My Work

How clear is the main message of Pancake Day? (Group work)

Pancake Day is a flippin’ fantastic time for Londoners and Brits up and down the country to eat, make and decorate some delicious desserts. But has the original meaning of a celebration rooted in Christian traditions been lost?What was traditionally known as Shrove Tuesday, is a Christian holiday that marks the beginning of Lent. It starts the following day after Pancake Day takes place, and is known to the Christian community as Ash Wednesday.Father James Titley, Guild Vicar from St. Lawrence J...

What is captology and why should we care?

Technology has become an inseparable part of society. Especially for the generation born after 2000, technology has been part of life from the start. It feels so intertwined that it has become part of us, and separation from it seems unrealistic. Marshall McLuhan (1967) called technology an extension of our bodies and nervous systems, effectively becoming part of the self. However, this raises questions about humankind's physiological and mental development and highlights many ethical concerns.T...

Digital ID debate heats up: from petition to Parliamentary floor (Group work)

The debate over the UK’s proposed mandatory digital ID system has moved from Parliament Square to the heart of the Commons.

Protestors wearing Sir Keir Starmer masks rallied outside, warning that digital identity could threaten privacy, deepen inequality and shut people out of work.

Civil rights groups like Big Brother Watch argue the system must remain optional. Nearly 3 million people have already signed a petition urging the government to rethink its approach.

Produced by Nour Mohammad, Antonia Johlen, Mell Hewitt, Eliška Janská, Shreenidhi Sanil.

Digital ID debate heats up: from petition to Parliamentary floor (Group work)

People have gathered in Parliament Square to protest against the government's new plan for a digital ID system, announced on 2 October.By wearing masks of Sir Keir Starmer's face and his digital ID profile, protestors expressed their opposition to the digital ID system.In one of his previous announcements, Starmer said: “You will not be able to work in the UK if you do not have a digital ID.”The government is proposing that having the system is offering easier access to different services and ta...

Is Vinted killing charity shops? (Group work)

Cancer Research UK has announced it is closing 88 stores across the UK by May 2026. This is partly the result of changes in consumer behaviour, with many people choosing to sell their unwanted items online instead of donating them to charity shops. This report investigates the impact of online resale platforms on charity shops and what they are doing to ensure money continues to come in.

Produced by Eliška Janská, Nour Mohammad, Shreenidhi Sanil & Loveday Quarry.

Populismus a volby 2025

Před každými volbami slyšíme desítky, možná i stovky slibů. Některé splnitelné, jiné spíš jen lákavě znějí. Právě takto často funguje populismus: oslovuje emoce místo rozumu, nabízí jednoduchá řešení složitých problémů a staví se do role hlasu „obyčejných lidí“ proti údajně odtrženým elitám.

Populismus není novým fenoménem, ale v posledních letech získává na síle i v Česku. V této reportáži se snažím nastínit problematiku současné doby a poukázat, že populismus není vždy jednoduché rozpoznat. To, že někdo „dobře“ mluví ještě neznamená, že slova v rámci většího kontextu dávají smysl, a plány jsou realisticky splnitelné. A pokud ano, za jakou cenu. Za cenu blahobytu naší země v příštích letech, či postupnému vzdávání se demokracie, kterou generace mých rodičů tvrdě vydobyla.

Cílem reportáže není všem určit, koho volit. Chci spíš ukázat, proč má smysl kriticky přemýšlet o tom, komu svůj hlas dáme. Volby do Poslanecké sněmovny se blíží a rozhodnutí je v rukou každého z nás.

Proto všechny, ke kterým se toto video dostane, prosím, zamyslete se, než hodíte obálku do urny, jestli Váš pohled není zbytečně jednostranný. Budťe otevřeni konverzacím o jiných názorech, a zkuste na věci nahlížet i z jiných úhlů. Politika je o kompromisech a ne o rozhádané rodinné večeři. Fakt, že Vy jako „obyčejný člověk“ máte slíbené hory doly neznamená, že je to tak dobře pro zbytek populace a správné fungování státu. Možná jste se jen stali nechtěnou obětí populismu.

Námět: Eliška Janská (Instagram: @straveli_)
Kamera: Charlotte Janská (Instagram: @jansk.qq)
Střih: Charlotte Janská, Eliška Janská

Reference:
Foto: Tomáš Jančík (Instagram: @t.jancik.58)
https://www.youtube.com/live/6PEfU2r7...
• FULL REMARKS: France’s Far-Right Leader Ma...
Heywood, A.; Laing, M. (2024) Politics. Bloomsbury Publishing.
English subtitles translated with the assistance of ChatGPT (OpenAI)

Cost of Living Crisis (December 2024)

The cost-of-living crisis is hitting students hard in Newcastle. Many are struggling to afford basic things, which is causing a lot of problems. One student, Max, shared his story about how he is coping during these tough times.

Through this piece, my colleague and I aimed to highlight the challenges students face and the coping strategies they use. The project involved practical elements such as camera operation, interviewing, video editing, voiceover work, and on-camera presenting.

Not My Responsibility - Billie Eilish Dance Piece (August 2024)

Inspired by Billie Eilish’s Not My Responsibility, this project is an artistic expression of self-identity and the rejection of societal judgment. Through dance and visual storytelling, the piece embodies themes of individuality and empowerment.

This creative project allowed me to experiment with video editing and narrative-driven visual composition, reinforcing my ability to convey emotion and meaning through film.

Jesmond’s disabled residents raise concerns about state of Jesmond’s roads

Disability is a normal part of life. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 11.2% of people in North Jesmond, and 15.1% in South Jesmond, are classed as disabled under the Equality Act. That means almost 2,700 residents struggle with some kind of disability.


Having a disability means dealing with a condition that affects the mind or body of an individual, making it harder to communicate with others or carry out everyday activities in the usual way, which can limit their life....

Universities should be more responsible for parking, residents claim

Jesmond residents have told JesmondLocal universities should take more responsibility over the lack of parking in the Lindisfarne Road area, as they claim most of the problems are caused by students.


JesmondLocal spoke to locals who complained about student vehicles parked in their streets, the majority of them supposedly abandoned for months.


One resident walking a dog on the road, who asked to remain anonymous because she does not want to annoy neighbours, said: “The universities do own...

Parking at Jesmond schools is ‘stressful’ for children, say parents

The lack of parking spaces near schools in Jesmond is “stressful” for children who are anxious about being late for classes, parents of pupils at local schools have told JesmondLocal. 


On Eskdale Terrace, we spoke with several parents who expressed frustration at having to circle round nearby streets as they tried to find parking spaces at both ends of the school day. Naiya Patel, a mother of three, said: “It’s just stressful. You may need to dash off to something else, like another extracurr...

Cheap Bites of the Tyne

On this website, I would like to share my experience and how I personally deal with food and drinks. I would like to show what both Newcastle and Northumbria University have to offer for students, including interesting food events. My goal also is to accommodate for people with specific diets, such as different ranges of allergies, intolerances, or just simply veganism and vegetarianism. And on top of this, to make everything as affordable as possible, because money is usually one of the biggest concerns among students.

Nutritank Cooking Lesson (December 2023)

This video was featured in an article on my personal WordPress website, which focused on student access to affordable and nutritious food in Newcastle. The platform aimed to inform students about local food initiatives and practical ways to maintain a healthy diet on a budget.

As part of this project, I wrote articles exploring cooking classes and student-friendly meal options while also managing an Instagram account to engage with the audience and keep them updated on food-related resources.

Why study abroad can be worth it (December 2022)

This project marked my first experience with camera operation, interviews, and video editing. Created for a Microsoft Sway presentation, the video aimed to inform prospective international students about the opportunities and challenges of studying abroad.

The piece explores how access to education has evolved, emphasising the UK as a destination that offers not only globally recognised degrees but also invaluable life experiences. Through interviews with international students at Newcastle University, the video provides insights into their journeys, highlighting both the benefits and financial challenges of studying abroad.