Kara Oehler

Kara Oehler is a distinguished professional with a career spanning over two decades, characterized by her pioneering work at the convergence of media, documentary art, technology, and journalism. Noteworthy for her recent leadership roles at The Atlantic's COVID Tracking Project, she adeptly led the Outreach and Reporting team and The Long-Term-Care COVID Tracker. Oehler's impactful efforts have resulted in the COVID Tracking Project being leveraged in various academic papers, by governmental bodies, and extensively referenced in major publications. Starting her career at NPR station KNAU, she quickly made a mark in the realm of radio journalism, earning accolades for her coverage on a diverse array of topics. Her contributions to NPR, including pieces featured on RadioLab, have earned her recognition, with one of her works fetching a prestigious Peabody Award. As an interactive producer, Oehler's creations have been showcased at reputable venues, underscoring her innovative approach to media. Furthermore, her involvement as an audio producer and editor for the New York Times Magazine's 'Sonic Voyages' issue, which was recognized with an Ellie Award for Digital Innovation, underscores her versatility and excellence. In addition to her groundbreaking work in media and journalism, Oehler has played a pivotal role in establishing institutions dedicated to advancing the fields of documentary arts and digital humanities, notably co-founding UnionDocs and metaLAB (at) Harvard.