About me

As the homepage says, I am a teacher, musician, writer, programmer, and journalist. I have many interests and passions, and they come together through my work in its many forms. Above all I like to be creative, and to learn and try new things.

Contact: nikhil@nsnnd.com

Work experience

City University New York

Adjunct Instructor in Data Journalism, 2021-2023

➔ Taught two semesters of Fundamentals of Data Journalism, a first-semester course for incoming M.A. students at CUNY journalism school.

➔ Topics covered include data storytelling, data analysis and reporting with Excel, statistics for journalists, and creating journalistic charts and maps.

Quartz

Reporter, 2014-2020

➔ Helped create the documentary video series Because China. I was the primary reporter, interviewer, and script-writer for several episodes. I reported from many countries for the show, including Zambia, Brazil, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Kenya.

➔ Wrote feature articles on a wide range of topics—including language, Facebook, Chinese politics, the internet, philosophy, and more—encompassing investigative reporting, data journalism, essays, reportage, and satire.

➔ Was a member of Quartz’s “Things” team, which was responsible for experiments in journalism involving data visualization, data-driven reporting, graphics, and interactive stories. My work in this area won several accolades, including multiple Malofiej, Data Journalism, and Information is Beautiful awards.

The Global Mail

Data Journalist, 2012-2014

➔ Produced collaborative data-driven stories, visualizations, and interactives at this (now-defunct) Australian public-interest journalism outlet. Stories included an interactive video documentary of an asylum seeker’s journey from Afghanistan to Australia, and a data-driven investigation of post-traumatic stress disorder in the Australian military.

Skills

Technical

  • Proficient in several programming languages and frameworks, including JavaScript, Python, R, and HTML/CSS
  • Able to apply these languages and tools to a wide range of tasks including data analysis, data visualization, web development, scripting, and writing custom applications
  • Adept keyboard player and music producer familiar with many DAWs, mixing techniques, and instruments

Language

  • English: Native
  • Mandarin Chinese: Fluent, with certificate of Taiwan’s Chinese proficiency test at the “Superior” level
  • Spanish: Upper-Intermediate, comfortable in professional and conversational settings and reporting

Awards

Education

B.A. in Philosophy

Michigan State University, 2005 - 2009

➔ Electives in history and Spanish, and one semester abroad at Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador. My philosophy studies focused on continental philosophy and feminist theory.