Hannah Gelbart

Biography

Hannah Gelbart is an award-winning BBC News presenter, podcast host and investigative journalist. She is the lead presenter of What in the World, a daily BBC World Service news programme for younger audiences around the world, bringing global stories to life across audio, video and social platforms.

A skilled interviewer and versatile presenter, Hannah combines rigorous journalism with warmth, curiosity and an instinct for finding the human stories behind complex global issues. Equally comfortable handling sensitive interviews, explaining complicated subjects or bringing humour and personality to a conversation, she makes challenging stories accessible without losing their nuance.

Since What in the World launched in 2023, Hannah has presented five audio programmes and two visualised YouTube episodes each week, alongside social content. Covering global conflicts, elections, climate, technology and online culture, the programme responds to the questions younger audiences are asking about the world. Hannah drives the editorial process, from pitching stories and developing treatments to writing scripts and interviewing experts, correspondents and contributors. She is experienced in responding to breaking news and delivering accurate, balanced coverage under pressure.

Hannah joined the BBC in 2015 on its flagship Journalism Trainee Scheme and has worked across television, radio, digital journalism and investigative documentaries. As a reporter with the BBC’s Global Disinformation Unit, she investigated online harms including the exploitation of Syrian children on TikTok, non-consensual sharing of intimate images on Telegram, and cryptocurrency scams linked to the war in Ukraine. Her TikTok investigation was viewed more than five million times, translated into 17 languages and prompted a platform policy change. Her reporting has featured across BBC television, radio, the News Channel and From Our Own Correspondent.

She previously worked on BBC My World, the youth news programme executive-produced by Angelina Jolie, and has presented documentaries and podcasts including The Documentary, 5 Minutes On, People Fixing the World and BBC Trending. She also served on the BBC’s Next Generation Committee, advising senior leaders on content and audience engagement.

An experienced live host, conference moderator and interviewer, Hannah has represented the BBC at The Podcast Show and RadioDays Asia in Kuala Lumpur, speaking about engaging younger audiences with international news. She has hosted BBC events and all-staff broadcasts, interviewed BBC News CEO Deborah Turness, moderated panels for BBC Media Action and BBC Academy Fusion, and hosted events for journalism students in Nigeria and Ghana. She also delivered a TEDx talk in Austria on younger audiences’ news consumption and avoidance.

Hannah’s work has been recognised with a Silver British Podcast Award for What in the World, the 2025 Global Women in News Inspiring Women in News Award, and she was shortlisted for Emerging Talent at the Association for International Broadcasting Awards.

A graduate of the University of Cambridge, where she studied Spanish and Portuguese, Hannah speaks five languages. She is passionate about international affairs, digital culture, disinformation, media literacy and the future of journalism.

Hannah is available for television and documentary presenting, podcast hosting, conference chairing and moderation, live events, interviewing and keynote speaking.