It’s rare that a journalist creates a whole new form. That’s what Mona Chalabi has done. Her combination of illustration and data analysis is unmistakably hers. It is also a uniquely powerful way of telling stories quickly – landing with emotional and intellectual impact every time. Her work has the brevity of a haiku and the authority of an auditor’s spreadsheet.
Chalabi’s job title is data editor at the Guardian US. But while she certainly crunches numbers her skillset extends beyond data analysis. Her illustrations ask questions like “Should you ask a creative to work for free?” and lead readers on a fast, surprising journey of enlightenment.
Chalabi is a writer, producer, broadcaster and honorary fellow of the British Science Association. She has worked for FiveThirtyEight, the Bank of England, the Economist Intelligence Unit, Transparency International and the International Organization for Migration. She grew up in London and lives in New York.
Join us in this live edition of the award-winning podcast How I Found My Voice with Samira Ahmed. Chalabi will discuss how she created such a unique voice through her data illustrations and how her work is helping hold power to account.