Samantha McGowan

Communications consultant for international peacekeeping organisation

Working remotely as part of the Advocacy and Communications Team for 20 months, I advised on brand, design, content development, film and photography, and storytelling best practices.

I was primarily responsible for managing the production and re-brand of global publications. I created new team workflows and looked after various freelancers on a project-by-project basis. I worked with new designers to introduce fresh illustrations and styles, strengthening the organisation's visual identity and reinforcing its message to a broader audience.

I also provided parental leave cover for the digital lead, working across social media and newsletters and supporting crucial events such as COP27 – this involved the creative development, planning and coordination of new content with various stakeholders to ensure the smooth execution of communication strategies.

Throughout my time at Alert, I gained a deeper understanding of peacekeeping as an area of international development, working closely on issues related to violence, conflict, gender, and climate change.

Communications lead for WaterAid at Glastonbury Festival.

I led WaterAid's charity partnership communications at Glastonbury Festival for four years. I managed a multi-disciplinary project team across brand and editorial, digital, film and photography, PR and celebrity/influencer engagement.

WaterAid's critical work on global water and sanitation is more relatable in a festival environment at scale where access to water and toilets isn't the same as at home. The campaign work included establishing a yearly interactive stunt/experience for festivalgoers to understand the importance of access to safe water and decent sanitation – including toilets with one way glass doors and celebrity-voiced loos with campaign messages.

In addition, the project regularly generated high media coverage, through news articles, stories and trips to see WaterAid's work in Nepal and India, excellent social media engagement, celebrity support year-on-year and engaging conversations with the public leading to successful and impactful local and global campaigns.

Co-producer and communications lead for award-winning creative journaling community movement supporting well-being in pregnancy, birth and beyond.

Maternal Journal offers free creative resources and guides on its website to use in journaling groups or at home. I started working with the team in 2018 after taking part in one of the first workshops while pregnant. Following an initial Arts Council England (ACE) grant, I worked with the team to develop the website, resources and toolkit. I also supported several artists in turning their creative exercises into 'journaling guides' for workshop format.

Maternal Journal has since received three additional funding grants, which provided further workshops, journaling guides, and collaborations with local arts groups across the UK, supporting work in various styles such as writing, drawing, mark-making and dance. Since the beginning of the project, more than 60 journaling groups have come together in over 20 countries in community and healthcare settings.

In 2021, I co-wrote the Maternal Journal book with Laura Godfrey-Isaacs, published by Pinter & Martin. The latest 2023 project features podcast conversations with ten writers on the power of creativity and parenthood, and we are in discussions about a journaling app.

Producer for Shape Arts 40th anniversary film

I worked with Shape to produce their 40th-anniversary film showcasing the spirit and purpose of their work to engage existing audiences and new donors.

This was a lovely project to work on, and I was lucky enough to speak with a host of different people involved with Shape, including youth groups, artists and patrons. Through the interviews, the film highlights Shape's profound and positive impact on people's artistic work and creativity.

The film was shown at Shape's formal anniversary event and shared across their digital channels and through their networks.

Lead for Voices for the Field Nepal and in-house strategic communications adviser

I worked with WaterAid Nepal for several years, leading their in-house film and photography project, Voices from the Field, part of WaterAid's award-winning global storytelling work, and as strategic communications advisor.

As part of the senior team, I led and devised the Period Power campaign, encouraging awareness and engagement of government and advocacy audiences around the serious nature of menstrual taboos. The work included; creating a campaign brand identity and assets for varied use, working with national influencers, advocating at events, and creating and co-producing a participatory photography project that gave a platform to teenage girls on the issue.

The photography project gained massive reach, generating various media articles and being shared more than 70,000 times online. The teenagers involved in the project were named in Stylist UK's top 50 feminists of the year, and they also travelled to Kathmandu to meet with government representatives and discuss their rights.

I'm an advisory group member for Maternal Journal. We meet twice a year to review our projects and assess any new opportunities to extend the work.

For the past few years, I've supported the Theatre & Circus Fields at Glastonbury Festival, producing and posting film and photography social media content. I also work with a historical collective sexual history project to provide communications advice and support.

Outside of work, I'm a mother. I practise silversmithing and make digital botanical drawings in my spare time.