Sophie Downes
About Sophie Downes
Sophie Downes is a Senior Staff Editor at The New York Times, where she has worked since 2023. She has a background in editing and journalism, having previously held positions at various publications including Inc. Magazine and The Chicago Maroon.
Current Role at The New York Times
Sophie Downes serves as a Senior Staff Editor at The New York Times, a position she has held since 2023. In this role, she focuses on editing news and features related to New York City and its surrounding areas. Additionally, she has worked on the Live team, where she edited live coverage of significant events, including the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
Previous Experience in Journalism
Before her current position, Downes was an Editing Resident at The New York Times from 2021 to 2023. This role allowed her to gain extensive experience in various editorial capacities within the newsroom. She also worked at Inc. Magazine as an Assistant Editor and Web Producer from 2017 to 2021, contributing to both print and digital content.
Education and Academic Background
Sophie Downes graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with a minor in Linguistics, from the University of Chicago in 2017. Prior to her university education, she attended Northport High School from 2009 to 2013, where she completed her secondary education.
Internship and Early Career
Downes began her career in journalism with an internship at Make the Road New York in 2014. She also gained experience as a General Production Intern at The Public Theater in 2015. Her early editorial work includes serving as Copy Editor and later Copy Chief at The Chicago Maroon from 2013 to 2017.
Notable Contributions
Sophie Downes made her mark in journalism with her first professional byline, which was the inaugural essay in the New York Times Opinion section's On Campus series. Her participation in the New York Times Editing Residency further highlights her commitment to developing her editorial skills and expertise.