Sara Cely Vélez
Journalist. In another universe I'm a mathematician.
Resume
In a nutshell: I'm a mathematician with a Master's in Journalism from the Universidad de los Andes. I'm an award-winning journalist with experience in radio, podcasts, research and data journalism. I've collaborated with media companies such as Cuestión Pública, Cerosetenta, and El Uniandino. I love fact-checking.
Interests
Experience
Cuestión Pública
Mar 2020 - Present
El Escarbabajo
Bogotá, Colombia
Fact-checker
- Fact-checking for the project 'Juego de Votos'.
- Fact-checking for the EscarbaData line.
- Fact-checking for the 'Indiscregram' project of 'Sabemos lo que hiciste la legislatura pasada'.
Investigator
- Investigation of senators for the 'Indiscregram' project of 'Sabemos lo que hiciste la legislatura pasada'.
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Trans World Compliance
Feb 2020 - Present
United States (Remote)
Content Director
- Execution and overseeing of the content strategy.
Head of Communications
- Management of the company's communications on social networks and with partner companies for the organisation of events and participation in alliances for tax compliance.
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El Uniandino
Jan 2020 - Dec 2022
Universidad de los Andes
Bogotá, Colombia
Director of Podcasts
- Management of the podcast section of the newspaper. Coordination of the journalistic team and the production team.
- Production of content for the podcast 'El Uniandino te cuenta sobre'.
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RFI en Español
Sep 2022
France Médias Monde
Paris, France
Intern
- As winner of the 2022 edition of the Award 'Reportage RFI en espagnol'.
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Cerosetenta
Mar 2019 - Aug 2022
Universidad de los Andes
Bogotá, Colombia
Producer at 070 Podcasts and 070 Proyectos
- Production of original and client episodes, from conception to publication.
Volunteer
- Coordination and leadership of the team of volunteers from the Master's in Journalism for the project 'Represión y muerte en las calles de Colombia'.
- Mining and archiving of open source videos in the framework of the National Strike 2021 for the project 'Represión y muerte en las calles de Colombia'.
Volunteer at Semillero 070
- Analysis and investigation of the events of 21 March 2020 in the La Modelo prison riots.
- Coding and quantification of data for the 'Buen Partido' application prior to the 2019 Bogotá mayoral elections.
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Vía Pública
Aug 2018 - Dec 2019
Colmundo Radio
Bogotá, Colombia
Editor-in-Chief
- Journalist coordination for the radio show and the digital platform. Proofreading of written news. Occasionally host of the show.
Journalist
- Science journalist for the radio show and the digital platform.
Education
Master's in Journalism
Aug 2021 - Oct 2023
Universidad de los Andes
Bogotá, Colombia
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Lede Program
Jun - Aug 2023
Columbia University
New York City, United States
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360/Digital Sherlocks
Mar - May 2023
DFRLab
Atlantic Council
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Bachelor in Mathematics
Aug 2021
Universidad de los Andes
Bogotá, Colombia
Thesis: Symmetries and invariants methods for differentiable equations
Awards
Longlist | Digital Media Award
Apr 2023
Issued by: One World Media
Game of Votes (GoV) is the universe built by Cuestión Pública to help Colombians decide how to vote in the 2022 legislative and presidential elections. We created an innovative web application —inspired by the HBO television series "Game of Thrones"—which investigates the connections between wealthy families and political campaigns. We reveal political clans' money trail and interests ahead of elections, aimed to captivate first-time voters. GoV exposes the candidates of these political Houses that seek a seat in Congress and are running for office. CP cross-referenced, analyzed, and visualized information from at least 22 databases in Colombia and abroad.
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Winners | Sigma Award
Mar 2023
Issued by: Sigma
Game of Votes (GoV) is the universe built by Cuestión Pública to help Colombians decide how to vote in the 2022 legislative and presidential elections. We created an innovative web application —inspired by the HBO television series "Game of Thrones"—which investigates the connections between wealthy families and political campaigns. We reveal political clans' money trail and interests ahead of elections, aimed to captivate first-time voters. GoV exposes the candidates of these political Houses that seek a seat in Congress and are running for office. CP cross-referenced, analyzed, and visualized information from at least 22 databases in Colombia and abroad.
***
Winners | Digital Latam Awards
Jul 2022
Best Digital Journalism Project | Category: Small/local media companies
Issued by: WAN-IFRA
Game of Votes (GoV) is the universe built by Cuestión Pública to help Colombians decide how to vote in the 2022 legislative and presidential elections. We created an innovative web application —inspired by the HBO television series "Game of Thrones"—which investigates the connections between wealthy families and political campaigns. We reveal political clans' money trail and interests ahead of elections, aimed to captivate first-time voters. GoV exposes the candidates of these political Houses that seek a seat in Congress and are running for office. CP cross-referenced, analyzed, and visualized information from at least 22 databases in Colombia and abroad.
***
Winner | Reportage Award
Jul 2022
Issued by: RFI en Español
This is the story of Matías, a woolly monkey who was rescued from illegal trafficking and, after years of rehabilitation, was fortunate enough to be reintegrated into his natural habitat in Vaupés, a department in southeastern Colombia. But not all primates are so lucky.
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Nominees | Best Webdoc LATAM
Mar 2022
Issued by: CuscoWebFest
On 21 March 2020, hundreds of inmates of La Modelo prison in Bogotá rioted, demanding attention to the Covid-19 pandemic. The reaction of the guards, supported by the police and the army, left 24 inmates dead and almost a hundred injured, including 11 guards. We reconstruct what happened that night using open-source images, visual analysis, and the testimonies of prisoners and guards.
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Shortlist | Sigma Award
Mar 2022
Issued by: Sigma
This is the 1st web application revealing the assets, business & network of more than 75 Congress members, chosen by the audience on two open surveys. We exposed their companies, family businesses, state contracts, networks, and private interests to improve citizens' decision-making. Indi$cregram: the indiscreet Instagram of power in Colombia. Inspired by the social network, this app informs citizens about who they voted for in Congress before the 2022 elections. This tool is based on a methodology to collect, analyze and cross information from 40 public information sources in Colombia and abroad to consolidate around 3500 entities.
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Winners | Premio Nacional de Periodismo Simón Bolívar
Nov 2021
Category: Multimedia
Issued by: Grupo Bolívar
On 21 March 2020, hundreds of inmates of La Modelo prison in Bogotá rioted, demanding attention to the Covid-19 pandemic. The reaction of the guards, supported by the police and the army, left 24 inmates dead and almost a hundred injured, including 11 guards. We reconstruct what happened that night using open-source images, visual analysis, and the testimonies of prisoners and guards.
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Finalists | Premio Gabo 2020
Jan 2021
Category: Innovation
Issued by: Fundación Gabo
On 21 March 2020, hundreds of inmates of La Modelo prison in Bogotá rioted, demanding attention to the Covid-19 pandemic. The reaction of the guards, supported by the police and the army, left 24 inmates dead and almost a hundred injured, including 11 guards. We reconstruct what happened that night using open-source images, visual analysis, and the testimonies of prisoners and guards.