From journalism to global communications advocacy: how my UK degree shaped my career

Neha Gupta graduated in 2009 with a master’s in international journalism from the University of Leeds. Originally from India, she pursued a UK education to strengthen her research and storytelling skills, which later shaped her career in journalism, strategic communications, and global advocacy.

After graduating, she returned home, reporting on gender-based violence, climate crises, and education access for marginalised communities before transitioning into global strategic communications. In recognition of her contributions to media and social change, she was a Study UK Alumni Awards national finalist in India in the Culture and Creativity category in 2024.

Read on to learn how studying in the UK helped her build a career focused on amplifying voices and driving impact.

‘My passion for storytelling led me to a career spanning journalism, strategic communications, and communications advocacy for social justice movements worldwide’

My journey has been shaped by a lifelong passion for reading, writing, and storytelling—powerful tools that document history, shape narratives, and drive change. This passion led me to a career spanning journalism, strategic communications, and advocacy for social justice movements worldwide. From reporting in South Asia as a correspondent for NHK, the Japanese Public Broadcaster, to leading communications for global campaigns on gender, climate, and economic justice, my work has always been about amplifying marginalised voices and challenging harmful narratives.

A pivotal step in this journey was my decision to pursue a master’s in international journalism at the University of Leeds. I was searching for a rigorous academic environment that would challenge me and provide the skills needed for an early-career professional like myself. Leeds, as part of the prestigious Russell Group of universities, was the perfect fit, offering a scholarship that made my studies possible.

‘My UK education was rigorous and interdisciplinary’

My time at Leeds was deeply transformative, shaping me both personally and professionally. The education was rigorous and interdisciplinary, fostering critical thinking and a broader understanding of global issues. The ability to traverse various disciplines—sociology, philosophy, communication studies—helped me connect the dots between media, policy, and advocacy.

One of my most memorable moments was during my first week in class when our professor posed a question: ‘Who sets the global news agenda?’ That discussion set the tone for my studies, pushing me to question dominant narratives and explore the power of media in shaping public discourse. The faculty, particularly Professor Gary Rawnsley and Professor Michael Rowles, played a crucial role in encouraging debate, independent thought, and self-learning.

Beyond academics, the international student community was one of the most enriching aspects of my experience. Engaging with peers from across the world broadened my worldview and enhanced my ability to navigate multicultural spaces. Some of these friendships have lasted a lifetime. Outside of class, I explored the beauty of Yorkshire—from the historic city of York to the charming village of Haworth and the spa town of Harrogate.

'Living with other international students created a strong support system'

One of the biggest challenges I faced as an international student in the UK was adjusting to the weather—the cold, grey, and rain, were unfamiliar and sat in stark contrast to what I was used to back home. Beyond that, I also experienced homesickness. There were many phone calls to home to ask for recipes for comfort food and scouring supermarkets for ingredients.

Being surrounded by other international students and staying in student housing made things easier as we shared our experiences, built a collective community, celebrated each other’s festivals and looked out for one another. These moments gave me confidence, taught me resilience, independence, and the importance of creating a sense of home wherever I am. But most importantly - it gave me lifelong friends.

'In my career, I've moved between roles focusing on social justice'

After graduating, I returned to journalism at NHK, covering critical social and political issues. Armed with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of the global media landscape, I returned to India, where I delved into reporting stories with profound societal impact. My work spanned from documenting the challenges faced by girls from marginalised communities in accessing education to investigating the complex issues of farmer suicides linked to climate crises, gender-based violence, and socio-economic changes in a liberalised society. I also reported on the launch of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the UN COP21 Paris Agreement, among other critical global policy-shaping moments.

From there, I moved to Thailand to work with the grassroots feminist network Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development leading communications and from there into global strategic communications, working with the Rome-based Society for International Development, the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, and now as the communications lead for the Hands Off Mother Earth! Alliance. Across these roles, I have drawn upon my UK education—applying critical thinking, narrative-building, and advocacy skills to shape global conversations on gender and climate justice.

‘My education in the UK equipped me to work in the real world, problem-solve, and drive change’

Studying at the University of Leeds gave me a unique advantage in my career. The emphasis on research methods provided transferable skills that have been instrumental in my work—whether in investigative journalism, strategic communications, or shaping communications for policy advocacy. The ability to analyse media discourse, craft compelling narratives, and develop evidence-based arguments has been invaluable.

I felt that my education was not limited to acquiring knowledge from books but to forming evidence-based arguments and critical thought leadership necessary in equipping me to work in the real world, problem-solve, and drive change. The emphasis and rigorous teaching of qualitative and quantitative research methods became important transferable skills, acting as building blocks for my future work.

‘Studying in the UK gave me a unique advantage in my career’

As a journalist, I drew upon my education to ask pertinent questions and set the agenda for bringing important social justice issues to the foreground. Now, within social justice movements, I continue to apply my learnings to guide strategic communications and communications advocacy in shaping the discourse on gender justice and climate justice.

Communications is not just about conveying information—it is about shaping how people understand the world, whose voices are heard, and what stories are prioritized. The ability to critically analyse narratives, engage in interdisciplinary discourse, and develop evidence-based arguments became crucial in my work across journalism, communications advocacy, and policy spaces. Whether at the UN level or within grassroots movements, my work has focused on ensuring that struggles for gender, climate, and development justice are not co-opted by dominant systems of power.

While I didn’t fully utilise the university’s career services—largely due to graduating during the 2008 recession—I strongly encourage current and prospective students to take advantage of them. From internship placements to networking opportunities, these services can provide critical support in navigating the job market.

‘Feminism is about collective power. Stay firm in your values, challenge the patriarchy in all its forms, and never let the world diminish your voice’

International Women’s Day is more than just a symbolic celebration—it is a radical reminder of the struggles led by women, particularly those from marginalised communities, for justice, equity, and liberation. It is both a recognition of progress and a call to continue dismantling systemic barriers.

To young women and gender-diverse individuals striving for success: Feminism is about building collective power. As Audre Lorde said, ‘There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives’. The fight for gender justice is deeply connected to economic justice, climate justice, labor rights, and more. Stay firm in your values, challenge patriarchy in all its forms, and never let the world diminish your voice.

‘Studying in the UK has enabled me to drive meaningful change in the world’

When choosing what to study, follow your passion. A UK education offers world-class academic standards, research excellence, and a global perspective that can open doors worldwide.

My journey—from a journalism student at Leeds to a global advocate for social justice—has been profoundly shaped by my education. The knowledge, skills, and experiences I gained have been instrumental in enabling me to drive meaningful change in the world.

I was honoured to be a finalist for the Study UK Alumni Awards in the Social Action category in 2024—an opportunity made possible through the support of the University of Leeds and the British Council. Beyond this recognition, I also received an award in 2015 for my contributions to the media. Both achievements highlight the transformative power of storytelling and communications in shaping public discourse and driving social change.