Lucy Dunn: From Medicine to Westminster — The Rise of a Fearless Political Journalist

Who Is Lucy Dunn?

Lucy Dunn is a British political journalist best known for her work at The Spectator and her current role as Westminster Correspondent at STV News. Unusually for a political reporter, she is also a qualified medical doctor, having completed her medical degree at the University of Glasgow. Her journey from medicine to journalism marks her out as one of the most distinctive voices of her generation in UK political media.

Over a relatively short period, Lucy Dunn has built a reputation for sharp political analysis, strong editorial judgement, and authoritative reporting on UK and Scottish politics. Her background in medicine has given her a particular edge when covering public policy, health, and the NHS, areas where technical accuracy and ethical awareness matter deeply.

Lucy Dunn Age and Early Life

Lucy Dunn was born in 1999. She was 24 years old in 2023, a fact she confirmed in a professional interview during her early years at The Spectator. As of 2026, this places her in her mid-to-late twenties, an age that underlines the speed and scale of her professional rise.

Early Background

Lucy grew up in Scotland, with strong ties to Glasgow. Coming from a family of medics, she initially followed a traditional academic path into medicine. From an early age, however, she demonstrated strong interests in writing, music, and debate, interests that would later converge in journalism.

Education: Medicine and Medical Humanities

University of Glasgow

Lucy Dunn studied at the University of Glasgow, where she completed:

• MBChB Medicine (2016–2022)

• BSc (MedSci) Honours in Medical Humanities (2019–2020)

Her intercalated degree in medical humanities combined literature, philosophy, and ethics, providing a rare interdisciplinary foundation that would later shape her journalistic voice. While she qualified as a doctor in 2022, she chose not to practise clinically, instead transitioning fully into journalism.

Schooling

She was educated at Lomond School, where she was deeply involved in music and extracurricular activities. She served as Captain of Music, participated in orchestras, and played hockey, reflecting a well-rounded academic and creative upbringing.

Lucy Dunn Journalist: Entering the Media World

Student Journalism

Lucy’s journalism career began while she was still a medical student. During the Covid lockdowns, she threw herself into writing and joined The Glasgow Guardian, the University of Glasgow’s student newspaper.

Her rise there was rapid:

• News Reporter

• Deputy News Editor

• Editor-in-Chief (2021–2022)

Under her leadership, the publication won major national student journalism awards, and Lucy herself received individual recognition for political reporting.

Lucy Dunn Spectator Career

Joining The Spectator

In June 2022, Lucy Dunn joined The Spectator as Social Media Editor. Although not a conventional entry point into political journalism, she quickly proved indispensable.

She played a key role in:

• Expanding digital reach

• Managing political coverage on social platforms

• Developing Scotland-focused editorial output

Her medical background made her particularly influential in coverage of the NHS, public health, and post-pandemic policy debates.

Diary Reporter

By March 2024, Lucy was promoted to Diary Reporter, working within The Spectator’s political team. In this role, she covered:

• UK government activity

• Scottish politics

• Party leadership contests

• Westminster culture and power dynamics

Her reporting style combined insider awareness with analytical depth, contributing to The Spectator’s reputation as a leading political weekly.

Political Correspondent

In March 2025, Lucy Dunn became Political Correspondent at The Spectator, marking her full transition into front-line political journalism. By this point, she was a recognised voice within Westminster circles, particularly on issues relating to Scotland, health policy, and institutional reform.

Move to STV News: Westminster Correspondent

In October 2025, Lucy announced that she would be joining STV News as Westminster Correspondent. The move represented a major step into broadcast-focused political journalism while retaining her analytical strengths.

At STV, she reports on:

• UK government policy

• Parliamentary developments

• Scottish interests at Westminster

• Major political events affecting devolved governance

Her appointment was widely seen as confirmation of her status as one of the most promising political journalists of her generation.

Professional Experience Beyond The Spectator

Alongside her work at The Spectator, Lucy Dunn has built a diverse media portfolio:

Columnist

• Helensburgh Advertiser (2019–2024)
  Writing columns while still a student demonstrated her early commitment to public-facing journalism.

Freelance Work

• Book Reviewer at The Quietus
  Her reviews reflected literary sophistication and cultural awareness.

Editorial Leadership

• Head of Features at Empoword Journalism

• Features Editor (Freelance)

These roles strengthened her editing, commissioning, and leadership skills, complementing her reporting work.

Awards and Recognition

Lucy Dunn has received multiple honours, particularly during her student journalism years:

• Best Journalist (Scotland)

• Best Overall Digital Media

• Best Scottish Political Piece

These awards highlight her strength in political reporting, digital strategy, and editorial leadership.

Lucy Dunn Doctor Background: Why It Matters

Although Lucy Dunn does not practise medicine, her identity as a qualified doctor continues to shape her journalism. It gives her:

• Credibility when covering health policy

• A strong ethical framework

• Analytical discipline and precision

This background differentiates her from many political journalists and allows her to interrogate complex policy issues with unusual depth.

Personal Life and Public Presence

Lucy Dunn keeps her personal life private. There is no public information confirming marriage or a husband, and she has not shared details about romantic relationships. Her public identity is firmly centred on her professional work.

She is active on social media, where she:

• Shares professional updates

• Engages with political debate

• Maintains an open, approachable journalistic persona

Why Lucy Dunn Matters in UK Journalism

Lucy Dunn represents a new generation of British journalists who combine:

• Academic rigour

• Cross-disciplinary expertise

• Digital fluency

• Political insight

Her journey from medicine to Westminster challenges traditional career paths and demonstrates how diverse backgrounds can strengthen political reporting.

Future Outlook

With her move to STV News and growing visibility at Westminster, Lucy Dunn is widely expected to:

• Become a leading broadcast political correspondent

• Shape Scotland-focused UK political coverage

• Play a long-term role in British political journalism

Her career so far suggests a journalist with both intellectual depth and practical newsroom instincts.

Quick Info

Conclusion

Lucy Dunn is more than just a political reporter; she is a symbol of modern British journalism. A doctor-turned-journalist, a former Spectator political correspondent, and now a Westminster correspondent at STV News, her career reflects ambition, adaptability, and intellectual seriousness.

As her profile continues to rise, Lucy Dunn is set to remain a key voice in UK political discourse for years to come.

FAQs

1. Who is Lucy Dunn?

Lucy Dunn is a British political journalist and a qualified doctor. She is best known for her work at The Spectator, where she served as a political correspondent, and for her current role as Westminster Correspondent at STV News. Her reporting focuses on UK and Scottish politics, public policy, and Westminster affairs.

2. How old is Lucy Dunn?

Lucy Dunn was born in 1999. She was 24 years old in 2023, which places her in her mid-to-late twenties today, depending on the month of her birthday.

3. Is Lucy Dunn from The Spectator?

Yes. Lucy Dunn worked at The Spectator for several years. She joined in 2022 as Social Media Editor, was later promoted to Diary Reporter, and then became a Political Correspondent before leaving the publication in 2025.

4. Is Lucy Dunn a journalist or a doctor?

She is both. Lucy Dunn is a qualified medical doctor, having completed her MBChB at the University of Glasgow in 2022, but she does not practise medicine. Instead, she works full-time as a political journalist, using her medical background to inform her reporting on health and public policy.

5. What is Lucy Dunn doing today?

Today, Lucy Dunn works as Westminster Correspondent at STV News, where she covers UK government activity, parliamentary developments, and Scottish political interests at Westminster. She remains an active and influential voice in British political journalism.

NewsDip.co.uk