WELCOME TO FUTURE PROOF

Hi I’m Tom, I’m 20 and currently a Film and Media student at Robert Gordon University. I was part of SYFF’s Festival of Politics Team in 2025, and that experience encouraged me to keep exploring how communication, storytelling, and power intersect, so when the chance came to work with them again I didn’t hesitate. What drew me to this project in particular is my fascination with how media shapes power and influences the way people understand the world around them. I’m especially interested in the point where media and society intersect: the stories we’re told, the narratives we accept, and the ways information can be used to guide, persuade, or mislead. Misinformation and disinformation matter because they don’t just distort facts, they distort people’s very sense of reality. If we want to make informed decisions, we need to understand how these tools work, and I hope to play a small part in raising that awareness. 

Hi, I’m Rachel. I’m 20 and currently a 3rd-year student, working towards my BA in Journalism, Media and Communication, and Politics and International Relations at the University of Strathclyde. I have been part of many SYFF projects over the years, starting back in 2021 with COPTV. From there, I have participated in the first year of FOP (Festival of Politics) and other SYFF events. I am excited to take part in this opportunity, as I am interested in Scottish politics and the effects that media consumption and preferences can have on political influence. With this opportunity, I hope to raise awareness of the impact social media can have on public perception and how easily misinformation can spread. 

My name is Emilie I. Stewart. I’m a student journalist at Edinburgh Napier University in my third year. My journalism spans a variety of topics, from defence and security to housing insecurity and environmental governance. My work has featured in The National newspaper, Saltire Society, and Edinburgh Live. I run the political sub-section of my University’s student publication ENRG. I have long held a passion for combatting mis and disinformation, which is why I joined SYFF’s election newsroom when the opportunity arose. Malinformation is increasingly encroaching on Western democracies, and at a time when Europe’s security is under great threat, this issue is more important than ever. I want to do my part to help protect healthy democratic processes, like Scotland’s Parliamentary Elections, one fact at a time. 

Halò! I’m Rabbie, a 24-year-old IR postgrad from Inverness-shire. I first joined SYFF in the summer of 2024 while finishing my undergrad at the University of Edinburgh, helping the Foundation to cover that year’s Festival of Politics at the Scottish Parliament. I really enjoyed my time with SYFF, and hence, after graduating from my master’s at the end of last year, I applied to be part of their 2026 Election Newsroom. I’m excited not only for the election—which may be a turning point for Scottish politics—but also to be part of a great team monitoring its progress and tackling disinformation in the run-up. Given my studies and recent events, including the proscription of Palestine Action, I’m keen to address questions surrounding “terrorism” in Scotland’s party-political discourse: an often misunderstood and misapplied term. Tìoraidh an-dràsta! 

My name is Emilie I. Stewart. I’m a student journalist at Edinburgh Napier University in my third year. My journalism spans a variety of topics, from defence and security to housing insecurity and environmental governance. My work has featured in The National newspaper, Saltire Society, and Edinburgh Live. I run the political sub-section of my University’s student publication ENRG. I have long held a passion for combatting mis and disinformation, which is why I joined SYFF’s election newsroom when the opportunity arose. Malinformation is increasingly encroaching on Western democracies, and at a time when Europe’s security is under great threat, this issue is more important than ever. I want to do my part to help protect healthy democratic processes, like Scotland’s Parliamentary Elections, one fact at a time. 

Hi! My name is Rory and I’m a 20 year old aspiring filmmaker based in Edinburgh. I first worked with SYFF during the 2025 Festival of Politics and I’m very excited to be returning for the Youth Newsroom. I’ve had a deep passion for filmmaking and storytelling for as long as I can remember and journalism allows me to use that passion to do good for the world. I strongly believe that spreading awareness and educating people on the nature of mis/disinformation is of vital importance at a time when mistrust of the media and confusion about what’s really happening is only increasing.