CLARISSA PHARR
Phone: 347.235.9446 E-mail: ckpharr@gmail.com Twitter: @ClarissaPharr
EDUCATION
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
Master of Science with focus on multimedia storytelling. Coursework on deadline writing, beat reporting, narrative and feature writing, video reporting and audience engagement. Produced a photo essay and radio segment on a political artist and his transition from Cairo to New York. Additional stories include a piece on youth unemployment in East Harlem, and Harlem’s rezoning to create more affordable housing.
The American University in Cairo, 2007-2009
Bachelor of Arts Cum Laude: Middle Eastern Studies. Minor: Comparative English Literature, Anthropology.
The Global College of Long Island University, 2004-2006
Coursework in Comparative Literature & Media Studies based in the UK, China, Thailand, India and Turkey.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Editor & Web Producer, Al-Monitor, New York, NY. 2013-Present
Edit daily content for online news outlet focusing on commentary in the Middle East region. Collaborate with editors from international bureaus (based in Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Turkey and the Gulf). Responsibilities include content, headline and photo editing. Serve as point person for final publication of daily English and foreign language news.
Freelance Journalist and Editor, Cairo and New York, 2008-Present
Focus on issues of contemporary arts and social movements in the Middle East and North Africa. Explore changing relationships between the US and the Middle East through art, economy and education. Covered Middle East climate change for AlertNet Climate of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, arts & culture features for The Majalla magazine, special articles for the features section of amNewYork, as well as local news for Patch/AOL chapters in Brooklyn, NY.
Media Editor, ArteEast, New York, NY 2013
Spearheaded production of social media publications for a New York-based nonprofit in support of the arts in the Middle East. Initiated outreach to engage emerging artists across the region, including launching and editing the organization’s blog and promoting online and live programming to support audience growth.
Project Editor, Noozz, Cairo and New York, 2011-2013
Managed a team of 10 editors, writers and graphic designers producing a line of 150 reports covering market analysis across major sectors in 18 countries in the Middle East. Coordinated and supervised report research, writing, editing, photo and design layout.
Assistant Editor, Media Republic, Cairo, Egypt, 2010-2011
Managed editorial content for digital arts and culture publication. Liaised with local media, managed writing staff and headed creative planning. Produced daily original content covering latest cultural trends and emerging artists to watch, bringing readers a dynamic vision of Cairo’s urban culture. As a key editorial team member, applied expertise in best SEO practice, CMS management and digital publishing, including social media communications and targeted readership growth strategies.
LANGUAGES: English: Native Speaker Arabic: Conversational French: Advanced intermediate
SKILLS: Social media editing: Twitter, Instagram, Wordpress, Tumblr; Image sourcing and editing: Audio editing; Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite applications including Photoshop, LightRoom, Audition.