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Maggie Koerth-Baker

Senior Science Reporter at FiveThirtyEight.com

Maggie Koerth is an award-winning American science journalist and author who is currently the Editorial Lead at CarbonPlan.13 She was formerly known as Maggie Koerth-Baker.24

Background::

  • She was born in 1981 in Kansas and as of 2012, lived in Minneapolis with her husband.4
  • Koerth studied journalism and anthropology at the University of Kansas.4 She was also a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University from 2014 to 2015.145

Career Highlights::

  • Editorial Lead at CarbonPlan Since July 2023, Koerth manages editorial workflows, develops communication strategies, trains scientists in journalism, and builds relationships with media outlets.1
  • Board Member at the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing She has been a board member since April 2012, assisting in conference development, selecting award winners, and developing reporting resources. She also chairs the diversity committee.1
  • Public Speaker and Media Guest Koerth has been a regular presenter on "Science Friday" on National Public Radio and has presented at various universities and institutions.1
  • Senior Science Reporter at FiveThirtyEight.com Koerth covered science for the national online publication from March 2016 to April 2023. She also edited for the site's senior politics reporter and contributed to ABC News' election night coverage.1
  • Freelance Writer & Editor From June 2006 to February 2016, Koerth wrote for publications such as Discover, Popular Science, and Slate.com.1
  • Science Editor at boingboing.net From September 2009 to August 2014, Koerth developed an editorial calendar, managed guest bloggers, and curated science news.15 One of her pieces, "Nuclear Energy 101: Inside the ‘Black Box’ of Power Plants,” was featured in The Best Science Writing Online 2012.4
  • Columnist for The New York Times Magazine From August 2012 to March 2014, she wrote "Eureka," a monthly column about the intersection of science and culture.145
  • Author In April 2012, Koerth authored "Before The Lights Go Out," a book about the history of the American electric grid and the future of energy.1245 She also co-authored the book Be Amazing: Glow in the Dark, Control the Weather, Perform Your Own Surgery, Get Out of Jury Duty, Identify a Witch, Colonize a Nation, Impress a Girl, Make a Zombie, Start Your Own Religion.4

Koerth has also contributed to Discover, Popular Science, New Scientist, Scientific American, and National Geographic.4 Carl Zimmer has called her "one of the most innovative science writers at work today".4

Highlights

Oct 10 · twitter

I don't girlboss or gatekeep. I saw some amazing auroras back in May at Fish Lake County Park in Harris, MN ... off of I-35 near North Branch. But honestly, there's nothing special about this spot other than convenience to my needs.

Oct 10 · twitter

I'm likely going out to look at auroras tonight. Two tips if you are, too:

  1. I picked my spot for the May storm by cross referencing Google Maps and a light pollution map to find a lake with a north facing beach and a playground outside the worst glow.

Related Questions

What are some of Maggie Koerth's most notable articles at FiveThirtyEight?
How has Maggie Koerth's work impacted public discourse on science and society?
What unique reporting projects has Maggie Koerth led at FiveThirtyEight?
How does Maggie Koerth's experience as a media trainer influence her journalism?
What awards has Maggie Koerth received for her science reporting?
Maggie Koerth-Baker
Maggie Koerth-Baker, photo 1
Maggie Koerth-Baker, photo 2
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Location

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area