Why WorldWise?
Navigate the media and get truly global insight where current affairs meet health, development, planet, human rights, and more—created and curated by Anita Makri.
How the world works could do with an upgrade, and we now know this better than ever. Emerging diseases, climate change, misinformation, humanitarian crises, new technologies—just some of the trends intimately linked to our lives on this planet.
They're all connected. But most media coverage happens in sections, where politics and economics sit apart from social debates, culture or scientific knowledge. Even the science comes in separate compartments—natural, social, political. And mainstream narratives tend to be dominated by the West, aka the Global North, leaving views and ingenuity from a huge part of the world out of the frame.
It takes more than one angle to get a global view—that's why I created this space, drawing from more than 20 years of experience across sectors and parts of the world.
Here you'll find words, ideas and images through original and curated journalism about global problems that intersect with everyday life, from both North and South. Major developments, analysis and potential solutions worth your time.
If you're looking for opportunities and training in journalism to cover these issues, you'll find that too.
From my desk to yours—sign up.
What to expect
A regular fix of news and analysis to help discerning readers cut through the media noise and get a more rounded view on key debates.
By subscribing, you'll get the following editions delivered directly to your inbox.
View—the essence of WorldWise in the newsletter’s free edition:
Insight on a trending issue from myself or a guest contributor
Top-line curation of the most important global news and media opportunities
A note from my global soundtrack (because we can’t do without the music)
WorldWisePro—a deeper dive into global news analysis and journalism:
You’ll get everything in the free View, PLUS:
The Briefing—Weekly briefs and issue-spotlight editions with independent curation and analysis that does the heavy lifting, helping you connect the dots on what’s in the news from multiple angles and geographies. These contain dozens of links with stories, commentary and visual storytelling from diverse media sources, pulling in developments across the Global South. As regular readers know, the briefings will also alert you to early signals and emerging trends.
The Media issue—Twice-monthly posts with a treasure trove of opportunities from around the world to develop your communication skills and journalism projects: leads to pitch or fund an idea, get an award, train in journalism or develop your work as a storyteller. Prefaced with a few words from myself or colleagues in the field—to keep us inspired, keep us going, keep us creating.
Occasional 1:1 sessions—A chance for a free online session with me, where we can tackle anything from specific pieces of writing to career direction to global issues of interest.
Training access: Pro subscribers will always get preferential rates on my mentorship or training offerings. You’ll be the first to know when they become available, and when I have something to share about new initiatives.
Opt-in or out of sections: The three types of posts—the Briefing, View, and Media—are in their own sections on the newsletter’s home, and Pro subscribes get the option of which one(s) to sign up to.
Access to archives: All WorldWise posts, including the weekly briefings that chart how the pandemic has developed, are available to Pro subscribers.
Who I am
A writer, editor and producer specialising where global development meets science. That may sound niche, but in reality it touches a whole range of issues from health, environment and food to indigenous knowledge and misinformation.
I've reported from and about diverse parts of the world—from the Andes to Delhi and several places between—with work appearing in publications such as the Guardian, The Lancet, National Geographic, Nature and Undark magazine.
I teach reporting on development in science communication at the University of Cambridge Institute for Continuing Education. I also serve on the advisory board of Global Health Film, and on the education committee of the World Federation of Science Journalists.
Previously I was editor and consultant for SciDev.Net’s global edition, heading the op-ed section and managing special projects for in-depth coverage while working with a range of contributors, including high-profile figures and local journalists.
Overall my experience spans two decades across media, publishing and think tanks, after starting off in risk analysis for environmental health. I’ve served as a mentor with the New York Academy of Sciences and on the boards of the European Federation for Science Journalism and the Association of British Science Writers. In 2018 I was Visiting Journalist at the Rockefeller Foundation's Bellagio Center residency on science for development.
There's more about me and my portfolio here.
What readers say
“Anita Makri has developed an incredible body of expertly curated material; absorbing, enlightening and refreshing—and very quickly became a go-to resource for Global Health Film” — Gerri McHugh, Founder and Director, Global Health Film
“I’ve shared lots of articles with programme and project design teams working across my organisation. Pieces you signposted me towards have flavoured panel discussions and articles that I’ve written.” — Sam Viney, Communications and Outreach Manager, Chemonics International
“I read your newsletter every time…I find myself looking forward to it!” — Eleni Petrakou, physicist and freelancer
Lines are open
I’d love to hear from you as WorldWise evolves—for any feedback, ideas about what you'd like to see in this space or anything else, feel fee to drop me a note.
