Julia Baird was named Deputy Editor in 2009.   She writes a weekly column on history, politics and culture.

Baird joined Newsweek in February 2007 as a senior editor for Science, Society and Ideas. In that role, she oversaw Newsweek’s coverage of social trends and scientific breakthroughs as well as fresh, important ideas. She edited cover stories on subjects including human evolution, the history of climate change denial, the mysterious lives of surrogate mothers, the politics of transgender and the significance of 1968. She also wrote a number of features: amongst others, a cover story called “What Women’ Want,” on vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and the women’s vote, a profile of MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, and reviews of new books about Eleanor Roosevelt.

Previously, Baird was at the Sydney Morning Herald from 1998-2007, working in various roles. She was a columnist starting in 1999 and was the editor of the op-ed page from 2000-2005. She was also an education reporter and election editor.  In 2006 she was the host of the investigative radio program “Sunday Profile” on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

In 2005, Baird was a fellow at the Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press and Public Policy at Harvard, researching the global response to American opinion in the lead-up to the Iraq War.  Her Ph.D., on female politicians and the press, was awarded in 2001, and her book on the subject was published in 2004. Baird has also taught history (20th century cultural history and personal narratives, involving the study of letters, diaries and journals), made radio documentaries on subjects as diverse as black metal music and convent education, and has been a widely sought-after commentator on television and radio.

Baird received both her B.A. and Ph.D. in history from Sydney University.  She works in New York City, and lives in Philadelphia with her husband, two children and a large brown dog.