I am a Sorbonne-trained political sociologist with 25 years of professional journalism experience, from agency news and war reporting to magazine publishing. For two decades, I led Germany's largest English-language magazine as Editor-in-Chief. Today, I teach journalism and critical media.

from war reporting to publishing to teaching

My journalism journey took off at London's City University and landed in Russia where I began my career as a staffer for AFP News Agency. It was in Moscow that I truly cut my teeth, learning the ropes of news-making and reporting. My commitment to the ground led me to spend a significant amount of time investigating pieces for the English press, including the Moscow Times and The Moscow Journal. In 2001, I embarked on an undercover reporting foray into war-torn Chechnya, at a time when the front was off-limits to journalists. My articles and broadcast for ZDF and France 2 led to my being blacklisted by Putin’s regime as an “enemy of the state” and forced into exile.

London-Moscow: from news to the Chechnya war

In 2002, I co-founded Exberliner Berlin's iconic English-language magazine for reportage, culture, and politics. Over two decades as Editor-in-Chief, I enforced a “no bullshit” standard. Exberliner earned accolades, including being named “Europe’s best Expat magazine” by The Guardian – a nod to our dedication to and reputation for original reportage-based features, deep-dive interviews, and uncompromising reporting. Editorial freedom slowly ended when a local media group took over in 2021, shifting the focus from bold independent journalism to lifestyle content. By 2023, my time with Exberliner had come to an end.

I love teaching, which I first discovered while lecturing in Politics and Sociology at two Moscow Universities (Mgu/Mgimo) in 2000-2001, and again while coaching, briefing and editing staff and journalists —an essential and most rewarding part of my job as an Editor-in-Chief for 21 years. Today my Critical Media curriculum draw form my academic background as a political sociologist. It aims to instil a reflective awareness in students, as we deconstruct the processes behind opinion formation as influenced by their media consumption choices.

NADJA VANCAUWENBERGHE

My classes, panels, and the events I organise are a natural extension of my career as a media insider committed to sharing her experience, promoting high professional standards, and inspiring others.

Politics and education: panels, events and critical media

Exberliner magazine: on the independent publishing front

Teaching Journalism: my workshops and Profi classes

Meanwhile, my Journalism workshops and masterclasses focus on training aspiring writers and other media professionals in solid reporting practices —from the art of interviewing to pitching and writing compelling stories that are both informative and a great read. I believe in a hands-on, participatory approach that combines self-reflection with real-life exercises.

In every endeavour, my goal is to foster a deeper understanding of media and bold critical practices conducive to enlightened professionalism.

In 2023, I decided to step back from the media business to renew with my former academic pursuits and focus on in-depth projects, curating, and moderating film and political panels (exBlicks, englishDays) and organising meaningful events (Honouring-the-Children-of-Gaza). And teaching.