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
- SABEW Best in Business Journalism, Video, Medium and Small Division, 2019, for Because China
- Webby People’s Voice Winner, News and Politics Video Series, 2020, for Because China
- Gerald Loeb Award Finalist, Video category, 2019, for Because China
- Several Information is Beautiful awards for work at Quartz, including a gold in the People, Language, and Culture category in 2017.
- Malofiej Graphics award, Bronze, for portfolio of work with Quartz colleagues over 2017
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.