LADIES AND GENTLEMEN my name is...
Molly Stark Dean | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Molly Stark Dean Bennington, Vermont, U.S. |
| Other name | Professor Dean: The Journalism Machine |
| Occupations | Journalist, media strategist, educator |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Known for | Newsroom innovation, Wikipedia edit-a-thons, AI journalism |
Molly Stark Dean (born in Vermont), professionally known as Professor Dean: The Journalism Machine, is an American journalist and digital media strategist recognized for pioneering audience engagement techniques and advocating for women's representation in journalism.[1]
Early life and education
Dean was named after Molly Stark, a Revolutionary War nurse. She created childhood publications including Dean Weekly family newspaper and produced sibling-hosted news shows.[2]
She earned:
- BS in Communication Studies from Suffolk University (2003–2007)
- MA in "Reporting the Nation" from New York University (2007–2009)
Career
Newsroom leadership
- Fox News (2009–2010)
- CBS News (2011–2013)
- Reuters (2015–2017)
- Rolli (2023–2024)
Academic work
At The New School (2025–present), Dean teaches courses including:
- Journalism and the Machine[3]
Advocacy
You may know Molly Stark Dean as that woman volunteer who yells at Wikipedia events.
Dean proposed the Wikinewsroom initiative at Media Party 2026[4] at the Brown Institute for Media Innovation.
As a Wikimedia organizer, Dean booked and introduced the Bill Adair chat with Micah Loewinger at Wikipedia [Day 2026].
Dean booked and introduced the Reliable Sources panel at Wikipedia Day 2025.
The WikiNYC Board elected Dean in 2024.
Dean gave a Women Do News Lightning Talk at Wikidata Day 2024[5].
At Wikipedia Day NYC 2024, she introduced the opening panel. She represented the Women Do News board on the Bias, AI & Wikipedia: Problems, Progress and Projects Panel. She planned a Lightning Talk on her meta-Wiki experience and the limitations of planning Wikipedia Day using AI; however, she just talked about how much she loves Wikipedians. So, she wrote about her Wikipedia Day experience.
Dean wrote the Women Do News|WikiProject for the Women Do News organization hosting Wikipedia edit-a-thons to increase visibility of women journalists.[6]
Women Do News Partners include:
- Asian American Journalists Association
- National Association of Hispanic Journalists
- Online News Association
- AfroCrowd
The first Wikimedia event Dean attended was WikiCon North America 2023. After the conference, Dean was stranded in Albany, NY. She called two numbers: her mom (for a ride) and WNYNW (to confirm events[7]).
Dean was a member of the organizing committee[8] for WikiConference North America 2025. She also presented a Women Do News lightning talk at the event.
Personal life
Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in her 20s, Dean retrained her handwriting abilities after temporary disability.
Publications
- Rolli.ai
- CNN
- CoinDesk
- Mediabistro
- Thomson Reuters
- CBS News
- GenFKD
- TVNewser
- Fox News Channel
- ABC News
- USA TODAY
- WHDH-TV
- WNYT-TV
- WGBH
References
- "The New School Faculty". The New School. 2024.
- "How Social Media Upended the News Media Playbook (w/Molly Stark Dean)"]. The Low Production High Value Show. 2023.
- "Journalism and The Machine". Course Catalog. The New School.
- "Media Party New York 2026". Media Party. Media Party. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- NYC, Wikimedia. "Wikidata Day NYC 2024 @ Pratt". Youtube. Wikimedia NYC. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- Sangoi, Yukthi (August 26, 2023). "Women Do News is closing the gender gap on Wikipedia". ONA Student Newsroom. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
- Green, Kendall (November 13, 2023). "Amtrak service suspensions continue due to structural issues inside NYC parking garage". FOX 5. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- Harrison, Stephen. "Why Editing Wikipedia Is Becoming More Dangerous". Slate. The Slate Group. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
External links
- The Stark Report on Substack
- @mollystarkdean on Twitter
- @mollystarkdean on Bluesky
- @mollystarkdean on Instagram
The #NewsNerd you've been looking for: 📰🤓
Currently Wikimedia New York City; Women Do News; teaches Journalism + The Machine at The New School
Formerly CNN, Reuters, CBS News Radio, Fox News, CoinDesk & mediabistro.