The Conversation - What I’ve learned working here

Dear Reader,

I have learned so much about the world since I started working at The Conversation a year and a half ago.

I am the data specialist here. I analyze data and give our team the information it needs to reach as wide an audience as possible. I can see firsthand how widely our articles are read and in how many places they are republished. 

As I look at the hits a story’s getting, I’ll often end up saving the story to read afterward, not because it’s my job, but because it sounds so incredibly interesting − and is often incredibly useful.  

Outside of work, I’m an animal and nature lover who enjoys all kinds of outdoor activities, usually with my two pets. I care deeply about health and wellness and want to be physically and mentally ready to give them my best.

One of the greatest revelations reading a Conversation article was discovering that blood sugar fluctuations after eating can play an important role in anxiety and depression. It’s how I learned I have a sugar addiction and that sugar addictions are a real thing. From another article, I learned the biology of muscles and how they change with age. (I’m definitely going to keep exercising forever so my muscles don’t atrophy!) Another piece helped me understand financial health and how being “mindful” about your bank account can bring more than just peace of mind.

If you’re a subscriber, then you probably already know what I’m talking about.

And you probably also realize that this sort of fact-based, explanatory journalism is something that is greatly needed in this modern age of misinformation. I am so proud to work for a company where I feel like our work, and my work, really matter to society and that we’re making a positive difference.

Our editors work very hard to bring you research, analysis and insights from experts who are on the cutting edge of their fields − experts who’ve often spent their entire careers studying what they’re writing about. It’s research that often sits behind paywalls or in universities or obscure journals I’ve never even heard of. 

I’m glad you’re reading The Conversation, and I do hope you’ll step up today to make a donation at any level that works for you. Donors like you are critical to the success of an independent news organization like ours. We don’t have any big billionaires backing us. But I’m grateful for all of you readers backing us!

With thanks,

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