Jessie Lau is a London-based writer and award-winning journalist from Hong Kong
I tell stories about postcolonial identity with a feminist approach. I’ve spent more than a decade reporting from Asia, Europe and the United States for The Guardian, BBC, LA Review of Books, The Economist, CNN and many more publications. Recently shortlisted for the Philip Hoare Prize for global creative non-fiction, I’ve also been recognised for my reporting by the World Association of News Publishers, among others. Now, I’m a judge for the 2026 Orwell Prize in Political Writing.
Passionate about building platforms for marginalised communities, I founded New Tide, Britain’s only East and Southeast Asian journalism network, which was nominated for the Georgina Henry Award for Innovation. I’m also head of the magazine at NüVoices, a China-focused feminist nonprofit, and contributing editor at Translator, a publication of translated journalism. Commission and pitch me!
Featured stories
Meet the Hong Kong Sign Language Group Translating Politics and Rights
A grassroots organization is working to boost the deaf community’s ability to take part in Hong Kong’s most important political debates
“Young people feel hopeless”: the Thai protesters revolting against authoritarian rule
The country’s youth-led protests are dividing the nation
Why the Taiwanese are thinking more about their identity
Renewed resistance to China and successful handling of the coronavirus pandemic has led Taiwan to re-examine ideas about its identity – and its future