A New Chapter for Nightingale: Teo Popescu Named Managing Editor

By The Editorial Board

Beginning March 1, 2026, the Nightingale landscape undergoes a significant transition. Teo Popescu, a veteran data journalist and former content lead for the Data Visualization Society’s flagship publication, officially steps into the role of Managing Editor. She succeeds Will Careri, who concludes a highly productive two-year tenure that helped define the publication’s recent trajectory. As the Data Visualization Society (DVS) continues to evolve, this leadership change marks a pivotal moment for the journal, signaling a commitment to both continuity and the exploration of new frontiers in data storytelling.

The Succession: A Handover of Vision

The transition represents more than a simple administrative change; it is a continuity of the values that Nightingale has championed since its inception. Will Careri, who has guided the publication through a period of significant growth, departs his full-time leadership role leaving a robust infrastructure in his wake. During his tenure from 2024 to 2026, Careri oversaw a period of expansion that saw the platform solidify its reputation as the premier voice in the data visualization community.

For Teo Popescu, the appointment is a homecoming. Having served as Content Editor from 2024 to 2025, she is intimately familiar with the publication’s editorial standards, its community-driven mission, and its unique role in bridging the gap between technical data expertise and visual artistry.

A Legacy of Impact: The Careri Era

To understand the weight of the transition, one must look at the foundation built by Will Careri. His involvement with Nightingale began in 2022 as a contributing writer, where he quickly distinguished himself through deeply researched, high-engagement storytelling.

Defining Contributions

Careri’s editorial voice was anchored by a penchant for complex subjects, most notably in his widely read articles:

• "Designing for Neurodivergent Audiences": A masterclass in inclusive design that challenged the status quo of accessibility in visualization.
• "The Visual Evolution of the Tommy Westphall Universe": An ambitious deep dive into pop-culture data mapping that showcased the creative breadth of the publication.

Quantitative Milestones

Under his leadership as Managing Editor, Nightingale achieved unprecedented output:

• Editorial Volume: Careri managed a roster of nearly 150 contributors, facilitating the publication of over 200 distinct articles.
• Print Innovation: He was instrumental in the production of three flagship print issues: Guidelines, Emotion, and Nature. These issues were not merely collections of articles but thematic explorations that pushed the boundaries of physical media in a digital-first industry.

While Careri is stepping down from the day-to-day operations of the journal, he intends to remain a fixture within the community, continuing his involvement as an editor and contributor. His transition ensures that the institutional knowledge remains intact while providing him the flexibility to pursue new creative endeavors.

The Incoming Leader: A Profile of Teo Popescu

Teo Popescu brings a formidable pedigree to the Managing Editor role. Her career has been defined by a commitment to data journalism that serves the public interest, characterized by high-stakes reporting and pedagogical excellence.

Professional Background

Outside of the DVS, Popescu serves as the Design, Graphics, and Data Editor at KUOW Public Radio in Seattle. Her work at the station has been nothing short of transformative, including:

• Policy Accountability: Managing the Trump legal tracker during the administration’s opening months, providing clarity in a complex political landscape.
• Social Impact: Visualizing Washington State’s ICE arrest data, providing evidence-based insights into sensitive community issues.
• Investigative Reporting: Collaborating with ProPublica on a critical analysis of the misuse of shelter funds in Seattle, demonstrating the power of data to hold institutions accountable.

Educational Stewardship

Beyond her newsroom responsibilities, Popescu is a dedicated educator. Her influence extends to the classroom, where she teaches multimedia and graphics journalism at both UC Berkeley and the University of Washington. This background suggests a forthcoming focus at Nightingale on professional development and the nurturing of the next generation of data visualization practitioners.

The "Control F" Philosophy

Over the past year, Popescu has further expanded her footprint in the data space by launching Control F, a data journalism podcast. The show represents her current intellectual trajectory: a deep, inquisitive search through research, algorithms, and human assumptions. This methodology—the "Ctrl+F" search for truth within the noise—is likely to become a hallmark of her editorial approach at Nightingale.

Official Statements and Vision

Reflecting on her new role, Popescu emphasized the importance of community and the emotional resonance of data. In a recent statement, she noted:

"I’m excited to come back to the Nightingale community. It’s an honor to come back in this way—to take up the mantle Will leaves behind. I’m excited to get to know everyone better and continue to foster a sense of community. I hope that with every article we publish, the love for our craft is evident on the page. It’s what keeps me coming back, and I hope it helps sustain you in these times, too."

This emphasis on the "love for the craft" underscores a shift toward a more human-centric editorial strategy, ensuring that while the tools of visualization (algorithms, software, data sets) remain the medium, the message remains fundamentally rooted in the human experience.

Implications for the Future of Nightingale

The appointment of Popescu arrives at a crucial time for the Data Visualization Society. As the field matures, the demand for high-quality, ethically grounded data storytelling has never been higher. Several key implications for the journal’s future are emerging:

1. Strengthening the Print-Digital Hybrid

Given Popescu’s prior success in bringing "Issue 5: Nature" to life, it is expected that Nightingale will continue to invest in high-quality print media. This strategy reinforces the DVS’s position that data visualization is a permanent, tangible art form, not just a transient digital screen experience.

2. A Focus on Investigative Data Journalism

Popescu’s background in radio and investigative collaboration suggests that Nightingale may lean further into data-driven investigative pieces. Readers can expect more content that explores the intersection of data science and public accountability, potentially increasing the journal’s influence within the broader journalism community.

3. Expanding the Pedagogical Mission

With her experience in academia, Popescu is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between industry professionals and students. We may see an increase in "how-to" guides, pedagogical articles, and mentorship programs facilitated through the journal.

4. Community-Centric Curation

The editorial board—currently consisting of Alejandra Arevalo, Brian Cort, and now led by Popescu—is signaling a shift toward more collaborative, community-led content. By encouraging contributors to "dig deep," the journal seeks to move beyond surface-level tutorials into deeper, more philosophical inquiries about how data shapes our perception of the world.

Conclusion

The transition of the Managing Editor role from Will Careri to Teo Popescu is a testament to the health and vibrancy of the Nightingale project. Careri leaves behind a legacy of growth and professionalism, while Popescu enters with a vision of investigative rigor and community engagement.

As of March 1, 2026, the journal enters a new phase. For the readers, contributors, and members of the Data Visualization Society, this means a continued commitment to the highest standards of the craft. With Popescu at the helm, Nightingale is well-positioned to remain the essential heartbeat of the global data visualization community, helping readers navigate an increasingly complex world one visualization at a time.

The editorial team, comprised of Alejandra Arevalo, Brian Cort, and Teo Popescu, remains reachable at [email protected], welcoming the community to reach out as they embark on this new chapter together.