UCL citizen journalist scoops first prize in 2017 London Voices competition

Louisa, a final year student, who recently finished studying for a BA in Polish and Russian, submitted a written entry which illustrated the personal impact of Brexit, and was part of a competition to encourage new talent into journalism.

Dubbed London Voices, the competition aims to promote emerging journalism talent across the capital and to generate a range of new perspectives and ideas about London.

Aspiring citizen journalists submitted articles, videos or photos which debated and challenged the ways people think about their communities. The competition was launched against a background of discussion about the proliferation of 'fake news', and is part of an attempt to fight back by encouraging citizens to become part of reporting 'real' news about their communities and issues.

Post-Brexit Britain

First prize winner Louisa wrote about the issues and emotions arising among European immigrants, old and young, following the Brexit referendum. She interviewed four diverse individuals about their own hopes, concerns and experiences over the past year, and where they see their future in a post-Brexit Britain. From shock, hope, optimism and support through to isolation, discrimination, sadness and fear, Louisa documents four very personal stories of Londoners living under the shadow of Brexit. Louisa's written entry can be read on the London Voices website.

Media Society judges Patrick Barrow and Barney Jones loved Louisa's "carefully presented thoughts on Brexit" and felt it had "some acute observations, and it is well concluded". She was presented with her award by President of The Media Society, Richard Peel.

Louisa is hoping that her recently completed BA in Polish and Russian will come in useful when she follows her other passion, Broadcasting and Journalism, and begins her Master's degree at City University of London this September. 

Her dream is to go into documentary film making, or work as a foreign correspondent, highlighting the unreported perspective of ordinary citizens in current affairs and social issues across the world.