Meet the Staff Writer

Happy Monday! Today we'd like to introduce another one of our dedicated staff writers, Jacob Sablan !

• What motivated you to join Spheres of Influence?

I became interested in "socially responsible journalism" during my first year in university. I remember taking a true crime and legal studies class, where we learned about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and the Two-Spirit (MMIWG2S+) Crisis. Immediately, I became confronted with the unfortunate reality that our current mainstream media industry tends to underreport particular stories. After learning about this issue and seeing the lack of advocacy for other important topics, I joined Spheres' mission of amplifying marginalized voices in journalism.

• What have you gained from the role?

Being a Staff Writer for Spheres has been a rich experience. I have had numerous opportunities to develop my skills in public writing, research and analysis, and teamwork. But there are also many chances to contribute to Sphere's mission, whether your interest lies in editing, graphic design, or newsletter writing!

• What is your favourite article to date, and why?

Everyone at Spheres has done incredible work; I encourage you to look at it. But for me, the most meaningful article I've written was "The Struggle Over Territorial Sovereignty: Land Grabbing in the Philippines." This issue hits home as it has impacted my family in numerous ways. Working at Spheres has allowed me to learn more about this topic and develop a publication I am proud of. This article is my way of honoring my family and shedding light on an unspoken issue.

• What do you want to work on most as part of SOI?

As I finish my degree, I want to bridge what I have learned in the classroom into my work at Spheres! You can expect to see me exploring the political economy of education, migration, and other topics very soon. Another thing I realized was how much of the mainstream media industry tends to focus on stories with a "negative" element to it. I want to challenge this by showcasing a more positive and empowering representation of the communities we write about.

• What’s one thing not many people know about you?

I just adopted a 7-month-old Pomeranian puppy in May!