I am a Black Forest girl with my heart in Rwanda and my home in Cork’s Northside. I am the proud ‘mum’ of an excellent dog and a Greek tortoise. I prefer Rwandan coffee over British tea, vibe to Sudanese rap, and outside of journalism, I am passionate about African (wheelchair) basketball development. I am an irregular runner, ex-postwoman, former production shift-worker, and previously a waitress. I also did bakery sales and supported the health system as a medical assistant during the Covid19-pandemic.
Above all, however, I am a passionate journalist and researcher with exceptional organisational talent and outstanding language and communication skills. I have learned a lot in theory through a prestigious academic education and in practice through vast international experience across Europe and Africa’s Great Lakes.
I observe and document in written and spoken words the interplay of the media, conflict dynamics, and peacebuilding and work tirelessly for press freedom. I am motivated by the people of my stories and participants of my research, who are much more than interviewees or participants: they are inspiration, eye-openers, teachers, and friends to me.
As a journalist, I want to draw more attention to mostly forgotten or misunderstood humanitarian crises and conflicts with a focus on the African continent. I always apply a human lens and hold myself accountable to the highest ethics-standards. More than everything else, I love working with my courageous colleagues around the world.
As an academic, I try to share instead of only use my privileges by working for press freedom and on projects that amplify the voices of my great colleagues in exile rather than presuming to speak for them.
As a person, I am a (un)learning feminist and anti-racist. Most of the time, I am upset with global inequality systems and yet always smiling as I live and get back radical empathy.
PhD, researching Exile Journalism
Since 2021: UCC Ireland, Departments of French & SPLAS
Erasmus Mundus Joint MA in
Journalism, Media & Globalisation
Specialisation: Conflict & War Reporting
2018-2020: Aarhus University, Danish School of Media & Journalism, Swansea University
Bachelor of Arts in
African Studies
2015-2018: Leipzig University
Bachelor of Arts in
Political Science
2014-2017: Leipzig University, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Doctoral Research Fellow
Cusanuswerk
Since 2021
Research Integrity Certificate
Oxford Epigeum Training
2021
Certificate in Conflict-sensitive Journalism (CSJ)
Academy for Conflict Transformation
2021
HEAT Certificate
IWMF
2021
Alumna of Cusanuswerk
2014-2020
Mother tongue
Professional
Professional
Fluent
Intermediate
Beginner
Beginner
Born and raised in the rural South, studied in the East, ever a Black Forest girl.
The highschool year (2010/11) that opened the doors to the world for me.
Home of my heart since 2013, now a 1000 hills girl, too.
Studied in Barcelona (2016/17), where my ideas of anti-fascism & patriotism got challenged.
Talks with local conflict & peace journalists became key moments in my career orientation (2017).
First year of my MA (2018/19) - very flat country where they put the national flag on birthday cakes.
Second year of my MA (2019/20) - English tea with a Welsh accent and post-industrial feeling.
The green island and its rebel city Cork called me and I think I’ll stay!
I am always looking for ways to collaborate & learn. Also, I am grateful towards colleagues & readers/listeners who point out when I am off track on my learning journey. So, I’d love to hear from you!
© Louisa Esther, 2024 | Credits
Website by Yobrand Group
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