Sijia Zhong is the Program Coordinator of the Aspen China Fellowship Program, where she provides operational and administrative support to ensure the effective delivery of the Program seminars and alumni gatherings. She contributes to program planning, budgeting, and coordination efforts, and works closely with the team to enhance the overall experience and engagement of Fellows within the Aspen China community.
Before joining Aspen, Sijia worked across Asia-Pacific on human rights and digital safety issues, including scam trafficking, forced prostitution, and online child sexual exploitation. She has expertise in open-source investigation and data mapping, and has collaborated with grassroots organizations in China, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar advancing gender equality, LGBTQ inclusion, and anti-exploitation advocacy. In addition, Sijia brings experience in fundraising and grants management, having overseen over €300,000 in funding from private-sector donors to support social development initiatives.
Sijia earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy and Social Sciences (Psychology emphasis) from the University of Southern California and holds an LL.M. in Cybercrime, Cybersecurity, and International Law from the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI). Beyond her professional interests, Sijia is an avid dancer who finds joy and balance through dancing afro, hip-hop, jazz funk, and house. She often participates in international dance camps, where she explores creativity, movement, and connection across cultures.