Digital Journalism Pioneer
In 1994, I helped teach the first "Cyberspace Reporting" class at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. This led to creating the New Media curriculum — graduating the first class of digital journalism majors in 1995.
At a time when the industry was still focused on CD-ROMs, AOL, Prodigy, and Compuserve, teaching web design and online publications ("zines") was genuinely radical. Since then, I've pushed the envelope on teaching with digital cameras, blogging platforms, online collaboration, and interactive tools.
Academic Appointments
- Columbia University — Created New Media program (1995)
- University of Hong Kong — First Wikipedia classroom assignment (2003)
- University of Southern California — Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
- American University — Associate Professor of Journalism (2013–2017). Taught Wikipedia editing with DC cultural institutions.
Olympics Reporting
Multimedia reporting from China during the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, published in The Wall Street Journal — both print and web. Covered the intersection of technology, censorship, and the Games.
Video Storytelling Training
Developed video journalism training materials used at The Wall Street Journal and the Online News Association annual conference. Resources available for educators and journalists:
🎬 Video Checklist
Five-shot method for visual storytelling
🎤 Audio Checklist
Field recording and interview techniques
✂️ Editing Guide
Software and workflow recommendations
Early Career
- AT&T Bell Laboratories — Technology R&D veteran
- NY.com — Founder of one of the first web startups, an online New York City guide