I’m a veteran journalist with experience as a reporter, editor, and newsroom manager with a track record of growing audience by delivering high-quality content in multiple formats. Since December 2014 I have worked at The Conversation, a media nonprofit that publishes news analysis, explanatory articles and research news written by academics and edited by journalists. I started as the company’s Deputy Managing Editor and Environment & Energy Editor shortly after its launch in the U.S. and helped lead the company through a period of rapid growth from a handful of editors to more than 30 people now. Here is an early profile of The Conversation from the Boston Globe.
In early 2021, I took on the position of Director of Editorial Projects and Newsletters where I am responsible for our email newsletter operation, overseeing delivery of 10 newsletters a week to nearly 200,000 subscribers while working on strategies to improve engagement with our readers. I also manage special projects, including the development of a line of books which I detail below.
Before joining The Conversation, I was a Contributing Editor at MIT Technology Review and correspondent at tech and business news site Xconomy. I wrote on energy, environment and science for the Boston Globe, the Guardian, Scientific American, IEEE Spectrum, Greentech Media, GreenBiz and New Scientist. I’ve had bylines in other national media, including Smithsonian, CBS News, CNN and Salon.
Previously, I worked for 10 years at CNET/CBS Interactive, where I was the lead reporter and manager of the successful Green Tech site, an EPPY award finalist for best news blog. During the dotcom boom and bust, I was the Executive Editor of a Silicon Valley-based enterprise technology weekly magazine and news site. Here’s a link to a longer bio.
Skills: Editing, newsletter production and strategy, reporting, writing, managing journalists, project management, audience growth and retention, series development and delivery, video and multimedia.
Newsletters
I direct The Conversation’s active newsletter operation, including publication of our daily and weekly emails, many of which I edit. I use data and tests to better understand our audience, improve engagement and iterate our offerings.
I also write our weekly science newsletter (click on image to see a recent edition). You can sign up for any of our newsletters here.
Critical Conversations books
- “Critical Conversations” is a series of books published by Johns Hopkins University Press that allows the general reader the learn about important and timely issues from experts in an accessible, easy-to-read format. Each volume collects several articles and essays from The Conversation and has a guest editor guide the reader through the topics covered.
- I developed this product line, acting as editor of the series and managing the project. The first three volumes, which cover gender diversity, biotechnology and water, were released in spring of 2023. The Conversation on Guns was released November 7, with more in development.
Mini-documentary series on religion and the environment
How some Christian leaders are using faith to heal the environment
Will Native voices finally be heard in the environment and climate?