Meet The 2024/25 Class Of The Journo Resources Fellowship

Alex Parnham-Cope, Leeds

Alex is a freelance multimedia journalist from Gloucestershire who is now based across London and Leeds.

He has a background in politics and international relations and is particularly interested in data and investigative journalism, political affairs, and regional community news. He has produced audio and video documentaries for Virgin Radio, QueerAF, and more. He also freelances in AI chatbot development and enjoys photography and illustration.

Alex’s fellowship piece will explore ways in which journalism can overcome its London bias and if relocating media companies to the North is merely sticking a plaster over a bigger issue.

You can follow Alex on LinkedIn.

Fiona Pettit, Edinburgh

Fiona is an NCTJ-certified journalist originally from South-East Ireland and now based in Edinburgh, where she attained her MSc in Forensic Psychology and Applied Criminology.

Her work focuses on social inequality, especially the climate crisis and sustainability. She is committed to exploring how impactful journalism can bring such stories to light and instigate change.

Fiona’s fellowship piece will explore how journalists and publications are approaching trans and non-binary sources, specifically regarding their pronouns. You can follow her on LinkedIn.

Jiannan Shi, London

Jiannan is a bilingual freelance journalist based in London, UK. With an MA in Sociology from the University of Cambridge, their research on Chinese LGBTQ+ communities and social media has been published in a peer-reviewed academic journal.

Jiannan’s work covers the social impact of technology and all which crosses boundaries — whether visible or invisible. Their work has appeared in PragueCast, SixthTone, and RADII.co, focusing on social issues, migration, and technology through multimedia storytelling.

At Journo Resources, Jiannan will explore how open-source Intelligence (OSINT) can empower disabled investigative journalists.

You can follow Jiannan on LinkedIn or visit their website.

Lexie Gutteridge, Cardiff

Lexie is studying her final year of her undergraduate degree at Cardiff University, where she is also co-editor-in-chief of the student publication, The Cardiff Tab, where she writes, commissions, and edits articles. Her work has led to contributions to national publications including Metro and Tab National.

Her work focuses on human interest features and Lexie’s fellowship piece will discuss how to utilise writing to navigate grief and stay motivated under difficult circumstances while pursuing journalism.

You can follow her on LinkedIn.

Lucy Hicks Beach, London

Lucy is a London-based journalist with a background in arts marketing.

She recently finished her NCTJ qualification and, after leaving full-time marketing, is working part-time in communications and freelance writing about culture.

Lucy’s fellowship piece discusses changing careers and entering the journalism industry in your mid-to-late twenties.

You can connect with her on LinkedIn here.

Lucy Jolliff, Lincoln

Lucy Jolliff is a recent graduate of the University of Hull with a 1st class degree in American Studies.

Alongside her studies, Lucy has written entertainment news for CBR.com and been involved with student journalism on both sides of the Atlantic: for the University of Hull’s The Hullfire and, while studying abroad in the US, Washington College’s The Elm.

Passionate about the arts and culture, Lucy is also a proud former intern of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Hull-based theatre company Middle Child.

Her article for Journo Resources will focus on the implications and effects of passive voice in headlines

She is on LinkedIn here.

Maysaa Jankara, London

Maysaa is a Londoner with a strong interest in human rights and culture. She aims not only to represent but also to amplify voices, using her platform to make an impact through her journalism.

She holds a BA (Hons) in Journalism, News Media, and Media & Culture, as well as a PPA-accredited MA in Journalism from the University of Roehampton. In her spare time, Mayssa enjoys fashion, music, and art.

Maysaa’s fellowship piece will focus on the underrepresentation of Black women in journalism with a focus on how this impacts newsroom diversity and storytelling.

You can follow Maysaa on LinkedIn.

Megan Ioannides, Bradford

Megan is a recent graduate who, in her final year at the University of Bristol, ran the online, feminist magazine, Her Campus, and was the opinion editor for the student newspaper, Epigram.

She has written for other publications and companies including Empoword Journalism, Bristol 24/7’s Student Guide, and Panelle. She continues to seek experiences that combine her degree in Politics and International Relations with her passion for journalism.

Megan’s fellowship piece will focus on the continued marginalisation of regional accents in broadcast media and whether classism is at play.

You can follow her on LinkedIn.

Minna Davies, Nottingham

Minna is a writer and stand-up comedian originally from Somerset and currently living in Nottingham. Her work extends from creative writing and performing poetry, plays, and stand-up comedy to campaigning work in the charity sector, most recently with pacifist organisation, Peace Pledge Union.

Minna’s fellowship piece will focus on the phenomenon of the lay-person investigative ‘journalist’ who makes true crime podcasts and who, with no formal training, risks unethical practices.

You can follow Minna on LinkedIn.

Nichola Ibe, London

Nichola is a geologist, writer, journalist, and social activist from London. A scientist churning out facts, her mission is to present the unpalatable in a digestible way and tackle serious topics with a light touch.

With a deep awareness of social inequalities, she desires to address these issues through her writing. She writes fiction and non-fiction where she seeks to challenge stereotypes and offer accessible social critique while spotlighting untold stories. Nichola was selected in December 2021, for The Curtis Brown Creative Breakthrough Mentoring Programme and is an alumnus of the Harper Collin’s Authors Academy (Non-fiction) January 2023 cohort.

In her spare time, she serves on the Transplant, Renal and Urology Research Board of Guys & St Thomas’ Hospital, the GSTT’s Kidney Patient Association, and acts as a Patient and Public Voice Partner on the NHS Specialised Commissioning Renal Services.

Her piece for Journo Resources will work with the Association of British Science Writers to provide practical guidance and support to science writers.

Roberta Barcella, Manchester

Roberta is a journalist who has worked in Italian television and newspapers. She moved from Italy to Manchester during COVID-19 and has refreshed her skills to adapt them to the UK industry and gained her NCTJ qualification.

Describing herself as an active and curious person, Roberta loves listening to people’s stories and experiences, especially when they differ from her own. Her enjoyment of learning new things has led her to explore video production in addition to writing.

Roberta’s fellowship piece will explore the route from prison to journalism. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.

Sahar Rabbani, London

Sahar Rabbani is a recent Politics graduate from King’s College London who is driven by a passion for uncovering the stories of underrepresented communities.

She has recently founded and published the magazine Silk Road Series, focusing on the arts and culture of Afghanistan and Central Asia in part of a wider commitment to document and preserve Afghan traditions by amplifying Afghan stories.

She is interested in writing features that uncover life from the margins and her fellowship piece will explore why minority journalists are often viewed as too biased to report on their communities.

You can follow Sahar on LinkedIn.

Sam Sheppey, London, England

Sam is a journalist specialising in sports, mainly football. His work to date includes interviews, opinion pieces, short stories, match previews, and reports.

He is a fan of Birmingham City F.C. and has contributed to Blues Focus, talkSPORT, and football magazine, Late Tackle.

Sam’s fellowship piece asks how important is it for a sports journalist to know about every sport. You can follow him on LinkedIn.

Zulaikha Khan, London, England

Zulaikha is a sports journalist with an MSci in Psychology from Royal Holloway, University of London.

She took part in News Associates’s Journalism Summer School in 2024. Zulaikha combines her passion for sports and writing by reporting on stories from underrepresented groups within the sports sector.

Zulaikha’s fellowship piece will explore the lack of representation and coverage of Muslim sportspeople and Muslim sports journalists. You can follow Zulaikha on LinkedIn.