Photo of Serena Cesareo
Serena Cesareo

Senior Researcher

Serena is a Senior Researcher at The Observer, working across digital, audio and print. She specialises in migration, human rights and artificial intelligence, and co-authors The Observer Global AI Index. Former researcher at Tortoise Media, she also previously worked as a public policy analyst at the Economist Group.

Photo of Serena Cesareo

Serena Cesareo

Senior Researcher

Serena is a Senior Researcher at The Observer, working across digital, audio and print. She specialises in migration, human rights and artificial intelligence, and co-authors The Observer Global AI Index. Former researcher at Tortoise Media, she also previously worked as a public policy analyst at the Economist Group.

  • Serena Cesareo
    Palantir is the company that sees it all

    Originally inspired by The Lord of the Rings, the controversial firm has landed a billion pound deal with the British military

    Fri, 19 Sept 2025

  • Serena Cesareo
    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a pardon

    Why did Prime Minister Keir Starmer decide to defend himself and the Chancellor over last week's budget? Rightwing activist and regular GB News contributor Lucy White claimed Commons deputy speaker Nusrat Ghani should not be allowed in the house because she was born in Pakistan. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked President Isaac Herzog for a pardon in his corruption cases. Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer's Whitehall editor, Cat Neilan, senior researcher, Serena Cesareo, and producer Poppy Bullard, as they battle it out to pitch the top stories of the day.  Find the team's Must Reads: The Observer's Global AI Index: https://observer.co.uk/data/global-ai **We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk  Follow us on Social Media:  @ObserverUK on X  @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky  Host: Giles Whittell Producer: Amalie Sortland Executive Producers: Rebecca Moore & Gary Marshall To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk  Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists

    36 min • S1, E292

  • Serena Cesareo
    Mass deportations force Afghans into the arms of the Taliban

    Millions have settled in Pakistan and Iran over the past 50 years. Now they are being sent back

    Wed, 20 Aug 2025

  • Serena Cesareo
    Denmark is inspiring Shabana Mahmood’s new asylum policies

    The Home Secretary has announced a raft of tough immigration controls to make the UK a less attractive destination for illegal migrants. The former Prime Minister of Bangladesh was sentenced to death, how is the UK connected to alleged corruption in her regime? And why does President Donald Trump suddenly want to release the Epstein files?   Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer's Cat Neilan, Bex Sander and Serena Cesareo, as they battle it out to pitch the top stories of the day.    Listen to our Londongrad podcast series HERE Get your ticket for the News Meeting Live HERE  **We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk    Follow us on Social Media:  @ObserverUK on X  @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky    Host: Rebecca Moore Producer: Amalie Sortland Executive Producer: Katie Gunning   To find out more about The Observer:   Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk  Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists

    35 min • S1, E287

  • Serena Cesareo
    French Channel crossing plans are no silver bullet

    Interceptions at sea are highly dangerous and likely to challenge international laws

    Tue, 24 Jun 2025

  • Serena Cesareo
    Sudan’s civil war: reports of mass killings

    Will there be any voter suppression in Tuesday's US elections? Why did a British university prevent one of its academics from researching human rights abuses in China? Are Sudan's rebels using British-made equipment on the  battlefield?   Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer's Data and Graphics editor, Katie Riley, Senior Audio Producer Katie Gunning, and Senior Researcher Serena Cesareo as they pitch their top stories of the day   Must Reads: She Was Ready To Have Her 15th Child. Then The Felony Charges Began. The Great Ghosting Paradox The Cocaine Kingpin Living It Large In Dubai Assata Shakur Obituary   **We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk  Follow us on Social Media:  @ObserverUK on X  @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky    Host: Giles Whitell   Producer: Poppy Bullard   Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett   To find out more about The Observer:   Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk  Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists  

    34 min • S1, E284

  • Serena Cesareo
    Brazil to put Amazon oil and gas up for auction

    Area twice the size of Scotland to be auctioned off to fossil fuel firms months before country hosts COP30 climate crisis summit

    Mon, 16 Jun 2025

  • Serena Cesareo
    Why are Britain’s clubs closing?

    In the past five years, more than 800 late night venues have shut their doors. At this rate there are warnings that there could be no nightclubs left by 2029.  If you want to listen to more about the struggles facing UK nightlife, listen to The Observer's podcast We Have Notes HERE. Writer: Serena Cesareo Producer: Serena Cesareo Host: Ada Barumé Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore  

    6 min • S1, E1212

  • Serena Cesareo
    The Global Artificial Intelligence Index 2024

    Introducing the Global Artificial Intelligence Index

    Thu, 19 Sept 2024

  • Serena Cesareo
    Labour are trying to win the narrative war on immigration

    Will the US ban a safe and legal abortion pill? Is the Met Police full of Freemasons? Can Labour take control of the narrative on immigration? Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer's Francisco Garcia, Serena Cesareo and Phoebe Davis as they pitch their top story of the day.  

    32 min • S1, E273

  • Serena Cesareo
    What it means to recognise a Palestinian state

    Could Tiktok become MAGA-tok? What are the implications of recognising a Palestinian state? Should Rwanda be hosting an international cycling competition? Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer's Stephen Armstrong, Bex Sander and Serena Cesareo as they pitch their top stories of the day.  

    32 min • S1, E270

  • Serena Cesareo
    Older people are risking arrest for Palestine Action

    Why can't the French government pass a budget? Who will win in the fight for the soul of the Labour Party? Why do pensioners keep being arrested? Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer's Tom Gatti and Serna Cesareo, as well as the journalist and author Charlie Brinkhurst Cuff, as they each try to pitch the top story of the day.  

    34 min • S1, E266

  • Serena Cesareo
    Women forced back to Afghanistan

    Millions of Afghans who fled decades ago are now being returned from neighbouring Pakistan and Iran as part of one of the largest deportations in recent history

    8 min • S1, E1175

  • Serena Cesareo
    Why did Israel target and kill an Al Jazeera journalist?

    What proof has Israel provided to support their claim that Anas al Sharif ran a Hamas cell in Gaza? Why has the partnership between Premier League Football and Stonewall ended? And will Putin's visit to the US bring an end to the war in Ukraine?    Giles Whittell is joined by NPR's International Correspondent, Lauren Frayer. Plus the Observer's Serena Cesareo and Jessy Parker Humphreys, as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day.   

    36 min • S1, E259

  • Serena Cesareo
    Why Israel launched a new offensive on Deir al-Balah in Gaza

    Also in this episode: will plans to overhaul the water companies in England and Wales work? And why is Trump suing Rupert Murdoch?

    24 min • S1, E252

  • Serena Cesareo
    Could this be the end of police racial profiling in France?

    Europe’s top human rights court ruled that French police unfairly targeted a French citizen of African descent during a stop and search.

    7 min • S1, E1143

  • Serena Cesareo
    Will Starmer and Macron make a deal on small boats?

    Are Britain and France on the cusp of yet another agreement over small boats? Could the Texan floods have been prevented? Can women trust the justice system? Rebecca Moore is joined by Observer reporters Phoebe Davies and Serena Cesareo, and the journalist and author Jenny Evans, whose book Don’t Let It Break You, Honey details her experience being assaulted by a high profile figure, and her subsequent fight to find out why details of her ordeal made it into the tabloids. You can buy Don’t Let It Break You, Honey HERE **Join us at the News Meeting Live: LIVE from the Observer Newsroom on Tuesday 29th July - with ITV News presenter Charlene White. Follow us on Social Media: @ObserverUK on X @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky Host: Rebecca Moore, Executive Producer Producer: Poppy Bullard Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett, Head of Audio To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com

    27 min • S1, E248

  • Serena Cesareo
    Will France’s new powers stop small boat crossings?

    The French authorities will soon have new powers to intercept small boats carrying asylum seekers across the English Channel, even if they are already at sea. Writer: Serena Cesareo Producer: Serena Casareo Host: Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore

    7 min • S1, E1133

  • Serena Cesareo
    Why Musk’s aid cuts will outlast his time in government

    Elon Musk has left the Trump administration and fallen out with the president. But his plan to claw back billions in foreign aid is still making its way through Congress

    6 min • S1, E1123

  • Serena Cesareo
    Why has Trump turned Los Angeles into a battleground?

    What’s behind the president’s decision to deploy the National Guard in response to protests over immigration raids? Is Greta Thunberg’s journey aboard the detained Madleen flotilla the most effective way to highlight the plight of Gazans? And how should we tackle the soaring water use of AI? Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer’s Katie Gunning, Jon Ungoed-thomas and Serena Cesareo, as they battle to pitch the top story of the day.

    32 min • S1, E239

  • Serena Cesareo
    Is Trump succeeding in deporting millions?

    Donald Trump vowed to tighten borders and deport en masse. Now over 100 days in, his administration races to deliver on sweeping immigration promises. Is he succeeding?

    8 min • S1, E1101

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