Close
Lancing College is proud to spotlight Samuel McIlhagga, one of our distinguished alumni whose career reflects the enduring influence of a Lancing education. A scholarship recipient from 2012 to 2014, Samuel attended the College as a member of Heads' House, where he studied Modern History, English, Art, and Politics.
Samuel advised that, during his time at Lancing, he was deeply influenced by Dominic Harman, whose teaching and leadership of the Shakespeare club, These Mortals Be Players, sparked a lifelong appreciation for literature and theatre. Dominic continues his tenure at Lancing as our Head of English. Samuel's achievements in English earned him multiple school awards, which served as a well-deserved testament to his academic dedication. In History, he studied under the inspiring instruction of Mr Wilks, whose expertise in modern British political history left a lasting impact.
After leaving Lancing, Samuel pursued a first-class degree in Modern History and English from the University of St Andrews, graduating in 2018. His passion for writing led him to spend a year working in Chile before furthering his studies with an MPhil in Political Thought and Intellectual History at Hughes Hall, Cambridge, in 2019. During his time at Cambridge, he rowed competitively for the Hughes Hall II Men’s team and took on an editorial role, curating the poetry section for The Mays, a literary publication where renowned writers such as Zadie Smith once began their careers.
Now a staff writer for The Birmingham Dispatch and Mill Media, Samuel covers an array of pressing global issues. His assignments have included in-depth reports on far-right militias in the United States, California’s wildfire crises, homelessness in Los Angeles, and international conflicts. His work has taken him to diverse locations, from the Poland-Belarus border to El Salvador and Afghanistan, where he has delved into the complexities of cryptocurrency politics.
Samuel has recently been awarded the Rupert Cornwell Prize - a distinguished annual award aimed at younger journalists towards the start of their careers.
In the upcoming spring, Samuel will embark on a new venture with the Rupert Cornwell Prize for The Independent, travelling across Mexico to document indigenous land management practices in response to wildfire threats.
Samuel McIlhagga’s career exemplifies the intellectual curiosity and resilience that Lancing College seeks to inspire in each of its students. His journey is a reminder of how far a foundation in critical thinking, creativity, and global awareness can take our alumni. Congratulations Samuel - we look forward to seeing what comes next for you on your journey in Journalism!
