P.R. Lockhart

P.R. Lockhart covers the relationships between local economic policy, industry, and equitable community development. Lockhart currently works as the economic development reporter for the Connecticut Mirror, a nonprofit newsroom covering the links between policy, community and accountability in the Nutmeg State.

While she reports on economic policy broadly, her recent work focuses on Connecticut’s growing ambitions in applied artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and quantum computing, highlighting the effects emerging technologies have on the economic well-being of local communities. She is particularly interested in how publicly financed tech-based economic development projects could impact historically marginalized and vulnerable populations.

Her fellowship project will examine who ultimately benefits from Connecticut’s efforts to develop a new economic sector focused on quantum computing, an effort that could receive up to $160 million in financial support from the National Science Foundation.

P.R. previously worked as an economic development reporter in West Virginia for Mountain State Spotlight, where she covered inequality, workforce development, and state legislative policy. Her career began in Washington D.C. with fellowship and staff writer roles with Mother Jones and Vox. Her work has also been published by The American Prospect, NBC News, and The Guardian US.

She has received several training and fellowship opportunities, including a 2025 Xana Fellowship from the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. In 2024, she was selected as a participant in the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Gwen Ifill Mentorship Program.

P.R. graduated with a degree in psychology and a certificate in policy journalism and media studies from Duke University.

This bio reflects the fellow’s work and affiliations as of their fellowship year.