Charting New Horizons: A Wave of Talent Joins Spheres of Influence

Hazar Ayaash spent 12 years in her native country Syria before relocating to Jordan for three years. Currently based in Vancouver, she is dedicated to pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Media Studies at SFU. With a deep-seated passion for media and its ability to shape ideologies, Hazar is committed to delivering impactful messages through her writing, focusing on shedding light on crucial social issues and amplifying the voices of the marginalized groups. Beyond her academic pursuits, she is a dedicated book enthusiast who enjoys spending her free time reading and writing reviews. Additionally, Hazar finds solace and inspiration in hiking and photography.

Isaac Code resides on the unceded territory of the Kwikwetlem First Nations, known as Port Coquitlam, BC. Graduated from Douglas College with an Associate of Arts Degree in Philosophy, Isaac intends to transfer to Simon Fraser University to continue his undergraduate education in philosophy and political theory. His studies focus within continental philosophy to investigate relationships of power through an Existentialist perspective with a specific interest in anticolonialism, gender theory, and intersectionality. In his free time, Isaac is an avid participant in social activism and an amateur impressionist oil painter.

Dami Fakolujo is a Nigerian-Canadian immigrant and a recent graduate of the Master of Arts program at Carleton University. His interests include security, defense, international institutions, and secession, particularly in West Africa. In his free time, Dami can be found playing Football Manager or exploring the depths of the internet.

Gustavo Villela is originally from Honduras and first came to Canada in 2017 to do his undergraduate studies at the University of British Columbia (UBC). After graduating with a double major in History and Political Science, he studied at UBC’s School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. Gustavo is passionate about topics as varied as the ancient Greeks to global politics. In the wild, he can be found exploring local bookstores and expanding his book collection.

Lubaba Mahmud grew up in Dhaka, Bangladesh and is a recent graduate from Simon Fraser University, where she completed a B.A. in Economics and International Studies, along with a Social Justice certificate. Some of her research interests revolve around economic development, gender equality, South Asian politics, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. In her spare time, she enjoys going to concerts, café-hopping and reading contemporary fiction.

Joel Perriard grew up in various countries around the world, but it was in Odessa, Ukraine, where he first found his interest in international affairs, having personally witnessed the effects of the Maidan revolution and civil unrest in Ukraine. Today, he is a graduate student at Texas A&M University, pursuing a Master’s degree in International Affairs. He received his B.A in international studies and political science (with Distinction) from Simon Fraser University in 2023. His research interests are primarily in international security and foreign policy. Joel is also an avid runner and enjoys listening to music during his spare time.

Jai Kumar is a staff writer at SOI and is finishing up his degree at UBC in Sociology and Creative Writing. Jai’s writing focuses on global issues surrounding gender and sexuality, substance use and social movements. Outside of writing, Jai shares a keen interest in singing and playing the piano.

June Brown is a current Political Science major and Law & Society minor at UBC. While born in China, she grew up across the Pacific Northwest, from Seattle to Portland to Vancouver. She is passionate about migrant justice, Indigenous rights, intersectionality, US politics, and public policy. In her free time, she loves exploring Vancouver by public transit, listening to podcasts, and visiting local sushi restaurants with friends.

Melanie Miles grew up in a series of homeless shelters and family friends’ homes up and down the east coast of the United States. She holds a B.A. in Linguistics and Creative Writing from George Mason University and lives in the Washington, D.C. area. Mel’s work with non-profits has focused heavily on climate justice, queer rights, and improved conditions for unhoused populations. She is fluent in Comorian and loves teaching English. In her spare time, Mel is a poet, gamer, and avid backpacker.

Rand Abushbak graduated from Douglas College with a degree in international studies. She is originally from Palestine but now resides in Vancouver, Canada. Rand’s passion to foster positive change has led her to advocate for human rights, justice and equality. She enjoys reading and researching about world history and politics, while also gaining additional insight into cultures and languages. In her free time, Rand engages in outdoor activities such as hiking and exploring new destinations throughout the world.