Who are we?
What do we do?
We are The Forbidden Flourish (TFF), a student-led non-profit media platform dedicated to bridging the gap between high-level policy decisions and the individual experiences they impact.
Our mission is to foster awareness and understanding of complex social and political issues through a combination of non-fiction journalism, podcasts, and policy analysis.
Our Story
The seeds of TFF were sown in the spring of 2020, amidst a backdrop of significant social and political events. Recognizing the importance of civic engagement and informed decision-making, we set out to create a platform that would inspire and empower our generation.
Our Values
At TFF, our motto is Awareness Matters. This guiding principle underscores our commitment to providing accessible and engaging content that illuminates the world around us. We believe that knowledge is the foundation of informed action, and we strive to make complex issues approachable and understandable.
Our Content
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TFF HumanJournal: Our non-fiction journalism platform features in-depth articles that delve into current events and policy issues from a unique perspective. We call it "Big Policy, Little People" because we believe that understanding the human stories behind policy decisions is essential to meaningful engagement.
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TFF Podcast: Our bilingual podcast provides thought-provoking discussions and analysis of current affairs from a student perspective. We aim to bring fresh perspectives and creative approaches to the topics that matter most to our generation.
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TFF ThinkTank: Our student-led think tank produces rigorous policy analysis and research on a range of social and political issues. We believe that evidence-based research is crucial for informed policymaking.
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TFF Policy Hackathon: We are excited to announce the inaugural TFF Policy Hackathon, a policy paper competition inspired by similar events held at universities across the US and Europe. This event will provide a platform for students to showcase their research and policy analysis skills.
Together, we can make a difference. Awareness Matters.
Our
Team and Structure
TFF is a non-profit organization whose operations are entirely under the Fundamental Charter, its constitution. The internal management of TFF is led by its Board of Governors, presided over by the Chairperson of the Board. The Board directs and oversees TFF's Executive Branch -- led by TFF's CEO and is responsible for TFF's daily operations -- and the Advisory Committee providing the organization with insights and suggestions.
The Founding Team
The Founding body of TFF.
Tommy Kuang
Chairperson of the Board
Algol Li
Governor
Ningning Zhang
Governor
Ethan Zhou
Governor; CHRO
Current Board Members
Dedication. Expertise. Passion. A team of excellent students from around the globe who are in charge of TFF's day-to-day operations.
President
Jaycee Zhou
Policy Interests:
information control, political polarisation, psychology of voting, proxy warfare
I enjoy debating, running, and wake-surfing!
Co-Editor-in-Chief
April Liu
Policy Interests:
international political economy and sovereignty disputes
I enjoy listening to hiphop and playing cello and piano. My other hobbies are shooting, basketball, skateboarding.
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Shirley Ma
Policy Interests:
immigration policy, political philosophy, mathematical/ computational social sciences
There’s always room for my tiramisu!
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Lisa Zhou
Policy Interests:
international environmental policy, indigenous rights
I love playing volleyball and drinking tom yum soup!
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Charlene Chen
Policy Interests:
marginalized families, poverty, memes and political communications
I love traveling, esports games (specifically IVL) and music.
Managing Producer, Podcast
Jessica Ji
Policy Interests:
AI policy，international relationship，political theory，politics and government
Music is the cure (love Hamilton Musical)
Executive Producer, Podcast
Melody Xu
Policy Interests:
feminism & adolescent psychological development
I geek out over feminist ideas and teen mental journeys. Catch me snacking while overthinking social stuff.
Social Media Director
Vacant
Policy Interests:
enter here
motto here :)
Stay in Touch.
Follow us on WeChat/Weixin Public Account:
The Forbidden Flourish
