About Me

Experiences

Leadership and Teamwork

Over the years, I have cultivated strong leadership and teamwork skills through various roles and experiences.  As a CCTV controller and assistant supervisor at a busy shopping center, I was responsible for overseeing a team of security, facilities, housekeeping, and customer service staff.  This role required effective coordination, clear communication, and the ability to manage diverse teams in a fast-paced environment.  Additionally, I have volunteered as a treatment center manager during the London Marathon.  In this capacity, I managed a small team of first aiders and healthcare professionals at a busy intersection of the route, ensuring the efficient and effective treatment of participants.

Teamwork has been an essential component of my professional and volunteer experiences.  My prior employment in retail and event security demanded close collaboration with colleagues to ensure smooth operations and customer satisfaction. Furthermore, my roles with St John Ambulance (NI) and Belfast Pride have provided me with numerous opportunities to work in team settings.  These experiences have taught me the importance of cooperation, mutual support, and the ability to adapt to dynamic situations.  Whether coordinating emergency responses or organizing large-scale events, my ability to work effectively within a team has been crucial to achieving successful outcomes.

Editing

I’m experienced with Adobe Premiere Pro, having used it extensively for over five years during my undergraduate and higher national diploma studies.  Throughout this period, I utilized Premiere Pro for the production of various video content, including student news programs and personal projects.  My proficiency with Premiere Pro includes advanced editing techniques, color correction, and effects integration, allowing me to create professional-quality videos that meet industry standards.

In addition to my video editing skills, I am also well-versed in sound editing with Adobe Audition.  My experience with Audition involves comprehensive sound editing, mixing, and mastering processes, ensuring clear and high-quality audio for all my projects.  I have used Audition to enhance the audio quality of my videos, ensuring that the sound is just as polished and professional as the visuals.  My combined expertise in both video and sound editing enables me to produce cohesive and engaging multimedia content that stands out in today’s digital landscape.

Research

Over the last five years, I have developed my research skills through both formal education at Ulster and Belfast Met and self-directed learning.  My investigative module during my degree allowed me to hone these skills further, focusing on areas such as Companies House and the Land Registry giving me the ability to gather and verify business-related information, social media use, freedom of information requests, and verification through cross-checking and fact-checking.  My dissertation, which explores mis- and disinformation, provided a deep dive into these verification techniques.

Additionally, I have been studying open-source intelligence gathering, inspired by the methodologies of the Bellingcat investigative collective.  This has included learning advanced techniques for reverse image searching, using open sources such as social media and conducting comprehensive interviews.

My self-directed learning has also expanded into studying supply chains and business, broadening my research capabilities.  These skills allow me to conduct thorough investigations and produce well-researched, accurate, and reliable reports.  My proficiency in using these various research tools and methods ensures that I can uncover and verify crucial information, contributing to the integrity and depth of my reporting.

Media Law

During my undergrad second year and masters, we covered a module on media law. This course provided an in-depth understanding of the critical legal principles that govern the media industry, focusing on various aspects essential for any aspiring journalist or content creator.

Areas we explored included defamation where I learned about the legal frameworks that protect individuals’ reputations against false statements. This included detailed case studies and practical applications, helping me grasp how to navigate the complexities of libel and slander in my reporting.

Court reporting is another significant component of the module. I studied the rules and regulations that journalists must follow when covering legal proceedings. This knowledge is crucial for ensuring accurate and responsible reporting from the courtroom, maintaining the delicate balance between public interest and the right to a fair trial.

Confidentiality and copyright were also pivotal topics in the course. I gained insights into the legal protections for intellectual property and the ethical considerations surrounding the use of confidential information. Understanding these principles is vital for producing original content and respecting the rights of content creators and sources.

The module also covered press and broadcast regulation, examining the bodies that oversee media practices and the standards they enforce.  This included an analysis of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code and the Editors’ Code of Practice, which are essential for maintaining ethical standards in journalism.

We also delved into source protection, a critical area for investigative journalism.  I learned about the legal protections available to journalists to safeguard their sources’ identities and the ethical implications of source confidentiality.

The NCTJ Essential Media Law exam will further build and refine my expertise in media law and enhance my ability to produce legally sound and ethically responsible journalism.

This comprehensive education in media law has equipped me with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the legal landscape of journalism, ensuring that my reporting is both accurate and compliant with the highest legal standards.

Trauma-Informed reporting

My approach to trauma-informed reporting is rooted in extensive volunteer experience and self-directed learning.  Volunteering with St John Ambulance (NI), I have supported countless patients over the past twenty years with a wide range of medical conditions, developing a keen understanding of the profound impact that trauma and disease can have on both patients and their families.  This hands-on experience has equipped me with essential skills in providing empathetic and sensitive support to those in distress, ensuring that their stories are told with the utmost care and respect.

Additionally, as a queer guy and my involvement with Belfast Pride and the support we’ve provided to other Pride festivals, I’ve refined my understanding of different sexual orientations and identities beyond my own.  This has been important in fostering an inclusive and compassionate approach to reporting on sensitive topics within the queer community.

My self-directed learning on trauma-informed reporting has been guided by a range of charity-based resources including the NSPCC when covering child related copy, Women’s Aid covering domestic violence with an overlap into male victims of domestic violence, Samaritans on topics of self harm and suicide and guidance from one of my university lecturers.  These resources have provided valuable insights into the principles and practices of trauma-informed journalism, emphasizing the importance of empathy, respect, and sensitivity.  I’ve learned to prioritize the well-being of trauma survivors in my reporting, ensuring that their dignity is preserved and their experiences are portrayed accurately.

In practice, this means being mindful of language and avoiding sensationalism, seeking informed consent, establishing  and providing context to help audiences understand the broader implications of the stories being told. By integrating these principles into my broader journalism practice, I aim to create a safe and supportive environment for all sources, particularly those who have experienced trauma.  My commitment to trauma-informed reporting not only enhances the quality and credibility of my journalism but also fosters trust and respect between myself and the communities I serve.

Camera and Sound

I have extensive experience working with both single and multi-camera setups, both in studio and field VT production.  This includes producing a student news program at Belfast Met, as well as at Ulster University, where I honed my skills in camera operation, framing, and live production techniques.  Additionally, I’ve produced my own content for social media and academic work, incorporating drone footage that I captured myself to add dynamic perspectives and enhance storytelling.  My proficiency extends to using various camera accessories such as tripods, stabilizers, and lighting equipment to achieve professional-quality visuals. Sound is a key component of media, and I’ve received comprehensive training in its use.  This training covers the use of microphones, quality control, and editing.  I am adept at ensuring high-quality audio, which is crucial for professional media production.  My expertise in audio includes using both shotgun and lavalier microphones, as well as mastering sound editing software to create clear and engaging audio tracks.

Driving

I am an experienced driver with an unrestricted and clean car license.  In addition to my current qualifications, I’m working towards obtaining my C+E categories followed by my motorcycle license.  I have access to my own well-maintained and insured vehicle, ensuring that I am always prepared for any driving requirements that may arise and also hold a valid passport for international travel.