Kari Lydersen is an assistant professor at Medill, she is also co-director of the Social Justice News Nexus, a Fellowship program at Medill that brings together graduate students and professional reporters to do in-depth stories on topics including drug policy, mental health and housing. She is also the Social Justice Specialization leader. Lydersen also works as a reporter, covering energy for Midwest Energy News and freelancing for other outlets including the Better Government Association, Discover Magazine, The Washington Post, People Magazine, The Chicago Reporter and In These Times.