Zesha Saleem

I’m Zesha, a 24-year-old freelance writer. Currently, I’m in my final year of Medicine, studying at the University of Liverpool. I also hold a Research MSc in Cardiovascular Health & Disease from the University of Manchester.

I started writing at 18, and have since built extensive experience in covering lifestyle, health, culture, science, national news and personal finance. I’ve contributed to a range of print and digital publications, including British Vogue, Daily Mirror, The Guardian, The Times, Huck Magazine, The Big Issue, The Telegraph, The i Paper, The Independent, Tribune Magazine, Radio Times, The Financial Times, gal-dem, Dazed Digital, VICE World News, Stylist Magazine, Woman & Home, Aurelia Magazine, OK Magazine, Huck Magazine, Times Radio and more.

My work has been recognised by Downing Street, and I won the Award for Combating Polarisation in 2021 for my reporting on Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy, where I was the first journalist in the UK to write about this issue.

In July 2022, I joined The Financial Times as their Science News intern – where I wrote stories and contributed to reports for different desks. In just two weeks, I covered issues from pharmaceutical funding and Covid-19 governmental contracts to covering news on the field, such as reporting on the travel chaos at Manchester Airport. 

I spent a year at The i Paper’s Money desk, where I reported on pensions, mortgages, social issues and more. I also wrote case studies for the Money pages, and helped out in production.

I also have copywriting experience for clients including Evelyn Health and Samsung. I also contribute to various commercial supplements distributed in The Guardian, The Telegraph, London Evening Standard and The Times for a variety of clients.

Furthermore, I featured on the Engine + Mischief PR #30ToWatch List, alongside other prestigious journalists. I was also shortlisted for Press Gazette's National Journalism Awards.