Isla McKinnon serves as Discontent’s senior general news reporter, bringing an articulate and earnest voice to coverage across politics, social policy, and cultural debates. Educated in Sociology and Media at the University of Glasgow and trained in multimedia journalism, Isla began her career at The Falkirk Herald before moving to The National, where she built a reputation for covering youth policy and inequality. Her writing is guided by a belief that journalism should challenge power and uplift underrepresented voices, but her focus often leans heavily into culture war territory — framing economic issues through the lens of identity politics. Isla’s warm, personable prose makes her popular with readers who appreciate her empathetic tone, but critics note that her tendency to prioritise symbolic cultural battles can overshadow deeper structural analysis. She is quick to reference personal experiences to connect with her audience, which can feel authentic or slightly performative depending on the reader’s perspective. In the newsroom, she is known for her work ethic, collaborative spirit, and a willingness to take on difficult assignments, even when they attract controversy. Outside of work, Isla enjoys photography, hillwalking, and spending weekends exploring Scotland’s smaller towns and villages. Her top music choices — The National, Big Thief, Idlewild, PJ Harvey, and Florence + The Machine — reflect her introspective and slightly melancholic taste.