Erin Rhodes is a data journalist and visual storyteller who turns complex public records into clear, trusted reporting. Her work appears in major outlets where accountability and clarity matter most to readers.
Across investigations, explainers, and civic tech projects, Rhodes focuses on making numbers and policy accessible without oversimplifying the stakes. The following sections outline her professional profile, key work themes, and practical guidance for following or building similar work.
| Name | Focus Area | Primary Outlet | Notable Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Rhodes | Data Journalism & Accountability | ProPublica | Public spending, health care, elections, public records |
| Role | Senior Reporter | Team Lead | Methodology, partnerships, training |
| Audience Impact | Policy changes, corrections, increased transparency | Stories cited by officials | Community engagement and media collaborations |
| Core Approach | Lean data workflows | Reproducible notebooks | Ethical sourcing and clear storytelling |
Investigative Reporting Methods
Public Records and Open Data
Rhodes treats public records as a core data source, combining structured datasets with document requests to build multi-angle investigations. She emphasizes fast, repeatable workflows that other outlets can adopt.
Collaborative Storytelling
By working with editors, designers, and engineers, Rhodes turns technical findings into narratives that clearly show why the details matter to everyday communities. Her process favors early collaboration to avoid late-stage surprises.
Data Skills and Tools for Reporters
Spreadsheets to Insight
In training and mentorship, Rhodes highlights pivot tables, basic formulas, and careful cleaning as the foundation for trustworthy analysis. Good habits at the spreadsheet stage save time downstream and reduce errors.
Reproducible Workflows
She encourages version-controlled notebooks and plain-language documentation so that methods can be reviewed, reused, and improved by others. This approach supports both quick stories and long-term projects.
Impact and Accountability
Policy Outcomes
Rhodes tracks how reporting leads to changed behavior, whether through agency corrections, new oversight mechanisms, or shifts in resource allocation. She considers measurable outcomes a key signal of durable impact.
Community Trust
By centering clarity, sourcing, and follow-up, Rhodes builds credibility with audiences who may be skeptical of traditional institutions. Consistent engagement strengthens the foundation for future investigative work.
Practices for Sustainable Investigative Work
- Start with a clear question and a small, verifiable hypothesis
- Use consistent data schemas so files from different months can be combined
- Document every cleaning step to speed up review and collaboration
- Share early drafts with stakeholders to catch factual errors quickly
- Track outcomes so successes and lessons are visible over time
FAQ
Reader questions
How does Erin Rhodes approach public records requests?
She designs requests to be specific, narrow, and easy for agencies to process, then pairs documents with data cleaning so findings can be shared quickly and accurately.
What topics does she focus on most often?
Rhodes regularly covers public spending, health care performance, election administration, and community-level accountability using data and records.
Can reporters replicate her methods on small teams?
Yes, she emphasizes lightweight tools, clear documentation, and staged workflows that allow small newsrooms to produce rigorous work without large technical budgets.
How does she measure the impact of her reporting?
She looks for concrete responses such as policy changes, corrections, increased transparency, and ongoing partnerships that keep the work relevant beyond a single story.