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Check FAQAbout Jack
Jack Shenker is an award-winning journalist who has reported from around the world, and whose work has been translated into several languages. Formerly Cairo correspondent for the UK's Guardian newspaper, where he led coverage of Egypt's revolution and counter-revolution, his writing has also explored Gaza, Africa, Central Asia and the United States, and been published in a wide range of media outlets including the New York Times, the London Review of Books, Prospect Magazine, and Granta, and been made into films for the BBC. He specialises in politics, protest, investigative work, analysis and in-depth, long-form narrative reporting, but is also highly experienced in quick-turnaround news pieces, general interview packages, taking photos to accompany articles, and all types of features. His first book, 'The Egyptians: A Radical Story', explored the tumult of Egypt's revolutionary uprising and was published to critical acclaim by Penguin in 2016. His most recent book, 'Now We Have Your Attention: The New Politics of The People', interrogates the changing political landscape of the UK and was published by The Bodley Head / Vintage Books in 2019. In 2012 his investigation into the deaths of African migrants in the Mediterranean - whose cries for help were apparently ignored by European military units - was awarded news story of the year at the One World media awards, where he was also shortlisted for journalist of the year. His journalism has won several other honours, including two Foreign Press Association awards, and he has twice been shortlisted for the Orwell Prize. London-based, but available to travel throughout the UK and beyond. NUJ accredited, with press card. For more details, see www.jackshenker.net
Portfolio
Hostile environment: Inside the Home Office
The article delves into the controversial policies and internal culture of the UK's Home Office, particularly its approach to asylum seekers and immigration. It highlights the department's history of implementing harsh measures, the impact of political decisions from various administrations, and the resulting public and internal dissent. The narrative includes perspectives from former Home Secretaries, civil servants, and experts, revealing a department fraught with challenges and criticisms. The piece calls for a comprehensive reform of the Home Office and a more compassionate, effective approach to asylum and immigration.
The asymmetric election: why Corbyn does not need to win a majority but Johnson does
Inside the annual kebab event that epitomises the Westminster bubble
The British Kebab Awards, held at the Westminster Plaza Hotel, have become a popular event among the British political elite, symbolizing the Westminster bubble. Organized by Ibrahim Dogus, a restaurateur and local councillor, the event is known for its free-flowing alcohol and late-night festivities, including belly dancers. It attracts a diverse crowd from MPs to journalists and trade unionists, transcending typical political and social divisions. Despite the event's lighthearted nature, it also serves as a networking opportunity and has ties to promoting Kurdish interests. The awards ceremony is noted for its informal atmosphere, where attendees are more interested in socializing than the actual award presentations. This year's event is particularly noteworthy as it precedes the UK's departure from the EU by 11 days.
Labour sketched out the shape of their future Britain at their conference
The article discusses the Labour Party's conference in Brighton, highlighting the party's ambitious policy proposals such as a Green New Deal and a major hike in the minimum wage. It contrasts Labour's vision with the pro-market centrism of the Liberal Democrats and the hard-right ideologies of the Conservative Party. The narrative also focuses on grassroots movements and individuals like Fatima Djalo, who are fighting for better working conditions and wages. The author criticizes the media's focus on Westminster drama and calls for a deeper analysis of the underlying social and economic issues.
Labour’s problems run far deeper than Brexit or Corbyn
Labour's recent electoral defeat is part of a broader decline affecting left-of-centre political parties across the western world. Since 2000, many social democratic parties have struggled due to economic mismanagement, ineffective redistribution policies, and cultural divides exacerbated by globalization. The article argues that to regain support, these parties need to offer better economic policies, particularly focusing on reindustrialization to boost growth and reduce regional disparities. The decline of parties like PASOK, the Socialist Party, and the SDP is highlighted, along with the challenges faced by Labour, La France Insoumise, and the Democratic Party.
‘To them, we are like robots. The things that make us human are ground out of you’: the inside story of a strike at Amazon
The article delves into the story of a strike at Amazon's BHX4 warehouse in Coventry, led by workers demanding higher wages and better working conditions. It highlights the challenges faced by Amazon employees, including low pay, high surveillance, and anti-union practices. The GMB Union plays a significant role in organizing and supporting the workers, who are inspired by broader labor movements and the cost of living crisis. The strike is part of a larger narrative of workers fighting back against corporate giants and seeking to unionize, with implications for labor rights and unionization efforts across the UK.
Revealed: the insidious creep of pseudo-public space in London
The Guardian Cities investigation has mapped the spread of pseudo-public spaces in London, revealing a lack of transparency regarding ownership and regulations. These spaces, while publicly accessible, are owned by private entities and governed by their own rules, often enforced by private security. The investigation contacted landowners of over 50 such spaces, with most refusing to disclose their regulations. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has pledged to publish new guidelines for these spaces. The investigation also produced a map in collaboration with GiGL, marking the first comprehensive mapping of London's pseudo-public spaces. The article discusses the implications of these spaces on public rights and democracy, noting the historical context and current trends in urban development. Only two landowners, Canary Wharf Group and East Village, responded with some transparency to the Guardian's inquiries.
The last piece of earth unclaimed by any nation
The article discusses Bir Tawil, an 800-square-mile area between Egypt and Sudan that is the last unclaimed land on earth. It details the journey of the author and his friend Omar to Bir Tawil, driven by curiosity and the desire to claim the land for a grand ideological cause. The article also tells the story of Jeremiah Heaton, a farmer from Virginia who claimed Bir Tawil as the 'Kingdom of North Sudan' for his daughter to make her a princess. The author reflects on the historical and political significance of Bir Tawil, the concept of terra nullius, and the implications of claiming unclaimed land. The article concludes with the author's realization that the true challenge is not to find a no man's land to escape to but to confront and reclaim the territories we already inhabit.
The existential question for climate activists: have disruption tactics stopped working?
The article explores the evolving tactics of climate activism, particularly focusing on Extinction Rebellion's (XR) decision to shift away from disruptive protests. It discusses the internal debates within the environmental movement about the effectiveness of different forms of activism, the broader socio-political context in the UK, and the need for a coherent narrative linking climate issues with broader social and economic injustices. The piece highlights the mutual respect among different factions of the movement and emphasizes the importance of diverse tactics in the fight against climate change.
From the archive: Welcome to the land that no country wants – podcast
In 2014, an American father claimed a small piece of African land to make his daughter a princess, highlighting the volatility and delicacy of states and borders. Jack Shenker, who had previously explored the area, provides insights into the complexities of geopolitical boundaries.
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