Under the supervision of Sam Joiner, the visual stories editor, the new team aims to combine investigative journalism with visual storytelling. The team's goal is to produce public interest journalism. Previously, the FT's visual storytelling efforts covered topics such as the conflict in Ukraine, oil smuggling into North Korea, and the introduction of The Climate Game, receiving industry awards for these endeavors.
Alison Killing, a licensed architect and investigative journalist, is known for her use of large datasets, open sources, and spatial and visual techniques in reporting. In 2021, Killing was part of a team that was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting for their investigation into a network of detention camps in Xinjiang, China.
Roula Khalaf, the FT editor, commented on the appointment: "With Alison's expertise and the guidance of Sam Joiner, we expect to deliver more investigative visual journalism.”
Alison Killing shared her anticipation about the role, stating she's eager to join the team and expand upon their current work.
Killing's recent work includes a series of films for the 2023 Venice Biennale, based on the Xinjiang investigation reporting process. As a TED Senior Fellow, Killing has also contributed a guide on open-source investigations in China for Bellingcat.
Joining the team are Peter Andringa, a graphics journalist who previously worked at the Washington Post and the Guardian, and designer Chris Campbell, who, before joining the FT in 2011, analyzed infographics at the International Criminal Court.
