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Alan Smith

Head of Visual and Data Journalism

Alan Smith leads the FT's newsroom team of data reporters and visual journalists. A data visualisation specialist, his TEDx talk Why You Should Love Statistics was featured on TED.com in 2017. Alan is the author of How Charts Work, a handbook on designing with data using the FT's principles. He is also Honorary Professor of Practice at UCL's Social Data Institute.

Before he joined the FT, he was head of digital content at the UK Office for National Statistics where he was awarded an OBE in 2011 for services to official statistics.

Email Alan Smith @theboysmithy  on Twitter (link opens in a new browser window)
  • Saturday, 31 May, 2025
    Trump tariffs
    Trump tracker: the latest data on US tariffs, trade and economy

    As the president launches a trade war, follow the latest on tariffs and executive orders

    Montage of Donald Trump and a chart
  • Wednesday, 21 May, 2025
    ExplainerGlobal Economy
    Inflation and interest rates tracker: see how your country compares

    Inflationary pressures are beginning to wane. See how actions taken by your central bank affect you

  • Tuesday, 20 May, 2025
    ExplainerWar in Ukraine
    Tracking Ukraine’s battle against Russia in maps and charts

    A visual guide to the war

  • Tuesday, 20 May, 2025
    The Big Read
    Will Trump’s tariff climbdown save the US from recession?

    Markets cheered the deal with China. But away from Wall Street, confidence is plummeting and prices are on the rise

  • Monday, 12 May, 2025
    ReviewEconomics books
    The Measure of Progress by Diane Coyle — has GDP run its course?

    A timely argument that AI, geopolitical tensions and global production networks demand a new statistical infrastructure

    An aerial view of cars awaiting transportation. From this distance they look like an abstract grid made up of small pieces
  • Wednesday, 7 May, 2025
    Trump tariffs
    Trump tracker: the latest data on US tariffs, trade and economy

    As the president launches a trade war, follow the latest data on imports, exports and trade balances

    Montage of Donald Trump and a chart
  • Tuesday, 6 May, 2025
    Trump tariffs
    Trump tracker: the latest data on US tariffs, trade and economy

    As the president launches a trade war, follow the latest data on how markets react and how the country’s economy is performing

    Montage of Donald Trump and a chart
  • Saturday, 5 April, 2025
    Trump tariffs
    In charts: winners and losers from Trump’s new tariffs

    Low rates on Ireland, high levies on Slovakia, Asian misery and the strange tale of St Pierre and Miquelon

    A composite image of a shippng container over a scatter chart
  • Tuesday, 1 April, 2025
    News in-depthTrump tariffs
    How a $1.4tn Trump trade war could unfold

    Econometric study models global fallout from tariff retaliation, including dramatic rise in US prices

    A montage of Donald Trump with dollar bills, a cargo container and bar charts
  • Wednesday, 26 March, 2025
    News in-depthUK Spring Statement 2025
    Rising debt and spending demands: the squeeze on Britain’s finances — in charts

    UK gross government debt rose from 85.7% of GDP in 2019 to 101.8% in 2024

    Montage shows an empty red wallet with an HMRC Treasury logo against a data backdrop
  • Monday, 24 March, 2025
    ExplainerIsrael-Hamas war
    The Israel-Hamas war in maps and charts

    A visual guide to the conflict

  • Monday, 24 March, 2025
    Labour party UK
    New poll shows risks for Starmer over spending choices

    Most Labour voters believe protecting welfare is more important than boosting UK defence budget

    Montage shows Keir Starmer against a backdrop of the MoD logo, a disability sign and polling data
  • Monday, 17 March, 2025
    News in-depthEU defence
    The costly end of Europe’s ‘peace dividend’

    Defence spending at 3.5% of GDP would have cost EU an extra $387bn a year since finish of cold war

    Montage shows a French soldier training with an anti drone gun against a data backdrop
  • Friday, 14 February, 2025
    ExplainerTrump tariffs
    What is Trump’s ‘reciprocal’ tariff plan?

    US president orders options to retaliate with levies against host of perceived trade barriers

  • Friday, 24 January, 2025
    HTSI
    30 of the UK’s cosiest pubs

    FT writers and editors pick their favourite spots for a pint by the fire

    Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem, Nottingham
  • Thursday, 23 January, 2025
    EU economy
    Davos hits ‘peak pessimism’ on Europe as US exuberance rises

    Christine Lagarde warns of ‘existential crisis’ for continent while Donald Trump puts America first

    A montage of Donald Trump with EU flag and WEF logo in the background
  • Tuesday, 21 January, 2025
    ExplainerUS trade
    Five takeaways on Trump’s opening trade salvo

    President vows to correct ‘unfair practices’ as US trading partners prepare for an era of tariffs

    Montage of Donald Trump, and port facilities
  • Tuesday, 21 January, 2025
    FT GlobetrotterThe world’s top runs: an FT Globetrotter guide
    Parkrun comes of age: six of its best international 5ks

    The free running event turns 21 this year — and its continuing global expansion makes it an excellent way to see another side of a city

    A group of runners jogging through trees on a Parkrun on Hampstead Heath, north London
  • Thursday, 16 January, 2025
    News in-depthGerman election
    How Germany declined under Olaf Scholz — in charts

    Russia’s war in Ukraine has derailed German chancellor’s economic plans

    A montage of Olaf Scholz with charts behind him
  • Sunday, 15 December, 2024
    UK equities
    London Stock Exchange suffers biggest exodus since financial crisis

    Main market set for fewest listings in 15 years as allure of New York grows despite planned UK reforms

    A montage showing the London Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange and the logos of Flutter, Ashtead, CRH and Smurfit Kappa
  • Sunday, 8 December, 2024
    Syrian crisis
    The 7 days that ended 50 years of Assad rule — in maps

    How a lightning rebel advance toppled a family dynasty in a week

    Syrian opposition fighters celebrate after the Syrian government collapsed in Damascus on Sunday
  • Monday, 11 November, 2024
    EU defence
    Brussels to free up billions of euros for defence and security from EU budget

    Policy shift will allow the bloc’s capitals to redirect ‘cohesion funds’ amid Ukraine conflict and Trump victory

    Self-propelled howitzers take part in Poland’s annual Armed Forces Day parade
  • Thursday, 7 November, 2024
    News in-depthEU energy
    Europe’s winter gas supplies at risk from market disruptions

    Region replaced Russian pipeline imports with globally traded LNG, which is more susceptible to price rises

  • Thursday, 7 November, 2024
    The Big Read
    Trump redraws the political map of America

    Five maps and charts that show how the Republican candidate defied conventional assumptions about his support — including among Latino, Black and women voters

  • Wednesday, 30 October, 2024
    UK Autumn Budget 2024
    Capital gains tax calculator: how are you affected?

    UK chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced an immediate increase in her first Budget

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