Lena V. Groeger
I'm a journalist, designer and developer living in the Bay Area. I'm the graphics director at ProPublica, where I edit charts and visual stories. I teach classes and workshops on design, coding and data visualization, and sometimes write or speak about them.
Feel free to get in touch! You can send me an or find me on the internet:
For people interested in using data, design and code for journalism, I've put together a big list of resources for getting started. I hope it's useful!
Work
Graphics & Data Visualization
Writing
Talks & Teaching
2021
Data Equity & Visualization: Talk at UC Berkeley Data Journalism class, Berkeley
2020
Show Me Your Data: Workshop at the National Association of Hispanic Journalists Conference
2019
Design Thinking for Journalists: Workshop at NICAR Conference, Newport Beach
Charts, Gifs & How to Make Them: Workshop at Northwestern's Bay Area Immersion Program, San Francisco
2018
How designer Lena Groeger exposed Trump's lies using stylish infographics: Interview with Digital Arts
Charts & Datawrapper: Workshop for UC Berkeley's Data Immersion Boot Camp, Berkeley
Visualizing Data 1 & 2: Workshop at the National Association of Hispanic Journalists Conference, Miami
ProPublica Data Institute: Two-week workshop on data, design & coding at ProPublica, New York
Design for Non-Designers: Talk at NICAR Conference, Chicago
Data Journalism & Gifs: Workshop at Northwestern's Bay Area Immersion Program, San Francisco
2017
Frontiers in Data Visualization: Talk at the Global Investigative Journalism Conference, Johannesburg
Creating Timelines: Workshop at the Global Investigative Journalism Conference, Johannesburg
Intro To Data Journalism: Workshop at the National Association of Hispanic Journalists Conference, Anaheim
Design For Non-Designers: Talk at the National Association of Hispanic Journalists Conference, Anaheim
ProPublica's Lena Groeger on data visualization & design: Interview with Jon Keegan of the Tow Center
Lena Groeger: Developer, designer, and journalist at ProPublica: Interview with Ivana McConnell of Origins
ProPublica Data Institute: Two-week workshop on data, design & coding at ProPublica, New York
Let’s Make Some Gifs: Tutorial at NICAR Conference, Jacksonville
Data Visualization Gifs: Workshop at NICAR Conference, Jacksonville
When the Storyteller Shows Up in the Story: Talk at Tapestry Conference, St. Augustine
2016
Underreported Data Stories: Panel at Visualized Conference, New York
Meat Charts: Talk at Information+ Conference, Vancouver
ProPublica Data Institute: Two-week Data, Design & Coding Workshop at ProPublica, New York
Make a Website from Scratch: Workshop at New York University, New York
Seeing the Error of Your Ways: Talk at Malofiej Conference, Spain
Six Questions with Lena Groeger: Interview with Andy Kirk of Visualising Data
Intro to Data Journalism: Workshop at New York University, New York
Visualizing Data: Course at The New School, Journalism + Design, New York
2015
Design & Social Graphics: Workshop at CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, New York
Design for Journalists: Talk at CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, New York
Use Science for Better Data Journalism Projects: Talk at Data Labs Conference, Germany
Design Principles for News Apps: Workshop at Global Investigative Journalism Conference, Norway
Data Viz for Journalists: Talk at Global Investigative Journalism Conference, Norway
Intro to Data & Code: Workshop at National Association of Hispanic Journalists Conference, Orlando FL
Visualizing Data: Course at The New School, Journalism + Design, New York
Design & Presentation: Course at CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, New York
How to Build Better Newsrooms with Better Language: Workshop at SRCCON Conference, Minneapolis
Make Photoshop Work For You: Workshop at Investigative Reporters and Editors Conference, Philadelphia
That’s the Power of Loops: Talk at OpenVis Conference, Boston
Design/Viz: What to Do, What Not to Do: Workshop at NICAR Conference, Atlanta
How to Use Loops to Explain Anything + Gifs: Workshop at NICAR Conference, Atlanta
Making Timelines: Workshop at NICAR Conference, Atlanta
Data Visualization & Design: Workshop at New York University, New York
2014
Data Journalism: Workshop at the Czech Centre for Investigative Journalism, Prague
Women and Code: Talk at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York
Think Small: the Power of Wee Things: Talk at OpenVis Conference, Boston
Impact, or, things I've learned about telling stories at ProPublica: Talk at Data Visualization Meetup, New York
DataViz for everyone: A practical guide to going responsive: Talk at NICAR Conference, Baltimore
2013
Science Journalism: Talk at World Conference of Science Journalists, Helsinki
Coding for the Future: The Rise of Hacker Journalism: Talk at West Virginia University, West Virginia
Timelines: Workshop at NICAR Conference, Louisville
CAR and News Apps: Talk at NICAR Conference, Louisville
Data Visualization: Workshop at ScienceOnline Conference, Raleigh
Awards, Recognition & Memberships
2021
States are Reopening: Bronze Medal, Malofiej
2020
Contribution to coronavirus pandemic coverage: Finalist, Pulitzer Prize for Public Service
What Coronavirus Job Losses Reveal About Racism in America: Sigma Delta Chi Award, Society of Professional Journalists
2019
Board Member, At-Large Director, Society for News Design
2018
Impressive Individual Award, Information is Beautiful
Bombs in Our Backyard: Winner for Outstanding Environmental Reporting, Society of Environmental Journalists
Judge, Society for News Design Digital Competition
Program Committee Member, OpenVis
Board Member, At-Large Director, Society for News Design
Conference Track Leader, National Association of Hispanic Journalists
2017
Evictions: Finalist, Livingston Awards for Young Journalists
Best Individual Portfolio: Finalist, GEN Data Awards
Lost Cause: Silver Medal, Malofiej
Program Committee Member, OpenVis
Board Member, At-Large Director, Society for News Design
2016
Insult to Injury: Winner in Explanatory, Loeb Award
Insult to Injury: Winner for Public Service and Finalist in Business Investigative Reporting, Deadline Club
Insult to Injury: Winner of IRE Medal Print/Online Large, Investigative Reporters and Editors
Insult to Injury: Finalist, Livingston Awards for Young Journalists
Workers Comp Benefits: How Much is a Limb Worth? Bronze Medal, Malofiej
Board Member, At-Large Director, Society for News Design
2015
Insult to Injury: Al Neuharth Innovation in Investigative Journalism Award, Online News Association
Treatment Tracker: Silver Medal, Society for News Design
Individual Portfolio Award, Society for News Design
2014
The Prescribers: Philip Meyer Award, Investigative Reporters and Editors
ER Wait Watcher: Finalist in Health Care Reporting, Online News Association
Overdose: Al Neuharth Innovation in Investigative Journalism Award, Online News Association
ER Wait Watcher: Silver Medal, Malofiej
Individual Portfolio Award, Society for News Design
2013
Pipeline Safety Tracker: Silver Medal, Society for News Design
Nursing Home Inspect: Silver Medal, Society for News Design
Individual Portfolio Award, Society for News Design