Whilst still at Cambridge, Alex Davis (OE 2006-2013) is already becoming established in his chosen career of journalism. He is rapidly creating a name for himself in student journalism and one of his stories has already been picked up by national news outlets.
“A Cambridge University English Finals question reproduced a poem by Andre Letoit that contained only punctuation and no words,” said Alex, who is reading History at Downing College. “It caused quite a bit of consternation, which I reported in The Tab Cambridge (an online newspaper for university students). The story was picked up by the nationals and various news wires, which was clearly very satisfying.”
Since leaving QE, he has completed internships both at Sky News and ITN and has worked for First News (the UK’s leading children’s weekly newspaper). He currently combines his position as news editor of The Tab Cambridge with a blog on the online news site The Huffington Post. Recent posts include The Power of Popular History, which was chosen as ‘Editor’s Pick’ one week.
Alex is particularly interested in issue-based journalism: “During my internship, I wrote an article for Sky News online about an environmental campaign and I recently undertook a five-week investigation for The Tab into a former deputy head porter blogging salaciously about students.”
Whilst at QE, Alex was active in the Elizabethan Union (the debating society) and represented the School in the 47th Annual Dinner Debate alongside fellow student Pravin Swarmy, against OEs Promit Anwar (2002-2009) and Tommy Peto (2003-2010). He was the president of QE’s Dramatic Society, running weekly drama classes for younger boys as well as co-directing The Tempest.
He also won a prestigious award from the United Jewish Israel Appeal for his work in leading QE’s Jewish Society. He is currently President of the Cambridge University Jewish Society and was the official Team GB Blogger for the 2013 Maccabiah Games.
He competed for Great Britain in the same games in rugby and plays regularly for Cambridge University U21 XV and Downing College First XV.
Alex’s interest in journalism is longstanding: he pulled together the content for a feature on student volunteering in the spring 2012 edition of the School’s newsletter The Elizabethan. “I really appreciated the opportunities I was offered at School, including editing a school newspaper,” said Alex. “I’m particularly enjoying my time at the Cambridge Tab. It’s the UK’s most-read student newspaper.”
Alex is keen to keep in touch with other alumni: Old Elizabethans who wish to contact him should email the School’s Alumni Office.