By Editorial Staff The New York Times Opinion section has announced a significant high-profile hire, tapping veteran journalist and editor Ellen Cushing to serve as the deputy editor of its special projects team. Cushing, who arrives at The Times following a distinguished tenure at The Atlantic, brings a reputation for structural innovation and narrative precision that has made her one of the most sought-after editorial minds in the industry. In her new capacity, Cushing will spearhead some of the department’s most ambitious editorial undertakings, overseeing a team tasked with pushing the boundaries of traditional opinion journalism. For the leadership at The Times, the appointment represents a strategic alignment between the institution’s desire to experiment with new storytelling formats and Cushing’s proven track record of executing complex, multi-platform projects. The Appointment: Seeking the Industry "Unicorn" The search for a deputy editor of special projects was characterized by a clear set of requirements: The Times needed an editor capable of thinking both macro-strategically and micro-stylistically. According to Meeta Agrawal, who announced the appointment, the department sought a "unicorn"—a rare talent who could conceptualize expansive, innovative story forms while maintaining a rigorous commitment to sentence-level craft. "When we set out to fill this role, we knew we were looking for a unicorn: an editor who has demonstrated the ability to think expansively and creatively in different story forms, and who can also produce work that is stunning on the sentence level," Agrawal wrote in an internal memo. "It turned out we were describing Ellen." Cushing’s arrival is scheduled for August 17. Her portfolio suggests she will be instrumental in bridging the gap between the Opinion section’s traditional intellectual roots and the modern requirement for immersive, experimental digital storytelling. A Chronology of Editorial Excellence Ellen Cushing’s career trajectory is a study in consistent advancement and a recurring affinity for "special projects." Her professional journey reflects an evolution from hyper-local reporting to national cultural critique and complex project management. Early Foundations: The Oakland Roots Cushing’s career began in the vibrant ecosystem of the East Bay. At the East Bay Express, her hometown alt-weekly, she cut her teeth in the trenches of local journalism. During this formative period, she oversaw culture coverage and famously authored a column on the regional bar scene—a role that allowed her to develop a sharp, observant voice that would later define her long-form writing. The Rise through Magazines Following her time at the Express, Cushing moved to San Francisco magazine as a senior editor. It was here that she began to gain recognition for her ability to manage complex, thematic issues. Her contribution to a special issue on Oakland earned recognition from the American Society of Magazine Editors, signaling her readiness for a national stage. The BuzzFeed and Atlantic Years In 2015, Cushing joined BuzzFeed News, where she eventually rose to the role of special projects editor. Her work there was marked by a pivot toward high-stakes accountability journalism, specifically her management of the publication’s coverage regarding sexual misconduct. This experience served as a prelude to her move to The Atlantic in 2018. During her initial tenure at The Atlantic, she ran technology coverage before transitioning into her role as the magazine’s special projects editor. Over the course of four years, she managed the magazine’s experimental storytelling team and played a vital role in the digitization of The Atlantic’s expansive archives—a project that underscored her commitment to preserving historical journalistic integrity while embracing the digital future. Supporting Data: A Proven Track Record of Impact Cushing’s tenure at The Atlantic was defined by a series of high-impact editorial packages that garnered significant critical and commercial success. Her portfolio of work serves as a blueprint for the type of journalism she is expected to bring to The New York Times. Key Projects and Initiatives Shadowland: A multiyear, multimedia exploration of the rise of conspiracy theories in American culture, which was later adapted into a docuseries for Peacock. The Climate Vertical: Cushing helped build the framework for The Atlantic’s dedicated climate vertical, including the launch and strategy for its weekly newsletter. Long-form Memoir: She edited a powerful series detailing the escape from persecution in Xinjiang, China, demonstrating her capacity for handling sensitive, high-stakes narratives. The Great American Novels: A monumental editorial project that re-evaluated the American literary canon, highlighting her ability to manage large-scale, culturally significant intellectual packages. Recent Cultural Contributions Most recently, Cushing served as a full-time writer for The Atlantic’s culture desk. Her work during this time has been remarkably eclectic, spanning from a deep dive into the dominance of food delivery apps to personal essays on the decline of baseball culture and the minutiae of domestic life, such as the proper way to load a dishwasher. In June, her critical prowess was formally recognized when she received the James Beard Foundation’s Craig Claiborne Distinguished Criticism Award for her writing on food. This accolade highlights her ability to elevate niche cultural topics into broad, resonant human-interest narratives. Implications: The Future of Opinion Journalism The hiring of Cushing comes at a pivotal time for The New York Times Opinion section. As legacy media outlets grapple with the shifting habits of digital consumers, the demand for "special projects"—content that feels essential, urgent, and visually distinct—has never been higher. Bridging the Gap Cushing’s career demonstrates a recurring pattern: she finds the intersection between technology, culture, and high-impact investigative work. By bringing her into the deputy editor role, The Times is signaling a commitment to a "project-first" mentality. This means moving away from a strictly column-based model toward one that favors "packages" that can live across platforms, including newsletters, interactive digital features, and serialized long-form reporting. Accountability and Innovation Cushing’s background in managing sexual misconduct investigations at BuzzFeed and her work on climate change and political conspiracy at The Atlantic suggest that The Times is not looking for a decorative editor. Instead, they are looking for someone who can manage the logistical intensity of investigative reporting while maintaining the high aesthetic standards of a magazine editor. Industry Impact For the broader journalism industry, this move confirms that the "special projects" desk is no longer a luxury—it is the engine room of modern newsrooms. As platforms evolve, the ability to curate, edit, and launch initiatives that command attention in an oversaturated market is becoming the primary currency for editorial leadership. A New Chapter As Ellen Cushing prepares to join The New York Times, the industry is watching to see how her distinct editorial thumbprint will influence the nation’s most prominent opinion pages. Her work—from eating dog food for a piece on the pet industry to dissecting the history of World War II pilots—is unified by a restless curiosity and a refusal to stick to one genre. The appointment is not merely a staffing change; it is a declaration of intent. The Times is betting on Cushing’s "unicorn" status to help define the next era of American opinion journalism. With her start date approaching, the editorial team is poised to leverage her expertise to create the kind of ambitious, sentence-perfect, and culturally urgent work that defines the modern digital landscape. As Meeta Agrawal noted in her closing remarks to the staff: "If it’s not yet evident, we are thrilled she will be joining The Times and helping to run Opinion’s special projects." For readers, the anticipation now turns to what specific projects will emerge from this new partnership. One thing is certain: under Cushing’s guidance, the Opinion section is unlikely to remain static. 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