Meet the Team
You can contact us with feedback or story ideas at storybench@gmail.com
Senior staff
April Qian
Co-EditorApril Qian is a graduate student studying Information Design and Data Visualization at Northeastern. She has written and produced content for Vermont Public Radio and her local college paper, the Middlebury Campus. She is interested in the role of data in providing narrative context and highlighting marginalized voices both in journalism and in media at large. In her free time, she enjoys binge-listening to podcasts, distance running, and peppering her cat with kisses.
Ruchika Erravandla
Co-EditorRuchika Erravandla is a graduate student in the Media Innovation & Data Communication program at Northeastern. She is a Video Intern at the Council on Foreign Relations and holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science.
Dan Zedek
Faculty AdvisorDan Zedek is a Professor of the Practice at the Northeastern University School of Journalism where he leads the Media Innovation Studio. The former design director of The Boston Globe, he runs a design and content strategy studio.
assistant editors
Vivica Dsouza
Vivica Dsouza is a first-year graduate student in Media Innovation & Data Communication at Northeastern. With a background in public relations, she brings a unique perspective to her current exploration of data-driven journalism and multimedia storytelling. Passionate about uncovering insights through data, she is keen on understanding the evolving role of tech in journalism. In her free time, she enjoys strolls around the city, dancing, and catching up on sleep.
Namira Haris
Namira is a first-year graduate student at Northeastern University, studying Media Innovation & Data Communication. She has a background in digital marketing and has received state awards for her writing in India. Namira is passionate about storytelling and the impactful role of data in journalism and media. In her free time, she enjoys gaming and experimenting with cooking.
Peiyao Hu
Peiyao is a graduate student in the Media Innovation & Data Communication program. She worked as a news editor in China before entering Northeastern University. Beyond working, she enjoys exploring coffee/tea shops, hiking, yoga and watching soccer games.
Marian Siljeholm
Marian Siljeholm is a grad student in Northeastern’s Media Innovation & Data Communication program. She’s worked as a digital storyteller through both photography and writing for the last decade – and still works as a freelance visual storyteller when not in classes. Check out her on insta!
