Chad Skelton

Chad Skelton: A Data Storyteller Bridging Journalism and Academia

We’ve followed Chad Skelton’s career as a pioneering data journalist and educator who transformed how Canadian newsrooms approach quantitative storytelling. His work blends rigorous analysis with public service, creating tools that empower readers to engage with complex issues.

Career Trajectory: From Newsrooms to Classrooms

• The Vancouver Sun Era (1998-2015): Developed award-winning data projects like the public-sector salary database (20M+ views) and interactive maps tracking commuting patterns
• Consulting Phase (2015-2020): Trained news organizations in Tableau and data visualization best practices
• Academic Leadership (2020-present): Shapes future journalists as Kwantlen Polytechnic University instructor, teaching data visualization and civic storytelling

Signature Works

• BC NDP Secures Narrow Victory in Surrey-Guildford This 2024 election analysis demonstrates Skelton’s mastery of real-time data journalism. Using a custom Google Sheets tracker, he provided hourly updates on absentee ballot counts, explaining statistical trends in accessible language. The piece showcases his ability to contextualize narrow margins (27-vote victory) within broader political patterns, contrasting electronic tabulator efficiency with traditional recount processes.
• Methodology blended live data feeds with historical comparison charts, revealing how mail-in voting patterns differed from in-person results. Impact included being cited by CBC and Global News during their election coverage.
• B.C. Ambulance Response Times Skelton’s 2015 investigation analyzed 2.4M ambulance calls obtained through FOI requests. Interactive maps revealed urban-rural response disparities, while survival rate charts pushed for policy changes. The work exemplifies his commitment to data-driven accountability journalism.
• Telling Stories With Data In this 2017 podcast, Skelton articulated his philosophy of “newsroom-ready” visualizations, emphasizing clarity over artistic flair. He demonstrated how to adapt academic research methods for daily deadlines, influencing a generation of civic-minded data journalists.

Pitching Insights

1. Localize Provincial Data Trends

Skelton prioritizes stories that reveal regional variations within national datasets. A successful 2023 pitch used school enrollment statistics to show suburban population shifts, presented through interactive choropleth maps. Avoid generic infographics - he seeks raw data with municipal breakdowns.

2. Highlight Civic Engagement Angles

His transit tax plebiscite analysis (2015) set the standard for explaining complex ballot measures. Effective pitches connect policy changes to measurable community impacts, like housing permit timelines or park usage stats.

3. Propose Collaborative Data Projects

Skelton frequently partners with academics on FOI-driven investigations. A 2022 collaboration with SFU economists analyzed eviction patterns using court records, resulting in a 6-part series. Include clear data-sharing protocols in proposals.

4. Focus on Longitudinal Studies

His power outage frequency map (2015) compared decade-long trends. Pitches should suggest tracking measurable changes over 5+ years, particularly in infrastructure or environmental policy areas.

5. Avoid Anecdotal Framing

While humanizing data, Skelton avoids stories where personal narratives outweigh statistical significance. A rejected 2021 pitch about “COVID’s impact on restaurants” lacked comparative revenue data across multiple jurisdictions.

Awards and Recognition

“Skelton’s salary database became the gold standard for Canadian accountability journalism.” - Jack Webster Awards Committee

• 6x Jack Webster Award Winner: BC’s top journalism honor, most recently for tracking political donations (2013)
• 2014 Data Journalism Award: International recognition for interactive tools explaining income inequality
• KPU Teaching Excellence Award: Received 2022 for developing Canada’s first undergrad data visualization journalism course