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My journalism covers the intersections of human rights, politics and culture. I interrogate identity and power with a feminist perspective; I make sense of China and East and Southeast Asia in a global context. My work has appeared in The Guardian, Financial Times, CNN, The Economist, BBC and more. Testimonial:
“Jessie is a talented and thorough journalist. I edited Jessie’s work on a couple of occasions at CNN and found her to be prompt, receptive to feedback and willing to shepherd sometimes complex or sensitive stories through multiple layers of review. (She’s) a pleasure to work with.” —Sheena Mckenzie, Editor
View a selection of my work below (digital, film, audio and print):
Films
Over the years, I’ve worked on investigative documentaries as a multimedia reporter, producer, narrator, presenter, translator, fixer and researcher. Following the detention of China’s prominent #MeToo journalist Sophia Huang Xueqin in 2021, I fronted the BBC Eye documentary “China’s Silenced Feminist” investigating her “disappearance.” Watch it on YouTube or BBC iPlayer (UK access) I also executive-produced, reported and narrated the short film “China’s Feminist Fightback,” which explains the country’s dynamic feminist movement. It aired on the Channel 4 News show “Uncovered” on Facebook Watch.
Podcasts
I’m co-host of the NüVoices podcast, a biweekly show featuring interviews with women and gender minorities working on China related topics. Since we launched in Beijing in 2021, the podcast has been downloaded more than 40,000 times. The show is a part of NüVoices collective, a US-based non-profit with chapters across the world including in Britain, where I serve as head of the London chapter. Listen to all our episodes here.
The Guardian
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Financial Times
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BBC
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LA Review of Books
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The Economist
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CNN
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Times Literary Supplement
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WIRED Magazine
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The Guardian • Financial Times • BBC • LA Review of Books • The Economist • CNN • Times Literary Supplement • WIRED Magazine •
Print Portfolio
Can AI speak the language Japan tried to kill?
More than a century after colonisation, the Ainu language almost vanished. Now machines are listening to hours of old recordings and learning to give it a new voice.
“We’re All Chinese, Aren’t We?”
Jessie Lau ponders Emily Feng’s book “Let Only Red Flowers Bloom: Identity and Belonging in Xi Jinping’s China.”
Fake steps and point farms: How 'addicted' gamers are cheating a Chinese app designed to help the climate
An acclaimed Chinese app game was designed to encourage green behaviour. But some users are gaming the system—by paying others to help them rack up points and even buying devices that rock their phones to artificially boost their step count
Hong Kong’s Democratic Diaspora Is Embracing British Elections
A recently arrived voting bloc could decide seats in London
Beijing erases memory of ‘white paper’ protests in further threat to journalism
Silencing of a film-maker documenting the widespread 2022 demonstrations against Covid controls is part of rising suppression of press freedom
Threats, fear and surveillance: how Beijing targets students in the UK who criticise regime
Chinese students tell the Guardian they are scared to return home and worry for their families after being followed and harassed
Beijing accused of using spying, threats and blackmail against Tibetan exiles
China ‘threatens relatives in Tibet’ to exert control over activists in exile, with greater transnational repression at Tibetan new year
Elderly Uyghur women imprisoned in China for decades-old religious ‘crimes’, leaked files reveal
Hundreds of women sentenced for practices such as studying the Qur’an, dating back as far back as 60s and 70s, analysis of Chinese police files shows
‘It’s difficult to survive’: China’s LGBTQ+ advocates face jail and forced confession
Trans and queer people and their supporters suffer ‘systemic persecution’ as the party pushes increasingly conservative values
‘Looty’: How a dog stolen from China sparked a British luxury craze
Meet “Looty,” a dog stolen by the British in the looting of China’s Old Summer Palace and gifted to the queen. Her journey sparked a craze–and left behind a legacy mired in British imperialism and racism
Uyghur filmmaker faces trial in Xinjiang and alleges torture
Ikram Nurmehmet, a director known for featuring Uyghur protagonists, faced trial in Xinjiang and alleges authorities tortured him in detention
Communications & consulting
As a freelance consultant and communications specialist, I bring my core journalistic values–trust, credibility, editorial integrity, transparency and a commitment to ethical approaches–into all of the projects I take on. I offer insights in the following areas of expertise (broadly defined):
Developing new multimedia initiatives and platforms
Art, political and cultural communication
Diversity, equity and inclusion training
Strategic communications
Audience targeting, social media and multi-platform growth strategy
China government, economy and consumer culture analysis
Asia-focused foreign policy and geopolitical risk assessment
Intersectional feminist and de-colonial foreign policy
Human rights monitoring and impact assessment (particularly in Greater China)
Expert and source referral
Crisis communication and decision-making
Over the past decade, I’ve offered my expertise, shaped projects and delivered training workshops for various organisations. I’ve shared strategies on developing de-colonial, anti-racist and intersectional feminist policies with the Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy (CFFP) in Berlin, as part of a year-long working group on improving the discourse around feminist foreign policy. I’ve also provided insights on a strategic communications webinar hosted by The Whitehouse Consultancy in London, and consulted on risk assessments for filming projects in China for BBC World Service and Channel 4 News.
My copywriting breaks down complex topics into engaging content; I deliver an organisation’s message to its target audience with nuance and clarity. I’ve worked on annual reports, research, copywriting and consulting projects for think tanks, charities and NGOs such as Media Defence, The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung and Limelight Foundation. Have a project I can help with, or just an idea? Let’s discuss how I can add value.
What people are saying
“I've witnessed Jessie launch and manage several successful multi-platform projects and media platforms, nurturing them from the ground up into exciting ventures with high levels of growth. Jessie is one of the most dynamic and entrepreneurial editorial leaders I know and I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking her expertise on media and communications."
—Joanna Chiu, Managing Partner at Nüora Global Advisors and author of China Unbound
“Jessie is someone I would work with again in a heartbeat. She brings strong editorial judgement, excellent writing, and professionalism that make collaborative projects run smoothly. I would warmly recommend her to NGOs, think tanks, foundations, and other mission-driven organisations looking for someone who can develop and deliver thoughtful, high-quality media and copywriting work with care and intelligence.”
—Inge Snip, Communications and Partnerships Manager at Limelight Foundation
