Marta Arias

I help translate complex knowledge into shared understanding, strategic decisions and public impact. My work sits at the intersection of strategic communication, qualitative research and higher education, helping organisations make sense of complexity, strengthen collaboration and turn knowledge into informed action.

Over the past fifteen years, I have worked across international journalism, strategic communication and higher education. I co-founded Revista 5W, one of Spain's leading independent magazines on international affairs, where I contributed to editorial development, community engagement and the creation of El Rickshaw, a weekly newsletter and podcast bringing global issues into public conversation. My work has also been published by media including The Guardian, The New York Times, El País, El Mundo, De Correspondent and Radio France Internationale.

Today I work at TeamLabs/, part of the Mondragon Team Academy network, where I facilitate learning processes in higher education, coordinate multidisciplinary teams and contribute to the adaptation and implementation of educational programmes that prepare people to navigate uncertainty through collaborative learning, entrepreneurial practice and reflective leadership.

Across these different environments, one question has remained constant: how can knowledge become useful for people making decisions, working together and responding to complex challenges? Whether through journalism, higher education or strategic communication, I am interested in making research, expertise and diverse perspectives accessible, actionable and meaningful.

I enjoy working where research, communication, education and public institutions meet, helping organisations translate complexity into shared understanding and informed action.

I hold an M.A. in International Political Journalism from Universitat Pompeu Fabra, completed part of my journalism degree at Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas and the Institut Français de Presse through the Erasmus programme, and earned my Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Universidad CEU San Pablo. I also hold a University Diploma in Team Coaching for Entrepreneurial Teams from Mondragon Unibertsitatea.

Based in Madrid, I work in Spanish, English and French.

Selected work

• Revista 5W: Independent magazine on international affairs
https://www.revista5w.com

• Conversation with Carolin Emcke on doubt, democracy and democratic responsibility
https://www.revista5w.com/who/si-se-duda-no-es-posible-odiar

• Conversation with Teju Cole on storytelling, identity and the ethics of seeing
https://www.revista5w.com/temas/cultura/teju-cole-las-cosas-se-mueven-rapido-pero-no-cambian-rapido-8199

• Reporting for The Guardian on disability, dignity and social inclusion in Cameroon
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/may/19/cameroon-promhandicam-school-disabled-children-integration

• Moderating a public conversation with Teju Cole and Carolin Emcke at CCCB
https://www.cccb.org/en/w/participants/marta-arias