Fatima Koli
Data Designer & Educator
I believe that good data storytelling can make change possible — and that everyone should have the tools to tell those stories.
About Me
My work is rooted in a deep commitment to civic engagement, equity, and social justice. I love helping communities turn complex information into clear, powerful narratives. Whether it's mapping resistance in New York, visualizing the lived experiences of women in Mississippi, or teaching students how to design civic data projects of their own.
I specialize in data visualization, spatial analysis, statistical modeling, and both quantitative and qualitative data analysis. My technical toolkit includes D3.js, Python, R, GIS, Mapbox, SQL, Illustrator, and Tableau—always applied with an eye toward ethics and clarity.
Through my work in higher education, I have trained hundreds of students and community members in empirical methods, data visualization, and research design, helping to build the next generation of data technologists.
Outside of data, you can usually find me trying new crafts, trying new halal restaurants, and wandering city streets, thinking about how public spaces tell stories too. P.S. The map above shows the growing halal restaurant scene in NYC!
My Journey
Data Fundamentals
I started my journey by building a strong foundation in data analysis and statistics, working with various datasets to understand patterns and extract meaningful insights.
Data Visualization
As my skills developed, I became fascinated with the art of visualizing data to communicate complex insights. I experimented with various tools and techniques to create compelling visual narratives.
Research Methods
Recognizing the importance of rigorous methodology, I deepened my expertise in research design, working on projects that combined quantitative and qualitative approaches to address social challenges.
Education & Teaching
Sharing knowledge became a passion as I began teaching workshops and courses on data visualization and analysis. I've trained hundreds of students in empirical methods and civic technology.
Civic Tech & Community-Centered Work
My most meaningful work combines building tools for public good with participatory approaches that amplify community voices. I've collaborated with government agencies, nonprofits, and grassroots organizations to create tools that address community needs, promote civic engagement, and support organizing efforts.
Future Directions
Looking ahead, I'm exploring new ways to combine data, design, and community engagement. I'm particularly interested in emerging technologies and how they can be harnessed for social change.
Featured Projects
A selection of my data visualization and research projects
Slavery & Abolition in NYC: Digital Walking Tour
Scrollytelling walking tour experience that guides users through historical sites in New York connected to slavery and resistance movements.
View ProjectMake Women Count
An interactive data platform combining statistics and personal narratives to support advocacy for women in Mississippi, with a focus on intersectional analysis of race and gender disparities.
View ProjectMake the Road NY Program Evaluation
Designed survey instrument for a mixed-method approach to evaluate MRNY programs and what turns members into organizers.
View ProjectBloomberg Data for Good Fellow
Analyzed and visualized accessibility of NYC natural forests and wetlands for the Natural Areas Conservancy, an environmental advocacy group.
View ProjectCivic Digital Fellow
Developed Machine learning classification model using Natural Language Processing on Economic Census Data as a fellow at the U.S. Census Bureau.
View ProjectTransit and Accessibility in San Diego
Created python scripts to automate network analysis and geoprocessing of vector and raster data and created vaccuum formed maps.
View ProjectTeaching & Workshops
Selected courses and workshops I've developed and taught in data visualization, civic tech, and research methods.
Data Visualization for Advocacy
Workshop series teaching community organizations how to create compelling visual narratives with their data.
Data Manipulation and Statistical Methods in R
Workshop covering data manipulation and modeling for econometrics in R
Introduction to D3.js
Undergraduate course covering fundamentals of D3.js and interactive web visualizations.
Data for Good Internship
Designed project-based learning internship where students analyze and/or visualize data for local community organizations.
Research Methods for Social Impact
Seminar on mixed methods research design focused on addressing social challenges.
Data Ethics Workshop
Workshop exploring ethical considerations in data collection, analysis, and visualization.
Get in Touch
Want to talk more about data justice and civic tech? Interested in collaborating on a project or bringing a workshops to your organization? Let's connect at fatimakoli14 [at] gmail [dot] com!