Paola Lee

Hi, I'm Paola Lee. 17 (she/her)

I’m a student writer, emerging researcher, and interdisciplinary learner from the Philippines. My work explores the intersections of science, philosophy, politics, human rights, and mental health, with a particular interest in how systems - social, scientific, and cultural - shape the way people think, live, and make decisions. Much of my writing engages with questions about power, belief, ethics, and the responsibility of knowledge in public life.

I have participated as a mentee in several selective international literary and academic mentorship programs, where I developed my voice across creative nonfiction, poetry, and research writing. Through these programs, I learned to approach writing not only as a creative practice but also as a form of intellectual inquiry and public engagement.

Currently, I work as an advocacy blog writer and COP officer at Youth Transforming Narratives, an international nonprofit advocacy organization founded by Balkis that focuses on youth empowerment and social awareness. I also serve as a Staff Writer and Submission Judge at International Magazines, where I contribute editorial work and help review submissions from emerging writers around the world.

My poetry has appeared in the Hyperbolic Review& Moss Puppy Magazine mathematical poetry, a project that brings together mathematics and literary expression, amongst others.

Alongside creative writing, I have been actively involved in academic writing, research, and science communication. I began writing articles and short academic papers in Grade 9, and throughout high school I have worked on both quantitative and qualitative research projects, particularly those related to science, environmental concerns, and social issues. I have also participated in science writing and academic writing activities at regional, national, and international levels, developing a strong interest in communicating complex ideas in ways that are accessible to broader audiences.

Beyond formal school work, much of my learning has been self-directed. I spend a significant amount of time reading across disciplines, drafting ideas, and exploring topics independently. My intellectual curiosity has also led me to self-study multiple languages, including Greek, Latin, Spanish, French, Korean, and Chinese, while I am also fluent in Tagalog and Hiligaynon. Language study has deepened my interest in linguistics, philosophy of language, and cultural history, and it often influences both my creative and analytical writing.

I am particularly drawn to philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, classics, politics, mathematics, linguistics, and the natural sciences, especially biology and physics. Rather than seeing these as separate fields, I approach them as interconnected frameworks that help explain human behavior, institutions, and the structure of knowledge itself.

Throughout high school, I also participated in debates and peer discussions focused on social issues, where I tried to encourage conversations that challenge ideas rather than attack people. These discussions emphasized respectful dialogue, intellectual humility, and the importance of remaining open to being wrong while continuing to learn.

Outside academic and advocacy work, creativity continues to play an important role in my life. I enjoy drawing, painting, playing the guitar, reading and singing a cappella, and I often turn to these activities as a way to think through ideas or process experiences before returning to writing.

Music is also an essential part of my creative process. I often write while listening to artists such as Phoebe Bridgers, Olivia Rodrigo, Lorde, Keshi, boygenius, Paramore, Ethel Cain, NIKI, The 1975, Megan Trainor, Conan Gray, Harry Styles, Mitski, Beabadoobee, Laufey, Clairo, and the Hamilton soundtrack. Their lyricism and storytelling frequently influence the emotional and narrative rhythm of my work.

Ultimately, I believe that knowledge should not remain inaccessible or elitist. My long-term goal is to contribute to making education, healthcare, and critical thinking more accessible, especially for underprivileged communities. None of us choose the circumstances we are born into, but systems can still be changed when people are willing to question assumptions, learn across disciplines, and work together toward more equitable futures.