The day-long, hands-on media workshop, titled “Turning Air Quality Data Into Action,” organized by Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) and Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) dived deep into what it takes to create air pollution stories that can both inform and influence.
The day opened with a welcome note from Leni Chaudhari, Executive Director, UChicago Centre in Delhi, followed by remarks by Ashirbad S Raha, Regional Director of EPIC India who welcomed the batch of early career journalists by emphasizing the importance of bringing science and data into air quality reporting. A masterclass followed. It was led by Tanushree Ganguly, Director of the AQLI and Dr. Hrishikesh Chandra Gautam who took participants through a deep dive into the AQLI web tool, helping them navigate datasets, interpret life expectancy impacts, and identify story-ready insights. Participants explored their own cities using AQLI data and brainstormed ideas on how to visualize the impact of air pollution in ways that resonate with readers.
In the second masterclass, Abhishek Jha, Assistant Editor (Data) at Hindustan Times, broke down the process of working with air quality datasets, from finding and cleaning data to verifying and interpreting it. Drawing on his experience writing the paper’s daily ‘Number Theory’ data stories, he explained how journalists can make sense of datasets and other open sources, while maintaining accuracy and accessibility. He also discussed simple data tools and techniques that young reporters could use to uncover trends and patterns hiding in plain sight.
It was followed by the third masterclass, led by Rajit Sengupta, Associate Editor at Down To Earth, who shifted the focus from numbers to narratives. Using examples from his work, he demonstrated how to frame stories that are not only data-driven but also emotionally engaging, connecting air pollution to livelihoods, inequality, and public health. He highlighted the importance of visuals, clear writing, and accessibility in ensuring that stories reach diverse audiences across print, digital, and broadcast platforms.
The next session was a panel discussion moderated by Ashirbad S Raha, featuring Navya Singh, Founder of News with Navya, Uzmi Athar, Chief Correspondent at Press Trust of India, and Bhasker Tripathi, Climate Correspondent at Thomson Reuters Foundation/Context. The panelists offered candid insights into the editorial realities of newsrooms, e.g., what drives story selection, how to balance lived experience with data, and how to make headlines that are punchy yet responsible. Participants engaged in an interactive Q&A that unpacked the craft of transforming raw data into publishable stories that can both inform and inspire.
The day concluded with a lively hands-on session where participants were challenged to create scenarios demonstrating how data can shape compelling air quality stories. They also learned to use the AQLI tool to strengthen their narratives with evidence-based insights. In addition, participants received access to a range of data resources to help them better understand, and more effectively communicate, the story of air pollution.
Close to 20 aspiring journalists from leading media schools and organizations—including the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Down To Earth, India Today Group, United Nations Bureau, KR Mangalam University, BBC, The Secretariat, and Galgotias University—attended the workshop and learned to bridge that gap to turn complex datasets into stories that move audiences and influence policy.
Together, these initiatives reflect AQLI’s commitment to strengthening the bridge between data and storytelling, empowering journalists to turn evidence into action and ensure that air pollution remains a year-round part of India’s public conversation.