Meet the team
Emily Pitt-Shaw
Chair
Emily Pitt-Shaw is currently studying an MA in Broadcast and Digital Journalism at the University of East Anglia, having previously achieved her BA in English at King’s College London. She was the editor-in-chief of Concrete in 2025/26 after first joining the paper in October 2024 as the publication’s first investigations editor. Emily has had work published across The Times, BBC Norfolk, ITV and the Eastern Daily Press. She thrives under pressure and loves creating impact through investigative stories. When she’s not working, you’ll find her painting, doing crosswords and pouring Guinness in her second life as a barmaid.
Anna Boyne
Communications Officer
Anna is a freelance journalist at The Telegraph and NCTJ trainee, with bylines in international, national and local papers. She is soon to join Bloomberg News as a Summer Intern on the Markets Today team. Anna was the SPA's Midlands Officer for two years, having studied at the University of Nottingham and contributed to Impact Magazine. After graduating, she worked briefly in PR so hopes to apply all she learnt in her role as Communications Officer.
Abbie Brown
Training and Opportunities Officer
Abbie Brown is finishing her BA in Politics and International Relations at University of Sussex, having spent time studying abroad at SciencesPo Strasbourg. She joined The Badger newspaper in 2023, taking notes for an article about an apple tree. Abbie continued to pitch in across the paper until, in 2025, interviewing Peter Hook (Joy Division and New Order). The success of this article (and much encouragement) led her to take on the Opinion section, quickly rising to Opinion editor and Senior print editor in a matter of months, enjoying the inner workings of student newsrooms. Outside of student journalism, Abbie can be found expanding her cassette collection or working as a swimming instructor.
Oisín McGilloway
Conference and Events Officer
Oisín is studying MA Contemporary Art and the Moving Image at The Courtauld Institute of Art. He was the Editor-in-Chief of STRAND Magazine, the arts and culture magazine at King’s College London, during the 2024/25 academic year. He now runs his own magazine, mov.r, which platforms young voices in discussions about new filmmaking and video art practice. He is also a regular contributor to publications such as Little White Lies and Film Matters.
Jacob Robinson
Sponsorship Officer
Originally from Reading, Jacob recently finished studying History and French at The University of Manchester. He previously served as Investigations Editor and Multimedia News Producer at The Mancunion and was the Student Publication Association’s Digital Media Officer during his year abroad in Lyon, France in the 2024/25 academic year. Jacob was shortlisted for Best Reporter at the SPA National Awards in 2026. Alongside his journalism experience, he has worked across communications, PR, heritage, and community engagement projects. Jacob is looking forward to strengthening the SPA’s partnerships with leading media, communications and higher education organisations, securing new sponsorship opportunities, and supporting the next generation of student journalists across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Jack Walsh
Membership Officer
Jack is a final-year student of Government and Political Science at University College Cork and will graduate in the autumn of 2026. He previously served as the SPA Regional Officer for Ireland and Northern Ireland in 2023/24 and 2025/26, and as Chair of the SPA in 2024/25. Jack has been involved in student journalism since secondary school. Most recently, he served as Deputy Editor of Polity, the SPA award-nominated publication of the UCC Government and Politics Society. He has also worked as a current affairs reporter for the University Express and hosted a political affairs programme on UCC 98.3FM.