Joyce Ma

Joyce Ma ('21) is majoring in Political Science with a concentration on International Relations and a minor in Creative Writing at the University of California, Berkeley. Growing up in a relatively free city, Hong Kong, that borders its autocratic motherland, she has witnessed the fundamental differences that influence decision-making and the path the city has taken in response to the growing pressures, from the suppression of the press to questionable legislative processes that break the guidelines of the city’s mini constitution. Joyce understands how integral freedom of media and press is to any functioning democracy and has supported that notion through her work in the Berkeley Political Review. As Senior Editor of the Online Section in the Review, Joyce has been pushing boundaries of the publication by exploring multi-media as a means to tell stories and argue for one’s beliefs. She has faced obstacles such as creating a safe space for alternative perceptions in a liberal-leaning organization and protecting writers from potential retaliation due to their political leanings. She understands the importance of upholding journalistic integrity and telling the truth in different perspectives. Joyce is grateful for the rare opportunity to advance her career aspirations in Washington D.C., with the help of the Center on Civility & Democratic Engagement she will be interning at The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training. She hopes to pursue a career in law in the near future not only to help different communities but also to further her dream of upholding democratic values in the upper echelons of government and international relations. Read her story.