I’m Dhruti Shah.
I’m good at helping you think differently.
My background is journalism, which means I can offer observation, analysis and context. I can also create digital strategies from scratch, find and develop stories; present; give social media accounts a unique voice; verify and investigate using OSINT; train; coach; inspire, and motivate audiences across different cultures.
I can assist you with your content and copywriting, as well as help you tell your story. I’ve written about the environment, technology, business, identity, art, science, peace and conflict, and much more. My stories have generated global conversations.
I’ve also led record-making BBC and philanthropic international partnership projects. I made a book about animals and financial literacy a global success. I’m also constantly developing myself professionally and like adventures. I understand the digital sphere, as well as being able to offer a fresh perspective on diversity, equity and inclusion. If you need to shake things up, then please get in touch.
Consultancy & Expertise
Journalism
Columnist, global news producer, writer, investigations and leading huge multilingual storytelling projects; you name it – I can do it and help you do it too.
Host and Presenter
I am experienced host and presenter. I am listed with speaking agencies but can also be contacted directly for motivational and inspirational talks about resilience, succeeding despite obstacles and more. I can facilitate and moderate discussion panels as well as films, training modules and workshops.
Storytelling
I can help you tell your story, understand what makes a narrative resonate, figure out how to target your key audience and more. I created a role of storytelling development producer at the BBC which brought different silos together with a common goal.
Verification
Specialist in digital verification, real news training, forensic storytelling newsgathering for major breaking news and longer investigations. I have more than a decade’s experience debunking fake news and tackling disinformation and misinformation.
Investigations
I am a digital detective skilled in using open source intelligence techniques to uncover hidden information. I have worked on many BBC investigations and am experienced in this field. I can dig deep into the internet archives for case studies thought lost to the past, find people via their digital footprint and lots more.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
As an ethnically marginalised woman who went to a state school before being educated at Oxford University and then becoming a journalist in newspapers and the BBC, I have a lot of experience when it comes to understanding social mobility, inequity, race, and womanhood - all hot topics of DEI. I often am asked to speak to the subjects.
Copywriting
I have experience subbing stories for the BBC News website, blogging, working on my own HYTA newsletter, writing press releases, editing and proofing stories on a wide variety of subjects. I am a clean, crisp copywriter who can help you with your content whatever the medium.
Mental Health
A qualified mental health first aider and someone who has undertaken significant training when it comes to understanding vicarious trauma and how it has developed among journalists, I come with a sensitive perspective around stories of resilience.
Social Media
I’m well-versed in social media storytelling – from identifying to then delivering a story with impact. I’ve built social media presences for major brands at an accelerated scale. I ran the BBC News LinkedIn account solo and made it grow four-fold.
Training
Skilled at creating and delivering global workshops remotely and in-person on a variety of subjects including verification, networking, investigations and social storytelling. Clients include the BBC, Dart Centre, Rotary International, global universities.
As Featured In
Testimonials
What others say
"Dhruti is truly an inspiring journalist and storyteller. During my time at the BBC I’ve come to know her on a professional and personal level and have continued to be amazed by her editorial and storytelling skills. She is very entrepreneurial and peruses her ideas with great passion and diligence. She is very easy to work with and brings infectious energy to any project she’s involved in."
Mai Noman, Digital Editor, BBC
"We invited Dhruti to join the board of trustees in 2020 as we realised the Trust would benefit from having the insight of a past beneficiary on the board. And we were not wrong. Dhruti has brought a wealth of ideas, enriching the mentoring experience we offer to participants on our mentoring schemes and rallying us to celebrate our achievements. Her creativity and insight leave me spellbound. Dhruti dares each of us to be bold and to be ambitious."
Susie Schofield, Founder, John Schofield Trust
"Dhruti is a fantastic coach! During our regular coaching sessions, Dhruti has helped me to clarify my career objectives and life aspirations, while looking more carefully at how these two aspects intersect and complement/compete with each other. It is proving invaluable! I strongly recommend Dhruti as a coach and am looking forward to continuing our sessions in 2023!"
Sushma Jansari, Tabor Foundation, Curator South Asia at The British Museum
"Dhruti was engaging and entertaining when she spoke to my team in our weekly "Inspirational People" session. Her perspectives were fascinating on newsroom life, the challenges of being a journalist and how she co-authored a best-selling book, and she offered insightful responses to questions about all of these matters, along with subjects such as diversity and the challenges of working remotely."