Joanna Chan

  • The voices of a lost generation: Hong Kong’s young women activists in exile

    The voices of a lost generation: Hong Kong’s young women activists in exile

    They once fought for Hong Kong’s freedom, but now, they fight to keep their voices alive in exile. Three young women — Anna Kwok, Chloe Cheung, and Kacy (a pseudonym), once stood side by side in the streets of Hong Kong, fighting for democracy. Now, they’ve been scattered across the world, their struggle continuing in… Read More…

  • The new battlefield: how social media became a weapon of war

    The new battlefield: how social media became a weapon of war

    Wars are no longer just fought with bullets and bombs. They are fought with tweets, deepfakes, and algorithm-driven propaganda. And right now, the world is losing. The war you can’t see We sat in on a closed-door briefing with high-ranking security officials from the UK and Ukraine. The message was clear: war is no longer… Read More…

  • Alvin Ho: the relentless pursuit of speed

    Alvin Ho: the relentless pursuit of speed

    On the track, every second counts. For Alvin Ho, sprinting isn’t just about speed — it’s about proving himself. At 22, he dreams of making the national team, but like many student athletes in Taiwan, he faces the challenge of balancing academics with elite training. As a student of physical education and sport sciences at… Read More…

  • 6 reasons why Leith Hill is the perfect city escape

    6 reasons why Leith Hill is the perfect city escape

    Need a break from the city? Tired of London crowds? Just an hour from London, Leith Hill is the perfect escape. With rising stress levels, Gen Z is turning to hiking as a way to disconnect, recharge, and enjoy nature. An easy hike, stunning views, and a historic tower straight out of a storybook —… Read More…

  • Meet Trainspotters: Q&A with the Gen Z indie band reviving Britpop in Cardiff

    Meet Trainspotters: Q&A with the Gen Z indie band reviving Britpop in Cardiff

    Trainspotters, a Cardiff-based student band, is bringing Britpop’s swagger and attitude to a new generation. Formed through their university’s live music society, the Trainspotters consists of Jasper Dudley (vocals and rhythm guitar), Jerry Cheung (lead guitar), Isaac Trew (bass), Harry Evans (keyboard), and Wesley Kwok (drums). Since their first gig, they’ve built a following in… Read More…

  • The true cost of Shein: are we still ignoring fast fashion’s impact?

    The true cost of Shein: are we still ignoring fast fashion’s impact?

    A £5 dress, worn twice, then discarded. A factory worker sewing for 75 hours a week. A landfill, overflowing with last season’s trends. Fast fashion moves quickly, but its effects last. In the early 2000s, brands like Zara and H&M revolutionised fashion by accelerating production cycles. But in 2023, Shein took it a step further,… Read More…

  • Beyond the scroll: TikTok, China, and the politics of influence

    Beyond the scroll: TikTok, China, and the politics of influence

    It starts with a dance. A meme. A trend. Before you realise it, you have spent an hour scrolling, hooked by an algorithm that seems to know you better than you know yourself.  For Gen Z, TikTok is more than a platform — it’s a search engine, a stage, and the pulse of their digital… Read More…

  • Mili Beagley: from playdough monsters to SFX dreams

    Mili Beagley: from playdough monsters to SFX dreams

    From sculpting playdough creatures as a child to crafting hyper-realistic prosthetics for film, Mili Beagley has always found magic in transformation. For years, Mili Beagley has built a reputation as a rising star in special effects (SFX) makeup. Her journey from sculpting playdough creatures as a child to creating prosthetics and gruesome effects for film… Read More…

  • Danny Robert: London’s board game host keeping the magic alive

    Danny Robert: London’s board game host keeping the magic alive

    The dice roll across the table, landing with a gentle thud. A group of players lean in, eyes locked on the board, as the game master unfolds the next twist in their adventure. First met Danny Robert sat one of these game nights, watching as he effortlessly weaved a story that had everyone on the… Read More…

  • Inside the protest: a photo story of Goldsmiths’ Palestine rally

    Inside the protest: a photo story of Goldsmiths’ Palestine rally

    Students mark the anniversary of the PSH occupation with renewed calls for divestment and institutional accountability. After a year, the anger remains. Students and activists at Goldsmiths gathered once again, rallying outside the Richard Hoggart Building (RHB) to demand divestment from Israeli-linked companies. On 27 February, a large crowd marked the anniversary of the Professor… Read More…