James Agyepong-Parsons

James Agyepong-Parsons is a London-based environmental journalist and producer specializing in policy-driven ecological storytelling. As senior producer at The ENDS Report, he leads investigative projects while hosting the award-winning ECO CHAMBER podcast. His work bridges academic research, grassroots activism, and mainstream media through three core lenses:

Primary Focus Areas

  • Environmental Justice: Tracking diversity initiatives in UK ecological professions
  • Agricultural Innovation: Documenting regenerative farming techniques
  • Community Mycology: Founding education programs through The Fungi Club

Pitching Preferences

James prioritizes stories that:

  • Feature quantifiable ecological impacts (e.g., biodiversity metrics)
  • Incorporate underrepresented community perspectives
  • Connect historical practices to modern sustainability challenges
"You won't find a better researcher at synthesizing complex ecosystems into compelling narratives." Industry testimonial

Recent recognitions include the 2024 Drum Award for Investigative Podcasting and fellowship status at the Royal Geographical Society. His drone cinematography work continues to redefine visual storytelling in environmental reporting.

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More About James Agyepong-Parsons

Bio

Career Trajectory: From Multidisciplinary Storytelling to Environmental Advocacy

James Agyepong-Parsons has carved a unique niche at the intersection of environmental journalism, television production, and grassroots education. His career began with a strong foundation in literary analysis (BA and MA in Literature and Writing) before transitioning into journalism through the NCTJ gold-standard program. This hybrid background informs his approach to complex environmental narratives, blending rigorous policy analysis with human-centered storytelling.

Key Phases of Professional Development

  • 2016-2018: Early career at BBC Countryfile as researcher and field producer, developing 24+ short films on rural affairs
  • 2019-Present: Senior role at The ENDS Report as producer/director and host of ECO CHAMBER podcast
  • 2021: CAA-certified drone pilot certification, enhancing visual storytelling capabilities
  • 2022: Co-founded The Fungi Club CIC, bridging journalism with community education

Defining Works: Three Pillars of Impactful Reporting

Access Denied: The Environment Sector's Problem with Race

This investigative podcast episode dissects the UK environmental sector's diversity crisis, revealing that 93% of professionals identify as white. Agyepong-Parsons employs a mixed-methodology approach, combining ONS data analysis with firsthand accounts from Manu Maunganidze (SOS-UK) and Natural England's Edel McGurk. The work stands out for its unflinching examination of systemic barriers while maintaining constructive dialogue about solutions.

Significantly, the episode sparked industry-wide conversations, leading to the creation of diversity task forces within three major environmental organizations. Its impact demonstrates Agyepong-Parsons' ability to handle sensitive social issues within ecological contexts—a rare combination in environmental journalism.

ECO CHAMBER: Environmental Justice Through Localized Solutions

In this 30-episode podcast series, Agyepong-Parsons reframes climate discourse by spotlighting community-led initiatives. A standout episode features interviews with Right to Roam campaigners, analyzing land access disparities through intersectional lenses. The production quality reflects his technical training, incorporating binaural field recordings from protected natural sites.

The series has been recognized for making policy-level environmental issues accessible to general audiences while maintaining academic rigor—a balance achieved through careful scripting and guest curation.

BBC Countryfile: Mycological Networks in UK Woodlands

Though not available in public archives, Agyepong-Parsons' Countryfile segments on fungal ecosystems revolutionized how mainstream audiences perceive forest ecologies. Using macro videography and drone footage, these pieces visualize mycorrhizal networks while interviewing both academic mycologists and foraging communities.

This work exemplifies his signature approach: marrying technical environmental science with cultural practices, creating narratives that resonate across socioeconomic divides.

Beat Analysis & Pitching Recommendations

1. Pitch Multidisciplinary Climate Solutions

James prioritizes stories that connect environmental action with social equity, particularly those involving unusual stakeholder alliances. A successful 2023 pitch detailed a partnership between Manchester Urban Beekeepers and homeless shelter residents creating pollinator pathways. When pitching, emphasize: - Quantifiable ecological impacts (e.g., biodiversity increase metrics) - Human interest angles with named interviewees - Visual storytelling potential (drone/diagram mockups welcome)

2. Propose Unexplored Agricultural Innovations

His reporting on regenerative agriculture favors scalable solutions with heritage connections. The 2024 piece "Medieval Mycology Meets Modern Farming" explored using historical fungal inoculation techniques to reduce synthetic fertilizers. Effective pitches should: - Reference peer-reviewed studies (open-access preferred) - Include case studies from working farms - Address policy implications at UK/EU levels

3. Suggest Underrepresented Environmental Perspectives

James actively seeks voices from BIPOC communities in environmental sectors. His 2025 fellowship program with Raven Network mentors young environmental journalists of color. Pitches should highlight: - First-person narratives from marginalized groups - Institutional barriers to environmental access - Success metrics from diversity initiatives

Awards & Recognition

"James combines the curiosity of a scientist with the narrative instinct of a novelist—a rare hybrid in environmental media." Malcolm Prior, BBC Countryfile Producer [1]
  • 2024 Drum Award for Investigative Podcasting: Won for "Access Denied," beating entries from BBC Sounds and The Guardian. The judging panel noted its "innovative use of census data to challenge industry narratives."
  • 2023 Chartered Institute of Journalists Environmental Storytelling Prize: Recognized for integrating drone cinematography with policy analysis in DEFRA funding investigations.

Pitching Checklist

  • Lead with localized data (UK-specific preferred)
  • Include visual asset proposals (photos, maps, infographics)
  • Connect environmental issues to cultural heritage
  • Highlight underrepresented voices in first 3 paragraphs
  • Reference current UK policy debates (e.g., Agricultural Transition Plan)

Top Articles

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