Pi Media: Pi Magazine Editor-in-Chief

Hi all! My name is Lia. I am studying Comparative Literature with Arabic. I believe in the power of print media. Observing how the UCL200 Pi issue became a collectible among students, staff, and a wider audience, reaffirmed my belief. What I admire most about Pi Media is its spirit of curiosity and inquiry. As editor, I want to make the writing process even more accessible and engaging for students. My approach includes:
- Beginning the year by inviting a prominent media professional to speak about their past experiences with university newspapers. I am planning on launching a monthly guest program featuring journalists, politicians, and authors, in collaboration with university departments.
- Hosting weekly evening socials centred on discussing prompts. These sessions would help students develop article pitches and receive feedback in person or by email.
- During term, exploring the introduction of a monthly mini publication to showcase emerging voices.
- At the end of each term, producing a printed publication featuring longer form work and a print-only cover article, such as an interview or investigative research. Drop-in sessions would support students to develop original articles on local and global topics.
I bring editorial experience as the junior editor of an academic publication (2025) and editor of my sixth form yearbook (2024). These roles have given me practice in working precisely with language and images. I love working in a team to bring ideas to life.

This year, I joined Pi as the Lifestyle & Culture Contributing Editor for PiMagazine, and I have greatly enjoyed the role. It has been incredible to see student work reach so many people across the university, particularly through UCL200, and I am proud to have been part of that.

I would love to become PiMagazine Co-Editor-in-Chief to deepen my involvement in my third year. Having worked across both the magazine and newspaper, I care deeply about carrying them forward. I particularly treasure media and literature distributed in print, as it is quickly becoming a lost art. I want to help Pi resist the shift toward strictly online media and continue sharing news in tangible, lasting forms.

While Pi centres on journalism, I would also like to expand the magazine’s output by exploring the intersection of media and art. The magazine already showcases fantastic student artwork, but we can go further. I want to encourage students to see how fiction, poetry, sculpture and other creative forms can engage with journalism, especially when global news can feel saturated with the same stories and language.

Alongside my current role, I was previously Editor-in-Chief of my school magazine, gaining experience in leadership, collaboration and delivering a strong final product.

As PiMagazine Co-Editor-in-Chief, I would prioritise honouring the publication’s legacy while working with the team to grow its readership across the university.

Having surrounded myself in writing for over 6 years, I have developed a passion for writing and journalism, which I hope to further explore through my position as Editor-in-Chief of Pi Media. I already have experience as an editor, having been on the editorial team for my school's magazine and yearbook, and I hope to mature this venture of mine by contributing to Pi Media, and giving fellow students the opportunity to write for UCL's premier newspaper.

I am standing for Pi Magazine Editor-in-Chief because I am passionate about long-form journalism and the cultural value of thoughtful print media. I am currently a News Correspondent for Pi Media, covering London and UCL news, and I am also the editor of The Franklin Press, an independent publication I founded. Through these roles, I have developed an understanding of editorial structure, cohesion and voice.

I also recognise that magazine editing differs from standard news reporting. It requires stronger thematic direction, careful layout, narrative flow and attention to visual presentation. If elected, I would aim to maintain high editorial standards while ensuring the magazine feels cohesive, representative and professionally produced.

I am applying for the position of Pi Magazine Editor-in-Chief because I have been inspired. Last night, I attended the launch of Pi Media Magazine's 200th anniversary edition, and I was struck by the sheer talent of the student body in creating such a beautiful publication. I am passionate about the power of student media to uplift young voices, and at a time of upheaval and division, it would be an honour to help present these pressing narratives.

Throughout my first year at UCL, I have written several articles for Pi Media. I greatly valued the process of working with section editors to polish my pieces, and I would like to contribute in the same way by curating stories for maximum impact. I am also fascinated by the resurgence of analogue media, which invites reflection in ways digital media often cannot, and I would love to help shape Pi’s continued evolution in this space.

My interest in journalism began at school, where I regularly wrote for the newsletter and produced video journalism pieces. Last year, I was runner-up for The Guardian's Emerging Voices Award for my piece on the importance of transitional mental healthcare for adolescents. I also gained experience in interviewing and editing by creating a podcast for my EPQ, in which I spoke with FIFA's lead medical researcher.

Above all, I am excited by the opportunity to collaborate with other students on a publication we can all be proud of. Thank you for taking the time to consider my application.