I'm a journalist, designer and developer living in the Bay Area. I work at ProPublica making interactive graphics and other data-driven projects. I teach classes and workshops on design, coding and data visualization, and sometimes write or speak about them. I also like running (a lot).
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!
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
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