CV Karla Fitzhugh

Contact: mail@karlafitzhugh.com

Experience

Freelance writing

In the last few years I’ve supplied freelance articles that appeared in the London Evening Standard, the Guardian, the Independent, UCAS magazine, Nova magazine and others. I’ve also produced humour and lifestyle articles for a number of websites such as studentmagazine.com, and written copy for record labels and public services brochures.

Computer literacy: experience includes HTML, HomeSite, Microsoft Office/Word, databases, spreadsheets, Photoshop and other packages.

(Feb 2000 - present)   TheSite.org and YouthNet UK    Deputy Editor

TheSite is a busy website for young people aged 16 to 25, with around 2 million page impressions per month, and is owned by the charity YouthNet. I write feature articles, columns and advice on a wide range of subjects including careers, relationships, sex, drugs, health, housing and legal issues. Also responsible for commissioning freelancers, planning monthly special issues and future projects, writing promotional material and booklets, organising volunteer writers and bulletin board moderators, editing and subbing copy, selecting pictures to illustrate articles, dealing with user enquiries, and HTML. In addition to my usual duties, I’ve recently completed a stint as acting editor.

(Oct 1999 - Feb 2000)  The Food Commission    Researcher/Reporter

I carried out the largest UK survey to date of foods that are packaged to appeal to children. The shocking results of this original research were published in The Food Magazine, and as a scientific report. On the day of its release, the study was featured on all main news bulletins on the BBC and Channel 4, and I was also interviewed by Radio 4’s Today Programme.

(1998 -1999)   Part-time Lecturer

Produced and presented human nutrition and metabolism lectures to second year undergraduates. Supervised students undertaking final year projects. Responsible for setting and appraisal of coursework.

(1995 -1997) Clinical Research Assistant

Contributed to abstracts, papers, reviews, newsletters and funding proposals. Responsible for liaison with European clinics, database management, data analysis and presentation, and quality control.

Education

(1994 -1995)   Aberdeen University, Scotland

MSc Human Nutrition and Metabolism, which included scientific research techniques, analysis of scientific publications, and presentation skills. Thesis: Red Meat, Dietary Fibre and Risk of Diverticular Disease (copy available on request).

(1989  - 1994) Sheffield University, South Yorkshire

MB ChB degree (Medicine and Surgery) Included biomedical sciences, medical statistics, and specialties.

Related Activities

April 2002. Completed a Social Issues Journalism course with tutor Edwin Shaw, at the Mary Ward Centre. Have been nominated for a prize for excellence, which will be presented in November.

Attended a journalism course with CSV Media in 1998 that included research experience at the BBC, copywriting and Quark software.

Was features editor and chief sub for the university magazine, and voted in as chairperson of the Postgraduate Society.

Interests

Photography, cinema, swimming, live music, creative writing.

References

Available upon request.