Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
Harriet Marsden is a writer for The Week, mostly covering UK and global news and politics. Before joining the site in 2023, she was a freelance journalist for seven years, specialising in social affairs and culture. She worked for The Guardian, The Times and The Independent, and regularly contributed articles to The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, The New Statesman, Tortoise Media, Metro and many other titles, as well as appearing on BBC Radio London, Times Radio and Woman’s Hour.
In 2021, she was awarded the "journalist-at-large" fellowship by the Local Trust charity, and spent a year travelling independently to some of England’s most deprived areas to write about community activism. She has also worked as a journalist in Bolivia, Colombia and Spain, and has a master’s in international journalism from City University, London. As an undergraduate at the University of Cambridge, she studied modern languages, specialising in Latin America. She has developed a particular interest in feminism and gender equality, contributing eight chapters to DK’s The Feminism Book and regularly appearing as a commentator on women’s issues. She has also written a historical fiction novel on the wives of Henry VIII. In 2023, she attended the 67th Commission on the Status of Women as a UN Women UK delegate. Find her at @harriet1marsden on Twitter.
Latest articles by Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
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Rachel Reeves' spring statement: can things only get worse?
Today's Big Question Chancellor forced to announce further £500 million cuts to benefits and welfare after OBR rejected Treasury estimates of savings and halved growth forecast
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
Today's Big Question -
The strange phenomenon of beard transplants
In The Spotlight Inquiries for the procedure have tripled since 2020, according to one clinician, as prospective patients reportedly seek a more 'masculine' look
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
In The Spotlight -
Is the BBC biased?
The Explainer The BBC rejects suggestions of a 'lenient stance' in its reporting
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
The Explainer -
The Rachel Reeves–Sabrina Carpenter freebies row
Talking Point Chancellor under fire for accepting gifted tickets to the 'Espresso' star's sell-out concert at the O2, amid planned government spending cuts
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
Talking Point -
Have we reached 'peak cognition'?
The Explainer Evidence mounts that our ability to reason, concentrate and problem-solve is in decline
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
The Explainer -
Life after space: how will Nasa's stranded astronauts cope?
In the Spotlight Sunita 'Suni' Williams and Barry 'Butch' Wilmore are headed back to Earth after nine months on the ISS – but their greatest challenge may still lie ahead
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
In the Spotlight -
The pros and cons of 'opt out' organ donation
Pros and Cons Family refusal on the rise, due to 'ambiguity' of presumed consent legislation
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
Pros and Cons -
Why Nepal wants to see the return of the king
Under the Radar Frustration is growing with 'corrupt' and impoverished republic, and many pin their hopes on Gyanendra – who gave up the throne 17 years ago
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
Under the Radar -
An ingredient in Coca-Cola may be funding Sudan's war
Under the Radar Global trade in gum arabic centres on the African nation – and proceeds bankroll conflict between the army and paramilitary rebels
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
Under the Radar -
Trump's tariffs: is EU's retaliation the best move?
Today's Big Question Global US levy on steel and aluminium imports has the EU hitting back but the UK keeping options open
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
Today's Big Question -
Jet fuel risk: what effect will North Sea tanker crash have on environment?
Today's Big Question Collision area has massive populations of seabirds, such as puffins and gannets, while porpoises and seals breed nearby
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
Today's Big Question -
Why women are most at risk in Africa's obesity crisis
Under the Radar Stigma and lack of access to medication draws comparisons with HIV epidemic
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
Under the Radar -
Has World Book Day become a 'horror show'?
Talking Point Annual event to encourage children to read for pleasure is sore spot for parents under 'growing pressure' to create character costumes
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
Talking Point -
The collapse of El Salvador's bitcoin dream
Under the Radar Central American nation rolls back its controversial, world-first cryptocurrency laws
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
Under the Radar -
Has Starmer put Britain back on the world stage?
Talking Point UK takes leading role in Europe on Ukraine and Starmer praised as credible 'bridge' with the US under Trump
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
Talking Point -
Mennonites in the spotlight over Texas measles outbreak
Under the Radar Close-knit religious community claims it has been made a scapegoat for wider issue of anti-vax sentiment in rural West Texas
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
Under the Radar -
North Korea may have just pulled off the world's biggest heist
Under the Radar Hermit kingdom increasingly targets vulnerable cryptocurrency, using cybercrime to boost battered economy and fund weapons programmes
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
Under the Radar -
Is Gaza ceasefire deal about to fizzle out?
Today's Big Question Israel and Hamas accuse each other of deliberately breaking first phase of the fragile truce, which is set to expire on Saturday
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
Today's Big Question -
North Korea (sort of) welcomes tourists again
Under the Radar 'Hermit kingdom' allows foreign visitors for the first time since 2020 – but only in limited areas
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
Under the Radar -
Russia vs. Nato: who would win in a war?
In Depth Collective military capability of Western alliance remains 'formidable' despite questions about untested 'mutual assistance' agreement as Trump pivots away from Europe
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
In Depth -
Ukraine's mineral riches and Trump's shakedown diplomacy
The Explainer President's demand for half of Kyiv's resources in return for past military aid amounts to 'mafia blackmail tactics' and 'colonialism'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
The Explainer -
'Himalayan Viagra': the world's most coveted fungus
Under the Radar Demand swells for cordyceps sinensis, prized for its medicinal and aphrodisiac qualities
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
Under the Radar -
Why Labour is struggling to fix dental crisis
The Explainer New proposals include more money for dentists working in under-served areas
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
The Explainer -
What will Trump-Putin Ukraine peace deal look like?
Today's Big Question US president 'blindsides' European and UK leaders, indicating Ukraine must concede seized territory and forget about Nato membership
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
Today's Big Question