Christie Lam
©2024 Mag-Ex
Writing + Copy
I write for a variety of contexts, including articles, research + academic writing, and copy. Writing was my first hobby and continues to be one of my most personally valued skills - it provides me so much joy in and outside of my work.Perrigo
Perrigo, a US pharmaceuticals company, wanted to celebrate the acquisition of a new portfolio of women’s health products. We supported them in writing a mission statement that made clear their commitment to advancing health equity for all those with uteruses, leveraging previous consumer workshops and market research we had done.
Shortly after the mission was launched in early 2023, Opill recieved FDA approval a few months later as the first over-the-counter emergency contraceptive in the US; the mission statement helped confirm to those watching the news of Perrigo’s commitment towards sexual health equity – this is just the first step of many!
As bodily autonomy for women and non-binary folks continue to be attacked in the US and across the world, helping a major pharmaceutical company reaffirm their commitment to protecting sexual health rights in the US feels like a small step in ensuring I live out my values in advancing equity, not only because of my vested interest as a woman (although, really, it is everyone’s vested interest to ensure our rights are protected), but shows the power of words and a promise.
Nesta / Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre
I co-authored a research paper that explored the relationships between major cultural organisations and their local creative businesses within defined “cultural districts” - looking at five examples across the UK, including Culture Mile in East London. I led the literature review and desk research portion of the paper, and also authored 2 case studies of the areas around V&A Dundee and the cultural organisations along the Tyne in Newcastle / Gateshead. After publication, the research was presented to
We added to their growing literature on place-based networks and clusters that acts as an important advocacy tool for organisations seeking funding. The research was conducted in the first few months following the first lockdown in the UK for the Covid-19 pandemic and helped gather alot of insights of the short-term impact of Covid-19 and the value of creativity as funding for culture in the UK is deprioritised and redirected.
I connected with a large number of creative professionals and leaders at arts organisations who were generous in sharing their personal networks and insights with me, on the power and the limitations of major cultural organisations, and reaffirmed the potential of grassroots networks and organisations that spawn alongside top-down programs.
Cultural Infrastructure Index / AEA Consulting
I contribute to AEA Consulting’s Cultural Infrastructure Index, an annual index that tracks and analyses investment in capital projects across arts and culture. Past contributions include a special focus article that analysed a dramatic growth in investment in Shenzhen in 2020.
I fill in gaps research gaps and find data in Chinese that would have otherwise been inaccessible to the researching team, uncovering major trends such as the boom in Greater China in 2020.
The index is an important tool for other consultants, architects, urban planners and researchers, and helps provide publicly accessible data that can help predict future directions across the arts and culture.