Russell Goldman
The New York Times has appointed veteran editor Russell Goldman as news director for its Science desk, expanding the newsroom’s leadership as the publication continues to emphasize faster, more integrated breaking news coverage across its editorial operations.
Goldman, a 12-year veteran of the Times’ International desk, will serve as the Science desk’s lead news editor, helping shape daily coverage, coordinate reporting priorities and strengthen the desk’s ability to deliver timely, audience-focused journalism. He is expected to transition into the role full time in September.
The appointment is part of a broader newsroom strategy in which Times desks have designated lead news editors to serve as central points of contact, working with reporters and editors to make daily coverage more responsive to breaking developments and evolving reader interests.
“Russell has always been a pacesetter for International, and for The Times,” said Phil Pan, international editor. “He leads reporters and drives coverage creatively and urgently, because he understands how far we’ve come and how much further we have to go. He has a keen sense for news, audience and every kind of storytelling that can connect the two.”
For the past two years, Goldman has served as the International desk’s senior global news editor, helping set the newsroom’s daily agenda across some of the publication’s most significant international stories, including the wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Iran. He also played a key role in expanding the desk’s use of live coverage, visual storytelling and explanatory journalism.
Before that, Goldman was a regional Middle East editor, overseeing coverage of major events including the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza. Earlier in his tenure at the Times, he spent five years based in Hong Kong, where he helped direct coverage of the city’s pro-democracy protests and, in January 2020, helped launch the publication’s live blog covering the lockdown of Wuhan, China. He subsequently helped lead the Times’ Asia-based live coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic during its first 100 days.
Prior to joining The New York Times, Goldman spent seven years at ABC News as a reporter and producer, serving as head writer for Primetime Nightline and covering the 2012 U.S. presidential election. During his journalism career, he has been part of teams recognized with several industry honors, including the Edward R. Murrow Award for ABC News’ coverage of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the Peabody Award for Hurricane Sandy reporting and the Society of Publishers in Asia’s Award for Excellence in Breaking News for coverage produced while based in Hong Kong.
Michael Slackman, head of the News Desk, said Goldman brings the editorial instincts and leadership needed to strengthen the Science desk’s daily report.
“Russell is the real thing,” Slackman said. “He has first-rate news judgment, enthusiasm for innovation, insatiable curiosity and a devotion to our mission. The Science desk is fortunate to have him.”
Goldman’s appointment reflects a broader shift among major news organizations toward integrating breaking news, live reporting and explanatory journalism within specialized coverage areas. As readers increasingly expect immediate updates paired with context and analysis, publishers have invested in newsroom leadership roles focused on accelerating editorial workflows while expanding digital storytelling formats.
In the coming weeks, Goldman will begin working with the Science desk’s reporters and editors to familiarize himself with coverage areas and help develop new approaches for breaking news, enterprise reporting and newsroom collaboration ahead of his full-time transition in September.