Training programs

Teaching newsrooms to produce for themselves.

Training is the through-line of my digital work: every team I have led was taught to produce independently rather than depend on external specialists.

One-Person Production Unit Programme

ArabicPost

Aug 2024 – Feb 2026

Founded a first-of-its-kind team in which each member is trained to write, design and edit video independently — a self-sufficient production unit.

Format
Ongoing internal team training
Audience
ArabicPost social media editorial team
Outcome
External production staff eliminated; the desk owns its full pipeline in-house.

Skills taught

  • Platform-specific writing for Instagram and TikTok
  • Editorial design: carousels, graphics, title cards
  • Mobile and desktop video editing for vertical formats
  • Publishing rhythm, hooks and retention structure

1.3B+

Total views

Across Instagram and TikTok in under 18 months

42M+

Engagements

Organic, with no paid promotion

625K+

Net new followers

On a base of roughly 700K

27×

Over benchmark

Against the institution's own targets

In-House Editor Enablement

Syria Podcast

Apr – Jun 2025

Managed the podcast's Instagram through a trial period while training the in-house editor to run it unaided.

Format
Trial-period training engagement
Audience
In-house podcast editor
Outcome
A replicable workflow developed and transferred to a team member, enabling adaptation and implementation by other staff members and across future podcast productions.

Skills taught

  • News-Driven Context: Linking new and archived podcast episodes to trending and current news.
  • Content Repurposing: Transforming podcast episodes into social posts, quotes, videos, and carousels.
  • Visual Production: Practical training in video editing, graphic design, and carousel creation for absolute beginners.

75%

of views

Generated by just 25% of the account’s usual publishing volume

58%

of engagement

Generated through just 25% of the usual publishing volume

95%

Non-follower reach

Increased from 30% to 95% as the follower base grew

2.2K

Average engagements per post

More than 3× the average engagement of regular posts

AI for Research, Writing and Data Visualisation

Al Sharq Strategic Research

Sep – Nov 2025

Designed and delivered intensive English-language training programmes for research interns at Al Sharq Strategic Research, equipping participants with practical skills in the use of AI tools for research, academic writing, data visualisation, and no-code interactive dashboards and design tools.

Format
Intensive English-language programme, delivered in English
Audience
Researchers and research interns at Al Sharq Strategic Research

What it covered

The workshops explored the use of AI tools to enhance researchers’ workflows in these areas:

  • AI tools in the research process — searching, summarising, checking
  • Writing with AI assistance without surrendering the argument
  • Data visualisation for readers who are not specialists
  • Building interactive dashboards for advanced visual presentation
Workshop photograph 11 / 3
Workshop photograph 11 / 3
Workshop photograph 11 / 3
Workshop photograph 11 / 3

Photographs from the workshops I delivered at Al Sharq. They turn over on their own; hovering one holds it.

What Al Sharq published about the workshop.

Al Sharq Forum

8,995 followers

10mo

LinkedIn

🚀 At Al Sharq Strategic Research, we believe in equipping the next generation with the tools of tomorrow. Over two days, our interns participated in an intensive AI workshop led by journalist Shaimaa El-Hadidy, exploring the practical applications of AI in research, writing, data visualization, interactive presentations, and dashboard design. Through workshops, we equip our interns with advanced skills and practical tools that enhance their learning journey and prepare them for impactful contributions in research and beyond.

AI Workshop6 pages

1 / 3

3 of the 6 pages: LinkedIn serves a logged-out reader no more than these, so no more than these are held here.

Al Sharq Strategic Research

Instagram

Over two days, our interns participated in an intensive AI training workshop led by journalist Shaimaa El-Hadidy. The sessions introduced them to hands-on applications of AI in research, writing, data visualization, interactive presentations, and dashboard development. Through these workshops, we provide our interns with advanced competencies and practical tools that enrich their learning experience and prepare them to make meaningful contributions in research and beyond.

On LinkedIn On Instagram