Hi, I'm Annika.
I tell investigative, data-driven stories on environment and social justice. Currently, I’m a data journalism masters student at Columbia University.
I spent the last eight years in Uganda, where I co-founded InfoNile, an award-winning data journalism nonprofit that tells cross-border stories on water and environment in the Nile River basin. I also helped build the Media Challenge Initiative, which teaches student journalists.
Before that, I had a two-year gig with Reuters in the White House press pool while completing three degrees at the University of Maryland.
I love making sense of complex topics with global significance - like science and supply chains - through stories and analysis.
Among my other loves: maps, Latin dance, Afrobeats, spicy food, mountain climbing.
I build, report and teach. Contact me: annika.mcginnis at gmail.com
Coding Projects
Scraping, analyzing and visualizing a decade of CRISPR crops patents in a Scrollama waffle chart
Analyzing and visualizing Uganda HIV service data, revealing that the cuts to USAID has slashed HIV care and prevention services for those most vulnerable.
An auto-updating database and map of the companies recruiting Ugandans for domestic worker jobs in the Middle East.
Categorizing COP attendees with LLMs in Python and visualizing using ai2html
Analyzes and visualizes data on community electronics repair using AI embeddings and Pandas.
Calculating average PM2.5 levels per the largest metro areas in the U.S. and creating an Observable heat map.
Analyzing and visualizing FEMA data on wildfire aid.
An auto-updating website of daily flash flood risk for hotspots in the Nile River Basin.
Selected Stories
Led yearlong Pulitzer Center-supported project on illegal fishing working with 7 journalists from 5 countries.
Led water sampling investigation in partnership with journalists and scientists in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania that unveils increasing contamination in Lake Victoria.
Led project with 12 journalists in 4 countries on threats to lakes in East Africa, including Uganda's first oil and fisheries in Rwanda.
Led data-based investigation in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and South Sudan on the impact of Covid-19 on poaching and wildlife trafficking.
Led data-based investigation supported by the Pulitzer Center with journalists in 7 countries on foreign land deals.
Reported data story on how New York City is replacing parkland with synthetic turf.
Reported multimedia story on health centers in northern Uganda that improved services through solar power.
Reported multimedia story on how Uganda forest communities are cast aside in the fight against climate change.
Reported multimedia story on the destruction of a Kampala city wetland critical to the country's drinking water supply.
Reported multimedia story for the New Vision Newspaper on the restoration of a wetland in southwestern Uganda.
Reported on water-related negotiations at COP27.
Reported on water financing schemes presented at the 2023 UN Water conference.
Reported on repeated NYC Community Board 12 requests for sewer repairs and green infrastructure that have brought scant change.
Reported on uptown Manhattan groups restoring wetlands, encouraging composting and planting trees to help reduce floods, but which need more government investment..
Reported breaking news piece on opposition to a school renovation in uptown Manhattan, NYC.
Reported data-based story for Reuters on declining membership in WIC program for pregnant mothers and small children.
Reported multimedia story on influx of unaccompanied minors in Maryland schools.
Reported data-based story on how Maryland is using residents' unclaimed funds.
Reported enterprise story for McClatchy Newspapers on impacts of climate change in Latin America.
Reported for USA TODAY on roll-out of new marketplace for small business health insurance as part of the Affordable Care Act.
Reported for USA TODAY on roll-out of Affordable Care Act.
Reported data-based story on impacts of new casinos in low-income Baltimore communities.
Reported feature on a sexual assault survivor's efforts to stop the crime.
Reported data-based story on relations between increasingly young College Park residents and long-term residents.
Media Innovation
Training
Awards
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InfoNile won the Shield of Journalism Award for Digital Innovation, 2024 Uganda National Journalism Awards, African Centre for Media Excellence
Judges’ citation: "The Shield of Journalism Award recognises InfoNile for its exemplary digital innovation and mastery of the profession’s highest standards. Originating in Uganda and now resonating across borders, this extraordinary newsroom tackles critical issues with a keen eye for detail and a talent for transforming subjects into captivating narratives. Their digital prowess sets them apart, making complex topics accessible and engaging for diverse audiences. InfoNile’s dedication to fostering a learning environment within their newsroom has contributed to the overall elevation of journalism. By nurturing talent and encouraging continuous development, they have become a beacon of inspiration for countless others in the industry. Their influence extends beyond traditional journalism, showcasing the transformative power of digital media in addressing important issues and driving meaningful change."
- 'Shrinking Lakes' was named a Finalist in Multimedia Category, Covering Climate Now Journalism Awards 2023, Columbia Journalism Review and The Nation in association with The Guardian and WNYC
- 'Sucked Dry' won the Outstanding Investigative Reporting (3rd place), Fetisov Journalism Awards 2020
- 'Sucked Dry' won Best Data Visualization Award in the 2020 African Digital Media Awards, WAN-IFRA
- 'Swamp City' won the Overall Winner and Best Multimedia Story, 2018 Uganda WASH Media Awards
- InfoNile was named on the Shortlist for Special Award, One World Media Awards 2022
- InfoNile's NileWell platform that connects journalists and scientists was named a Finalist for Best Innovative Digital Project, WAN-IFRA 2024 Africa Digital Media Awards
- 'Maryland School Systems Grapple with Influx of Central American Minors' was named a Finalist in Latino Issues - Student Print category, 2016 National Association of Hispanic Journalists Journalism Awards
- University Medal Finalist, University of Maryland, 2016
- Philip Merrill Presidential Scholar Award, University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism, 2015