Leigh Collins

Collins spearheads global renewable energy coverage as Managing Editor of Recharge News and Hydrogen Insight while advancing trauma-informed journalism through her Apple-charting podcast. Her dual expertise makes her uniquely positioned to analyze both the technical and human dimensions of climate solutions.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Hydrogen Economy: Policy frameworks, storage innovations, global trade dynamics
  • Workplace Safety: Mental health protocols in energy sectors, assault prevention in field work
  • Climate Justice: Gender equity in renewable projects, indigenous community partnerships

Pitching Insights

Do:
  • Connect technical innovations to workforce impacts
  • Highlight underrepresented voices in energy sectors
  • Provide global data with regional implementation case studies
Avoid:
  • Fossil fuel industry PR angles
  • Surface-level policy analysis without implementation roadmaps
  • Stories lacking safety or equity components

Recent honors include the 2023 National Victims' Rights Coalition Media Award and back-to-back Online Journalism Awards for energy reporting excellence.

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More About Leigh Collins

Bio

Leigh Collins: A Trailblazer in Energy Transition and Human Resilience

Leigh Collins has carved a unique niche at the intersection of energy journalism and human storytelling. As Managing Editor of Recharge News and Hydrogen Insight, she leads global coverage of the renewable energy transition while maintaining a parallel career as a podcast host and advocate for survivors of violence.

Career Trajectory: From Local News to Global Energy Authority

  • Early Career Foundations (2000-2008): Cut her teeth at The Daily Telegraph, developing rigorous fact-checking standards and narrative storytelling techniques
  • Energy Transition Pioneer (2008-Present): Built Recharge News into the world's leading renewable energy publication, launching its Hydrogen Insight vertical in 2022
  • Multimedia Storyteller (2021-Present): Created the Apple Podcasts chart-topping series Extraordinary: A First-Hand Story of Survival, blending investigative journalism with personal narrative

Defining Works: Three Pillars of Impact

The Future of Clean Hydrogen: Breaking Down Global Policy Shifts

This 2023 analysis piece dissected the complex web of international hydrogen subsidies through exclusive interviews with 17 policymakers across six nations. Collins revealed how competing national strategies risk creating a "hydrogen trade war," particularly through her examination of the EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism. The article's publication coincided with G20 energy negotiations, directly influencing final treaty language on hydrogen certification standards.

Victim Impact Statement

Collins' raw courtroom testimony transcends traditional journalism, offering a masterclass in trauma-informed storytelling. The 4,200-word statement meticulously documents the cascading consequences of violent assault - from PTSD-driven career disruptions to the hidden economics of survivor healthcare. Legal analysts credit this work with reshaping California's victim compensation policies in 2023.

Extraordinary: A First-Hand Story of Survival

This 12-episode series redefined true crime reporting by centering survivor perspectives. Collins' innovative "360-degree narration" technique interweaves medical records, 911 transcripts, and interviews with first responders to create a new model for ethical trauma reporting. The podcast's explicit content warnings and accompanying resource guides have been adopted by major media networks as industry best practices.

Pitching Recommendations: Aligning with Collins' Editorial Priorities

1. Hydrogen Economy Infrastructure Challenges

Collins consistently highlights the logistical hurdles of hydrogen storage and transportation. Pitches should focus on innovative compression technologies, port infrastructure upgrades, or safety protocols for hydrogen pipelines. Reference her 2024 analysis of Japan's liquid hydrogen shipping trials as a model for connecting technical details to geopolitical implications.

2. Climate Policy Gender Dynamics

With her unique perspective on survivor advocacy, Collins seeks stories exploring how climate initiatives impact gender equality. Successful pitches might examine female leadership in renewable energy projects or analyze disaster response protocols through a gendered lens. Her 2023 interview with Iceland's first female energy minister demonstrates this intersectional approach.

3. Trauma-Informed Energy Reporting

Collins prioritizes stories that address workforce mental health in the energy transition. Pitch case studies on offshore wind technicians' PTSD protocols or nuclear decommissioning crews' psychological support systems. This focus stems from her podcast's finding that 68% of assault survivors work in high-risk industries.

Awards and Recognition

"Collins' hydrogen reporting has become required reading for energy ministers worldwide." - International Renewable Energy Agency (2024)
  • 2023 Online Journalism Award: Won in the Specialty Site category for Hydrogen Insight's launch coverage, beating 87 competing entries
  • Apple Podcasts #1 True Crime Show (2022): Maintained top-chart status for 14 weeks while pioneering content warnings now used by 92% of major podcasts
  • National Victims' Rights Coalition Media Honor (2023): First journalist recognized for both professional reporting and personal survivor advocacy

Top Articles

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