International Writer, Journalist, Editor & Lecturer

I tell stories about identity and power, with a feminist approach.

I make sense of China and Asia in a global context.

I’m a writer and feminist journalist from Hong Kong. Now judging this year’s Orwell Prize in Political Writing, I’ve spent over a decade reporting from Asia, Europe and the United States for The Guardian, BBC, Financial Times, CNN, LA Review of Books, WIRED, The Economist and many more publications. Shortlisted for the Philip Hoare Prize for global creative non-fiction and Georgina Henry Award for Innovation, I’ve also received awards for my reporting from the World Association of News Publishers, among others.

Now based in London, I teach journalism part-time at Kingston University. I founded New Tide, Britain’s only East and Southeast Asian journalism network, and manage the magazine editorial team at NüVoices, a US-based China feminist nonprofit. I’m also contributing editor at Translator, a publication of translated journalism.

Reach out

Journalism

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Media coaching

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Public speaking

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Workshops

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Consulting

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Research

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Journalism · Media coaching · Public speaking · Workshops · Consulting · Research ·

WHAT SETS ME APART

No matter what project I’m undertaking, whether its reporting and editing a story or teaching a workshop—I care deeply about the process and the people in it. When you hire me, you’ll get someone who will not only achieve tangible results, but also dedicate herself to doing so through an ethical, inclusive approach.

  • "Jessie has been an inspiring editor, mentor, and role model who has taught me so much about the journalism industry. In addition to giving me valuable experiences in the journalism field, she also advised me on applying to J-school and wrote me a letter of recommendation that helped me get accepted into USC, UC Berkeley and Columbia (University)."

    —Suchita Thepkanjana, aspiring journalist

  • "I am grateful for Jessie's outstanding support and mentoring during my time on the BA Journalism & Media Course at Kingston University. Her support was a key factor in my success securing a highly competitive intern placement...I would happily recommend her to those seeking to strengthen their journalism portfolio."

    —Omar Wane, media and communications student at Kingston University

  • "I was always particularly impressed by Jessie's intelligent and mature writing...her ability was recognized by the senior editors at SCMP, and the esteem in which her work was held would often see Jessie assigned special projects from senior staff."

    —Melissa Stevens, former Deputy Digital Editor at the South China Morning Post

  • "Between 2014 and 2015, Ms Lau ventured inside San Quentin State Prison and during that time, she became a tremendous asset to the newspaper staff. Her willingness to come inside a prison setting to further her education and to assist inmates with journalism said a lot about her aspiration to do public good."

    —Juan Moreno Haines, Senior Editor at San Quentin News