Pacific Standard Staff

Pacific Standard publishes stories that matter, stories that, by virtue of their ideas and craft, are capable of creating a better and more just society. With a methodology that mixes reporting and narrative journalism with peer-reviewed research, we are fiercely committed to covering social and environmental justice.
Twenty-Five Must-Read Books for Fall of 2019
Our staffers and contributors highlight the most urgent and exciting titles coming this fall—from fiction to non-fiction, poetry to prose.
Unseen America: Further Reading
Some recommendations from the authors and editor of the Unseen America story package.
What Question Should We Investigate About Food Insecurity?
You asked, we listened. Now it's time to choose which story you want to see first.
Viewfinder: Protests Erupt Over Philadelphia Cops' Alleged Racist Facebook Posts
Demonstrators gather in the council chamber to protest at Philadelphia City Hall on June 20th, 2019, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Viewfinder: Protesters Warn of Insect Population Decline
An activist dressed as a bumblebee protests for better conditions for insects on June 19th, 2019, in Berlin, Germany.
Viewfinder: Members of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces Stand Guard
Members of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces stand guard during General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo's meeting with his supporters in Khartoum on June 18th, 2019.
Viewfinder: Demonstrators in Hong Kong Protest China's Extradition Law
Protesters hold placards and shout slogans as they occupy a street demanding that Hong Kong's leader step down on June 17th, 2019, in Hong Kong, China.
Viewfinder: Pop-Up Installations Depicting Crying Children in Cages Appear in New York City
Police take away a pop-up art installation depicting a small child curled up underneath a foil survival blanket in a chain-link cage.
Viewfinder: A Record Heat Wave in India
An Indian boy cools off in a waterfall during a hot summer day at the Basistha area in Guwahati, India, on June 13th, 2019.
Viewfinder: Greenpeace Protesters Call for a 2020 Presidential Debate on Climate Change
Jack Shapiro speaks in front of the Democratic National Committee headquarters during a Greenpeace rally to call for a presidential campaign climate debate on June 12th, 2019, in Washington, D.C.
Viewfinder: Activists Rally in San Francisco in Support of Protections for Asylum Seekers
A protester holds a sign during a demonstration outside of the James R. Browning United States Courthouse on June 11th, 2019, in San Francisco, California.
Viewfinder: Beyond Meat's Stock Price Surges 475 Percent Since IPO
The company's plant-based burger is now served at a number of fast food chains.
Viewfinder: The 18th Annual Jerusalem Gay Pride Parade
Participants to the 18th annual Jerusalem Gay Pride parade gather in the Holy City on June 6th, 2019.
Viewfinder: A World War II Veteran Who Took Part in D-Day Is Buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Members of the United States Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard," carry the flag-draped casket of World War II Army veteran Carl Mann to his final resting place.
Viewfinder: President Donald Trump Arrives In Ireland Following U.K. State Visit
U.S. President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One alongside First Lady Melania Trump after arriving at Shannon airport on June 5th, 2019, in Shannon, Ireland.
Viewfinder: Hong Kong Marks 30 Years Since the Tiananmen Square Massacre
People hold candles as they take part in a candlelight vigil at Victoria Park on June 4th, 2019, in Hong Kong, China.
Viewfinder: Taxi Drivers Protest Against Uber in Mexico City
Taxi drivers take part in a protest against the private taxi company Uber and other apps for alleged unfair competition, in Mexico City, on June 3rd, 2019.
Viewfinder: Temperatures Continue Climbing in California's Inland Deserts
According to California's Fourth Climate Change Assessment, average daily highs in the state's inland deserts could increase as much as 14 degrees this century if greenhouse gas emissions keep rising.
We're Hiring a Director of Marketing & Donor Relations
This new leadership position will work with the executive director to develop and implement the long-term marketing and donor communications strategy for our award-winning magazine.
Viewfinder: The Philippines Returns Imported Plastic Waste to Canada
A transport vessel is berthed to load waste materials at the port in Subic Bay, north of Manila, Philippines, on May 30th, 2019.
Viewfinder: A Raid on Suspected Human Traffickers in Guatemala
A Guatemalan policeman prepares to take part in an early morning raid during which a suspected human trafficker was taken into custody on May 29th, 2019, in Guatemala City.
Viewfinder: Multiple Tornadoes Cause Widespread Damage Around Dayton, Ohio
Sierra Waver gathers her belongings in Trotwood, Ohio, near Dayton, on May 28th, 2019, after powerful tornadoes ripped through the state overnight.
Viewfinder: Creating Low-Cost Sanitary Pads for Menstrual Hygiene Day
Members of the Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA) make low-cost sanitary pads at their facility in Ahmedabad, India. May 28th marks the sixth annual Menstrual Hygiene Day, created to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management.
Viewfinder: Memorial Day Aerial Shows Over the Statue of Liberty
Aerobatic pilots Sean D. Tucker and Jessy Panzer of Team Oracle fly down the Hudson River past the Statue of Liberty on May 22nd, 2019.
Viewfinder: McDonald's Workers Strike For Higher Wages
People gather to ask the McDonald’s corporation to raise workers' wages to a $15 minimum wage as well as demand the right to a union on May 23rd, 2019, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Viewfinder: Victims and Families Mark the Second Anniversary of the Manchester Arena Bombing
Two women hug while a two-minute silence is observed in memory of the victims of the Manchester Arena Bombing in Saint Anne's Square on May 22nd, 2019, in Manchester, England.
Viewfinder: Protesters Across the U.S. Rally Against Abortion Bans
A woman speaks during a protest against recently passed abortion ban bills at the Georgia State Capitol building, on May 21st, 2019, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Viewfinder: Lori Lightfoot Is Sworn in as Chicago's First Female African-American Mayor
Lori Lightfoot addresses guests after being sworn in as mayor of Chicago during a ceremony at the Wintrust Arena on May 20th, 2019, in Chicago, Illinois.
Viewfinder: International Aid Arrives in Venezuela
Workers unload medicines and disposable medical supplies from a cargo plane after landing at Simon Bolivar International Airport on May 16th, 2019, in Maiquetia, Venezuela.
Viewfinder: Mexico City Declares an Environmental Alert as Smog Reaches Dangerous Levels
Two women wear face masks on May 16th, 2019, in Mexico City, Mexico.
Viewfinder: Ukraine Grapples With a Measles Outbreak
A woman tends to her daughter, age six, who is about to receive a measles vaccine shot at a health clinic on May 15th, 2019, in Kiev, Ukraine.
Viewfinder: Demonstrators in D.C. Rally to Demand Impeachment Proceedings
Demonstrators from the pro-impeachment group By the People rally in the Cannon House Office Building Rotunda on Capitol Hill on May 14th, 2019, in Washington, D.C.
Viewfinder: Mayor Bill De Blasio Holds a Green New Deal Rally at Trump Tower
Protesters gather as New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio holds a Green New Deal rally at Trump Tower in New York City on May 13th, 2019.
Viewfinder: Activists Push for Congress to Begin Impeachment Proceedings Against Trump
A woman holds a sign during a press conference where activists delivered a computer flash drive with 10 million signatures calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump.
Viewfinder: The Florida Panhandle Is Still Recovering From Devastation Caused by Hurricane Michael
A tree rests on the roof of a home that was heavily damaged by Hurricane Michael on May 9th, 2019, in Mexico Beach, Florida.
Viewfinder: Uber and Lyft Drivers Protest for Better Working Conditions
Drivers take part in a rally demanding more job security and livable incomes, at Uber and Lyft's New York City headquarters on May 8th, 2019.
Viewfinder: The One-Year Anniversary of the Trump Administration's Family Separation Policy
To mark the one-year anniversary of the Trump administration announcing its zero-tolerance family separation policy, a life-sized cage was set up by the group Families Belong Together on Capitol Hill.
Viewfinder: A Demonstration Against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro
Supporters of Juan Guaidó gather to demonstrate against the government of Nicolás Maduro in a vigil on May 5th, 2019, in Caracas, Venezuela.
Viewfinder: A Mariachi Band Performs at the New York Stock Exchange
In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, a mariachi band performs on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on May 3rd, 2019, in New York City.
Viewfinder: Political and Social Crisis in Venezuela
A student standing in a tree displays a Venezuelan flag during a rally in support of opposition leader Juan GuaidĂł on May 2nd, 2019, in Caracas, Venezuela.
Viewfinder: May Day in Chile
A Chilean demonstrator clashes with riot police during a May Day rally in Santiago, Chile, on May 1st, 2019.
We're Hiring a Contributing Editor for Books and Culture
Pacific Standard is looking for a part-time contract editor to help us expand and elevate the profile of our books and culture coverage.
Viewfinder: Senator Chris Murphy Holds a Press Conference With Fellow Democratic Senators on Protecting Medicaid
United States Senator Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) speaks during a news conference on health care on April 30th, 2019, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Viewfinder: Protests in Hong Kong
Tens of thousands marched against the territory's proposed extradition law, which would allow the transfer of crime suspects to mainland China for trial.
Viewfinder: Trump Supporters Take Selfies at the National Rifle Association's Annual Meeting
Skippy Thomas, a member of the National Rifle Association, takes a selfie with President Donald Trump in the background during the NRA's annual meeting at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 26th, 2019.
Viewfinder: Farmers in Germany Fear Possible Summer Drought
The photographer lets soil the texture of dry sand slip through his fingers at a farmer's field on April 25th, 2019, near Liebenwalde, Germany.
Viewfinder: A Former Coal Mine Is Flooded to Create an Artificial Lake
A couple watches as water gushes from a pipe into the former Cottbus Nord open-cast coal mine in order to create the Cottbuser Ostsee artificial lake on April 24th, 2019, near Cottbus, Germany.
Viewfinder: Greta Thunberg Speaks Against the United Kingdom's Stance on Climate
Swedish environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg addresses politicians, media, and guests with the Houses of Parliament on April 23rd, 2019, in London, England.
Viewfinder: Mayor Bill de Blasio Discusses New York City's 'Green New Deal' on Earth Day
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks about the city's response to climate change at Hunter's Point South Park on April 22nd, 2019, in the Queens borough of New York City.
Viewfinder: Church Bombing in Sri Lanka
Across three church and three luxury hotel bombings in Negombo, at least 207 people were killed and hundreds more injured.