HELLO, MY NAME IS

John Lubbock

Freelance journalist

john@the-citizens.com

I’m a creative, independent person who is pursuing a career in the media and charity sectors.

I write about politics, society, and culture, and make content from video to podcasts and photography.

I have a wide understanding of politics and media and would like to use my skills to make a difference to the world’s imperfect institutional mechanisms. I worked as the Communications Coordinator for Wikimedia UK, the UK chapter of the global Wikimedia movement which supports Wikipedia and its sister projects, from 2016-2020.

Since then I have worked remotely (due to the pandemic) as a freelance journalist, researcher for All The Citizens and lecturer at the University of Westminster.

Education

City University London 2007 – 2008, MA, International Politics and Human Rights (Distinction)

Nottingham University 2004 – 2007, BA, English Studies (2.2)

Skills

Photoshop, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Logic Pro,

French/Turkish/Italian (all intermediate levels)

My Experience

2020-Present

All The Citizens

Researcher

I started working for the investigative journalism group All The Citizens, mostly on a data project to track and collate all the contracts published by the government for work in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. We created a huge Open Data repository of government contracts that others can search, and we extensively reported on how the government was spending public money.

2020-Present

University of Westminster

Visiting Lecturer

I taught a module on Digital Media Production as part of the MA International Media and Business course. All teaching at the university has been online, so I have recorded lectures and given seminars via Microsoft Teams to a class of around 25 students, teaching them how to produce media, and exploring trends in the production and design of media for a variety of purposes.

2016-20

Wikimedia UK

Communications Coordinator

I held responsibility for communications within the organisation, and significantly improved engagement with the charity’s social media accounts. I used my experience as a freelance journalist to write for websites like OpenDemocracy and New Statesman about our work, taking on a public speaking role, doing outreach at schools, library groups and public events, and helping to organise events. I helped to improve the brand recognition of Wikimedia UK, especially with educational institutions who are increasingly looking at Wikimedia as a valuable partner, with some course leaders beginning to include Wikimedia projects in their courses.

2013-Present

Various

Freelance Journalist

I have written for numerous websites including the Guardian, Independent, Vice, OpenDemocracy, Huffington Post, Dazed and Global Voices covering international political issues in the Middle East and Turkey, cybersecurity and social issues in the UK. From April to October 2015, I worked on a film project exploring reactions to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Through this work, I learned how to use editing and post-production software (Final Cut Pro X, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, DaVinci Resolve), and have used these skills to make various kinds of visual media. 

2011-13

Bahrain Center for Human Rights

Research Officer

I was responsible for research projects, such as a large report on all human rights violations in Bahrain during 2011, as well as research into UK links with the Bahrain government, including arms and surveillance equipment sales. I conducted media outreach including writing for The Guardian’s Comment is Free and The Huffington Post, drafting copy for parliamentary questions, statements, press releases and public speaking at universities on behalf of the organisation.

2013-14

Locality UK

Community Organiser

I worked on a housing estate near Brixton where I organised community projects in line with Locality’s Root Solutions Listening Matters (RSLM) framework for community organising. I listened to residents on the estate by door knocking and attending meetings of various groups in the area, allowing me to find collaborative ways to improve social problems.