy that she believes could place detained dissidents in “near-total isolation under opaque conditions, essentially a black box that could facilitate torture, inhumane treatment, and psychological abuse. This represents another deliberate erosion of international human rights norms by the Hong Kong authorities,” she said.
Unfortunately, over the past six years, the human rights situation in Hong Kong has severely deteriorated. With nearly 2,000 political prisoners in a jurisdiction of just seven million, the people remain committed to their rights, even as authoritarian pressure persists. Although Joey emphasizes that this tactic of weaponizing detention systems to silence dissent is not unique to Hong Kong, instead “they are increasingly visible in places like Venezuela, Iran, and Russia,” she says. “These parallels really echo what I’ve experienced both in my activism and my Global Affairs studies, that the fight for human rights is not confined to one city or country but is a global struggle.” At the same time, Joey acknowledges the importance of having platforms to speak out and expresses appreciation for the bipartisan support her advocacy and the broader movement have received in the United States.
Reflecting on her academic journey thus far, Joey highlights Dr. Albert Kim, Adjunct Professor of Global Affairs, who taught her GOVT 333 Politics in East Asia course. In that class, students were encouraged to compare contemporary issues with historical events, helping them understand how political dynamics evolved and why. Joey especially appreciated Dr. Kim’s approach to teaching, saying:
Professor Kim created an environment where diverse perspectives were welcomed, encouraging open discussions and constructive debates. I learned a tremendous amount from his course, not only about East Asian politics but also about how to engage thoughtfully with global issues. His class has left a lasting mark on how I approach my studies and my activism, and I would truly recommend it to other GLOA students.
Looking ahead, Joey remains deeply committed to being a strong voice for those whose rights are under threat and to contributing meaningfully to the global effort to uphold democracy, justice, and human rights. Whether through continued education in China studies, international human rights law, and global authoritarianism, or through her activism, be it grassroots advocacy or political engagement, her mission remains clear: to champion human dignity and push for lasting change wherever it’s needed. Lastly, when asked what advice she has for current GLOA students, Joey had this to say:
One of the greatest strengths of George Mason's Global Affairs program is the flexibility it offers in class schedules, meeting formats, and coursework. I encourage my fellow GLOA peers to take advantage of this by exploring opportunities beyond the classroom and start getting involved in issues you care about. Experiencing the world firsthand is one of the best ways to understand it. The last one may be cliché, but I really recommend speaking to our professors more and utilizing their wealth of knowledge. I was able to maintain a 4.0 GPA thanks to their academic guidance, but their support has gone far beyond coursework. They have offered invaluable advice for my activism and career, which truly helped me grow not just as a student but also as an activist and a young professional. Special shoutout to Professor Albert Kim and Professor Niklas Hultin!
September 12, 2025