Teri Pecoskie is an award-winning education and investigative journalist at The Hamilton Spectator, renowned for her work on socio-economic disparities in health and education. Her landmark "Code Red" series, which won the Canadian Association of Journalists’ Don McGillivray Award, exemplifies her data-driven approach to storytelling.
Teri Pecoskie is an award-winning journalist at The Hamilton Spectator, where she has carved a niche in education reporting and investigative projects that highlight systemic inequities. With a career spanning over a decade, her work blends rigorous data analysis with human-centered storytelling to shed light on critical social issues.
Pecoskie’s career is marked by her commitment to uncovering stories that drive societal change. Her early work on the landmark "Code Red" series, which examined the intersection of health, poverty, and education in Hamilton, set the stage for her focus on equity-driven journalism. This project, co-authored with Steve Buist, earned the Canadian Association of Journalists’ Don McGillivray Award in 2011, cementing her reputation as a formidable investigative reporter.
This groundbreaking series used geographic mapping and longitudinal data to demonstrate how socio-economic factors influence health and educational outcomes in Hamilton neighborhoods. By tracking children born in the city’s poorest and wealthiest areas, Pecoskie and her team revealed stark disparities in access to resources, healthcare, and academic success. The project spurred policy discussions and community initiatives aimed at addressing these inequities.
Pecoskie’s reporting often centers on how systemic barriers—such as funding gaps, racial disparities, and poverty—impact students and educators. Pitches should align with these themes, offering data-driven insights or personal narratives that highlight solutions to these challenges.
Her work on the "Code Red" series underscores her interest in public health issues tied to social determinants. Pitches that combine localized health data with community impact, particularly in under-resourced areas, will resonate strongly.
“The ‘Code Red’ project redefined how Canadian journalists approach investigative reporting on social determinants of health and education.” — Canadian Association of Journalists
