About me
I am a freelance journalist focused on social justice and human rights. I have close to ten years experience writing for publications such as The Guardian, VICE, and Thomson Reuters foundation. I write news, features and investigations, as well as taking photos and producing documentaries and TikTok-style videos.
Feminism is central in my work, and I have covered gender issues in South America, Western Europe, South Asia and across Africa. Much of my reporting has been in East Africa, but I am now based in the UK. For much of 2022-23 I was on long term sick leave, but I have been back in action since mid-2024. I’ll write about it one day.
Send commissions and tips here: aermccool@gmail.com / Bluesky @McCoolingtons / Instagram @mccoolingtonsphotos
Current projects
Editor, The People. I edit and sometimes write The People, a newsletter by campaign group People vs Big Tech and the Citizens, the media non-profit I work with focused on investigating data, disinfo and Big Tech founded by the team who broke the Cambridge Analytica scandal. I also oversee People vs Big Tech’s social channels.
Investigative journalist and co-editor, Eco-Bot.Net. I’m part of the small team behind Eco-Bot.Net, which won Innovation of the Year at the British Journalism Awards 2022. Working with artists Bill Posters and Massive Attack, we monitored climate disinformation during COP26 and published investigations in The Guardian and TIME Magazine. We are currently rebooting the project in partnership with the Climate Litigation Lab at the University of Oxford, and working on new investigations and artistic collaborations for 2025.
Founder and editor, Babes Against the Backlash. In 2025 I am launching BABs (Babes Against the Backlash), a newsletter platforming the stories of women and LGBT+ people who are fighting the backlash against them. Plus some ramblings from me on feminism, mental health, Buffy the Vampire Slayer etc etc.