OUR TEAM
ALEXANDRA SHILSON
Executive Editor
Based in Edinburgh, I study English Literature and at the moment I’m specifically interested in literature about childhood. This year I wrote and directed with Bedlam Theatre. I also write music and have composed on several student plays. I like my tea brewed in a teapot but I am very embarrassed about this so I will take it however it comes.
GABRIELLE SHOWALTER
Assistant Editor
Originally from New York, I'm now going into my 4th year of studying English Literature at the University of Edinburgh. Hobbies include nursing a mild caffeine dependency, buying poetry collections I forget to read, and making a futile effort to keep houseplants alive (I always overwater them). Like every other English major, I want to go into the publishing industry. Before moving to the UK, I would have said my favourite tea was “no”, but now it’s Yorkshire with a splash of milk.
TOM GARDNER
Director
I'm a recent History graduate from the University of Edinburgh with a free-trial-subscription addiction, and unrelated debts. Funnily enough, I am interested in the overlap between sectors. I also like Space. My home is in London, heart in Edinburgh, head on Mars, and stomach in Prague, but most importantly, my tea is Twinings' Earl Grey.
TIRENI ODUBIYI
Lagos Editor
Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, I currently study Liberal Arts at the University of Warwick. Studying liberal arts means that I have to explain my degree to everyone I meet but on the plus side, I get to combine modules across different departments and tailor-make my degree which I decided will be sociology focused. Although I’m not sure of the specific career I will have in the future, I know that my job will have to involve writing and content creation. I’m controversially not a fan of tea or coffee but I'm always up for a mug of hot chocolate.
LAUREN SIMKIN
London Editor
After graduating from the University of Edinburgh with a degree in Biomedical Sciences, I am pursuing a master's in Clinical Neuroscience at the King's College London. My home is in London but I plan to settle down somewhere warmer and less cloudy. I'm not an avid tea drinker (very un-British of me) but if I had to name my favourite brand it would probably be Earl Grey.
CHARLOTTE JIANG
Hong Kong Editor
Born and raised in London, I’m currently entering my final year of studying English and Art History at the University of St Andrews. After graduating, I hope to read a Masters which will (hopefully) buy me some time before I figure out what it is I want to do! I love all things books, Cross-fit and food (a bit oxymoronic perhaps, but each compliments the other). My favourite tea is a good ol’ cup of builders breakfast brew: reliable, full-bodied and hearty.
JOHN TANGUAY
New York Editor
I was an undergrad in New York City where I studied Computer Science but currently attend Trinity Business School in Dublin where I focus on Operations and Supply Chain Management. I’m an avid reader, cyclist, and lover of Daft Punk. I also row occasionally. I’m a sucker for gas station coffee but will never refuse a fresh brew of rooibos.
SOPHIE DOWDY
Apocalypse Contributor
Hi! My name is Sophie. I recently graduated from Wellesley College with a double major in Political Science and Women’s and Gender Studies. I am passionate about prison abolition, apocalypse, and the ways gender interacts with the former two issues. Having moved to the US 4 years ago, I am a coffee convert, and will drink anything as long as it has milk and sugar in it.
ELLA KENNEDY
Performance & Identity Contributor
Studying Performance Making MA at Goldsmiths, having done a theatre undergrad at Leeds, I’m a writer and performance artist living in London. My research concerns identity, gender and autobiography. My performance company BLOOM creates work that celebrates the wonderful in the everyday through a visual, tangible and experiential art. I am now trying to marry my interest in identity theory and autobiographical theatre with my own practice, writing experimentally on my own autobiography and exploring other’s presentation of themselves.
SEBASTIAN GODOY
Public Ethics Contributor
I grew up in the Panhandle of Texas and recently graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Genetics. I am moving to attend the University of Maryland to pursue a Master in Public Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation. Unfortunately, I am a fake tea lover but I found this Black Tea with notes of dried orange and warm spices that is a cinnamon-y delight.
ELLA RADLEY
People Contributor
Originally from London, and though not technically a student yet, I'm about to start studying Spanish and English Literature at the University of Bristol. I have no idea what I want to do in the future but hopefully something linguistics. In an attempt to avoid choosing Earl Grey, I would say my favourite tea is Lapsang Souchong.
MAX HUNTER
Nationalism Contributor
I was born in Glasgow, and then grew up in Sussex: I’m as Scottish as Tony Blair. I’m interested in the history of ideas, especially the way that we’ve thought about ‘Britain’ in various centuries, as well as concepts of landownership. I lived in Fife for a while, and then I studied History at Edinburgh for 4 years. Now I flip burgers and rant at people. My favourite cuppa is an Early Grey, with just a little milk.
LEO O'MAHONY
Photographer
I’m a Philosophy and Politics student at the University of Edinburgh, born and raised in London. I want to be the first man to walk on the Moon, working hard on that, so fingers crossed for me. My favourite tea would have to be the letter, I love the way it sits between the R and the Y on a QWERTY keyboard.
CECELIA MELCHOR
Post-Production Specialist
As a film student at the University of Texas at Austin, I've spent a lot of time developing a multitude of talents throughout many aspects of film including things like, colour grading, visual effects, producing, and directing. As a sort of jack of all trades, I'm hoping to utilise what I know to watch my projects blossom from the conception of an idea to the realisation of its creation. I currently have several projects in development and plan to eventually own my own company. As it stands, My favourite tea would be Matcha!
ALICE JOHNSON
Volume Opinion Editor
Originally from York and just finished studying American and Canadian Studies at the University of Birmingham. Spent a very fun year studying abroad in the US at Pitzer College and hope to get back over there and pursue further studying/writing soon. Obviously my choice of tea is Yorkshire tea, every time.
BEN NIMMO
Volume Editor/Producer
Originally from Birmingham, I currently study in Leeds working as a saxophonist, producer and video editor in the bustling jazz and hip hop scene there. In the future I will be continuing to grow my record label ‘Readymeal Sound’, working with the amazing talent the city has to offer. Got to be Yorkshire tea for my favourite brew!