WRITING

I have won awards for my writing (see below). My experience ranges from magazine features to blog and social media posts, on a range of topics and for various publications. My writing portfolio contains many of my published articles. Below are examples in some specific areas:

sports

My writing on sports has appeared in The Guardian, Outside, Runner’s World, espnW, Women’s Running, Global Sport Matters (part of Arizona State University’s Global Sport Institute), Insider, the Sierra Club’s Sierra magazine, and other outlets.

Coming Out of the Pandemic, Sport Programs Are More Important Than Ever for Kids’ Mental Health

sustainability, the environment & the outdoors

Publications include Sierra, Audubon, Well+Good, BELT Magazine, Planet Detroit, Model D, the Erb Institute at the University of Michigan, and Outdoor Insider.

These Running Shoes Are Made From Captured Carbon Emissions

leadership, business & associations

I have written for Crain’s Detroit Business, ASAE’s Associations Now, and the Erb Institute at the University of Michigan.

Illinois law mandates paid leave for workers—that they can take for any reason

local stories: in Michigan

I’ve covered local Detroit-area issues for Crain’s Detroit Business, Planet Detroit, Model D, Metromode, The Keel, the Erb Institute at the University of Michigan, and Sierra magazine.

House bills aim to protect Michigan’s pollinators

law

Most of my writing about the law has been for the American Association for Justice (content that is available only to members). Other pieces have been published by the American Museum of Tort Law.

health & wellness

My writing on health, wellness, and fitness has appeared in Well+Good, EatingWell, Insider, SEEN Magazine, Audubon Magazine, and other outlets.

I Swapped My Usual Workouts With Gardening for a Week, and Found New Ways To Work My Muscles in the Yard

more

For other writing samples on these and other topics, you can view my writing portfolio here.

AWARDS

Excellence in Sports Reporting Award, Asian American Journalists Association, 2023. For “This Team of Adaptive Athletes Finished the Hood to Coast Relay—and Is Fighting for Kids With Disabilities” in Outside.

Judges’ comments:
“Burtka’s piece includes a diverse set of voices and above all, has impact. The story showcases the immediate need for insurance companies to cover ‘recreational’ prostheses — not just walking prostheses– for all ages in all states. Burtka also slid in thoughts on ways races overall can be more inclusive, including an accessible bathroom was one suggestion. Above all, the story goes the extra mile in chatting with adaptive athletes of various races and backgrounds and does a good job in driving home the point that physical activity is a basic human right.”

Excellence in Journalism Award, First Place, Society of Professional Journalists, Detroit Chapter, 2022. For engagement-driven coverage: Planet Detroit Climate Guides.

Apex Award (from Communications Concepts, Inc.), 2012. For writing, interviews and personal profiles: “Problems With Prisons,” a Q&A in Trial magazine.

Bronze Excel Award (from Association Media & Publishing), 2012. For magazine feature article: “Foreclosure Fallout” in Trial magazine.

Apex Award, 2008. For news writing: “Police and Human Rights Groups Are Wary of Pocket-Size Taser” in Trial magazine.

Bronze Excel Award, 2004. For news writing in a newsletter: Watershed & Wet Weather.