Jen Ross portrait with flowers

About

Jen Ross Laguna is a multilingual writer, editor, translator and trainer.

Education

  • Bachelor of Journalism (Carleton University)
  • Master of Arts in Political Studies (Queen’s University)
  • Master of Science in International Relations (London School of Economics and Political Science)

Multilingual and multicultural

Of mixed Chilean-Canadian background, I’ve lived in five countries and traveled to more than 50. I speak six languages and have worked in editing, interviewing and translating for the United Nations in four languages. My language skills include:

  • native command of both English and Spanish, dual mother tongues
  • bilingual schooling (English-French) and UN proficiency in French
  • a working command of Portuguese and Papiamento
  • basic Italian
  • university studies in non-verbal communication, translation and anthropology.

Award-winner

  • My poem “A New World Order”, was awarded the The Marvin E. Williams Literary Prize for a new or emerging writer in December 2024.
  • My article on abortion in Brazil was one of five Women’s E-News stories that collectively won the 2006 Rosa Cisneros Memorial Award for international journalism on women’s health and reproductive issues.
  • I won the British Chevening Scholarship (2000-2001), the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (1999-2000), Gordon Sinclair Fellowship (1999-2000), and several other scholarships and academic awards.

Published writer

  • I’ve had hundreds of articles published in newspapers and magazines around the world, including (but not limited to) the: Washington Post, Guardian, Al-Jazeera, San Francisco Chronicle, Globe and Mail, Independent, Miami Herald, Toronto Star, Christian Science Monitor, El Mercurio, Women’s E-News, New Zealand Herald, Chatelaine, New Internationalist, Latin Trade, El Sábado, Geographical, Walrus, Adbusters, Canadian Business, etc. See selected newspaper and magazine clippings.
  • My news reports and documentaries have also been broadcast on radio and television stations around the world—in English, Spanish and French. My regular clients included: BBC World Service (Radio and Television), CBC (Radio and Television), NPR (Latino USA), PRI-BBC co-pro The World, Radio Exterior de España, RNE (Spanish National Radio), Radio New Zealand, World Vision Radio, etc. Listen to selected radio and television reports.
  • I’ve had three academic articles published in international academic journals and I co-authored a chapter of a textbook on security policy.
  • I’ve also published dozens of personal essays, short stories and poetry and am looking to publish my debut novel. See my author page and my published fiction and poetry.

Institutional experience

I’ve held staff positions as a researcher, reporter, public communications officer or editor for a wide range of organizations, including staff positions with respected media and international organizations, such as:

  • UN Women
  • the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
  • the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
  • CBC Television (Parliamentary bureau)

Trainer

  • I’ve developed the training curriculum and delivered in-person and online courses and professional writing workshops through the Center for Lifelong Learning of the University of Aruba, Internet Society, and for various UN clients.
  • I worked for 5 years as a part-time lecturer, teaching Political Development in the Social Work and Development Programme in the Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Aruba, from 2018-2022.
  • For the Internet Society, I developed and delivered the training curriculum for three cohorts of Internet Governance Forum Youth Fellows from 2020-2022; for Chapter leaders in 2025; and for NDSS Fellows from 2025-2026.
  • I’ve given various public lectures in various countries, in both English and Spanish.
  • I’ve given several guest lectures in various settings, throughout my UN career.

Client-oriented

People I’ve worked with are really happy with my work and attention to detail. Read these testimonials.

Originally from Ottawa. Now based in Aruba. Available anywhere.

I have both local and international clients. While the bulk of my work is done remotely, I’m also available to travel as needed.

Contact me for a quote, or more info.