About me

Award-winning writer

Freelance social affairs journalist and author/editor of non fiction anthology Made Possible.

Collaborating to tell untold stories – like Elliott’s, for a Tortoise Media podcast long time contributing writer and commissioning editor at The Guardian, also published in The Independent, Byline Times and various national magazines. Relaunch editor at inclusion magazine Community Living.

Former reporter at The Times, local government and social affairs correspondent at the Evening Standard, news editor at London local weeklies and deputy editor of a weekly housing magazine . Magazine bylines include Marie Claire, Cosmo, She, Time Out and numerous community affairs journals.

Chair of charity Sibs, ambassador for National Development Team for Inclusion, RSA fellow and Society of Authors member.

Press Awards winner, finalist in the British Journalism Awards 2022, Asian Women of Achievement Awards 2020 and European Diversity Awards 2016.

More on LinkedIn or via some poetry 😉

Portrait: Nicola Bensley

Journalism

Articles

Published in The Guardian, The Independent and Byline Times, or ask for other examples.

Speaking

Speaking, chairing and events

Experienced interviewer, speaker, chair at Sibs and ambassador for inclusion non-profit NDTi.

Live interviews for BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 4’s Today and World At One, regional BBC radio and podcasts including for Tortoise Media and Byline Times. Discussions and Q&As including the Chipping Norton Literary Festival, Manchester Metropolitan University, Voluntary Organisations Disability Group, British Academy, City Lit Institute, British Institute of Human Rights, Disability Rights UK, Learning Disability England and Dance Westminster

Email for bookings (ChipLitFest pic credit: Silver Apples UK).

Content consultancy

Editorial support and mentoring

Coaching and mentoring, enabling organisations to elevate their editorial. Content creation including print and digital reports, press briefings and thought leadership pieces.

Commissions include:

Get in touch – find out more.

Anthology: Made Possible

Stories of success, by people with learning disabilities – in their own words

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reviews on Amazon, GoodReads and Waterstones

Sally Phillips: ‘A bold wake-up call’

Sir Norman Lamb: ‘A call to arms to confront continued discrimination’

Sir Simon Baron-Cohen: ‘A gem of an anthology.’

Charles Fernyhough: ‘A timely and essential collection’

Made Possible, influenced by Raana Salman, features life stories from successful people in the arts, sport, campaigning and politics.

Press includes Radio 4’s Today programme, The Guardian, The Week Junior, gal-dem, Eastern Eye, London and Sussex papers, regional BBC radio, The Psychologist.

Talks at City Lit college, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Kindness Fest, Manchester Histories Festival (from 4:04:19), Disability Rights UK, British Institute of Human Rights, RNIB Radio.

Pro bono work

Social causes

Regular unpaid commitments include roles chairing Sibs and as an ambassador for NDTi (National Development Team for Inclusion). Limited additional not-for-profit or reduced rate work where feasible, focusing on social justice and equality-related projects.

Testimonials and awards

What people say:

‘Salman’s work drives awareness of the devastating impact of Covid-19 on neurodiverse people.’ The Press Awards judges.

‘Good quality reporting and a passion for crusading journalism.’ The late Brian MacArthur, veteran Fleet Street editor.

‘An authoritative writer.’ Sarah Jewell, Guardian supplements and microsites editor.

‘A talent for turning complex issues into powerful stories.’ John Adams, OBE, independent social care and charity advisor.

‘A talented news reporter and writer.’ Mike Leese, ex-Evening Standard news editor.

‘Guidance, knowledge, research and writing abilities delivering resources of the highest quality.’ Bob Green OBE, Stonewall Housing ex-chief executive.

FinalistBritish Journalism Awards 2022 Social Affairs, Diversity and Inclusion Journalism

Winner – Press Awards 2020 Reporting Diversity

Finalist – Asian Women of Achievement Awards 2020 Media

Finalist – British Journalism Awards for Specialist Media 2018

Finalist – European Diversity Awards 2016 Journalist of the Year

Runner-up – Commission for Racial Equality Race in the Media Awards

Specialist press awards for Housing Today, deputy editor

Best writer award – postgrad journalism course

Contact

Get in touch to find out more or connect on Threads, X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn