The first cohort of GNI's global research network — with more cities joining each year.
Global Network, Local Voices
Our chapters across globe are the heart of the Global Narrative Initiative, led by dedicated student researchers preserving community memories.
Paris Wang
Kayla Chen
Hannah Li
Hong Kong, China
San Francisco, USA
Shanghai, China
Yuman Wu
Angela Yan
Frank Xu
Farmington, USA
Washington, D.C., USA
Pottstown, USA
With a background in research on the Majie and professional reporting for The Standard, I lead the Hong Kong Chapter to transform functional labour statistics into a vibrant, humanistic record of dignity, resilience, and cultural legacy.
In honor of this history of San Francisco's Chinatown, thisChapter of GNI focuses on the ethnic enclaves of the city, from Little Italy to Mission District.
Hannah's narrative focus is on the clash between female migrant workers' gender roles and their careers, a dilemma resulting from the flawed hukou system and the patriarchal nature of Chinese society.
Yvonne Chen
Lucy Meng
Gabi Ping Guo
Singapore
Vancouver, Canada
Nanjing, China
I explore Singapore’s ongoing resistance against this mosquito-borne disease through the testimonies of affected residents. These experiences aim to highlight how government intervention and community engagement interweave to mitigate outbreaks and protect public health.
I am focusing on Vancouver, the city where I grew up, a place where ancient Indigenous histories and fragile immigrant memories coexist, yet both risk fading into silence. I seek to preserve the stories that define Vancouver’s true identity before time erases them.
I have taken on leadership roles in student governance and founded student-led initiatives focused on mental health and community engagement. My experience includes international exchange programs, policy challenge competitions and public speaking platforms.
By tracing Pottstown’s rise through industry and its disentangle after economic decentralization, I hope to spotlight how prosperity is built and remembered. Most importantly, I want to see the unseen: to target why the “in-between” moments matter as much as the boom and bust.
Centered around the city’s invisible civic labor, Angela's work documents the public service workers whose efforts to sustain democratic life and preserve national memory and identity often remain unacknowledged.
I’m a published author whose research focuses on overlooked and contested histories. I’ve written extensively on the history of deaf education and the Hundred Flowers Campaign in China.
Our Dedicated Editorial Team
Michael Shui
Brown University
Judy Lin
Emma Yao
Stella Zhang
Sherry Fei
Stanford University
Cornell University
University of Pennsylvania
University of Chicago
Michael Shui is a junior at Brown University studying Classics and History. He is also on the pre-law track, doing community and legal work in Rhode Island.
"Historical narratives are not created equal; they are organized, interpreted, and presented through the choices we make as writers and editors. Whether working on oral history or microhistory, I believe we should always remain aware of the role we play in shaping how the past is constructed and understood."
Sherry Fei is a freshman at Stanford University studying economics and history on the pre-law track. She has extensive experience with archival research and enjoys creative writing, music, and various sports in her free time.
"The stories that are least represented often require the greatest editorial care. Our role is not to rewrite these voices, but to preserve their authenticity with clarity and respect, ensuring that the lived experiences of people across different communities remain faithful to those who shared them."
Stella Zhang is an Electrical and Computer Engineering student at Cornell University who enjoys helping writers develop and refine their ideas.
"I am grateful to be involved in this project that brings attention to voices and hidden stories. Through the editing process, I have also had the opportunity to learn about overlooked parts of history and better understand the experiences behind them by looking through the interviews. I aim to preserve each contributor’s authentic voice while ensuring that their stories are presented clearly and respectfully."
Emma Yao is an undergrad at the University of Pennsylvania studying Physics and English. She is drawn to editorial work that treats a writer's own voice as the starting point rather than raw material to be reshaped.
"A mentee's voice already contains the point. When I edit, I ask whether each change serves a larger intent rather than my own preferences. The measure of good editing is how little of me a reader can find in the finished piece."
Judy Lin is a rising junior at the University of Chicago studying economics. She hopes to help preserve meaningful stories through her editorial work.
"I believe the main purpose of editorial work is to ensure more voices are heard with greater authenticity. I approached the project by respecting the experiences behind the stories while ensuring accuracy and detail. Preserving an archive means protecting not only the historical records but also the human memories that give those records lasting meaning."
High school and university students are invited to contribute to our mission by applying for chapter leadership or research roles.