Somini Sengupta has been aNew York Times reporter for over 20 years. She has written about conflicts, diplomacy,humanitarian crises and as of 2023 is covering climate. In particular, she has reported on theIraq War and theSyrian civil war.[1] Her flak jacket is in theTimes museum.[2] Since February 2022, she has been the lead writer for theTimes Climate Forward newsletter,[3] sharing the National Press Club Journalism Award in 2023 for Newsletter Journalism with fellow reporterManuela Andreoni.[4]
In 2003 and 2004, Somini Sengupta covered west and central Africa as the Dakar bureau chief[6] forThe New York Times, including the conflict inDarfur.[7] She won theGeorge Polk Award on "foreign reporting for her articles from Congo, Liberia and other war-torn areas of West Africa" in 2003.[8][9]
Her climate reporting[11] has been recognized[12] and has led to several journalism awards. TheUnited Nations Correspondents Association recognized her reporting onWest African climate refugees with its 2017 "UNCA Global Prize for coverage of Climate Change".[13] In 2021, she received an award for her environmental reporting from theNewswomen's Club of New York.[14] Also in 2021, theWomen's Media Center recognized her with one of their "Exceptional Journalism Awards" in her role as an "International Climate Correspondent" for theTimes.[15]
Her coverage of lithium mining in Chile was cited as part of aTimes team which shared theOverseas Press Club Whitman Bassow Award in 2021.[16]
She is the winner of the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Newswomens Club of New York.
