Roo Pitt

What were your role(s) at Concrete?

Venue Dept. Ed. 2020-21
Lead photographer 2019-20
First year rep 2018-19

Do you have any favourite stories or stand out moments from your time with Concrete? 

Post Pub Pub! Always a cracking time to enjoy the release of an issue and meet fellow writers. 
 
From a journalism stand point, there are two key moments for me, both of which have had a huge impact on my photography moving forward. 

The first was photographing Norwich Pride in 2017, my first outing as a photojournalist, I captured some stunning images that managed to represent the event, which were used by the event orangisers in future years & the BBC.

During Covid I covered the BLM movement in Norwich as it evolved into the Norwich Movement, capturing a series of images and words working closely with the organisers, allowing me to not only capture the series of events in a documentary style but also be creative with the way we were able to tell the story of the Black community in and around Norwich.

Were there any key events, developments or changes in Concrete during your time?

We added Vera, venues agony aunt 😅. 
There were some SPA award nominations, shortlists and awards. 

Do you have a favourite article that you wrote?

Probably my first ever article, I just threw myself into the opportunity not really knowing what to expect & loved it! 😊

After that, it’s all of the protest type articles, getting out and speaking with our community about what mattered to them. 

What was your proudest Concrete moment?

Hard to say, probably the moments that were picked up by local/regional press, not because of the recognition as such, but that we had found something they didn’t or something interesting enough it turned their pages. 
 
Being shortlisted and highly commended for awards was an unbelievable experience, but for me, when my writers were shortlisted on the back of our nominations and seeing their faces light up was priceless. 

What have you done since leaving, and has your experience with Concrete helped you?

Absolutely helped, it helped me realise that whilst I don’t want to be a journalist, I did want to work on the ‘other side of the desk’ in PR/Marketing/Comms, I now run a marketing business & the confidence I gained in my photography means I still do it today. 

Anything else you’d like to add!

Happy 400th Issue! Keep up the awesome work. 

Being a part of Concrete gave me some of my best (and worst if I’m candid) experiences at UEA, but was absolutely vital for my personal and professional growth. 

Emily Kelly

What were your role(s) at Concrete?

Breaking News Editor 2021-22, and writer from 2019-22 

Do you have any favourite stories or stand out moments from your time with Concrete? 

Writing about my experience of studying, COVID and working in retail was a really cathartic experience, and getting to share a byline with one of my best friends (and former EIC) on the front page was pretty cool! 

Were there any key events, developments or changes in Concrete during your time?

Massive, mostly due to COVID!  

Do you have a favourite article that you wrote?

Studying, Stockpiling and Social Distancing, and Concrete Confession: what student journalism has taught me 

What was your proudest Concrete moment?

Interviewing election candidates as a new writer, and working alongside three incredible (and very different) editors to break news to students.

What have you done since leaving, and has your experience with Concrete helped you?

I joined a grad scheme with a software company, and am now a full member of the team. I’m currently working on a suite of online training, where my copywriting skills have come in very handy! 

Sam Gordon-Webb

What were your role(s) at Concrete?

Deputy Editor: 2021-22, Features Editor 2020-21

Do you have any favourite stories or stand out moments from your time with Concrete? 

One of the most important moments during my time with Concrete came when when our Sports Editor, Oscar Ress, wrote about our exclusive investigation into Sports Executives as well as the costs attached to particular sports at the university. This is exactly what Concrete was set up to do; hold people accountable for their actions without fear or favour. 

Were there any key events, developments or changes in Concrete during your time?

Our Breaking News section was an ambitious development during my time with the paper. 

Do you have a favourite article that you wrote?

I told my story of eating disorder recovery in these pages. I received warm messages from friends and strangers. It was a wonderfully heartening and relieving experience. 

What was your proudest Concrete moment?

Observing our members develop into brilliant Editors! I suppose this is what allows the wheels of any student newspaper to turn. Watching the team of tomorrow become the team of today is hugely rewarding. 

What have you done since leaving, and has your experience with Concrete helped you?

I have worked as an Assistant Editor at a publishing house, supported UEA’s social media as well as Waterstones as a Bookseller. I’m studying for an MA in Crime Fiction, while balancing academic work with A-Level tutoring. Concrete reinforced my drive and determination to make use of every moment. 

Anything else you’d like to add!

Concrete is open to all. It’s one of the only tools students have to fight the indiscriminate use of power. If you’re reading this, perhaps you should be writing in it too! 

Hamilton Brown

What were your role(s) at Concrete?

Creative Writing Editor – 2020-2021 
Deputy Editor of Venue – 2021-2022 

Do you have any favourite stories or stand out moments from your time with Concrete? 

I really enjoyed the first edition we designed as a team of Venue Editors, and it was great to see people picking it up and reading it around uni! 

Were there any key events, developments or changes in Concrete during your time?

We had Concrete’s 30th birthday edition which was a really good one! We ran around the Square with party hats and balloons! 

Do you have a favourite article that you wrote?

I particularly enjoyed my interview with student musician Lucas Fox: “Music is Overlooked More Than it Should Be: Lucas Fox on The Importance of Music, and Why Lockdown Didn’t Stop Him From Being Creative” 

What was your proudest Concrete moment?

I felt particularly proud of redesigning the Venue paper in 2021 in the space of 3 days. It was a definite challenge but entirely rewarding, and has given me skills to use in my career going forwards 

What have you done since leaving, and has your experience with Concrete helped you?

I have found a job in publishing, which is exciting. My role as both CW Editor and Deputy Editor of Venue has given me a lot of transferable skills. 

Badriya Abdullah

What were your role(s) at Concrete?

Social Media Manager: 2021-2022 
Deputy Editor: 2022-2023 

Do you have any favourite stories or stand out moments from your time with Concrete? 

SPA’s 2023! Travelling to Glasgow was an absolute whirlwind but such a great experience to have with other members of the team. It was inspiring to hear from people who have been in the industry for years as well as meet other student journalists, a few of whom I’m still in touch with to this day. I think the biggest memory from that trip was all of us getting up to dance during the welcome event. We were all exhausted after but it was so much fun. 

Were there any key events, developments or changes in Concrete during your time?

The UCU strikes were THE topic of the academic year in 2022/23. We all worked so hard to ensure that we covered them as accurately as possible and gave a fair voice to both sides. It was tough and stressful at times but I’m so glad we gave it the attention it deserves. 

Do you have a favourite article that you wrote?

My favourite article is the first article I had published in Concrete. It was about the rise in cottagecore fashion after the pandemic. Fun fact, I had never written an article for Concrete before joining the team so I had to rush to write it in time for team introductions! 

What was your proudest Concrete moment?

Organising the Concrete Awards. From sitting on the floor of the LCR blowing up balloons to standing on stage announcing the winners of the prizes, it was the perfect way to finish my time at Concrete. 

What have you done since leaving, and has your experience with Concrete helped you?

Since leaving Concrete, I’ve stayed at UEA to do my Poetry MA but I’m still reading the newspaper to stay updated. Seeing Matthew and Eve spearhead Concrete together is amazing and it’s brilliant to see the paper being left in good hands. I’m going back to what got me involved with Concrete in the first place and honing my skills in social media and copywriting before I go off into the big wide world. I’m so grateful for my time in Concrete in improving my confidence and seeing the virtues of working in a truly amazing team – I hope that all those involved now and in the future have the same crazy and rewarding experience that I did! 

Anything else you’d like to add!

I love seeing that Concrete is still thriving and still has people so passionate about their work. You should be so proud of all you’ve accomplished this year so far and best of luck for the rest of the year and beyond! 

Louise Collins

What were your role(s) at Concrete?

Books Editor (2021-2022) 
Venue Editor (2022-2023) 

Do you have any favourite stories or stand out moments from your time with Concrete? 

I’ll forever cherish my time singing and dancing in the media office with my fellow senior editors during layup week. 

Do you have a favourite article that you wrote?

The £23 million debt piece I wrote with Matthew – it’s something I’m so proud of from us both. Though I think I had the most fun writing my two Hot & Heavy pieces for Film & TV.

What was your proudest Concrete moment?

For sure the front cover page for the debt crisis.

What have you done since leaving, and has your experience with Concrete helped you?

Working on Concrete gave me so many skills in the industry I want to work in, but more importantly, it gave me immeasurable confidence in myself. 

Anything else you’d like to add!

Working on Concrete gave me some of my best memories from uni! I had so much fun doing the radio shows, the content creation, or even just hanging out in the media office. 

George Barsted

What were your role(s) at Concrete?

Science Editor: 2022-2023 
Science Senior Writer: 2021-2022 

Do you have any favourite stories or stand out moments from your time with Concrete? 

Getting to travel to Glasgow for the SPAs. It was a great weekend with everyone to celebrate the paper. 

Were there any key events, developments or changes in Concrete during your time?

Getting the paper out onto campus post Covid and bringing lots of new writers in. 

Do you have a favourite article that you wrote?

An article about kintsugi for the arts section, which I really enjoyed writing. 

What was your proudest Concrete moment?

Getting nominated for an SPA award for the science section. 

What have you done since leaving, and has your experience with Concrete helped you?

It helped land me a job in journalism! 

Anything else you’d like to add!

Concrete was one of the best things I did at uni and let me meet lots of wonderful and lovely people who I am still friends with today. 

Izzy Millen

What were your role(s) at Concrete?

Writer 2021-23

Do you have any favourite stories or stand out moments from your time with Concrete? 

Generally messing about in the media office but also watching the editors breaking major news stories about what was going on on campus – the UEA financial situation articles I’ll always remember. 

Do you have a favourite article that you wrote?

My article on fanfiction and it’s value; it directly inspired my dissertation (and I got a first on it)! 

What was your proudest Concrete moment?

Watching my friends from Concrete go on to do amazing things. 

What have you done since leaving, and has your experience with Concrete helped you?

I only left last year, but I’ve been working for Suffolk County Council in Communications and Engagement. Learning to draft to a brief through press releases and being able to convey what I need to in a small package has been a real skill. 

Anything else you’d like to add!

The editorial team are doing amazing and I can’t wait to see Concrete continue to grow. 

Ray Khawaja

What were your role(s) at Concrete?

Deputy editor 2022-23 
Online editor 2021-22 

Do you have any favourite stories or stand out moments from your time with Concrete? 

Anything and everything to do with the sex issue! It was a favourite of mine discussing on A Week in Concrete on Livewire. 

Were there any key events, developments or changes in Concrete during your time?

The implementation of getting artists from the university to contribute to the cover of venue really brought together artists and writers. 

Do you have a favourite article that you wrote?

Would have to be the strikes issue myself and Badriya Abdullah did, although a close second was the weird and wonderful crushes in TV! 

What was your proudest Concrete moment?

The SPANC awards, it was incredible seeing the team come together and support one another even though we didn’t win an award. 

What have you done since leaving, and has your experience with Concrete helped you?

I’m a contributing freelancer for a games website, writing articles especially for concrete really helped with knowing my skills. 

Jamie Bryson

What were your role(s) at Concrete?

Writer 2021/22, News Editor 2022/23, Senior News Writer 2023/24

Do you have any favourite stories or stand out moments from your time with Concrete? 

Met my now Fiancé in our first ever Concrete meet in LT1 in 2021. A year later, she was also my boss as EiC. Concrete bought us together…so cheers! 

Were there any key events, developments or changes in Concrete during your time?

Covering the UEA finical issues as they broke and getting an exclusive scoop from Clive Lewis MP was quite an experience! 

What have you done since leaving, and has your experience with Concrete helped you?

I’m still here…and hope to be for a little while longer! 

Anything else you’d like to add!

Having now seen 3 Editorships during my time in Concrete, I continuously praise anyone who takes on this hugely important but demanding role. You do an amazing job…all for free and because you care about our community. Bravo all round! 

Eleanor Radford

What were your role(s) at Concrete?

News Senior Writer (22/23) and Features Editor (23/24)

Do you have any favourite stories or stand out moments from your time with Concrete? 

SPA awards

Were there any key events, developments or changes in Concrete during your time?

400 issue

Do you have a favourite article that you wrote?

University Challenge interview perhaps 

What was your proudest Concrete moment?

Regionals SPA: midlands best publication 

Image: Libby Hargreaves (SPA Awards 2023 – From L to R: George Barsted (Science), Eleanor Radford (News Senior Writer), Louise Collins (Venue Ed.), Ray Khawaja (Venue Dep. Ed.), Libby Hargreaves (EiC), Badriya Abdullah (Dep. Ed.), Jamie Bryson (News), Matthew Stothard (Dep. Ed.))