Joss Fong is an American journalist, video producer, and science communicator best known for her work at Vox, where she created insightful and visually engaging explainer videos on science, technology, and social issues.
After nearly a decade at Vox, Fong co-founded the YouTube channel Howtown, where she continues to explore the origins of knowledge through creative and thought-provoking video essays.
In this article, we will explore Joss Fong’s journey and her impact on digital media and journalism.
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Who is Joss Fong?
Joss Fong is an American journalist and senior editorial producer at Vox, a well-known media company. She creates and produces educational videos that explain topics related to science, technology, health, and current events.
Her work is popular for making complicated subjects clear and easy to understand through visual storytelling. Before joining Vox, she worked as an energy editor at Media Matters for America, a media watchdog group.
At Vox, Fong is known for her detailed and visually rich videos. She often uses expert interviews, data visualizations, and storytelling to explain complex issues. Her content covers topics such as climate change, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and social issues.
Some of her most notable work includes videos explaining COVID-19 science, public health policies, and the spread of misinformation online. She has also produced detailed reports on climate science and its impact on society.
Through her well-researched and visually compelling journalism, Fong has gained a strong following. Her ability to simplify complex ideas has made her a key contributor to Vox’s success in creating engaging and educational news content.
Joss Fong Early Life and Family
Joss Fong was born on May 14, 1985, in the United States. Her birth name is Jocelyn Kathleen Fong. She prefers to keep her personal life and family background private, so there is limited publicly available information about her early life.
Her father’s identity is unknown, but her mother name is Bev Fong. She has a sister named Linds Fong, but there are no verified details regarding any other siblings. Fong keeps her family out of the spotlight and focuses more on her professional work.
She pursued higher education at New York University (NYU), where she earned a Master of Arts (MA) in Science Journalism in 2013. During her studies, she specialized in reporting complex scientific topics in a clear and accessible way.
She also honed her skills in research, storytelling, and video production, which laid the foundation for her career in explanatory journalism. Before earning her master’s degree, Fong reportedly studied engineering as an undergraduate, although details about the specific institution or degree are not widely known.
Overall, Joss Fong maintains a private personal life, with most publicly available information focusing on her education and career rather than her family or early years.
Joss Fong Nationality and Ethnicity
Joss Fong is of American nationality. While she has not publicly shared specific details about her ethnicity, she appears to be of Asian-American descent, based on her appearance and surname.
However, Fong has never officially confirmed her heritage in interviews or public statements. She tends to keep her personal background private and focuses more on her professional work.
Joss Fong Age
Joss Fong is 40 years old as of 2025 as she was born on May 14, 1985, in the United States. Despite being in her mid-thirties, she has already made a significant impact in the field of journalism.
Her years of experience and expertise in producing educational and visually compelling content have earned her a strong reputation. Fong continues to be a prominent figure in explanatory journalism, known for her ability to simplify complex topics for a wider audience.
Joss Fong Height and Weight
Joss Fong stands at 5 feet 5 inches tall, equivalent to 165 centimeters or 1.65 meters, and weighs approximately 55 kilograms or 121 lbs. She has a slim and fit physique, which complements her graceful and professional appearance.
Fong is often seen with her dark brown hair, which she sometimes styles in soft waves or keeps straight. Her dark eyes and warm smile give her a friendly and approachable look.
She typically maintains a simple yet stylish fashion sense, often opting for smart-casual outfits during her on-screen appearances. Her natural and minimal makeup style enhances her features without being overly bold.
Joss Fong Career
Joss Fong has built a successful career as a journalist, video producer, and senior editorial producer at Vox, where she specializes in explanatory journalism.
She is known for creating visually engaging and informative videos that break down complex scientific, technological, and social topics into clear and accessible content. Her work often incorporates data visualizations, expert interviews, and compelling narratives.
Before joining Vox, Fong worked at Media Matters for America, a progressive media watchdog organization. During her time there, she analyzed and critiqued media coverage of science and public policy issues.
Joss Fong experience at Media Matters strengthened her skills in media analysis and science communication, which she later brought to her role at Vox. In 2014, Fong became part of Vox Media during its early stages, shortly after the company was founded.
She quickly became a key member of the video production team. Over the years, she gained recognition for her creative and educational explanations. She covered a wide range of subjects, including climate change, artificial intelligence, public health, technology, and politics.
Some of her most popular videos explore topics such as misinformation, the science of addiction, COVID-19, and the impact of AI. Fong is praised for her sharp storytelling skills and ability to simplify intricate subjects through clear explanations and visually compelling content.
Her creative use of animations, graphics, and real-world examples makes her videos both educational and engaging. Several of her works have become widely popular and helped Vox’s YouTube channel attract millions of viewers, which established it as a leader in explanatory journalism.
Throughout her career, Fong has earned several accolades for her contributions to digital media. In 2018, she received the AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award (Gold) for her coverage of gene editing in Netflix’s series Explained.
In 2020, she won the AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award (Silver) for her reporting on COVID-19 mortality data at Vox. Her investigation of vaccine polarization earned her the Truth in Science Award from the Online Journalism Awards in 2022.
In 2023, she received the Gold Award at the Runway AI Film Festival for a short documentary exploring the future of creativity. Fong work has made her a respected figure in digital journalism, particularly in the field of science communication.
Her contributions have helped popularize the explainer journalism format. With her innovative storytelling style and strong journalistic integrity, she continues to influence and shape the landscape of digital science reporting.
Why did Joss Fong Leave Vox?
Joss Fong left Vox after working there for more than nine years to pursue independent content creation. She announced her decision on social media and expressed her gratitude for her time at Vox, which she described as the best job on Earth.
In her post, she revealed her intention to venture into the creator economy. Following her departure, Fong teamed up with Adam Cole, a fellow former Vox journalist, to launch a YouTube channel called Howtown.
The channel explores the origins and methodologies behind various forms of knowledge, as it focuses on the question, how do they know that? Through Howtown, Fong and Cole aim to continue producing high-quality, informative content.
Her decision to leave Vox reflects a broader trend of journalists shifting from traditional media organizations to independent platforms, as they seek more creative control and direct audience engagement.
Joss Fong Howtown
Joss Fong co-founded the YouTube channel Howtown with fellow journalist Adam Cole after leaving Vox. Launched in 2024, the channel explores how we know what we know by investigating the origins, methods, and processes behind knowledge.
Howtown features in-depth, well-researched video essays on topics like scientific discoveries, historical events, and data interpretation, presented in Fong signature explanatory style with clear visuals and insightful analysis.
The name reflects the channel mission to uncover the how behind knowledge. Through Howtown, Fong continues her commitment to high-quality journalism in an independent format.
Joss Fong Net Worth
Joss Fong has an estimated net worth of $5 million as of 2025. Her wealth primarily comes from her career as a journalist and video producer, with her long tenure at Vox contributing significantly to her earnings.
During her time at Vox, she created and produced educational and explanatory journalism videos, which helped establish her reputation and financial stability. With her transition to independent content creation, her income sources now include her YouTube channel, Howtown.
The channel likely generates revenue through YouTube ads, sponsorships, and possibly Patreon or other creator support platforms. Additionally, she may earn from freelance or consulting projects, such as speaking engagements or content collaborations.
While her exact financial status remains private, Fong’s successful journalism career and new venture in independent media have likely contributed to her growing wealth.
Is Joss Fong Married?
Joss Fong has not publicly disclosed any information regarding her marital status. She is known for keeping her personal life private, and there are no confirmed reports indicating whether she is married, dating, or single.
Fong has not made any public statements about her relationship status, and she appears to prefer keeping that aspect of her life out of the spotlight.
Joss Fong Social Media
Joss Fong maintains an active presence on several social media platforms, where she shares her work, insights, and updates on her latest projects. She is active on the following platforms:
Conclusion
Joss Fong has made a lasting impact on journalism with her ability to simplify complex topics through clear and compelling storytelling. Her work at Vox helped shape the field of explanatory journalism.
With her new venture, Howtown, she continues to explore knowledge and its origins, bringing fresh, thought-provoking content to viewers. Known for her dedication to accuracy and creativity, Fong remains a respected voice in digital media.
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